Chapter 8 #3
As always, the ladies were on theme in expensive threads, tying the bow theme in perfectly. Each woman’s style matched their personality, and I loved it. After giving everyone a hug, I handed Dasani her card.
“I didn’t know what to bring since this is my first Sniff-and-Sip, but here you are, and congratulations! I know the business will thrive beautifully.”
I loved the silver fitted tube dress Dasani was wearing. There was a large bow attached to the back, dragging the floor behind her. It was perfect. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail with bangs, showcasing her almond-shaped eyes and highlighting her ethnicity.
Placing the envelope to her nose, she inhaled. “Ummm. It’s moneyyyy in here! Thank ya, boo boo! I’m so happy you came.”
I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I wish y’all would invite me to everything, I said to myself, but to Dasani, I replied with a simple, “Of course.”
The party continued with drinks and food being passed around.
The sniff stations were absolutely adorable.
Dasani had three fragrances to sample, each with two variations.
She even had a chemist explaining the notes in the perfumes.
I’d never seen anything like it, and was excited to learn something new.
Once we picked our favorite fragrance between the perfumes labeled A and B, it was logged into a system—no, a real system on an iPad—for Dasani to consider later.
She put so much thought into her brand, and the quality of the scents was unmatched.
I had a hard time choosing but ultimately when with bottle A.
I’d already planned to stock my growing perfume collection with every single fragrance on launch day, and was happy she had little samples for us to take to tide us over until the full bottles released. They were that good.
The Sniff-and-Sip was perfect content for me, and as much as I wanted to complain about missing out, I held back.
I always felt uneasy about filming in their home, even though the other women did it.
I didn’t want to do anything that might risk my welcome or get me barred from their houses, so the most I did was ask the hired photographer to take a picture of me solo at one of the balloon arches with my untouched beverage in hand.
Once we finished with my impromptu photoshoot, I offered her a tip, but she declined.
I was sure Dasani or her husband had given explicit instructions for the hired vendors to not accept any money from guests.
Before I could stuff the fifty-dollar bill in her black slacks, she had sent me my photos via Bluetooth and blended into the party.
Looking through the pictures, I was so excited to post them because of how good they looked.
The pictures she’d taken of the wives and me were magazine-worthy.
Those were without a doubt going on my social media platforms.
The drinks were flowing, marijuana was lingering in the air somewhere, and the DJ had the party pumping while I was on cloud nine, enjoying my girls.
The summer was ours for the taking, and this party had been the perfect kick-off.
These ladies lived the dream life, and I was just happy to be included, even if only partially.
Dasani had gone off to tend to the rest of the guests, leaving Pia, Jisei, Scarlett, Mocha, and me in our destinated section of the party. Discover had come through briefly, but was escorted out by Vello as soon as she sniffed the fragrances and gave her gift.
“I be seeing these bow parties all over the internet but never thought I’d be at one. It’s so cute and girly.” Mocha held up her flute. “Even got a little satin bow on the leg of the glass. Period!”
“Yes, you know this is right up my alley,” Jisei agreed. Anything pink, with a bow, or feminine, my old neighbor was obsessed with. She’d even been a tad bit disappointed that baby Ezio was a boy.
“I love the whole aesthetic of this party. It’s executed perfectly,” I added, admiring the monogrammed napkins.
“So, Glow…” Pia’s ponytail, which had been flipped at the ends, bounced as she spoke.
Red was always her choice of color, so I wasn’t surprised to see her in a black jumpsuit that cut off right above the knees with red bows resting on the shoulders.
She, too, was in red lipstick with her belly bump on full display.
“I heard your little sister is here from college.”
I smiled, thinking of Glee. “Not yet. My mom wanted her to go home first. She’ll be coming to stay with me soon, though. Her and her best friend, Blayke.”
“I want Pearla to meet them. She’s doing better these days, but maybe more girls in their clique can snap them back to their normal selves.
Pearla also needs to talk to someone her age about college because I think Blake would be perfect for her.
The further away from Jagoda Bay she is, the better.
She’ll be a senior this year, and I don’t want her thinking her heartbreak is the reason she gotta stay here.
Too fucking much done happened. She needs to go on and see more of the world. ”
My heart went out to Pearla. I didn’t know Grind, but I’d caught a glimpse of him at Pia and Nel’s engagement.
I could see why she was bedridden after hearing the news that he was married.
Add in him getting shot, and I’d also shut off from the world.
I still didn’t know the details of the shooting because, again, I wasn’t integrated into the circle beyond girly meet-ups and celebratory events, but the entire family had been concerned about Pearla.
“That should work. Glee needs some new friends, and she doesn’t know anyone in Jagoda Bay besides me.
I’m sure she’d be happy to meet Pearla and tell her all about Blake U.
It’s a nice school in a cute small town.
I was nervous about her going all the way to Georgia, but when we got to the campus to get her settled in, it almost made me jealous that I hadn’t gone to school.
They even have condos for dorm rooms. I think Pearla will like it. ”
With the way my sister had shut my ass out as soon as she got to that damn school, I didn’t think that would’ve been the move for Pearla, but the brightness my little spill put on Pia’s face had me feeling good.
“Yeah, we need to link them ASAP. Text me as soon as she touches down.”
“Will do.”
I turned to ask Jisei about coming over soon to play with baby Ezio when Dasani reappeared.
Her dazzling attire screamed, “This is my party,” and with the way her body was slightly swaying, I could tell she was feeling the overpriced champagne.
She smiled before saying, “Forgive us, Glow. I need to snatch the ladies away real quick. Have something else to drink since you haven’t touched that glass. We will be right back.”
I nodded, refusing to let them see my crushed feelings.
The rest of the ladies gave me what felt like sympathetic smiles as they followed Dasani out of the room, leaving me with the fragrances, DJ, and the elders who were on the dance floor, getting it.
Just that fast, I’d gone from indulging in conversation to being ostracized.
The chemist had done their job and was now packed up and gone, so the party had officially kicked off.
The men had come up, picked out their fragrances, and disappeared, so I was assuming that’s where the women went.
Leaning against the wall to relieve my foot of pain, I took a tiny sip of champagne to ease my nerves.
“Who got you over here looking all sad, Greedy?”
Jumping, I placed my hand on my chest as my woeful thoughts were interrupted.
His eyes drifted from mine to my shoulders and then to my breasts, which the bow did a poor job of concealing.
I was tastefully dressed, mindful of the many married men in the room, but being sexy had slowly become an intricate part of my brand.
He licked his slightly darkened lips and set off fireworks in my panties.
Shit.
“See, you not living right. Scary ass,” he stated in a chuckle.
Tunan.
The store runner.
My impromptu date.
It was pitiful how the sight of him made my panties cream.
I’d tried hard to forget that shameful night, but anytime I came in contact with my vagina, whether I was relieving my bladder or cleaning myself in the shower, I’d set my honey pot on fire with yearning.
How can one night—one fucking man—leave an impression that showed no signs of dispersing?
Just like that night, he looked and smelled delicious next to me, and just like that night, he was out of dress code.
I’d quickly learned that Tunan wasn’t a rule follower.
When he showed up instead of Shio for dinner, he made my followers fall in love with him.
I would have never believed he’d be the one to break my celibacy.
All it took was half-eaten food and a riding through the city, while I gawked at him like a smitten girl, for him to fuck me on the worn, back seat of his ancient-ass car like I was a groupie.
You’d think he was the one with the millions of followers, the way I let him bust my ass wide open.
Just thinking about it had my cheeks on fire.