Chapter 1
Chapter
One
Perrae
“What you think, girl? Talk to me,” I questioned my client, Tika.
She stared in the mirror with the widest grin on her face as she admired the butt-length boho braids I’d just installed. “Perrae, girl, you ate down again. My vacation to Turks and Caicos is really about to be lit now!” She squealed with excitement.
“Thank you, babes. You know I do what I can,” I responded.
Tika laughed. “Girl, bye. You know you the best damn braider on this side of town.”
“Aww. I love how y'all ride for me.”
“That's because me and all your other clients love the quality service you provide. You can't get this level of expertise and quality from nowhere else, except The Braiding Haus,” Tika informed me.
I smiled at her as I swept around us a bit. “Thank you so much, babes. You know I appreciate you all.”
Tika fiddled in her purse until she handed me three hundred dollars.
My brows furrowed together. “Your remaining balance was only two hundred and fifty dollars, girl. Remember, you paid your deposit already.”
“Girl, that’s your tip. You treat me too damn good up in here not to get one,” she quickly defended.
I grinned. “Aww, thank you, babes. You know I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, love. Enjoy the rest of your day. I’m out of here.”
“You too. Have a safe yet fun trip,” I professed. Tika and I shared a quick hug before she exited my store.
Craig, the neighborhood addict, walked over to my station and immediately cleaned up my mess. I hired him to keep my braiding salon clean. He never missed a beat.
My salon was always clean, mopped, and sanitized. Craig went over and beyond, and I paid him quite well under the table. He had enough money to rent a room in a house, pay his bills, and afford his habit.
I wanted him to get clean, but he told me too many times that he’d tried, but he couldn’t beat that monkey. Craig was such a strong person. I hated he dealt with a beast that he couldn’t shake. He was always in my prayers. I’d never stop praying for him.
The bell on my door jingled as I washed my hands in a nearby sink. It was my lunch break, so I knew it wasn’t my client. My last client wouldn’t be here for another two hours. But a deep and panicked voice filled my ears.
Catcalls quickly filled my salon. “Damn you fine.”
“Tall and tattoos. That’s my type.”
“What I wouldn’t give to be in those jeans.”
I shook my head. The hairstylists I hired had no filter. No man was safe unless it was one of theirs. Lexi and I were the only single women in the shop.
After dealing with my kids' father off and on, I cut him off, and now I’d been celibate for the last four years. It was one of the best decisions I’d ever made.
“Excuse me, Miss. I need some serious help. You were the first salon I drove by and spotted.
I turned to observe the male visitor. The moment our eyes locked, I released an almost unnoticeable breath. This Adonis wore a wavy, tapered fade and carried hella tattoos on his visible, muscular arms, around his neck, and up to the small tattoos under his right eye.
As I examined the linebacker of a man, I was enthralled with his light brown eyes, solid and tone build, and the small bow shape of his legs.
His dark hazelnut complexion made me lick my lips, as if I’d recently serviced the knob that was well outlined in his fitted black jeans.
His white polo appeared almost majestic against his skin, highlighting the brown hues in his eyes, skin, and salt and pepper fade.
I’d never seen a man so damn fine. This handsome stranger had my clit jumping like she was at a Kris Kross concert. I wasn’t alone though. The way his eyes wandered over my body looked as if he’d temporarily forgot whatever dilemma he was in.
I cleared my throat, and his eyes instantly snapped to mine. “How can I help you?” I probed, easing toward him and the little girl I’d finally noticed that stood next to him. She looked between eight to ten years of age.
“This morning, my daughter got gum in her hair. I’d tried everything online said to do to get it out, but nothing worked. Now her hair is all messed up, and I’m supposed to take her back to her mom’s house in an hour. Can somebody here please help me?”
I looked at my employees, and instantly, all of them diverted their eyes and focused on their clients. Now the heffas wanted to be busy, but just a second ago, they were ready to lick his skin off.
“Y’all so irritating,” I voiced.
They giggled while styling their clients. I focused back on the fine man in front of me. “My ladies are all busy, and it’s my lunch break. I’ve been on my feet for a while.”
“Ma’am, I’m not asking for a miracle, but I am begging for some of your time. I’ll buy you lunch and double the price of her hair. I’m at your mercy right now,” he pleaded.
His daughter removed her thumb from her mouth and grinned at me.
She was a cutie patootie, just like her papa, except she had naturally honey blonde colored hair.
Just looking at her made me think about my twin girls, Tahari and Tahiri.
They were nine and my pride and joys next to my seventeen-year-old son JJ or Jace Jr. He was his father’s namesake.
Their dad and I started young having kids. Big J was what I liked to call a driven father. Every time he stopped by to see them, it was always some shit.
Once I got pregnant with the twins, I knew it was time to call it quits. Big J refused to be faithful and grow the fuck up, so I made the decision for him. I moved the hell on with my life.
Later for his punk ass though. I focused back on the man and his daughter. “I’m going to take you up on that offer. There’s some time between my last client of the day, so I’ll make it work. Come on, little mama, and take a seat in my chair,” I directed.
“Thank you so much. I truly appreciate you. What’s your name? I’m Fortune Makers.” He held his hand for me to shake.
“Nice to meet you, Fortune. I’m Perrae Powers. Welcome to my braiding salon.”
“The pleasure is all mine. Please believe me. Your salon is amazing.”
My mind went blank again, but I didn’t miss a beat. The moment my hand embraced his, his large hand practically swallowed mine. I also couldn’t shake the warmth and electric feeling that traveled up my hand and arm, then nestled in my chest.
Our eyes connected, and there was so much emotion that swam freely in his light brown irises. There was something there. I just couldn’t put my finger on it at the moment.
He released my hand after holding it a few minutes too long, then directed his daughter to my chair. “This is my daughter Madison. Madison, meet Ms. or Mrs. Powers,” he expressed, staring at me instead of her.
“Perrae is just fine,” I asserted.
Fortune smirked. He looked down at my hand. “No ring or tan line. Duly noted, Perrae. What can I get you for lunch?” he quizzed, eyes focused solely on me and hands clasped in front of him like most real men stand.
My lips were pursed to the side, but I knew my dimples had given me away. Fortune laid his charm on heavy, and I’d be a liar if I said he had no effect on me. I was slightly smitten, to my surprise.
That didn’t happen often, because I refused to give men my time of day. I was over all those jack-in-a-box ass niggas. What I craved most was peace, and that was what I had. Fortune on the other hand made me think about what could be.
I cleared my throat. “There’s a little restaurant two doors down to the right of my salon. Just let them know you’re placing an order for me, and they’ll get you right,” I finally replied. I placed a small pink cape over little Madison and snapped it at the nape of her neck.
Fortune chuckled. “So, I can’t know your order?”
“Why you wanna know? After today, we might not ever see each other again. Do you make it a habit of knowing women you just met takeout food orders?”
“I make it a habit of getting to know the woman I find intriguing. Tell me your order, Perrae.”
I exhaled and smiled. “My order is six flat wings fried hard with lemon pepper and a Caesar Parmesan salad with an iced tea that’s half lemonade. Does that make you happy?” I inquired with a small smile.
“It does, actually. Thank you for indulging me. I’ll be back, beautiful.” Fortune swaggered his sexy ass away from me and out the door of my salon.
“Whew.” I exhaled. That man was too damn fine. I shook my head and got to work on little Madison.
There had to be something wrong with him if he and Madison’s mom split. He seemed too good to be true. If he was anything like my kids’ father, Big J, Fortune didn’t have to worry about me. My days of freely parlaying with toxicity were over.
What if Fortune wasn’t that type? I allowed my mind to wander as I slowly and vertically cut the gum from her hair. Afterwards, I parted Madison’s hair and braided the sections with intricate parts.
By the time I was two quarters done, Fortune strolled back into my salon. Slight catcalls could be heard again. All he did was smirk. He never broke eye contact with me until I looked down at Madison’s hair.
Fortune placed my food at my station. His expensive cologne tickled my nose. Damn he smelled amazing.
As if that wasn’t good enough, his bare forearms lightly brushed against mine as he walked around and took the seat that was closest to Madison and me. I shivered. Chill bumps covered my skin. I’d never experienced a feeling like that before. What a fucking man.
“I hope you enjoy your food. Her hair looks good so far,” he expressed, observing me style Madison’s hair.
“Thank you for the food and compliment. Hair is what I do. Also, what I did for Madison was cut down her ponytail vertically, just to remove the hair strands entangled with the gum.
“Most people cut horizontally and cut the whole section of hair. That’s unnecessary. Her mom would appreciate that much more. And in the event that mom is dissatisfied, then she’s more than welcome to come down to my shop so we can talk, but I think she’s going to like this style.”
“I appreciate that, Perrae. Madison’s mom is a very reasonable person. As long as we’re both doing what’s in the best interest of Madison, we’re always on the same page,” he revealed to me.
“Oh, you’re lucky to be coparenting with someone reasonable and mature.”
“I take it you haven’t been so lucky?” he queried, staring at me.
I exhaled and shook my head. “No such luck.”
“That’s understandable. It wasn’t easy for us in the beginning, but as time went on and we both put our feelings to the side, we vowed to do what’s best for Madison. Do you have one kid or multiple?”
“I have three. JJ is seventeen, and my twin girls, Tahari and Tahiri, are nine. I was hot in the pants for their father, so we started early in high school. I don’t regret my babies at all, but I do regret meeting that nigga.” I lightly chuckled.
“Don’t beat yourself up. We all have a past, trust me. If there were things I could do differently, then I would,” he offered reassuringly.
“That’s a tune we all sing.” I turned my back to him as I braided around Madison’s head. She was going to look so cute with her halo braid.
Fortune gave a low whistle behind me. I smiled and turned to him. “Unh unh. Don’t be a creep behind me.”
He laughed. “Oh, so y’all can catcall me, but I can’t admire and appreciate the beautiful and curvy woman in front of me?” Fortune questioned.
I chortled and finished up Madison’s hair. “You might have a point.”
“You know I do,” he shot back.
I was about to reply when my smart watch rang. I looked down, and it was my son JJ. Something had happened or he called to beg. That was all he ever did. I tapped the green phone icon.
“What’s up, Son?”
His voice flowed through the speakerphone. “Now, Mama, don’t be mad at me because it’s not my fault. Your twins are here doing the absolute most.”
I sighed. “What’s wrong, JJ?”
“I don’t know which one of them did it, but the garbage disposal is broke. It’s not working anymore,” he explained.
“How in the hell did they do that?”
“I’m not sure. I just know it ain’t working no more.”
“Alright then. I’ll deal with it when I make it home.” I ended our call and tried not to show my frustration, but I was.
I loved my kids, but they had their moments when they worked my damn nerves. I had a feeling that something was stuck inside the garbage disposal. Geez! I couldn’t catch a damn break.
“Is everything okay?” Fortune asked.
“No, it’s not. I’m a first-time homeowner, yet my kids treat our home as if we’re back on Section 8. My garbage disposal is broken, and now I have to find someone to fix it,” I voiced tiredly.
“Well, you’re in luck. I’m a contractor. I own my business. Since you so graciously looked out for me, I can come by whenever you want and fix your garbage disposal free of charge.”
I stilled and looked up at him. “Are you serious?” I probed.
“Yes, ma’am. Here’s my card.” Fortune removed his wallet from his back pocket and handed me his business card.
I took it and read over it. He was skilled in a lot. Fortune didn’t know this yet, but every time something went wrong in my house, I’d be calling him.
“Thank you for the offer. I’m definitely going to take you up on it.” I grabbed my card from my station and handed it to him. “Here you go.”
“Thank you,” he replied. “I guess I was right. We will see each other again,” he flirted and winked at me.
I grinned. “You’re something else, Fortune.”
“You haven’t seen a thing yet. Now that you have my number, you’ll learn that real soon.”
I shook my head and finished up Madison’s hair. Once I was done, I turned her in the mirror so she could see. Her smile was so wide as she played with the little hair charms, I added.
“Thank you, Miss Perrae. I look so pretty.”
“You are very welcome, angel.” I removed her cape and helped her out of the chair.
“What do you think, daddy?” Both Madison and I voiced at the same time. We looked at each other and giggled.
Fortune grinned and stood from his seat. He squatted in front of Madison. “You look so pretty, baby girl.” He dug in his wallet and handed me my payment.
“Two hundred is too much, Fortune. Her hair was only sixty.”
Fortune grabbed Madison’s hand and leaned forward. He placed his full lips on my ear. “That’s for being the angel you are. However, the next time you call me daddy will surely be in my big ass bed with my head between your thighs. I’ll be expecting your call soon.”
The warmth from his breath made me shiver. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to feel his lips on mine right now. I needed to gain my composure and fast.
Fortune stepped back and smirked. “Take care, Perrae.” He winked at me and strolled out of my salon.
I exhaled and took a seat in my chair. He had me so gone that I couldn’t do anything but stare off into the distance. My clit jumped too much to move. That man had me in la-la land.