Chapter 4 #2
But she took a deep breath. And then another, centering herself like she knew how.
Thankfully, she had a private yoga session with a group of sorority women in a few hours.
It’d be needed. The text with Mrs. Ashley’s contact information came through, and Orielle saved her number before she forgot.
She had no plans to call right away, and probably wouldn’t today, but she figured it was worth checking out.
She wasn’t doing it for Janelle, but for herself.
Opportunities to get her voice and music out there weren’t ones she was too good to pass up.
“Why have a gift and not share it with the world?” Orielle questioned, repeating what one of her viewers said. They’d made a valid point.
“ T hank you so much, Dani. You always get me right,” Orielle said, smiling.
“You know it’s no problem. You shouted me that one time on your live, and the girls haven’t stopped shopping with me since.”
That made Orielle so happy. Dani, the owner of Curve Me, a store catering to people’s fitness and wellness journey, had some of the best athletic wear in the city.
One day before a yoga session, Orielle had been on live rocking a turquoise halter and short set.
The comments were flooded, asking her where she got it from, so of course, she plugged Dani’s business.
It was no sweat off her back, and she wasn’t the type to gatekeep, especially when it came to a Black woman-owned business.
Now, when Dani dropped new collections, they were selling out in less than twenty-four hours, and her storefront was busier than she could’ve imagined.
It wasn’t all Orielle’s doing, but she had contributed to her success, and she was happy to have done so.
“I love that for you and them so much. Let me find out I need to become a VIP member so I won’t miss anything,” Orielle teased, but was serious.
“What’s crazy is, I’ve been working on a membership for y’all. You won’t have to wait long,” Dani said.
Orielle’s smile widened. “That’s next level, girl. So proud of you.”
“Thank you so much! Let me know how those pants fit. I tried a new material for the colder months and want to make sure it’s not too thick.”
“I most definitely will. Thank you again. Have a good day!”
“You, too!”
The bell on the door chimed softly as Orielle exited the store.
She didn’t plan to spend as much money as she did and walk out with two bags full of new clothes, but that was okay.
It took money to make money, and she loved looking good while doing so.
Dani always came through with the cute sets, especially the high-waisted leggings that hugged her in all the right places.
Those were Orielle’s favorites, along with the one-shoulder strap top that made her feel snatched and soft at the same time. Her self-care budget was worth it.
Making a stop at her car, she placed the bags in her trunk. She walked slowly toward the strip mall’s entrance, letting the sunlight warm her skin as she adjusted her Lorvae sunglasses. The winter months were about to be in full effect, so she was taking advantage of the heat she’d miss.
Her hair was in curls today, up in a pineapple puff, while oversized hoop earrings swung from her lobes. She glanced down at her phone for the time and was happy that it was still early in the afternoon. For once, she had nothing on her schedule and was glad about it.
She’d been in a good mood all week, even after her mama’s antics tried getting the best of her, and she wanted to keep it that way.
Dropping by to see her cousin was going to be the icing on the cake.
The familiar smell of cold-pressed fruit and agave hit her as soon as she stepped inside Jennie Mae’s Juicery.
Saleem wasn’t expecting to see her, and his face lit up as he came around the counter to greet her.
Like always, there was a line and customers sitting at every table inside the store.
I know Granny is so proud of him, Orielle thought, smiling.
The space was inviting, with warm earth tones, wooden chairs, and vibrant artwork adorning the walls. He recently added some plants that hung from macrame ropes near the window, and the music was always a vibe.
“Look who finally decided to come see me,” Saleem teased as they hugged.
Orielle wrapped her arms around him, and they rocked side to side.
It was one of those hugs they both needed.
The kind that only family can give. Breaking away, Orielle took him in and smiled.
Saleem rocked a black tee and denim jeans, with his hair braided to the back, similar to how Orielle’s was before she washed it.
That same easy smile on his face he’d had since they were kids made her heart melt.
“Be nice, cousin,” she shot back. “Look at you. Looking like someone’s husband and soon-to-be daddy.”
Saleem grinned, thumbing his wedding band. “I didn’t know that had a certain look.”
“Yes. You’re glowing. How’s Amira? She’s almost due, right?”
He nodded. “Yeah. She’s due in January.”
“You nervous?”
“A little bit, but I’m ready to see my baby girl. My lil’ angel.”
Orielle’s heart was swooning. Seeing her big cousin so deep in love with his college sweetheart was something she’d never get tired of. Loved looked beyond good on him, and she couldn’t wait to experience it—the real kind. Not the fake shit she’d been subjected to believing was factual.
“You’re going to be an amazing father. Trust me,” Orielle reassured.
“Thank you. Where you coming from?”
“Curve Me. Had to get a few things.”
Saleem nodded. “That’s what’s up. My wife loves her stuff.”
Orielle couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, my gosh. Does your wife have a name?”
“Man, watch out,” Saleem said, chuckling. “You know what I mean.”
“I do. I’m just teasing. That’s so cute, though. I can’t wait to hear my husband refer to me as his wife.”
Getting married hadn’t been a dream of Orielle’s, but she did want someone to call her own for the rest of her life.
Settling down, learning, laughing, crying, celebrating, and experiencing life with just one person who had your entire heart was what she craved.
It’s what most of her songs were about; what she yearned to feel.
“You can if you stop being so closed off,” Saleem said.
Orielle playfully rolled her eyes. “Oh, Lord. Here we go.”
“Nah. I ain’t gon’ lecture you today. Just bringing it to your attention.”
“That’s what big cousins are for, right?” she asked, smirking.
Saleem smirked right back. “Exactly. You want a juice?”
Her eyes traveled to the beautifully decorated chalkboard on the wall. There was a plethora of juices, smoothies, and appetizers to choose from. Knowing she’d need a bit of energy to make it through the rest of the day, she settled on one that’d provide just that and tasted just as good.
“Yes. I’ll take a medium Pineapple Pearadise.”
“A’ight,” he said, walking away, but then stopped. Facing her, he said, “I knew there was something I was supposed to tell you.”
“What?” Orielle questioned, hating the unreadable expression on his face. That quickly, she got nervous thinking something was wrong.
“Najee invited you to his party.”
A line etched between her brows. “What?”
“His welcome home party. He told me to personally invite you.”
“You sure he meant me ?”
Saleem chuckled. “Yeah, Ori. That man ain’t tripping about the past. I thought we talked about this.”
They had. She even spoke to Najee as well, but attending his welcome home party was a bit much. They were acting as if he were home from a war and not jail. The place he would’ve never been had he not dropped them off that night. Everything was so coincidental.
“You’re overthinking again. It’s just family and folks he rocks with. Nothing too serious.”
Orielle blinked slowly, mumbling, “Okay.”
Clearly, her response was good enough. She was trying to make sense of what he just said, and Saleem just casually walked off like he hadn’t just thrown a bomb at her.
Her stomach fluttered with an onset of nerves like it did every time his name was mentioned.
She didn’t even know he was a free man, yet here he was requesting her presence.
Orielle smiled. Her guilt for what happened that night had slowly faded away, and until she saw him in person, it’d remain.
Maybe going to support his release wouldn’t be so bad, she thought, just as Saleem walked back over with her drink.
She thanked him, stuck her straw inside, and took a generous swig.
“This is so good,” she praised.
“Thank you. It’s one of our top sellers.”
Orielle nodded. “I see why. Now, back to this party. You don’t think it’s weird for him to invite me? I mean, everyone kinda knows why he was in there.”
“And now that nigga is out. You either gon’ fuck with my dog and show up or not. Stopping by for a few minutes ain’t gon’ hurt you. He ain’t ask for you for no reason.”
Saleem could’ve told her much more that Najee said, but that conversation wasn’t meant to be shared. He wasn’t going to try to keep convincing her to show her face either.
Orielle sighed, toying with her straw. “Okay. I’ll come by but I’m not staying all night. Do I need to bring a gift?”
Saleem laughed loudly, showing his perfect white teeth. Orielle giggled as he got himself together.
“What?” she asked innocently.
“Nah. You don’t have to bring a gift. It ain’t that nigga’s birthday.”
She shrugged. “Oh. Well, I just figured people would.”
“I mean... you can bring one since you were the reason?—”
Orielle punched him in the chest and hurriedly shook her hand from the impact. “See! Just for that, I’m not coming.”
Saleem chuckled. “I’m just playing, man. You are the gift, for real. Having you there gon’ make his night.”
“Um, doesn’t he still have a girlfriend?” Orielle wondered. She wasn’t sure, but that was important information to know.
Saleem nodded. “Yeah,” he replied dryly.