I looked at my sister and she was smiling so hard. I sucked in a deep breath then turned to face the man I’d been separated from for two weeks. Gosh, I missed him.
“Papa,” I screeched, then jumped into his arms. He hugged me tightly and I held onto him just as tightly. My head met his shoulder and I exhaled as I was filled with so much peace it wasn’t funny.
“Hey, beautiful,” he replied. I pulled back from him and smiled before getting consumed in a kiss that made me forget where I was and who I was with.
“Uh, guys, y’all about to get kicked out of the store. Refrain!” Chardonnay called out to us and I couldn’t help but laugh at her.
I pulled back from Armond and swept my finger over his bottom lip then stroked his cheek and beard with the back of my fingers. He smiled then took my hand and kissed my fingers before paying attention to my sister.
“My apologies, Chardonnay, how rude of me. It’s nice to finally meet the woman who’s swept my brother off his feet for so long.”
He extended his hand and she smirked before shaking it. She stood there looking stunned and going through the motion with zero comprehension.
“Uh, yeah, hi,” she said shyly.
She was full of nerves. First impressions meant a lot to her and she was caught off guard. She was probably playing in her head how she was dressed casually and had her hair in a high ponytail. I’d just have to reassure her that Armond wasn’t that kind of guy and would cherish her as her purest self.
“Don’t fret, it’s all love,” he said and I saw her deflate. He chuckled and she smiled as he pulled her into a hug.
“I expect your trip went well,” I asked once they finally separated.
“Indeed, it did, honeybee.”
“What brings you here?”
“It’s where my wife is.”
Wife?
“I didn’t know we got married. I must’ve been drugged,” I teased.
“All you must do is plan it and it will happen, sweetheart. I already told you where I stood and that ring on your finger hasn’t moved so I know you’re ready as well.”
“Nuh uh, y’all ain’t getting married before me. I’ve been in this too long for marriage to not be an end game. Y’all can wait,” Chardonnay chimed in.
“Okay, goofy,” I replied and Armond smiled at our exchange.
“I believe we have some custom pieces being delivered to your house, Chardonnay, a couple days before the dinner. There’s no need to shop here for your dress,” Armond stated.
“Well, I wasn’t aware of that and honestly, who can resist this dress?” she said as she lifted the dress she was holding.
It was black with a low back and crystal sequin along the bust. It would look amazing on her for sure, but it was notappropriate for the dinner, and she knew that, but resisting a fly dress would never be her. She loved to shop and loved to look good and the allowance Arlando constantly threw her way allowed her to tune right into that woman daily. I couldn’t even be mad at it. She worked hard and got spoiled even harder.
“That is a lovely dress indeed.” Armond smiled then looked at me and noticed I didn’t have anything in hand. I really hadn’t been searching for anything. I was here for my sis and hadn’t even thought about the fact that I might need something too.
“Does this store bore you, honeybee?” Armond asked. I raised a brow then looked at my sister and she shrugged.
“No, it doesn’t. I’ve been looking at options for Nay, baby. I haven’t thought about myself.”
“You should always think of yourself in one way or another. Even if it’s something slight like a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s or a roll from Cinnabon.”
“I mean, yeah I do in that regard.”
“Mhm. Well, I won’t further the intrusion. You ladies continue to have a good time. Brandy, will you join me for dinner tonight?”
“Of course,” I said without thought. I missed him something miserable.
“Excellent. I’ll send you the details shortly. I just needed to lay my lips on you before I went about the day. I’ve missed you.”
