“That’s good, right?” Laurene asked.
“Your mom talking to people and not threatening them is a good thing,” Noelle agreed.
Gigi shook her head. “I got the hell up outta there. I’ll beg for money later.”
Then, with a dramatic flourish, she pulled out a thick stack of papers bound with a clip and slapped them onto the table, right next to the half-eaten croissants and jam. Plates rattled, and Laurene blinked in surprise.
“I meant what I said,” Gigi declared proudly, tapping the stack. “Boutique lease, contracts, startup costs—all that. I’m doin’ this, y’all. For real.”
Laurene’s mouth parted in surprise. Noelle’s eyes widened. I pursed my lips to stop any questionable remarks from leaving my mouth.
“Hello? Are y’all happy for me?” Gigi looked between the three of us.
“That’s big, Gigi,” Laurene said slowly, making eye contact with me. “I’m proud of you.”
“Awesome, it’s gonna be great,” Noelle said with a fake enthusiasm.
Gigi tilted her chin, eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and defiance. “Damn right you proud. Y’all gon’ be my first customers too, so don’t play.”
I cleared my throat. “Well, let’s just hope you actually open the doors before you throw the launch party, G.”
Gigi’s face snapped toward me, eyes narrowing. “Why you always gotta be like that, Serena?”
“I’m just saying.” I shrugged, unapologetic. “It’s a big deal. A lot of peoplesaythey gonna do something. Not everybody follows through.”
For a second, it was quiet. Laurene’s lips pressed together like she wanted to smooth things over, and Noelle picked at the corner of her napkin, eyes darting between us.
“You’re the first person I want eatin’ shit when I launch this and it becomes successful. Bigger than Baby Phat! I’ll prove you wrong.”
I nodded. “For your sake, I hope you do.”
Laurene jumped in quickly, steering the conversation before it could tip over. “So, Noelle, how’s the search going? For your biological parents?”
Noelle’s smile thinned. “Oh. Uh, not much to report, honestly,” she said softly. “I’ve hit some dead ends. Still waiting on some records. It’s…a process.”
Gigi reached across the table, giving her hand a quick squeeze. “Girl, you gon’ find them. You’re stubborn like that.”
Noelle let out a faint laugh. “Yeah, maybe.”
And just like that, the air softened again. I decided to share my news.
“Miles and I are going to have a new addition soon?—”
Laurene’s jaw dropped. Noelle nearly choked on her mimosa.
“Oh my God, you’re pregnant?” Gigi practically shrieked, her eyes going wide. “That poor child. But yay, I get another niece or nephew to spoil.”
“Excuse me?” I glared at Gigi. “But relax. I’mnotpregnant.”
“Thank God!” Gigi threw her hands up, falling dramatically back into her chair.
“We’re adopting a kitten.”
I don’t know if Ilikedcats. But I liked Doughboy. Now, it’d gotten to a point where he’d follow me around the house. I made sure he had his food. Took him to the groomers. It was basically like having a human child.
Even when I tried to keep my distance and my hate up for him, the damn cat wouldn’t let me go. I had noticed he seemed really depressed whenever Miles and I left the house, and we had a trip planned—I didn’t want him all alone.
I guess I understood how Gigi felt about Walter.
