Kie laughed. “I told you he would say that.”
“That’s because he’s fucking difficult.” Lois mugged me.
“How am I difficult when I’m agreeing with what you’re saying? What, you want me to say no or something?”
“Yes, Oden. I want the or something. I just told you I’m thinking about making us bigger, which means construction, or we could open up a new place. You of course said, those seem like solid ideas’ that’s your choice. How does that help me? Yes, you’re difficult.” She then folded her arms like a big ass kid.
Kie cackled.
“You’re the leader, Lois. I’m just here to cook, shorty.”
She pointed in my direction. “No, you are not. You own this place. Now, pick one before I square up and fight your ass.”
I was about to respond but a knock at the door had us looking away from one another and in the direction from where the sound came. When my eyes landed on Jade, a smile crossed my face.A fucking light.She looked fucking beautiful, her thick, coily hair crowned her face and something about the olive outfit brought out her figure. It was a two-piece pantsuit, fitted in all the right places.
“I’m sorry, am I interrupting? The woman behind the bar sent me back here.”
“Nah, you’re not. Come here, love.” I motioned for her to come and of course her fake nervous ass hesitated before moving toward me. Once she was in front of me, I pulled her down into my lap, pressing a kiss to the side of her face. I felt Lois and Kie looking at me too, but momentarily I was caught up in her presence.
“Well since he has decided to be rude, let me meet you for myself.” Lois’s voice filled the room. “Hey, my name is Lois, and this is my wife Kie.” When I looked up, she had her hand extended to Jade.
Jade accepted her hand with a chuckle. “My name is Jade, an—” she started.
“Lois and Kie, Jade. Jade, Lois and Kie. These two are the sisters I never had, baby.” I watched them shake hands.
“That was probably the worst introduction I’ve ever experienced, but it is nice to meet you, Jade. I love your whole outfit for the second time in a row. Please tell me where you get your pieces,” Kie complimented.
“Thank you so much. A little bit of shameless promotion. I own a boutique in Fulton Market and I’m technically in the middle of opening another location. Everything I own with the exception of a few other pieces is from there. The name of it is Très Bien, French for very good. I can show you some pics from social media if you’d like.” I could tell she was in her element when talking to Kie because she was on her feet in seconds, swiping through her phone and showing the photos.
“Oh, so you’re a business owner as well. Then good, while we have you here… I was trying to have a business meeting with Oden here, but it doesn’t seem to be happening. So can I ask you a question?” Lois asked, getting both Jade and her wife’s attention.
“Of course.” Jade nodded.
“What made you decide to open a new location rather than expanding the one you already have?”
“Honestly, the initial space I already have didn’t have much to give to me. If anything, I felt like it was appropriate when I was just getting my feet wet and new to the idea. What made me decide to open a second location rather than moving and expanding was not only the location, but also the way I could create two different atmospheres that don’t necessarily have to be the same. They can coexist and be their own spaces without having to mirror. While my first boutique is small and intimate, my second one will be larger and offer more in terms of products, vibes, and even variety.” I could see the light in Jade’s eyes when she spoke about her business. She loved her boutique and what she did. That shit was sexy.
“I like that, a lot. It’s set. We’re opening a new location. Thank you, Jade.”
“Anytime.” She beamed.
“I’m gonna take you up on that.” She spoke to Jade, then her eyes narrowed on me. “And you, don’t be hogging her and making her a stranger. We need to have dinner one of these days.”
I laughed and waved her off. “Yeah, alright.”
“Don’t alright me, Oden. I mean it.”
We spoke for a while longer before I dragged Jade out of the restaurant and into my car. I knew if I didn’t get her out of here Kie and Lois would talk her ears off. Jade was a people person, so people naturally gravitated toward her.
“You look fucking beautiful,” I complimented as soon as I was in the driver’s side of my truck.
“Thank you. Reminisce told me I looked like a piece of lone asparagus.”
I chuckled hard as hell because I could see where he got that.
“Don’t laugh too hard now, I’ll start to think you agree with him.” She sent a mug in my direction.
“Nah, you look good as a motherfucker.” I winked at her. My phone ringing stole my attention as I started the car. I glanced down and saw it was my brother. After tapping the green circle on the screen, I mashed the phone against my ear.
