We all laughed. Nicole rolled her eyes. “Hell, someone has to knock some sense into that head. I’m gonna call it pregnancy brain foolishness.”
“Oh, I know what I forgot to tell y’all.” I snapped my fingers. I ignored Lacie’s comment about the confirmation of my pregnancy brain. “Guess who the hell I saw coming out of the building that my doctor’s in?” I paused for dramatic effect. “Derrick and his thirty-two ounce tumbler shaped wife. This nigga had the nerve to tell me that I was beautiful pregnant in front of her.”
Lacie’s eyes bucked while Nicole busted out in laughter. “I know that bitch was mad as hell. Let me tell you how I would have punched Jordan in his face right there in front of you. You gonna tell another pregnant woman that she’s beautiful when my beautiful ass is standing next to you pregnant too? I wish my nigga would,” Nicole said with vigor and seriousness.
“Oh, we know your crazy ass will. Jordan is the most patient man that I know because you are a lot, best friend,” I said.
Based on how she stared at me, I was about to get cussed out. “First, best friend, don’t make it seem like I’m too much to handle. I’m the right amount of handle for the right amount of man. That over and abundance man is Jordan Seasons. Act like you know.”
My hands went up in surrender. “Okay, okay! Yes, Miss Right Amount of Handle.”Let me change the subject before I get cussed out for real.“Are y’all ready to get fitted for our dresses?”
Lacie did a little shimmy in her seat. “Girl, yes! I can’t believe we got on Femi Mercer’s calendar. You remember that gala two years ago? I tried to get on her calendar and that shit was booked out for eighteen damn months. That’s how I know you and Tafari were meant to be. Y’all hired the right event planning company that made shit happen.”
She was right. Tafari and I hiredTae Smith Events and Design Firm. Apparently, her daughter Tana was a regular at& Ish Restaurant. Every time that the Washington, Christianson, or Smiths had a crab crack, they got their seafood from Man Man. Connections were everything. When Tafari asked Tana to plug him in, she didn’t give it a second thought.
When we met the planner, Heaven, who was assigned to our baby announcement party, we made sure we put it out there that we wanted her to plan our baby shower as well. Now, I had no idea that Tafari had already talked to her privately about the change from a baby shower to a wedding. The whole time I thought Heaven was planning our baby shower, she was really planning our wedding.
I smiled. “When Heaven told me that she confirmed an appointment with her, I cried. I couldn’t believe it.”
“Your overly pregnant ass.” Nicole winked at me when our eyes connected.
I loved these women more and more every day. There had never been a time in our friendship that I had to wonder if they had my back in any situation. Even when I was wrong, they still had my back. That was not to say that they didn’t cuss me out behind closed doors. Those were the friends that you needed in your corner. You wanted them loyal to a fault and not scared to tell you when you’re wrong.
I Didn’t SeeIt Coming . . .
“Girl, des nails are everything. When Sheniqua told me dat you were da girl ta see, I had ta come check you out. Shit, I happy I was finally able ta get an appointment. You stay booked and busy,” my client Danika exclaimed.
She was a new client that was referred by one of my loyal customers that had been down with me since the first year that I opened. Before I had my shed, I bounced around to a few different shops and suites. None of that mattered. She rocked with me regardless.
“You are so welcome. Look, I don’t mean to brag, but I am that girl.” I worked hard to be where I was, and I would never deny my greatness. I spent hours on nail designs to perfect them.
I followed some of the top nail artists in the world. When I saw certain designs I took pictures of them, then practiced to make them perfect. Once I had the design down, then I put my own twist on them before I posted them. My original designs were nothing to fuck with either. I loved it when my ladies allowed me to freehand. Those were the times that I really shined.
“I know dats right! If you don’t ring ya own bell, den don’t expect others to.” Danika tapped her middle finger and thumb together while she stuck her tongue out. After a joint laugh, she took out her phone to pay me. “Can I go ahead and pre-book my next appointment?”
Checkmate!I loved pre-booked appointments. It was the beginning of a super loyal client. “I sure can.”
“Okay. If possible, I jus’ want ta lock in every three weeks. If it ca’ be on da same day and time dat will make it easier fa me and my schedule,” she said.
I completely understood that. “That actually works better for me as well. Hold on, let me look at my calendar program.”
I spun my chair around and moved over to my desk where my laptop was. I had an appointment program that allowed me to put in parameters to select the best date and time for an appointment request. I plugged in the parameters and within seconds it spit out a few dates and times that worked within my free openings. We agreed on Wednesdays at six in the evening.
My baby girl kicked.Wait, I forgot to tell her about my leave.“Wait, before we confirm, as you can see, I’m pregnant.”
“I seen that. You Man Man baby mama, right?” She pointed at my belly.
I tilted my head slightly with a nod. I wasn’t fond of that baby mama term. “Yes, I’m his fiancée. Our wedding is in a month.”
Her eyes bucked. “Oh, excuse me. I know das right. Get me tagetha. You da fiancée not da baby mama.”
I giggled. “At some point, I am clearly going to be out, but if you are fine, all my pre-booked appointments will go over to Lenora at Polished Vibez. If your standing appointment date needs to change, you will know well ahead of time.”
Danika nodded. “Oh, I’m cool wit’ dat. Sheniqua told me dat if I couldn’t get in wit’ you den try her. Niqua said dat she was da bomb too.”
“Good, so I’ll go ahead and?—”
Boom! Boom! Boom!The bangs on my door stopped my words. Both of our heads snapped to the door. When the handle shook, I turned around and looked at the camera monitor screen. That was another upgrade since Tafari and I have been together.
