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“That goes without saying. He’ll also get more vacation time and a better benefits package.” At this point, I’d give Pierre my Bugatti.
“Good, he’s upstairs. We can talk to him this morning before your morning meeting.” Maybe I will get to see Celeste before she’s passed out asleep in her bed tonight after all.
TWENTY-SIX
Celeste
It wasn’teasy to let go and let Wylde take charge when it came to the whole world knowing we’re together. Was it easier than I expected? Yes. Did people look closer at us? Yes. Did I give two shits like I thought I would? No. The only two who were remotely less talkative than normal were Layla and Melanie, which was fine judging by the side eye I received when I walked up to the door as they waited for me to open the spa for the day. You can judge me if you want; giving them the code to what is essentially my baby is something that isn’t happening. They’re still new. Respect and trust have to be built, and with the looks and side eyes being shot my way, who knows if they’ll even last.
“Good morning,” I greet them, unlocking the door with the app on my phone. I love the upgraded feature Wylde had a hand in taking care of.
“Morning, Celeste,” Melanie says chipperly.
“Hey,” Layla states. Yep, I can see we may just have problems coming. I open the door, allowing them to make their way inside first, following after them. It won’t be but a few minutes before Journey will be here, and I’d like to at least be settled in for the day.
“Have a good day, ladies. I’m fully booked. Time for us to make some bank.” Melanie is in a chipper mood.
“You too. I only have a few clients today. I am going to be placing an order, so if you need anything, shoot me a text. At lunch, I’m going to check on Tyra,” I tell them, so they know what my plans are for the day.
“Sounds good,” Layla replies. She’s stand-offish, which isn’t my problem, and I’m not going to allow it to be either. At the end of the day, I’m their boss. Being fair and equal is what I always try to be, so I’ll continue on until the time comes when it’s not possible.
I head to my room to set everything out that I’ll need for Journey’s facial. The steamer is next, along with the diffuser that I set up with essential oils. Once that’s done, I grab a new sheet for the table, a few towels, and wrap up everything I need. The music is soft and ambient, better than elevator music yet still relaxing. We can’t have dance music playing while providing a relaxing atmosphere.
I’m just returning up front when the chime on the door goes. A smile comes over my face. Seeing her this time around, I notice the similarities between her and Wylder—jawline, eye shape, even their smile. The hair is probably what threw me off the most—red to his dark brown—until Wylder told me Journey takes after their dad’s mom with the hair and eye color.
“Hey, Journey, how are you?” I ask, making my way to her. She’s in a black peplum top, loose beige linen pants, and black slides. Her hair is in a ponytail, and she’s bare faced, looking like she didn’t try at all to look so put together. Journey truly is a classic beauty. The smattering of freckles that I notice she doesn’t like to cover up even when she is wearing makeup, the foundation is light, rather going heavier around her eyes, the green irises popping.
“Hi, future sister-in-law. I’m good, about to be great. How are you?” I blink at her response. Clearly, Wylde talks when he’s at work, and to more than just his employees. I’m pretty sure that he’d give me some kind of clue about getting married.
“Oh my gosh, you’re a mess. Did Wylder tell you I wouldn’t talk to him because I thought you were his wife then? My best friend and I were up half the night talking so much smack it wasn’t even funny. And still, when he told me, I didn’t really believe his story.” Journey laughs while also gagging at the same time. I’m sure that’s giving her all kinds of ick.
“He didn’t mention that, only that you two were on the same page. He knows there’s a future between you guys, but never that. I’m sure he got a kick out of that. Could you imagine what he was internalizing on the inside when you said his wife and, in all actuality, it was his sister. Oh God, I needed that laugh.” I watch as Journey wipes the tears from her laughter away. I’m doing the same thing because this time, my gut isn’t sinking to my feet. It is kind of funny now that everything worked out in our favor.
“Well, I’m sure he might have been a tiny bit embarrassed.” I use my thumb and pointer finger together to show, putting her in another fit of laughter, then I realize what she’s thinking. “Journey, no. Oh my gosh, I’d never give you that kind of information even if it were the truth.” I’m almost mortified that she’d think that until she points at my face.
“That was gold. Oh my goodness. I know you wouldn’t talk about stuff like that. Wylder is a private person, not that I’m aware of anything that goes on beyond that. Double ick.” She does the gagging thing with her finger, pointing at her mouth. “Wait till the parents find out about this story. They’re going to die laughing. Leave it to Wylder to fuck up a situation by not introducing us right off the bat. Mom is going to smack him upside the head.”
“Well, maybe don’t let her smack him too hard. I’m pretty fond of his head.” We calm ourselves down.
“You ready for your facial?” If we don’t get back in the treatment room, we’ll end up talking the entire time through her appointment. It seems she likes to talk and, well, I’m not opposed to it either.
“More than ready. I’ve been looking forward to this for days.” She follows me through the spa, down the hallway. Every time I walk in, there’s a need to pinch myself, literally every single time. And while I don’t want to toot my own horn, the proof is in the pudding with how booked up everyone is even with Tyra taking the day off today and tomorrow. Two appointments, and then I’m going to see my best friend and her son with my own two eyes. It’s been too long since I’ve seen them; I’ll be changing that today.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Celeste
“Aunt Ce!”Von’s little voice resounds at the end of our workday. Melanie and Layla are gone. It’s just me and the spa. I was in the back when I heard the door chime alert me that someone was here. Truth be told, I thought it was Wylder. In fact, I kind of hoped it was, until I heard Von’s voice, which means he and Tyra are here. My day just got a whole lot better. Not that it was bad to begin with, but there’s something to be said about an excited toddler and his mom coming to visit you.
“Von, my man, how are you doing?” I squat down as he throws his little body into my arms.
“Can I have a snack?” he asks. Of course, Von does.
“Von, say hello first. Snacks second.” My eyes meet Tyra’s. She looks better than I thought she would be, seeing as how she took the day off since Mace was sick. Maybe she got lucky and didn’t get sick after all.
“Hey, doll, you look better than you sounded yesterday. Everything okay?” I pick Von up in my arms as I stand up, taking him with me, settling the best baby boy in the world on my hip.
“Yeah, I somehow managed not to get whatever virus Von and Mace had. I figured since I already rearranged my schedule for today not to come in. I am coming in tomorrow even if it is for a few walk-ins.” Tyra being cooped up for two days straight makes her antsy, so I’m imagining that’s the reason she’s ready to come back to work.
