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“You don’t owe us anything,” Parris said, as if he’d read my mind. “Elias said to consider it a wedding gift. And he sends his apologies that he couldn’t be in attendance.”
I tried not to show the relief that sank my shoulders before I thanked Parris and got the fuck out of there. I could breathe easier in the public space.
EJ wasn’t lying.
There wasabsolutelydark energy about the Blacks, but no denying that they got shit done.
Things I didn’t need mine or my brothers’ hands dirtied with.
There weren’t many things that made me uneasy, but dealing with them was absolutely one, and I was glad it was over. Their invitation to my wedding had been a societal technicality only—one that Shiloh had the foresight to insist on.
So when I stopped at the jeweler on the way back to the office to pick something up for Nalani… I grabbed a little trinket for Shi too.
“Oooh,” she gushed when she saw the gift-wrapped box. “I’m not even going to ask what I’m being appreciated for since I already know I deserve it.”
I shook my head, continuing into my office. “Don’t ever try to claim you don’t have an ego.”
“Why would I lie like that?” she asked, following me. “Anyway, what do you want first?”
“Afternoon rundown,” I told her, dropping into a seat.
“Cool. Jess and her team turned in their quarterly marketing focus; it’s great. Very fresh. Should appeal well across age groups.”
I nodded. “Good. No funny stuff with her, right?”
“No.” Shi chuckled. “I think she’s on the straight and narrow again. Getting snatched across—”
“Shi.”
“Okay my bad. But. I could’ve told you that shit was going to happen. Nothing about Nalani givesplay in my facevibes.”
“Which I’m quite clear on,” I warned. “Now,what else?”
“Fine, but shouldn’t you be in a better mood? Nalani likes you again now I thought.”
“Damn it…”
“Okay.” She laughed. “Sorry. Okay. Uh… Stanford checked in earlier. There haven’t been any more issues with construction and the new store is on track to be open by Q4.”
“Good. Anything else?”
“Anything that’s not gonna make you want to curse me out? No.”
“Then, nothing else.” I chuckled, shaking my head. “I need you to do something for me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you always?”
“You get well paid for it,” I reminded her. “I need you to book a trip, just me and my wife. She likes the beach, so… somewhere on a beach. Very private. As luxurious as humanly possible. No budget.”
Shiloh grinned. “I love every single word that just came out of your mouth. When am I booking this for?”
“Get ahold of her calendar, work around anything important she has going on.”
“Should I maybe… consult with her?” she suggested. “Instead of… you know… bulldozing? I mean I know that’s your thing, but I don’t think she likes that, so…”
“It’s supposed to be a surprise.”
“I’d bet she’d rather know you respected her time and autonomy than be surprised. I mean… remember how you sprung a whole wedding on her…”
