“This one is gorgeous,” I said, pointing to a garden venue.
Iman nodded. “That’s the Hollis Garden House. It holds up to two hundred guests. Indoor-outdoor ceremony options.”
“How far out are they booked?”
“Next month actually still has a few openings.”
I brightened. “Really? Yesssss!” Kassim started fussing. “Hold on one second,” I murmured, lifting him from the carrier. He settled immediately against my chest as I began to feed him a bottle. Iman watched the whole thing with quiet amusement.
“You’re multitasking like a pro.”
“You have to when you’re a mom.”
“I respect it. Your fiancé is a very lucky man, Nyomi.”
“Blessed, actually,” I corrected and we both laughed a little bit. Then, I shifted Kassim onto my shoulder and burped himgently. “So tell me,” I continued. “What’s something that makes a reception unforgettable?”
He leaned back slightly. “Lighting.”
“Lighting?”
“People underestimate it. Good lighting changes the entire atmosphere. Soft chandeliers, candle installations, custom uplighting in your colors.”
I nodded slowly. “I like that. I want something dramatic.”
He smiled. “I figured.” Kassim let out a loud baby grunt, and Iman laughed. “Even he agrees.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Branch was turning out all right, and it looked like I was still going to have the wedding of my dreams.
B yt h et i m eI pulled up to my second dealership, the place was already jumpin’. People was walkin’ ‘round the lot, pointin’ at cars and askin’ questions like they really had money to spend. A couple of my sales guys worked the floor, usin’ their pitches. The moment I walked through the door, everybody straightened up, catchin’ the shift in energy.
“’Sup, boss?”
“Afternoon, Mr. Jones.”
“Hey, boss man.”
I nodded at each of them as I walked through, eyes automatically scannin’ the showroom. That was just how I moved—always checkin’ everything: the cars, the floor, the people. I peeped the little details most muthafuckas woulda missed. Today, everything looked the way it was supposed to.
Kev caught my eye from across the floor and motioned for me to come to his office. The look on his face already told me I probably was not gon’ like what he had to say. I stepped inside and shut the door behind me. “So, what happened again?”
Kev leaned back in his chair and rubbed his jaw. “So that influencer nigga… the one who was supposed to bring the Tesla back after the test run? He still ain’t show up.”
I folded my arms, tuggin’ on my beard. “It’s been how many days?”
“Three.”
I inhaled slowly through my nose and looked at him. “He playin’ wit’ the wrong nigga.”
Kev nodded. “I’m already knowin’.”
“Find out where this nigga at and deal wit’ it.”
“Say less.” Kev nodded, then frowned slightly. “Wait… how that weddin’ plannin’ shit goin’?”
I shrugged. “Ny’s meetin’ wit’ the planner now. I don’t really care for it. You know how I feel ‘bout the shit.”
Kev laughed. “Yeah. You want a pastor, hot wings, and a fuckin’ DJ, nigga. Ny wants the works, huh?”