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nariah
. . .
Tuckingmy phone in my robe pocket I closed my eyes and listened to my assistant Jada run down the check list while I got my face beat. Today was the day I was unveiling my baby to the world and my ass had been on edge since I woke up this morning. Everyone around me kept telling me not to be nervous but shit...something about putting my baby out there for the world to judge had me scared shitless.
“Who in the room with the models?” I asked.
“Your sister for right now. Shunta has been in and out and so has Stormy.”
“Okay.” I sighed in relief. Stormy was the person who was essential for bringingJurnito life. When I expressed my interest in coming out with a swimsuit line Tito had introduced the two of us. Together the two of us worked around the clock on this collection. She was the brains behind the entire thing.
“You seen Julius yet?”
“No. No one has heard from him.” Jada mumbled. “Everyone has been trying to call him.”
“It’s cool. He will pop up eventually.”
“Right. I’m going to go check and see how much we have left.” She faltered before ambling out of the room.
“Uh uh bitch.” Devon my make-up artist chastised when a tear rolled down my cheek. Snatching a Kleenex off the counter he forced it into my hand. “You not about to mess up my masterpiece.”
“I need Julius.” I mumbled lowly. When I left home this morning, he promised he would be here before the show started and now his ass was missing in action.
“Girlllllll.” Devon drawled. “Juice ass will be here. He probably got caught up with something. Now hold you head up.”
Tilting my head up I stared at the ceiling. “Today is a big deal, Devon.”
“We know. Just like Juice knows. He will be here Nariah. Trust me he won’t miss something like this.” He alleged.
I heard everything he was saying but Devon didn’t understand how tense shit had been at the house. Julius and I weren’t necessarily walking around on eggshells but there was some uncertainty looming through the house. As much as I wanted things between us to be okay my heart wouldn’t allow me to let my guard down.
Did I think Julius would miss my big day? No, I didn’t. but the fact that he wasn’t here right now kind of made me feel a way. My mama had picked Jude up before I left so I knew he wasn’t getting him ready. Grabbing my phone, I decided to text him.
Me: Where are you?
I held my breath and waited for my message to say ‘read’. When it did those infamous three dots danced at the bottom of the screen a few seconds before disappearing. When it happeneda second time my heart rate doubled. Grabbing Devon by the wrist I asked, “Can you give me a moment?”
“Chile.” He sighed before giving in. “One moment Nariah.”
I waited until Devon had left the room before dialing Julius’s number. The phone rang repeatedly in my ear before rolling over to the voice mail. I was in the process of calling back when I heard the door open behind me. “Just a moment.” I croaked out. My breath got caught in the back of my throat when I heard a phone ringing behind me.
Spinning around in my chair I gasped when my eyes landed on Julius. Ending the call, I tossed the phone on the counter, dropped my head, and bawled my eyes out.
“I know bad ass Nari ain’t sitting up in here crying.” Julius teased from behind me.
Covering my eyes with my hands I sniffled. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Nariah.” He chuckled. Stepping in front of me Julius wrapped his hands around my wrist and pulled my hands down. “You ain’t thought I was ‘bout to miss your big day.”
Instead of responding I nodded my head making Julius toss his back and chuckle. “Girl come here.” He ordered and lifted me out of the chair. With his arms wrapped around my waist Julius walked us over to the couch in the corner of the room and sat down. Patting his legs he instructed me to sit as well.
“Now tell me what made you think I was going to miss this shit, Nariah?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “They said you wasn’t answering nobody calls. Then you didn’t respond to my text or answer my calls.” Fishing the balled-up Kleenex out of my pocket I straightened it out as best as I could and used it to wipe my eyes. “I thought you was bailing on me.”
“And it never occurred to you that I was possibly setting something up for you?” He asked and stared me in the face waiting for an answer.”
“No.” I pouted, making him chuckle.