Page 18 of Scandalous Contract

“Bye!”

I hung up, already yawning. But first things first:hair. With the towel tied around me, I padded back into the bathroom, grabbed my leave-in conditioner, and worked it through my damp curls, section by section.

My hair felt soft between my fingers, and the scent of coconut and honey filled the air as I twisted my hair into two neat braids. I’d unravel them later for a full, voluminous look at the club. By the time I was finished, I was yawning so much that my eyes were watering.

I dressed in my cute pink pajamas and pink bonnet and climbed into bed, burying my head under the comforter and promising myself it was just going to be a little nap. A power nap. Maybe an hour, tops. It was a few hours later when Ronnie's call woke me up.

“Open the door, sleepy head. I’m outside. I’ve called you five times and even rang the doorbell. You’re going to have these people’s neighbors think I’m trying to break in. Hurry up.”

I groaned, rubbing sleep from my eyes. My phone said it was nearly eight.Damn. I’d slept harder than I thought. Dragging myself out of bed, I slipped my feet into my furry pink house shoes and shuffled to the front door.

When I opened it, there he was. My bestie. Ronnie. With dark skin smooth as butter and a trimmed goatee, he was dressed to impress in black slacks that fit snugly and a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to show off his toned forearms.

“You look like you’re on the prowl tonight,” I teased, stepping aside to let him in.

“I am. Just call me black panther.” He clawed at the air and made a growling noise before entering the house.

He gave me a once-over, smirked, and tugged me into a hug. “Why do you look like you're about to binge-watch‘Living Single’with a tub of ice cream?”

“Shut up.”

We laughed as I ended the hug and shut the door behind him.

“I thought we were going out, Stef. Why are you not getting dressed?”

“It’s still early. Plus, I just woke up.”

“I know you. It’s going to take you about two hours to get dressed.”

“Even if it did, that would still be early, considering where we’re going.”

“Girl, start getting dressed. I’m not about to play with you.”

“Okay. Sheesh. It won’t take me long,” I promised, stretching as I padded toward the bathroom. “Give me twenty minutes. Maybe an hour.”

“I swear you better be in there transforming. I didn't come all this way to hang out with Pajama Barbie.”

“You know you love me.”

“Unfortunately.”

While I disappeared into the bathroom, Ronnie made himself at home. I heard the familiar ding of his phone as he started scrolling through whatever was happening on social media, and then his voice floated back toward me.

“Oh, bitch, remind me to tell you about the new chef I hired.”

I peeked around the bathroom door. “You finally found someone?”

“Mmmhmm. And honey, when I say fine? Chile... he’s a hot little Latino with these dimples that could start a cult following.”

I laughed, applying my moisturizer as I looked in the mirror.

“And guess what? He’s bisexual too. And apparently single. I’m telling you, girl, every time I’m near him, I feel like I’m being tested.”

“I know the feeling,” I muttered under my breath.

“What did you say?” Ronnie called out.

“I said tell me more,” I lied.