Page 114 of 10,000 Hours With A Rich Menace

Cindy straightened my hair and pulled it up in a messy updo with a side bang that swept down the side of my face. The makeup artist finished my makeup, keeping my makeup as natural as could be. I told her that I didn’t want my freckles to be covered.

Maverick always counted them whenever I woke up and he was staring in my face. The first time that I opened my eyes, and he was staring at me, I nearly fell out the bed because he scared me. As handsome as he was, the man had a menacing look to him.

“Thank you for everything, Jeffie. You pulled all this together in the shortest time, and me and Maverick both appreciate you.”

“It’s going to feel different having someone actually say thank you because your big-headed ass man never says it,” she joked.

The makeup artist put the finishing touches on my lips and then went to clean up her mess. Jeffie was on her phone, and I turned to face her. “Um, Jeffie?”

“What’s up?” she put her phone down and looked at me concerned. “Are you having second thoughts… if you are, we can run out of here together.”

I smiled. “I’m running out of here to that man. Plus, I think he would track me down and bring me back kicking and screaming.”

“As much as you are joking, that man will always find you.”

“Good.” I smiled.

She touched my hand. “What’s going on?”

“Maverick told me about he and your mother.”

I could see the anger in her eyes when I mentioned her mother. “That is not who I am, Stevie.”

It was my turn to hold her hand. “I’m not saying that is who you are, and I can tell the subject is very sensitive to you.”

“I don’t agree with what my mother has done, and Maverick has shut down any conversation surrounding it because he doesn’t want to deal with it. I pray he opens up and does therapy, but I cannot force him. My mother broke his heart, and I had never seen him that way. I picked up the pieces she left broken on the floor while she went to live her life. I choose the Casellis over my own family because theyaremy family. They were tossed to the side and handed crumbs and look at all of them… fucking powerful.” She reached out and pinched my cheek. “And you will rise to that same occasion becoming Mrs. Caselli, the love that this family needed.”

I smiled at her. “I just wanted you to know that I know.”

“You are now his secret keeper… his soul mate.” She smiled, as we both looked toward the door.

Estella rushed into the room with her floral dress on and little kitten heels. Her hair was pulled up into a bun with a floral headband. She rushed to Jeffie and hugged her, while Jeffie picked her up and smothered her in kisses.

“Jeff Bezo!”

“Hey my darling. Do you know how beautiful you look?”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a credit card. “Core-Core got me this.”

Jeffie started laughing. “Not he used Stellie to get you to take the damn credit card… The man is smart, and fine... got to give it to him.”

“So damn fine,” Skyler admitted as she stood there.

Skyler looked stunning in her oversized wide leg pants suit with a pair of pumps. “Wait until you see what else he does… gonna have you climbing the wall,” Jeffie snickered.

“You want me to get laid so bad.”

“And do… you can be crabby, and we know that’s the reason.” Jeffie kissed Estella, as she further examined the credit card.

“Stevie, I don’t even want to look at you because I know I am going to cry. It’s why I have been ignoring you.”

“Awe, Sky… do you want a hug?”

“Please.”

I held my dress as I walked over and she hugged me, towering over me because she had heels on, and I hadn’t put mine on yet. “Thank you for allowing me to make this decision. Supporting me and not trying to talk me out of it.”

“Do you know how hard it was not to yank you out that man’s house? Menace is a nut job and knowing that you have tamed him… and he’s different with you. He cares about you and that is all I could want for you.”

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