Page 52 of Finding You

“Well, sweetie-pie,” she said, nuzzling Zanaya’s baby powder scented neck, “I guess I gotta go hang with your aunties. In a few years, you’ll be able to join us. That’ll be fun, right?”

Raven smiled at her baby girl who gave her a toothless grin. Raven thought about how terrified she’d been before the babies were born, but now she couldn’t imagine her life without her little ones. Which made her think about Maximus. So far, they still didn’t know what he was up to, but last night, Wiz had said they’re getting close to getting answers.

She wanted answers like yesterday, but at least she hadn’t been dwelling on the situation. She’d been so busy the last couple of days with work that she’d barely thought about Maximus.

“Okay. Let’s get your brother changed, and then you two are headed to grandma’s house. Don’t let her and your aunt Gwendolyn spoil you too much. Okay?”

Raven chuckled when Zanaya cooed as if saying okay.

By the time Raven was done getting the kids and herself ready, she felt better about spending time with Zion’s sisters. She was now looking forward to a day of pampering and hanging out with the girls.

Hours later, after being rubbed, scrubbed, and plucked, Raven sat in the pedicure chair between Cree and Nyla feeling like a new woman. To say this had been one of the best days she’d had in forever would be an understatement. She felt so relaxed, and it had nothing to do with the mimosas, and everything to do with the spa’s talented staff.

She and the sisters had started their spa experience with the most stress-relieving, full-body massage she’d ever experienced. She’d felt boneless to the point of fearing she was going to fall on her face after the masseuse had helped her from the table. Raven hoped Zion didn’t ask her about the experience because he might get pissed if she told him about Hugo’s magical hands.

A facial and facial massage came after, and Raven could only describe them as heavenly. She never knew a facial could be so rejuvenating.

With the spa also having a salon, something she hadn’t known, Raven was glad she had taken down her braids the other day. Otherwise, she might’ve missed out on the deep conditioning treatment, hair trim, and style. Raven had been hesitant at first, thinking the facility wouldn’t have someone who knew how to do her hair, but she’d been wrong. Not only that, but they’d also freshened up her makeup.

Cree had truly gone all out in setting everything up for the sisters. She had even handpicked the people to provide the services. It was immediately clear that she spent a lot of time and money at that particular spa. Which was probably why the staff worshipped the ground the woman walked on. Who could blame them? Cree was intimidating as hell, and one of the most beautiful women Raven had ever met.

She recalled when Dorian had told her that Cree used to be a stripper. Raven wasn’t sure who in the family knew, but the woman had stripped to help pay her through law school. Their parents had agreed to pay the tuition for their undergrad degree, but they were on their own for all other degrees. Which was why Cree had resorted to stripping.

The woman definitely had the looks and the body for that type of job. She was taller than the average woman with long hair that flowed past her shoulders, a thin but curvy body, and probably wore a size four at most. Not only that, but Cree was also a force of nature. She carried herself with poise and confidence, demanding respect without having to say a word.

Raven didn’t know how she did it, but hopefully, some of that magical power would rub off on her while they were together.

“Raven, I heard you have your own virtual assistant business,” Cree said, but her attention was on the pedicurist who was about to polish her toenails. “Actually, let’s go with that deep red you showed me a minute ago instead of this soft pink. I’m going to be kicking some ass at work this coming week, and the red will be more fitting when I do.”

Raven’s mouth dropped open at her words, wondering if she was kidding, but her facial expression said she was dead serious. But what did it mean that she’d be kicking some ass? Did she mean literally? Or did it just mean she was going to have a productive week?

Nyla, who was sitting to Raven’s left, started laughing. “Don’t look so horrified, Raven. My sister is who she is. Welcome to Cree’s world, where she’ll chew you up and spit you out if you don’t fall in line with her. In the entertainment world, or hell, in the world period, she’s what some would refer to as a badass bitch.”

Cree mumbled something under her breath that Raven didn’t catch, but she didn’t contradict her sister.

Nyla snickered and sipped her drink. “She probably cursed me out in some language she made up, but seriously, she’s harmless most of the time.Wait.What am I saying? She’s not harmless. She will take someone’s head off in a minute if they step to her wrong or try to cross her in any way. What you see is who she is.”

“Nyla,” Cree said in a warning tone, and Nyla cracked up.

“Okay, that was my last one, but seriously, Raven, she’s all right. Just know she’ll tell you the truth about yourself whether you want to hear it or not. I’ve been on the receiving end of her know-it-all-ness plenty of times over the years, and though it pains me to say this, she’s usually right.”

“Anyway, as I was saying,” Cree interrupted, her attention now on Raven. “Tell me about your VA business. Do you specialize in one area? Or do you pretty much take on any requests?”

“I specialize in admin support, data entry, as well as social media management. I don’t take all requests, but if it’s something that sounds interesting, I consider it.”

Raven’s vacation was officially over since she’d gotten back to work shortly after moving in with Zion. She didn’t have to work every day, but based on her email inbox, business was starting to pick up.

She told Cree and Nyla about types of projects she’d taken on without giving too much detail and appreciated the questions they asked. They genuinely seemed interested in her business, and Cree had even said she knew a couple of small businesses who could benefit from a VA. She planned to connect her with them.

“Thank you. I appreciated that,” Raven said.

Cree waved her off. “Of course, we’re family. We look out for each other.”

Family.She finally was a part of the type of family she’d longed for. Sure, she’d always love her aunt and cousin and the role they played in her life, but this felt different. The Priestlys were different, and she was seeing that every single day.

Once Raven and the sisters had changed back into their street clothes, she almost hated for the day to end. Then again, it was still early evening, and there were plenty of hours left to get into something else.

“After all this primping and pampering, I might need a night out on the town,” she said.

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