Page 55 of Beautiful Broken Love

“I’m meeting with Kyla Cox tomorrow. She’s the co-owner of Bubbles and Swaddles. They’re an up-and-coming Black-owned brand that sells baby products—mostly shampoos and bath soaps. Anyway, her brand is looking to include body creams, lotions, and oils in their line, and they’re looking for a larger Black-owned brand to collaborate and distribute with. I was thinking this could be a great opportunity to not only bring the GOC brand more awareness with the quality of your products but to also tap into the market of moms and babies. I’m not sure you’re aware of this, but baby and maternity products are an infinite market, Davina. There are new mothers and babies born every second of the day. A collaboration like this is the ticket you need to be makingmillionsmore.”

I worked to swallow as I glanced at Octavia again. She mouthed,What’s he saying?but I turned away in my chair to let Chester’s words sink in.

He was right. Baby and maternity products had an infinite market. Moms—especially first-time moms—spent loads of money on their babies. They wanted to give their offspring the world, so the price tag didn’t matter. So long as it made their baby happy, they’d purchase it.

“Davina, you there?”

“Uh, yes.” I cleared my throat. “Still here.”

“Great. What do you think?” he asked. “You interested?”

“Uh, sure. Yeah. Absolutely. When would I get to meet Kyla?”

“That depends. How soon can you hop on a flight to Miami?”

“That also depends.”

“How about tomorrow?”

I gaped.“Tomorrow?”

“Yes. This is big, Davina. Kyla’s company has received a lot of recognition, and there are many eyes on her. An opportunity like this won’t present itself again.”

I turned in my chair again, not even realizing Tish had walked back into the office and she and Octavia were staring at me while nibbling on cookies.

“Sure, Chester. I’ll be in Miami tomorrow. Just send me the details.”

“I knew you’d make the right decision. I’ll have Logan send you everything. This is going to be huge. I can feel it.”

I placed the phone on the receiver and swung my head to the girls.

“What did he say?” Tish asked.

“He wants me to go to Miami to meet with a company that sells baby soaps. Apparently, they’re wanting to branch out and add lotions and creams. He wants us to meet with the co-owner tomorrow to see if we can work out a collaboration deal.”

“Damn. Well, that sounds like it might be worth it,” my best friend offered.

“Wait ... so you’re going to Miamitomorrow?” Octavia asked.

“Looks like it,” I said, blowing out a breath. “Tish, do you think you can look at flights for me?”

“Absolutely, babe. I got you.”

“Uh, make that a flight for two,” Octavia added, throwing up two fingers. “I’m going with her.”

Tish glanced at me as she stopped at the door.

“No, Tavia. This is business, not leisure. We won’t have time to do whatever it is you’re thinking about doing.”

“Come on, Vina! I’ll behave, I promise!” she pleaded, walking closer to me, with her hands clasped together in prayer mode. “Please! I’m your baby sister. You love me. Take me with you!”

I looked her up and down, and when she realized I wasn’t going to buy it, this girl dropped to her knees to milk it. “Pleaseeee.”

“Oh my goodness! Okay! Fine,” I laughed.

“Yes!”

“Y’all are a trip.” Tish chortled on her way out the door.

---