Page 5 of Follow Me to Your Heart
I held my hand up. “Don’t even start, Taylor.”
“Cage would never let you go without. Everyone knows that, so I don’t know why you act as if you’d be hurting for anything. On top of that, you have your father and brother as well. Don’t downplay how blessed you truly are, Korren.”
“I don’t. I promise I don’t. It’s just . . . I’ve relied on the men in my life for too long. I’ve finally found something I love. Something I’m passionate about. Something I’m damn good at. Why not utilize my gift for profit?”
“You have a point.” Taylor waved her finger at me as she sat down. “That’s some boss girl shit right there. I’m proud of you, for real.”
“I appreciate you, Tay.”
Taylor usually came with an example of how she wanted her nails, but she wanted me to freestyle for her birthday. She usually kept her nails on the shorter side, so I shaped them into a medium almond shape. Her favorite color was orange, and she loved a little bling. It took me about two hours to get them done. I incorporated her zodiac sign on to both her ring finger nails while adding the jewels and some white into the orange. The set was unique, and I loved it.
“Korren! Girl, these looksodamn good. I’m literally obsessed.” Taylor gushed as she observed the final product. “I think these are in the top five.”
My cheeks hurt from how hard I smiled. “I agree. Let me take a picture to post later so I can clean up and prepare for my next client. She’ll be here soon.”
Taylor snapped into hand model mode. Once I got the pictures and videos I needed, I cleaned up my area.
The remainder of my day was long but well worth it. Taylor stayed to keep me company until one of her other friends calledto go out for the night. After that, I went into full work mode, channeling the artist in me.
I loved doing nails. It became an outlet for me when I was fourteen and going through a tough time with my mother. Daddy noticed and took me for a spa day, getting his nails and toes done with me. I carefully watched the women work their magic and wanted to try. I expressed my interest to Daddy, and a few days later, he surprised me with a starter nail kit. That was all she wrote. I’d been doing it ever since.
It was added to the list of many things Alana disapproved of, but she didn’t hesitate to ask me to do her nails for free.
My last client walked out my door at 4:45. I wished I would’ve worked a little longer to avoid having dinner with my mother. I turned my music up and got my apartment back in order before going to get ready. Since we were going to Titan’s, I had to dress up. Any place my mother chose to attend was upscale, so it was a must my appearance was on point.
The smooth silk felt like butter on my butterscotch skin. I opted to wear a green dress that brought out my freckles and naturally copper hair which I inherited from my mother. It was styled in a slick bun with curly whisps around my face. After applying mascara and lip gloss, I strapped on my heels and grabbed my clutch before heading for the door.
In the Journey car, I snapped a few pictures of myself to post on FameVSYou later. The ride was a bit too quick for my liking, but I got there twenty minutes before our reservation. When I went to the hostess stand, I was led to the table.
What the fuck?I internally screamed upon seeing Mom sitting at the table with Marquis and his mother. I spun on my heels to leave, but Mom called out to me.
“Korren Gates. Where do you think you’re going?”
“Away from here.”
Mom got up and came over to me with lowered eyes matching mine. My father often told me I’d stolen my mother’s face, but it wasn’t until I was older that I realized exactly how much we looked alike. Whenever I gazed at her, it was like staring into the mirror of my future. The only difference was, I was more like Daddy.
She pretended to hug me, then whispered in my ear, “You will sit down and be cordial. Marquis has been asking about you, and from what I hear, you’ve been ignoring him. He’s a good boy for you, Korren.”
“Oh, so I’m supposed to accept the fact he cheated on me with two different girls?”
“He’s changed. You need to give him a chance like you do that little thug you run behind.”
Without another word, Mom tugged me over to the table. Marquis rose and pulled the chair out next to him. I rolled my eyes, sat down, and spoke to his mother, Claire. She was a sweet woman who was on my side whenever we broke up. I hated my mother was dragging her into her nonsense.
Marquis leaned over and whispered in my ear, “You look and smell so good, Korren. It’s so good to see you.”
I side-eyed him with my upper lip curled. One thing I would never deny was how good Marquis looked. His skin was the color of milk chocolate, but he was bitter like dark chocolate. The waves flowing atop his head was enough to make me seasick. I was a sucker for a man with a beard, but Marquis was divine without one. When I finally turned to him, I fought with myself to not be captivated by his sultry brown eyes or his perfectly aligned smile.
Marquis was damn good to look at, but he was no good. He could fool my mother all he wanted. The streets talked, and he was an even bigger player now that we were in college. I refused to be added to his roster.
“Thank you,” was all I offered. I focused on his mother. “How have you been, Mrs. Claire?”
“I’ve been doing great. It’s so good to see you, Korren. I think about you often. Oh! Did you see I followed your nail page?”
“I did. Thank you for that.”
“It’s no problem at all. You’re doing an amazing job. That gift of yours is going to take you far.”
