Page 14 of Bern and Isley
I couldn’t wait to share my good news with Isley. I had only seen her once since the little run-in with her little boyfriend. Every time I invited her over or asked to come by her crib, she always had an excuse. I figured he was trying to hog all of her time. Because if he was in her face, she wouldn’t have time to be in mine. It lowkey pissed me off. But what was I to do? Isley had a mind of her own. I wasn’t trying to come between her and her man. Well, maybe I was. But I wasn’t going to force the issue.
I shot her a text letting her know I had good news and something to show her. I figured she would pencil me in whenever she could. In the meantime, I would get everything situated for my new business. It was grind time.
Chapter 7
Isley
Bern:Ay. I got some good news to tell you. I need to show you in person. Hit me up when you can.
A huge grin spread across my face after reading that message. I needed some good news. It had been one thing after another lately. Aunt Fee recently had cataract surgery that didn’t go as planned, so she needed a revisional surgery to correct the thing that went wrong. Then she had multiple follow-up appointments. I was going nonstop and missing out on money because I wasn’t able to take on as many braiding clients.
Me: I’m available this afternoon. I’ll come by your house around two, is that cool?
Bern: Two is fine, but can you meet me at that car wash down from Highland Park?
I raised a brow. That was weird. Why did he want me to meet him at the carwash? I shrugged. I guessed he was washing his car and thought maybe I could talk him into washing mine too.
I finished my last client twenty minutes before I was to meet up with Bern. I made sure Aunt Fee was good before heading to the carwash. Bern’s black BMW was the only car in the lot when I pulled up. He was leaning on it, looking handsome as usual. He wore a white polo shirt with khaki shorts and casual tansneakers. The chain around his neck sparkled under the sun’s rays. I parked directly beside his car then got out.
“I was going to ask if you invited me here to wash my car but you’re dressed too nice for that,” I jested.
He chuckled as he headed toward me. “Even though you’ve been a stranger, I’ll hook you up.”
“That’s my bad, friend. Shit been hectic on my end.”
His forehead crinkled as he folded his arms. “Oh yeah? What’s been going on?”
I exhaled deeply. “I don’t even want to get into it right now. I need positive news right now.”
He looked as if he wanted to protest but decided against it.
My brow pointed upward as I squinted in curiosity. “Sooo…. why are we here?”
He rubbed his hands together and looked toward the property then back at me with a wide grin across his face. “This carwash belongs to me. I just bought it today.”
“Really?” I squealed in delight. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered.
“Oh my god, Bern…Congratulations!” I grabbed him and squeezed his neck tightly. “I’m so happy for you.”
He wrapped his arms around me firmly. “Thank you, Icey.”
My heart was so full of joy for Bern that it could have exploded. We held each other for a beat longer than normal. As I inhaled his woodsy cologne, I got lost in the comfort of his arms. The arms that had been there for me through everything. The good. The bad. The ugly. I finally pulled away, leaving just a small amount of space between us. He gazed at me with lowered eyes. I looked away bashfully and focused on the car wash he’d purchased.
“Are you going to keep the name the same?” I asked, breaking the awkward silence and avoiding Bern’s stare.
“Nah…I plan to change it eventually.”
Turning back to face him, I saw the pride in his eyes as he looked over his purchase. I was so damn happy for him. And proud that he was willing to invest in himself and not leave his fate in the hands of the system created to keep him down.
“Cool.”
“Hand me your keys, I’ll wash your car up.” He held his hand out. “You can take my car to grab a bite to eat in the meantime. I know you ain’t ate all day.”
I threw him a mean side eye. “You don’t know that.”
“Have you eaten?”
