Page 216 of Invisible Bars
“Probably a turtleneck… and silence.”
I giggled. “A turtleneck and silence? That y-your new brand?”
“Always been the brand,” he replied, smugly cutting into his salmon with calm precision.
A phrase escaped before I even felt it forming. “Fashion felony—first degree!”It dangled awkwardly in the air while I tried to smooth it away with a sip of water and a half-laugh.
“You good?”
“Y-Yeah. You’re just so dramatic.”
He pointed his fork at me. “Andyousaid yes to going with me with no hesitation… look at us.”
“I… I didn’t hesitate because I trust you,” I confessed, then stabbed a roasted potato. “Andbecause I look good in white.”
Imanio watched me a beat longer than he should’ve, then gave a slow nod, leaned in a little and brushed a finger across the back of my hand.
“Wear what you want. But you in white? That’s gonna be a problem. Now I don’t care how you carry yo’self in public, but just know… when you get in bed, you better be a hoe.”
I took a slow sip of my water, met his eyes, and replied, “Then don’t blink, baby… because I can play saint in the streets and sinner in the sheets.”
The whole thing felt like a fever dream. One minute I was sitting on the edge of Imanio’s couch wondering how I’d even ended up in his orbit, and the next I was in an exclusive dress boutique with the store owner locking the glass doors behind us.
“For privacy,” he said with a knowing smile—because apparently, us being out together was enough to send the sidewalks buzzing.
People had already stopped and stared as we walked in, their whispers chasing us like perfume:“That’s Imanio Kors and his wife?”“She’s beautiful.”“They look good together.”Compliments rang out in a way that made my cheeks warm, though I tried to play it cool.
Inside, Imanio sat down on a leather stool like it was a throne, his posture all patience-on-life-support, looking like a man who’d rather be anywhere else but there.
The person helping me was flamboyant, fabulous, and full of commentary—André. He snapped his fingers like punctuation every time he spoke.
“Darling, we are going to make youglow! I don’t do ordinary… not whenthis—” he gestured dramatically at me, “—walks through my door.”
Imanio grunted. “She already glows.”
André scoffed so hard I thought he’d faint. “Sir!You just earned yourself one free compliment from me, but use it wisely.”
I bit back a laugh as André whisked me into a fitting room.
First Dress:A sequined, body-hugging number that shimmered like disco lights. When I stepped out, André clapped like he’d just witnessed a miracle.
“Yes! Vegas showstopper! She could step on the Strip and own it!”
Imanio tilted his head, unimpressed. “She’s not going to Vegas… and the attire iswhite.”
I tugged at the sequins scratching my arm. “He’s right… and I’d probably blind myself if I wore this too long.”
André waved a hand, snapping his fingers for emphasis. “Darling, don’t you worry—we’ve got more. Sequins are just the appetizer; the main course is hanging in the back waiting to snatch your soul!”
Second Dress:A flowy white gown that looked like it had been stolen straight from a fairy godmother’s dream closet. The fabric floated around me like mist, light enough to feel magical but heavy enough to trip me if I wasn’t careful. I twirled a bit and that’s exactly what almost happened.
“Disney on ice—without the ice!” I shrieked as the fabric tangled around my ankles.
André gasped, exaggeratingly clutching his chest. “Drama! Ilivefor it!”
Imanio just sighed, rubbing his temple like going there was a mistake.
“Darling, you’re giving whimsical princess!” André beamed.
