Page 1 of Platinum Love: A BWWM Romance

Chapter 1

Hunter

“Perfection.” I purse my cherry red lips in the mirror ensuring my face is beat to capacity, and it is. I run a hand over my sleek ponytail, dropping it over my shoulder, ready to dance off this sour mood. I add an extra coat of lipstick. Red always makes me feel strong and in control.

“Well, pack your hottest two pieces. I plan to return looking like an Egyptian goddess.” I add my two cents to the robust conversation on our three-way call.

I wink at myself picking up the phone while my besties Charlee and Harper gush over my recent invitation. Nobody, and I do mean nobody throws a better soiree than me. Theme, destination, transportation, no detail overlooked, because every element is significant. Every element is hand-selected to etch the experience in the minds of my guests forever.

Charlee and Harper talk back and forth as I walk to my closet discussing what they’re packing. Who knew I’d need this trip? Not to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Lewis, who’s no longer my boyfriend but my ex-boyfriend, instead, I need this trip to take a break from Austin. I need time to scrub his lying, cheating, no good ass from my life. I need a change.

I turn my face from the screen, not wanting them to see how much his cheating effects me. But Lewis ain’t worth a single tear. The dick pic he obviously sent me by accident marked the end of our on-again, off-again relationship. The message flashes before my eyes, B, your lollipop misses you.

I should have blocked him a long time ago. But I got comfortable. We travel in the same social circle. We shared some of the same interests. We had something once, but apparently that was a lie too. I mean, how special can I be if he’s sending dick pics to women?

“So, you and Lewis don’t have a hot date tonight?” Harper asks pulling me out of my unhealthy thoughts.

“Nah, he’s doing him, and I’m doing me. Tonight’s about us helping you find a man.” I see the tears glistening in her eyes. “Harper, one day you’ll find a man who appreciates you for the amazing woman you are. Then you’ll be glad you kicked he who shall remain nameless’ no good ass to the curb.”

“Under the curb,” Charlee snapped. Harper’s tight smile isn’t fooling me, as she brushes away a tear the moment it leaves her eye.

“No more tears Harper. Tonight, we’re going to Brew & Boujee. Get ready to have some fun and have too many drinks!” I joke trying to cheer her up. I’m determined to sit through a million blind dates to see her smile.

Harper is a good one, she increases our average. She’s the swan waiting to show her full potential, and that bastard will roast in hell. Guaranteed.

So, tonight is not about me or Lewis, tonight is for Harper. Lewis is a liar. I know it. He knows it. His deception came as no surprise. And now, I’m a walking, talking billboard used by old school R&B songs as evidence of how hard it is for a good woman to find a good man. Because that dog bit me in my ass again, so now the joke’s on me for forgiving him again. Thanks to Lewis, love is not on my agenda.

“I want the drinks and the men.” Charlee tipped a glass in our direction.

Sounds like I’m not the only one nursing a cracked heart or a bruised ego. I think it’s more of the latter. I didn’t love Lewis, maybe it was the prospect of love I loved. Harper raises an eyebrow in my direction but neither of us asks questions about Charlee’s tipsy state, I guess we’ve learned to coexist in our own worlds. And I’m thankful. Most people would consider us shallow, or self-centered. I like that we support each other without being all up in each other’s business, besides I’m not ready to share my blues either. Not until I can explain how I keep finding myself back here, with another no good, gorgeous, rich, shallow, douche of a man.

Charlee is entertaining us with another one of her hookups gone wrong. I climb the stairs in my closet and place my phone on the island. The first floor holds my everyday clothes, shoes, and accessories. The second floor is where I store my glam.

The far wall holds my evening gowns, cocktail dresses, and formal attire. The island is full of jewelry and all the knick-knacks that make dressing up elegant and fun. I scan the area in front of me, trying to decide where to start my search. I need an outfit to make a statement.

My girls are baddies, always dressed to impress. Plus there’s a chance I’ll see Lewis tonight. I push the clothes around searching for my best f’him outfit.

“I’m down for this trip. Anything to get away from my nagging parents,” Charlee adds finally taking a breath. “That’s the one Hunt.”

I stop sliding the last hanger back. “Red on Valentine’s Day is cliché and you know that’s not my style.”

“Yeah, maybe on someone else but not on you,” Harper says.

I pull the dress down, turning the phone towards the ceiling to floor mirror. I inspect the tag. The crimson bodycon dress fit me like a glove in the swank Austin boutique. I shrug holding it against me. The spaghetti straps compliment my brown skin. The deep v-neck neckline means I have to go braless to pull it off. The knee length is the only tame feature. It’s definitely a statement dress, leaving little to the imagination.

“Hunter.”

“I’m in here Daddy," I call over my shoulder. “We’ll talk at S&J," I tell Charlee and Harper.

“What time is the reservation?”

“Now for your late tail,” Harper teases Charlee.

“Whatever! Perfection takes time ladies.”

“The speed dating starts at seven. We need to get there early to get the best seats,” I tell them. This argument is the center of their existence, Harper is always early, Charlee is always late.

“Which means, Charlee, sweetheart, if you want a man, you need to get there on time.” I laugh glad to see Harper’s spunk coming back.

“You know what Harper Anne,” Charlee adds a country twang to her voice, “you can shove it where the sun don’t—”

“Hunter, what is this?” I jump startled by my father at the top of the stairs. He is waving a sheet of paper in the air. I roll my eyes glancing back at my phone.

“All right later dudes. I’ll see y’all in a few. Save me a seat.”

We say our goodbyes and hang up. I drop to the couch beside the island facing him. The frown on my Daddy’s face tells me he’s gearing up for a lectu

re.

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