Page 2 of Devoted Love: A BWWM Romance

"We wouldn't laugh at that, sweetie," Harper whis

pers.

"And you think you'll win if you change yourself?" Hunter isn't the oldest, but she's the best big sister a girl could have. Her badass stock is rising the more we build Platinum Prestige—our elite concierge service. We started over six years ago. We're not babies in the game anymore, and it shows. We've amassed a small fortune, and it's not stopping.

“I don’t know, Hunter. I don’t want anything permanent. I honestly love my small tits and small butt.” I shrug. “I’m just curious to see if all this,” I circle my hand around my face and down my body, “is the issue.”

I'm tatted and pierced because my body is part of my art. I have dreadlocks because I love the ease of not worrying about my hair. Black is my favorite color, not because I'm depressed, but it's easy to pick my clothes with one color palette.

I work alone most days on my computer except when duty calls for Platinum Prestige. Taylor and I handle the tech for the business, and I design corporate and celebrity apps on the side.

“For the record, I don’t think you should change a single thing about yourself. Any man stuck on the exterior isn’t worth your time or worthy of your heart.” Ryann crosses her arms. The collective nods from the guys make my eyes water again.

"Oh, hell, she's crying again." Charlee groans, but I see the tears in her eyes too.

“I’m a cry baby. Sue me.” We laugh, and an awkward hug across and around the table brings us together. “So will y’all help with this makeover?”

We sit back, and I wait for an answer.

“What do you have in mind?” Alex sips her wine.

“I don’t have a plan. I didn’t get that far.”

“I got an idea.” Ryann leans forward. “What about Halloween? X is hosting a party at The Dungeon.”

"Halloween?" I smile. Goth, to me, is like speaking designer clothes with Hunter. It's everything.

“Halloween?” Charlee rolls her eyes. “She dresses for Halloween every day. All black clothes, black lipstick, black septum ring. What’s different about that?”

“She has a point. What about the total opposite?” Hunter has that shifty look in her eyes. “Zoe always had a thing for fairies and unicorns.”

“A Black fairy?” Taylor taps a finger on her chin, I can see the wheels turning from here. “I’ll handle her hair and cover her tats.”

Hunter nods. "I'll find a dress. Oh…and some wicked heels in fairy tale pink.” They slap high-fives across the table. And the happy dancing begins.

I'm in awe as each guy takes a role in helping me step outside my comfort zone. This is Black Girl Magic personified. I relax thankful that I finally got these pesky feelings off my chest.

“So, tell me about this party?” I ask Ryann.

"Girl, you know X. It's going to be crazy. Live music, food, the works. It's a masquerade ball. So, you'll need to work a pink Venetian mask into your plans." She elbows Taylor, who immediately adds a note to her list. "But get ready for an all-nighter and a good time.”

Ryann takes a drink of her water and sits back, the smile on her face tells me she's thinking about X. They've been married less than two years, and she's a different person with him. She was once all business. Her conversations were focused and short. But now, she's laid back. The joy of her new life seems to ooze from the glow of her skin to her lighthearted nature. She wears love well.

"Ryann, will Ryker be there?" Her gaze settles on mine, and I clear my throat.

“Maybe. Why?”

“Just asking.” It’s the best noncommittal response I can string together. I twist under Ryann’s intense gaze.

Ryann introduced me to Ryker, her ex-boss, at her wedding reception. I’ve seen him a couple of times since she left her old law firm. The man is out of my league, but I've never had a guy give me the swooshing feel of gigantic dragons in my stomach.

“Just asking?” She sucks her teeth, placing her glass on the table. “Should I invite him? Miss Just Asking.”

“Please.”

"Is that what this whole makeover is about?" She turns in the booth, dropping her voice to keep the conversation between us. Unlike the other guys, Ryann is the guy to see through walls and calculate the beginning and end of a scenario before a mere mortal can blink an eye. It's her superpower, and it's working tonight.

"No, and yes." I'm too embarrassed to tell her the truth that going through this would be pointless if there's not a chance that I'd see him again.

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