“What are you talking about?”
He nodded his head to that same corner, so I walked farther into the space to see who it was. Shit. Standing there with her arms crossed, giving me way too much attitude with one look, sat the last woman I wanted in my shop. The princess of the neighborhood herself, Khloe Madison.
I walked over to her. “What are you doing here?”
She rolled her eyes. “Would you calm down? My grandmother made me come here. You think I want to be in your barbershop? Hell. No.”
She twisted her neck the same way she’d done all growing up. All that attitude rolled up into a small body. She had her tight, curly, black hair pulled up atop her head in her signature style, the natural look making me wish we didn’t hate each other so I could truly appreciate her beauty. Her skin was still as smooth and chocolate as ever, but it was her bright, round eyes and adorable dimples that almost made me forget she was the bane of my existence.
I told myself not to check her out. Not to see if she was wearing those same tall boots, skirts, and black tights that she always wore despite the cold Chicago weather. Luckily, I listened to that voice, so I couldn’t confirm. All eyes were on us in my shop, which meant I needed to try and act as civil as I possibly could when it came to this woman.
“Why are you here?”
She pointed to Mama Peaches and Geraldine. “You should ask them.”
I turned back to the older women. “Ladies, something you want to tell us?”
“You go, Peaches.” Geraldine, Khloe’s grandmother, elbowed Mama Peaches in the side.
“Stop being so skeptical,” Mama Peaches said, clasping her hands together. “I decided that Kadaris needed some help if he was going to be ready for the auction in twelve days. So Deen came up with a great idea. Khloe is an etiquette coach and, Kadaris, hunny, you need some fine-tuning. What better way to prep for the auction than to work with Khloe on perfecting your image?”
I glanced at Khloe, her eyes widening, letting me know she wasn’t aware of this plan either. We didn’t agree on much, but we both knew this was a bad idea. Her eyes dropped to my lips. At least, I think they dropped to my lips. It was so brief, I wasn’t even sure I’d really seen it.
But that was the thing with us. Sometimes, I got the I-hate-you vibe confused with the I-want-to-fuck-you vibe, which meant shit just got awkward and turned into a let’s-just-avoid-each-other thing.
So I wasn’t at all surprised when we both said, “Hell nah,” in unison.
About the Author
Sherelle Green is a Chicago native with a dynamic imagination and a passion for reading and writing. Ever since she was a little girl, Sherelle has enjoyed story-telling. Upon receiving her BA in English, she decided to test her skills by composing a fifty-page romance. The short, but sweet, story only teased her creative mind, but it gave her the motivation she needed to follow her dream of becoming a published author.
Sherelle loves connecting with readers and other literary enthusiasts, and she is a member of RWA and NINC. She's also an Emma award winner and two-time RT Book Reviews nominee. Sherelle enjoys composing novels that are emotionally driven and convey real relationships and real-life issues that touch on subjects that may pull at your heartstrings. Nothing satisfies her more than writing stories filled with compelling love affairs, multifaceted characters, and intriguing relationships.
For more information:
www.sherellegreen.com
Also by Sherelle Green
To Marry a Madden:
Blessed By Malakai
Claimed By Crayson
Distinguished Gentlemen Series (anthology):
The Contingency Bid
Once Upon a Bridesmaid (anthology):
Yours Forever
An Elite Event Series:
A Tempting Proposal
If Only for Tonight
Red Velvet Kisses
Beautiful Surrender
Bare Sophistication Series:
Enticing Winter
Falling for Autumn
Waiting for Summer
Nights of Fantasy
Her Unexpected Valentine
High Class Society Series:
Blue Sapphire Temptation
Passionate Persuasion
Additional Books:
A Los Angeles Passion
A Miami Affair
Wrapped in Red
Single AF: Social Experiment Series Page 13