Hey Girl!

I started to follow them and have read some of their work. Not only are they super cool they both can write their tails off. I wish I had the seasoning their writing displays.

We’ve become friends over the internet and they invited me out to a book signing that they both will be making an appearance at. I tried to beg off, but Dean wasn’t having it. Not even my one and a half year old nephew, or son as they know him, was enough to get me out of this. Lakia has a six month old that she’ll be bringing along with her so there was no excuse for me.

Not to mention, once Felix found out he got it in his head that this is something I need to do. He has gone as far as offering to fly out with me to Atlanta. He’ll be keeping an eye on Dashawn while I get to know the girls.

I’m so nervous. I know I’m going to fan girl. Lakia warned me not to, but I love their work. Dean may not be a huge name yet, but she has the talent. Lakia, on the other hand, is taking the literary world by storm. I’m so grateful that they have taken to me and my writing. They’ve given me so much feedback.

Although, honestly, I haven’t sent them any pages with my real issues. I’m too nervous. I think after meeting them in person to feel them out, I’ll be less reluctant to share.

I’ll admit. I’m a bit overwhelmed. I’m glad Felix purchased an event ticket to come along to the signing. There are a few other authors I can’t wait to meet and this crowd is insane.

“You look like me at a tech convention,” Felix chuckles beside me.

He looks so handsome with Dae-Dae on his hip. How do you make a light blue denim jacket and matching jeans look like a three-piece suit that’s cover worthy. I’ve noticed the heads turning as we walk around.

“What does that mean?” I beam up at him.

“Your eyes are glowing and you look like a kid in a candy store,” he chuckles. “You’re in heaven.”

“That bad, huh?” I giggle.

“It’s cute. Don’t let us slow you down. Have at it,” he says waving at all of the booths.

“Oh, no,” I shake my head. “I’ll work my way up to all of that.”

“Chump,” he teases, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

“Kaye,” I hear squealed not too far away.

I turn to see two women in side-by-side booths waving at me. I recognize Lakia from her picture right away. I’ve never seen a real picture of Dean. She uses an avatar on social media due to her day job, but I know right away she’s the one on the left with the red dreads and the unique freckles—unique to me because I’ve never seen someone her complexion with such pronounced freckles before.

They’re both gorgeous. Lakia is a show-stopper with her heart shaped face and oval brown eyes. Her skin is flawless and she’s killing that lace front. The only reason I know it’s a wig is because the three of us have had lengthy conversations about hair and makeup. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know the difference.

It’s so out of character for me, but I find myself rushing over into their embrace. I feel like I’m running into the arms of long lost sisters—we’ve connected that much over the phone. We’re squealing and hugging before I can fully process how I made it across the room so fast.

Felix and Dae-Dae are forgotten until Lakia and Dean look over my shoulders with mischievous looks in their eyes. We’ve talked about relationships a time or two. When I mentioned that Felix would be tagging along with me, the topic peaked both of their interest.

“Well, hello handsome,” Dean purrs.

“Girl, don’t start your stuff,” Lakia warns with humor in her voice.

“What? I was talking to this little cutie pie,” Dean feigns innocence.

“Sure you were,” Lakia chuckles.

“Hi, you must be Felix. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lakia,” she says, holding out a hand to Felix.

“Nice to meet you,” he replies shaking her hand.

“And you must be Dae-Dae,” she turns to purr at my nephew.

He nods giving her a shy smile, before tucking his face into Felix’s neck. I love it when he tries to act shy. He’ll be ripping this place apart in no time.

“Nice to meet you, Felix. I’m Dean,” she purrs as her eyes eat him up.

I feel a little tinge of jealousy. Dean is very pretty. She looks like a doll. She’s much taller and leaner than I am, but still on the curvy side. She definitely has me beat in the boob department. I’m a decent B cup. She’s rocking at least a powerful D if not DDDs.

“Likewise,” Felix nods at her, but his attention turns to Dae-Dae in his arms just as quickly, as he murmurs something to him.

Dean turns to me and widens her eyes pointedly. I’ve told them that Felix is just a friend. However, because his name has come up so many times over the last six months—and the fact that he offered to come here with me—they’ve been pushing to know if something more is going on with us.

“We’re still going out to eat after this, right? My mom came along this trip to watch Isaac. I’m free to have some adult time with my girls,” Lakia says and gives a little shimmy.

“Um, I think so,” I turn to look up at Felix.

“We’ll be fine. We have a whole night planned,” Felix replies with a smile on his face.

“I guess that’s a yes,” I say excitedly.

“Good, because I’m going to need a drink after this. They already started with the bull. Someone better tell these chicks I’m not for it,” Dean grumbles as she rolls her eyes at someone across the room.

“Girl, please. We’re not giving any energy to that BS today,” Lakia waves off. “People always want it until you give it to them. We about these books. Let that pettiness stew in its own boots.”

“Um. You talking all that sh—” Dean looks at Dae-Dae and pursues her lips. “You saying that because you’re protecting that brand. Which is all good, boo. My name ain’t popping like that so somebody can catch these hands all day if needed.”

“Why do I bother?” Lakia grumbles shaking her head.

These two have shared with me to be mindful of the back-stabbing and fake smiles in this industry. Lakia has a strict policy. Once they cross her, they don’t exist. Dean on the other hand has a list of beat downs she wants to hand out.

What I respect about them both, they have told me to watch my back but have never given names. They’re leaving it for me to make my own opinions. Never once have they shoved their experiences or feelings on me.

Although, I get the sense that Lakia is the voice of reason in this group. Dean is a couple of fries short from a full happy meal. She’s more likely to fly off the handle if pushed.

Trust me, I’ve heard her go off over the phone once. It wasn’t pretty. Dean is actually from New York, but she currently lives in PA. However, that New Yorker came out in full force that day.

“Y’all sure I can let Kaye out with you?” Felix teases.

“I mean you can come out with us tonight to try us out. If we’re good you can let her out with us next time,” Dean purrs.

“I think I’m safer with my little guy here,” Felix says narrowing his eyes at Dean.

“Oh, Lawrt, please don’t have Kaye whip your tail. I like her,” Lakia giggles.

“What? She said they’re just friends. That means he is fair game. He’s fine as hell. You bugging if you think I’m not going to at least shoot my shot,” Dean says and shrugs.

My face burns with embarrassment. When I slowly turn to look up at Felix, his eyes are locked on me. He nods his head at his own thoughts before turning to Dean and Lakia.

“I’m going to walk around. You guys enjoy yourselves,” he says before turning with Dae-Dae and leaving.

“You know something?” Dean says. “I think you’re sleeping on that one.”

Lakia fans her face, while watching Felix walk away. She has a huge grin on her face. Again, I feel a bit of jealousy raising.

“Just look at that walk. You know he’s packing,” she gushes.

“Girl, I was thinking the same thing,” Dean bursts into laughter.

“Don’t y’all have books to be signing?” I mumble.

They both laugh at me, pulling me into another hug before Dean drags me to sit with her behind her table. I watch in awe as my two new friends do their thing. My heart almost exploded out of my chest every time they tell people to be on the lookout for my work.

Real friends.

“We’re going to pull that book out of you, baby girl,” Dean leans over to whisper in my ear just as I have the thought.

“The indie life has been good to me. So has Trad,” Lakia says while munching on a basket of fries.

“Indie takes a lot of work, but I feel it’s worth it in the end. I’ve been able to learn a lot. I also think the fanbase is a bit different,” Dean adds.

“Mm,” Lakia nods, swallowing some of her drink. “Yeah, it can be, but if you come in strong on the indie scene you can make some wave in both ponds.”

“I don’t know. I was thinking about submitting to a publisher. I mean that seemed like the road to take before I met you guys. Now, I feel like I have more options,” I reply.

“Did you get your author page set up? I’m telling you, start building the core base now. Put up some of those amazing snippets you have,” Dean coaches.

“Your website, the social media, work on content for your newsletter. Girl, I wish I had gotten to all of that going before things started to pick up,” Lakia coaches.

I jot down notes in my notebook. Again, I’m grateful for their mentorship. I might give this book thing a serious go.

“Thanks, guys,” I look up and say with a beaming smile.

“You can thank me by sitting your ass in a chair and finishing that damn book,” Dean says with a wink.

“I know, I know,” I say and pout.