Eight
“Dahling, dahling!” Michael seemingly does a pirouette as he greets me and Adrienne at his jewelry shop, Milana, on Rodeo. Billed – according to Michael – as the more high-end version of Tiffany’s (there’s a high-end version of that?), the store offers a wide range of jewelry that costs so much, it makes the devil himself shook.
We’re here to get my giant engagement ring appraised and insured, and look at something…ahem, cheaper so I won’t get mugged in West L.A. at night.
“You’re here to get that hunk of jewelry appraised and insured?” He asks and I nod. “I’m surprised Ian didn’t. I would think he would’ve.”
“He probably did but I want to have a second opinion.” I state. “I also want to make sure it’s worth what the insurance company says it is.”
“Well, good for you!” Michael nods. “I’m glad to see you take some control. Adrienne also told me you were interested in cheaper pieces?”
“Yes, because I don’t want to be wearing this and get mugged,” I reply.
“Fair enough,” he gestures to the other rings and we follow his lead, “what was your price range?”
“One hundred,” I answer and Adrienne almost chokes on her spit.
“Girl, you better put some extra zeroes on that shit,” she chides.
I’m not used to this lifestyle and I don’t think I ever will be. “Fine. Ten thousand.”
“That’s a good start,” Adrienne says to Michael, who agrees.
I take off my ring and hand it over to the appraiser who quickly takes it and starts her work. “Did you want the same style?” Michael asks.
“Sure, I think that works.” Just as I was admiring some jewelry, from my peripheral, I see two Suge Knight-looking bodyguards enter the store followed by a smaller, but muscular man.
Be still my heart.
He’s dressed in all white like he’s about to go a party hosted by Puffy, P. Diddy or whatever the hell he’s calling himself these days. His beard looks moisturized with the best shea butter on God’s green earth.
His complexion…it was his complexion that made my heart lurch. He was the color of dark chocolate and suddenly I’m hungry to take a bite.
“Kwesi!” Michael shrieks and rushes over to him and gives him a big hug and two air kisses like he does for everyone. “I’m so glad to see you today! I have your piece ready!”
“All right, cool.” Kwesi nods. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“Make yourself comfortable!” Michael gesticulates, “and I’ll be right back!” He then traipses to the back.
I go back to looking at the other pieces of jewelry and hope it’ll distract me from the big glass of water that I’m suddenly thirsting for. I feel a weird battle in my body – my brain folds her arms and sucks her teeth; kinda like when you messed up and your mama caught you in a lie?
My heart is leaning forward and batting her eyelashes, and getting ready to blow kisses. While my loins are looking through the Sex Me Up playlist and wondering which Trey Songz record she should put on because she’s getting ready to blow him.
“Shh…” I try to quiet her and not make a scene. I’m trying very hard not to stare and I hope if I concentrate at this gaudy-ass piece of clear rock in front of me, I won’t pay any more attention to him.
“You know what? I think I see some other pieces I want to look at,” Adrienne mentions, “I’ll be over there if you need me.”
I watch Adrienne walk away and wonder what all that was about. “Oh okay, sis.” Weird. I turn back to the jewelry when I’m stricken by Kwesi’s appearance.
Right. Next. To. Me.
“See anything you like?” His voice is deep like the ocean and smooth like molasses. Now I’m hungry for sugar.
Hell, yeah, I see something I like. I want to see how your dark chocolate looks next to my milk chocolate. “Um…” I swallow and blow out a small breath. “…just browsing. I’m waiting for my ring to be appraised.”
“Your ring?” He looks down at the noticeable tan line around my ring finger and I follow his lead. “Lucky man.”
I’m having a difficult time remembering how to breathe. The only other man who’s had this effect on me is Ian. What’s going on here? “Uh-huh.”
Kwesi pulls back and slightly tilts his head. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“I don’t think so,” I shake my head.
“You look awfully familiar. I’m sure I’ve seen you somewhere.” His eyes light up and he snaps his fingers. “You’re Pole Bae!”
I really hate that damn nickname. “Um, yes I am.”
“I’ve watched your videos and man, you have some amazing moves, woman.” A tongue quickly darts out to lick his lips and why am I jealous of his lips and tongue? “I’ve followed your rise and I’m impressed. How’s your studio?”
“It’s great! It’s open to everyone.” Don’t invite him to a class, Domi. Don’t invite him to a class, Domi. “You should come to a class.” Bitch, what is you thinking?
“I don’t know if pole dancing is my thing,” he flashes that beautiful smile with perfect teeth.
Don’t tell him you have other classes. Don’t tell him it’s for everyone, regardless of gender. “We have other classes you could take, regardless of your gender.” My brain and my heart are squaring up inside in their respective corners, while my loins is picking out the perfect Jagged Edge song.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he grins.
“Here’s your ring, Dominique!” The jeweler returns with my ring, all nice and shiny, and I’m inexplicably pissed she interrupted a moment. Weird.
Kwesi eyeballs the massive rock and I’m suddenly feeling guilty I’m putting it back on. “What’s that like?”
“What’s what like?”
“Being with a Ferguson,” he clarifies, “I’m sure there’s more to it than Bentleys and Blahniks.”
I smile. We still haven’t officially announced our engagement but I guess word travels fast in the land of the one-percenters. “It’s not bad. He’s not keeping me locked in somewhere like he’s R. Kelly.”
“Ah, man,” he chuckles, “that’s a good one.”
Kwesi’s smile is infectious. “No, there’s no crazy conspiracy theories or anything like that. They’re quite normal, just really loaded.”
“Very,” he glances at me.
The look he gives me creates a warm sensation within me. “Why are you here today?” I ask before it occurs to me it’s really none of my business. “I’m sorry for the intrusion.”
“No, you’re not intruding at all.” He softly licks his lips. “In fact, you’re the new highlight of my day.”
Warmth rushes to my cheeks and I don’t know why. My heart stutters in my chest and body comes to a full cant. “Oh?”
“It’s not every day I’m graced by one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.” Kwesi explains as if I’m the only girl in the world. And what the hell is that? Is that my heart belting out Rihanna?
“Here you go, sir!” Michael returns with a large velvet case. He opens it up in front of Kwesi and my eyes widen. In front of him is the most beautiful diamond and sapphire necklace. I’m easily looking at tens of thousands of dollars, at least.
“Perfect,” Kwesi smiles. “Let me see something real quick.” He takes the necklace and holds it in front of me. “Can I ask you a favor? Can you try this on for me? I want to see how it would look on my mother. You two have the same complexion.”
I swallowed. Twice. “Sure.” I lift up my hair and I feel Kwesi stand behind me as he wraps the necklace around my neck. I get a whiff of his scent and my knees buckle at the masculinity of it.
“Here you go!” Michael comes in front of us with a mirror. “Domi, that looks so good on you!”
It actually does. The diamonds and sapphires stun against my skin tone. “Thank you.”
“I think it’s perfect,” Kwesi replies, “definitely the most beautiful sight I’ve seen in a minute.”
I’m too busy looking at the necklace to realize what he said. When I glance at his reflection, it’s not the necklace he’s looking at.
It’s me.