“Do you see my cashapp?”

“Yup.” Michelle said looking down at her phone. “And you tipped. Imma answer your call on the first ring.” She joked. 

I found Michelle’s hair salon on Instagram when I was looking up closure frontals. Her shop was cute, and she was gifted with her hands. I was always nervous when meeting a hair stylist for the first time because I’m an introvert and I need one who understands how to make me open up. Hair time is therapy for real. 

Michelle had a wild personality that I adored. She followed me to the front door as I was leaving to finish our conversation. 

“So where you goin’?” She asked with her hand on her hip as she studied her work on me.

“To a speed dating event.” I admitted. “My best friend wants us to see more of the city.”

I looked down at my vibrating phone. My uber was outside.

“I’ll see you in a few weeks, Michelle. Thank you”

“You’re welcome Love.” She said as she pressed the button to unlock the security door to the salon. 

She was so nice that I wanted to hug her, but instead, I waved and got into the back of the black SUV. 

I picked up my phone to see if Christian had responded.

No message.

I called.

No answer.

I was starting to get pissed. I was on my way to my office in the city and he was supposed to be picking me up for the event. I knew he had a date earlier, but I thought he’d be finished.

I called a few more times and then searched my bag for the key to my office building.

It wasn’t in my bag.

I called Christian again.

No answer.

“It’s raining and I don’t have a key to my office. I hope you’re on time.”

Text delivered.

When I arrived at the building, Christian was nowhere to be found.

I tipped the Uber driver and then booked another one home.

As the second driver arrived, my phone began to vibrate.

“Hello,” I said dryly.

“Mother.”

“Uh uh.” I said. “You’re telling me you didn’t see my calls?”

“No Chanel. I wasn’t on my phone.”

“I’m going home and I don’t wanna talk to you for a few days.”

“Whoa I understand your mad Chanel, and I apologize but I had no idea you didn’t have your office key.”

“You could have responded to my text.” I said with my jaws clenched.

“My phone wasn’t in my hand.” He repeated. “I apologize. I’m gonna pay for your Uber and I’m gonna come pick you up. Even if you don’t wanna come outside, we will sit on your porch.”

“I don’t need you to pay for anything. I already planned on not driving. And ok fine, I’ll go.”

“I’ll meet you at your house in a few minutes.”

“Ok.” I agreed.

I hung up, and looked out the window. The ride home was pleasant. I loved taking Uber. I used the time to think, and be productive on my phone.

I looked into the rearview mirror into the eyes of the driver. He was young and I could tell he was from an African country.

“Right here is me.”

When I walked inside, my phone started to ring. I expected it to be Christian, but it was Gabriel, my ex. I didn’t want to talk to him. He was trying to work on our relationship, but I couldn’t. My heart couldn’t, and he couldn’t understand that.

 He had thrown me back to the wolves, and he thought he could return to the person he threw. I wasn’t her. I was something else.

A few minutes later, my phone rang again.

It was Christian.

“Chanel my car got towed but I’m still coming.” He said cooly.

“What? Your car got towed? How?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” He sounded frustrated. “But I’m still coming.” 

“No, you don’t have to.”

“Be ready.” He said. “Let me handle this and I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”

Two hours later, Christian was in the driveway.

“Madame.” He said as he waited at the driver’s side door for me to walk down the steps.

“Sir.” I responded.

Christian was the closest person to me. We told each other everything and we talked to each other a few hours each day. During our work trip together, I learned he was only 25.

I had a nephew his age, and I knew we would never make it in a relationship, so I introduced him to a younger flight attendant and we became like family.

He was a first officer when we met, but he had upgraded to captain this year. He was taking care of his mother and siblings, buying real estate and he was a big inspiration in my life. 

Christian opened my door and then walked around to the driver’s side and got in.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

We missed the speed dating event because of his car getting towed.

I always felt like a kid with him even though he was so much younger than me. He was the type of man to plan out everything and all you had to do was go along for the ride.

“A strip club.”

My face lit up with excitement.

“Ok.” I smiled. 

The strip club was small and intimate. There were are few good looking women there, so we sat down at the bar and ordered food and drinks. As each dancer approached the stage, I gave them my attention. Each body was unique and sexy and they took turns doing tricks on the pole. 

“This is my best friend.” I heard Christian announce to one of the dancers.”

I could tell she didn’t want to start any trouble and she wasn’t sure if we were together.

I smiled at her and, grabbed a handful of ones and placed them into her bra rubbing her nipple as I did.

“Thank you so much.” She said sincerely. She rubbed my arm and I could tell my skin was softer than she expected, so she kept rubbing.

“You smell good.” She said.

“Thank you.” I smiled and turned away from her to watch the rest of the dancers perform.

We sprayed money on them and got lap dances. I squeezed ass and breast like I like it. It felt good to feel carefree, and I loved covering the girls in cash. 

“I had the baddest one you know that right?”

I said to Christian on our way home.

“You were the baddest one.” Christian ensured me. He was the type to flatter every woman, and he couldn’t help it.

“Thank you.” I laughed. 

“Next time, you tryna take one into a private room together?” He asked.

I rolled my eyes and turned up the volume to the music.