Chapter 2

"Single parent mothers who aren't spending their time looking for a man but spending their time providing for their children are the most admirable people on earth."

-Unknown

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_|Armani

"Mommy, can I have a cup?" I follow Kai's finger pointing to a blue and green cup sitting on the display of Subway. It is so cute, but it costs more than it should and I need to budget how much money I spend over these next two weeks. A waitress only makes so much.

"Noo, not today Pooh, but I promise I will buy you a nice new cup when we get to Hawaii!" She looks so sad when I tell her that, and it hurts my heart. I cannot just buy her everything she wants at the moment, but once we get back, I think things will start looking better. I pick her up so that she can tell the lady everything she wants on her sandwich. "You want some tomato on your sandwich?"

She nods. "I want pickles too." After having her decide everything that she wants and letting me make my sandwich we make our way down the line.

"Your daughter is beautiful, looks just like her mother." A nice elderly man turns and says this to me that is in front of us in line. I smile at him and look at Kai.

"Kai, what do you say?"

"You are beautiful too." I laugh and shake my head.

"And that is a thank you, from the both of us." He laughs as he moves up to pay for his food. I look at Kai and I realize she has something in the corner of her mouth. I wipe it off and when I look back up the man is handing me the cup Kai wanted, a cup for my drink, and our food.

"Here you go young lady. Consider this a gift."

"For what?"

"When is your birthday?"

"Well, in three days but—-" He cuts me off and starts to exit into the airport lobby.

"Well, happy birthday!" I stare in astonishment even after he has left and I walk Kai over to the drink machine. She looks so happy to have gotten her cup, and I am glad. I cannot believe he did that though. It was so unexpected. We get our drinks and make our way back over to Jewel in the waiting area.

"You will never believe what this nice man did for us. He bought our food, and Kai wanted that cup, but I could not buy it if I was going to buy her stuff in Hawaii, and he paid for it! Just handed us the food and left." I still try to fathom what just happened in my mind.

"Damn girl, well you are a single mother that really cares about her daughter. Usually young mothers are kind of neglectful, or are so focused on finding a man that their kids kind of fall through the cracks. he probably just admires you." I nod at her. That makes sense, but people's pure kindness still shocks me sometimes because it does not happen often.

"True. I guess you are right." Kai sits down beside me and I hand her her sandwich. "He said take it as a birthday gift." She nods and I can tell she is only halfway listening. Then she puts her phone down and grabs my arm.

"OH MY GOSH!" Jewel's head turns all the way in my direction, bringing her hair with her. Some people look at her wondering why she is freaking out.

"Jewel what?" I try to loosen her grip on my arm. She might be little, but she is definitely strong and her grip is tight.

"Your birthday is in three days! How are we going to throw you a party?! OOOO IDEA!" I look at her like she is crazy as she starts sorting through her bag looking for whatever. "How about, bachelorette/birthday party?!"

"What? Oh no, I could not share your light like that! This is your two weeks and—-"

"Good, so you don't mind!" She gets on her phone before I can retaliate any further. She is a trip. I don't want to take away these next two weeks from her. She is getting married, and that does not happen as often as a birthday. And I know her and Joe love each other so this will be their first and last marriage hopefully.

"Mommy, I'm done." Kai hands me her paper and I wrap it up in mine and I go throw it away. When I get back she is holding her cup in her lap and playing on her Nintendo. "Mommy, where did they take Coco?" I lean over her and rub her hair back into place.

"Don't worry sweetie, CoCo just has to stay with the animal doctor until we get back. Animals are not allowed on planes."

"That's stupid. When I am famous I am going to let dogs on my plane." I laugh at her. So adorable.

"Famous doing what?"

"I am going to be a famous doctor, singer, and actress." I laugh and shake my head. My baby is going to hold down three careers, so she thinks. They are so cute at this age, I am not ready for her to grow up at all.

"Ladies and Gentleman, we are now boarding Flight 1684. All those going to Hawaii, we are now boarding Flight 1684."

"Ah, finally!" Jewel jumps up and grabs her bag and Kai's suitcase. She is so excited, and I bet it is because she misses Joe. Him working with my dad, he probably has been away longer than she would like. Let's just hope she is as understanding as my mom. I put Kai's backpack on her and grab my suitcase and our third bag. She follows behind me, holding on to my skirt.

After going through all the motions of getting our tickets scanned, putting up our bag, and everything in between, we finally sit down in our seats. Kai immediately starts to play on her DS again.

"Ugh, eight hours on a plane...could life be more cruel?!" Jewel swivels her head in my direction.

"Missing your hubby to be?"

"Sooo much!"

"How long has he been gone?"

"An entire week. I need to start getting used to this, I know. But it is going to take me a little while."

"It's okay girl, if anything just get tips from my mom. And don't worry honey, you will see Joe in another eight hours."

"Eight long and depressing hours." I laugh and shake my head at her. So dramatic.

"Honey, if I can survive, you can survive." She blows at me.

"Yea, yea, yea!"

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_|Xavier

"Well, looks like we got here first. Jewel and my sister are still on their flight."

"Yes, I finally get to see this famous Armani you are always talking about." I lick my lips.

"Aye man, you can mess around with any other bridesmaid standing out there, but my little sister is OFF LIMITS!" I hold my hands up in surrender.

"Okay, okay. Your sister better be ugly then." I smirk at him.

"Whatever, I am going to tell you now that she is not, so just go blind when she walks by or something." Yea, because that is going to happen! He must be crazy. "X, I am serious."

"Riiight right. I got you. So how about this bomb ass bachelor party I am going to throw you?" I grab his shoulders as we walk to the door of his room.

"Don't tell me about anything that is spinning through that sick head of yours, just get it ready without me."

"Your wish is my command." I bow down towards him and he rolls his eyes in annoyance. I leave out of his room and he groans as he shuts the door behind me, making me laugh. This is going to be a fun two weeks.

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"X, you in there?" I hop up off the bed and I go to answer the door. Joe is standing there buttoning up his shirt. "Aye, everybody else is here, I am about to go greet them. Are you coming?"

"Yea, uh...I will be down in a minute. I need to freshen up a little."

"Alright man, you remember where the reception hall is right?"

"Yea, I remember." He walks away from the door and I close it. Man, time for me to get my vacation started! Between running my shop and organizing the work for my teen classes, I barely have time for just me. All I know is, I am single, so a woman is not tying me down and I am about to let loose! Joe's uptight ass better let me too. I know he getting married, but I'm definitely not.

I stand in front of the mirror over the sink and make sure I don't look too out of place. I wash my face, put on some deodorant, put on a clean shirt, and then I head down to the reception hall. This hotel is too nice for words. As I close my door someone catches my eye.

"Kai, grab mommy's cellphone off the table."

"Okay. Come on Naomi!" Two little girls run out of the room and start to run down the hall. The fine ass woman is still standing at the door looking in. I pause at my door, waiting for her to move.

"Eb, you ready?"

"Yea girl, sorry! You got a room key?" Another woman steps out of the room. She is cute too, but her friend is gorgeous. The first girl closes the door behind them.

"Yea, I got it." She slips the room key in her back pocket and they start to walk in the direction of where the two little girls are. I snap out of my trance and I walk towards the elevator.

"Hey! Hold that door!" Before the doors fully shut they open back up and I am able to walk in. "Thank you."

"No problem. What floor?"

"Lobby." I see it is already highlighted and the light skinned one nods. "Are y'all here for the wedding?" Always have to start with casual conversation of course.

"Yea, we are two of the bridesmaids. Well, she is the maid of honor." The dark skinned one says this.

"Ah, well nice to meet you maid of honor, I am the best man." She smiles at me, and oh that smile is gorgeous.

"Nice to meet you too." It seems like she is about to say something more when the door opens and both of the kids take off. Her and her friend take off after them towards the door that leads to the beach. Well, I will see her later, I hope.

I make my way towards the banquet hall and walk in to a whole bunch of people walking, talking, hugging, and every other kind of greeting. I find Joe finally and make my way over to him.

"X, hey!" Jewel comes up and hugs me,

"Hey Jewel, how have you been?"

"Great, and you?"

"Just fine. So, now that you marrying my main man over there, you cannot just be treating him any kind of way. Because I will have his back at all times."

"Uh huh, whatever! Your threats do not work on me! Besides, I love my little pudding cup." She goes and kisses him on the cheek.

"Oh my gosh baby, I already told you, pudding cup is not sexy."

"So, I made it, so you are keeping it!" Then she walks away without another word from him. He just shakes his head.

"I am working on that nickname." I chuckle and shake my head.

"Aye, if you were marrying a sister your nickname would not be no damn pudding cup." He rolls his eyes.

"X, don't start. Jewel got to me first. I cannot help that I fell in love with her, she is beautiful inside and out and I love her for that. So back up off my white wife and her corny ass nicknames."

"Aye, I was just saying! You made me your best man because I am real with you at all times. Why should I stop now? But you know I have no problem with Jewel's race. She is annoying all by herself."

"X, please just shut up. Jewel!" She comes running back over to him.

"Yea?"

"Where is my big headed little sister at?"

"I think she—"

"AAHHH JO-JO!" Next thing I know the light skinned girl from off the elevator runs up and hugs him. Ugh, please say it ain't so!

"Mani, how has Cali been treating my blood?" DAMN IT! Just when I think there is hope.

"Real good! How has working beside daddy been?"

"More work than I imagined! Where is my niece?"

"At the beach with Eboni and Naomi."

"Guess I will catch her later. You look great though." He ain't lying. She look FINE as hell...he knew what he was doing earlier.

"Thanks, so do you!" I clear my throat while they are talking. I want another introduction.

"Oh, Armani this is my best friend/best man Xavier. X, this is my sister Armani!" I shake her hand.

"Yea, we met in the elevator on the way down here."

"Oh okay, so what are you getting ready to do?"

"Go out to the beach. I just wanted to say hey before I went out there. I will catch you guys later." She walks off and I glare at Jo...

"Well, we are going to find a good club later. Think you want to come?" I ask her before she gets too far, and she turns around to think about it.

"Yea, I'll see if I can make it." Then she keeps walking off to the beach. THAT ASS though. I turn around to face my best friend and look at him like he is crazy.

"THAT'S your sister?!"

"Yes, and she is off limits!"

"How are you going to put the finest girl at this damn wedding off limits?!" He gets serious, and I can tell that he means business about his sister.

"X, I know you man. In with one girl, out with the next. You are not about to break the heart of the second most important woman in my life. Got that?" God, I cannot deal with him! "Plus, she has a child! Get your booty call with any hoe, but back off my sister. You are not making her life any more complicating." With that he walks away.

Ugh, that is not fair. All I know is, I am going to get to know her tonight. Usually the women want me instead, so when she gets to know me and wants to give me a chance he will have to deal with her, not me.

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_|Armani

"Ma, are you sure Kai won't be in the way?" I ask her this as I am looking myself over in her hotel room mirror.

"Girl, get out of my room and go have some fun. Me and my granddaughter are going to have a lot of fun tonight. Just the two of us."

"Okay, momma. Bye, bye Kai."

"Bye mommy, I love you!" She waves to me as I head out the door.

"I love you more sweetie!" I smile at her as I close the door. God, could not have given me a better child. I love my baby, but now it is time for me to go out and have just a little fun. Not too much.

I make my way towards the elevator and while I wait for the doors to open I check out my outfit in the little mirror beside it. Yea, I will not deny myself the fact that tonight, I look good...black fitted dress, black studded heels, clutch to match. Let's go! I hop onto the elevator and ride down to the first floor. There waiting for me when the doors open are Jewel, Joe, Eb, and Xavier.

"Uh uh lil' mama, no one said you could look better than me!" Eboni says this when I walk up to them. I try to keep myself from laughing.

"Mami, I don't think it is possible anyways. Your sexy never take a break." I say it in a Spanish accent and she just rolls her eyes at my goofy-ness. "For real though, we look good."

"Ain't that the truth." We look over at Jo and Xavier and him are posing like they belong on the cover of a magazine. A TRIP! We just drag them out to the car laughing and shaking our heads. We hop into one of the rental cars and take off.

We don't really know where we are going, but there is a lot going on at night in Hawaii, so I am sure we will run into something. After driving around for about thirty minutes, we settle on a place that has a looong line, bumping music, and body guards standing outside all over the place.

"Really? We are going to stop here?" Jewel asks looking at the line. "We'll be in this line until our wedding day."

"Yeah, she is right." I mean, we have wasted time just driving around too though. We make our way to the door just to check it out and look back at the line. Lord, we would have to camp out.

"Get out of my club!" A man comes flying out and lands right at my feet. I jump back a little, then another man comes running out of the club. He looks pissed! "Damn, I cannot get a break with you kid! Get your ass off my property and next time I see you, I am going to call the cops!" The kid at my feet, scrambles up and runs off. The guy that kicked him out starts yelling orders at the two guards manning the door. "Some how he always sneaks past you two, DON'T let it happen again." The two men start to apologize and when he rolls his eyes in annoyance his eyes stop on me. "Damn girl."

"Hi." He smiles at me and starts straightening up his clothes.

"Are you leaving?"

"Um, no. We are actually just getting here waiting to get in."

"Are you VIP?" I shake my head no. "These your friends?"

"Uh huh." He ponders for a moment then finally shrugs his shoulders and walks towards me.

"I can make an exception." He reaches out his arm for me to hold and motions for the others to follow us in. "So, what's your name?"

"Armani."

"Cute. I'm Jason. Let me have the honor of telling you that you look sexy as hell tonight." I laugh, not being able to respond over the loud music. When we get inside, everything is hype, and you can tell everyone is having a good time. "Well, just make yourselves at home. You want to rest, you can go into that room. That is my own personal VIP lounge." He yells this to everyone, and they nod before they go off in separate ways.

"So, you own this club?"

"Yep, this one, and another one up the street. Are you from around here?" He leads me to the bar and goes around to make us some drinks.

"Nah, I am from Atlanta but I live in Cali."

"Mhm, remind me to look you up next time I am in Cali." He hands me a dry martini. He leans over the counter sipping on his and holds out his glass. "To new friendships?"

"New friendships." I take a sip from my glass, smiling at how he is watching me.