Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Chester Hughes was your typical mega-rich male born from the pipeline of generational wealth. Egotistical, with bucketloads of money and very slim patience. He was nearing sixty, was bald, and had heavy wrinkles around his mouth from all the frowning of disapproval he’d done throughout his life.
“Okay. I’m all ears.”
“How do you feel about baby products?” he asked with a hint of rare excitement.
I couldn’t avoid the slight dip in my brows. “Baby products?” I glanced at Octavia with a what the fuck? look.
“I might have a great opportunity for you that could expand Golden Oil exponentially.”
The dip in my brows transformed to a slow incline. Now he was talking. “Go on.”
“I’m meeting with Kyla Cox tomorrow. She’s the co-owner of Bubbles and Swaddles. They’re an up-and-coming Black-owned brand that sells baby products—mostly shampoos and bath soaps. Anyway, her brand is looking to include body creams, lotions, and oils in their line, and they’re looking for a larger Black-owned brand to collaborate and distribute with. I was thinking this could be a great opportunity to not only bring the GOC brand more awareness with the quality of your products but to also tap into the market of moms and babies. I’m not sure you’re aware of this, but baby and maternity products are an infinite market, Davina. There are new mothers and babies born every second of the day. A collaboration like this is the ticket you need to be making millions more.”
I worked to swallow as I glanced at Octavia again. She mouthed, What’s he saying? but I turned away in my chair to let Chester’s words sink in.
He was right. Baby and maternity products had an infinite market. Moms—especially first-time moms—spent loads of money on their babies. They wanted to give their offspring the world, so the price tag didn’t matter. So long as it made their baby happy, they’d purchase it.
“Davina, you there?”
“Uh, yes.” I cleared my throat. “Still here.”
“Great. What do you think?” he asked. “You interested?”
“Uh, sure. Yeah. Absolutely. When would I get to meet Kyla?”
“That depends. How soon can you hop on a flight to Miami?”
“That also depends.”
“How about tomorrow?”
I gaped. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes. This is big, Davina. Kyla’s company has received a lot of recognition, and there are many eyes on her. An opportunity like this won’t present itself again.”
I turned in my chair again, not even realizing Tish had walked back into the office and she and Octavia were staring at me while nibbling on cookies.
“Sure, Chester. I’ll be in Miami tomorrow. Just send me the details.”
“I knew you’d make the right decision. I’ll have Logan send you everything. This is going to be huge. I can feel it.”
I placed the phone on the receiver and swung my head to the girls.
“What did he say?” Tish asked.
“He wants me to go to Miami to meet with a company that sells baby soaps. Apparently, they’re wanting to branch out and add lotions and creams. He wants us to meet with the co-owner tomorrow to see if we can work out a collaboration deal.”
“Damn. Well, that sounds like it might be worth it,” my best friend offered.
“Wait . . . so you’re going to Miami tomorrow?” Octavia asked.
“Looks like it,” I said, blowing out a breath. “Tish, do you think you can look at flights for me?”
“Absolutely, babe. I got you.”
“Uh, make that a flight for two,” Octavia added, throwing up two fingers. “I’m going with her.”
Tish glanced at me as she stopped at the door.
“No, Tavia. This is business, not leisure. We won’t have time to do whatever it is you’re thinking about doing.”
“Come on, Vina! I’ll behave, I promise!” she pleaded, walking closer to me, with her hands clasped together in prayer mode. “Please! I’m your baby sister. You love me. Take me with you!”
I looked her up and down, and when she realized I wasn’t going to buy it, this girl dropped to her knees to milk it. “Pleaseeee.”
“Oh my goodness! Okay! Fine,” I laughed.
“Yes!”
“Y’all are a trip.” Tish chortled on her way out the door.
“You have my word I’ll walk a straight line. But once the business part is over with, that’s a whole other discussion.”
“Tavia,” I warned.
She broke out in a laugh as she flopped down on the couch. “I’m just playing, girl!”
THIRTY
DEKE
When Javier had told me he was flying to Miami for a meeting, a part of me had yearned to go, because there were three things I knew I’d encounter that always turned my bad mood around: liquor, nightclubs, and of course, the women.
Yeah, I know I said I didn’t want to fool around with another woman unless she was Davina, but that was over with now, so to me, it was free game.
Javier probably wasn’t going to do any clubbing, but I had a few dudes who played ball for Miami who I was cool with and could meet with them.