That Exclusive Honey

P.

Nashea "Coco" Hapeta, known publicly as Yahya -was the top R&B singer with a career spanning almost two decades of music, film, and modeling. At thirty-two, she was the standard, the GOAT, the Queen of R&B. However, tonight she was just Coco. Relaxing with her best friend's Trinity Fatu for a pajama themed party, she relished in the loving atmosphere and joy that being around a large family brought. In the kitchen, she sat at the island with a glass of white wine and a plate of food in front of her.

"My husband's family is late, but they are like five minutes away." Trinity laughed. "I swear that's why I told him the wrong time last time, but I was trying to be right this year."

Fork full of greens, Coco savored the taste of the pork it was cooked in as she took the bite. Hand hovering by her mouth, she shook her head. "I was just being greedy, you did not have to let me fix a plate."

"Girl, they are always late. The only reason they were on time for the wedding was because it was right at the hotel and they knew they wouldn't get in if they weren't."

In matching gingerbread pajamas, Trinity looked at her younger sister and rolled her eyes. She was also holding a plate and chewing on a deviled egg. Having met Trinity in college, Coco and her hit off. Two years later their friend group expanded to include Trinity's younger sister Imani. Somehow, Bianca Crawford and Mercedes Varnado from WWE had also melted into their friend group and the unit have been close for about six years now. Being in the entertainment industry for so long, Coco's relationships with other artists had always been one sided. She never felt the support and outside of work arrangements, she really couldn't say the people in the industry were her real friends, not like the three women gossiping in front of her.

Behind them, the large Christmas tree was decorated to the nines in different sized gold and red bulbs. A few ribbons were wrapped around the tree and at the top was a large bow instead of a star. It was lit up with warm brown lights. Beneath it, and color coded, were multiple boxes of wrapped gifts for their secret Santa exchange. Two weeks ago, one of the aunts passed everyone their name for the exchange. Coco had been absent, but wanted to participate and ended up pulling Joe's name. She had only seen him once at a family event, but they had never been introduced to each other. Her gifts to him were wrapped in shimmering gold paper with thick black ribbons. It was hard, but she thinks she got him gifts he'd like and could use.

Sipping her wine, she could see the front door opening out the corner of her eyes. Children, two dogs, five boisterous voices and some feminine laughter all filled the kitchen in seconds and before she could get up from the stool to hug him, the single twin Jey yanked her into a hug.

"What's up sis!" He said, his arms tight around her shoulders as her arms went around his middle.

"Hey, Jey, god, loosen up I can't breathe,' she giggled.

They managed to have on the same pajamas, the basic red flannel with thick black satin ribbon at the waist. He was in a black tank top while she had on a cropped black sweater. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun that was falling to pieces after his hug. Jimmy greeted her with a side hug and went to his wife before planting a kiss on her lips. Coco loved how much they were in love. Her song Dance For You had been their wedding gift. That she had been able to attend, thought she almost missed the ceremony. It was a beautiful evening she was blessed to have witnessed.

"What the hell were y'all doing to be,' Bianca looked down at her watch, "thirty minutes late?"

Her husband, Montez, strolled up to her in their matching green silk pajamas ready to explain their absence.

"We stopped for drinks,' a heavy and deep voice replied.

Coming up behind her, bottles of alcohol were placed on the island where she was eating by large hands with manicured fingers. He smelled like cognac, deep and rich. Sliding back into her seat, she picked up her fork, watching him push the bottles towards the center of the island so they didn't fall. A moment later, his head turned to her, dark eyes giving her the once over before recognition set in. She turned her head and he quickly got the hint, but were her cheeks red? Joe hid his smirk.