The Love That Grew

Ch. 18 Invite Only

Downtown, LA

December

Enormous balloons  were attached to the Glamour by Gigi sign Jashae sent a quick text to Misa letting her know they'd arrived . The girls could feel the bass coming from the other side of the door from where they stood and smell the food too.

Ray made sure to check every angle of their new surroundings while Lo locked her car doors. On the way over Lourdes filled the girls in about the area downtown Los Angeles was a long way from where Xavier had them put up.

A few moments later the door to the boutique opened and instead of Misa's 5 '3 curvy frame there stood a 6' 4 bald giant with a grimace on his face and an ipad in his hand. "Can I see some ID?" the question came off more like a demand Jashae and Raynell dug through their small clutches for their wallets trying to speed the process up.

"Y'all better not give him a damn thing. This is a store opening not the club he could be scamming for all you know. Where Misa at?" Lourdes sweet girl act flew out the window replaced by a slight attitude,  the man smacked his teeth "Aye Misa come get ya messy ass home girl" he called out the other two girls looked on in surprise.

"Yeah, don't let your guard down around here they can spot a tourist a mile away and won't hesitate to pull stunts like bald head here"

Misa appeared rolling her eyes at whatever the man was saying and welcomed them in. "Excuse Ronnies annoying self thank y'all for coming out now let me show you around"

Although it was in the middle of the hood the items inside were far from cheap there was a section for customized dresses, womens work attire, heels, even lingerie whoever Gigi was had taste. After maneuvering to the back of the building where the party was really alive Misa introduced them to what seemed like hundreds of people.

"Damn, whoever ol girl is she must be popular." Lo said in between bites of a rib. "And whoever Unc is on the grill? Yea he did that" Jashae had to agree the crowd was diverse, the DJ had a good blend of old and new school r&b playing and the food was way too flavorful to be catered.

The three were now in the back eating and conversing amongst themselves when a small group of men approached them.

"How y'all doing?" The youngest of the group A light skin with freckles asked staring between the three.

"They good" a familiar voice called from behind a solo cup and a blunt in one hand Peezy swaggered over grilling the young boy.

There wasn't much else to be said. An unspoken sign of respect was given when freckles offered a small head nod and walked off with his buddies. "How did you find us, Rahmaud?" Ray asked annoyed that he popped up

According to Peezy he didn't go looking for them he was invited and this wasn't the time or place any of the women needed to be. "How y'all hear about this shit anyway?"

While the new couple playfully bickered, Jashae and Lo headed back inside the store to purchase a few items that caught their eye. They weren't the only ones inside another group of women combed through some of the clothes as well conversing in small talk.

Lourdes held a small smirk watching Jashae fail at discreetly looking through some of the lingerie. "And who are you getting sexy for ma'am? The grannie panties are that a way" she teased

Laughing and shopping their way around the shop, Jashae felt a warmth in her chest. Although the friendship was fairly new, having a friend besides Ray felt good. It was a refreshing change, and she appreciated the easy conversation and shared jokes with Lourdes.