Page 26 of Pregnant By A Rich Demon 2

This was what freedom looked like.

This was what it looked like when you stopped waiting for permission and justdidthe thing.

“But, yo,” Raven said, her tone shifting. “I gotta get out of that shop I’m at now. Like,soon.”

I frowned. “What’s going on?”

She leaned against the reception desk and crossed her arms.

“Those bitches are hating on me,” she said flatly. “And I meanhating. I got way more clientele than any of them, and they know it. So, they doing shady shit.”

“Like what?”

“Like double-booking my clients so they show up, and I’m already with someone. Like ‘accidentally’ using my products and not replacing them. Like talking shit to my regulars, trying to convince them to switch to another stylist.” She shook her head. “Last week, one of them told Miss Carolyn—you know Miss Carolyn, been coming to me foryears—told her I was about to leave the shop, and she should find someone more ‘reliable.’”

“Are you serious?”

“Dead serious.” Raven’s jaw tightened. “And the owner don’t do shit about it because she scared that if she checks them, they’ll leave. So, I’m the one getting sacrificed to keep the peace.”

“That’s fucked up.”

“That’s the beauty industry,” Raven said bitterly. “Crabs in a barrel. Can’t stand to see another woman win.”

I looked around the shop again.

At the chairs. The dryers. The fresh paint.

“How much longer before you can open?” I asked.

“A month. Maybe six weeks if I can get the rest of the equipment and stock the shelves.” She sighed. “I just gotta hold on a little longer. But girl, I’mtired.”

“I know.”

“Like, I’m really tired, Truth.” Her voice cracked slightly. “I been grinding foryears. And every time I get close to something good, somebody try to tear me down.”

I walked over and put my hand on her shoulder.

“Not this time,” I said firmly. “This time, you’re getting out. And you’re going to build something they can’t touch.”

She looked at me.

Nodded slowly.

“Yeah,” she said. “Yeah, you’re right.”

The door opened behind us.

I turned?—

And there was Kaisen.

He was wearing dark jeans and a fitted black T-shirt that showed off his arms. His taper was fresh, and he had that easy, confident walk that made you look twice.

Raven’s eyes went wide.

“Iknewthat muthafuck was fine too,” she said under her breath.

I elbowed her.