Page 44 of Serenity
“I hear you, Big Bee. However, you can still maintain quality control to a degree with a franchise. And it benefits you because you won’t have to worry about assuming all the risk.”
She wasn’t trying to hear that shit, so I let her rock. By no means was I attempting to step on her pretty-ass toes when it came to her dream business.
“No to franchising. I got you. Do you have investors or…”
Her shoulders fell along with her face.
“That’s what I’m attending the conference in search for. I have a meeting set up with a company.”
Brows knitted, my eyes squinted, scrutinizing her. My opinion wasn’t high for some of the investment firms in attendance. The need to protect her from lousy business felt damn near biological. Instinctual. Visceral.
“What company?”
Saying nothing, her lips pursed. She set her sights on me. The bold round peepers threatened to kidnap my ass into a world beyond our current realm. Our eyes locked together for a stare-off.
“Just tell me,” I chuckled.
“I don’t want to jinx it.”
Teeth dug into my inner jaw. She was so fucking stubborn.
“Aight,” I yielded. “Let me know how I can help.”
“I don’t want help, Duke. Not like that. I appreciate the offer. I do. Please don’t think I’m ungrateful. It’s just…”
“Tell me, Bee.”
“Of all my siblings, I’ve been the charity case. Everyone is always trying to help me,” she fussed.
“Ain’t that what the fuck’s supposed to happen?” I’d never heard of someone complain about having too much help.
“I built this shit. Brick by brick,” she fussed using her index finger, referencing Snowfall.
“Aight, Franklin.”
Her head dipped backward, resting against the sofa as a sigh expelled from her chest. It was time to change the vexing ass topic.
“I feel like my family doesn’t respect what I’ve built.”
Tell me about it.
“—Like, they know I have the spa. They know I have Vivid, but neither has been enough of a project to receive the respect I deserve. I want out from under everyone’s thumb. It doesn’t matter how much money I raise for the Miller Center or how well the spa performs, they still see me as the baby…”
She was a proud woman, not a hard woman. A woman trying to assert herself in a male-dominated world. I let her cook. While listening, I marveled at her beauty. Her regal features. The wry half-smile. The big cat-like eyes and juicy ass lips. Thick and toned thighs and legs. Heat washed over me as I consumed it all. Even in frustration, she was a stunner.
“I’m sorry. I’ve dominated the conversation, haven’t I?”
“Naw. Get it off your chest, Bee. I love listening to you talk. Even if it is to complain about how your family wants to spoil you, it’s admirable that you’re determined to figure shit out for yourself. I have a similar issue with my father.”
“Are you the youngest of your siblings?”
“Only child.”
“Oh.”
“But I get it, Bee. Even at my age, I’ve yet to earn the respect of my father. Regardless of what I accomplish, sometimes it feels like it’s—
“—Never enough,” we finished together.