I exited out of the picture Phileigh had sent me with a huge smile. I knew the brand partnership was coming because I aided in setting it up. Well, Ma had at my request. Marsha was a good friend of hers, so it didn’t take much convincing to get her on board. I wanted nothing more than for Phileigh to never have to lift a finger, but I knew that wasn’t what she wanted. So, I opened the door for her to have something better… her own brand. She could sit back, approve designs, and collect checks she’d never have to spend. Still, I stepped out of the car and leaned against the door, dialing my girl to congratulate her like I knew nothing.

“Hey, baby.” Her sweet voice sailed through the phone like music to my ears.

“Hey, Ms. I Got a Haircare Brand,” I hyped her up.

“I really can’t believe it!”

“Believe it! It’s huge. I’m so proud of you, baby,” I said, and I could hear her smile through the phone. I imagined all thirty-two of her teeth were showing.

“Thank you for everything… from the spa day with Lolo to this. None of this would be possible without you. I know it’s your name and influence that got me noticed. I’m just so speechless right now.”

I closed my eyes and let the sound of her voice soothe my nerves. I needed it.

“You deserve it, Phileigh. You were going to have all this regardless, baby, ’cause you work hard and you deserve it.”

“I love how you take care of me,” she said as I stared out at the therapy building like it was a damn mountain I had to climb.

I would much rather be at home or on this spa date with Phileigh, but I’d been summoned to one of my mom’s therapy sessions. I told her I would come, but actually being here was rocking my spirit.

“You okay?” Phileigh asked. She could always sense when something was off with me, even over the phone.

“I can’t lie, baby. I’ve been hit by linebackers twice my size, taken concussions, played through cracked ribs, twisted ankles… you name it. But walking into a therapist office with my mom to talk about my brother… that shit got me bothered.”

The line fell quiet, and then a video request came through. I swiped it, and her beautiful green face appeared on the phone, making me smile.

“Hey, look at me,” she said.

“I’m looking, She Hulk.” I tried to crack a joke, but she didn’t even smile. She just stared at me like a woman concerned about her man.

“Are you looking?” she said, pointing the phone toward her belly bump and then back up at her.

“I’m looking.”