Claudette Reed

eat seeing you, but I have

a smile as she stood from her chair,

fore we said our goodbyes and she left. I exh

me, and when we were 6 and 7, we had a “wedding" in my living room where I used a

hing together, even college. While I studied business

best friend, so we spend holidays and birthdays together

y and Yoo-Hoo with me. In high school, he asked me to prom, and I had to turn him down because I

of stress, he gives the best bear hugs and sometimes kisses my temple or the t

just sweet gestures between friends, but one night at a part

me to love him. That, or, I’m scared to admit that I do. Regardless, I’m focused on my career, and if an

ave an investor meeting to get to and I ca

nvestors wish

hy

hree of them along with myself at the dark, oval table big enough to seat twelve. I

y palms u

d his hand an inch on the table toward me, “The business

nd

n’t bring in money is a turn-off for investors, but these men have no idea w

if a woman is the best cho

derstand your concerns as it pertains to the companies financial wellness, but I can assure you that we

tly in front of me, Ms. Gallag

lly intrigued looks and fo

and I am going to pitch to him a partnership between us. With Mr.

. Gallagher looked back and forth between the other two

I have something that t

left, Mr. Reece, finally

na

so I slammed my hand on t

s that are wildly successful. Greene Designs and Greene Repurposed w

” mumbled Mr. Lennox, b

y and started with ready-to-wear. I have

ar,” interrupte

signer since Armani. Our business will skyrocket with this partnership, and with my he

ther confiden

a

oke again, “What if this meeting with Mr. Knight d

, “No one says no to me. I will convince him that this is the righ

hummed, seemin

added, “If everything goes downhil

o stay. I will leave you with this, though: I am more than what some believe. I do not need to use my sexuality as a weapon because I have my parent’s genes to m

you richer than you already are. I just need you to have a little patience,

r with my head held high and my steps strong, even though my blood was boiling. I ignored everyone

n pacing the floor, muttering incoherent words to myself about

go and parted ways, possibly even looked into a restraining order for Mr. Reece. They were disgusting an

scious of my dating life and I try to steer clear of the same reputation as my father, but one of the downsides of having the l

to be a