The video production at Della’s House of Style started early on a Saturday morning three weeks later. All of the customers had been notified that the salon would be closed that day. They’d had extended hours during the week to make up for any loss. Employees who hadn’t been chosen to participate were there to watch, as were a few select customers that Della had invited.
She’d made sure to have the media on hand. “Free publicity,” she’d said. “And I’m a firm believer in shameless self-promotion of the shop and the lounge.”
The entire day was spent in a party atmosphere. Lights and cameras were all around. Giant speakers had been brought in as props for the video. Daryl’s DJ equipment was moved from the lounge to the salon for the taping. He’d be prominently featured in just about every shot.
“Della, I can’t thank you enough for this. I cannot believe that Collins is into this now. We went to school together and used to hang back in the day.”
“Does that mean you have an ear for your demo CD?” Della asked.
“Nope. It means I have about ten ears for it.” He kissed Della on the cheek. “Collins knows some people and he’s already passed copies along. And I just got back from L.A. I was out there talking to some people. My boy put in the good word for me at a couple of record companies. You’re the woman, Della. You really know how to hook a brother up.”
“It wasn’t me, Daryl. Things would have happened for you even if this video hadn’t come along.”
“Well, it might have taken longer.”
Della smiled and watched as her salon was transformed. The caterer she’d hired was setting up in the lounge; the party would spill over there while the salon was put back in order.
“You know Sheila’s here,” she said.
Daryl grinned. “I saw her.”
“And?” Della asked.
“And I’ll do things in my own way and time,” he said, the tone teasing.
Della raised her hands as she smiled. “I can take a hint.”
The music hopped. The people bopped. The place rocked. Sheila watched from a corner. She didn’t want to get in the way, but she wanted to see Daryl. Della had invited her to the party and told her about the video production. Sheila had been of a mind to decline the invitation until Della added that Daryl would be participating. He’d been “on” all day, chatting up the onlookers, teasing with the crew. He was in his element.
Hours later, after the producer and the director declared the day’s work a wrap, Daryl sauntered over to where Sheila sat on a barstool.
“So were you planning to hide over here all night, too?”
“I didn’t want to disturb you,” she said. “You didn’t call, so I took that to mean good-bye.”
He took her hands in his. “Now who’s jumping to conclusions and making assumptions? My not calling didn’t have squat to do with you, Sheila Mae.”
She looked up when he called her by the nickname.
“I had some business to attend to,” he said. “I was mostly out of town.”
“Oh,” Sheila said, not quite sure where this was going, but glad to see he was at least willing to talk to her. “You said you needed some time to think things over. Have you come to any conclusions?”
He nodded. “I have.”
She waved a hand in a forward motion. “And am I going to have to drag it out of you or should I just go ahead and tell that cameraman who asked me out that I am, indeed, available?”
Daryl scowled and took a step closer to her. “Don’t even play like that.”
“So, are you going to give what we have, what we’ve started, another chance?”
He stroked his chin. “I’m thinking about it. Knowing there’s some competition on the horizon changes things a bit.”
“Well, there’s something else you need to consider.”
“What’s that?”
“If you decide that you want us to be together, you’ll have to pay for all of our dates. I can’t afford it anymore.”
He lifted an eyebrow.
“I quit my job.”
“You did what?”
“I resigned. I’ll do some consulting on a case-by-case basis. But my time is going to be spent with the Second Chance for Financial Freedom Center.”
He grinned. “Well, that’s a mouthful.”
“I’m energized by this. It’s what I’ve wanted to do for a while.”
“Truly?”
She nodded. “Honestly. I figured the only way to really do it right would be to go in and give it my all. So that’s what I’m going to do.”
He tucked his hands in his pockets. “So, like, that means you won’t be having time for a boyfriend.”
She reached for him and grabbed a bit of his shirt in each hand, pulling him to her. She opened her legs on the barstool and he stepped into the breach.
“I didn’t say that at all.”
“Now, wait a minute. Let me get this straight. My woman goes from being a bigshot at the firm to an unemployed lady doing volunteer work?”
She nodded.
“Baby, you gonna have to get a job.”
Sheila burst into laughter. “Hey, Daryl.”
“What do you want, Sheila Mae?”
“Well, first I was thinking we could swing by Dray’s and pick up some of those wings. Then I was thinking we’d retire to your place and light all those candles again.”
“Oh, you liked that, huh?”
She nodded. The grin that filled Daryl’s face let her know that she’d truly found the right man. And that was an honest fact.