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long ago, not to give a damn about what other people thought. Friends matter more than judgmental strangers. “You look hot yourself, I have my Spanx holding it together .”
    Jessica laughed, “No, for real , Spanx can do but so much mami , your shit’s natural .”
    “Well, gracias.” Selange smiled as she sat , put her clutch on the table then checked out the place with a graceful movement of her head, “Nice , I like it .”
    “There’s a saxophonist. He’s pretty good, but I came for the food. Somebody told me, it’s really good. Besides, we need breaks too. The men get theirs all the time. Shit, I’m bum-rushing and taking mine! ”
    “I hear that!” Selange swiveled her head and noticed the small stage far in the back and a long lit bar. The place was bigger than she thought. The table where they sat was close r to the front dining hall . I t looked like all the action was happening in the rear. The well-dressed people there seemed much livelier. There were mainly romantic couples and a reserved vibe in the area they occupied. She leaned forward, “After we eat let’s hit the bar, you down?”
    “Hell, yes. I’m not driving. I walked over in these ten inch heels, believe it? ” She displayed her killer shoes. They were sparkly attention-getters.
    “Those are bad-ass shoes. I don’t know how you walked in them though. I don’t go over six. I’m not busting my ass for nobody!”
    “You should’ve seen the dudes offering me rides. I was strutting my stuff and flipping them the bird. Like I need a ride in their broke-down whips when my feet work just fine.”
    Selange laughed, “You’re too much –but you are not walking home tonight. I’ll make sure you make it home safe.”
    Jessica blew out air laughing then leaned over the table, the long brown hair lay on her bare shoulders when she did, “Oh, good I hoped you’d say that. My feet are start ing to kill me.”
    “ Now you understand why I don’t punish myself. By the way, I read your business proposal. It’s thorough.”
    “Emilio helped. He’s smart as shit for a dude who never went to college.”
    “You don’t have to attend college to be smart. Just read.”
    “Yeah, that’s true.”  Jessica leaned over the table, “So you want to invest?”
    “I’m in. I spoke with Alfonzo’s cousin from Italy, Amelda who’s a fashion designer. She wants me to bring you out to New York when I go to attend Fashion Week with her and some friends.”
    Jessica shrieked, “Are you fucking serious, Fashion Week?”
    “Serious.”
    “Ah hell yes, I’m going!”
    “Okay, it’s not for a few more months but it gives you time to scout a location, and maybe you can get some of her designs in your boutique if you like what you see.”
    “Selange, you’re the bomb, seriously mami , nice looking out.”
    “We’re family, that’s what we do.”
    They were talking about the babies when a waitress finally sauntered to their table. Jessi ca knew what she wanted and so did Selange. She went with the chicken soup with farro and dumplings. She’d sampled this dish in Milan and loved it. In the northeastern region of Italy, farro ’s been used for centuries. It’s similar to spelt and she’s even put it in her salads. Nico told her…
    She squint , damn!  S he didn’t come here to reminisce about the past. She tossed the memory out and got back to today. Today, she planned to enjoy herself and do Selange. Heck, she deserved it. No babies, no men, no worries, right?
    During the twenty minutes waiting for their meal and the forty to eat it, Jessica decided to confess her shock about ‘the incident.’ That’s what everyone was calling Selange’s affair with Nico. “I couldn’t believe you cheated, nah, for real, mami .” Jessica continued in her tough New York accent mixed with Spanglish.
    “I really don’t want to talk about that Jessica.”
    “Why not , I’m not judging you or anything ? ”
    “Because we’re here to get a stress