White Lines II: Sunny: A Novel Read Free Page A

graduated to selling weight. While Lamin recuperated from a gunshot wound, Olivia had carried the torch in his place; in doing so, she fell in love with Zion. She found herself making trips up and down I-95 smuggling drugs for her brother and her man. Lamin had parlayed their success in the drug game into a successful music-production business. Olivia had risen with him, becoming the stylist for artists her brother worked with. While Zion kept one foot in the streets at all times, Olivia and Lamin wanted nothing more than to run a legitimate business.
    But years of trials and bad press had taken their toll on Shootin’ Crooks and the company had suffered as a result. Olivia had decided that now was the time to chase her own dreams. She had already done all that she could to help Lamin and Zion with theirs.
    “Anyway,” Olivia said, fanning her hand, “today is crazy busy for me, so I have to keep this kinda short. Let’s get right down to business.” She smiled brightly. “I want you to be the face of the Olivia Michaels brand.”
    Sunny let her words sink in, but was already smiling. “Why me?” she couldn’t help asking after a few moments. She was aware that, as a woman in her late thirties, she was considered old in the industry. Olivia was taking a risk, to say the least. “Not that I’m not interested,” Sunny clarified. “I’m just saying that fashion is geared toward the young and the skinny. I’m not exactly young and these hips will fill out some skinny jeans.”
    Olivia laughed. “That’s exactly what I’m looking for. The Vintage woman is you !”
    Olivia showed Sunny sample Polaroids of herself posed in different looks she had put together—pieces she had designed and sewn herself. Sunny flipped through page after page of photos and Olivia’s vision was instantly clear. She wanted a model that embodied the badass, bold sophistication and fashion forwardness of a hip-hop vixen. Sunny had to agree that she was born for this.
    “This is my dream job!”
    Olivia laughed at Sunny’s obvious pleasure and flipped quickly through the next few photos, explaining her plans for the label’s launch. As they sat going over the pictures, Olivia’s office door opened and Lamin walked in.
    “Excuse the interruption, ladies.”
    Sunny’s eyes widened involuntarily. Lamin was the kind of fine that makes a woman stop talking midsentence when he walks by. He had the smoothest brown skin, the prettiest lips and eyes that beckoned you closer. His bald head and clean-cut appearance did little to mask the rough and masculine presence that emanated from him.
    “Olivia,” he said, “your new clients are here. That gospel duo.”
    Olivia nodded. “Told you, girl. Today is busy!” She set the photos down on the table and stood up. Sunny followed suit. “So think it over and then we can talk figures with the lawyers and all that if you decide to do it.”
    Sunny smiled at her friend. “There’s nothing to think about. I’m doing it!” They hugged and Olivia clapped her hands excitedly. “Let me know when you’re free and we’ll handle all the legalities.”
    “Okay,” Olivia agreed. “Now, you’ll have to excuse me, girl. I have to go style these lovely ladies for a Christmas show they’re taping.”
    “I understand. Go handle your business and we’ll talk soon.”
    As Olivia headed for the door, Lamin said, “I thought they were supposed to be Christians.”
    Olivia stopped with her hand on the knob and frowned at him. “Of course they are. What do you mean ‘supposed to be’?”
    “One of them got a thong on.”
    Olivia shook her head and Sunny laughed.
    “How do you know?” Olivia was afraid of the answer, but she couldn’t resist.
    Lamin smirked. “Stephanie the intern dropped a bunch of papers in front of them and the one with the Mary J. Blige hairstyle bent over to help her pick ’em up. And that’s when I saw it.” His smile broadened at the memory. “That’s how they