Page 89 of The Don’s Virgin Obsession

“Okay, boss man, open your gifts, then we will unhand you,” Denise said, and we all laughed.

He went through everything. Most of it was gift cards. He smiled through it, but a blind man could see it was forced.

Once everyone cleared out and got to work, it was just me, Vanessa, and Vaughn.

“Good lookin’ on the party, you ain’t have to do this. It’s just another day.”

“It’s not just another day. It’s yo’ day, so embrace it.”

He chuckled. “Thanks for the gift, ma. I needed cologne and Gucci socks.”

I laughed. “Don’t sound convinced.”

“Trust me, I am. I’m headed out, though. Don’t work too hard on my day.”

“I won’t, but come here, boy. You look like you need a hug.”

“From you… yeah.”

I laughed and pulled him into a hug, and it lasted longer than it should. His hand slid to my ass gently. Not grabbing.

Seconds later, he pulled away.

“You always smell good, ma, and I did need that hug,” he admitted.

“Take care of yourself today, Vaughn, and remember you live a great life.”

He chuckled. “That’s what it looks like?”

I looked at him seriously. “Nah, that’s what it is.”

“I hear you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I said softly as he walked away.

Once he left, I looked at Vanessa.

“I don’t think he liked the party,” I told her.

“He did, he’s just tired from going to the strip club last night. He also gets like this when it’s birthday time, since a kid,” she assured me.

“That’s good to know. Thanks for helping me with this.”

Vanessa smiled. “You welcome, girl. You were the best person in his life to do this.”

We hugged and got to work.

As I worked through the day, I couldn’t help but think about Vaughn, how down he looked, how he didn’t take pride in his day.

I couldn’t lie, he had me concerned, no matter what Vanessa told me.

Milan

“People love polished men until somebody tells the truth about what it took to build them.”

Everybody was posting about Vaughn’s birthday. Vanessa had already made three different posts. His little work girlfriend, Sade, had Crown Heights decorated in blue balloons and custom cupcakes from what I saw on Instagram stories. His boys had him posted in sections at the strip club with bottles. Women, all in the comments, thirsting for him like he was some prize.

Meanwhile, I was sitting in a condo that I was about to get evicted from.