Gabby’s eyes went wide. “Cards? Are we playing poker?” She rubbed her hands.
Luna grinned. “That could be fun later, but now?” She dipped her glitter-tipped fingers into the bag and pulled out a colorful deck I recognized very well. “I’m going to do your tarot cards. And maybe a few oracles because you look like you could use it.”
“I could?”
“Definitely.”
Ryan rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t ease anyone into tarot. Just shoves you off the edge.”
“Not this girl,” April said and shut herself into one of the dressing rooms.
Ryan waggled her brows. “We get everyone eventually.”
“True statement.” I took the bottle of Moscato the Ramos sisters had brought with them and opened it. It seemed like today was going to be a mason jar kind of wine night.
There was much flailing as everyone ran around getting ready. I sipped slowly from my jar and set up my cameras and lights.
Ryan ended up tag-teaming poor Gabby, and they both had her laughing and drinking her way through telling them her life story.
Gina nudged me. “I like your friends.”
“Yeah?” I glanced over at Luna and Ryan, who were poring over the spread of cards.
“Definitely. I’m so glad you got someone to help out. Yo
u really needed it.”
I sighed. “I know. I just…”
“No one will do it like you do.” Gina hooked her arm around my waist. “It’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to do everything alone.”
I lifted my wine again. “I’m just used to it.”
She took the wine away from me and set it down, her big dark eyes direct and still somehow kind. “You are amazing. Look at what you did with this place. I’m so jealous of what you’ve created.”
“Why?” I couldn’t be more shocked than if she’d slapped me.
“Because you’ve gone for exactly what you wanted.”
“More like I had to.”
“Who cares? Plenty of us work multiple jobs instead of going for something as precarious as opening your own business.”
“I guess.” I’d started repurposing and upselling to pay the rent on my shoebox apartment in the shittiest neighborhood in Syracuse. That and avoiding the super because I was underage and he let it be known—without saying it specifically—that he’d take the rent on a barter basis.
I’d never had to stoop to that level, but it had been close a few times. Thankfully, my hustle mentality managed to win out in the end. And that was the reason I barely spent a dime on myself.
“Well, let’s see if we can sell some jeans.” I turned to face the girls. “You all get a free pair as payment for modeling.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. Now you girls have to help me find the one that makes my ass look spectacular.” Gina pulled two pairs off the pile.
“Try these too.” I unearthed a pair with a mix of fabric patches and embroidery that was perfect for her curved hips.
“Thanks.” She escaped into the middle dressing room.
I nibbled on the corner of my thumb as I waited for her to come out. Then busied myself with the rack of plants I wanted to use as a backdrop for the photos, along with the exposed brick wall.
“Kin, these are awesome.” Gina swung the door open and twirled her way to the beveled standing mirror. “I’ve never had jeans actually fit me so well.”