Despite what Angel said, he held off on letting her delve into his business. Elmer said his finances were in such a mess, nothing Angel would immediately do would turn his business around. If money wasn't coming in developing a website and littering social media would not help. Elmer also felt he should discuss his financial dilemma with Angel. He did not know if he would ever feel comfortable doing that.

He made sure he dressed nicely for Angel's store opening, wearing an outfit she picked out and bought for him. He did not know what to expect, it was a store. A clothing store. He was not much of a shopper himself, he just bought the bare minimum and Walmart was good enough for him. Angel's store was fancy clothes that she liked to wear and he would probably never waste money on.

But he was there to support his girl, not shop.

Pulling up, there was a line to get into the store. What in the hell? Women were that crazy about shopping at a new store. He parked and stepped out of his car, then texted Angel.

There's a long line, should I wait in it?

LOL. No boy, come around back, I'll have someone let you in

That was better because if he had to walk past all the women standing in line and step right in, they probably would mob him. He went to the back exit and Jared was at the door to let him in.

"What's up man," he said, fist-bumping him. "Sorry, it's kind of wild in the store. Angel's idea to have everything twenty-five percent off from our online prices. These chicks ain't playing about their deals."

"Twenty-five percent. You guys still making money today?" He followed him through their storeroom that was filled with racks of clothes and mannequins.

"Here you go, trying to be Mr. Businessman. The clothing online is already marked up like forty to fifty percent from our cost, so twenty-five percent discount ain't nothing. You need to learn some business sense, Mr. Hook."

Damn, really? What was he doing wrong?

"And this is high-end clothing Hook, not your everyday mall clothes. We are right across from the mall and you can't find our clothes anywhere there. The key for us is location, location, location."

They made it to the back of the store. Soft music played, everything was well lit, there were lots of women buzzing around the store, and a few men. There were saleswomen assisting customers, handing out champagne and hor d'ourves.

The back of the store was a row of mirrors, with dressing rooms on either side. The women could walk out of the dressing room, walk down a runway with the clothes on, and examine themselves in mirrors. It was brilliant. There were even flashing strobe lights along the catwalk as if someone was taking pictures of them.

"That was all your girl's idea, from her modeling days. She didn't do much runway work, but women are fascinated with working a runway. I did some runway work, and yes, a bitch loves the spotlight on them."

"I don't think men enjoy all that...I mean, most men."

"Get in touch with your feminine side Hook, it's okay," Jared said with a chuckle. "You want to work the runway? I can show you how to work it."

"I'll pass," he said, looking around for Angel. He did not see her, there were so many women and workers around.

"Your girl is trying to be every woman and greet every single customer who comes in, and then every single customer that makes a purchase. Come on, I'm sure she will take a break for you."

The store was a nice size. It was huge. He was truly impressed. When he first researched her business he was impressed with how much she sold online. Now, this would only increase her sales and make her richer. He could see why she did not want Matthew to take any parts of her company.

"Hook!" she said when she saw him. She came to him and gave him a hug and a kiss. "You see all this today? Wow! I didn't think all these people would come! I mean, all my IG followers even from as far as Chicago and Indiana, maybe even farther away. Sheesh!"

"This is just from social media followers?"

"Well yeah, mostly. A few people just want to be looky-loos because we're new," she said, waving to some of the shoppers who were calling for her. "Hold on Hook, those are my peeps."

She walked off to hug and chat with them. He kind of didn't know what to do, just stand there.

"You've heard of social media celebrities, well you know she is one," Jared said. "Been having a large following back in college even. The girl knows fashion."

"If you need to go to work and help customers, I'll be okay on my own. No need to babysit me."

"You sure? Because sometimes these women want a gay man's opinion."

"Go, do your thing."

Jared went off and immediately started chatting with some women examining a dress. He stood there looking around. There were men's clothes, so he looked a bit at them. The prices were crazy. Definitely not his speed, although he could see Angel liking them on him.

"Naa, not your style," he heard and turned to see Shay with Elmer.

"Hey Shay, Elmer."

"Not my style either," Elmer said, giving Hook a handshake. "Then again, I just let Shay shop for me and I wear whatever she tells me. Don't tell me, Angel dressed you today."

"I guess, but it's cool. I'm a sweats or jeans guy," he said.

"You'll find none of that in our store," Shay said.

"Honey, why don't you go tend to the store and Hook and I can sit back and relax," Elmer said.

"As if you two have anything to talk about, but okay," Shay said and kissed Elmer's cheek before walking off.

Now that he had gotten to know Elmer, he wondered why he settled for her. She was the only one that seemed to have a stick up her butt. Elmer may be white and older, but he never treated him less than. Guess he would never win her over and he was not going to pretend to try.

He and Elmer sat on a sofa that was set up near the front of the store that looked out the glass window front out unto the busy street in front of the Galleria Mall.

"So, did you get a chance to talk with Angel about helping with a marketing plan?"

"No. She's been busy, I don't need to stress her out more. I told her I needed some help...just I wanted to wait till she had some free time."

"Procrastination, never good. You're young Hook you shouldn't be so old fashion."

He was not even trying to hear what he was saying, no man wanted his woman to know he was in the poor house while she was in a mansion. He could not afford to buy a sock in this place, yet she owned the place and could buy it all. Life was not fair. Angel was born with the upper hand, he was not. Her only struggle in life was being the only Black face in an all-white school. Not being a Black face minding his business and having a cop harass him because he looked suspicious.

Angel walked over to them, pulling him up. "Hey Elmer, thanks for keeping Hook company. Come with me Hook, I want to show you off...I mean, introduce you to some of my friends."

She linked her arm around his and he followed her around the store as she introduced him to so many women he thought he was at a bachelor's auction. All the women were sizing him up as if he was a piece of meat. They even flirted with him, with Angel standing right there. Now he understood how women felt when men harassed them.

"Oh, this is the man that cooks all that food you posts and praise about," one woman said.

"Yes, girl! Hook is like a professional. So serious about his cooking," Angel told the woman. "He doesn't like me taking pictures of him while he cooks, but I'm still trying. Post them on my site for you ladies."

"You know that's right? You got a brother?" the woman asked.

"No."

"Damn shame they didn't make two of you," another woman said, eyeing him up and down.

Did Angel enjoy his discomfort as these women sized him up?

"You're wrong for this," he whispered in her ear.

"Oh, suck it up and be my eye candy for the day," she said, giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Angelface, the place is fantastic," a deep, booming voice said standing too damn close behind them.

Angel quickly turned and moved away from Hook. She did not say anything, just stared at the man as if she had seen a ghost.

"Sorry, was I interrupting something?" the man asked. Hook sized him up and did not like him immediately.

"Uh...uh...no...why are you here? I mean, I didn't invite you."

"I don't need an invitation to see my prized student doing big things. I'm proud of you." The man pulled her into a big hug, but Hook could tell she was uncomfortable.

He took her hand and pulled her away.

"Excuse me, you are?"

"Dr. Russell Hart," he said, holding out his hand to Hook.

Oh, this was the Professor.

A/N: Just when things were going so well.