Yemi, wearing a bath robe and silicone rollers in her hair, sits on a barstool while Veronica applies makeup to her face.

"Okay, so either we can do it this Sunday or-"

"This Sunday? Shouldn't we give people more notice?"

"Yeah... but you have to remember, next weekend is right before the start of Christmas week. And I know for sure, all my nail techs are gonna be too busy dealing with that madness. They won't have time to come until after the New Year."

"True."

"Do you want to have it then? Around the time when people get their taxes, maybe? You'll probably have your furniture by then, and then you can show off your place."

"If we wait that long, I might as well not have it."

"If you don't have something, Kaylin's momma is going to take over."

"You're right. We'll just wait until tax season."

"Cool. That'll give me more time to really do it right. I want this to be special for you. You deserve it."

Yemi smiles, in awe of Veronica's statement. She loves their growing friendship.

"So have you at least been looking online, putting furniture on your wish list?"

"I sure have."

"Oooh. Let me see what you have."

Yemi grabs her phone from the kitchen counter. She grins, unlocking the phone. She opens her screenshot album, and turns it towards Veronica.

"Okay, so this is the type of couch I want. I love the modern velvet look. I want my place to be mostly emerald green with a pop of light pink. So this couch would be perfect. And look at this cute pink lamp."

"That chandelier is dope."

"It's calling my name." Yemi can't take her eyes off it. Veronica laughs at her.

"What about tables and stuff?"

"Oh yeah..." Yemi swipes until she reaches a picture of a coffee table. "This is the type of wood I want everything to be. It's a rare find. But it's beautiful. Oh, and look at this rug!"

"Girl, that's beautiful. The colors are amazing."

"Right?! But I won't be getting that one; it's too expensive- Maybe in a couple of years. But yeah, that's pretty much what I want."

Veronica takes it all in, making sure to make a mental note of everything. "So, if I want to give you dishes, do you want them to be green or pink?"

"Whichever color you find first. I don't want you having to search all over the place for anything."

"Girl, stop. You know what- I know exactly what I'll get you."

"What?"

"You'll have to wait and see."

Yemi smirks. "I can't believe I'm actually going through with all of this."

"What did you say Kaylin told you?"

"Huh?"

"Oh yeah... You have to let people do things for you. Blessings, not handouts."

"Veronica..."

"Okay, I'll stop." Veronica goes back to applying Yemi's makeup. "Okay, one last thing, and I'll stop."

Yemi laughs. She was definitely expecting Veronica to say more.

"If my cousin finds out how much Kaylin really likes you- well let's just say... My popcorn will be ready for the show."

"You're not right." They both laugh. "I'm going to tell him tonight, though. I don't want to keep anything from him."

"Yo... I still can't believe you're with my cousin now. That shit came out of nowhere. But I called it though. Remember what I said?"

"Yeah, I remember. At the nail shop. Deep down inside, I wanted you to be right."

"Girl, you don't even have to tell me. I already knew."

Yemi blushes, thinking about when she was living with Sam. Even when Sam was giving her the cold shoulder, she would catch him stealing glances at her. She would occasionally check him out, too. She was just way slicker than him.

"Wait, so if you tell Sam about Kaylin, what do you think he's going to say about you being with Kaylin's family on Christmas?"

"That's something I should be asking you. You know him way better than I do."

"Well, since you asked... you might as well cancel those plans."

"And be alone on Christmas?"

"Just come to New York with us."

"I can't do that. Sam doesn't even want his mom knowing about me."

"You say it like he's trying to hide you. Sam is just... you know... he's very private. To this day, everyone in our family cracks jokes about how long Sam's been single. Just imagine how they'll act when they find out he has a girlfriend now. His brothers would definitely get on both your nerves... I promise you that. But his momma... she's gonna love you."

Yemi sighs, not sure what to do.

"Okay, all done." Veronica puts down the eyeshadow and steps back.

Yemi stands up and prances to the bathroom mirror. She smiles. "I love it. You really got me all glammed up."

"Well, I didn't have to do too much. Sam was right, you're a natural beauty."

She hugs Veronica, for the first time. "I appreciate you. I really do."

Veronica tries to hide how much those words mean to her. "Don't get all mushy on me."

Yemi laughs.

The doorbell rings, and Yemi's whole demeanor lights up even more. Veronica smirks. "Someone is happy."

Yemi playfully rolls her eyes. "Do you mind getting the door while I take out my rollers?"

"I got you."

"Thank you."

Veronica heads out to the living room, closing the bedroom door behind her. She opens the front door, and reveals Sam wearing a black slim-fit long sleeve buttoned shirt, dark grey suit pants, and black Gucci leather lace ups. "Okayyyy Sam. I see you!"

Sam can't help but to chuckle. "She's not ready, yet?"

"She'll be out in 5. No flowers?"

"Damn. Should I have gotten her some?"

"She seems to be the flower type. But, you can just get her some next time. Just get to know her tonight. See what she likes, and then take it from there."

He nods in agreement. "I hope I don't fuck this shit up."

"You won't. Just treat her like a queen, and she'll treat you like a king. Y'all were made for each other."

The bedroom door opens. The same bedroom eyes Sam gave Yemi last night are the same eyes he's giving her right now. Yemi blushes. "Hi..."

Sam is too busy looking her up and down. The short black fitted dress sits perfectly on her curves.

"Sam..."

He walks towards Yemi in a daze, and then starts kissing her neck. Veronica gapes at their interaction.

"Sammie, Veronica 's here," Yemi whines to him.

"She can leave."

"Oop. Well, let me leave then." Veronica laughs, rushing to grab her belongings.

Yemi manages to pull away from Sam. "We have a dinner reservation. Remember?"

"We can reschedule."

Yemi giggles. "Baby no. I'm going to grab my purse, real quick."

Sam watches her walk to the kitchen counter. Veronica laughs at her cousin, not used to seeing him being so vulnerable. "Alright you two. Enjoy your first date."

"Bye friend!" Yemi calls out to her.

Veronica shares a heartfelt look with Yemi in return. "Bye friend." Veronica turns to leave and playfully punches Sam on her way out.

"Don't get hurt."

"Annnddd... he's back." She exits the apartment.

"I'm ready." Yemi walks back towards Sam, leading him out the door. She glances back at him staring at her. She smirks, loving his attention. "You are too much, Sam." He smiles at her.