summary: Treasure knew better than to fall for pretty words. She already had a man at home, even if the relationship been dead for a minute. But when quiet, observant Jimmy Uso starts slipping into her space during late nights out with her girls, she finds herself craving the one thing she swore she wouldn’t fall for again: A man who knows exactly what to say. And sugar talking can only sweeten a bad situation for so long.
fanfic is 18+ NO MINORS ALLOWED
word count: 11.k [lengthy one]
smut warning: it’ll come in the story randomly so PLEASE PLEASE look out for it I’m not really good at writing ✍🏽 smuts but I am improving at the moment
comments, likes, repost are appreciated I would love the constructive feedback in what area I need to approve in. 🤍
ALSO! I don’t not want nobody stealing my fanfics or take it as theirs that will be an issue fasho so keep it cute respectfully.
I only own my OC along with the make up scenarios
again mdni you have been warned.
title inspired by the song “Sugar Talking” by Sabrina Carpenter
thanks to my friend @charmed-dreamssss for helping me with the summary 🫶🏽
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Chicago, Illinois - 9:00AM Treasure and Giovanni’s apartment.
At nine in the morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting golden streaks across the bedroom. The room remained tranquil, with only the soft hum of the air conditioner and the distant sounds of traffic breaking the silence. Treasure lay fast asleep, curled up under the blankets, hardly moving as the morning light gradually climbed higher on the bed. After a long night out with her friends, she had succumbed to sleep the moment her head touched the pillow.
Her phone lay on the nightstand, face down and overlooked. Suddenly, it vibrated. Once. Twice.
Treasure groaned, burying her face deeper into her pillow. Whoever was blowing up her phone this early clearly didn’t care that some people were trying to enjoy their morning.
With a heavy sigh, Treasure reached out towards the nightstand, her fingers clumsily searching until they found her phone. She opened one eye and squinted at the screen. In an instant, the final remnants of sleep vanished. The name displayed was not the one she had anticipated.
Jimmy🩶: wake yo’ ass sleepyhead 😭😭
Treasure rolled her eyes the second she read it. The nerve.
It was barely nine in the morning, and somehow he had already found a way to get on her nerves. Yet the smile tugging at the corner of her lips said otherwise. Shaking her head, she sat up against the headboard and typed back.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: well good morning to you too sir
The typing bubble appeared almost instantly.
Jimmy🩶: you sleep good ma?
That nickname will always do something to her, hell Giovanni won't even call her any nicknames like he used to other than a slut or any other name he would call her.
She typed back immediately.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: if me not hearing a man screaming on the game in the morning around this time while I’m sleep then yeah I slept good. 🤷🏽♀️😭
Jimmy🩶: lmao you’re funny mama, but that’s good tho
She smiled at the message before texting back.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: hbu? you slept well?
Jimmy🩶: hell yeah, but I gotta open up shop before my twin brother bangs on my door
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: you own a tattoo shop??
Jimmy🩶: yeah, business been running good since then. You should come visit sometime.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: hmm I’ll think about it.
Jimmy🩶: don’t think too hard now ma
Treasure rolled her eyes at the message, cheesing hella hard shaking her head in the process.
Then her phone buzzed again.
Jimmy🩶: you still available for in the afternoon? around 2:30?
Her face changed into a confusing one trying to remember what he was talking about, until it hit her.
She remembered him saying something last night before heading back to the booth with her girls about how he wanted her to do his nephew’s hair.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: yeah I’m still available, business will probably slow down before yall come
Treasure 🧘🏼♀️: remember what I said last night, if you late I’m charging u a late fee
Jimmy🩶: I promise you that we will not be late ma
There he go with this fucking nickname.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: mhm we will see
Jimmy🩶: you doubting me already pretty girl?
Treasure felt something tingling down her spine when he called her that made her rub her thighs together.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: Jimmy quit it, it’s too early in the morning for u to be throwing compliments at me
Jimmy🩶: why ma? You’re pretty tho
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: I know that….
Jimmy🩶: then what’s wrong?
Wow, he immediately senses that something is off, unlike Giovanni, who merely kept accusing her of everything.
There was something unique about Jimmy that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Did she feel at ease confiding in him about her personal issues? Or perhaps her relationship struggles?
She bit the bottom of her lip before typing.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: it’s personal
Jimmy🩶: yo’ man type of personal?
Jimmy🩶: ah I see, it’s all good ma
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: no, no. It’s not that…well it is that…but…
Jimmy🩶: what? He don’t be complimenting you either?
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: something like that…
Jimmy🩶: hm what type of man is he? When he got something precious in front of him. Aye if it was me I would be complimenting you every day but that’s just me.
But that’s something she yearned for was someone to see her for her instead of a walking piggy bank.
Jimmy🩶: yeah, I mean look at you. You’re gorgeous ngl
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: u don’t mean that…
Jimmy🩶: I do mean it mama
Treasure wanted to believe him, she really did.
But hearing Giovanni’s voice in the background calling her ugly and annoying. Just bringing her down to make him feel better.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: you’re such a flirt yk that?
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: you do that to every woman u see?
Jimmy🩶: nah I told you last night mama, only for u
That made her smile like an idiot.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: whatever nigga
Jimmy🩶: don’t be stubborn with me little girl
She rolled her eyes at his message, getting up from the bed stretching her body, heading towards the bathroom down the hallway to wash her face—when she had turned on the sink letting the cold water run she had leaned against the sink counter thinking about the message between her and Jimmy.
Especially last night her body became comfortable and relaxed on him like it was muscle memory, like she knew him for years.
Fingers running through his beard, letting his scent combine with hers. Feeling his hand on her waist like it was meant to be there.
Maybe that was something she needed.
Maybe it wasn’t alcohol
Maybe it was her yearning for something like this.
She snapped back into reality realizing that the water was still running as she began washing her face with the cold water making sure she got all the crust out of eyes.
Splashing the water over her face over and over again until she turned it off.
Grabbing a spare towel from the rack to dry her face off gently before throwing it in the dirty bin. Once she stepped out the bathroom she had seen Giovanni still knocked out on the couch she sighed deeply going back inside of their bedroom.
She sat down on the bed grabbing her phone seeing the time now that it was almost ten o'clock in the morning.
Enough time to cook her something to eat before heading out to open the salon, she looked at Jimmy’s message that almost made her chuckle until she got a message from Liv.
Liv🍬: GOOD MORNING BABESSS
Treasure texted her back.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: good morning hoe 😭😭
Liv🍬: ooop why do I feel a shift in your energy?
Liv🍬: who was u texting before me? And don’t lie either
She knew that she couldn’t lie about it.
Liv🍬: SPILL NEOW DONT TELL ME IT WAS HIM…FROM LAST NIGHT
good lord. She thought to herself.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: yeah it was him, it was Jimmy….
Liv🍬: OH MY GODDDD I KNEW ITTTT
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: omfg it’s not serious Liv…🙄🙄
Liv🍬: Ressi don’t pmo it’s that serious especially with a fine man like Jimmy who’s giving you all of his attention unlike someone.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: he’s such…a sweet talker yk? And he sent me 100 dollars last night too.
Liv🍬: oh bitch are you deadass??
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: deadass girl…and he owns his own tattoo shop too like wow especially throwing compliments at me early this morning and recognizing what’s wrong.
Liv🍬: yeaaaa Jimmy seems like the man you’ve been yearning for girl like think about it how long has been since Giovanni did anything like that? Like girl cmon lemme put you on fr.
She thought about it for a minute all those times Giovanni was being sweet, nurturing and loving, especially giving her compliments left and right whenever she looked good with makeup or without it.
It’s all different, he’s changed into a whole new person, it's like she couldn’t recognize who he was anymore.
Treasure had shook her head texting back.
Liv🍬: omggggg Ressi pls lemme put yall on fr fuck Giovanni tbh
Liv🍬: what? 🤷🏼♀️as your best friend I am being brutally honest with you ressi u need a man like Jimmy even Raquel and Roxy agree with me
She rolled her eyes at the message.
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: I bet. Since yall don’t got nun else better to do than trying to hook me up with some man I met 24 hours ago, right. I barely even know him.
Liv🍬: girl that’s the whole point of me hooking u up with him so u can get to know him better Ressi. You’re so used to Giovanni bashing you and treating you like shit when u have a good man right in front of u.
She had reread Liv’s message over knowing that she was right about everything, her being used to Giovanni’s backhanded compliments here and there—him treating her like complete shit when she’s the only person bringing money in the apartment.
Paying the rent.
Begging him to find work.
Begging for his affection
His love
And what does she get in return? Nothing.
And that hurt her the most.
“Ugh, I hate how she always have to be right all the time.” Treasure said, to herself.
Liv🍬: yk I’m right bestie, and ik you’ll be doing his nephews hair today. But look I’m not saying that you should cheat on Giovanni or be in a whole new relationship with Jimmy but I feel like you should see how u and him vibe out it wouldn’t hurt yk?
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: sigh ig girl…ig 🙄
Liv🍬: ain’t no ig hoe have some faith fr
Treasure🧘🏼♀️: I’m not discussing this anymore, I’ll see u at work girl.
She locked her phone for a second and let her head fall back against the bed. The room fell silent once more, yet her thoughts were anything but calm.
Jimmy was scheduled to arrive later, while Giovanni was still somewhere in the house, likely dozing off on the couch. Meanwhile, Liv felt as though the universe was nudging her toward a path she wasn't prepared to confront.
Treasure exhaled slowly through her nose. “This is too much for a Tuesday,” she muttered to herself. She finally pushed herself off the bed and made her way down the hallway, phone still in hand.
The house was quiet- too quiet.
As she entered the living room, her gaze fell upon Giovanni sprawled on the couch as if he were the master of the house, one arm dangling off the side, the game controller still loosely held in his grasp.
He was completely out again. Treasure paused for a moment, simply observing him. Then she let out a sigh.
A sigh escaped her lips, filled with more frustration than any words could express. Silently, she brushed past him and headed to the kitchen, having lost interest in the scene before her.
If he chose to waste his morning sleeping, that was entirely up to him.
She had her own tasks to tackle.
Upon entering the kitchen, she opened the fridge and paused for a moment, contemplating its contents before selecting what she required. The familiarity of the process calmed her thoughts—bread, eggs, and a simple plan began to take shape effortlessly.
As she moved around the kitchen, cracking eggs into a bowl and turning on the stove, her thoughts drifted again thinking about him.
Treasure paused for half a second as she stirred the eggs.
Then immediately shook her head.
“Lord jesus,” she muttered under her breath, focusing back on the pan.
Whatever Liv was talking about at the salon?
Right now, she just needed breakfast.
Even if only for a few minutes.
The sound of movement behind her broke the quiet of the kitchen. A low groan followed by shifting on the couch. Treasure didn’t turn around at first. She just kept stirring the eggs, letting them cook while she focused on the stove like she hadn’t heard anything.
But then Giovanni’s voice came, rough with sleep.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his face with both hands, trying to shake off the game-induced exhaustion. His eyes adjusted to the light and landed on her in the kitchen.
For a moment, he just watched her like he was trying to process what time it was and how he ended up here again.
“You up early,” he muttered, voice still heavy.
Treasure finally glanced over her shoulder.
“Yeah,” she said simply, turning back to the pan. “Some of us got things to do.”
Giovanni exhaled through his nose, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
He rubbed his eyes again.
“I fell asleep out here?”
Treasure didn’t answer right away.
She slid the eggs off the heat and grabbed a plate.
“Looks like it,” she said flatly.
That made him go quiet for a second.
Not because he didn’t hear her.
Giovanni stood slowly, stretching his arms over his head as he walked toward the kitchen doorway.
“Aight… don’t gotta do me like that first thing in the morning,” he said, trying to sound light.
Treasure finally turned fully toward him now, plate in hand.
Her expression didn’t change.
“I’m not doing you like anything,” she replied. “I’m just telling you what I saw.”
That landed a little heavier than he expected.
He scratched the back of his neck, shifting his weight.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
The only sounds were the stove cooling down and the gentle hum of morning settling around them. He let out another yawn, rolling his shoulders to ease the stiffness in his body. The couch had not treated him well, and it was evident in the sluggishness of his movements.
Without uttering much more, he wandered into the kitchen. Treasure was already arranging her meal on a plate, and the aroma of breakfast filled the air. The quiet was interrupted by the sound of the fridge door opening as Giovanni leaned in to grab a drink.
He closed it with his foot and paused for a moment, twisting the cap off the bottle. After taking a long sip, he finally broke the silence.
“Smells good in here,” he said casually, nodding toward the stove.
Treasure gave a small hum in response, not fully turning to face him this time.
He leaned against the counter, watching her for a moment like he was trying to read her mood.
“You good?” he asked, quieter now.
Treasure finally glanced over her shoulder at him.
“I’m fine,” she said, a little too quickly.
Giovanni nodded slowly, like he wasn’t fully convinced, but also didn’t feel like pushing it just yet. He took another sip of his drink. The kitchen went quiet again, except for the faint clink of utensils as Treasure finished up her plate.
Whatever tension was sitting between them didn’t explode.
It just lingered.
Unspoken.
Familiar.
And getting harder to ignore with each passing morning.
He shifted his weight against the counter, eyes dropping to the floor for a second like he was choosing his words carefully.
“Look…” he started, exhaling. “About last night.”
Her hands slowed slightly as she finished plating her food, but she didn’t look at him.
“I shouldn’t have called you out your name.”
The words hung in the air between them.
Treasure already knew where this was going. She’d heard versions of this before—different nights, different arguments, same pattern wrapped in a softer tone the morning after.
She finally turned off the stove, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Giovanni took another sip of his drink, watching her reaction.
“I was mad,” he added quickly, like that explained it. “You know how I get sometimes.”
Treasure kept her face neutral. In her mind, though, the words from last night replayed clearly.
Hoe.
Like it was nothing.
Like she was nothing.
She didn’t argue. Didn’t raise her voice. Didn’t even give him the satisfaction of a reaction that could turn into something bigger.
Instead, she just gave a small hum.
Not agreement.
Not forgiveness.
Just an acknowledgement that she heard him. Giovanni nodded a little, like he was expecting more but settling for less.
“Yeah… aight,” he muttered, pushing off the counter.
Treasure picked up her plate, finally moving past him.
Her silence conveyed all the unspoken words she withheld from him. Giovanni, whether he wanted to acknowledge it or not, sensed that truth. After finishing her breakfast preparations, Treasure took a seat at the kitchen table with her plate, the chair gently sliding across the floor as she settled in.
For a moment, she just ate in silence. Fork in one hand. Phone in the other.
Her thumb wandered mindlessly as she flicked through Instagram, only partially engaged with the typical blend of posts and alerts. A handful of likes from her story the previous night drew her gaze—friends, acquaintances, and club members.
Nothing particularly surprising. She chewed another bite, her eyes glued to the display. Then she hesitated. Her thumb came to a standstill. Because there it was.
jonathanfatu had liked your story!
Treasure stared at the notification, needing a moment to confirm she was seeing it right. She reclined slightly in her chair, chewing her food more deliberately now, her phone lowered a bit.
Out of all the people who could have noticed it… Naturally, it was him.
A small, almost hesitant smile crept onto her face before she could suppress it. She quickly attempted to hide it by redirecting her attention to her meal, but it was too late—the expression had already surfaced.
Behind her, Giovanni remained in the kitchen, but for a brief moment, he faded from her thoughts in a way that was different from just a few minutes prior.
Now, her mind had transitioned to a straightforward notification. And the man behind it always seemed to appear at the most inconvenient moments… or perhaps the most opportune ones.
Treasure continued to gaze at her screen when yet another notification appeared. Her eyes narrowed slightly even before she opened it.
She had an inkling, and it turned out she was correct. Jimmy hadn’t merely liked her story.
Her own picture from the previous night filled the display—her at the club, hair perfectly styled, outfit fitting just right, the lighting highlighting her in a way that made everything seem effortless.
And over it, Jimmy had added a short caption.
“you look hella good last night mama.”
Treasure froze for a second, fork halfway to her mouth, phone tilted slightly in her hand.
She exhaled slowly through her nose, leaning back in her chair as a small, reluctant smirk fought its way onto her face.
“Boy…” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.
But she didn’t delete it.
Didn’t act like she hadn’t seen it.
Instead, she lingered on the screen for a moment longer than necessary. Behind her, the kitchen echoed with the sounds of Giovanni bustling about, yet it seemed far away.
Like mere background noise.
Jimmy had a unique ability to penetrate through everything, even from afar. Treasure finally placed her phone face-up on the table, attempting to redirect her focus to her breakfast.
However, her mind didn’t completely return.
Because now there was a message on her mind that felt louder than anything else in the house. And it wasn’t coming from the man sitting across the kitchen. It was coming from the one who wasn’t there at all, and that bothered her so much.
In a different part of town, the vibe was completely contrasting. Within the tattoo shop, the morning dragged on without a hitch. There were no scheduled appointments and no spontaneous visitors.
Only the sound of music filled the air as Jimmy occupied his station, iPad in hand, sketching concepts for a fresh tattoo design.
Just a few feet away, Jey was engaged in a similar activity. Their cousin Jacob lounged nearby, occasionally interjecting whenever someone proposed an idea that caught his interest.
For the most part, the atmosphere was serene—until Jey decided to speak up.
Jimmy didn’t look up. “Hm?”
Jey smirked. “I saw you with shawty last night on the dance floor, all over each other.”
Jimmy’s Apple Pencil paused against the screen.
Jacob immediately glanced up. “Oh, here we go.”
Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Man, the fuck is yo’ ass yappin’ about?”
Jey laughed. “Nah, don’t do that twin. You know what I’m talking about.”
“You do and yo’ ass acting clueless as ever.”
Jimmy returned his attention to his iPad. “I am clueless.”
“Jimmy.” Jey dragged his name out. “Last night at the club.”
Jacob snorted. “Oh, he talking about her.”
Jimmy already knew exactly who they meant.
He just wasn’t about to give them the satisfaction.
“What about last night?” Jimmy questioned him.
Jey leaned back in his chair. “What about last night? Are you deadass right now?” He laughed. “Boy, you was all over shawty.”
Jacob immediately pointed across the room. “Thank you.”
Jimmy shook his head. “Y’all exaggerating.”
Jey looked at him like he was crazy. “Exaggerating?”
“Every time I looked over, you and ol’ girl was in your own little world.”
Jimmy couldn’t help the small smile that appeared before he caught himself.
Unfortunately, both Jey and Jacob saw it.
Jimmy groaned. “Man, shut up.”
Jacob laughed. “He got it bad already.”
Jimmy tossed a paper towel at him.
“Mhm.” Jey folded his arms.
Jimmy looked down at his screen. “Treasu—” He stopped himself.
Too late, the shop exploded. “Ohhhhh!”
Jacob nearly fell out of his chair laughing.
Jey slapped the table. “You answered way too fast!”
Jimmy dropped his head into his hands. “I hate both of y’all.” He said.
“Nah,” Jey said through his laughter. “You like her.”
Jimmy shook his head, suppressing a smile. Yet the reality was… The moment he heard her name, he didn’t need to ponder it at all. And from the looks on his brother's and cousin's faces, it was clear they had picked up on it as well. He shook his head again and returned to his design work, doing his utmost to overlook the two adult men behaving like teenagers.
“Y’all done being in my business?” he asked.
Jey had rubbed his beard until he spoke. “No, sadly.”
That made Jacob chuckle a bit causing Jimmy to roll his eyes at him.
“Of course, look, all yo’ ass need to know is that she cool people that’s all.”
Jimmy shrugged. “She's cool.”
The response only made Jey grin harder.
Because whenever Jimmy actually liked somebody, he always played it off like it was nothing.
“Whatever you say twin.” Jey responded.
Jimmy pointed his Apple Pencil at him. “And before you start making up stories, remember why I was talking to her in the first place.”
Jey frowned. “What you mean?”
Jimmy looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “To do jeyce hair fool.”
A beat of silence Then realization crossed Jey’s face.
“Oh, damn. I forgot.” He said.
“No, shit sherlock, I wasn’t talking to her for no reason.”
Jey folded his arms. "Mhm."
Jimmy immediately pointed at him. "Don't 'mhm' me."
"I'm just saying." Jey laughed.
"My son needed his hair done."
"And somehow you volunteered to handle all the communication."
Jimmy groaned. "Because you forgot."
"So you remembered." Jimmy stared at him.
Jacob looked between them like he was watching a tennis match.
Finally, Jimmy shook his head. "Man, y'all irritating."
The shop was filled with laughter Even Jimmy couldn't stop himself from smiling this time.
Jey noticed it immediately. "Look at him."
Jey leaned back in his chair. "Nah, because you're excited for two o'clock." Jey teased.
Jimmy tossed another paper towel at him. This time, Jey ducked it.
However, in spite of all the humor, Jimmy couldn't help but admit that he was more excited to see Treasure again than he probably ought to be. This very realization was precisely why Jey wouldn't drop the subject.
The chuckles in the shop had hardly faded when Jey chose to escalate the situation. He glanced at Jimmy, then at the design displayed on his iPad, and a mischievous grin gradually appeared on his face.
“Oh, I got an idea.” Jey began.
Jimmy immediately sighed.
“Whatever it is, it’s a no automatically.” Jimmy replied.
Jey smacked his teeth at him, ignoring him. “Man whatever, hear me out.” He said.
He pointed at his brother. “Since you so concerned about making sure Jeyce get his hair done…”
Jimmy narrowed his eyes towards his little brother’s direction
“You should let Little Miss Treasure do your hair too.”
He dropped his head in his chair. “Man, hell no.”
“Why not? I’m tryna put yall on twin.”
Jey was having way too much fun. “You can sit right there in the chair.”
He mimicked getting his hair done.
“‘Treasure, can you line me up real quick?’” Teasing his big brother.
That’s when Jimmy had gotten up from his chair going towards Jey—putting him in a headlock, rubbing his knuckles on top of his head. Play fighting like how siblings do.
“A’ight! Aight! You messing up my mullet man.” Jey said, escaping from the headlock while fixing his hair.
He sat back down his chair, leaning against the seat while man-spreading. “Just think about it twin, you haven’t been in a good relationship in a while.”
“The answer is still no, I’m good where I’m at right now.”
Jey had gave Jacob that one look before turning his attention back toward Jimmy. “Look, he say that shit and then crushing on her.”
Jey sat forward. “You know she’d have you looking right.”
Jimmy pointed at him. “You worried about the wrong head.”
The entire shop went silent for half a second.
Then Jacob started hollering. “AYOOOO!”
Even Jimmy couldn’t help laughing after realizing how that sounded.
Jey jumped up, pointing dramatically.
“See! See!” He exclaimed.
Jimmy was already laughing too hard to defend himself.
“That’s not what I meant.”
The shop had finally settled down. Jey was once again absorbed in his iPad. Jacob was focused on sketching at his station. Meanwhile, Jimmy, who feigned indifference to the teasing, found himself reaching for his phone. Just to kill time, or so he told himself. He unlocked the device and started scrolling through social media. A few posts piqued his interest. Some memes made him laugh. But nothing truly engaging. Then, he spotted the familiar colored ring around Treasure’s profile picture.
His thumb froze. Instinctively, he tapped it. The story unfolded immediately. Treasure was at the salon with Liv. Soft music played in the background as Liv appeared to be discussing something with the camera.
Jimmy barely noticed as his attention shifted to Treasure. She was positioned behind one of the styling chairs, getting her station ready while laughing at something Liv said off-camera. His gaze drifted over the outfit she had chosen for the day.
The kind of outfit that looked effortless even though he knew it probably wasn’t.
His jaw tightened slightly.
The word left his mouth before he could stop it, Quiet Under his breath. Unfortunately, not quiet enough.
Across the room, Jey’s head immediately snapped up. “Ohhh.”
Jacob looked over. “What?”
Jey was already grinning. “I know that look.”
Jimmy rolled his eyes and tried to keep scrolling.
“You looking at her story, ain’t you?”
Jacob was already laughing. “Let me guess.”
Jimmy's silence spoke volumes. The two men burst into laughter. He shook his head and put his phone away. "I can't stand working with you guys."
He stood up dramatically. “Nah, what I hate is the fact that this man said ‘damn’ like he was in a romance movie.”
Jacob almost toppled from his seat. Jimmy snatched a paper towel and flung it across the shop. This time, both of them ducked. The laughter grew even louder. Yet, despite their antics, Jimmy couldn't suppress the smile creeping at the edge of his lips.
Jey was still laughing when he finally settled back into his chair. “Nah, for real though twin.”
He pointed at Jimmy. “Tell me about her.”
Jimmy immediately sighed. “There ain’t much to tell.”
“That’s another lie.” Jacob snorted from across the shop.
“C’mon. Since you got time to stare at her stories, you got time to answer questions.” Jey said.
Jimmy shook his head but eventually gave in. “She a hairstylist.” Jimmy replied.
He nodded approvingly. “Aight.”
He tried to continue drawing on his iPad while talking. “And she got this country accent.”
The second the words left his mouth, Jey’s grin returned. “Oh?”
Jimmy realized his mistake immediately.
Jacob caught it too. “Oh, he smiling again.”
Jey leaned forward. “Country accent, huh?”
Jimmy couldn’t stop the small laugh.
Jimmy nodded. “Yeah. Every now and then it’ll come out real strong.”
Jey slapped the table. “Oh, she from the countryside?”
Jimmy laughed. “Yeah, Houston Texas.”
Jey pointed dramatically. “Nah, that’s why you hooked.”
Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Man, shut the hell up.”
“I’m serious twin, You got caught by a country girl.”
Jacob joined in immediately. “A business owner too.”
Jey started counting on his fingers.
Jimmy groaned. “Y’all making this shit weird man..”
“Nah.” Jey shook his head.
“We making observations.” Jimmy couldn’t help smiling despite himself.
Every time he thought about Treasure, the first thing that came to mind wasn’t what she looked like.
The way she’d say something completely normal and that accent would sneak through. The way she’d get annoyed when he pointed it out. The way she’d roll her eyes while trying not to laugh. Unfortunately for him, Jey noticed that smile too.
Jimmy threw another paper towel at him, which he ducked, causing Jacob to laugh at the two twin brothers. And just like that, the teasing started all over again.
Back at the salon, the atmosphere was busy but comfortable. Hair dryers hummed in the background. Music played softly through the speakers. The scent of hair products lingered throughout the building as clients chatted with their stylists.
Treasure stood behind her chair, carefully parting her client’s hair while Liv worked a few stations away on one of her regulars. Even while working, the two women somehow always managed to hold entire conversations across the salon.
Liv immediately looked suspicious.
She shook her head immediately not wanting to think about it. “Nothing.”
“Treasure.” The warning in Liv’s voice made one of the clients laugh She sighed deeply, knowing she had to tell her eventually.
“Okay, okay.” She sighed.
She focused on the section of hair in front of her. “Giovanni apologized this morning.”
That got Liv’s attention immediately The salon went quiet for exactly two seconds.
Treasure sighed. “I don’t know.”
Liv’s expression didn’t change. “What did he apologize for?”
Treasure hesitated, then answered honestly. “For calling me a hoe last night.” A few of the women nearby exchanged looks.
Liv slowly put down her comb. “Yeah, hell no girl.”
Treasure already knew that response was coming. “He said he was mad.”
Liv stared at her. “And?”
Treasure shrugged. “He said he shouldn’t have said it.”
Liv folded her arms. “Well, he shouldn’t have. Because what the fuck was his issue?”
The bluntness made Treasure sigh. “I know.”
Liv pointed her comb at her.m“Don’t ‘I know’ me.”
Treasure fought back a smile.
“He called you out your name because you went out with your friends.” Liv said.
“And? That don’t mean shit Ressi. That’s the bare minimum.”
Treasure hesitated, realizing that was precisely the issue: Liv wasn’t inquiring if he had apologized. She wanted to know if anything had truly shifted. The response was far from simple. After a brief silence, Liv broke the stillness once more.
“How’d you feel when he said it?”
Treasure’s hands slowed slightly. She thought about it this morning, about the apology. About the way she’d responded.
“Honestly?” Treasure begins.
Treasure exhaled. “I didn’t really feel nothing.”
That answer surprised even her But once she said it out loud, she realized it was true She wasn’t angry anymore.
Wasn’t hurt.
Wasn’t relieved.
Liv's demeanor softened, and oddly enough, that response felt more painful than receiving a lecture. It revealed to Treasure precisely what her friend was feeling. It wasn't that their relationship was crumbling, but rather that Treasure had grown accustomed to it. That realization was far more difficult to overlook.
Before either could utter another word, Liv caught the expression on her face and chose not to delve deeper.
For the moment, but Treasure was aware that their discussion was far from finished. Not even close. Time had passed, and the salon was beginning to fill up rapidly.
One client turned into three turned into six. The steady hum of conversation filled the room as stylists moved from station to station, appointments overlapping as the afternoon rush settled in.
Music filled the air from the speakers, and the whole salon buzzed with energy. Treasure hardly had a moment to settle in.
One moment she was wrapping up a silk press, and the next she was responding to a client's inquiry while restocking products in the back.
Before she knew it, she was back at her station, and the rhythm was relentless.
This was exactly how she liked it. When she was occupied, there was no room for overthinking—no time to dwell on Giovanni, no time to revisit the earlier conversation, and certainly no time to ponder Jimmy.
The hours slipped by almost unnoticed. Before she knew it, Treasure was sweeping around her station after finishing up with a client when Liv appeared beside her.
“You know what time it is?” Liv asked.
Treasure’s eyes widened slightly. “Already?”
Liv laughed. “That’s what happens when you’re actually working.”
Treasure rolled her eyes.
Liv smiled and took a step back. Treasure sighed, pulling out her phone to verify the time. Sure enough, it was two o'clock. Exactly on the dot. This meant… Jimmy and Jeyce would likely be showing up any moment now. The thought caused her stomach to do a slight, bothersome flip.
One she immediately chose to ignore.
“Girl, you’re just doing his nephew’s hair,” she muttered under her breath.
She tucked her phone back into her pocket and tidied up her station, ensuring everything was in order. It was merely another appointment. Just another client. Nothing beyond that.
At least, that’s what she reassured herself as the bell above the salon door rang from the entrance of the shop. After the bell chimed, Treasure was occupied arranging some products at her station when she recognized a familiar voice from the front.
Immediately, she knew who it was.
She hated that she recognized his voice that quickly.
“What’s up?” she heard him say as he walked inside.
When she looked up, she saw him standing near the entrance with his nephew beside him.
And next to them was Jey.
The thirteen-year-old looked slightly uncomfortable in the way most teenagers did when they were about to get their hair done, while Jimmy looked completely relaxed.
Jey, meanwhile, was taking in the salon.
“Aight now,” he said, looking around. “This place hella nice.”
His eyes moved around the room appreciatively. “Real nice, fasho.”
“Thank you.” Treasure replied politely.
Then her eyes found Jimmy’s.
And his found hers. For a brief moment, everything else seemed to fade into the background.
The conversations. The music.
That effortless smile had been on her mind more than it should have been lately. Before she realized it, she found herself smiling back. It felt so instinctive, so simple, as if it had happened many times before, yet neither of them recognized how obvious it was.
Unfortunately for them… Liv was fully aware. And Jey picked up on it immediately. Liv, pretending to organize her space, slowly turned her eyes toward the entrance.
Then toward Treasure, then back toward Jimmy.
A grin spread across her face.
At almost the exact same moment, Jey looked at Jimmy.
Jimmy instantly knew that tone.
“Don’t.” Jimmy warned him.
“I ain’t say nothing.” Jey replied.
Meanwhile, Liv had abandoned all attempts at being subtle. She walked over beside Treasure.
“Bestie, c’mon.” Liv said.
She didn’t even look at her.
“Olivia.” Treasure said, with a slight hint of warning in her voice.
Liv gasped dramatically, placing her hand over her chest. “You never say my name like that unless I’m in trouble.”
“You, finna be in trouble if you keep yappin’ your gums.”
Across the room, Jey was doing the exact same thing to Jimmy. The similarities were honestly terrifying. The two groups stood on opposite sides of the salon.
Both pretending not to notice.
Both noticing everything.
In the center of the chaos stood Jimmy and Treasure, doing their utmost to appear composed. They were failing spectacularly, as evidenced by the expressions on Liv and Jey’s faces… Neither of them was nearly as smooth as they believed.
The tension broke the moment Jimmy stepped closer.
“Hey, mama.” His voice was low, easy—like it belonged right there in the salon between the music and the hum of dryers.
Treasure didn’t hesitate. She moved into the hug naturally, arms wrapping around him for a brief second before she caught herself lingering too long and pulled back.
“Hey,” she replied softly.
When they separated, there was that split second again—that same quiet pause neither of them seemed to know what to do with.
Liv noticed it immediately from across the salon.
Jimmy cleared his throat like nothing happened and stepped slightly to the side, placing a hand on the shoulder of the young boy beside him.
“Come here, Jeyce.” The thirteen-year-old stepped forward a little shyly.
“This my nephew,” Jimmy said, nodding toward him. “Jeyce.”
Treasure’s face softened instantly.
“Hey, Jeyce,” she greeted warmly.
The boy gave a small wave. “Hi…”
Jimmy lightly nudged him forward. “Told you she cool. Don’t be acting shy now.”
Jeyce gave a small nod, still clearly adjusting to the situation.
“He’s good,” she said gently. “Don’t worry, I got you.”
At that, Liv leaned slightly toward Jey from across the salon, whispering under her breath.
“I’m telling you right now… this is getting interesting.”
Jey didn’t even look away from the scene.
“Yeah,” he muttered. “I see it.”
From across the room, Jimmy remained by Treasure's side, observing her as she prepared to escort Jeyce to her station. However, neither of them made a move immediately, as the atmosphere between them had changed once more.
It wasn't loud or overt. Just subtle enough for both to sense it. And just noticeable enough for everyone else around them to pick up on it too.
Treasure motioned gently toward the seating area.
“Come on, Jeyce. You can sit over there and show me what you want.” Treasure said.
The boy nodded and followed her to one of the couches, settling in a little more comfortably once he sat down. He pulled out his phone and quickly opened his camera roll.
“I want somethin’ like these,” he said, tilting the screen toward her.
Treasure leaned in slightly, studying the styles on display.
“Okay, okay,” she murmured. “I see you.”
Clean twists. Neat parts. Nothing too complicated, but still sharp enough to show effort.
Jeyce visibly relaxed a little at that.
“Bet.” While she was talking to him, Jimmy stayed nearby, watching the interaction quietly. Jey had wandered a bit, looking around the salon more closely now that they weren’t standing at the front.
“Man,” Jey said under his breath, taking in the space. “She really did her thing in here.”
Jimmy followed his gaze for a moment.
The salon wasn’t just nice—it was intentional. The layout, the decor, the stations. Everything looked like it had a purpose. Like somebody built it piece by piece instead of just putting it together.
Treasure heard the comment and glanced up briefly.
“Thank you,” she said politely, still focused on Jeyce’s phone.
Jey nodded toward her. “Nah, for real. You can tell you take pride in this.”
That made Treasure pause for a second.
Then she gave a small, appreciative smile. “I do.”
Jimmy’s eyes stayed on her a moment longer than necessary.
Jeyce shifted on the couch, still showing her different styles while she asked a few follow-up questions. “Alright, so you want it neat, clean parts, not too tight, right?”
As she stood back up, preparing to grab her tools, Jimmy stepped slightly closer without thinking.
“Everything good?” he asked Jeyce.
Treasure glanced at Jimmy briefly. “I got him,” she said simply Their eyes met for half a second, long enough to register. Short enough to pretend it didn’t matter.
But neither of them missed it and neither did Jey, who was now looking between them with the same growing suspicion he’d had earlier—just with even more confirmation this time.
Liv, across the salon, slowly leaned on her station.
“Yeah,” she whispered to herself, smirking. “This gon’ be a long appointment.”
Treasure gently guided Jeyce back into a comfortable position on the couch, fingers already moving through his hair as she sectioned it off.
“Yeah, you got a lot of hair,” she said, lightly separating the strands with practiced hands. “This gon’ take me a minute.”
Jeyce nodded like he expected that. Jimmy stood nearby, watching closely but trying not to hover too obviously.
Jey, meanwhile, had taken it upon himself to lean against a nearby station like he was part of the staff.
“That run in the family,” Jey said proudly.
Treasure glanced up briefly. “Oh yeah?”
Jey nodded immediately. “Yeah. Thick hair, strong hair, all that.”
Jimmy shook his head. “Don’t gas him up too much,” he muttered.
Jey pointed at him. “Nah, I’m speaking facts.”
Treasure smiled faintly, continuing to part Jeyce’s hair into clean sections.
“I believe it,” she said. “I can already tell.”
Jeyce sat still, watching her work in the mirror reflection across the room.
“You been doin’ hair long?” he asked quietly.
Treasure hummed as she sectioned another part. “Yeah. A while.”
Jimmy answered before she could even fully finish.
“She been doing this. That’s why I told you, you in good hands.”
Treasure glanced at him for a split second. “Thank you,” she said, tone light—but there was something in her expression that lingered just a bit longer than necessary.
He leaned toward Jimmy and whispered just loud enough to be annoying. “Yeah… I see why you was so quick to bring us here.”
Jimmy immediately elbowed him. “Shut up.”
Treasure didn’t catch the full exchange, but she caught enough to narrow her eyes slightly. “Y’all good over there?” she asked without looking up.
“Yeah,” both brothers said at the same time.
Too fast.
Too suspicious.
But she didn’t really much of it while focusing on doing jeyce’s hair. She stayed focused on Jeyce as she worked, her fingers moving carefully through his hair while she kept the conversation light.
“So what you like to do for fun?” she asked him.
The boy relaxed a bit more in the chair. “Play video games… football sometimes,” he said after thinking for a second.
Treasure nodded. “Okay, okay. You a gamer.”
Jeyce shrugged like it was obvious. “I guess.”
She smiled slightly. “What you wanna be when you get older?”
That question made him pause longer. “I don’t know yet.”
“That’s fine,” she said gently. “You got time.”
From across the salon, the energy was a little different. Jimmy, Jey, and Liv had migrated into their own conversation near the front area while still keeping one eye on Treasure and Jeyce.
Liv leaned against her station, arms crossed. “So y’all really just popped up like that?” she asked, glancing between the two brothers.
Jimmy shrugged. “My mama planned a lil’ thing tonight. Just family, food, music… all that.”
Jey immediately perked up. “Speaking of that,” Jey said, pointing between Jimmy and Liv, “you and Treasure should come.”
The words landed casually, but the reaction around them wasn’t.
Liv raised a brow immediately. “Oh?”
Jimmy’s head snapped slightly toward Jey. “Why you volunteering people?”
“I’m not volunteering,” Jey said quickly. “I’m inviting.”
Liv smirked. “Mmm.” Her eyes shifted briefly toward Treasure at the back of the salon, then back to Jimmy.
“Don’t start,” he warned under his breath.
Liv just smiled wider. “I didn’t say nothing.”
Jey, meanwhile, looked way too pleased with himself. “It’s a good vibe,” he added. “Food, music, family. She’d like it.”
Jimmy exhaled through his nose, already knowing exactly how this was going to be interpreted.
Especially by Liv, and especially when he glanced back toward Treasure for half a second longer than he meant to.
“Yeah,” she muttered, turning away to hide her grin. “I’m sure she would.”
Time passed faster than any of them anticipated. One moment, Jey and Liv were present. The next, they had stepped out to fetch food for the group, leaving the salon quieter than it had been throughout the day.
Only Treasure, Jimmy, and Jeyce remained. Along with the soft murmur of the TV playing in the background.
Jeyce was seated in the styling chair, his legs swinging gently as he browsed through his phone, feeling completely at ease now. Treasure stood behind him, meticulously working through his hair, section by section, her movements steady and precise.
“Hold your head straight for me,” she reminded him gently.
“Got you,” he replied without looking up.
Across the room, Jimmy occupied one of the waiting chairs, pretending to be completely absorbed in whatever was playing on the TV.
But he wasn’t. His gaze wandered repeatedly. Just for a moment. Then another. Always settling on Treasure.
Focused. Calm. Efficient.
It was as if she was oblivious to the fact that anyone was watching. Jimmy reclined in his chair, attempting to appear nonchalant, yet his focus wandered once more. This time, it lingered a bit longer. Treasure adjusted her position slightly, taking hold of another strand of hair, fully engrossed in her task.
Jeyce’s voice cut through the moment.
The boy didn’t even look up from his phone. “You keep looking over there.”
Treasure paused for half a second, not turning around but clearly aware of the exchange.
Jimmy straightened slightly.
“I’m watching TV,” Jimmy said quickly.
Jeyce finally glanced up. “The TV over there?” he asked, pointing vaguely in the opposite direction.
Treasure let out a soft breath through her nose, trying not to smile as she kept working.
“I’m focused on your hair, Jeyce,” Treasure said calmly.
“Mm-hmm,” Jeyce replied, already going back to his phone.
Jimmy shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Y’all annoying.” But even as he said it, his eyes drifted again.
And this time, Treasure didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to.Because she already felt it.
“How long have you been doing hair mama?” Jimmy asked, The question came out casually, but it cut through the quiet in a way that made Treasure pause for half a second. She didn’t turn around immediately.
Just kept parting Jeyce’s hair, fingers steady and practiced.
“Since I was like… sixteen,” she answered finally Her tone was relaxed, like she’d been asked that question a thousand times before. Jimmy nodded from his seat, still watching her work more than the TV.
“Mm-hmm.” Treasure clipped a section out of the way and moved to the next, her focus locked in. “My auntie used to do hair,” she added. “I just stayed around her too much. I ended up picking it up.”
Jeyce glanced at her through the mirror. “So you been doing this for a long time then?”
Treasure smiled a little. “Yeah, pretty much.”
Jimmy leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees now. “That’s why your shop so put together,” he said. “You can tell you know what you doing.”
Treasure finally glanced over her shoulder at him for a moment.
“Thank you,” she replied simply, that brief eye contact lingered just a second longer than necessary. Then she turned back to Jeyce’s hair like nothing had happened. He did the same thing he’d been doing all day—acted like he wasn’t staring.
Jeyce noticed again, of course.
He gave a slight smirk to himself but chose to remain silent, allowing the quiet to convey his thoughts. Meanwhile, Treasure kept working, her voice now gentler as she spoke to Jeyce once more.
Yet, every now and then, she sensed Jimmy's gaze on her. This time, she chose not to address it.
Jimmy shifted in his seat a little, like he was weighing whether to say it out loud or not.
Then he went for it anyway.
“Jey was wildin’ earlier,” Jimmy said, shaking his head. “Talkin’ ’bout I should let you do my hair too.”
Treasure’s hands didn’t stop moving. She kept twisting Jeyce’s hair with steady focus, but her expression changed just slightly—like she was trying not to react too quickly.
“Oh yeah?” she replied, tone even.
Jeyce glanced between them through the mirror but stayed quiet, letting the conversation unfold.
He leaned back a bit, almost defensive but amused at the same time.
“Yeah. He been talking crazy since we left the shop.”
She finally looked at him this time, just briefly over her shoulder, while still finishing a section.
“I mean,” Treasure said slowly, “I can do your hair if you want me to.”
That made Jimmy pause. Not because it was a big offer, but because of the way she said it.
Like it wasn’t a joke, like it wasn’t loaded with anything.
Jimmy smirked slightly, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I might take you up on that one day,” he said.
Treasure hummed softly, turning back to Jeyce’s hair.
That small response lingered in the air longer than it should’ve.
Jeyce, still pretending not to listen, quietly muttered, “Y’all weird.”
Jimmy immediately pointed at him. “Stay in a child’s place.”
Treasure let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head as she continued to twist. Yet, despite the lighthearted moment, the atmosphere had shifted. It felt a bit less playful and a touch more serious. Neither of them spoke to break the tension.
Not entirely. For the first time that day, he wasn’t even attempting to conceal it. Just then, the salon doorbell rang again. All three of them responded simultaneously.
Treasure halted her twisting. Jeyce glanced up from his phone. And Jimmy redirected his focus from the couch to the entrance.
Jey walked in first, both hands full of takeout bags.
“Yo, we back,” Jey announced like he’d been gone for hours instead of a quick food run.
Right behind him, Liv followed with drinks balanced carefully in her arms.
“I got everybody’s stuff,” Liv added, stepping inside and scanning the room immediately.
Her eyes landed first on Treasure.
Then the setup—Jeyce still getting his hair done.
And the exact distance between Treasure and Jimmy that hadn’t changed since she left.
Liv’s lips slowly curved into a knowing smile. “Ohhh,” she murmured under her breath.
Jey noticed too, of course, because he noticed everything. “Damn,” he said, walking further in. “We missed a lot or what?”
Jimmy immediately sat up a little straighter. “Nah,” he said quickly. “Y’all took forever.”
Treasure shook her head slightly, trying to stay focused on Jeyce’s hair even as the room’s energy shifted again. “We’re good,” she said calmly.
But Liv wasn’t buying the calm.
She walked closer, handing out drinks while still looking between Treasure and Jimmy like she was putting pieces together.
“Yeah,” Liv said casually, dragging out the word. “I can see that.”
Jey set the food down and looked around, smirking. “I leave for thirty minutes and come back to vibes?”
Jimmy pointed at him immediately. “Stop talking, like deadass.”
Jey laughed. “Nah, I’m scooping the scenery out.”
Treasure let out a soft exhale through her nose, shaking her head while keeping her hands steady on Jeyce’s hair. Yet, she could sense the change in the atmosphere. The room felt different from when they had left, and Liv was certainly not going to overlook it.
The salon returned to a temporary tranquility. The energy shifted as food took center stage. Paper bags crinkled. Sauce packets were opened. A gentle murmur of conversation filled the air as everyone enjoyed their meals amidst laughter and light-hearted exchanges.
Jimmy reclined on the couch with his wings, occasionally glancing at the TV but primarily focused on his food. Jey was already deep into a story about something that had occurred earlier in the week, animatedly gesturing as he spoke.
Liv leaned against a station, sipping her drink while listening intently and joining the conversation whenever she felt inspired.
But Treasure stayed in motion.
She hadn’t sat down once.
Jeyce’s head tilted slightly as she worked, but she gently guided him back into place.
“Hold still for me,” she reminded him softly.
“I got you,” he replied, mouth half full of fries.
Treasure let out a small breath through her nose, focused.
Even as the room around her relaxed, she stayed locked into her work. Jimmy watched her again from the couch, wing paused halfway to his mouth.
The way she moved didn’t change whether she was busy or not.
Still fully in control of her space.
Across the room, Liv noticed Jimmy looking again and quietly nudged Jey with her elbow.
Jey followed her gaze, immediately smirking.
“Yeah,” he muttered under his breath. “I see it too.”
Liv didn’t even respond. She just smiled into her drink like she already knew how this was going to play out.
Treasure, unaware of the commentary happening around her, finished another section and clipped it neatly.
“Almost done, Jeyce,” she said gently.
“Bet,” the boy replied, now completely relaxed.
Jimmy leaned back again, but his eyes still drifted toward her more than the TV And this time, nobody even bothered to point it out.
Because at this point…It was obvious.
Treasure worked through the final section with the same steady pace she’d kept the entire time, fingers moving cleanly until the last twist was secured. When she was done, she lightly clapped her hands together and reached for a towel, wiping off any product residue.
“Alright,” she said softly, stepping back just a bit. “You good.”
Jeyce blinked, then slowly looked up like he’d just been pulled out of a trance.
Treasure gently rotated the chair so he could face the mirror. “Go on, look.”
The moment Jeyce saw his hair, his expression shifted immediately. “Ohhh,” he said, leaning forward. “That’s hard.”
Treasure smiled a little, arms folding loosely as she watched his reaction.
“Yeah,” he nodded more confidently now. “That’s fire.”
From the couch, Jey let out a low whistle.
“Aight now,” he said, standing a little to get a better look. “She snapped.”
Liv, who had been watching the entire process off to the side, raised her brows in approval.
“I told y’all,” she said simply. “She don’t play.”
Jimmy, still seated, leaned forward slightly, eyes on Jeyce’s hair.
A small smirk appeared before he could stop it. “Yeah,” he agreed quietly. “That’s clean.”
Treasure glanced over at him briefly at the comment. Just a quick look. Nothing long. But enough for both of them to notice it landed differently coming from him.
She gave a small nod. “Thank you,” she said, voice calm.
Then she turned back to Jeyce, lightly adjusting one last piece. “You like it?”
Jeyce nodded immediately. “Yeah, I’m keepin’ this for real.”
Treasure laughed softly. “Good. Don’t mess it up.”
The room relaxed again with small laughter and chatter. But Jimmy’s attention stayed on her a second longer than everyone else’s.
Like he wasn’t just looking at Jeyce’s haircut anymore.
“Aight,” she said softly. “Make sure you wear a durag every night so you don’t mess it up, alright?”
“Good,” she replied, patting his shoulder lightly. “Keep it fresh.”
She checked her Apple Watch briefly, eyes flicking over the time.
Then she let out a small breath and started cleaning up her station—gathering combs, putting tools back in place, wiping down surfaces with the practiced efficiency of someone who’d done this routine a thousand times.
The salon around them had that post-busy calm settling in again. food wrappers still on a side table. Soft music is still playing. Low conversation between Liv and Jey in the distance.
Treasure was just reaching for a towel when she heard footsteps behind her.
She didn’t even have to turn around.
He stopped beside her station. “You should eat,” Jimmy said simply.
Treasure paused for half a second, glancing at him over her shoulder. “I’m about to clean up real quick first,” Treasure replied.
Jimmy shook his head slightly. “Nah,” he said, already reaching for a few things on the counter. “Go sit down. I got this.”
Treasure turned fully now, watching him for a moment like she was deciding whether to argue.
“You don’t have to do that,”
“I know,” he replied easily. “I’m still doin’ it.”
That made something in her expression soften just a little.
Before she could respond again, Jimmy had already started tidying her station—moving with a calm, unbothered efficiency that felt almost natural for him in her space.
Like he’d done it before. Like he belonged there.
Treasure exhaled quietly through her nose, shaking her head faintly.
Jimmy smirked without looking up.
There he go with that nickname once again, and this time, there wasn’t much she could say back to that. She grabbed her food and made her way over to where Liv and Jey were sitting.
Both of them looked entirely too comfortable, which immediately made her suspicious. Treasure sat down between them and opened her container. The smell of lemon pepper wings hit instantly.
“Lord, I’m starving.” Treasure said.
“About time you sat down,” Liv said.
Treasure grabbed a wing. “I been working.”
“And Jimmy been cleaning.” She nearly rolled her eyes before taking a bite.
Across the salon, Jimmy was still straightening up her station, putting things where they belonged and wiping down the counter.
Like it wasn’t a big deal.
Like helping her was the most normal thing in the world.
Liv watched the scene for a second, then looked at Treasure. Then back at Jimmy. Then back at Treasure again.
Treasure almost choked. “Liv.”
Jey immediately nodded. “Nah, she got a point.”
Treasure looked between both of them.
“Not y’all starting, like can a girl eat in peace?”
Jey laughed. “I’m just saying, most dudes would’ve sat down and ate.”
“But he over there cleaning your station so you can take a break.”
Treasure focused very hard on her wings because she didn’t like how much that simple gesture had affected her. It wasn’t even something huge.
Yet somehow it stood out.
Jey leaned back in his chair. “You know what I noticed?”
Treasure immediately pointed a wing at him.
“I ain’t even say nothing yet.”
“And I’m still saying no.” Liv burst out laughing.
Meanwhile, across the salon, Jimmy looked over briefly to make sure Treasure was actually eating. The second he saw her with food in her hands, he nodded to himself and went back to cleaning.
Unfortunately, Liv caught that too.
Her eyes widened. “Oh my God.”
Treasure groaned. “What now? Girl?”
“He literally checked to make sure you were eating.”
Treasure closed her eyes.
Jey started laughing so hard he had to sit forward.
Meanwhile, Jimmy had absolutely no idea that his every move was currently being analyzed by two people who had entirely too much time on their hands.
She was halfway through a wing when Jey decided to bring the topic back up.
Immediately, Liv pointed at him. “Every time somebody start a sentence with ‘so,’ trouble follow.”
Treasure narrowed her eyes suspiciously while reaching for another wing. “What? Is it?”
Jey leaned back in his chair. “Our mama throwing a party tonight.” Then he added on, “And I think you and Liv should come.”
Liv’s eyebrows shot up immediately. “Oh? For real?
Treasure looked up from her food. “A party?”
“Nothing crazy. Family, friends, food, music.”
“A cookout basically,” Liv said.
Treasure listened while taking another bite.
Across the salon, Jimmy was still finishing up at her station, though it was obvious he could hear every word being said.
Jey continued. “It’ll be fun.”
Liv glanced at Treasure. “What you think?”
Treasure shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Jey immediately pointed. “See, that’s not a no.”
Liv started laughing. “That’s definitely not a no.”
Treasure looked between them.
“Y’all annoying.” She said.
The comment made everyone laugh.
Jey sat forward. “I’m serious though. Mama loves meeting new people.”
The mention of his mother made Treasure smile slightly.
Jey nodded. “And there’ll be food.”
Liv gasped dramatically. “Now you’re speaking my language.”
“See?” Jey pointed at her. “She get it.”
Treasure shook her head, trying not to laugh. Then her eyes drifted across the salon Right toward Jimmy As if sensing it, he looked up too. For a brief second, their eyes met.
Jimmy lifted one shoulder in a small shrug.
Not pushing. Not pressuring.
Just letting her know the invitation was real.
Treasure looked away first.
Back down at her food. But she couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. Unfortunately, both Liv and Jey saw it. And the two of them exchanged a look that said exactly the same thing.
Yeah, she thinking about it.
And that realization alone made them both grin.
Time had gone by as everyone had finished their meals, while relaxing on the couch. Liv and Jey were talking to each other heads off about god knows what while Jeyce was doing his own thing on his phone. Leaving Jimmy and Treasure who was leaning against the window looking outside seeing cars passing by.
Thinking about how Giovanni would feel about her going to this party. Which she shouldn’t be caring about how he would feel when she knows, she knows how he feels.
All she could think about was his backhanded compliments already.
Bringing down her confidence until she heard that same velvet voice coming from behind her that made her snap out of her thoughts.
“Hey, pretty girl.” Jimmy said.
He walked towards her with his hands in his pockets leaning against the wall behind him looking at her as they both made eye contact with each other.
“Hey, Jimmy.” Treasure replied, giving him a smile.
“Your smile is so pretty you know that?” She felt her cheeks getting slightly red while rolling her eyes.
“Whatever boy.” Letting her country accent slip, making him catch on.
“Whatever boy.” He mocked her accent playfully.”
She glared at him while standing up straight.
“Did you just mock me?” She questioned him.
Jimmy looked around acting confused like he didn’t just mock her just a second ago before turning his attention back at her pointing his finger directly at himself.
“Yes, you nigga. Who else?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know, maybe Casper?”
That’s when she shoved him playfully on his shoulder causing them both to chuckle at each other.
“Don’t be mocking me.” Treasure warned.
Jimmy had a slight smirk appear on his lips, pushing himself off the wall getting closer to her, closing the distance between them.
His tall figure stood over her small one making her look up at him.
“Or what ma? Hm?” Jimmy teased her, voice low and deep.
But she didn’t break eye contact with him. Just taking his features in like she did last night.
And he was doing the same thing.
“I don’t know you tell me Jimmy.”
“Oh? It’s like that mama?”
“Very much so, since you started it.”
Where did she get all of this confidence from?
He nodded his head, leaning in slightly so his lips were next to ear so she could only hear what he was saying.
“Guess we will have to find out later on tonight then.”
That’s when they heard Liv say something. “Can, yall both get a room please like.”
Treasure’s face turned even more red while looking away from him leaning against the window. “We weren’t even doing anything Liv.”
Jey chimed in, “Yeah, yet. doing allat flirting over there.”
Jimmy glared at him. “Nobody was flirting.”
Liv and Jey looked at each other then back at the two of them with a smirk on their faces.
“Yeah, aight. But mama just texted me in the group chat. She wants us to help her out with the groceries and stuff.”
“A’ight then, c’mon jeyce. Let’s go before yo’ granny starts trippin.”
Jeyce had gotten up from the couch along with Jey, heading towards the door. Liv and Treasure had followed them from behind as Jeyce turned around towards Treasure’s direction.
“Thank you for doing my hair Miss Treasure, you think you’ll be able to do it again whenever it gets messy?” Jeyce said.
Treasure looked at him then back at Jimmy then back at Jeyce.
“As long as your uncle is okay with it.” Treasure replied.
Jimmy had smiled at her. “Ion mind mama, just keep making him look fresh.”
He could see his nephew mouthing the words yes before heading out towards his truck where Jey was standing there waiting—Liv had left them alone once again heading towards her station as she observed the scene.
“Thank you for doing his hair, knowing his daddy would’ve let him look a mess.”
She gave him a smile as he pulled out his phone.
“How much I owe you mama?” He asked.
Mama fuck he’s going to kill me with that.
“130$ that’s all.” She responded.
“A’ight, bet.” He sent her the money through Apple Pay like he did before, hearing a buzz coming from her phone knowing that he sent the money.
She grabbed her phone checking her notifications seeing that he sent the money before placing her phone back inside of her back pocket.
Before he could walk about the door he turned his head to say something else.
“I’ll see you at the party?”
“Yeah, send me the addy.” Jimmy smiled at her before he gave her a warm hug, feeling his arms around her waist and her arms around his neck—embracing each other’s scent and warmth.
This time the hug lasted longer than usual like she didn’t want to let go of him for some odd reason.
This was something she needed.
Like she wanted something like this.
“You good mama?” Jimmy whispered in her ear.
“Y-yeah, I’m sorry…” Treasure apologized, while pulling away from him.
His hands still on her waist, his cologne wrapped around her like a spell.
“Don’t apologize, it’s all good ma.” All she could smile at him as she watched him walk out the door, already sensing his brother teasing him—while she placed her hand over her chest, leaning against the wall.
Liv came in her direction. “Girl, what the fuck was that?”
“I-I, don’t know…I…fuck I don’t know…”
What is this man doing to me??
a/n: hiii im back with ep2 things are getting a little flirty between Tresasure and Jimmy. I figured that this was going to be lengthy like always 😭😭 buuut I hope yall enjoy 😛
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