The Dream & The Real Thing (Quick Read)

Aleeyah has big dreams. But that's all she's had. This year is going to be different, though. With the help of her new Tiny Home crew, she's determined to see at least two of her visions come to life: her fabric design career and her new tiny home!

Liam has dreams of his own; and when the architect spots the whimsical, enchanting Aleeyah he has a feeling she's a big part of them.

But there's one catch...the only romance Aleeyah's ever experienced has been on the page, on the stage or on the big screen.

Do Liam and Aleeyah have a shot at the real thing? Or will their relationship end up being just the stuff of fantasies?

Chapter 1

“Aright, let’s do this!” Aleeyah Tennison added her hand to the two others stacked in the air in front of her, grabbing and shaking them for emphasis. Three pairs of eyes, including her own, turned to the last woman in attendance with them at the restaurant’s standing table. Finally, one last hand slid atop the stack, warming the back of Aleeyah’s. And Aleeyah squealed in delight as a wide grin forced itself upon her face.

Those three other hands belonged to one Miss Rachael Jackson, Sarai Smith and Ashe DuBois, women she’d met in the “Black, Female and Tiny Housing” forum she’d happened upon just a few months ago.

Being among the most regular users on the site, the ladies eventually branched off into their own conversations, off-forum, to swap pictures, articles and videos that inspired their fantasies about taking the plunge into that simplified lifestyle.

And today, they’d met for the first time.

The result? Magic. And the decision to make their tiny house dreams a reality, together.

And not only that…they were going to see this thing realized in just a few months.

“Now, you’re sure this guy you found can handle these projects all at once?” Sarai asked, ever the pragmatist. 

“Yeah, girl,” Rachael assured. “I mean, he’s got his own business and everything. His references are great. And his work is outstanding.”

Aleeyah nodded, leaning over to look at Rachael’s phone screen. “I can’t believe how detailed he is. And he’s the designer, too?”

“Well, it says here on his website that they offer design services. So that probably means someone on his staff, I’m guessing. As long as it’s a one stop shop, I don’t care about the details. I’m really trying to put as little thought into this as possible.”

“But we want the best results, of course,” Sarai interjected, firmly.

“Of course! I guess what I mean is that there’s enough on my plate, right now. If someone else can show me a comfortable design that fits my needs, I’ll be happy. Especially given the level of quality this company displays. I feel totally confident putting my plans in their hands.”

“Or your lack of plans?” Sarai questioned, amused.

“Well, we don’t all have to have every inch laid out in our heads before a pen is laid to paper.” Rachael shrugged. “I’m more concerned with changing my lifestyle than the means that gets me there. Man, I can’t wait.”

Aleeyah watched the dynamic between the two women and inwardly shook her head. She chanced a glance at Ashe who sat quietly smirking at the exchange before turning to meet Aleeyah’s gaze. Agreement rang in the woman’s otherwise peaceful expression. 

Yes, Rachael and Sarai were oil and water, and yet somehow this shared vision served as one of the bonds that’d brought each of them together. But boy, she thought with a wince, it was obvious they would all be in for a particularly bumpy ride. One that she hoped they all survived.