“Mm-hmm.” She nodded slowly. “Your daddy said you told him you loved her.”
I looked up. “He told you that?”
“Baby, your daddy tells me everything. I’m the real head honcho. Don't ever forget it.” She leaned back in her chair. “What I want to know is if you meant it.”
“Ma, of course, I meant it. I’ve waited a long time for a woman like Halo to come along. I ain't got time to play games. She too valuable for that.”
She watched me for a moment, then nodded. “Good. Because I don't want you playing with that girl's heart, she's been through enough with losing her parents, and she’s practically here alone. I expect her here for dinner from now on. She’s family.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a minute, Brixxi's soft breathing the only sound.
“She didn't say it back yet,” I said finally.
“She will,” my mama said simply. “When she's ready. You can't rush that kind of thing. Just keep showing up the way you've been doing. And I’ll be honest, I’m pretty sure she loves you, son. Just as entranced as you were, she was too. And the way you handled that man at the gala showed her what kind of man you are. She'll say it when she's ready.”
“I plan to do just that, and you may be right, Momma.”
She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “Lord knows you need somebody who ain't scared to check you.”
I laughed. “Yeah, she definitely does that.”
“I'm proud of you, son. You found a good one. Don't let her go.”
“I won't.”
I left my mama's house feeling lighter. Brixxi and I headed home, and I crashed hard for a three-hour nap before getting ready.
By the time I woke up, it was time to get dressed. I put on all-black Balmain, really didn't feel like going, but I wasn't going to half-step when it came to the brand. At the end of the day, contracts were contracts. Appearances fed my family, kept investments flowing, and kept the Bryns' name clean. The money was stupid good for just showing up, so I dealt with it.
But the truth was, I would have rather been at the crib watching movies and waiting for her.
Brixxi sat on the seat next to me, her leash on, surprisingly calm. Halo made me put a black sweater on her for her club appearance. I told her she was milking it now, but did as I was told.
“You straight B?” I asked, glancing over.
She yawned.
“Yeah, me too.”
The club was packed by the time we arrived. Lights flashing, music too loud, smoke in the air mixing with expensive perfume and cologne. Cameraseverywhere, waiting for someone to do something stupid so they could turn it into a headline.
This was the part of the job I hated. Smile for the cameras, hold the champagne bottle, look like you're enjoying yourself.
Chance was waiting at the VIP entrance, already posted up, cool as always. When he saw me walking up with Brixxi tucked under my arm, his face went through about five different expressions.
“Man, what the fuck?” He started laughing. “Is that a dog?”
“Yeah. Halo had to work late. I’m babysitting.”
“You brought a dog to a club appearance. A paid one at that.”
“You got a problem with that?”
He shook his head, still laughing. “Nah, man. This is the funniest shit I’ve seen all year. Let’s go.”
We headed inside, and immediately the energy hit—bass thumping, bodies everywhere, flashing lights that would definitely give someone a seizure. I kept the Brixxi close, navigating through the crowd toward the VIP section on the second level.
Rico was already up there with two women leaning on him, laughing loudly. He lived for nights like this. I didn’t. Not anymore.
