Emani rolled her eyes and laughed. “While the memory of that is…nice. This feeling nothing compares to it. Don’t ever let me talk about walking away from this again.”
Derrick took the jacket and pulled another outfit off of the rack. “I told you when you were trying to plan out all the things you could do without rap that rap will always be the center. The lingerie line, the makeup, the fashion, all of that is all a byproduct. Never let another nigga make you feel like you’re not her. You are. You been. You will be. Only a special type can hold that.”
Emani chewed her lip and hummed. “Pressure, not a problem.”
“Make it an affirmation,” Derrick stated, seeing Emani’s creativity kicking into overdrive. He didn’t ask any questions just handed her a notepad he kept on hand for times like these. Sandia couldn’t remember to keep pens and paper readily available.
Emani took the items and began scribbling the lyrics dancing in her mind.
“E, you got a group of students-” Donnée started as she walked in but was stopped by the look on Derrick’s face and his pointed expression. “Ohh, she’s writing. Should I call the label and tell them they can get off your dick?”
“Mm mm,” Emani buzzed, finishing her scribbling. “Don’t tell them anything yet. I’m on my way. I’m changing.”
With a pep in her step, Emani changed into her afterparty outfit and strolled out. She took the pictures, signed the autographs and hugged all the young men and women with big dreams like hers. Although she made this decision to be petty and show Malik that she could do whatever she wanted to, being here was feeding her spirit. It was showing her that she was living in an answered prayer and staring another in the face.
When she reached the VIP section, she couldn’t ignore the pride on Jahlil’s face. It was similar to the one her face held earlier when his team won the pick-up game championship.
“So any notes?” she sassed, looking up at him without an obstructed view of her commitments. Heat flooded through her body as she watched his pearly white teeth nip his supple bottom lip, taking her in.
“Nah. You looked me dead in my eyes and talked your shit. You know I like that.”
A smirk formed over her lips. “I know. Had to give you a show since this was your first one.”
“I’m not missing another one believe that.”
Emani rolled her eyes and strolled past him, making her way to the private bar. Jahlil was right on her trail, enticed by the scent that floated around her.
“Why you rollin’ them pretty ass eyes at me?” Jahlil questioned, leaning down slightly to ask in her ear.
Emani hummed softly, missing this closeness. Needing this closeness. “In a perfect world where you could manage your responsibilities and commitments, I’d believe that. But you know I’ve never been the girl to believe in a perfect world.”
“If you could just for a second, what does a perfect world for you look like right now? I knew what it was then.”
Emani licked her lips, pouring herself a shot of his liquor that managed to make it to every event on every table. She started to answer but Ashton’s shout interrupted her.
“E! I forgot you had it like that.” Ashton bumped Jahlil out the way. Jahlil didn’t realize Ashton was wearing a fan t-shirt from Emani’s last album release. “Why is it every time I pop up for some Emani-time your big ass is lingering around? Would you move?”
Emani looked at Ashton and snickered. “What is wrong with you? Did your mother do drugs or something?”
Ashton shrugged as he reached up to place his hands on her shoulders. “I don’t know, and if she did, the damage is done. But listen to me. You did that shit. Don’t ever let no one tell you that you aren’t someone. I could kiss you.”
Jahlil grabbed him by the back of his shirt and moved him out of the way. “If you don’t get your drunk ass on.”
Ashton huffed and straightened his shirt. “You know what, I will. I got the house to myself too. Naked twister is going down again.”
Emani watched his little legs quicken away and she shook her head in laughter. “Why are we friends with him again?”
“Because when he isn’t being ridiculous, he’s smart as fuck and a good laugh,” Jahlil stated. “He’s going to stop putting his hands on you though. I’m not having too much more of that shit.”
Emani shook her head again and finished making her drink. “Watch out, Jah. You talking like you want to be my man again.”
He frowned. “Again? Been your man.”
“Nigga, please with all that shit,” Emani shot back. “Don’t get on your shit too much.”
“Come on, E.”
“Where are we going?”
