He’d been in plenty of tournaments, plenty of hotels and plenty of rooms bigger than the house he grew up in, but this was the first time he felt like he wasn’t alone in it. He picked up his phone again and typed:
I’ll callyou tonight after I run swings. Don’t fall asleep on me.
She replied quickerthan he expected.
Flower emoji:I won’t…you nervous?
He stared at the screen.
Not at the question, but at the concern behind it.
Not for golf.
Three dots poppedup then disappeared.
Popped up again. Then finally…
Flower emoji:What you nervous for then?
His chest tightened.
No point lying.
You.
He hit send beforehe could second-guess it.
Then he tossed his phone on the bed and stood up. He walked out to the balcony, letting the late-afternoon air hit his face as he reached for his 7-iron.
Tomorrow, the world would be watching him, but tonight?
He only cared about one pair of eyes, eyes he couldn’t wait to look into again.
Northstar Mallin Emerald City felt like stepping into a glossy magazine. Marble floors, skylights, quiet wealth humming in every corner. Black-owned stores lined the halls, from boutiques with custom-made clothes to luxury home scents, and hair care displays that looked like art.
Meadow tried to stay casual, but her eyes kept widening. “Tia…is that a waterfall inside the mall?”
“Yes.”
“Inside?”
“Yes, babe.”
“That’s unnecessary.”
“Welcome to Emerald City.”
Meadow exhaled. “I’m overwhelmed...this how y’all shop? Here a bitch was thinking she be doing something the few times I snag a cute fit from Zara.”
“You’ll be fine.” Tia nudged her into a luxury boutique. “Now pick something.”
Meadow crossed her arms. “I’m not just spending his money. That feels…”
“Right,” Tia cut in. “It feels right.”
“No,” Meadow corrected. “It feels grown.”
“And?”
