He glanced down, eyes softening in a way she’d never seen before. “Why not you?”
Another flash…another scream of his name.
“But-”
“But nothing,” he cut her off gently. “Like I said, you’re mine…for the world to consume, but don’t touch.” He winked, pulling her hand to his lips, to place a gentle kiss there.
Her stomach fluttered again.
The good kind…the terrifying kind.
“Meadow!” Tia called out, as she and Blain tried to get through the mayhem. They’d just arrived and once the press realized they were no one of importance, they ignored them and blocked their way.
Looking around, Meadow knew she’d heard her friend, but she couldn’t see her.
“Aye, let them through,” Zaire called out to security who made a way for Tia and Blain to step through.
“Girl!” Tia huffed while she wrapped her arms around Meadow. “This is a lot.”
“Girl, I know…but we’re here now, so let’s blend in with the celebrities.”
Blain and Zaire dapped it up and fell into light conversations as they headed towards the door.
Finally, they stepped through the private entrance lobby - quiet, dimly lit with gold accents everywhere. The doors closed behind them, shutting out the chaos.
Meadow let out a long breath she didn’t know she was holding.
Zaire turned to her fully. “You sure you cool?”
“I’m…overwhelmed,” she admitted,“ but I’m okay.”
“You don’t gotta pretend for me,” he told her.
“I’m not pretending,” she insisted. “I’m with you, ain’t I?”
He studied her…slowly, intently. “Yeah,” he whispered, sliding his hand up her back. “There go my shit talkin’ baby.”
That made Meadow smile. “You better know it. Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“For claiming me like that.”
Zaire smirked. “Ain’t nobody else gon’ get the chance.”
Butterflies stormed her stomach again.
And this time…she let them.
Jacory’sprivate listening session was inside a renovated warehouse turned neon-lit lounge. Security was tight, wristbands were red and gold, the crowd was affluent and beautiful.
Meadow tried to maintain her composure, but her pulse was doing laps.
Zaire kept his hand on her waist as they stepped deeper inside. Tia and Blain followed close behind, just as overwhelmed.
Meadow and Tia’s eyes doubled in size.
“Is that-” Meadow pointed.
