“Yes, girl.”
“And over there…”
Tia almost squealed. “Yup.”
“But-”
“That too.”
They tried to walk normal but their excitement was leaking everywhere in their little gasps, little nudges, and whole-body joy.
Before Meadow could collect herself and fully take it all in, Zaire leaned down. “C’mon lemme introduce you to some of my people.”
Her stomach flipped. “Introduce me?”
He smirked. “Yeah, Introduce you.”
Zaire watched Meadow with a soft, amused smile. “You good?”
“No.”
“You in shock?”
“Yes.”
He pulled her close. “C’mon, baby…you fuckin’ with a real one.”
If Meadow didn’t know before, she was catching on now. Meeting him in Juniper Falls often made her forget who Zaire Cooks really was and what he represented.
He approached the first group of tall men and beautiful women with diamonds catching the light.
“Z!” someone called out.
Nar stepped forward with a grin, waves perfect, his diamond chain thick and those effortless dimples piercing his cheeks. Beside him was his wife, Ahvi. She was stunning in a fitted dress, low sleek ponytail, and had body for days.
Zaire did the honors. “Aye, this Meadow.”
Nar nodded respectfully. “What’s up. I see why Z got that win yesterday.” He slapped hands with Zaire. “Well deserved, by the way.”
Ahvi pulled Meadow into a gentle hug. “You’re so pretty! I love your dress.”
She understood how nerve wrecking all of this could be because she was once in Meadow’s shoes, being tossed into a world you never even dreamed of. It was a hard but worthy transition when you met genuine people.
Meadow felt out of her body. There was no way, her smalltown ass was in the same room as Thee Nar— international, highly awarded rap star. She loved his music and rapped it word for word like she wrote the lyrics herself.
Meadow blinked fast. “Thank you! Oh my God…hi, I— hi.”
Zaire chuckled. “Relax, cuh. They regular.”
“No, they’re not,” Meadow whispered.
Nar grinned. “She’s funny. I like her.”
Ahvi added, “Nice to meet you.”
Zaire pulled Ahvi into a side hug before he took Meadow around, just introducing her to any and every one he knew. They all praised him for his win and he tried to keep each conversation as short as possible.
Meadow almost fainted when she ran into L.A.’s fine ass but she didn’t embarrass herself. Instead, she acted like she wasn’t new to all this. Everyone was sweet so that made her assimilation easier.
