“Come here, queen. I need this dance.”
I blushed but didn’t hesitate. I slid my hand into his like it belonged there. He pulled me into him, guiding me slowly across the wooden floor, our steps syncing with the music. It was just a sway at first—intimate, slow, and natural—but then he touched me.
Not aggressively… not even with lust… just thoroughly.
Bryce’s hand slid along my waist, up my back, and down the curve of my hip like he was reacquainting himself with what he already knew. His other hand rested at the nape of my neck, his thumb brushing my skin so softly it gave me chills. That moment wasn’t about sex; it was about something remembered, something missed, and something still there.
My eyes fluttered shut. The fire crackled low behind us, setting the mood perfectly.
That wasn’t a dance; it was a memory in motion.
When Adrian reached the final verse, he locked eyes with us, just as Isis had been doing.
“I want you still... I always will... 'cause you're the only one for me.” Bryce sang the last line straight to my ear… in perfect harmony… low and raw.
I looked up at him, my heart caught between my ribs. The room stayed still like even time knew not to interrupt. It was just music, memories, and the kind of vibe that makes love feel like a second chance.
After the music faded, me and Bryce slowly drifted apart.
Isis smiled like a bougie romantic movie critic. “Okay… this is the softest hood-ass love story I’ve ever seen, and I’m here for it!”
Adrian leaned back, cracking his knuckles again like he had just given us a free concert and reawakened a whole chapter of emotions. “Y’all better act like y’all know.”
Bryce, never looking away from me, grinned. “Oh, we know now.”
Laughter echoed around the room, and compliments flew out about Adrian being secretly loaded with talent.
That’s when we all heard a sharp click, followed by ahumthat wasn’t the piano.
I flinched, holding on tightly to Bryce, who seemed to enjoy the closeness. “What the hell was that?”
Adrian’s eyes darted toward the kitchen where the noise came from. “Y’all… that better not be another damn bear. If it is, it ain’t my fault this time.”
Isis grabbed her chest and started pacing. “See, this is why I don’t do nature! The woods too quiet! You can’t hear your death coming!”
Bryce gently pulled out of our embrace, his voice steady and unimpressed. “Relax; that’s just the power. The lights came back on. I gotta go turn off the generator before it blows.”
He slipped out the door, leaving the three of us standing in the warm glow of actual, working electricity.
Isis practically jumped for joy. “Yes! Back in business! I can finally look like somebody again! I’ve been in hoodie purgatory for days! I was trying not to outshine y’all, but since the power is back on, y’all might wanna squint! Watch me go from storm survivor to somebody’s fantasy in fifteen minutes or less!”
She disappeared down the hall with her phone in the air, already unlocking it, which left me and Adrian alone. He was still seated at the piano, fingers idly pressing keys, not looking at me, but fully aware I was still there.
I slowly walked over, arms crossed. “That was impressive. Why didn’t you tell me you could do all that?”
He shrugged, not taking it seriously at all. “You never asked.”
I tilted my head. “I also never asked if you was a damn Jedi. That don’t mean you keep it to yourself.”
Adrian chuckled. “Real talk? Ain’t too many folks I like sharing that side with.”
“You mean your talent or your humility?”
“Both.”
I studied him for a beat, my expression softening. “You know, if the drug business don’t work out for you, you’d make one hell of a church-singing side nigga. The kind that makes aunties leave they husbands and join the praise team just to hear you hit that one note.”
He laughed, then glanced down, smile fading into something quieter. “So… you and Bryce? Y’all working things out?”
