As we drove through the city toward the north side, I felt the urge to show her romance that didn’t end in a bedroom, romance that showed up in thoughtfulness, and choosing spaces that made her feel seen.
Her gaze landed on me more than once, and it was lingering. Every time it did, it felt like a slow hand moving down my spine. I had to mentally check myself, telling myself to man up.
We pulled up to the gallery, and as we got out and followed the crowd, she looked around curiously while her hand clung to mine.
Once inside, she realized where we were, and her cheeks flushed. She squeezed my hand and rested her head briefly against me.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
That small gesture hit harder than any dramatic reaction could have.
Years in my business had taught me how to network and work a room. And I knew my baby was overwhelmed with having to learn this part of the world she was entering. So, I guided her through the room, introducing her to the right people. I introduced her as the featured artist for Mothers of the Block at Voss. That one sentence changed the way the room treated her. And every time I said it, I felt her confidence grow a little more.
Eventually, she was moving around the room on her own, and I stepped back and just watched, feeling the confirmation that this wasn’t just lust. I wanted to build moments with her and give her rooms she hadn’t been in yet. I wanted to watch her learn, shine, and realize she belonged everywhere I took her.
After the opening, I took her to dinner. That was when I knew I had to tell her about Tempo.
“Before this goes any further, I need you to know something.”
Rhythm’s face tightened. “Okay.”
“Tempo is my ex.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, wow. You all dated?”
“We were engaged.” Her eyes widened even more as I went on. “We actually got married.” Her mouth dropped. “But it ended before we could even get our marriage license.”
She blinked rapidly and then took a long sip of her drink. I watched her take in the information while trying not to let what she was feeling show on her face.
“I thought you should know sooner than later because you’re working closely with Aria. That family is still a big part of my life, despite what happened between me and her. I want you to know what you’re walking into.”
“What happened between you two?”
I explained everything to her, and as I did, she started blinking rapidly again like facts were hitting her all at once. I ended with, “She’s married to Big A now.”
“When were you two married?”
“A few months ago.”
“What the fuck?!” she spit so loud that she immediately recoiled as she got curious stares from patrons around us. She covered her mouth, muffling, “I’m sorry.”
But I was laughing. Her reaction made sense. I was still asking myself what the fuck had happened.
Rhythm’s face contorted into five different emotions as she asked, “And she’s married to Big A already?”
I chuckled sarcastically. “In her mind, she was married to Big A a long time ago.” Her brows met together, so I explained. “Tempo and Big A had feelings for each other before she even met me. But her brothers wouldn’t allow them to date because Big A worked so closely with them. So, when she met me, she tried to focus on me, but that didn’t work. They messed around soon after she and I got married and it all came out.”
Her eyes dropped to her plate. When she looked back up, the insecurity was there, hiding behind politeness. “I’m not going to lie. That’s intimidating.”
“Why?”
Rhythm hesitated, then forced it out. “Tempo is…Tempo. She’s beautiful. She’s in your world. She fits. And you’re close to them. You’re close to her brothers. You’re at their house on holidays. Though she is married now, your feelings for her couldn’t have gone away that fast.”
I held her gaze. “And you think you don’t fit.”
She didn’t answer, but her silence did.
I leaned forward slightly. “Look at me.”
