The vulnerability in her tone as she belted lyrics about writing a note to God hollowed Najee’s chest. Her effect on him had been the same that day in the truck. Orielle was pushing notes out from the depths of her soul. Ashley had asked if she could give a sneak peek of what she’d be singing at the gala, and she gave them her all.
As they planted themselves in the aisle, Najee noticed a woman clutching her chest and another wiping her eyes. With her eyes closed, Orielle let herself feel everything in that moment, as she walked back and forth. She made everyone else feel it, too.
As the final notes left her lips, silence filled the space, before the room erupted in applause. Slowly opening her eyes, she blinked away unshed tears of emotion and smiled. She lowered the mic, and her chest rose and fell as if she’d just come back from somewhere only she had gone. Najee felt like she took him with her. In a way, she had. Getting lost in the lyrics of songs had saved her mentally, physically, and emotionally, and right then had healed a piece of him.
“My God!” Ashley exclaimed, holding her chest. “You just blew me away.”
She smiled humbly. “Thank you. Is that song okay to sing at the gala?”
“It’s perfect. You have my staff in here crying, honey.” Ashley chuckled, truly impressed.
When she turned to glance at them, she spotted her husband and Najee. Her face lit up as Luke made his way down the aisle to her. Only then did Orielle notice Najee right behind him. She didn’t look surprised to see him; just curious. He spotted the wonderment in her brown eyes as he got closer.
Luke greeted Ashley with a kiss to her cheek, and she wrapped an arm around his waist. “Did you hear her?” she asked.
He nodded. “I did. You’re amazing.”
“Thank you,” Orielle said, and her eyes ventured to Najee.
Luke’s did too. “Najee, this is my wife, Ashley, and a few of our staff.”
“How y’all doing?” he asked politely, lifting his hand to greet them.
“So much better now. I feel like I was just at a praise and worship service,” Ashley said.
A staff member with long burgundy locs came up to Orielle. “Girl, you killed that. Do you have social media, and how can I find your music?”
Grinning, Orielle thanked her and ran down the details of where she could connect with her. Other staff members gathered around before they headed back to work. Seeing her in one of her elements made Najee proud to know her. Seeing everyone react the way they did, and witnessing how her voice touched them, made him look at her in a new light. One he’d never seen her in.
It made him want to protect heragain, forever,and feel a little possessive. Like his ears were the only ones that deserved to hear her sing. More than anything, it made him respect her gift.
“How’d the meeting go?” Ashley asked, looking between Najee and Luke.
“Real good. I’ma catch you up and schedule a time for all of us to sit down and map out the intricate details.”
Ashley’s eyes slightly widened. “Oh. You must’ve really impressed him.”
Najee chuckled. “I wouldn’t say all that.”
“Nah. Say that. You did, and I can already see this partnership being very beneficial.”
Respect. That’s what was mutually shared between the men. Orielle walked over, still on a high from her performance. Najee gave her a once-over, appreciating the glow of her skin. The confidence radiating from her was damn near contagious. Under his gaze, Orielle blushed.
“Small world,” Najee said.
Ashley looked between them with a smirk, instantly sensing the shift in energy. “Y’all know one another?”
Orielle nodded. “Yes. We’re kinda like family.”
Najee tilted his head to the left. “Now, why you lying to these folks?”
Luke chuckled while Ashley smirked. Playfully, Orielle rolled her eyes.
“I’m not lying. You’re my cousin’s best friend. That makes you what, since I’ve known you most of my life?”
A nigga who gon’ show you how much we’re not related,Najee thought. Orielle had him fucked up, but he was going to keep it player. They were obviously both here on business, and he’d never jeopardize that.
“A friend of the family, and yours,” Najee clarified.
