Leaning over, he whispered in my ear that I could take a seat wherever, while he went in the booth to talk to the artist. I nodded and found an empty chair in the room. The women gave fake smiles, while the men admired me openly. I returned a polite smile of my own, but while theirs said they were silently trying to figure out where I fit in, mine saidunfuckwitable. I watched Tobias in the booth, coaching his artist, before stepping out and talking to the guy at the mixing board. By the way he moved, it looked like he not only knew what he was doing but took pride in it.
I listened to the artist record an R&B record from start to finish, with Tobias giving his input every now and then but also leaving her to do her own thing. He took feedback from his team, showing his leadership skills. He also knew talent because the girl could sing. I admired that. Purpose looked good on a man. And by the way he engrossed himself in the moment, I knew this washisarena, similar to Mehki when I was with him at the demo site. After about an hour, everyone dispersed, and he stepped out to take a call. As I sat there looking around the room, my phone vibrated. It was Mehki calling on FaceTime.
Connecting my AirPods, I answered.“Hey. You gotta make it quick. I’m in the studio,”I said with a straight face, doing my best to hold in my laugh.
“You a rapper now?”he questioned, smirking.
“I do a little bit of everything,”I countered.
He chuckled.“Yeah, everything except answer a nigga’s texts. I almost said fuck it and not even called.”
I smiled into the phone and unconsciously bit my lip.“So, why did you?”
“’Cause I wanted to hear your voice, fine ass girl. Where you at forreal?”
“The studio.”I flipped my camera, so he could see the room.
“Wit’ who?”
“Oop, you being in my business is wild.”My comeback was slick, but I was cheesing on the inside. ‘Cause yes, be in my business like you like me.
“Send me your location.”
“You send me your location.”
“If I send it, you gotta come to me.”
“What if I don’t wanna come to you?”I challenged.
“You do. The smile on your face told on you.”
“Ain’t nobody smiling,”I argued, tucking my bottom lip in my mouth before my emotions could betray me again.
“You are and don’t even realize it. I just shared the location. I’ll see you soon.”
He ended the call, and Tobias walked back in a second later.
“So, what you think?”
“I think you’re really good at what you do. Your artist is good too.”
“I appreciate that. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I let out a fake yawn and stretched my neck.
“You tired?” he asked.
“A little,” I lied. “Been up since early this morning. I think I’m gonna head out.”
He nodded. “I feel you. You think we can do this again another time? Well, it don’t necessarily have to be the studio or a spa. Whatever you wanna get into is cool with me.”
I smiled, standing from my seat. “Hit me and I’ll make some room for you if time permits itself. Today was cool though.”
“It was,” he agreed. “You need me to walk you out?”
“All good. I remember how to get to the elevator. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
