Page 40 of Kisses Behind The Spotlight 2: Finale

AHM!

We looked up and saw Stepp standing in the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt. I made your plate,” he lifted a to-go carton. “Quincy and a bunch of them are going to the casino. You want to eat so we can go with them?” He offered.

“Ummm… sure,” I faltered. “I just assumed everybody was going to go home after everything that happened.”

“Girl, please, we’ve been through worse. That’s why your shook ass has no business with a man in that life,” Mama Marissa cackled.

“Yeah. I’mma go change real quick, then we can slide through too.”

“Umm, okay.” I shrugged and hopped to my feet.

“Y’all are actually so cute,” Mama Marissa swooned.

“Thanks,” Stepp smiled.

“Make sure you keep her safe,” she insisted.

“Always. Love you.” Stepp hugged her, and I did the same before we swiftly exited the house while my dad was distracted, figuring out what to do with Travis.

STEPP

Iopened the passenger door for Amill and helped her into the truck. Once she was safely inside, I spun her toward me and pulled the piece of paper from my pocket.

“What’s this?”

“My first step in winning you back. The only reason I accepted Vincent’s invite is that I knew I would catch you here. You ran away and blocked me on everything. Xain wouldn’t tell me where you were staying. I had to pull up at your parents’ house just to get a word with you.”

Amill squinted at me, and I nodded at the folded piece of paper.

“Yasmeen? My middle name? I don’t get it. What is this paper supposed to mean? I got you pregnant, and that’s the baby’s name?” She quipped, turning the paper around.

I laughed, happy to hear her voice, even if it was to get smart with me. As long as she was communicating with me, I’d take it.

“I don’t see what’s funny. I’m not in the mood for riddles,” she pouted.

The paper was the mockup for the sign we ordered that morning for our new lounge. Xain allowed me to change the name to Yasmeen’s, and I ordered a new sign.

“That’s the mockup sign we approved for a lounge that I just went in on with Xain. We want to make you part-owner, and before you say no, you don’t have to do any of the work; Xain and I will maintain the lounge while you collect a check. I know you’re busy. But I’m going to make the transition. Can you give me the chance to do that?” I pleaded, lifting her chin so her eyes met mine. “I have an end date so that I can take the next step with you.”

Her bright eyes looked up at me, like she didn’t half believe me.

“I’m serious, Amill. Will you be my girlfriend and move in with me?”

“Of course I will!” Amill beamed, holding the paper close to her chest. “You named a lounge after me,” she celebrated, sticking out her long tongue.

“My man is about to get out of the streets and become the businessman I always knew he could be,” she bubbled.

I stepped closer, and Amill cupped my face, pulling me in for a kiss. If I could have, I would’ve devoured her face. Her hands left my cheeks and moved to my locs. She moaned into my mouth, raking her nails across my scalp.

“Get outta my driveway with that shit!” Yaseer’s voice came from the upstairs window, and I pulled back out of respect.

“If you didn’t want to see that, you shouldn’t have been being nosy,” Marissa cackled.

The window slammed shut, and Amill giggled, falling into my chest. I wrapped my arms around Amill and held her close. It felt good.

Jameera and Khaleesi came strutting out of the front door in the midst of our reunion.

“So if it isn’t the two people who ruined the party before we could enjoy the appetizers.” Khaleesi shook her head, with two to-go cartons in her hands.