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I thought he was just a lick? Why you care if you getting the bag?

I knew that last message would strike a nerve, but it was obvious she was catching feelings.

Meanwhile, Tariq’s section was filling up as some of the guys started bringing some women up from downstairs. One of them—pretty and too many tequila shots deep—planted herself on Tariq’s lap as he was mid-conversation. He laughed and wrapped a hand around her waist.

Oh? I raised an eyebrow and looked around before pulling out my phone. I pretended I was texting and snapped a quick picture before sending it to Siani.

Siani

Who the fuck is that?

idk, girl. He’s not your man, so does it really matter?

I snickered to myself and put my phone in my back pocket.

No more than three minutes later, Siani came sauntering upstairs with murder in her eyes and a smile on her face. She walked over to Tariq and just stared. It took a second for him to register who she was. His eyes went wide as he practically threw the girl off his lap.

Siani didn’t even acknowledge it. She smiled at Tariq, leaned down, kissed his cheek, and sat next to him.

“Baby, you didn’t tell me you were coming here for your birthday,” she said loud enough for everyone to hear. By the time Tariq found his voice again and tripped over excuses that he didn’t even sound like he believed, she was already pouring herself a glass of champagne.

I watched from my corner, sipping my water, because this right here? This was Siani in her element.

Within minutes, she had the whole section wrapped around her finger, laughing with the guys and flirting just enough to leave Tariq flustered. She had the kind of energy that made people feel like they were part of something just by being near her.

My girl was an artist in her own right.

She found me a little while later while I was restocking mixers. “Mika’s covering my section downstairs.”

“You can’t just⁠—”

“I already cleared it with Tank,” she said, waving me off. “I told him I was helping since you’re by yourself up here.”

“Yeah, you’re helping alright,” I grumbled, but I didn’t stop her.

She grabbed a tray of shots I just poured. “Put me to work, boss.”

I shook my head but didn’t argue. Having an extra pair of hands wasn’t the worst thing. With Siani handling some of the lighter runs, the pace eased up just enough for me to catch my breath.

I’d all but forgotten about Cardez until I was clearing up some empties and noticed that the space next to him on the couch was open. He’d been in that same spot most of the night—engaging when spoken to, letting Tariq and his people get rowdy. Even when he joined in on the fun, rapping to a song here and there, it never felt like he was trying to be seen.

I ignored him and finished running the glasses to the back. There were a few on the table in front of him and I started to grab those.

“Come sit down,” he said.

I glanced at him. “I’m working.”

“You’ve been working all night. Take a break.”

My feet agreed with him. So I sat on the far end, leaving a cushion between us like it made a difference.

“You planned this,” I said, not bothering to look at him right away.

“Planned what?”

I side-eyed him.

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Riq wanted to go to Premiere. I simply redirected him.”