Page 165 of Can't Get Enough

EPILOGUE

HENDRIX

“Let her walk into every room like a hymn sung high, a Black woman named Beloved, hips swaying like the gospel beat she was born to… I want love to arrive freely for her—

like light breaking into a room at dawn,

gentle but sure, a thing hers without labor.”

—Frederick T. Joseph, “A Black Woman Named Beloved”

This night has been a long time coming.”

My words feel like such an understatement as I look out over the crowd assembled in Sky Park and gesture to the large screen set up behind me.

“I’m so excited to share an early screening of this new television show with our friends and family right here in Skyland before it airs on network TV in a few days.”

I pause for the crowd’s applause before going on.

“Many of you know its star from her online videos. You’ve seen her charisma, infectious spirit, and ability to do just about anything,” I say. “It’s what drew millions to her, but it’s her heart that makes them stay.”

I stretch my hand and invite my client, my dear friend, to join me on the stage.

“Please welcome the woman of the hour to introduce the premiere of her new television showHome Is Where the Start Is, Soledad Charles!”

By the time Soledad crosses the stage to me, her face is tear-streaked and wreathed in so much joy that I’m blinking back thug tears my damn self. She doesn’t say a word, but walks right into my arms. Holding each other only makes us both cry a little harder. She finally pulls back and smiles up at me.

“Thank you, Hen,” she says into the mic. “When I say I wouldn’t be here tonight if it weren’t for Hendrix, I mean that. When I had no money, she and my friend Yasmen made sure me and my girls didn’t go without.”

Soledad blinks away more tears, gulps until she finds her composure.

“Hen helped me carve out a new path as an influencer. She took me on as a client and believed in me when I had to figure out how to believe in myself. So yeah. I wouldn’t be here without her.”

Soledad shields her eyes against the bright lights and peers out at the crowd.

“And where is Yasmen Wade? Yas, I know you’re running around planning or fixing something. She helped organize this event for us tonight. It doesn’t feel right to be up here without you.”

Looking slightly frazzled, Yasmen speed-walks through the crowd and up to the stage. She takes the spot on the other side of Soledad and slips an arm through hers. Soledad looks from me to Yasmen, and tears fill her eyes all over again.

“I have an amazing partner,” she says. “Judah Cross, you know I love you and am so glad we get to do this life thing together.”

I search the crowd to find Judah sitting on the front row with his boys Aaron and Adam. The look in his eyes, the smile on his face is so full of love and pride. Soledad’s three girls are seated with them, and their faces are alight with the same emotion. The same love.

“Yasmen has her ex-ex-husband Josiah,” Soledad says, a teasing grin curving her lips. “We were all waiting for those crazy kids to get back together.”

Yasmen rolls her eyes, but smiles good-naturedly and blows a kiss to Josiah, who sits with Deja and Kassim.

“And now Hendrix has a partner, too.” Soledad’s eyes soften when she looks back to me. “Maverick, welcome to our chaos.”

Mav, who’s seated on the same row as Josiah and Judah, drapes one arm over the shoulder of his daughter, Tamia. When my gaze locks with Maverick’s, there’s a tender heat, a deep knowing that I’ve only ever felt when I looked into this man’s eyes.

“My point,” Soledad continues, “is that all three of us have partners, men we love.”

A few more tears trickle over her cheeks. “But these two women are just as much my soulmates. They have been with me through the toughest times of my life. They have never wavered and have taught me what true friendship, what real sisterhood means. I thank you.”

We’re all a mess now, the tears falling faster than we can wipe them. We’ve all been on our individual journeys, experienced hardships, but not one step since we met each other has been taken alone.

“If I don’t play this first episode,” Soledad laughs, swiping at her cheeks, “we’ll never get through this. When the network approached me about doing a show that emphasized the beauty of creating a home, I knew this was the right fit. I dedicate this premier episode to my girls and to my guys.”

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