Page 166 of Can't Get Enough

She smiles at her daughters, Judah, and his boys. “And to you, Skyland, for being our family and our community. For being our home.”

We leave the stage and I settle gratefully into the seat beside Maverick. He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles once the episode begins playing.

“Proud of you, Gorgeous,” he whispers.

“Me?” I shrug and keep my voice low under the show’s opening credits. “It’s Soledad’s night.”

“It is, but she said it herself. None of this would be happening without you.” Affection fills his eyes in the dim light from the screen and the moon overhead. “I know you said once it’s not Black Girl Magic,butyouare magic, Hendrix Barry. And I’m more than happy if this is a spell you cast on me.”

I fight back the smile threatening to overtake my face and punch him lightly on the arm. “Boy, hush. You have me. You ain’t gotta lay it on that thick.”

“Oh, my God!” Tamia hisses, aiming an indignant look our way. “Will you two please just watch the show?”

She reminds me so much of Deja and Lupe, always hushing me and Soledad and Yasmen, acting embarrassed by us. Just generally being teenagers. Over the last year I’ve gotten to know Maverick’s daughter and she’s a remarkable young woman. I’d expect no less from someone raised by the man who has absolutely stolen my heart.

“Sorry!” I grin over at her. “We’ll keep it down.”

I make a conscious effort to focus on the show, but I’ve seen the episode so many times. As an executive producer, I’ve been involved every step of the way. Turns out I didn’t have to sacrifice my relationship with Maverick to break into television. Neither did I have to depend on Maverick’s money or name. I did it myself, helping Soledad cultivate and refine her raw talent and parlaying it into this opportunity. We did it, and I think it was supposed to happen this way all along. Oh, Chapel’s show is on the air. Zere followed through on that promise, and it’s doing well, but that wasn’t my destiny. I had two paths in front of me. One led to an opportunity I could recreate for myself, but denied me Maverick. The other led to the only man who has ever made me feel safe and secure and adored and respected and seen.

I chose right.

When the show is over, everyone eats from the tables set up all over the park loaded with the Grits catering menu. Soledad sparkles on camera as local news stations interview her and capture her reactions. I stand a few feet off, close enough in case she needs me.

“You happy?” Maverick asks from beside me, tangling our fingers. “With the show, I mean?”

“Yeah.” I smile at my girl getting all the light she deserves. “This is the first of many opportunities. She’s ready for them all.”

“Hendrix!” a reporter calls, walking over to join us with mic in hand. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” I don’t need the spotlight, but I’m always ready.

“Can you share what’s going on with Aspire’s legal troubles?” the reporter demands, thrusting the mic toward me.

I lift my brows, surprised by the direction of the question, but not unprepared.

“CFE has done everything in its power to delay our day in court,” I say. “Meanwhile, there are Black women who could be receiving grants to assist with their businesses. These grants are modest, but they can make a huge difference to the folks who need them.”

“But you’re still running the venture capital fund?” the reporter clarifies.

“Oh, yeah. With Hue we are headed toward our first unicorn. We’re proud of CannaDo, a female-led company pioneering innovative methods for dispensation of legalized cannabis. We’re still going strong on that front, but I cannot emphasize how important this case is. If they defeat us, they set precedent for other grant-based equity efforts. Dismantling affirmative action was just the beginning. They’ll be coming for other programs designed to shrink the wealth and education gaps created by historically racist structures in this country.”

“And what about you, Mr. Bell?” The reporter shifts her mic and her scrutiny to Maverick. “There was quite a bit of controversy when you withdrew your bid to buy the Vipers, but then Andrew Carverson was ousted, pressured to step down and sell the team. You swooped right back in and bought the controlling shares. Any updates?”

“Update is that we’re going for a ring this year,” Maverick replies with an easy smile and an arm around my waist. “We’ve had a lot of distractions with the transfer of ownership, but the team remains focused on winning. Coach has asked my father to serve as an adviser, which feels right since he devoted so much of his career to the Vipers.So I think all is well as we gear up for the new season. A winning season.”

“And did you hear the news about Zere?” There is a glint in the reporter’s eye as she looks between us, searching our faces for a reaction Maverick and I are both seasoned enough not to give her.

“No, sorry.” Maverick keeps his expression pleasantly indifferent. “Haven’t heard.”

“She and her fiancé, Charles Filmore, are expecting their first child,” the reporter offers, her sharp gaze pinging between Maverick and me.

I gasp, pleasure winning out over playing it cool.

“That’s amazing,” I say, my smile genuine. “I’m so happy for her, for them.”

“Yeah,” Maverick agrees, his grin sketching faint lines around his eyes and mouth. “I hadn’t heard, but that’s fantastic. I wish them only the best.”

The reporter looks slightly disappointed by all the goodwill and nods before thanking us and walking off to find the next story.

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