Page 141 of Deeper

He could’ve said much worse in his tweets, but he hadn’t. Still, it’d been enough for her to lash out with the leak. “Do you remember? That video? Being recorded?”

Zander bobbed his head. “I can’t prove it’s her, but honestly, I’m not trying to fight her either. She had her little moment, and I’m done.”

Being the bigger person was for the birds. “Zander.”

He faced me. “I loveyou, Bianka. Can’t that just be enough? Three years ago I was making bad choices, choices I no longer entertain. She wanted to bring me down, but I’ve already been there, and I’m not going back.”

“Nobody’s judging you,” I let him know. “So many people are pissed at her and showing you support. Even Teddy.”

Zander quietly stared at me for a while, taking in my words. His career could’ve been in jeopardy, but he didn’t care. He was ready to forge forward and keep going. His resilience made me love him more. Jolie’s petty move hadn’t worked, not in the least.

“I’m here because I love you,” I told him. “I have no idea how this is going to work with you going on tour and me figuring my shit out, but I just know I love you. Not the idea of you, or your image, I loveyou, Zander.

“I love you for you, just like you love me for me. You’re the only person outside of Tori who’s ever fought for me, and I’m willing to do the same for you. Forus.”

He came closer, softening up with each step. Gently, with his thumb, he wiped at a stray tear that had fallen down my face. “Promise?”

“I swear,” I let him know. Wherever this went, I was willing to fight, just like he had for me. Fuck the blogs and terrible exes; all that mattered was us.

Zander searched my eyes and I could see his guard lowering. “What now?”

Tangling my fingers with his, I stared up into his eyes, feeling my heart lift up. “Now, we face the world, together. But first”—I went closer, standing tall to reach his lips—“we’ve got some making up to do.”

Zander leaned down and met me halfway, bringing his arms around me as his mouth met mine.

32

GOLDEN

Ididn’t mind standing in line; it made the moment authentic.

Victoria didn’t think so.

My best friend wasn’t shy about letting me know she wasn’t feeling my decision for the night.

“Bia, you have an inside advantage, and yet we out here with the locals.” Victoria gestured around at our current place at the front of the line where we were waiting to get into The Warehouse. It was Friday night and the doors were just about to open. We had been the first to show up due to my insisting.

Call me sentimental, but since we were bringing it all full circle, I wanted to do it right.

Ten minutes ago, an all-black Cullinan had driven by, and no one had noticed. Which was good, they weren’t supposed to.

I beamed over at my impatient friend. “Not too long ago I was in your shoes.”

She sized me up, blatantly. “And we both know how that turned out.”

Right, my current status as the girlfriend of this generation’s best R&B vocalist and ex-So What member.

The doors officially opened and we paid our way inside, another thing that had Victoria shooting me an attitude.

It was Friday night, the people entering the venue were here to unwind, dance, and enjoy their weekend. I was still a little shaky following the leaked video on Wednesday, but I had some pretty incredible people in my corner willing to stand tall against any attack coming my way. The blogs and social media were still tearing Jolie a new one, even if she denied being involved. Whether or not Francel could prove it, it wasn’t about to stop Zander from releasing an amazing comeback album in the winter. From what I’d heard ofAbstract, it was going to be a solid body of work.

The album would be released sometime after the official Grammy deadline, but Zander and his team were still shooting to submit “Canvas” to be recognized. If not, there was still the Grammys in the year to come. Zander had so much talent, I was willing to bet my life on it that he’d end his career with a few on his shelf.

“You owe me a drink.” Victoria pouted.

I rolled my eyes and went and shelled out for her to have something to sip on while we enjoyed the show.

Once the Sex on the Beach hit her hand, she took a moment to study me and my attire, shaking her head. “God, who are you and what have you done with Bia?”

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