Page 106 of Deeper

Victoria bobbed her head, went back to her episode ofDexter, and gathered her water bottle to take a hearty sip. “Tell him I said hey.”

I grabbed my bag from the counter in the kitchen and slipped out the door.

Zander hadn’t lied—he was just stopping in to drop off his luggage. As Rajaa let me into Zander’s home thirty minutes later, I came to see their bags from their trip sitting in the foyer. The only light on was that of the entrance and down in the kitchen where I could hear the men talking.

“How was New York?” I asked Rajaa as he let me pass him into the house.

Rajaa shrugged. “It’s one of those places where there’s so much to do, but so little time to get it done. I always want to go here, there, and everywhere when I visit, and yet I never get to. I love the people and the food, though.”

New York was one of those places I always wanted to visit. Just being a fan of hip-hop and the reputation New York held gave me an affinity for the state.

In the kitchen I found Zander, Terry, Dax, and Paul scattered around and winding down from their flight.

“Bianka!” Paul greeted me loudly. “She returns! Did you miss me?”

Rajaa rolled his eyes as he went and sat next to his cousin at the island.

“Did you get laid?” I countered playfully.

The guys laughed and Paul narrowed his eyes at my taunting. “Actually, I was too busy keeping the boy scout good and faithful for you. Who do you think got him that nice premium porn package?”

“Classy,” I responded as I went over to Zander’s side.

Zander brought an arm around me as he eyed his manager. “Watch it.”

Paul wasn’t fazed in the least. “Mark your calendar, Bi, because in August we’ve got a date.”

“A date?” I repeated.

Paul rubbed his palms together as a devious smile splayed across his face. He tilted his head towards Zander. “MTV called and they want my boy for the VMAs, and he’s going to need the prettiest girl on his arm for the event. The world is eating up ‘Canvas,’ and we have you to thank for it. The video’s out Friday, and I can’t wait to see those numbers shoot up.”

Zander regarded me at the mention of his continued success. “It’s going to be my first performance in three years, and I’d really like for you to be there.”

“Then I’m there,” I promised. I placed my hand on his. “Looks like you should havetwokids one day, Bright and Courage.”

Zander appreciated the gesture as he lifted his bottle of water and made a private toast towards me. “To Courage Khalil.”

“A’ight then, Zan,” Dax said as he pushed off from where he’d been standing by the sink. “I gotta head out.”

He came and dapped Zander up before taking off down the hall for the front door. Terry issued out a farewell as well before following suit.

Zander checked the time on his watch before standing from the stool and facing Rajaa. “You staying in?”

Rajaa nodded. “I’m knackered from the flight.”

Zander patted his back and turned to Paul. “Get on some food, okay? We’ll meet you at the studio.”

“On it.” Despite the hour, Paul was still on go as he gathered his cell phone and walked out of the room.

It was nearing midnight and this must’ve been a casual thing for them to work into the wee hours of the morning. It was nothing for Zander to escort me out to his cobalt blue Maserati and help me inside before joining me behind the wheel.

“Have you given Saturday any more thought?” he asked as soon as we were on the road.

“Yes, I’d love to go with you,” I told him.

Zander glanced my way, a mountain of relief lifting from his shoulders. He wouldn’t have told me, I could tell, but he not only wanted me there, he needed me there. “Thank you, Bianka.”

“Let’s just go bask in your much-deserved success right now and have fun.”

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