Page 17 of Love's Free Will

I smirked. “Alright, lead actress. Who’s your co-star?”

Egypt wrinkled her nose. “Damson.”

Serenity laughed. “Idris? As in Snowfall?” Egypt slowly nodded and again we all shrieked in excitement. “Get it bitch, let me find out Damson bout to be running in our crew.”

“Ain’t he still with Lori Harvey?” Ari questioned.

“Lori who?” Egypt playfully chuckled causing the same chuckle to escape all of us. We toasted to Egypt’s success, clinking our glasses before turning to Arielle.

“So, what about you, Mrs. Jackson?” I teased.

Arielle smirked, setting down her wine. “Actually… I just got promoted.”

Egypt nearly spit out her drink. “Arielle, what the fuck?! Why you ain’t lead with that?!”

She shrugged. “I wanted to wait until it was official.”

Serenity beamed. “Congratulations, Ari. You deserve it. As much money as you be helping me make, I know you deserve that shit.”

Arielle smiled. “Thank you. It’s been a lot of work, but I’ve been handling some major contracts lately, and finally my mamaand daddy have taken notice. It’s not enough that my name is technically on the doors of the building, but I be having to prove myself to everyone else there. They think because my parents own the place that I got where I am because of nepotism. And sure, having the Bradshaw name has helped, but I’m still a damn good attorney.”

I clinked my glass against hers. “Fuck yeah you are. Don’t let them people tell you otherwise. You the shit friend and you be doing the damn thing.”

Arielle smirked. “Damn right I do.”

“What about you, Ave?” Serenity asked. “You still beefing with that rapper?”

I groaned. “Unfortunately.”

Egypt sighed. “What he do now?”

“Everything.” I exhaled. “I’ve been sending him tracks for weeks, and he’s rejected every single one. He called my shit trash, like every song he puts out hasn’t been the same since the beginning of time. We can’t get on the phone without arguing, and I swear, this nigga just wakes up choosing violence.”

Arielle chuckled. “But you’re still working with him?”

I sucked my teeth. “Because Logan basically begged me to. And since the show is on hiatus, I’m going to Atlanta for a few months to work with him in person.”

Egypt pouted instantly. “But why?!”

I smirked. “I knew you were gonna act like this.”

She crossed her arms. “That’s because I am acting like this.”

Arielle laughed. “You’ll be fine, Egypt, you’ll be off in Toronto anyway. Let Averi go fix Royal’s little music problem.”

Egypt huffed. “You better not stay in Atlanta.”

I shook my head. “Trust me, I won’t.”

Serenity smirked. “What’s Royal like in person?”

I scoffed. “First of all, he’s fine as fuck. But he’s also an insufferable, egotistical, arrogant, frustrating?—”

Arielle raised a brow. “Fine as fuck?”

I stopped and blinked rapidly, trying to figure out if I had really just said that. I hadn’t meant to say that, out loud at least. The table fell silent for two whole seconds before they erupted in laughter.

“Ohhhh, she think he fine fine,” Egypt teased.

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