Page 133 of Are You Going to Love Me

Maximus welcomed the laugh. “Gotta make sure my wifey is good.”

“Boy, stop playing on my phone. You sure you don’t need me?”

“I’ll always need you, E, that shit is automatic. And before you ask, I’ll always want you, too.”

“Stop it, this wasn’t about me. But I’ll always want you. I'll always need you.”

“You gon’ love me, E?”

“More than you’ll know. Head to the studio, release that shit.”

forty-two

. . .

Dressedin a backless white dress for the listening party, Eden brushed her silkened hair and checked her outfit one last time. The day had been filled with small gestures – flowers from Daysha, Davina, Olivia, and Yanni. Brunch with Staysha and Fatima. A spa trip on Maximus, accompanied by a tennis bracelet and some good loving, before he slipped out of the house.

“I thought you were crazy months ago when I asked you about your birthday, and you said you weren’t doing anything. I definitely think you’re crazy for letting that man have a whole listening party on your day,” Staysha stated for the third time today.

“You know, it didn’t bother me when you and Fatima brought it up at brunch, and it’s not going to bother me now. I said I didn’t want a party. We agreed. I’m going to go listen to this album and support my man.”

Staysha rolled her eyes. “This has got to be the last year you don’t celebrate how far you’ve come and what you’ve accomplished.”

“It’s a two-part thing. I really don’t want a huge party with a bunch of industry people I don’t know. I’ve had my fill of that. And I really don’t want to be drawing too much attention to myself with Mama looking for a reason to tax my ass.”

“That’s real?” Staysha questioned. “I mean, Keon mentioned it, but I didn’t hear much after it.”

“It’s very real and just cause she’s quiet don’t mean she’s not waiting in the cut to catch any of us slipping. I don’t fight, especially with the elderly, and I don’t want Max in a position. So this will have to do. Plus, y’all made me feel really special today, what else could I ask for?”

“Mmm, how about what you want? You haven’t had a party since Poppi was in her right mind, and I know you loved Poppi’s parties.”

Eden smiled softly, trying to school her emotions. She’d already burst out in tears five times today, and she wasn’t trying to ruin her makeup. “Flowers from her bushes, balloons, streamers, the cream cheese pound cake with the icing. Her off-key singing. The music and dancing. And always a hotel party afterward.”

“The St. Harlem to show us the finer things in life,” Staysha added.

“It hasn’t felt like that since she left. So I’d rather not be standing in an expensive venue with a fake smile on my face while I'm plagued with memories.”

Staysha watched as Eden caught her tears before they had a chance to glide down her face. “Thirty is a big deal, Eden.”

“It is. I’m lucky to be here. I just wish she was still here to see this.”

Staysha stood and maneuvered to where Eden stood, hugging her waist. “She’s all around us. We just have to keep moving forward like she taught us. No matter what bullshit might come our way. Okay?”

“You’re right,” Eden spoke, pulling in a deep breath. “Let’s go so we’re not late.”

Staysha patted Eden’s face dry. “What makeup is that? You’re glowing.”

Eden shrugged. “Regular foundation. Nothing crazy.”

Staysha hummed, adjusted Eden’s dress, and smirked. “If you want to leave the party and celebrate, I can always take you to the St. Harlem.”

Eden chortled. “Not after you blew up the spot with that married man. I can’t even go get a latte without them looking at me crazy.”

Staysha snickered. “I can laugh about it now, but what was I doing for real?”

“Being dumb and full of cum like Poppi used to say. Letting these men tell you whatever and going for it instead of...”

“Pimping those niggas like they try and pimp bitches,” Staysha chimed.

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