Page 176 of Are You Going to Love Me

“I changed my mind.”

“Put his stuff back.”

Dressed and making plans for lunch, Eden and Maximus walked out of the room and toward the receptionist desk.

“Steakhouse. You didn’t hear that man? He said you need red meat and some D.”

“Vitamin D,” Eden corrected, before stopping in her tracks.

Maximus looked down at her and then at the receptionist desk where Natavia stood. “You good?”

Eden licked her lips and nodded. “Yeah, I’m good. Actually.”

Natavia stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Eden. There was nothing in her eyes but sorrow. Sorrow, she attempted to mask with pride, but Eden saw straight through it.

“Eden,” she spoke, as if she were surprised to see her.

Eden offered her a soft smile. “Natavia.”

“You’re...pregnant? Congratulations.” Natavia’s words were edged with loss.

“Thank you.” Eden wasn’t in the business of catching up. She might’ve forgiven and moved on, but her memory wasn’t shot. “Well, we have plans.”

“Eden, wait,” Natavia started, before taking a deep breath. “Life without you has been…rough. I’m not asking to be friends again. I understand what I did. What I allowed Rico to do to you is despicable. With everything happening around me, I’m coming to grips that I was very much the problem. And I’m sorry for all of that. Everything I did. Every time I tried to snuff out your light or make you small, when everyone knows and sees how big you are. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me.”

“I hear you. I forgave you and moved on. It took too much of my power to hold on to that. I hope you find peace within yourself.”

Natavia swiped a tear from her cheek and nodded. “Well, I have six years to sit down and think about it. Take care of yourself.”

“You too,” Eden hummed as she took Maximus’ hand and started to the door.

In the car, he gripped her chin to study her. “You good?”

“That wasn’t on my bingo card, but I’m good. There’s something I learned since the “fall”. Everything taken is everything replaced tenfold. I’m good, you’re good, the baby is good. Our beautiful life goes on.”

Maximus kissed her. “It does. Love you, E.”

“Love you, Max. Now feed me.”

Maximus could hearhis eardrums pounding in his ears. His stomach was in knots. The album was out, the club was full, and the day he’d been dreaming about, prepping for, was here. But all he could do was think about how it was almost stolen from him.

Eden eased into the room, wearing a black acid-washed mini skirt, a diamond and pearl chain-linked strapless top that concealed her growing belly. Atop her wand-curled hair was an unreleased Trae Way fitted hat. A smoky eye, red painted lips, and designer heels Maximus had delivered for her pulled his attention from his phone to her.

“I was just stalking your IG to see if you posted something without me getting the first look.”

“Ohh, look at you, spoiled.” Eden sauntered across the room and cupped his face. “Why are you heavy?”

“Imposter syndrome.”

“Fuck that. It can’t go on stage with you. Can’t sit with you. Can’t live in you. The entire club is packed.”

Maximus inhaled a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Sit on me.”

Eden obliged him, understanding he needed her skin to skin. Eden rubbed his shoulders. “Tell me what you need.”

“You got an inspirational and a prayer ready to go?”

He held her close, nuzzling his face in her chest.

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