Page 188 of Are You Going to Love Me

“So, the detective is gone. The case is closed.”

“That’s good, right?’ Eden asked, finally looking at him, fine as ever in his tailored suit.

“Yeah, it’s cool, but he was found in a Trae Way trap house, a needle in his arm. How that happen, E?”

“I made a call. A call I was too afraid to make all those years ago because I didn’t want to be like Poppi, Mama, or my mother. But as time went by and I came into myself and I was taught tobe sure of and confident in myself, I confidently made a call. If you can wipe out someone for missing me with a bullet, I can wipe out a case. You understand what I’m saying to you?”

“Eden…”

“Listen. You asked me if I was going to love you, and I told you I was. And I meant that. We will always be Trae Way. We can’t run from that, it’s etched on our skin, it runs through our blood. We will always make sure that Trae Way stays as peaceful as it is now. And if that meant I needed to make a call to keep my sister okay and my man home with me, that’s what I did. And I’ll do it again.”

Maximus groaned and bit his knuckle.

“You mad?”

“Hell yeah. Mad I can’t bend you over without fucking up your dress and make up. I knew you loved my ass when you wiped my snotty nose and made me that terrible ass soup. But this,” he waved his phone back and forth. “Tops it.”

Eden smiled. “Bend me over after dinner. For now, strap me into these heels, please.”

The premier went beautifully, and to celebrate, Staysha made sure that Eden was celebrated at dinner with flowers and matching sister tennis bracelets.

“I know you said you just wanted dinner without all the glitz, but there was no way I was going to let this moment pass by like it was regular. Nothing you have done this year has been regular. You bounced back just like…”

“Poppi taught her!” Maximus chimed in.

“Like Poppi’s daughter. Like my big sister. Like the protector of my spirit. Like that amazing human you are,” Staysha said, her voice breaking. “No one at this table can say you haven’t touched them, covered them, and looked out for them. So tonight is all about you, E. Congratulations on your first of many premieres.”

Everyone raised their glass in cheers, Eden sipped her nonalcoholic Prosecco, and swiped tears of her own.

“While we are celebrating this beautiful creation,” Maximus spoke up. “There was a moment months ago when I sat on the steps of Poppi’s place that solidified something for me.”

He handed her an envelope. “I wanted to make sure that her home went back to the women who held memories there. Poppi’s place has been bought, and the deed has been placed in yours and Staysha’s names.”

“Aww,” Eden and Staysha crooned.

“I ain’t done,” Maximus stated, getting up to retrieve a plaque from the waitress. “Poppi’s Girl is registered under Eden Sage. All proceeds from the single are yours, royalties forever, and it’s gold. It’s yours.”

“Max,” Eden cried.

He leaned in and kissed her. “Are you going to love me?”

“Forever, heard me?”

“Heard you, baby.”

epilogue

. . .

“Ohh,that golf gangsta look, I’m liking it,” Eden crooned as Maximus strolled into the bedroom. “You took Mr. Rich’s money?”

Maximus smirked. “And Lucci’s, bought them lunch and gave the old man back his chain. We’re doing a golf tournament, though. You gon’ be my caddy?”

“Mm, what’s in it for me?”

“Another baby,” he joked. “Whatever you want.”

“I don’t want nothing. Just you. I’m happy you had fun.”

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