Page 41 of And Everything In Between

They’d agreed to take this Sunday meeting because the exec was flying out Monday morning, and Spirit wasn’t the type to wait on anyone else’s timeline. If they wanted the deal, it was now. Still, the energy felt off the moment they stepped in.

Siennabeing around had a lot to do with it. Her spirit could make a snake shiver. She was cold-blooded and a mooch. Brokenhearted and broke in the pockets. She clacked now in front of them in sky-high heels, swinging her hips like someone had asked her to perform. Giovanni wasn’t looking. He hadn’t looked in years. Sienna was always about two things, money and a good time. What made her dangerous wasn’t the recklessness;it was theperformance. The illusion. She played the long con. Watched him, studied him, mirrored him. Said all the right shit, right when he needed to hear it. Back then, he didn’t see the trap.

Paige was the complete opposite. She said what she meant. No performance, no pretense. Her energy was real, undeniable, and honest. He felt it in his bones. She wasn’t built to break people down. She didn’t weaponize love or move with manipulation.

His Paige was a giver. A lover. She moved with care, even when life gave her every reason not to. Where Sienna played power games, Paige offered connection—unfiltered and without ego.

Sienna was part swindler, part actress, and she played her role like she trained at Juilliard. Giovanni hadn’t caught it until Cleveland, pockets light, blindsided. She ran off with thirty bands and left a fake apology on the dresser. The moment she got what she wanted; she vanished.

And that was his flaw: he gave too much, too fast. Trusted too easily. Especially when a woman looked like she wanted to stay. This was why Paige had him rattled; she was trying to slip past him but also lean in. She wanted to trust him; the same way he wanted to trust her. Why was she fighting it?

“Hey, Giovanni, long time no see.”

He ignored her. No doubt, Sienna was fine as a muthafucka. Put you in the mind of Karrueche, but thicker. But her upbringing put you in the mind of the runt in a litter. Pretty to look at, but not good for a muthafuckin thing. Back then, he’d chalked it up to lust. To being young and wild. But seeing her again, all these years later, smiling like she hadn’t almost ruined everything he worked for, that had him ready to set it off.

He was healed from it, but he’d never forget and never ever let her get the drop on him again.

“You good?” Spirit asked without looking at him. She clocked her from the start.

She’d knock her ass out if she fumbled this or created an issue for Giovanni. Period.

“Yeah, I’m good,” Giovanni muttered His expression stone-cold. “Let’s eat.”

The conference room looked like all the others: bottled water, glass walls, shiny notepads, and everyone wearing their best poker face. They’d soon learn it didn’t matter. Spirit didn’t bluff, and she didn’t miss.

Darren Reese, the exec, stood and extended his hand. “Giovanni. Spirit. Glad you made it. Sienna said great things about you. Small world, huh?”

Spirit didn’t sit. She placed her folder on the table and gave a smile that wasn’t sweet, it was professional.

“She talks more than she delivers,” Spirit said, eyes cutting to Sienna. “But we’re here for the opportunity. Not the side commentary. Or the reminiscing.”

Sienna flinched, forgetting his sister had a sharp tongue. Darren let out an uneasy laugh and motioned for everyone to sit.

After introductions and a recap of the agenda, Spirit ran point. She spoke like she already owned the show. The concept, growth potential, community reach, merch opportunities, and streaming projections were laid out. She gave them strategy and vision.

Giovanni stayed quiet. Played his position. Spirit didn’t need him; he was the face and the brain behind the builds.

His phone buzzed under the table causing him to sit up straighter.

Paige:I know you’re out of town, but I was thinking about you.

That little text cooled every part of him.

Giovanni:Been carrying this phone everywhere, waiting to see your name pop up. Almost gave in and called you a hundred times.

Paige:Stop. LOL!

Giovanni:I’ll be back home Wednesday.Pulling up on you the second I touch down. That’s a promise.

He locked his screen and tuned back in.

Darren leaned back in his chair. “I think we’ve got something here. I’ll loop in legal and get the paperwork started.”

Spirit stood first. “Great. And make sure the contract reflects equity. We’re not interested in exposure. We have that and plenty of it. We’re building something. We want ownership or nothing.”

Giovanni followed her lead.

Outside, as they hit the hallway, he exhaled.

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