Page 81 of And Everything In Between

Two Months Later

The sun had barely cleared the hills of L.A. when Paige cracked her hotel window, letting the breeze cut through the stillness of the morning. The city sounded different than Coupeville. She was surprised she got any sleep with the horns, choppers overhead, and sirens threading between early risers and dream chasers. But somehow, she felt at home. Maybe it wasn’t the city that brought her ease. Maybe it was waking up in a bed that still held Giovanni’s warmth from the night before.

He’d left early, whining but understanding that the show had to go on. Said he’d rather lay up in bed with her all day, and she believed him. He loved to complain about it, but she could see it in his eyes, the quiet thrill that came from knowing the world was about to see his art. It hadn’t been easy, but he was doing it. And she was right there beside him, making sure he didn’t forget exactly who the hell he was.

That nigga. Through and through.

She’d been stuck on Tyla’s “ART” for days. It had been living on her lips, the melody tangled in every part of her life lately. She was in love, and every day, she was still processing that truth.

She hummed the lyrics to the song as she stretched, faint and sweet -“I’ll be your piece.”

Wrapped in her plush robe, she rolled her neck and padded barefoot into the suite’s kitchen. The damn roomwas nearly the size of an apartment. And she wanted to be intimidated by it, but she wasn’t. She belonged here. She belonged with him. And whenever he was ready to do it forever, she’d officially belong to him too.

The girls were meeting her in an hour, Blake, Taylor, Spirit, and his mother, of course. She already knew they’d be on one. But she was excited for them to all link and mingle. Together, they had a story full of Black love. Blake had threatened to cry, drink, or both, and Spirit had been hyping the event since Giovanni got the green light for a full season. It was big. And Paige didn’t want to pretend like it wasn’t. Hell, she’d been on the verge of tears since she landed.

She poured coffee with one hand and scrolled through her phone with the other, reading texts from her mother, Perry fussing that he should be there, and a simple message from Giovanni:“See you tonight, P. We did it.”

Her fingers hovered over the screen before she replied:

“You did it. I just watched. But I’m proud of you more than I know how to say.”

An hour later, Paige stepped into the sun in a yellow two-piece bathing suit, sarong, and sandals. The rooftop pool glinted with different hues, the water shimmering almost blinding, but designer sunglasses were in abundance as she got closer.

The vibey playlist coming from a hidden speaker somewhere near the cabanas set the mood. They’d rented the top of the hotel for brunch without blinking, something that would have seemed ridiculous to them a year ago. They constantly joked about becoming the rich housewives they used to side-eye on TV, but the joke was hitting different now.

All of them still had their own careers, their own money, their own ambitions, but they’d also discovered what it meant to be with men who matched their hustle and then some. Paige never understood until Giovanni showed her what it felt liketo be treasured, not with words alone, but with thoughtfulness, action. It wasn’t about the money, though he had plenty. It was about the care behind every gesture, every surprise, every moment he chose to make easier for her because he could. And even more than that… he desired to.

She waved, spotting Giovanni’s momma reclined like this was her second home, legs crossed, sipping something fruity, and looking like she had zero tolerance for nonsense but all the time in the world for her tribe. Then she saw Blake in an oversized sun hat, already two drinks in and talking with her hands; Taylor with her shades on and a towel draped across her lap, she was still a church girl; Spirit in a tube top dress and sandals, dancing in her seat.

The familiar West Coast beat hit her ears before she even reached the table. Of course, Blake had the playlist on their favorites. Paige grinned, dropping into character as she approached.

“Just hit the Eastside of the LBC

On a mission, tryin' to find Mr. Warren G

Seen a car full of girls, ain't no need to tweak

All you skirts know what's up with 213,”she rapped, adding a little bounce to her step.

Blake howled with laughter but wasn't about to be outdone.

“So I hooks a left on 21 and Lewis

Some brothers shootin' dice, so I said, “Let's do this.”

I jumped out the ride and said, “What's up?”

Some brothers pulled some gats, so I said, “I'm stuck.”

“There she goes!” Blake called out, still cracking up. “Bout time, Hollywood.”

Paige laughed and eased into the energy. She was hugged, teased, and offered a drink before she could even sit down. The table was already lined with small plates, shrimp skewers, sliders, fruit bowls, and too many sauces.

“Okay,” Paige said, lifting her shades. “Before anybody says anything slick, because y’all know how y’all do. Yes, I’m glowing. Yes, I’m in love. Yes, I’m still processing it. And no, I will not be taking any questions. Proceed.”

“Oh, we knew that already,” Taylor said with a smirk and a roll of her eyes. They weren’t confused or entertained by her announcement. It was evident in her walk.

“That was cute, nosey heffa.”

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