Page 91 of And Everything In Between

“Baby, everything is fine. I'm calling to check on you. How you are feeling?”

“A little like I don't know how I got here,” Paige admitted, settling into the patio chair. “This is crazy.”

“No, this is what's on the other side of consistency and trust. Commitment.” She could hear the wisdom and pride in her mother’s voice. “Paige, you deserve this, and I hope you never forget what you deserve and what you mean to this world. To him.”

She looked behind her through the open balcony door, eyes settling on Giovanni who was still asleep. His broad frame sprawled across the king-sized bed, one arm flung over where she'd been lying minutes before. Her lips tugged at the corner, taking in the rare sight of him completely at rest, no phonein hand, no problems to solve. Vulnerable and peaceful in the aftermath of his triumph.

“Thank you, Momma. We'll come see y'all first thing when we get back.”

“Okay, take care of yourself and your husband today. Y'all had a big weekend.”

Myra's voice cracked with emotion. “Lord, my baby got married.”

“Momma don't start crying,” Paige laughed, though her own eyes were getting misty. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby. Now go enjoy your honeymoon before real life comes calling.”

After they hung up, Paige sat in the quiet morning air, coffee growing cold in her hands as the reality of it all settled over her. Less than a year ago, she'd been drowning in everyone else's needs, afraid to ask for help, convinced that independence meant isolation. Now here she was, Mrs. Giovanni Dowlen, sharing dreams and burdens and building something beautiful with the man sleeping behind her.

She stretched, savoring the luxury of having nowhere to be. The bank had given her the week off, a gesture of goodwill from Ashton, who'd insisted she deserved to enjoy every moment of Giovanni's success.

She slipped back inside, pulling on his discarded T-shirt from the night before. It still held his scent, soap, cologne, and that indefinable something that was only him. Her reflection in the mirror caught her off guard: hair wild, lips still slightly swollen from his kisses, eyes bright despite the lack of sleep. She looked... happy.

“Wake up, superstar.”

Paige's voice pulled Giovanni from sleep, her lips pressed against his temple. Giovanni groaned, reaching for her without opening his eyes, pulling her close.

“What time is it?” he mumbled into her neck.

“Almost nine. The world's been up watching your show while you've been drooling on thousand-dollar pillows.” She ran her fingers through his beard.

“Damn, you look good in my clothes.”

Paige smiled, “You say that every time.”

“Because it's true every time,” he said sitting up and pulling her onto his lap, “How'd you sleep?”

“Like the dead,” she admitted, leaning into him.

“Good, yesterday was a big day.” That was an understatement. A premier turned into a proposal, which turned into her taking vows to love him in sickness and health.

“Yesterday was amazing.”

He nodded toward his phone, and she handed it to him. This wasn't his normal routine. He was intentional about not touching his phone for at least an hour after he woke. The day had a way of handling you otherwise. But he couldn’t keep his curiosity contained.

“You nervous about how people will react to the show?” Paige asked, noticing his hesitation. Giovanni didn't answer right away.

“A little,” he admitted finally. “This is my vision, my community. If they try to edit it into some reality TV bullshit...” He shook his head.

“Hey, why are you thinking like that?”

“I’m being a realist it’s a possibility.”

“But you won’t let that happen. No one gets to play with your name. That's what I love about you. You protect what matters. And the show is a hit. They’d be fools to change anything.”

“Our name.” He paused, looking at her.

She smiled. It was going to take some time to get used to having a new one.

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