Page 43 of Raising Love
She smirked. “Mm-hmm.”
The restaurant had an intimate, garden-like atmosphere, with lush plants and tropical flowers decorating the space. The soft lighting and gentle music in the background created a serene vibe that kept Ivy and me speaking in soft tones.
“So, like,” she said, leaning in with an eager expression, “what’s the actual deal? Is it just the set?”
“Nah,” I replied. “And that’s what makes this shit even better. The deal includes an upfront endorsement fee, royalties from the sales of the basketball sets and mini figures, appearances at events, and possibly a percentage of revenues from related digital content.”
“Oh my God, Leo!” she exclaimed, her excitement contagious.
“Simeon did his big one for me on this shit, for real.” I beamed. “The contract specified commitments like social media promotion, participation in video and photo shoots for commercials or whatever, and appearances at LEGO stores or trade shows. But I’m already at those places anyway.”
“’Cause you genuinely love playing with Legos,” she teased, her tone playful.
I gave her a hard blank stare.
She tossed her head back in laughter, which made me kiss my teeth.
“Seriously though,” she said, holding up a hand as her laughter faded into a grin. “This is so damn dope and inspiring. You got a deal working with a brand you actually love and getting a product made in your likeness that you already have experience using. That is so ideal and perfect. I hope you know that.”
“Oh, I know it.” I nodded. “It feels good.”
“It should.”
“I’m just happy Simeon talked me out of getting into the business of making umbrellas because what the fuck was I thinking?” I shook my head.
Ivy snickered, holding a smile on her lips as her eyes locked onto mine.
I stared at her for a moment, genuinely happy to be celebrating this milestone with her and grateful for this time together.
Her smile was still in place as she squinted her eyes at me. “What?”
I wasn’t sure what was happening, but being around Ivy was different these days. So very different.
Since that night of the concert—and hearing her in her room, moaning like crazy after whatever moment we had in the car ride home—she hasn’t looked the same to me.
Weeks before that, I started noticing things I’d somehow missed before. Her legs, long and toned, and the way her curves filled out a simple tee and shorts. Ivy was always meticulous about her appearance. Everything had to be just right. But lately, she seemed freer, more natural.
Even tonight. Because our decision to come to the city was so last-minute, she didn’t have time to get fully dolled up. She wore a casual sweater, jeans, and a messy bun at the top of her head, her lips slick with nothing but gloss. And yet, she looked absolutely stunning.
“Nothing,” I answered, forcing my eyes off her. “Just thinking.”
“About?”
I would never say anything close to the truth. She already made it clear the night of the concert—and again the morning after—that we should keep things the way they were for Baby Love’s sake. And I agreed.
I didn’t have the best track record with relationships. Most women I dealt with knew the deal—fun with no strings. Vanessa, a lady friend I hadn’t spoken to in weeks, had been blowing up my phone complaining about how unavailable I’d become. Between my career, Baby Love, and everything else, I didn’t have the energy to entertain anything more.
“About how Kendra and Tyrell would love this right now,” I said instead.
It wasn’t what I wanted to say, but it was still the truth.
Ivy snorted a laugh. “Oh, they would have been beside themselves. You and I going out to dinner together? Just us two, and on purpose?”
I hollered a laugh. “And not just having dinner because they ditched us to go hook up in the car.”
“A car we all took to get to where they said we should all hang out, only to leave us alone,” Ivy added, shaking her head.
“Yo!” I laughed, bringing my fist to my lips. “I used to hate when they did that shit. Fuck in the car we had to ride back to campus in.”
