Page 85

“I love this for you so much, sister. I might actually start liking his talking ass if he keeps acting right with you.”

“Shut up, Goody. You love me.”

“I kinda do. Just a lil’ bit. Not too much.”

“Baby, tell her she love me.”

“Paradise, you love Zurich, and so do I.”

Blue blew her a kiss and winked at her. “Aight now, Love. I’ll see you later. Call me when you ready to dip.”

“I will.”

“Aight Lawyer Barbie and Slim Goody. Y’all ain’t have to tell me y’all loved me.”

“We love you too, Auto.”

“We do love you, Auto. You know you’re our boy.”

Forever and Goody told him, making him smile before ending the call. As soon as Forever put the phone down, Goody was on her feet and walking toward her with a big smile. Without warning, she pulled Forever into a tight hug.

“I am so happy for you. For real. After that bullshit with Marcellus, I prayed it wouldn’t take long for God to send you your husband.”

“I am too, sister. You think Blue my husband? For real?”

“You don’t?”

“I mean, he could be, but I don’t know. I’m just following his lead.” Forever shrugged.

“Well, follow it to the altar then, bitch.”

With laughter following them, they exited the dressing room and headed back for the stage. Hand in hand, they strolledsexily down the hallway with all eyes on them. Like Blue said they would, the men watched what they couldn’t have, even tried shooting their shots. Happier than she’d ever been with where she was in life, Forever declined each pass with her head held high. If nobody else in life ever told her that she looked good, Zurich telling her had been enough. She was literally steel reeling from the happiness that he’d poured into her.

They were at the back of the stage, and Goody was getting her mic and everything she needed strapped onto her, when Forever felt a presence behind her. Seconds later, a strong hand cooled the skin of her back. Forever nearly jumped out of her skin, trying to get away, but he gripped the side of her stomach, holding her in place with a deep chuckle accompanying his movements.

“Relax, Forever. You look amazing,” Marcellus’ baritone was low and sounded just as sneaky as he was. “…Damn.”

For some reason, since finding out about his wife and baby, everything about him seemed like a lie or a ploy to do the wrong thing. It was funny how his voice had once been sexy to her, and now all she could do was shake her head with squinted eyes every time she heard it. His entire demeanor appealed to her spidey senses, and she felt the need to watch for his next mischievous trick whenever he was near.

“I know. Zurich told me.”

More laughter that she almost couldn’t hear flowed from him.

“You gon’ stab my heart out every chance you get?”

“Let’s just call it reciprocity.”

“Touché, and I’m sorry.”

Forever turned to face him. “You don’t have to keep apologizing.”

“I do, if that’s what it takes.” The sincerity in Marcellus’ eye contact wasn’t missed, but Forever was over feeling sorry for him.

That one notion had been the main reason she’d made a fool of herself for so many months. Always having empathy for a man who hadn’t had it for her. It had been her downfall with him, but she’d learned her lesson and wouldn’t walk back down that path. Not even with Bridges’ legs.

“I didn’t know you were working tonight,” she purposely changed the subject.

His eyes trailed to Goody as she stood, getting her face touched up by the fluffy makeup brush. “You know that’s my partner in crime. I go where she goes.”