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I didn’t have time for this shit. And if they thought they were gonna make me choose? They had another thing coming.

After letting my mama and Gianna take their L’s for the night, I walked outside to cool off.

I didn’t even get a chance to breathe before Serenity walked up to me, her Chanel purse in one hand, phone in the other.

"Baby, come here," she called.

I turned, looking at her smug little smirk.

"What’s up?" I asked, letting her pull me toward one of the empty patio couches before she handed me her phone.

"Happy birthday, my love," she said softly.

I frowned before looking at the screen. And my stomach dropped.

"Nah. Nah, you lying," I said, staring at the photo of the black G-Wagon sitting in the driveway of our Phoenix home.

Serenity grinned. "I don’t lie."

"SB… you got me a fuckin G-Wagon?"

"I did."

I shook my head, laughing. "Damn, you really tryna make me marry you."

She giggled, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Just showing my man some appreciation, that’s all."

"Appreciation, huh?" I leaned down, pressing a slow, deep kiss to her lips before pulling back slightly. "Nasseem told me I better not ever let you go."

"Nasseem is smart," she teased.

"Yeah," I smirked. "But he ain’t gotta tell me. I already knew."

By the timewe were back home a few days later, we were both exhausted, but I was too wired to sleep.

Serenity laid curled up next to me, her head on my chest, tracing lazy circles on my abs.

"You excited about your acting gig?" I asked.

"Yeah, my lawyers finally got the contract stuff handled. And I am now officially apart of theBirds of a Featherfamily. " she admitted. "But I’m gonna miss you." I let out a deep sigh, tightening my hold on her.

"Imma miss you too, SB. But I know this is big for you."

She smiled, tipping her head up to kiss my jaw. "The time will go by quick. And before you know it, I’ll be back home to finish the summer with you and Gio before he goes back to Dallas."

I didn’t say nothing at first. Because I knew she was right. But I also knew something else. Shit was changing. Serenity was about to be on her own path, her own grind. And for the first time? I had to wonder if this fairy tale we built was as unshakable as we thought.

23

SERENITY

Ihad been on set for nearly a month now, and to be honest? I was thriving.

I never thought acting would be my thing. Dancing? That was my first love, my soul’s language. But being in front of a camera, playing a character, becoming someone else… It was a rush I hadn’t expected. I loved it. Maybe a little too much.

"That’s a wrap for Serenity Bradshaw!"

The moment the director called my name, the entire crew erupted into applause. I exhaled, smiling wide, my chest rising and falling from the last intense scene I had just filmed.