Page 38 of And Everything In Between (Love By Any Means #3)

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 room was 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 like to 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.”

“I made an observation, that’s all. I recall you doing the same for each of us,” Taylor said, sipping her mimosa.

She’d read Paige for filth because she was both an advocate and a hater when it came to them finding love.

She had always been happy for them because both of her cousins had kicked off the family healing by getting married and starting families.

“Yeah, and you’re welcome,” Paige said, looking around at them. “Both of y’all skanks.”

Blake clinked her glass against hers. “And now you’re the one in love, lips all swollen and skin all dewy. You moisturized in a way only di…”

“Don’t finish that sentence, Blake,” Betsy cut in, not even looking up from her drink. “That’s still my son. And her walking differently is already enough,” she laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t need visuals.”

The whole table broke into laughter.

Kennedi arrived last, with her digital recorder in one hand and phone in the other, sliding into her seat. “Sorry I’m late. I had to finish an interview for the premiere and the show. I appreciate Giovanni insisting I got the exclusive. It might be the lead piece for the outlet launch.”

She set her equipment down, eyes bright with the thrill of the chase that had taken her around the world and back. “What did I miss? Y’all look like you’ve been gossiping. Who pregnant?”

“1,2,3, not it,” Blake joked.

“No, they said I’m walking differently. Just be making sh- stuff up, I swear. I walked over here perfectly fine.”

The group looked at each other and broke into more laughter. This was the Destiny’s Child ‘Girl’ moment they’d been waiting for - Paige, the last to know she was changed by love.

“Paige, do the math. Like, please.”

Paige narrowed her eyes and sipped her drink slowly. “Y’all get on my damn nerves.”

Blake leaned in, lowering her voice. “Cousin, we’ve been waiting for this. My husband has been plotting since Giovanni first asked about you. So, we love this for you.”

Paige waved them off dismissively but gave them a small smile. “I feel like I’m finally breathing air that’s mine. Not borrowed. Not shared. All mine.”

Taylor nodded slowly, setting her glass down. “That’s called alignment, baby.”

“And you’re in it,” Betsy added. “I can’t wait to see what you and my son create together.”

“Whew,” Blake said, fanning herself. “It’ll be beautiful whatever it is.”

Spirit smiled at Paige, truly appreciating her being in her brother’s life. “I love y’all together. He’s always been quiet, laid back, but you make him sit up in the best ways.”

“Can y’all believe I told him flat out I wasn’t what he was looking for and he said BET!” They howled because she had her nerve. But it was the best decision she ever made, and that was just a fact.

“Now you’ve got him wrapped around your finger, growing, and glowing too. I like my brother happy. We all do,” Spirit laughed. He’d been hell on wheels about the show, the after party, and the future. But Paige came around and calmed him down, soothing him by simply stepping into the room.

“Vanni this, Paige that,” Spirit teased, gagging, “Y’all make me sick.”

“Anyway, y’all enjoying yourselves?”

“Oh yes, kid free in a hotel room with my man. I might not go home.”

“Good, I want y’all to enjoy yourselves, too. This is a trip for all of us. We earned it.” They all raised their glass and tapped them gently.

Paige leaned back in her chair, warmth radiating from the sun, the drinks, and the love circling this table.

This felt sacred. Like sisterhood and softness had finally decided she could sit with them.

She watched them all, her friends, a mirror of what could be when you chose peace over performance, when you let yourself be poured into without apology.

She blinked slowly, letting her lashes shield the emotion threatening to show up uninvited.

Spirit leaned over and nudged her knee. “You good?”

“I’m more than good,” Paige said, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I’m... grateful. Blessed.”

Paige exhaled, let herself sink into the moment, and that’s when she checked her phone.

No new message from Giovanni.