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Eden held his face and peered into his eyes. “Look at me, I'm not going anywhere, and there is only so much I can say or do to clear your mind. Go clear your mind, and when you’re steady again, you know where to find me. Okay?”

Eden pulled his head down to hers.

Maximus pulled in a deep breath and gritted his teeth. “Aight, we still on for 8, be ready. Pack a bag.”

Her hands slid from the sides of his face down to his chest. “Heard you. Go handle that. Make sure you put everyone on notice, too. Ain’t no papers on Trae Way.”

Maximus groaned. “You make it hard for me to be a gangsta.”

Eden giggled and pulled away from his hold. “You’ll always be a g, you’re just getting another layer. I’ll see you.”

Maximus stepped backward before turning to get in his truck with Keon. Staysha trilled. “That nigga is down bad. What did you do to him?”

“I didn’t do anything but be myself and apparently, make him comfortable to be his too.”

“He’s going to have you spinning from the ceiling fan,” Staysha grumbled before grabbing Eden by the arm and pulling her back up the block.

“The plus side about all of this is that fans are invested in you and him, and once that piece of an interview goes live, the entire city is going to be watching. Tray Way is going gold out of the gate.”

“I couldn’t think of anyone who deserves it more.” Eden walked in stride up the block. “Now that we’re away from all of that, tell me what’s up with you and Keon for real.”

Staysha hummed, wrapping her hand in Eden’s. “At first, I was just trying to get my mind off of all that shit with the married lying man, but he wasn’t just going to let me hit him and quit him. I like him, E. I like him a lot.”

“You’re safe?” Eden questioned. “You’re happy?”

“I’m safe. I’m happy. I’m learning.”

“Okay, Keon is older, don’t let him run game on you, and don’t let him trap you into nothing you aren’t ready for.”

“I could tell you the same. What are we doing for your birthday?”

“Nothing. I don’t want to do nothing. I don’t feel like I've accomplished anything this year to celebrate.”

“Let’s revisit this in two months. Lunch is on you today.”

“Aren’t you the one with the job?”

“And you are too, the show runner from Get Rich called me this morning and she wants you as a series regular on a new show that just got greenlit. Money Motives.”

“Wait, you’re serious? No audition or...”

“The role is yours. You’ll be playing a PR who is in the midst of cleaning up her client’s life and needs some cleaning up herself.”

“I don’t know whether to scream, cry, or hug you.”

“I told you I had you. You can do all three.”

Eden jogged in place before screeching and throwing her arms around Staysha’s neck. “Thank you, Stay.”

“Don’t thank me. You’re my sister; my best friend. We’re always going to come out on top. We’re Poppi’s girls. I’ll tell them you said yes.”

After a day of shopping and pampering with Staysha, celebrating her new deal, Eden was back in her apartment.

Without Maximus taking up space, it seemed empty.

Missing him was starting to become the norm.

The feeling was not as violent as the first time she slipped away from him, but a dull ache remained present. Easing only when they shared space.

Choosing to pass her time with cleaning and setting her intentions, a knock at the door broke her away from wiping down the counter. Traipsing to the door, she looked at the screen to see the concierge with flowers and a garment bag in his hand.

Eden pulled the door open, signed for her things, and moved back into her apartment. The pink and white arrangement of poppies, roses, and hydrangeas – all flowers that were still planted in front of Poppi’s place. She squealed to herself. “You are off to a very strong start.”

Put that shit on. See you in an hour. -MB

Biting a grin while her eyes danced over the words, Eden hummed. “You can’t tell me what to do. I mean, I'm going to do it, but still. God, please don’t let this man break my heart.”

Forty minutes later, she was dressed in a black, silk, form-fitting, backless dress that Melissa had on display earlier in the day. A pair of strappy black heels adorned her feet, and Eden set up her camera to snap a few photos before a knock sounded against the door.

With her phone and purse in tow, Eden checked her outfit once more before pulling the door open. Maximus, enticed first by the scent she wore, let out a rumble that tightened her core. His nose filled with notes of Valencia orange, vanilla, and cyclamen.

“Eden,” he managed, his senses overloaded by the sight and scent of her. “If those reservations weren’t made.”

“Then what?” she questioned with a silly smile. “Humor me.”

“Wouldn’t be nothing funny about what I would do.” He craned his neck to kiss her shoulder. “You smell good as fuck. Look good too. Where's your bag?”

“Barstool,” she hummed, tilting her head in the direction of the items in question. “Thank you for my flowers.”

“Don’t mention it. The lady at the flower shop said they’re sprayed with something to keep them alive for a minute. So, if I hold you hostage for like a week, they’ll still be alive when you get back.”

“A week?” Eden queried.

“Give or take a few days,” he hummed, grabbing her bag and then her hand. “You ready?”

“I am.”

In the truck, Maximus hummed. “I thought having a truck would be easy, didn’t take into account I’d be picking you up every day and putting you in.”

“Every day is a stretch, and I told you I could get in by myself. I think you just wanted to grab my booty. All this ass.”

Maximus threw his head back in laughter. “Cut it out, Eden.”

“Built like a stallion,” she continued, joining in laughter. “How was the studio?”

“Needed. Thank you for seeing that.”

“Don’t mention it, and when can I hear it?”

He stroked the hairs of his beard. “Maybe tomorrow if you don’t try to sneak out.”

“Oh my God, that was once,” she groaned playfully.

“Twice. The first time I let you slide. It ain’t happening again.”

“We’ll see,” she sniped, earning a squeeze to her exposed thigh.

“Indeed, we will.”