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Serenity laughed. “Idris? As in Snowfall?” Egypt slowly nodded and again we all shrieked in excitement. “Get it bitch, let me find out Damson bout to be running in our crew.”

“Ain’t he still with Lori Harvey?” Ari questioned.

“Lori who?” Egypt playfully chuckled causing the same chuckle to escape all of us. We toasted to Egypt’s success, clinking our glasses before turning to Arielle.

“So, what about you, Mrs. Jackson?” I teased.

Arielle smirked, setting down her wine. “Actually… I just got promoted.”

Egypt nearly spit out her drink. “Arielle, what the fuck?! Why you ain’t lead with that?!”

She shrugged. “I wanted to wait until it was official.”

Serenity beamed. “Congratulations, Ari. You deserve it. As much money as you be helping me make, I know you deserve that shit.”

Arielle smiled. “Thank you. It’s been a lot of work, but I’ve been handling some major contracts lately, and finally my mama and daddy have taken notice.

It’s not enough that my name is technically on the doors of the building, but I be having to prove myself to everyone else there.

They think because my parents own the place that I got where I am because of nepotism.

And sure, having the Bradshaw name has helped, but I’m still a damn good attorney. ”

I clinked my glass against hers. “Fuck yeah you are. Don’t let them people tell you otherwise. You the shit friend and you be doing the damn thing.”

Arielle smirked. “Damn right I do.”

“What about you, Ave?” Serenity asked. “You still beefing with that rapper?”

I groaned. “Unfortunately.”

Egypt sighed. “What he do now?”

“Everything.” I exhaled. “I’ve been sending him tracks for weeks, and he’s rejected every single one.

He called my shit trash, like every song he puts out hasn’t been the same since the beginning of time.

We can’t get on the phone without arguing, and I swear, this nigga just wakes up choosing violence. ”

Arielle chuckled. “But you’re still working with him?”

I sucked my teeth. “Because Logan basically begged me to. And since the show is on hiatus, I’m going to Atlanta for a few months to work with him in person.”

Egypt pouted instantly. “But why?!”

I smirked. “I knew you were gonna act like this.”

She crossed her arms. “That’s because I am acting like this.”

Arielle laughed. “You’ll be fine, Egypt, you’ll be off in Toronto anyway. Let Averi go fix Royal’s little music problem.”

Egypt huffed. “You better not stay in Atlanta.”

I shook my head. “Trust me, I won’t.”

Serenity smirked. “What’s Royal like in person?”

I scoffed. “First of all, he’s fine as fuck. But he’s also an insufferable, egotistical, arrogant, frustrating?—”

Arielle raised a brow. “Fine as fuck?”

I stopped and blinked rapidly, trying to figure out if I had really just said that. I hadn’t meant to say that, out loud at least. The table fell silent for two whole seconds before they erupted in laughter.

“Ohhhh, she think he fine fine,” Egypt teased.

I groaned. “Shut up.”

Serenity grinned. “He is kind of cute.”

I shook my head furiously. “It don’t matter how cute he is. His attitude is trash, and I can’t stand him.”

Arielle smirked. “But you’ve been thinking about how fine he is.” I opened my mouth—then closed it. Shit, I couldn’t stand her observant ass.

Serenity smirked, sipping her drink. “Mmhm… let me find out you gon come back home with a rapper on your arm.”

I rolled my eyes. “Go to hell.”

A week later, I stared at the pristine skyline from the floor-to-ceiling windows of my new temporary apartment, feeling an unease settle in my chest.

I was back in Atlanta. Not permanently. Not even long-term. Just a few months, I reminded myself. Still, the thought of being back in the same city as my overbearing mother, judgmental sister, and well-meaning but spineless father made me queasy.

I left Atlanta for a reason.

I left to carve out my own path, to prove that I didn’t need a husband, a white picket fence, and a baby at twenty-three to be successful.

I left to prove that I wasn’t going to be a lawyer or a doctor or anything they could brag about at their country club luncheons.

I had dreams of my own, I set out long ago to achieve them and now those dreams had become my reality.

Now I was back in the city I grew up in, unable to ignore my mama’s attempts to straighten me out. And on top of that, I had to deal with Royal’s aggravating ass every day. What the fuck did I just sign up for?

I exhaled, running a hand down my face before glancing around my apartment.

It was nice—I’d give my assistant that. Modern, spacious, minimalist with floor-to-ceiling windows and sleek black finishes.

The living room had a massive sectional and an open-concept kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances.

But it wasn’t home. Because home wasn’t here, not anymore, hadn’t been for a while. Home was LA, with my girls.

I sighed, grabbing my keys and deciding to step out to grab something to eat.

My fridge was still bare, and I needed a break from unpacking.

I headed toward the elevator, pressing the button to call it to my floor.

I leaned against the wall, pulling out my phone to text Egypt when the elevator doors finally slid open.

And inside, standing with a look of equal confusion, was none other than—Royal fuckin’ Teegan.

My stomach dropped. You’ve got to be fuckin’ kidding me . We stared at each other for a solid three seconds before I broke the silence.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

He raised a brow. “Takin’ the elevator. What the fuck are you doin’ here?”

I exhaled slowly, stepping in beside him. “I mean, why are you in this building?”

He leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, looking annoyingly unbothered. “‘Cause I live here genius. The fuck you mean?”

I froze before staring at him. “No the fuck you don’t.”

He smirked. “I do, actually. Been here for two years.”

I closed my eyes, inhaling through my nose. Oh, I was going to kill my assistant. “This is a joke,” I muttered, shaking my head.

“Yeah, the joke is on you.”

I shot him a glare. “I am not living in the same building as you.”

His smirk widened. “Shit, don’t sound like you got a choice.”

I ignored the way my stomach tightened at the cocky way he was looking at me. That sexy smirk written all over his face, making me a little uneasy because I hated the way my heart fluttered. This was already a nightmare. I pulled out my phone and immediately typed out a text to my assistant.

Me: Brianna, find me a new apartment. ASAP. I don’t care what it costs.

Me: Also, you’re fired.

Brianna: Wait, what happened? I thought you liked it.

Me: Did you know Royal stayed in this building?

I saw the three dots flash across my screen before they disappeared. They reappeared seconds later before her response came in.

Brianna: Logan Zarelli sent me the listing Ave. He said the label was paying for it. But if you want me to find another place…

I sighed shaking my head. Logan was an asshole.

Me: Don’t worry about it. You’re still fired.

Brianna: Okay, sure.

I was half-joking, but this was completely unacceptable. I could not—would not—be running into Royal’s annoying ass every time I left my apartment.

As the elevator began descending, he glanced at me out the corner of his eye. “Damn, Shawty. You that pressed? I’m the one should be mad, seems like you’re fuckin’ everywhere.”

I crossed my arms. “I just don’t like surprises.”

He chuckled. “Nah, you just don’t like me.”

I turned my head, narrowing my eyes at him.

“You’re right. I don’t.” His smirk never faltered.

In fact, that low sexy chuckle escaped his lips…

Why was everything he did so fucking sexy?

Ugh, I hated him. The doors slid open at the lobby, and before stepping out, I let out a tired sigh and muttered under my breath, “I should’ve stayed in LA. ”

I didn’t even need to look to know Royal was still smirking behind me.

This was going to be hell.