Page 55 of Perfect Rhythm

NYX

I prayed as hard as I could as the elevator crept to Jassi’s floor.

Shade needed to be there. If he wasn’t, and something happened before we made it, it would break him forever.

The elevator dinged, and the doors parted.

Shade’s mother was sitting in the waiting area. Tears poured down her face as she clung to his father like she was trying not to fall apart.

A knot of dread twisted in my gut. I didn’t want to hear what was about to be said. My heart couldn’t take it.

“Mama, what’s going on?” Shade asked, desperation in his voice.

She hopped up from the couch and wrapped her arms around him. “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry I didn’t call you. I was just so overwhelmed.”

“What happened? Is Jassi?—”

“She’s awake.”

My shoulders dropped as a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding escaped my mouth. “What?”

“Are you serious?” Shade asked, barely above a whisper.

His mother nodded, swiping a tear from her cheek.

“We were all just sitting around talking like we always do.” She glanced at Ocean and Xandie, then back at Shade.

“Then...her hand moved. At first, I thought I was just seeing things. But a second later, her eyes opened.” Smiling, she pressed her hands against her cheeks. “My baby is awake.”

“Well, if she’s awake, why is everyone out here?”

“Because they’re running tests and making sure she’s okay. They said we could go back in shortly.”

He nodded, a quiet smile forming as he turned to face me.

I slipped my arms around his neck. “I told you she would fight her way back. I told you.”

He planted several kisses on my cheek, like he needed me to feel how thankful he was that I was right.

Several more minutes passed before the doctor came out and let us know that Jassi would make a full recovery. Elated, we hugged each other and thanked God for the second chance he’d given her.

Since she was just waking up, we were told that only two people could visit with her at a time.

As soon as Shade and I entered the room, a smile appeared on her face. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the two love birds themselves.”

I giggled, grateful to see her poking fun at us.

“Damn, it’s good to see you awake,” Shade said with a heavy sigh.

“It’s good to see you too, big brother.” She motioned for him to come closer, then pulled him into a hug. “I know you didn’t think you were going to get rid of me that easily, did you?”

He laughed.

There was a moment of silence as she stared at him, then she leaned into his ear and spoke slowly. I couldn’t make out what she was saying, but from the relieved expression on his face, I could tell it was exactly what he needed to hear.

She squeezed him tighter, then kissed his cheek.

“Now, please tell me that the two of you have finally sealed the deal in my absence?” she teased.

“Not quite, but we’re working on it,” Shade said.

“Actually,” I chimed in as I stepped forward and grabbed his hand.

“I think we have.” Shade looked over at me, a mix of confusion and wonder on his face.

I knew he was trying to get a clear understanding before jumping the gun.

I nodded. “We’re on the same page about things. This can’t stop,” I said.

He squeezed my hand and smiled.

I could tell he wanted to kiss me, but was trying to keep his cool in front of his sister.

Claps filled the air, forcing us to break our gaze from each other. “This is so beautiful,” Jassi squealed. “Nyx Fenton is going to be my sister-in-law.”

“Damn, sis, slow down,” Shade shot back. “This wasn’t a proposal.”

She waved him off. “That’s going to happen in no time. This is just the beginning.”

I laughed. “You have big dreams, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. Now, where’s Xandie?”

“She’s in the waiting area. I’ll go grab her.”

I turned toward the door.

“Hey, wait up,” Shade said, following behind me. As soon as we made it into the hall, he kissed me. It was soft, sensual, and sweet. “You damn sure know how to surprise a nigga, don’t you?”

“I figured it would have a lasting effect.”

“Well, you figured right? So what’s up? Are we doing this thing for real? You and me?”

“Yeah. That’s if you still want to though. I know I’ve been all over the place throughout this situation. So much back and forth. So much?—”

Again, his lips pressed against mine, quieting the words that were trying to force their way from my mouth. One of his hands slid into my hair while the other pulled me closer to him.

There was no match for what I felt in his arms. Calm, security...love. So much fucking love. The kind of love that would do anything for me and never allow anything or anyone to hurt me. Not even himself.

“I’m going to give your fine ass the world, you know that, right?”

I giggled. “I think I have a pretty good idea.”

“Damn, have some respect for the sick,” Ocean teased as he walked toward Jassi’s room with Xandie beside him. “Y’all out here slobbing each other down in front of these folks. Gonna give their ass a heart attack.

We looked around and saw the audience. Patients peeking from doorways, nurses giggling, phones up and recording. It was definitely a show.

“You know this shit is going to be on the blogs before the end of the day, right?” Shade muttered.

“Oh well.” I shrugged before yanking his face back toward me to kiss him again.

I really didn’t give a damn.