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Get some rest, love. Later.

Later.

As soon as the message was delivered, I tapped his contact and returned the gesture. My brother would have my neck for what I was about to share, but he’d already said it himself. I was in a different territory. Should I need him, he’d come.

You started sharing your location with My Saint .

I placed the cover over my head and squealed. My feet punctured the air one after the other. So much was happening inside of me. Things that had been out of place my entire existence were finally aligning themselves, naturally.

When I pulled the cover from over my head, remembering that I wasn’t alone, I was met with seven sets of eyes. I melted against my seat as Roulette extended her hand.

Hesitantly, I accepted the champagne she was offering me. I had no intentions of finishing it, but the liquid courage felt necessary to tell them what had my heart pumping three hundred beats per minute, yet I was still alive.

I placed the champagne to my lips and took a small sip. My face contorted as it went down my throat. Range reached in, grabbing the cup from me.

“Can’t let this go to waste, baby,” she said before sipping from the glass herself. “Now– talk.”

“Cause I’m trying to see… If this nigga is 6’8 then I know that dick 5’2 at least,” Roulette blurted. “At least.”

“Well, for the sake of her uterus, I hope not,” Roaman countered.

“Right, because if he fucks over her reproductive system then I’m going to make sure he doesn’t have a chance to reproduce with anybody moving forward,” Rugger warned.

“Please don’t let Roulette hype you up, Rugs,” Rather pleaded with Rugger.

“Because, we all know she has the ability to,” Egypt sighed.

“Ro, tune them out. Talk to us.”

“So, about Saint.” I swallowed.

There was so much to say. So many things to tell. And, there was no better group to tell exactly what was on my heart.

“Umm hmm– We’re listening,” Roulette added.

“He’s titillating. He’s alluring. He’s thoughtful. He’s intentional. He’s everything my dreams revealed he was, but so much better.”

“And his fiancé?” Royce questioned.

“Their engagement ended.”

“When?”

“About two weeks ago.”

“And you think that’s enough time for him to get over her?” Roaman inquired.

“Getting over someone you were never truly under doesn’t take months, Roaman. Less known weeks. The two were hardly romantically involved. They’d made a pact to marry if they were both single by the time they turned twenty-five.

“Saint has had his life’s plan figured out since he was a kid. He knows exactly what he wants. Has for a very long time and I can’t help but feel like his sureness has everything to do with me. While I needed to rest to witness our union, he was wide awake. Daydreaming .

“He tried to make that dream come true with another woman and it didn’t work.

It wasn’t going to work. Whether he’d found me at the theater that night or not.

Kindred souls. It’s been proven. Aliza was a placeholder.

A bandaid. An effort to sooth his craving.

But, there’s no substitute for real love.

True love. Destined love. Lifetimes of love. There just isn’t.”

“Well, let me know if she can’t quite handle the breakup. I’m a plane ride away.” With upturned lips, Rugger shrugged.

“Besides, I can feel it.”

“Feel what?”

“Him– he’s for me. Without question, Saint is all for me. I’m his destination. Always have been. The moment he realized it, nothing else mattered. No one else mattered. I guess– I guess he could feel me, too.”

“Alright, now that she’s spilled the beans, can we leave her alone to rest?” Roaman was adamant.

“One more question, baby,” Roulette said, sipping from her champagne flute.

“Yes?” I yawned, partially ready for what was about to come from her mouth. She was unpredictable. The other part of me was worried.

“When you gone let him in that little hole you’ve kept buried under that bush?”

Sniggering, I shook my head. Roulette hardly ever meant any harm. She was upfront. She was honest. And, she didn’t care much about how anyone felt about the things she did, said, or thought. She was far from average, and I loved her imprudent lifestyle. She wore her rashness well.

“I don’t have a bush, Rou,” I choked out, still unable to place where she’d gotten that question from or the assumption I was a fur ball.

“So, you still shave even though you know you’re not giving that pussy up?”

“Please,” I begged, tickled to the core, “I don’t make sure I’m bald for men. I make sure I’m bald for me.”

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

“Okay,” she breathed out, “Whew. I was just checking to make sure the Childers was still running through your blood. I’m proud.

Realllll fucking proud. Keep that pussy in tip top shape for your damn self.

Everything you do, make sure it’s for you, too.

Never let a man’s presence dictate your actions, thoughts, feelings, or the way you move. Girl logic .”

“Besides, Rou. I get lasered. Smoother. Cleaner. Less maintenance. Less worries. Feels better against my leotard,” I yawned.

“That’s my girl.”

“Alright–enough.”

“Okay, grandma!” Roulette fussed.

“You’ll be a grandma before I’m one,” Roaman retorted.

Roulette chugged the rest of her champagne. “Now bitch, you done went too far.”

“Hey!” Rather called out.

“Don’t even get in the middle of that,” Range warned, removing a nail file from her purse.

She relaxed in her seat and I did the same in mine. As Roaman and Roulette exchanged words, I traded my listening ears for light snores.

Silence plagued me. Wetness rested underneath my cheek. I stiffened at the realization I was no longer surrounded by the chatter of my sisters. My eyebrows pulled inward as a yawn put every muscle in my face to work.

“Mmmmm,” I groaned, unsure of the time or place.

I opened my eyes, partly surprised to see that I was no longer on the plane. Black seats, black interior, and black tint confirmed my suspicions. My nostrils widened hastily. There was something familiar about the fragrance in the air. Something incredibly familiar.

Like something fresh out of a men’s magazine spread was the man I’d hoped to see in my dreams. He hadn’t visited since the day I saw his handsome face.

I missed him dearly. In my dreams and reality.

Even with him sitting across from me, my heart wouldn’t allow me to forget the yearning I suffered in his absence.

“She’s awake,” he announced to no one in particular. It was only him and I in the backseat.

“Water, Balle?” August’s voice was startling.

I scooted to the edge of my seat, blinking the sleep from my eyes. To my pleasant surprise, it was him at the wheel.

“Where’s Koen?”

“With the others.”

“When– how? ”

“I didn’t feel too comfortable letting you girls roam another city alone. Felt like you might get yourselves into some trouble.”

“And you?”

Saint reached over, pulling me into his side. He dug his fingers into the seat pocket and grabbed a pack of wipes. He removed one and pressed the top back down. Slowly, he wiped my cheek, lips, and chin.

My body temperature spiked from embarrassment. I tried freeing my limbs and putting unwanted space between us. Saint’s grip around me tightened. He wasn’t willing to let go of me. I didn’t want him to.

“I couldn’t get back to work after you told me you weren’t feeling well. I’m an athlete who pushes myself beyond the limits, too. It’s not always best, but it feels good. Really fucking good. But, it’s important we remember we only get one body and we must treat it well.”

He’d taken a flight to get here. He’d been on our plane. He’d watched me sleep. He’d waited me out. And, when he couldn’t take it anymore, he’d transferred me to a new vehicle.

One that August was at the wheel of. This all felt familiar. Like something out of a book I knew too well. Teddy’s book . He didn’t have to break down the logistics for me to know what happened.

“I feel better after my nap,” I admitted.

“You’ll feel even better after a quick reset.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t worry about it, love. Just lay right here,” he said, gently pressing the side of my head against his chest.

“Just lay right here.”

His heartbeat was soothing.

“They allowed you to kidnap me?”

“Only because I promised to get some electrolytes and fluids in your system by dinner time. Apparently, you have reservations with them that you can’t miss. Not even for a nigga , according to the ring leader.”

“Oh God. You have met them.”

“I have.”

“How awful was it?” I sighed, prepared for the worst.

“Well– Your time didn’t come free. Aside from bargaining for yearly seasonal passes for twelve, I had to pay a hefty price.”

Roulette, I concluded without further information. She could milk a bear if she wanted. She could talk winter out of its cold if she hated it enough.

He patted his pockets, before sighing, “I think the quiet one stole my AMEX. I haven’t seen it since they filed off the plane.”

Rugger .

Chuckling, I could feel the remorse cross my features. I lifted my head, needing him to hear me clearly.

“I’m sorry. I guess I should’ve warned you about them.”

He shook his head. “It wouldn’t have mattered. I still wouldn’t have been prepared for what I walked into. A fucking handful and there’s seven of you all. Your parents must have a lot of patience.”

“One of them. The other is the reason they are the way they are. He adored the monsters he created.”

“You’re definitely their sister, but you’re much different. The oldest– the surgeon, I think– yeah. You two are more similar than the others. And, the lawyer. I see some of you in her. A little.”

“Range.”

“Yeah, her.”

I rested my head on his chest again. It felt like a place I remembered. Maybe it was in my dreams, but it felt so real. Much like this moment.

“So that’s where we’re headed?”

“Yeah, to get you back together. You’re pushing yourself too hard too soon. You didn’t ease back into ballet. You went in guns blazing.”

By the response, I knew he’d had a word with Roaman. He was privy to information I hadn’t volunteered, but I wasn’t opposed to him having.

“I didn’t have another choice.”

“Sometimes you don’t.”

“How long will you stay?”

“Not long, Mellow,” he said, regret intertwined with his words. “Not long at all.”

“And, tomorrow? Our date? ”

“You’ll have me until you’re ready to get rid of me. For now, no worries. Get better, and I’ll see you back in Clarke.”

Saint had yet to lie to me, but I was hoping this time was an exception. It wasn’t. By the time we reached the small suite dedicated to replenishing athletes and the IV was secured in my arm, the sound of his footsteps was all I had left of him.

I rested my head on the leather chair and extended my arm on the stretch of leather designed just for it. A heavy sigh pushed through my lungs, up my windpipe, and out of my mouth.

“Alright, I’m Nurse Dollop. I’ll be taking good care of you for my friend De Bacco, today. He made me get out of my bed to come see a special lady. I’d have to say, he was truthful when he said you were a beauty.”

“Thank you,” I responded, realizing just how drained I was.

“Now, we’re going to start wi–”

Bzzzt.

Bzzzt.

Bzzzt.

My phone vibrated in my lap. I peered down to see My Saint on the screen. A smile spread my lips across my face. I swiped before pressing the phone to my ear.

Silence .

I waited for him to state his reason for calling, because my heart was in too many pieces to begin the conversation myself.

Silence .

He felt so far away. Already. So soon. He’d just walked out of the door. It felt like he’d walked out of my life.

“Mellow.”

“Yes?” I breathed into the phone.

“Hurry back home. I think I miss you already.”

The line died and so did my nerves. I pressed the phone against my chest and closed my eyes. Saint was going for the jugular. I respected it, but it was making it hard for me to stand my ground.

“Ooooooooh. I know that feeling. Hold on to it, girl.”

I sniggered, knowing that almost every woman had gotten that feeling at least once in their lives. Not me. It was my first time, but it felt worth the wait. Definitely worth the hype as well.

“I’ll try.”

“How long have you been dating?”

“We haven’t,” I explained, “Tomorrow is our first date.”

“From one woman to another, that’s it. I’m not saying that because he’s Saint and I’m biased. I’m saying it because I know.”

“I know too.” I sighed. “I’ve always known.”

“Just make sure you add Dr. Dollop to the guestlist for the wedding and reception.”

“I’ll remember.”

“Good, now hold still so I can get your vitals.”

“Sure.”

I relaxed, closing my eyes and hoping Saint found me in my dreams again. It had been a while. I missed him here and I missed him there.

Though it sucked I wasn’t out shopping with my sisters, I was certain they wouldn’t forget about me. I would be surrounded by bags when we boarded the flight in a few hours. Roulette wouldn’t have it any other way.

Neither would Roaman, which was why I was stuck in the leather chair with an IV in my arm. I wasn’t sure what was going on with my body but I was praying it resolved itself within the next twenty-four hours. I had a date with Mr. De Bacco and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.