Page 18 of You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty

Feyi’s breath was seizing in her lungs as she tried to process what he was saying. “Wait, wait. So you’re telling me Rebecca Owo is putting me in one of her shows, last minute? That’s crazy, Nasir. That doesn’t happen.”

He smirked. “You don’t know my dad. Mans is swimming in clout.”

It wasn’t any easier to understand. “Why would you do all that for me?”

Nasir shrugged. “Why not?”

She cut her eyes at him. “Come the fuck on.”

“Okay, fine.” He gave her a charming grin. “I was going home for a few weeks anyway, and I thought this would be a great reason to have you come take a vacation with me. As friends. My dad likes hosting artists; he’d love to have you.”

Feyi stared at him incredulously. “You want me to meet your dad?”

Nasir rolled his eyes. “You real cute and all, but it’s not even like that. I’m just asking if you wanna come show your work on a tropical island and sneak in a vacation while you’re at it.” He tugged on her arm gently, his way of reassuring her that it wasn’t awkward, or that it didn’t have to be. “Feyi, my dad’s fucking loaded. He flies me and Lorraine’s friends out there all the time. It’s not a big deal, I promise, but I understand if you’re not comfortable.”

“Excuse me, but that show is absolutely a big deal.”

Nasir laughed. “Okay, yes. But the rest of it isn’t. And if it feels like too much, just let me know.”

“And you’re offering all this just as friends.” She couldn’t help the way her voice colored skeptic, but she also didn’t take it back once it was in the air between them.

“Hey.” Nasir stepped in front of her and held both her hands in his. The skin of his palms was cool and dry. “When I said we could take things slow, I meant it. When I said you’re my friend, I meant that shit, too. There’s no way I’d try to rush you into something you’re not ready for, Feyi.”

She winced. “I know, I’m sorry. You’re being so generous, and I hate feeling like you have to reassure me over and over.”

“That’s what friends do.” He shrugged. “Trust is built. I could say the same shit a thousand times, but it’s what I do that matters.”

Feyi swore internally. See, the problem with Nasir was that he was always like this, saying things that sent tendrils of warmth curling through her, being so unflinchingly gentle that he seemed too good to be true. She cupped his cheek in her hand, affection hot and sticky in her chest. There wasn’t anything enough to say, so Feyi hugged him instead and let her breath unwind out when he hugged her back, his arms strong around her body.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Nasir dropped a kiss on her braids. “Anytime,” he replied. “Is that a yes?”

“I need to sleep on it! I have to go through all my work and see what I can show, if I have time to make something new, figure out transport—”

“I’ll handle the logistics,” he interrupted. “You just focus on the art.”

Feyi shook her head. “So, let me get this straight. Your dad flies you and your friends out? Y’all just out here giving island vacations like you Oprah?”

Nasir winked. “First-class flights, baby. And you get your own room at his ridiculous house in the mountains.”

“Shit, forget the show, you making this sound like a whole-ass resort!”

“It low-key is. I don’t offer to host just anyone, you know?”

“Ah, just the homies?” she teased.

“Just the beautiful homies.” He grinned back at her. “Look, take tonight, think about it. You’re welcome to stay for just the group show or for as long as you like. Either way is chill.”

Feyi touched his arm. “Thank you, for real. Putting my name forward was amazing enough, but covering the whole trip is next level.”

“It’s not my money, so fuck it.” Nasir laughed. “But nah, you deserve it. Especially now that I’ve seen your work? We gotta talk about me buying a piece off you. You know, before you blow up and some gallery snatches you.”

Feyi covered the bloodprint up, cloth floating through the air. “You’d like something like this, for real?”

“I’d like anything by you, Feyi.”

She blushed and glanced around the studio. “Okay, I’ll see what I got. Wanna head back to mine?”