Page 36 of Love You Like That

“Your voice,” Camilla continued, eyes serious, “deserves this platform. Deserves this stage.”

I swallowed thickly, meeting her gaze. “And I control the creative?”

“One hundred percent,” Malcolm confirmed immediately. “Your truth, your way. No filters.”

I glanced at Nina. She nodded subtly, reassuringly. “I want it,” I said finally, voice steadier now. “Both deals.”

Victor smiled, leaning back satisfied. “Then let’s make it happen.”

Malcolm extended a hand again, smile professional but warm. “Welcome to Meridian, Ezra.”

I shook firmly, heart thudding, adrenaline coursing. “Thank you. I won’t disappoint y’all.”

After paperwork was exchanged, handshakes and promises made, Nina walked me out, eyes bright with satisfaction. The elevator ride down felt surreal, my future shifting before my eyes. Outside, she paused, turning to face me directly. “Proud of you, Ezra. You made the right decision.”

I nodded slowly, reality settling heavily. “Yeah.”

“Whatever you left in East Hollis,” she said seriously, reading my expression, “let it stay there. Your future’s here now. Enjoy your complimentary hotel stay and I’ll call you in the morning.”

As the SUV pulled away, leaving me alone on a busy New York sidewalk, I felt the weight of those words. Nina was right. My future had arrived but standing there, watching cars rush by, people moving forward without hesitation, my heart ached sharply.

I reached into my pocket, pulling out my phone, my thumb hovering over Yaya’s contact. My pride screamed at me to leave it alone, to let the silence remain. But my soul demanded closure. I had to hear her voice one last time, had to make peace somehow, even if it hurt.

Before I could dial, my phone vibrated sharply in my palm and her name flashed across the screen like fate itself had stepped in. For a second, I stared at it, heart hammering, unsure whether to answer or let it ring. Finally, I pressed accept and lifted the phone to my ear with my heart lodged in my throat.

“Yo,” I answered quietly, voice rough, cautious.

There was a pause, tense and heavy before her voice came through. It was soft, strained, carrying a sadness I knew too well. “Hey,” she murmured, voice barely above a whisper. “Ezra, I... I wasn’t sure you’d answer.”

“I almost didn’t,” I admitted honestly, exhaling slowly. “But maybe the universe knew we both needed this call, huh?”

“Yeah,” she breathed shakily, the emotion clear even through the phone. “Maybe.” Silence stretched painfully, both of us searching for words that felt just beyond our reach. Then finally, she broke the quiet. “I just… I wanted to say sorry again,”she said softly, voice cracking just a little. “About everything. How it went down. How we ended things. That wasn’t how I wanted it.”

“Me either,” I admitted roughly. “But maybe it had to happen like that. Shit had been buildin’ up.”

“I know,” she whispered sadly. “But it still hurts.”

“Yeah,” I sighed, chest tight. “It does.”

Another silence, softer, more bittersweet, settled between us, until she spoke again, voice cautious. “How’d New York go?”

I swallowed, emotions twisting sharply. “Good. Really good, actually. Just left the meetin'. Signed a deal for my poetry collection and a developmental record deal. Meridian Verse is goin’ all in. I’m, uh... I'm movin’ to New York.”

She inhaled softly, and I heard pride mixed with pain in her voice. “Ezra, that’s amazing. Seriously. I’m proud of you.”

Hearing her say it nearly broke me right there. “‘Ppreciate that, Yaya. That means a lot.”

“You deserve it,” she said quietly. “The world needs to hear you.”

I paused, fighting the knot in my throat. “And you? Ya exam and the interview at Hollis Medical…?”

“The exam went good this morning. Better than I thought. The interview, though, I’m actually in the elevator now,” she said softly, a faint smile audible. “I’m ready. Nervous, but ready.”

“You got it,” I said, voice sincere. “You 'bout to kill that shit.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, voice tender. “Ezra, for what it’s worth, you really did change me. In good ways. Beautiful ways.”

“Same here,” I admitted gently, meaning every word. “You woke me up.”

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