Page 30 of Free to Fall

“I know.”

“And y’all been what? Just…creepin’ in silence? Being fake enemies in front of all of us while fuckin’ in secret?”

“Basically,” I muttered, grinning against the rim of my glass.

Averi dropped her head into her hands. “Oh my God. Oh my God. That’s why he be lookin’ at you like that. I knew it. I knew something was up. I just thought he was lowkey tryna get at you.”

“Girl, he already got me.” I smiled brightly.

She blinked, then narrowed her eyes. “So, wait, is it just sex?”

I paused. “It started that way.”

“And now?” I didn’t answer right away. My eyes dropped to the table. Averi reached across and grabbed my hand. “Egypt.”

I looked up at her and nodded. “Now it’s more.”

She smiled softly. “So why didn’t you tell me before?”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Because…I didn’t want to share him. Not yet.” She stayed quiet, letting me keep going. “Everything in my life has always been public. My grief, my glow-ups, my wins. Even my messes. And I know y’all wouldn’t have judged us, hell, y’all probably would’ve thrown a damn party, but this… this was mine. He was mine. It was the first time something felt that personal. That quiet. And I didn’t wanna ruin it by opening it up too soon.”

Averi nodded slowly, still holding my hand. “That makes sense. But you do know you don’t ever have to carry stuff alone, right? Especially not something this important.”

“I know,” I said. “I just…I liked the bubble. It was safe. It still is. But I’m starting to feel like I’m hiding something beautiful. And it’s getting heavier.”

“So, what now?”

I sighed. “Now I tell him. That I’m ready. That I want people to know. Because the Fallon invite came in and I wanted him there with me so bad and then I didn’t send the message…and it made me realize how stupid it is that I can’t celebrate with the person I’m in love with.”

Averi’s mouth dropped again. “Wait—you love him?”

I smiled, it was soft and vulnerable. “Yeah. I do.”

She shook her head, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. “I’m so happy for you. Like, genuinely. And I’m honored you told me.”

“You’re my best friend. I had to, besides he already told Creed I felt it was only right to tell my bestie.”

She sniffed and pointed at me. “But if y’all end up married and I find out I wasn’t the first to know about the proposal? We fightin’, on sight.”

I laughed, swiping under my own eyes. “You’ll be the first to know, I swear.”

We sat back, smiling at each other across the table like two girls who knew they’d been through too much not to have these moments.

“So, what’s next?” she asked.

I wiped my hands and pulled out my phone. “I gotta tell Nas I’m ready to stop hiding.”

Averi grinned. “Then what’re you waiting for?”

Pleasure had always beena sanctuary for our secrets. Low lighting, velvet walls, and a pulse in the air that vibrated like temptation. The air smelled like spice, sex, and luxury. Familiar. But tonight felt different. Tonight was for us. For closure. For a new beginning.

I arrived first, trench coat swaying around my legs, the strappy black heels on my feet clicking softly against the marble as I made my way to the bar. Underneath the coat, red lace hugged every curve—delicate, scandalous, barely-there. My hair was thick and soft, hanging down my back in long, wild waves. My makeup was light but defined, my lips painted in a bold red that matched the polish on my long coffin-shaped nails. I smelled like Gucci Guilty and old money.

Mason spotted me before I even slid into the barstool. “Well, well, if it ain’t Trouble,” he grinned, already reaching for a glass.

“I’ll take the usual,” I said with a smirk.

“You here solo?”

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