Page 121 of River & Crown
"I do," I answered.
"Fucking better. Real shit, I don't see myself doing this again if we don't work out."
My eyes snapped open, hands planted on either side of his face.
"Crown, there is nothing after us... this is it. We're end game," I told him.
"I hear you, Four. I do."
"Don't do that to me, Crown. Not after you showed me Cortez. Not after I fell in love with you. Please don't have doubts. I'm not Emily."
"That's why I love your ass the way I do. Now go inside and enjoy yourself. I'll be back to pick you up."
Slapping a kiss on my lips, Crown stepped to the side, giving me room to walk away. I took a few steps, then stopped to look over my shoulder. Crown winked, chucking his chin toward the lounge for me to go inside. I blushed, then blew him a kiss and continued the short walk.
Before walking inside, I turned around once more. Crown was now in his car, but it wasn't him who caught my attention. Parked a few cars away from Crown was the same black Nissan GT-R that I've been seeing a lot lately. I stared intently, trying to place where I knew the car from other than the other times that I've seen it. When nothing came to mind, I waved toward Crown, who smirked then grabbed the lounge doors. I stepped inside the lounge, my heart thudding with nerves. I adjusted the baby blue and white oversized knitted sweater I wore so it hung further off my shoulder. I paired the sweater with ripped white jeans that clung to my hips perfectly and glacier blue feathered boots that stopped just below my knee.
"Hello?"
It was too quiet in here. No music, no chatter, just the faint smell of citrus and something sweet wafting around. Even with the about silence, the lounge was gorgeous. Soft lighting, velvet furniture in blush and cream, and gold-rimmed glasses already waiting on tables. But it was empty. Right as I started to walk out, a hostess in all black appeared from around the corner, offering a gentle smile.
"I apologize for leaving you waiting. Follow me right this way, Mrs. Gravehart."
I simpered at the name she chose to use and knew it had everything to do with Crown. The hostess led me to a plush seating area near the front. I sat down, and within seconds, someone else was at my side, handing me a mimosa.
"Thank you."
He nodded, then disappeared with the hostess sauntering away behind him. As I sipped from my glass, I glanced around for any signs of Chosyn. I let out a long-aggravated breath and went to reach for my phone when I realized I'd left it in the car inside of my first birthday gift. My birthday wasn't until this weekend, but Crown started with gifts early. Expensive handbags and jewelry weren't something I was big on, but I appreciated them. The few pieces of jewelry I got from Sincere weren't over the top. They were simple, cute pieces that I was content with.
Crown wasted no time taking me from simple and cute to luxury and extravagant. Since our first Christmas together, Crown has brought me nice things, but nothing like the classic flat Chanel bag in white caviar leather with platinum hardware. Inside the beautiful bag, Crown hid a gorgeous Cuban link that wasn't thick and heavy like the one he wore on occasion. The one around my neck was slim, delicate, but still bold enough to talk slick without me having to say a word. Every platinum link was iced in diamonds so tightly that they caught light from every angle. The necklace didn't scream. It whispered luxury. A necklace without a timepiece was a waste if you let Crown tell it. The watch was small-faced, feminine, but still heavy with shine. The band was sleek with Cuban links to match the necklace. Diamonds danced along the bezel, catching flashes of light every time I moved my wrist. Crown did his big one, and it wasn't even officially my birthday.
I finished off my mimosa, and the deejay's voice cracked over the speakers, startling the hell out of me.
"Mrs. Gravehart, you might want to sit down for this one. We have a special birthday performance for you!"
The lights shifted, soft purple and pink pouring over the stage. From behind a curtain, Chosyn, Honey, Kyree, and Kysre popped out, offbeat, off-key, and loud as hell. The four of them belted Brandy'sBest Friendlike they were auditioning for a record contract they knew they weren't getting. Chosyn was doing okay leading the choreography. Honey moved like she had two left feet and kept her ass in the back. The twins didn't even know the words. They mumbled their way through the horrible performance.
Watching them, I broke out in tears. They came down heavy, slipping past my lashes and dribbling off my chin. My sudden outburst had nothing to do with the song or the surprise. It was more so the love that shows up even when friends aren't seeing eye to eye. It was the undying love I thought Leah and I had, but Chosyn proved during our biggest fight. I leaped from my seat and hopped on stage, yelling for the deejay to run it back. Snatching Kyree's mic, I stood next to Chosyn, going word for word with my best friend.
"Remind me to never do karaoke with y'all non-singing hoes again," Kysre sassed, coming to take a seat next to her twin.
"No forreal," Kyree agreed, giggling.
"Shut your Milli and Vanilli asses up. Y'all weren't doing much until they played Lady London," Honey quipped, rolling her eyes.
"Right! And the deejay only played it to stop y'all from complaining," Chosyn tossed out.
"That was my cue to sit down. Don't even know who shawty is." I laughed, slapping hands with Honey and Chosyn while the twins turned their lips up.
"This is why we gotta get friends our age because what you mean you don't know Ms.I love dealing with a rich nigga," Kysre rapped.
Honey, Chosyn, and I all made about faces that made the twins roll their eyes even harder.
"Twin, what my girl say?" Kyree asked, tossing her sister locs over her shoulder.
Clearing her throat, Kysre stood up. "I love dealing with a rich nigga."
"Why?" Kyree hyped her.
