Page 135 of River & Crown
"You say it like it's a good thing."
"It's actually a great thing. Crown moves like a man who finally has something to lose. No games, no mixed signals, just brief conversation or no conversation at all. With men, he keeps it short all the while making it clear he'll do whatever it takes to make it home at night. He's always had Honor and Wolfe by his side, but with you... he has something more, something worth living for."
It was bad enough I kept sneaking into the memory garage to see what everyone said about me, knowing I'll cry after every message, but hearing Destiny, a stranger, talk about how I've changed Crown for the better broke me down completely.
"Oh my god! I didn't mean to make you cry. Um, here... take this napkin."
Taking the napkin from Destiny, I laughed at her panicked tone. "Relax. Crown isn't even here."
"It's not him I'm worried about. It's her."
She nodded in the direction of Chosyn, who was coming from the dance floor after being dragged out there by Honey. Honey was having the time of her life while the twins racked up blue hundreds from niggas who bet on their races.
"What are y'all talking about?" Chosyn asked, grabbing the bottle of water Destiny had placed on the bar top for her.
"Destiny being scared of you," I joked.
"What? Destiny, you're scared of me?" Chosyn pouted.
"Scared... no. It's more so, I know what you'll do behind the people you love, so I try my best to stay clear."
"Sounds smart to me," Chosyn shrugged, then her focus zeroed in on me. "Why were you crying? Did Destiny do it?"
Just that fast, Chosyn's face twisted into a grimace.
"See what I mean?" Destiny snickered.
"Relax." I giggled. "Destiny just said something sweet about the change she noticed in Crown because of me."
"Awww! I wanna cry too. Say something sweet about Wolfe and me," Chosyn said, eyeing Destiny.
"I have nothing to say because I mind my business when it comes to Wolfe."
"Smart girl! Just for that, I'ma make sure you get a raise." Chosyn winked.
"Appreciate it."
Destiny sauntered away to help some of the other guests, and I finished my drink while Chosyn dug into me.
"Do you feel celebrated, River?"
"Of course."
"Just making sure. Crown really went all out for you, and I heard his gift is crazy."
"Gift? That man has been gifting me things since we went to brunch." I giggled. "What more could he get me?"
"I don't know because Wolfe wouldn't tell me, but I heard it's nice."
"I hope it's my car. I missed my baby and want to get back out there."
"Get back out where?"
"Racing."
"River—"
"Please don't start thatit's too soon to racecrap. If I can take dick, then I can race. A race is only a couple of minutes."
