Page 142 of Treason's Temptation
“Just because the world revolves around you isn’t a reason to leave people waiting. Let’s go.”
I let it slide because we were running short on time. Rushing downstairs, I drove downtown to Madison Pointe’s riverfront. She hadn’t asked or mentioned Lorenzo Strathmore Jr, so I didn’t either. Despite the news plastering his polished picture on every news outlet for sympathy, he was still a bitch ass nigga that I hadn’t given much thought. It was Navie’s question from last night that haunted me.
Why was I so fuckin’ calm she was pregnant?
I trusted the version of Navie I met at the gala. Odd, but I knew what I was getting. I didn’t have much faith in the version sitting next to me. Pulling a pack of Gummy Bears from the console, I tossed them in her lap.
“I love the green ones,” she said, trying to fight her smile but failing.
“I don’t like green ones. Spoiled ass.”
Navie scoffed, “Who doesn’t like the green ones?” but the smile behind it made the lie worth it.
Green was my favorite, too, but she looked like she needed them more than I did.
When we arrived at the studio, I climbed out first, trying to ignore the reporters waiting to capture the power couple. I opened the door on Navie’s side, shielding her from the flash.
I didn’t say anything special or motivating. I was just a mirror reminding her there wasn’t shit she couldn’t do if she tried. Navie accepted my hand, adjusted her skirt, and descended the pavement. She led us to the entrance, while I trailed close with my hand on her hip.
Even with the weight of the world on her shoulders, Navie shined waving at the camera’s looking for any crack in the image we displayed.
“Hey, do you guys need anything before Navie takes the podium?” Fallon asked, approaching us on the sidewalk.
“Get her the fuck away from me, Treason.”
“What’s your problem now?” Fallon frowned.
“I don’t like sneaky bitches that don’t follow directions. You tracked down Sloane and brought her here for what?”
“I didexactlywhat you told me to do. You said find another way. I did.”
“Get her. I mean it,” Navie warned.
Angling my body in front of Navie just in case she said fuck the cameras, I warned them both, “Control it. We’ll deal with the rest later.Nothere.”
Fallon parted the crowd, allowing the camera crew to get in position to film content for the docuseries.
“Who invitedher?” Evie asked.
Mom looked at me, curious why Danielle was here too, while Navie blinked at me, waiting for an explanation.
“That’s Danielle,” I whispered, disguised with a kiss on the cheek.
Her face remained poised, but inside, Navie wanted to scream.
“Good morning, Jaleb called and asked if we could get some footage from the ceremony today.” Danielle couldn’t tear her eyes away from Navie. Most couldn’t, but something told me her gaze wasn’t rooted in fascination.
“For what?” I asked, raising my brow.
“I’m the new Lead Content Director at LMG. Jaleb figured it would be good for the campaign,” Danielle explained, “He didn’t tell you?”
“No, he didn’t.” I kissed my teeth to hide my irritation with so many cameras and microphones around.
“Hi, Danielle,” Mom intervened, the awkwardness floating between me, my ex-girlfriend, and my fake one.
“Miss Inez! Hi, it’s been so long,” Danielle rushed into a hug.
“It has been a while. This is Navie,” Inez mimicked Vanna White, revealing the answer to the word puzzle.
