Page 9 of Plea
“This is for you,” I said, extending the box in Venus’s direction.
“What’s this?” she asked, just above a whisper.
“I know I said congratulations the day we met, but I couldn’t come to your party empty handed.”
“You didn’t.” Her eyes looked around at my people. “You bought a full table with add-ons, not knowing anything about me.”
“I know enough. I know your passion and purpose, and I wanted to invest in both. Us showing up was light work, Venus. You deserve support and so much more.”
Her eyes watered as she stared at me. Shaking her head softly, she briefly looked away. “Thank you, Carson. You being here and bringing your friends… that means more to me than you’ll ever know. I really don’t need anything extra.”
“You will change your mind after you see what’s inside,” Taj said with a warm smile, helping a nigga out. “I was with him when he picked it out.”
“Open it, sis,” Tristan urged, and him calling her sis made me chuckle.
“She’s engaged,” was what I said, but that didn’t lessen my desire for her.
“So?” he replied, causing Taj to send her elbow into his stomach. “Ow! Pointy ass elbow. What you do that for?”
“What do you mean, what I do that for? That was rude!”
“How was that rude?” he asked as she tugged him away from the table toward Kaos and Zander.
“That woman is in a whole relationship. Don’t encourage Carson to go after her. That’s cheating.”
“You know I don’t condone that shit, but clearly her man ain’t even here. Carson is better for heranyway.”
“How do you know that? You don’t even know them…”
Their voices trailed off as they headed toward the buffet where Serenity was stuffing her face, and me and Venus shared an awkward laugh.
“Sorry about that,” I said.
“It’s fine. I think my sisters are worse. She does have me curious about what’s in this box though.”
“Then open it,” I coaxed, bobbing my head in the direction of the box.
Venus inhaled a deep breath before opening the box. Her eyes widened and she gasped at the sight of the diamond choker with a crown pendant.
“I wasn’t exactly sure, but I think your crown earrings are tsavorite correct?” Her eyes blinked rapidly as she nodded. “Good.” Relief washed over me. The only person I knew who worked with tsavorite gemstones was Elite in Memphis. It was expensive as hell, but he was able to do a rush job on the 5 carat diamond choker with a dangling tsavorite crown pendant. When I saw them on her the day we met, they stuck out to me because that was my mom’s favorite gemstone. “Here…” I gently took the choker from the box and stepped behind her to wrap it around her neck. The sight of chill bumps forming on it had me tugging my bottom lip between my teeth. The pads of my fingers lightly grazed her neck until she shivered. I stepped back in front ofher and stared at the choker resting beautifully against her neck. “Perfect.”
Her fingers trembled as they lifted and caressed the choker. “Carson, I—I can’t take this.”
“You can, and you will. I know you have other guests to check in with, but save some time for me, aight?” She nodded as her eyes watered. I took her hands into mine and kissed her cheek before saying, “I’m proud of you, Venus. You’re doing something amazing here tonight.”
She brushed a tear away and licked the corner of her mouth before blurting, “Thank you. I have to… go.”
“Okay,” I said with a chuckle as she quickly scurried away.
I hadn’t even noticed anyone was behind me until Zander said, “Who’s Mr. Steal Your Girl now?”
Chapter
Seven
Venus
Initially,I tried my hardest to avoid Carson. Truth was, between how good he looked in his black suit, the fact that he’d purchased a ten person table and brought five people with him, and the beauty of the necklace he’d given me, I was bound to be a ho and fuck another woman’s man tonight. I had to continuously remind myself that though me and Trevor were going through a rough patch, I was still engaged to be married. I’d never been a cheater, and I didn’t plan to start tonight.
