Page 41 of Kisses Behind The Spotlight 2: Finale

“Khaleesi, you look like you’re running out of here with more than enough food,” I shot back.

“Stepp,” she gasped. “I always praised you for being nicer than Xain. Who you feeling like tonight?”

“I am nicer than Xain. You always had it right. Just remember that I let you run up the room service tab when we had you in that hotel. I ain’t try to make you eat noodles,” I reminded her.

“That was the past; Xain only feeds me the best now,” Khaleesi chortled. “I just had him and my mama in the kitchen helping me cook dinner not too long ago. We’ve come a long way.”

“Ummm hmmm,” I murmured, and refocused my attention on Amill in my arms.

“I’m just happy to finally know what Q was talking about when he said he knew why Amill was always in Miami,” Jameera giggled, slapping her hand over her mouth. “Go ‘head, Milly. Are y’all coming to the casino?” Jameera asked.

“Yeah, Stepp just has to go change, and then we will meet y’all there. There is blood on his pants.”

“They are not going to make it. Look how he’s looking at her,” Khaleesi called me out.

“No, we are going to make it,” Amill promised, then lowered her voice to a scolding whisper. “Come on, Stepp. Let’s go. I don’t want to lie to the birthday boy too. We already ruined the party.”

I closed the door and jogged around the truck. We did not make it to the casino. I didn’t even make my flight the next morning. They say everything happens for a reason; Q’s arrest brought me back home to Amill. Wherever she was, is where I needed to be. I couldn’t believe I almost let Amill slip through my fingers.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Jameera

My phone rang, waking me up from my sleep. The night prior, we went to the club to continue celebrating Quincy since his birthday dinner was ruined. I needed the night out more than anybody, and I drank at least three lychee margaritas. The culprits never showed up at the casino or the club, but Amill finally came out from under Stepp because our spring collection launched that morning and she was handling everything. Our spring collection might’ve been later than we planned, but it was in the world now. I’d call her back later to discuss any issues.

When I hit the red button to ignore her call, I saw it was three o’clock and snatched the covers back, knowing I overslept and had to switch off with Uncle Sam at the hospital. My dad kept telling me I didn’t have to be there around the clock once he got his bearings, but I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else. I never got the chance to be there for my mom, but I was going to be there for him. Exiting my bedroom, I was ready to curse Q out for letting me oversleep, but he wasn’t anywhere to be found.

My marching stopped when I saw the bouquet of roses in the middle of the kitchen island. They matched the robin egg blue we used in our collection. A grin spread across my face when I read the card.

Congratulations on another Moon & Muse drop. Don’t worry about me today. You and Amill worked hard through all the adversity you faced this year. Go to the spa and relax. Everything is on me.

Love, Dad.

A happy tear slipped down my unbruised cheek, and I wiped it away. It was a blessing that my dad was here to send the flowers. That wouldn’t stop me from being hardheaded though. After placing the card back in the holder, I stormed back into my room. I snatched my phone off the nightstand and called Q.

Q answered before the first ring stopped. “Congratulations on another sold-out collection. The late March date didn’t stop shit.”

“We sold out?” I sputtered.

“Yeah. Amill just called me thinking we were together when you didn’t answer.”

“Thank you. That’s great,” I replied, then got right back to the reason for my call. “Where are you? Why did you let me oversleep?” I quizzed, storming into the bathroom and snatching up my toothbrush.

“I tried to wake you up, but you needed that sleep because you just turned over and started slobbing,” he laughed.

“I’m not amused.”

“Relax, bae. I’m at the hospital with your dad.”

“That’s Jameera? Give me the phone,” I heard my dad in the background.

“Here. He wants to talk to you,” Q announced before they switched off.

“Congratulations, Jameera. Did you get the flowers I sent you?”

“I did. Thank you. They are beautiful.”

“You’re welcome. I ordered fifty sets. Y’all will see it under my name. One for each size and color. Do a few giveaways on my dime.”