Page 13 of Nothing Like Your Ex

Too long, Melo thought, as he took in her appearance with approval. Kwinn kept it cute for the night with an olive-gold draped halter that hugged her curves just enough, leaving just a glimpse of her cleavage and her back on display. The oversized camouflage cargo shorts hit just below her knees, giving the loose fit a streetwear feel.

A small burgundy Balenciaga croc-embossed crossbody bag sat at her waist, popping against the muted greens, while her Gianvito Rossi strappy gold heels with colorful jeweled details dressed up the whole ensemble. She swapped out the purse strap for a gold chain to match the stacks of gold bangles on her wrist. Kwinn was a looker for sure, especially with the way her brown and honey-blonde curls cascaded down her back.

Melo’s tall frame loomed over hers, immediately reminding Kwinn of his undeniable presence. There was a calmness about him that was genuinely captivating and hard to ignore.

“Yeah, it has, but it’s all good,” Melo finally agreed. “You enjoy yourself tonight? You and your homegirl?” he asked, glimpsing at Saiko. “What’s up wit’ it.”

“Hey,” Saiko said, smiling.

Melo gave her a quick nod before turning his attention back to Kwinn. There was an ease to the way he spoke to both of them, and Kwinn couldn’t help but notice how naturally respectful he still was. He wasn’t making her feel like she was just another woman standing backstage because he happened to be one of the biggest names in the room.

“Yes, we did. You’re really a big deal, huh?” Kwinn teased. “You killed it up there.”

Cracking a smile, Melo licked his lips. “Thank you, but nah. Not for real. That’s all you, beautiful. You still got it, fasho.”

Unnerved in the best way, all Kwinn could do was smile. “Thank you.”

“No problem. You still got your interior design thing going on?” Melo wondered, surprising Kwinn with his inquisitiveness.

She nodded. “Yes, I do. I have an entire business now. You need our services?”

Kwinn was about her paper if nothing else. Sexy, rapping-ass nigga in her face or not. She was sure he had more than a few homes that could use her touch.

Melo chuckled, loving how she was talking. “Possibly. That’s what’s up, though. What it’s called?”

“The Taylor Collective.”

He nodded. “Big shit. I like that. Congrats on everything.”

“Thank you.” Kwinn smiled. “I’m surprised you even remembered that.”

“You only easily forget things when they have no value.”

Kwinn’s entire body flushed with warmth at the intensity of his words. They mirrored the fervid understanding in his brown eyes. Something about their conversation felt easy, a familiarity that came from knowing of one another without ever really knowing each other. Kwinn had a feeling that the narrative was about to change.

She and Melo had crossed paths enough times that introductions or forced small talk were unnecessary, and Kwinn liked that. Nothing about the exchange suggested he was trying to impress her, and she wasn’t trying to impress him either. Knowing his statement meant more than he let on, yet unable to prove it, Kwinn remained quiet.

Instead, she breathed in the air between them. Melo’s cologne smelled so heavenly, mixed with his minty breath. Kwinn didn’t mind him being in her face. Truthfully, it was exactly where Melo wanted to be. But of course, duty called. He glanced down the hallway when someone called his name, then looked back at her.

“Don’t be a stranger, a’ight?”

Kwinn smiled. “Mhm. Of course not.”

Melo made her heart flutter when he smirked before stepping away. Kwinn watched him for a second as he continued down the hall with that same D-boy, superstar swagger following him.

Saiko leaned toward her with a grin. “Mmm hmm. Not Lil’ Miss I know a few rap niggas over here conversing with one of the biggest ones. Let me find out you’ve been sneaking around.”

Playfully, Kwinn rolled her eyes. “And if I were, I’d have every right to.”

Saiko’s eyes brightened. “Okay… I heard that.”

CHAPTER 4

It was business as usual, and Melo was all for securing a bag. An easy one at that. He and his crew, along with DMacc’s people, ended up at Façade after the concert. Making a club appearance and getting paid on the back end simply from a walkthrough was light work. The section he was standing in, and the one beside it, were reserved for his folks.

Melo loved seeing his people enjoy life. He’d made a damn grand one for himself and the loyal ones on his team, so it was nothing to let them ball out. So EST and proud of it, the hustlers and gangbangers repped the set as one of Melo’s songs blasted through the speakers. The beat automatically made you want to jig and turn up.

Young Roddy had no problem doing that at all. Watching him plant his face between the ass cheeks of a thick, fine caramel-skinned chick bent over in front of him, Melo couldn’t do anything but shake his head.