Page 43 of Nothing Like Your Ex

Indeed, he did. Melo had done more interviews than he could count over the years. He’d come on BLAKC to discuss his album, the new song, and whatever else they could get him to talk about. Folks liked to know shit that wasn’t their business and stay in the know about their favorite celebrities’ lives for no real reason. It came with the territory, and Melo had always only given just enough to keep folks entertained without jeopardizing his boundaries.

“Yeah, I do. That’s Ms. Taylor, though,” he answered.

Kapri’s smile widened. “That’s it? All we get is a name?”

“Shit, y’all want her number, too?” Melo jested, making them and the people nearby laugh.

Kwinn chuckled, shaking her head. “This man.” She sighed and continued watching.

“We were just hoping to get a little more. You guys looked to have real chemistry,” Kapri said.

Melo nodded. “Yeah, of course. That’s mandatory. She fit the role. A real beauty, too, but she’s also one hell of an interior designer. Y’all need to check out her business, The Taylor Collective.”

Kwinn grinned like a damn fool. This man was really sitting on a live broadcast shouting out her business.

Kapri nodded. “I looked her up. Her work is amazing. She definitely has an eye.”

“She does,” Melo agreed. “One of the coldest, fasho.”

Warmth spread through Kwinn’s body. It wasn’t the first time a man had praised her looks or her work. Melo calling her beautiful wasn’t anything new. He’d made sure she knew he thought she was fine from the moment they reconnected but hearing him big up her work and mention The Taylor Collective on a whim had Kwinn looking at the screen and him differently. She was already falling for the nigga, and things like this didn’t help her ever-growing feelings.

“Okay, but let me ask you this. Is there something there, or was Ms. Taylor just for the video?”

Melo smirked. “She was specifically chosen by me for the role. I’ma leave it at that.”

Kwinn pulled her bottom lip into her mouth, watching as Kapri smiled brightly and chuckled.

“Well, you heard that, folks. Melo is stamping Ms. Taylor, who is absolutely gorgeous, by the way. Now, let’s get into this new album. I heard Projex is one of the producers.”

The video clip ended, and Kwinn just stood there with a racing heart, aching cheeks from smiling so hard, and an unhealthy yearning to see Melo’s face. They’d both been on the go since they returned home and hadn’t physically seen one another in days. Right then, Kwinn was missing him something serious.

Melo must’ve been feeling the same way because her phone rang with an incoming FaceTime call from him. Kwinn answered and sat down at her island.

“I miss you,” she whined into the phone before he could greet her.

Melo smiled, looking handsome as ever. “I miss you more, baby,” he assured her softly. “Believe that. What you over there doing?”

“Putting away some stuff I bought today. Do you know they had those thick napkins I like for my bathroom marked down?”

“Word? You racked up, huh?” Melo asked, loving to hear about her little dilly-dallying of the day.

Kwinn nodded. “You know I did. I purchased you some, too. And a journal. I’m holding you to that list, Mr. Christian.”

“And I’ma keep my promise, luv. Want me to scoop you up when I leave this meeting? It shouldn’t be too long. I know you ain’t ate shit.”

Kwinn giggled and picked up her to-go bag. “Actually, that was next on the agenda, thank you. But yes. Please come and get me. Is it the meeting for your shoe release?”

Melo nodded as Sarge came to a red light. “Yeah. We’re making sure it’s stocked on certain websites and in stores next week. Gotta get everything straight for the pop-up at the malls.”

While they were in California, Melo met with a few business owners who wanted to work with him as well. His reach had grown far beyond just rap, and the legacy he was leaving behind was grander than he’d imagined. Partnering with Adidas was a crazy deal, and he was thanking God daily for the opportunities. Smiling, Kwinn swiveled her stool.

“Look at you just out here doing the damn thing. I’m proud of you,” she said.

“Thank you, my baby. Shit can get hectic, but I appreciate you for rocking with a nigga. I owe you a lil’ somethin’.”

Kwinn smirked. “I wouldn’t consider your dick little, but I’ll take it.”

Choking on the water he just sipped from, Melo patted his chest. “Yeah, you gon’ take this mothafucka a’ight. Right down that throat of yours.”