Can't Get Enough (Skyland, #3)(135)

Soledad shields her eyes against the bright lights and peers out at the crowd.

“And where is Yasmen Wade? Yas, I know you’re running around planning or fixing something. She helped organize this event for us tonight. It doesn’t feel right to be up here without you.”

Looking slightly frazzled, Yasmen speed-walks through the crowd and up to the stage. She takes the spot on the other side of Soledad and slips an arm through hers. Soledad looks from me to Yasmen, and tears fill her eyes all over again.

“I have an amazing partner,” she says. “Judah Cross, you know I love you and am so glad we get to do this life thing together.”

I search the crowd to find Judah sitting on the front row with his boys Aaron and Adam. The look in his eyes, the smile on his face is so full of love and pride. Soledad’s three girls are seated with them, and their faces are alight with the same emotion. The same love.

“Yasmen has her ex-ex-husband Josiah,” Soledad says, a teasing grin curving her lips. “We were all waiting for those crazy kids to get back together.”

Yasmen rolls her eyes, but smiles good-naturedly and blows a kiss to Josiah, who sits with Deja and Kassim.

“And now Hendrix has a partner, too.” Soledad’s eyes soften when she looks back to me. “Maverick, welcome to our chaos.”

Mav, who’s seated on the same row as Josiah and Judah, drapes one arm over the shoulder of his daughter, Tamia. When my gaze locks with Maverick’s, there’s a tender heat, a deep knowing that I’ve only ever felt when I looked into this man’s eyes.

“My point,” Soledad continues, “is that all three of us have partners, men we love.”

A few more tears trickle over her cheeks. “But these two women are just as much my soulmates. They have been with me through the toughest times of my life. They have never wavered and have taught me what true friendship, what real sisterhood means. I thank you.”

We’re all a mess now, the tears falling faster than we can wipe them. We’ve all been on our individual journeys, experienced hardships, but not one step since we met each other has been taken alone.

“If I don’t play this first episode,” Soledad laughs, swiping at her cheeks, “we’ll never get through this. When the network approached me about doing a show that emphasized the beauty of creating a home, I knew this was the right fit. I dedicate this premier episode to my girls and to my guys.”

She smiles at her daughters, Judah, and his boys. “And to you, Skyland, for being our family and our community. For being our home.”

We leave the stage and I settle gratefully into the seat beside Maverick. He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles once the episode begins playing.

“Proud of you, Gorgeous,” he whispers.

“Me?” I shrug and keep my voice low under the show’s opening credits. “It’s Soledad’s night.”

“It is, but she said it herself. None of this would be happening without you.” Affection fills his eyes in the dim light from the screen and the moon overhead. “I know you said once it’s not Black Girl Magic, but you are magic, Hendrix Barry. And I’m more than happy if this is a spell you cast on me.”

I fight back the smile threatening to overtake my face and punch him lightly on the arm. “Boy, hush. You have me. You ain’t gotta lay it on that thick.”

“Oh, my God!” Tamia hisses, aiming an indignant look our way. “Will you two please just watch the show?”

She reminds me so much of Deja and Lupe, always hushing me and Soledad and Yasmen, acting embarrassed by us. Just generally being teenagers. Over the last year I’ve gotten to know Maverick’s daughter and she’s a remarkable young woman. I’d expect no less from someone raised by the man who has absolutely stolen my heart.

“Sorry!” I grin over at her. “We’ll keep it down.”

I make a conscious effort to focus on the show, but I’ve seen the episode so many times. As an executive producer, I’ve been involved every step of the way. Turns out I didn’t have to sacrifice my relationship with Maverick to break into television. Neither did I have to depend on Maverick’s money or name. I did it myself, helping Soledad cultivate and refine her raw talent and parlaying it into this opportunity. We did it, and I think it was supposed to happen this way all along. Oh, Chapel’s show is on the air. Zere followed through on that promise, and it’s doing well, but that wasn’t my destiny. I had two paths in front of me. One led to an opportunity I could recreate for myself, but denied me Maverick. The other led to the only man who has ever made me feel safe and secure and adored and respected and seen.

I chose right.

When the show is over, everyone eats from the tables set up all over the park loaded with the Grits catering menu. Soledad sparkles on camera as local news stations interview her and capture her reactions. I stand a few feet off, close enough in case she needs me.

“You happy?” Maverick asks from beside me, tangling our fingers. “With the show, I mean?”

“Yeah.” I smile at my girl getting all the light she deserves. “This is the first of many opportunities. She’s ready for them all.”

“Hendrix!” a reporter calls, walking over to join us with mic in hand. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” I don’t need the spotlight, but I’m always ready.