Chapter Ten Solae Diamond Santiago
I worked that ballroom like a stripper in the club on the weekend, bringing in the coins for Crown's fundraiser. I felt guilty about being late and even more guilty that I brought Trelin with me. Crown was a damn fool. He kept calling that man Gremlin.
I shouldn't have felt that way, but it seemed like no one I dated was ever good enough for Crown or my momma, and I was about ready to give the fuck up.
I knew they acted that way because they wanted what was best for me. But hell, how could they give me relationship advice when their own relationships sucked?
My momma made it seem like Crown was the only man in this world made for me. Like somehow the universe crafted this man specifically with me in mind and dropped him into my life with a damn bow on top.
She didn't understand that it was possible for a man and woman to be best friends and not fuck around.
Now, I wasn't naive or oblivious to how well put together and attractive Crown was. Any woman with working eyes could see that shit.
Crown carried himself with a quiet confidence that demanded attention without even trying.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Smooth dark skin that practically glowed under any light.
His beard stayed sharp, lined to perfection like his barber feared disappointing him.
Even in a room full of powerful men wearing tailored suits, Crown stood out without saying a word.
But my friendship with him was more important than the possibility of ruining the bond we'd spent years building.
I wasn't willing to gamble that.
A light tap on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts.
Rolling my neck with a straight face, I looked over.
Kaylani's hoe ass stood there shifting on her heels, her nervous fingers twisting around the strap of her purse.
"I hope you've been doing okay. You're so close to Crown... I just need someone to confide in."
Her eyes darted around like she was scared somebody might hear us.
"Go ahead," I said, motioning for her to continue.
She leaned in.
"Crown doesn't know, and it's a surprise, but I'm pregnant and wanted to surprise him. Can I give you my number?"
The words hit me like a damn freight train.
Why did it feel like somebody reached inside my chest and snatched my got damn heart out?
This was absolutely fucking ridiculous.
Why the fuck did I care so much?
Crown was my best friend.
That's all he was supposed to be.
So why did my chest feel crushed like he was mine?
Before I couldn’t even respond, I stormed out of the ballroom.
Thank God my heels weren't in the way of getting the fuck up out of there. Every click against the marble floor made the anger boiling deep inside me burn even hotter.
I gripped my purse so tight my fingers started to go numb.
The valet pulled my KIA around faster than I expected.
The cool night air slapped against my heated skin, but it did nothing to calm the fire raging inside me.
Out my driver's side window, Crown stood there with his arms stretched out, confusion written all over his face.
Even from here, he looked good enough to make a woman lose every ounce of sense she had.
"What's wrong, Solae?"
His voice came muffled through the glass, but I heard every word.
My eyes met his.
Just like that, every wall I'd built came crashing down.
Before I knew it, tears spilled down my face completely out of my control.
Damn.
Here I was crying again.
in front of him.
I was pissed of because I didn't even understand why I was crying.
Turning my phone off, I drove away.
I needed time to clear my mind.
Time to figure out why hearing another woman was carrying Crown's baby felt like my own heart had been broken.
Pulling into my driveway, I sat there for a long moment and forced myself to breathe.
My hands rested on the steering wheel, trembling.
The engine hummed beneath me, but I couldn't make myself move.
I stared straight ahead at my house, but I didn't see shit.
All I could hear was that skeezer Kaylani’s voice.
Gathering up what little strength I had left, I grabbed my purse and walked to the front door.
Opening it, I froze in place.
"I am not Cinderella, Crown. I don't need you to come to my rescue." I tried to rush past him.
Clearly not fast enough.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me into his chest.
I needed that hug more than I realized.
I broke right there in his arms, piece by piece, and he just stood there holding me.
His cologne was intoxicating.
I was enjoying the moment way too much.
Looking up at Crown at the same time he looked down at me, the mint lingering on his breath did something to me that I had to make an excuse for.
I pulled away, my face burning with embarrassment.
I didn't know what was going on between Crown and me, but the shit was starting to stress me out.
“Solae, I only wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m good.”
Deep down, I hoped he would take that and just leave.
“Aight then. Call me later.”
He adjusted his tux jacket before heading back out the front door, making sure to close it behind him.
Deciding I needed to unwind, I peeled my clothes off, leaving a trail toward my bedroom before stepping into a hot bath.
The warm water relaxed my body, but it couldn't quiet my mind.
Flashes of Crown's face played behind my eyes.
Wrapping myself in a fluffy white towel, I slipped into my slippers and sat on the edge of my bed.
Reflecting on the past couple of hours, all I wanted was my best friend. I felt stupid as fuck for making him leave when we could've just sat down and talked about everything.
Putting my pride to the side, we really needed to have a conversation about this whole pregnancy reveal that Crown never told me about.
And more than anything, I needed to search his soul to figure out if there were feelings buried deep inside him that I'd simply never noticed.