11. Egypt
EGYPT
T he private jet smelled like money, fresh leather, and expensive cologne—and I was walking onto it hand in hand with Nasseem. The moment we stepped onto the Bradshaw family jet, the applause erupted.
I blinked in confusion until I realized it was our friends. The entire gang was already seated—Serenity and Creed, Arielle and Brodie, Royal and Averi, even Zay was lounging in the back like he belonged there.
“Aww, look at the lovebirds,” Serenity teased, clapping slowly. “It’s about damn time.”
Arielle smirked and leaned back in her seat. “We been knew ya’ll was fuckin’ at the very least, but at least it finally came out. Congrats on finally makin’ it official.”
I laughed, heat rising to my cheeks, but Nasseem just pulled me closer and smirked like he was proud to show me off. We slid into the leather seats together, his hand immediately settling on my thigh like it belonged there. Which let’s be honest, it did.
The flight was filled with champagne, jokes, and warm energy. The vibe was effortless. Free. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I wasn’t hiding behind a mask. I laid my head on Nasseem’s shoulder somewhere above Georgia, feeling like the sky wasn’t the limit—it was just the beginning.
An hour after landing, we checked into the W Hotel downtown, minus Royal and Averi who headed to Royal’s condo nearby.
Our suite had floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the sparkling Atlanta skyline and a separate living space from the bedroom.
As I unpacked, Nasseem kept sneaking up behind me, his hands wandering, lips finding the curve of my neck.
“Nasseem, stop,” I whispered through a laugh. “I’m tryna hang these damn clothes.”
“I ain’t stoppin’ ‘til you hang that ass on this bed,” he murmured, flipping me around and kissing me breathless. Needless to say, we barely made it to dinner on time.
Dinner at Legend’s was already legendary before we walked in.
The restaurant, owned by Legend and Haelo Giovanni—brother in law and sister of our label mate Heaven—was all gold accents, deep mahogany walls, and soft live jazz drifting through the space.
Royal had called in a favor, so we had a private room in the back.
We smiled for the cameras as we entered, giving the place its moment. Free press never hurt.
Legend came out personally, dapping up Royal and hugging all of us like family. “I appreciate ya’ll comin through to support my spot. Camera got ya’ll rollin’ in here and the place has been off the hook with new reservations already, that’s love,” he said. “So, the food’s on me. Enjoy.”
He wasn’t playing. A few minutes later, the servers brought out one of everything—the signature lemon pepper lamb chops, crab mac, oxtail ravioli, spicy honey shrimp, short rib sliders, cornbread with peach butter. We feasted like we hadn’t eaten since the plane.
“You know you can’t be trustin’ everybody with peach butter,” I whispered to Averi. “But this one hittin’.” Averi laughed and clinked her glass to mine.
“So, how’s it feel being out?” Brodie asked, looking between me and Nasseem.
I turned to look at him, unable to hide my smile. “It feels amazing.” I leaned over and kissed him gently, the whole room cooing and clapping.
“Oh, we gettin’ soft now Sis?” Royal teased.
Averi shook her head. “I’m just tryna figure out who I’m gonna laugh at now that y’all not pretend-hatin’ each other.”
“That ain’t goin’ nowhere,” Nasseem said. “I still got a smart mouth ass girl who stay thinkin’ she right.”
“‘Cause I am right,” I shot back, flipping him off.
He just grinned. “That’s what she say right before I fold her ass up like a beach chair.”
The room erupted in laughter.
The next day, we were sprawled out in plush velvet chairs at Klaws by Kelli, the luxury nail and beauty bar Averi had insisted we try.
The place was giving pure Black girl excellence, rich tones, afrobeat instrumentals vibin’ low from hidden speakers, walls lined with neon signs that read “Acrylic Dreams” and “Polish this time softer. “I know the type of man I married. I trust him. He knows what he got at home.” I grinned, watching the way she said it with her chest. No doubt. No hesitation. That’s how I wanted to feel. That knowing.
“I just love seeing us all in love,” Serenity added. “And glowing while we do it.”
“Speak for yourself,” Arielle muttered, making us all laugh. “Me and Brodie been beefin’ lately.”
Averi leaned over. “Y’all always beefin’ and still poppin’ out with matching outfits.”
“I’m just sayin’,” Arielle shrugged. “He want more kids, and I need peace.”
“Don’t we all,” I murmured, sipping on the infused lemon water they’d handed us when we walked in.
“What you need a damn break from hoe, you all booed up in that honeymoon phase.” Ari rolled her eyes. “Wait ‘til you’ve been with Nas for a few years, everything he does will irritate you.”
“Everything he does now irritates me.” I laughed. “But at the end of the day; my man, my man, my man.”
“Honeymoon phase for real.” Serenity shook her head.
“Bitch what you talkin’ about? You and Creed act like ya’ll those same people who just met.
Ya’ll be so all over each other it’s ridiculous.
Speaking of more kids, I’m surprised ya’ll ain’t popped no more out by now.
” That was Ari again, for some reason raining on everybody’s parade because she had shit going on.
“First of all, I told ya’ll last year we got a lot going on and are not planning on having more kids any time soon.
The dance studio is almost open—which you hoes better be at my opening in a month—and once that’s up and running, then I will be popping out more babies for my man; as many as he wants. ”
“Good for you.” Ari sneered.
Serenity, Averi and I all looked at Ari.
“Okay bitch what’s your fuckin’ problem?” Averi asked her. “Because you being real bitchy to all of us like we shit in your Fruit Loops.”
“I’m just frustrated. I don’t understand why Brodie is trippin’ on me like this. Yes, we both wanted a big family, but I need to figure out my career too. He’s withholding his penis from me so I have a fuckin’ attitude.”
“Okay then tell him that. Ya’ll been together for too long to be having communication issues Arielle, seriously.” I told her. “And you need to take the dick if it’s bothering you so bad because you’re a bitch and I can’t deal with it.”
“Fuck you.” Ari laughed along with everyone else. “Taking it doesn’t sound too bad. Maybe I’ll get him drunk and get lucky.”
“Fingers crossed bitch, otherwise the alternative is for you to eat a damn Snickers.” Serenity flipped her cousin off.
“Brodie’s penis is like a snickers…”
“Ugh, we did not ask you that. Kill the fuckin’ visual.” Averi scrunched her nose and shook her head.
An hour later, we were refreshed and feeling a little bit prettier.
Fresh full sets, pedicures, and the kind of energy that only comes from being pampered and surrounded by women who really got you.
Our driver took us to one of the high-end malls in Buckhead, where we split off to browse.
I walked into Balenciaga with Serenity and Averi while Arielle dipped into Saint Laurent across the way.
“You think this too much?” Serenity asked, holding up a rhinestone-covered mini bag.
“Serenity, you could carry a bottle cap on a chain and make it look high fashion,” I said.
She grinned. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
We hit a few more stores, racked up some damage on our cards, and by the time we circled back to meet near the Tesla charging stations, a few fans had spotted us.
“Oh my God, that’s the sisters from The Coven .” I turned and offered a smile, but I could already feel the energy shifting. Phones were being pulled out, whispers turning into louder excitement.
Averi grabbed my arm gently. “We should dip. I ain’t got the energy to be somebody’s viral moment today.”
“I’m not even in glam,” Serenity muttered under her breath, pulling her hoodie up.
We slid back into the SUV just in time, and I was lowkey relieved. I needed to get to soundcheck anyway.
When I got back to the suite, after a long soundcheck, I kicked my heels off at the door and walked into the main area.
The space was quiet, dim lights, soft music playing from the Bluetooth speaker.
Our luggage sat neatly along the side of the wall.
I’d barely dropped my purse on the couch when I heard Nasseem’s voice from the bedroom.
“Nigga, I said I got it handled, why the fuck you callin’ me like this? I said—” He stopped abruptly.