Chapter Thirty-One
Kwame
Late
I’m finally on my way into the museum when I spot Lo coming out.
“I didn’t know you’d be here.”
She reaches up to press a kiss to my cheek. “I didn’t know you’d be here either. I just came to show my face.”
I nod and try to inconspicuously wipe my face where her lips touched. “Right, nice to see you, but I gotta run. See you soon?”
“Wait.” She grabs my arm to stop me from moving on. “Why are you here?”
“I had tickets.”
“You have tickets to everything. You never attend. Why this event?”
“My father asked me to be here, show my face and get to know the people.”
“So it’s not because the woman you chased the other night is here?”
Trepidation flares in my stomach. I was hoping their paths would never cross again. “Is she?”
She rolls her eyes. “As if you didn’t know.”
I scan the crowd for her before looking back at Lo’s pleased smile. I ignore it. “Did you meet?” I ask, my heart speeding up with each beat.
“No. Not yet, anyway.”
Relief makes my knees weak, but I only smile vaguely. “Maybe next time. Good to see you.”
She places a hand on my chest to halt my exit. The familiar touch feels out of place somehow. I glance around for Sin again.
“Kwame, look at me.”
I force my eyes from their hunt and look down at her. “Yes?”
Her smile is tight. “We’ve been friends nearly our whole lives. She’s a new kid on this block. Until you know her…”
I cover her hand with mine. “Her family has known mine for decades.” It’s an embellishment but I need her to understand the hierarchy right now. “I like her very much, and she’s not going anywhere.” I lift her hand off and let it fall by her side.
She blinks in surprise. “You were serious that night? Like, as in for real?”
“Yes. For real.”
She frowns but it curves up in a smile. “Okay, then, I like her, too. I can’t wait to meet her.”
The thought makes me intensely uncomfortable but it’s inevitable. Lo and Titus are like family. “We’ll make it happen. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course. Have a good night. Oh. Heads up, Oz is in there too.”
Jesus, of all people. I hope Sin can get what she needs and we can get out of here before our paths cross. I head inside to find her and get this evening over with.