Page 80 of Lennox Lane

and says,

‘Let me be soft ground,

if you ever get tired,’

it does something to me.

Now don’t get me wrong.”

Lane turned toward Lennox with a pointed look.

“This man is still a menace.

A walking warranty issue.

A cybercriminal

with pretty teeth

and too much audacity.

He needs supervision,

a hobby,

and possibly a federal case manager.

But he’s mine.”

The crowd screamed while Lennox laughed so hard he braced one hand on the table. Lane grinned, feeling unbridled joy that erased how terrified she always felt when she first stepped on a stage.

The room continued to react with a wave of cheers and oooohs rolling toward the stage. She noticed Lennox watching her in complete admiration. Lane’s own heart startled at the word mine, but she didn’t take it back. She thought about that clip; she and Nova had laughed over a hundred times, Steve looking at a woman like she needed spiritual guidance over her man, and the woman standing ten toes down anyway. Lane pointed at Lennox.

“Look at my man.

I know.

He’s problematic.

He’s dramatic.

He’s one bad decision away.

from being tried by a jury of my girlfriends.

But he’s mine.

And I’mma stick beside him.”

The room exploded again. The joke had opened the door, but the truth was quieter and more intimate. Lennox’s hand went to his chest like she’d shot him clean through it, making Lane laugh into the mic, shaking her head as she looked directly in his eyes, “I said beside, not behind. Don’t start.”

“I met a man

who scares me

because he makes softness

feel possible.