Page 28 of Nothing Without You

“Changed up on you and broke yo’ heart. I know yo’ ass hates when people don’t wear socks in the house, and you poke those pretty lips out when you’re deep in thought. I know you’re the best mom and would do anything for your son. I pay attention, Doll. You think I spent all this time wit’ you and ain’t pick up on shit?”

She shifted in her seat as she avoided my gaze. “All that’s beautiful, baby, but I don’t know . . . I don’t really want to live with another man that I’m not at least engaged to.”

“Aight.”

Her eyes bounced up to meet mine. “Huh?”

“Aight. I got you. I understand now.”

She laughed nervously. “What do you understand?”

Thankfully, I didn’t have to respond, because the waiter came to take our orders.

Baby didn’t know, but I always got the last laugh. It was okay, though. She would learn soon. Real fuckin’ soon. I always got what I wanted.

CHAPTER 9

CHYNA

It was crazy how long it took my old ass to recover from a night of drinking. Icelynn’s birthday was two days ago, and I still felt a little queasy, but I was able to smile through it because it was lunchtime, which meant I got to see Keegan.

I confidently walked through the top floor of the building and waved at Jean, Keegan’s assistant. She smiled and waved back as I knocked on Keegan’s door.

I expected him to call out to me to come in. Instead, the door flung open, and Keegan grinned down at me as he tugged me into his office by my waist. Once the door slammed shut, he kissed my lips and then my jawline before he landed on my neck.

Giggling, I gently pushed him away. “Bae, I need to eat.”

He laughed. I loved seeing him like that. He smiled a lot more these days, and it looked so good on him.

“Don’t worry. I’ma let your body rest this afternoon. Tonight, you owe me some head, though.”

My brows dipped. “And why is that?”

“Come. Sit. I promise to feed you once I’m done with this.”

“With what, exactly?” I asked skeptically as I sat down in the chair he pulled out for me.

He gestured toward the far wall, which was blank, and confusion filled me.

“I worked real hard on this, Chyna Doll, so pay attention,” Keegan said. His voice was so serious, but I was still confused about why we were looking at a blank wall.

“Worked hard on what?”

He shushed me and pressed a button on his laptop and then on a projector I just realized was set up on his desk. The wall lit up with what looked like a PowerPoint presentation.

I squinted at the words, and nerves immediately bounced around me.

“Kee, what⁠—”

“Hush, Doll. Pay attention. Let me get through this.”

I gulped, and my eyes snapped back to the wall. On the first slide of his PowerPoint were the words Why You Should Marry Me. Underneath those bold words looked to be some sort of record keeping.

Presenter: Keegan Slater

Recipient: Chyna Drayton (soon to be Slater)

Date: July 28th, 2026