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“Are you nervous?” My sister, Serenity, asked while she did my makeup. I was thankful to have a sister skilled in makeup because I didn’t have to worry about a last-minute “Hey, Boo.” text. We landed in LA last night, and she and her husband Jett caught a flight with us.

“Surprisingly, I feel good. Solomon has been so nonchalant about the whole thing, so it’s hard to feel nervous when he's so calm. His publicist reached out to give me some last-minute prep, but I didn’t plan to say much to the paparazzi or interviewers. I was simply there to accompany my man.

“You know how men are, especially the ones in our circle. Nothing is a big deal to them, when in actuality, this is a huge deal. Solomon is about to perform for a major award show, and it’s going to be broadcast worldwide. That’s why I’m making sure your makeup looks flawless, because I’ll be damned if they catch my good sis slipping and have you on the blogs looking casket sharp.” Ren snickered.

“Girl, please don’t even play like that. Now, my stomach is starting to bubble. I don’t have time for any of that bullshit.”

“Well, Moe is here along with his team, and you already know Solomon doesn’t play about his precious Honey Bee. Just walk in there, give them some gorgeous pictures, and shut shit down with your man. I already know he’s gonna kill it out there and you’ll be right there by his side cheering him on.”

“I know. I’m so proud of my man. Solomon acts like it’s not a big deal, but he’s accomplishing so much at such a young age, and it’s only the beginning.”

I couldn’t even contain the smile on my face just thinking about him and everything he has accomplished in life.

“Oh, look at you calling him your man. I’m telling you it’s only gonna be a matter of time before your mask slips and the two of you finally stop playing around,” Serenity teased.

I hadn’t told her or anyone else about what had been going on with us lately. Truthfully, Solomon and I still hadn’t discussed what we were doing, and I didn’t want to jump the gun or get my feelings hurt. At first, I thought it would be easy to play pretend since we were so close, but it was getting harder and harder to tell what was real and what wasn’t. The closer we became, the deeper my love for him grew, and it wasn’t the platonic love I was used to.

“I won’t lie and act like I’m not nervous. I’m used to how Solomon treats me, but sometimes I can’t tell what’s real and what’s not. For example, I told him I wanted to go to a Sip and Paint, and he set up a date for us at one of Tyeis’ classes. He didn’t hesitate for a single second, even though we all know he doesn’t care for public outings. I knew we would have to be affectionate in public, but it doesn’t stop when we’re in private. I’m so confused because in my heart, it feels like he’s really mine, but I don’t know what to think.”

“I don’t know why you’re acting as if you don’t know that man loves you. He’ll do anything to see you happy. Why do you think we’ve been joking about the two of you being together for so long? I’ve always thought you would end up with him eventually,” she expressed.

My family had always joked about Solomon and me being together, but I always brushed them off. The one and only time I tried to shoot my shot at us being more than friends, he politely shut me down.

I sat in the chair while she worked her magic on me. My sister was one of the best MUAs in our city, and her clientele included celebrities as well. She traveled all the time and even helped our brother, Rule, on his tours. I loved that all my siblings had their own careers and were thriving. We were perfect by any means, but we were doing well for ourselves.

“Hey, baby. Do you think I should wear this with or without a tie?” Serenity’s husband asked, holding up a black tie.

“I think you should forgo the tie and leave the shirt unbuttoned at the top. You know I like when you give a little sneak peek.” She snickered.

“Do you think I should wear this shirt or this one?”

Again, he held up two options.

“What pants are you planning to wear with the shirts? Do you have a blazer?” I asked.

“Umm, yeah. I brought about five outfit choices for the event. Every time we get dressed up, my wife has me looking like the help because she looks like a movie star without even trying.” Jett winked at Serenity, and my sister blushed.

For years, Ren was known as the player who never kept a man around long and never got emotionally invested in any of them. We all predicted Serenity would stay single until her forties or become the rich auntie who traveled the world but never had kids or a husband of her own.

Jett came right in and swept her off her feet, and it was incredible to watch her transform. She smiled and laughed more than she ever had before, and I could tell it wasn’t an act that he put on for the public. Jett loved Serenity for who she was, and as a result, his love helped her become everything she wanted and needed to be.

“Oh, hush. You know damn well, the bitches are always drooling over you whether you have on a suit or some sweatpants. Let big mama have her moment.” She teased.

“Big mama can have whatever she wants.” Jett walked over and whispered something in her ear that caused her to giggle like a schoolgirl. They kissed nastily, and then he smacked her on the ass as he walked away.

“Ya’ll are nasty. I should not be seeing this with my virgin eyes.” Dramatically, I covered my eyes and turned away.

“Virgin my ass. Besides, you’re in our room, not the other way around. You’re lucky I didn’t pull it out and suck it right in front of you.” Serenity teased as she stuck her tongue out at me.

“You are so gross. I’m tellin’ momma on you.” I pretended to pout with my arms folded.

“Where do you think I get it from? All those years of living with her and Big Moe, you should already know how she gives it up. I just know he’s over there folding mommy up like origami.”

Serenity snickered as I gagged at the image. “You are disgusting. Why the hell would you even say some shit like that? The last thing I want to think about is those two fuckin’. I used to sleep with noise-canceling headphones for the first year of their marriage because he couldn’t stay off of her. They broke two beds being freaky frogs. Yuck!”

I loved Moe, and he treated my mother like a true queen, but I hated the fact that they humped like rabbits. I moved my room to the other side of the house because I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Anyway, let me help my brother-in-law put this outfit together before he ends up on a gossip blog looking crazy.” I got up from my seat and walked over to their bed to see what his outfit choices were. I could tell right away which ones my sister picked out for her and which ones he picked out for himself.