Katie smirked. “I don't need your critique. I’m a better dancer so maybe you should come and take notes.”
“Well, why is it that I have principal dancer under my resume, and you don't?”
Katie’s thin lips formed into a line as her eyes narrowed. Bria had to deal with the racial undertones of the ballet world, but she would never let them see her crumble. Stuntin’ on the dancers who thought they were better than her would always be her first weapon of choice.
“Now you have a great night.”
Bria grabbed her bag and walked out the room. On the way out, she noticed someone who made her face glow within an instant.
“Hey,” Tori sang, dressed in a beautiful white dress. Her honey blonde locs were styled in a half-up and half-down style. “Bria, right?”
“Yes, what are you doing here?”
“I played with the orchestra.”
Bria gasped. “You did? I wish I would’ve known. I would have come to say hi.”
Tori waved her hand. “It’s cool. I know you had to prepare for your performance. By the way, you were amazing. Your body is crazy. I wish I could dance like that.”
“No, I wish I can play like that.” Bria laughed. “How dare you compliment me as if you're not Satori Harper?”
Bashfully, Tori smiled. She had been so kind at her wedding that Bria wished they had more time to bond.
“These days I’m just mommy and wife but I manage to get out here and play from time to time. Did Lo come?”
Bria’s features fell immediately at the mention of her husband.
“No, he didn’t.”
Tori looked around before stepping closer to her. “How’s it going with him? I ask because I barely know him, and it just seems like he’s hard to deal with.”
Sighing, Bria confessed, “He’s extremely hard to deal with. Every day I question why I even made this move with him. My marriage is very much just a piece of paper.”
“Damn, I was hoping he would open up to you. Honestly, your wedding was the second time I’ve seen him. He doesn’t come around like that. I think he has beef with Ada and Dax.”
Bria recollected the scene at the reception with Ada and Dax leaving after saying something to Maddy. Lo never expound on their rift, and she didn’t want to press the issue.
“So, why is there beef?”
Tori shrugged. “Out of all the time I’ve been in The Crown Family, no one has said why. They're very mum about it. I wish I had tea to spill for you, but my cup is empty.”
“Hopefully, it won’t take years for me to figure out. Are you staying the night here in Miami?”
“No, I have my driver outside.” She glanced at her watch. “I should get going. Hey, let’s hang out sometime. Me, you, and Kaylona since we’re Crown girls now.” She winked.
“Of course, I would love to.”
The two exchanged hugs before Tori walked toward the exit. Bria walked down the hall and grinned when she spotted Dough in the lobby. In his hand were a bouquet of roses while he talked on the phone. As soon as he spotted her, he smiled and ended his call.
“Congratulations,” he said as she approached. “That body looked real good.”
Chuckling, she grabbed the bouquet from him. Dough made her nervous in a good way. Their chemistry had been overpowering since the day they met. He stood a bit taller than her, with neat locs that he kept in a low ponytail. His milk chocolate skin was moisturized. His smoky eyes held lust as he grinned, showcasing his perfect set of veneers. The cuts in his thick brows added a ruggedness that Bria loved. Their bond had been in the making for two years. There were feelings she possessed that were reserved only for him.
“Thank you.”
Dough wrapped his arms around Bria, giving her the comfort she had been craving for over a month. Bria had been carrying coldness and his embrace felt like the warmest place on her earth. She hadn’t felt affection this good since she was last in his arms. He pulled back, gazing at her lips before he pressed them against hers. This was reckless. Standing in the lobby, kissing on a man that wasn’t Lo was so bold. Yet, Bria neededthis. The iciness that she had inherited from her husband melted right away. She had needs. Lo wasn’t meeting them, so she refused to halt the affection from Dough.
“Yeah, that nigga slippin’ big time.” He smirked.
