Page 81 of Addicted

“Yeah,” I said, smiling.

“These looksogood,” she said, looking at the stitching. “Like, you could sell this shit. For real.”

“You think so?” I asked.

“Hell yeah,” she said. “You’re talented as fuck, Indie. You always have been.”

I felt my chest swell with pride.

Before I could respond, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around and saw Stone standing in the doorway.

He was wearing that blank expression he usually did, the one that made him look intimidating as hell.

Aurora’s eyes went wide when she saw him.

I could tell she was taking him in. His height, his build, his tattoos, the cold look in his eyes.

“Aurora,” I said, walking over to Stone. “This is Stone. Stone, this is my best friend, Aurora.”

Stone’s eyes flicked to Aurora, and he gave her a slight nod.

“What’s good,” he said, his voice low.

Aurora smiled nervously. “Hey. Thanks for, uh, letting me come through. And for spoiling my bestie like this.”

She gestured around the design room, and I saw the corner of Stone’s mouth twitch.

Almost like he wanted to smirk.

“She deserves it,” he said simply. Then he looked at me. “My niggas just pulled up. Y’all ready to come outside?”

I nodded. “Yeah, we’re coming.”

Stone turned and walked out, and Aurora immediately grabbed my arm.

“Girl,” she whispered. “He is fine as hell. And scary as hell. But mostly fine.”

I laughed. “Come on.”

Aurora and I followed Stone out into the backyard where his guests were already mingling.

There was music playing from the outdoor speakers. Something with a smooth beat, low enough to allow conversation but still loud enough to catch a vibe.

Three men and one woman were standing near the outdoor bar, talking and laughing.

Stone walked over to them, and I followed with Aurora by my side.

“Yo,” Stone said, getting their attention. “This is Indie. And this is her friend, Aurora.”

Everyone turned to look at us. A light-skinned dude with a fade and a diamond chain around his neck smiled wide.

“So, this is the woman who got Stone acting like a loverboy,” he said, his voice teasing.

Stone glared at him. “Kenzo, shut the fuck up.”

Kenzo laughed, not fazed in the slightest. “I’m just saying, bro. You out here throwing barbecues and shit. That’s new.”

The other two men chuckled.