A Love Like Ours

Makeup or Breakup

Winter had come and gone, spring went by in a blur and now summer was here and I was finally back in town ready to get back to work. After spending a couple months at Paisley Park with Prince, it was time I got back to LA for work. I was already getting offers to do a few spreads but the most important thing I was focusing on was the Charity Fashion Show. It would be one of the biggest events held in LA,hosting some of the richest people which, of course, was our target audience.

I was presented with the opportunity after having lunch with the Hilton's at their estate. Paris thought it would be a good idea, so I agreed to have a sit down with her mother, who was in fact, completely on board with the idea of me walking in the fashion show. She did not hesitate to send me the complete itinerary and with that, I started preparing for the show alongside Paris.

The show was only two days away and since Paris and I had gotten an early start with everything–I'm talking like a couple weeks head start– so I was able to relax until the day of the show. I was sitting outside by the pool enjoying a lemonade freeze I had whipped up when I heard someone walking up. Looking to my right, I see Michael slowly approaching and I couldn't help but sigh. We hadn't spoken since my grandmother's funeral back on New Year's Eve and that was mostly due to me being stubborn. I also didn't feel like hearing him lecture me about my drinking and what not.

"Who let you in?" I asked him once he was close enough so I didn't have to yell.

"Security." He says, scratching the back of his head. "I heard you were back in town so I thought I'd stop by..." He slipped his hands into his pockets and looked down to the ground.

I tilted my head to the side and furrowed my brows. "Um, are you going to say what you're here for?" I finally asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"How are you?" He asked looking over at me. "Last time I saw you, you were...... a mess."

"Yeah, well, grief does that to you." I scoffed.

I took a sip of my drink while keeping a watchful eye on Michael as he walked over and sat poolside next to me. Sitting Indian style, he leaned back in the palms of his hands and gazed up to the sky. As I continued watching him closely, I couldn't help but realize how much I still loved him. I'm just afraid that I might've blown my chances.

"I wish you would've let me be there for you." He expressed, glancing at me before focusing back on the sky. "You didn't have to push me away. Where did you even disappear to?"

It was now his turn to watch me. I fiddled with the rings on my fingers before answering. "I was staying at a hotel in Santa Monica for a little while and then I went back to Paisley Park with Prince."

A deafening silence filled the space between us. I wasn't sure why, but part of me felt a pang of guilt clench at my heart.

"Do you love him?" Michael suddenly asked, turning to look at me again.

"Yes, I love him," I answered honestly. "But I am and will always be in love with you."

It had gotten quiet between us again but it didn't last long before I asked, "What about Lisa?"

"Yeah, I love her," He shrugged. "I just... I want to be with you but it seems like you're running from me and I don't know why."

I was taken aback by what he just said. I admit, I've pushed him away when he's done nothing but try to be there for me, but I wouldn't call it running. Then again, I did run off with Prince with no word on my whereabouts, but I did it for the betterment of myself. At the time, it seemed like the only way to retain my sanity.

"I'm not running from you," I said quietly, looking down at the sweating glass in my hands. "I don't know what it is, really. Maybe I am running, I don't know."