𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐂𝐘 | 𝐋𝐀 𝐋𝐔𝐕 𝐏𝐓.𝟐

eleven.

EXCUSE ANY ERRORS.

" ... So their grandfather actually owns this hotel?" Tai questioned as she, Lori, and Karlae stood around at one of the tables inside of the ballroom chatting amongst everyone else. Quietly, Lori nodded her head while sipping from her glass and looking around the place. "Yup. This and probably a hundred somethin' other places."

"At this point I'm starting to think his old ass was one of the founding father's— thank you," Karlae said casually while quickly grabbing another glass of champagne from the server's tray as he passed by.

"This bitch is ignorant," Lori giggled as Tai shook her head and playfully rolled her eyes. She couldn't help but to laugh with Lori while Karlae kept a straight face,"I'm forreal. And Lori don't think we ain't peep this ring on your finger bitch, what's this?"

"Mhm," Tai began to add her two cents,"you lookin' real good on his arm tonight too sis."

"Thank you boo. And Lauren, girl, it goes well with my shoes." She tried waving it off to make it seem as if this wasn't a big deal and she didn't care that much about it.

"It goes well with my sho– oh bitch, please," Karlae mocked her before rolling her eyes,"If you and Sam eloped and wanted to surprise everybody just say that."

"Right? She just popped out with the ring like this isn't a big deal," Tai laughed, picking up Lori's left hand to take a quick look before dropping it,"So explain bitch! Don't leave me and Boogie hanging now, c'mon."

"Yea, we listening." Karlae said sassily while rolling her neck and looking Lori up and down. "Y'all, me and this man did not elope or get hitched or whatever y'all wanna' call it. I just put it back on because I miss wearin' it. I'm not gon' lie to y'all."

"Hm," Karlae relaxed and nodded her head,"what'd he say about it?"

"Nothing really, I mean," She chuckled and shrugged her shoulders softly,"he pointed it out and of course asked about it."

"Mm, okay." Tai chimed in,"So y'all getting back together ooor..?"

"I–" Lori hesitated and sighed softly before telling her girls straight up,"I would like to." In response, Karlae's eyebrows raised in shock. She figured the two of them would find their way back to one another, but actually hearing Lori say this with confidence surprised her. To assure her, Lori repeated herself. "I really would."

"Okay," Karlae nodded her head in understanding,"that's good Lori. I'm glad you feel like you can trust him with your heart again. And remember what I told you, who you love and why you love them should only make sense to you. Fuck what everybody else think."

"Right. And you know me, I'm all for black love chile. Be with who makes you happy Lori, and if that's Blacc Sam's crazy ass then so be it."

"Right." Lori said to them both, taking a brief look across the room at Samiel who was doubled over in laughter with Adam. Raising her glass to her lips, she took another sip and sat with her thoughts for a while.

It wasn't that she didn't want to be with Samiel again, she just didn't want to end feeling the same way she did years ago. But, that was years ago – she had to remember that and trust that Samiel could actually change and be the man he not only needed to be for her and Solana, but for himself too. Taking things slow with him didn't sound too bad, and tonight seemed like the perfect night to make a step towards that.