DeShaun and I exchange a look as I get up from my seat with a loud exhale. It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes as I shuffle my way past everyone taking their seats for the start of the show, and follow Vance out to a secluded part of the venue. My first thought was that this was about work somehow, but as Vance and I reach a quiet corner, I can tell from his demeanor that this isn’t about work.

“Okay, thanks for talking to me,” Vance starts, and I’m already annoyed.

“Just hurry up, Vance, they’re about to start.”

“Okay, okay. Listen, Alina, it took me a while to build up the nerve to say this, so I’m going to just blurt it out … I’m still in love with you.”

I flinch like he just threw something at me.

“I know it’s a lot to take while you’re sitting at a fashion show for work, but I was at home earlier and I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I haven’t been able to stop since the day we broke up. I regretted it from that very moment, but I was too prideful to say it earlier. I fucked up my chance with you, and I regret it so much. I’m willing to do anything for us to be together again. I know you spent a few months with that Nas guy, and I know we’re night and day different, but I can give you everything he did and more.”

My stomach tightens at the mention of Nas and what he used to give me. How would Vance know what I got from Nas? He wouldn’t know the first thing about Nas or what he and I had. Vance would shit himself just from standing in the doorway of Nas’s Kingdom.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Vance,” I say, trying to let him down easy, but my nerves are already irked.

“I do,” Vance quickly rebuts. “I know you asked me for more, and I acted like an asshole about it. Well, I’m here to tell you that I’m ready for more now. I’m ready to spice things up however you need it, Alina. I’m ready now. Just give me a chance.”