You’re on the line with Liza B., the only DJ who gives a jam. Welcome back to our hip-hop world tour! We’re taking you around the world. Come visit the station for prizes—shirts, tickets, and albums. Last week we took you to Paris with free drinks at Le Diplomate restaurant with a cool collection of French MCs. Next week we’re giving you some South African flavor! I’m taking suggestions for our next country. Caller One, do you have any suggestions for our hip-hop world tour?”

“First of all, it is so great to finally talk with you,” a woman said.

“Thank you.” Liza beamed.

“But yes, have you put any thought into the Pinoy rap scene, like Filipino hip-hop artists? The Philippines were really the start of hip-hop in Asia with N.E.R.D. and the Black-Eyed Peas. There is some early Francis M. that would blow your mind.”

“Oh, I like that! We didn’t catch your name, caller.”

“Just G.”

“Well, Just G., I think you just filled our last slot. The Philippines will be our big finish.”

The more Liza thought of her and Dorsey’s night out, the more she knew that she and Dorsey had both lost their damn minds. She didn’t actually have to maintain a cordial relationship with Dorsey. After his project failed, he would be off to ravage another city. But WIC was a freedom fighter in the trenches with her. Dorsey had to know that. His single text burned in her brain for two days. Until finally she relented and texted him back.

Blue Bell Ice Cream

My dad used to live in Texas

I came down for a summer and we made sundaes together

It’s only available in certain areas but

The taste makes me feel better

Noted

Typical one-word nonanswer. While Liza saw the intellectual reason she should distance herself from Dorsey, her body acted of its own accord. At night, she burned with the memory of his touch. She wondered if she would die with the knowledge of the feel of Dorsey’s hard dick against her thigh.

WIC had called her every day since he’d seen her that night. Her right mind said that she was glad to be back on WIC’s radar. It took seeing her out that night to jog his memory. Good. She was starting to think she had imagined their banter. Her phone rang, and she picked it up. WIC again.

“Hey, Liza.”

“This is she.” She tried to sound breathy and cool.

“Oh, hey girl, I wanted to check on you again.”

“Aw, WIC, you’re such a sweet man.”

“Gotta make our queens feel like queens, don’t we?”

Liza couldn’t stop the flash of Dorsey’s dark gaze at the hotel. He had started off the evening quietly, but it wasn’t noncommunicative silence. His eyes washing over her, his sweet blushes, his flustered speech, made her feel . . . lovely.