*BEEP* Hello this is Keia, I'm not available to answer the phone, but if you leave your name, number, and a brief message, I'll be sure to get back to you." *BEEP*

I remembered when I first got this answering machine, I wanted to get two...one for my private line where I would bump Jodeci or Color Me Bad in the background while saying with the most breathy Janet Jackson whisper voice "you know what to do at the beep", and a second for my professional line. Kristina was all for it but Blue talked me out of it...saying, "...what if it's a job and they call both!" So I opted on one that was linked to both.

The girls had gone out for a bit. Something about going home to get a change of clothes and run a few errands. While I was left with the task of answering or at least listening to a weeks worth or missed calls and messages.

*beep*

"Hey babe" Eddie's easy NY accent seeped out with the H in hey. "I tried calling you after the tapping to see how the reunion went. Even called Prince but he said you weren't there." With Eddie you never knew what he was going to say but the transition was always there. The break in commentary let me know he was setting up for his punch line. " He must have been on his period cause he sounded sassier than a Baptist Church Choir director!"

"Eddie" he imitated Prince's cadence "then he pauses babe you know those long ass pauses he does where he's just there staring at you like he could see your soul..."  he pauses and I'm sure was staring at the phone Princely even though I couldn't see it. "Then he says 'That's your woman...shouldn't you know where she at?'" he ends with a cackle and howl "...anyway babe call me when you get in!"  *Beep*

Fast forwarding to the next message  *beep*

"When are you coming in? Me and Blue been calling ..."

*beep*

"I get that you are a little..." Blue starts.

*beep*

"Honey call me when you get a chance! You're dad said he spoke to Eddie and he hasn't heard from you in days! I told him you were okay. Your Aunt Jean dun went and got her a new man. I guess she was tired of sleeping with Mr. Dripper. You know your aunt's a mess. But anyway...I love you and don't forget to use that Nivea Creme cause don't no man like no sandpaper ass hands and feet... Derek get your nasty hands out my pot! I dun told you... click.

Note to self...call mom and buy some Nivea I scribbled down on a piece of paper.

*Beep*

"Babe..."

*beep*

"I know this bitch better answer this damn..."

*beep*

"So..."

*click*

"Nope" I yelled as I pressed the stop button with full force. I wasn't aware that such a simple word...two whole letters...was enough to knock the wind out of my lungs. Before I knew it I had taken the tape out of the deck and tossed it to the corner of the room. "The Devil is a Lie!"

I wasn't ready to listen to it. Not after the reunion. Not this soon.

"Come on...get it together...get it together." I quietly chanted to myself. Smoothing my hands over my thighs trying to calm the restless tapping of my foot.

I was willing to listen to his voice. I missed it...a lot. There is no way one could talk to someone more than they spoke to their own mom and then go a few days without speaking to that person. Yet here I am segueing with myself because to be honest, I was desperate for a fix.

Instead I reached for a folded piece of paper I had shoved into a decorative bowl full of glass lemons. It was a reminder to take lemons and make lemonade. The note was the first of many I'd receive over the course of a year. Notes that would randomly pop up in places they shouldn't be or delivered in the post. This however was the first friendly jester after our initial encounter.

It wasn't a secret that I was in New York to do some promo work. However, the only people who knew my hotel info was Kristina who was accompanying me and Blue who booked the trip.

It was 2pm and my hotel room was as I left it at 6am to do my first radio interview of the day. Suitcase sat securely on the ottoman at the foot of the bed. My laptop plugged into the socket stationed on the desk. Glancing at a few pieces of clothing scattered on the white cotton sheets of my hotel room; I remembered how I slightly unpacked after arriving on the redeye from LAX while looking for my sleep scarf. 

Kicking off my black ferragamo pumps, I slid my achy toes into a pair of W hotel embroiderd slippers. I was beat and the last thing on my mind was to do anything other than wash the day off of me and curl up in the bed.

However Kristina had other things on her mind. She had somehow convinced me to go to New Jersey with her to meet her new beau. Kristina originally was introduced to Charlie at the Premier party for Boomerang. They had recently moved from booty call status to officially dating, decided that Eddie would be a perfect match for me, and since we were already in New York they thought this would be the perfect time for us to meet.

Not long after I'd climbed out of the shower my  mobile was ringing and Kristina was banging on the door that separated our adjoining rooms.

"Hello Franks Furniture Depot...we promise our beds don't got no bugs. How can I help you?"

"Kay open the damn door..." Kristina huffed into the receiver.

"No..." I giggle as I plop down on the bed and began to blindly drag my fingers across the night stands in search for some paper. Grabbing what I assumed was a notepad to doodle on I noticed I was actually holding a peculiar lavender envelope.

"Come on..." she whines into the phone.

"Hey, did you leave something in my room? Like tickets to a show? Or something?" I say with anticipation.

"What?! No...why?" She quizzes.

"I found something..."

It read...

Gypsy,

        A little birdie told me that you took the hosting gig. Eye told you that beauty like yours shouldn't be hidden behind hair or a camera. Eye'd like to get to know who's planning on being all in my business a little better. Come to my show tonight at the Roxy. Let me see how down you can get. Say your name at the door.

Prince

"Look get up and put on some clothes." Kristina demanded after using an extra key to let herself into my room. "We got places... ta be!"

"What's that?" She questioned eyeing the note in my hand.

"Oh nothing, just a note I was writing." I lied.

"If you got time to be writing yourself little ditties then you got time to put on your clothes!"

"I don't really want to go!" I whined. "Lord, Keia'z tide!"

"Keia, the lord's tide too!" Kristina responded. "Come on, the car will be here in a few! How often do we get paid to hangout?! Shoot, how often are we in New York?!"

"You like animals?" Eddie questioned me.

We were seated in a corner section in this quaint Italian Restaurant in Greenwich Village called La Lanterna di Vittori. From the outside it looked like a small bed and breakfast but once the door was ajar the sound of jazz nuzzled against your face as the restaurant opened up to an indoor garden lit by Alice in Wonderland type whimsical lanterns.

Lifting my head from my plate. "I love animals! I use to have a rabbit when I was growing up!" I exclaimed. I figured since this was a date I'd share a bit.

"You had a rabbit?" Charlie inquired.

"I didn't know you had a rabbit Kay." Kristina adds.

"Them muphuckas stank.... Just like turtles... and and ..and they shit look like brown m&ms all over the place. They be shitting kibbles and bits." Charlie joked while showing all 30 plus teeth.

The Murphy Brothers weren't your typical Hollywood Heartthrobs. They were handsome enough; smoothed skin, bright eyes, chiseled jaws, with shoulders broad and strong; but their charisma didn't feel like a last minute add-on. Their childhoods in New York and lack of taking themselves too serious made them seem... relatable.

"Speaking of shit..." Eddie segues. "A Bear and a rabbit were taking a shit in the woods. And the bear turns to the rabbit and says, "Excuse me, do you have problems with shit sticking to your fur?" And the rabbit says, "No." So the bear wiped his ass with the rabbit!"

I was not expecting that and neither was my windpipe. I started choking on a forkful of salad that had barely made its way in my mouth before Eddie decided to grace us with the "Eddie Murphy charm".

Coughing wedges lettuce into a napkin isn't very lady like but Eddie rushed to my side, patting my back like a toddler. "You okay?" He asked. His eyes laced with a bit of worry and mischief. "I said I'd wanted to take you out not TAKE YOU OUT!", he emphasizes.

Wiping my mouth with the napkin to ensure there was no residue of food left behind. "I'm fine..." I responded. "...just caught me off guard." I smiled to reinsure him.

After dinner I was trying to ease my way out the door. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy myself but being added to Prince's Official Guestlist by the man himself was a once in a lifetime thing and I was not going to miss out. Plus he was technically my boss and he was right, I did want to see behind the veil just a little. So, as much as I was enjoying myself I wasn't opposed to escussing myself for the powder room and actually leaving. I mean, I could always apologize and say I got sick or something. Right?

"...Prince..." Eddie said.

I was so busy trying to plan my great escape that I hadn't heard a word he spoke except the obvious. 

"What about Prince?"

"He's playing at the Roxy tonight and since the night is young. We should slide over there." Eddie commented.

"I mean we are going to be practically living in his house we should be let in but if not... I'm sure these guys have some pull!" Kristina tried to sound convincing.

Eddie did have pull at the front door which meant I didn't have to use my name to get in, but I did use it to get free cocktails for my party of four.

The owner of the Roxy was a huge fan of Eddie. It wasn't enforced but insisted that a photo op with Eddie would be a great addition to the owners office "celebrity wall" ;which was adorn with many famous club goers over the years; and in turn he gifted our table with a few bottles of Dom Pérignon.

However, I'm a cocktail kind of girl and jack and coke was my drink of choice. So, instead of sipping on bubbles I brought back four cups of brown.

Prince first rift started at 1am. That was approximately 2 Jacks and 2 Doms in and the exact time we all dispersed to the dance floor.

The whole day Kristina made it crystal clear to me that she had planned on them utilizing every surface in her suite since her and Charlie hadn't seen each other for weeks due to their work schedules. So it wasn't a shocker that somewhere between us getting drinks and us putting our foot down on the two to House Quack, they disappeared leaving me to dance and sing the night away with a leather clad Eddie.

When Prince played his last lick the packed house went crazy.

"So many hits...we'll be here all night!" He said into the mic.

"It's getting late...I'll take you home." Eddie whispered into my ear but the sound of screaming people and loud music drowned out his words.

"Huh"

"I'll take you home...it's late!" Eddie said again.

"I want to at least say hi." I slightly whined. And as if aligned with the gods. Top Flight Security walked over to us to escort us backstage.

Eddie's gator skin boots clicked in syncopation with my pumps until were met with Dwayne outside of Prince's dressing room door.

"Hey man!" Dwayne voice boomed in the small corridor as he and my date gave each other a hi-five and pulled in for a quick one armed man hug. "Looking good man..."

"You too" Eddie laughs.

After relinquishing Eddie's arm it finally registers to Dwayne that he wasn't alone.

"K, what you doing here?" Dwayne asked.

Formal greetings had quickly gone after just a few days my team spent in Paisley. Dwayne was a constant fixture because not only was he the bosses brother but he was also head of his Security team. It was obvious in the first week of us setting up that Paisley ran as a family and everyone in its doors was treated as such. However, the owner of the building was kind of a recluse in studio B.

Faced pressed into his chest and heels lifted slightly from the floor, Dwayne engulfed me in his usual hug. "I see you ran into this loser...have you guys met?" He laughs.

"Hey-hey man, watch who you call a loser in front of my future girl..." Eddie starts.

My head snapped so fast to face Eddie. Lord we just met...what is he talking about?!

"...and I wasn't even playing that night. Charlie was playing and P thru him off with that purple jacket..."

"Future girl?" Dwayne's eyebrows raised so high almost pushing back his hairline.

Eddie's gaff caused him to laugh "I said future...I mean a man would be stupid to let this one get away...anyway look at the time" taking a look at his watch. "It's 2am and I have an early call time tomorrow. Is he here?"

The door swung open interrupting Eddie's attempt of changing the subject.

Prince stepped out and made direct eye contact with me, his bare chest rising and falling still glistening from his performance only mere minutes ago. Shifting his eyes to my left he looked at Eddie inquisitively. 

"Mr. Murphy!?" Prince smirks. "It's good to see you brother." Slapping palms with Eddie.

"Yeah, just wanted to stop by and say what's up, man that show was great. If anybody gets the girls to scream it's you. I swear the lady next to use took off her bodysuit and tossed it on the stage. " he cackled out.

"Is that what that was?" Dwayne howls which causes me to giggle.

"Anyway man, I can't stay long, I was just about to tell Dwayne that we start filming Beverly Hills Cop 3 tomorrow. Plus I wanted to get this lovely lady home." Eddie concludes placing his hand at the small of my back.

Prince's eyes followed Eddies hand placement, up the length of my torso, and back to my own hazel eyes.

"I actually wanted to speak to her for a minute..." Prince states never taking his eyes off of mine. "...you mind if I keep her? We'll make sure she gets back home safely."

"Eddie it's cool. Go and get some rest. I'll be fine" I assure him.

"You sure?" He inquires.

"Positive...plus I don't plan on being out much longer. I have a flight to catch to Minneapolis tomorrow." I smile. "Thank you for the evening."

"There's plenty more where that came from...I'ma call you!" Pulling my hand up to his lips, he plants a sweet kiss as I nod in agreement.

"Later guys...take care of this girl." He says while beginning his journey back to New Jersey.

Prince has been burning a whole into the side of my face since I said my goodbyes to Eddie and instead of saying anything he opens the door wider and steps aside for me to make my way in.

"Make sure I'm not bothered." He states flatly to Dwayne as he closed the door behind us.

The welcoming scent of bergamot and lavender greeted me as the flames from the candles that were illuminating the room flickered off of the velvet plum drapes. Following my first instinct, I kicked off my shoes to feel the plush sheepskin rugs on the floor. Tossing my small handbag on the nearest couch, I started fingering the many perfume and cologne bottles placed on his vanity.

I could see him through the mirror, he hadn't stepped away from the door since closing it behind him. Instead he was observing me as one would do an animal in the wild. Figuring he didn't mind me being nosy, I began to pull the stoppers off of each glass bottle to take a whiff of the scents inside.

"So...Chanel?" I questioned with one stopper to my nose, peeking thru the looking glass.

He purses his lips and playfully taps an index finger to his chin. Making his way to the plush loveseat pushed up against the back wall, he picks up my purse and starts rummaging thru it.

"I always wondered what little things women hid in these things." He says with his fingers deep in the small bag.

Turning around to face him "get out of my bag" I laugh as he pulls out my mascara smells it's and tosses it back into my bag.

"Well, technically..." he stops his rummaging and looks up at me. "This here is my room..."

"Yes it is..." I answer waiting to see where this goes.

"...which means everything in it belongs to me." He says matter-of-factly.

He's got to be kidding. "Well I'm in this room..." Taking a seat on the arm rest of the sofa, I respond.

"Yes...yes you are." He comedically nods his head.

"But I don't belong to you..." I giggle.

"I did ask if I could keep you..." his lip curls up slightly as he makes eye contact. "...and it looks like you are already prepared for the evening..." shoving his index and thumb into my bag he pulls out what he was looking for. "...what were you planning on doing with this young lady?" He laughs as he pinched a foil square between his two fingers.

My face flushed from embarrassment. Quickly gathering my wits, I start reaching for it causing him to jump up and run to the door with the condom raised high above his head.

"Give it back" I nervously laugh out falling off the chair as I grabbed for him.

"Uh huh..." he wiggles his index finger at me. "Not until you tell me who you brought this for? Him or me? Cause momma I have my own. All you had to do is ask." He snickers.

"It's not even mine." I reply attempting to act unfazed.

"Hmm...right...that's why you almost busted your ass trying to snatch it out of my hand." He jokes.

"I was trying to straighten my dress!" I lie.

"You ain't gotta lie gypsy." He grins.

"I'm not lying Mr. Nelson." I bite my lip to keep myself from laughing.

"I can tell just by your reaction, your lying.", he counters. "Let's get out of here!"  He says tossing my small beaded bag back at me but not before swiping my brand new Laura Mercier Black Kajal eyeliner.

"I just bought that." I retort while shoving my feet into my shoes and jogged behind him as he opened the door a swiftly made his way to a black sedan.

"And look at god, cause I just ran out!" He confesses, while opening the passenger door for me. "Awe...I'll give you something back in return." He chirps.

"You can give me back my eyeliner..." I say flatly while extending my flat palm to him.

Slapping my hand out of the way, he simply says "No!" With a shake of the head.

The entire car ride we laughed. This was the side of him no one really saw. His eyes would light up at every stop light when he'd tell me stories of the beginning days of his band. Before Lisa and Wendy and Mark. Before the bouffant and lace. Stories about him playing in his best friends basement and how he and Andre would plot on having band battles with the Jackson 5. How he'd practice in the middle of the night and during lunch and before and after classes. I watched him relive his memories in that car and it wasn't until we pulled up to the front of Electric Lady Studio that I had a clue into where this adventure was going.

"So you kidnap all of your employees and whisky them off to the studio with you?" I playfully inquire.

"Tonight you aren't an employee..." I muses while locking the door behind use and leading me further into studio.

Not sure as to where the rest of his statements was leading, I decided to change the subject.

Bumping his arm with my elbow, "so...about that eyeliner..."

"Oh...I almost forgot...Close your eyes and open your mouth!"

"I'm not opening my mouth with my eyes closed. So you can stick something weird in it? That sounds like a set up!" I squeal.

"What exactly would you like me to stick in it?"

My only response was a scoff because if I was honest... if you added the amount of alcohol in my system, to the fact that there is definitely way too much sexual attraction, subtract the getting to know each other stage, add the point that we already have a condom in the room...he could literally put it in my mouth. But....and there is a huge but! Divide it by the idea that we have to work together for the next several months. I wasn't willing to risk it.

"Uhhhhh...nothing?" I say more or less questioning myself.

"Hmmm..." He laughs to himself "just close your eyes and open your mouth." He says again with more authority.

"But...but...I said..." holding my hands up to keep him at a distance.

"Do you trust me?" He questions.

For some reason I did trust him. So without another thought I squeezed my eyes shut and my bottom jaw slacked open. It was barely a second when I felt him run something smooth across my lips.

"Now stick your tongue out a little!" His minty breath fanned my face with each word.

"What is it?" I wondered.

"No peaking...now do what I say! Ahhhh!"

"Ahhhh" I imitate.

Placing the item on my tongue he then says, "no close your mouth and suck."

After one long suck I pop my eyes open to look at him.

Rolling it over to one side of my mouth, "Raspberry!"

"It's the new Super Blow-pops." He cheekily says while sporting a boyish smile. "Something sweet for a sweet."

Pulling it from between my lips, I decide to play with him. "You want a lick?" Holding the piece of candy towards his face.

I knew I was trotting into the danger zone but what could a little flirting hurt.

With a mischievous look on his face he leans forward and slowly licks the popsicle before removing it from my hand with his mouth.

"You didn't think I would take it did you?"

"Honestly no, thought you'd be one of those germaphobes!" I innocently smile "but now..." I lean in closely, trailing my eyes from his to his lips and back again. "I..." slowly licking the fullness of my lips. "...want..." positioning myself closer to him, "it back." I finish pulling the lollipop from his lips, sticking it back into my mouth, and reclaiming my original position reclined in my roller chair.

"Tsk tsk..." he shakes his head.

"Wanna Jam?" He says grabbing a guitar off of a stand and handing it to me. "A little birdie told me you play the guitar."

"Speaking of birdies...how'd you get the letter into my room?"

He smirks and starts making bird noises.

"Caw, caw to you too."

A few minutes of use playing around turned to into hours. The time had slipped past me so effortlessly that it wasn't until I checked my watch that I saw it was 10:40am. I had less than two hours to retrieve my bags from the hotel and make my way to JFK.

"Oh wow..." I squeak, jumping up to grab my shoes and clutch.

"What's wrong?" He questions

"It's almost eleven and I have a flight at 1pm. I have to go grab my things. Do you mind dropping me off...you know what I'll call a cab!" I rambled.

"No it's cool!" He stammered getting up to grab his things.

"No...no seriously you still have to shut down all of this. I'll catch a cab."

"Well let me at least walk you out..." grabbing his jacket he walks me to the curb and flags down a yellow cab.

Opening the door to let me climb in, I stop him "hey...thanks for the night...It was amazing."

"Anytime Gypsy lady...any time" he chuckled.

"Where to boss?" The cabbie asked.

"The W hotel Times Square." I tell him.

"And one last thing" turning back to the man still holding the cab door ajar.

"Yeah"

"When you said last night I wasn't an employee....what what would you have called me?" Biting my lip, I looked up at him through the rolled-down window after he closed the door.

It had been bothering me since I diverted the conversation to something I was a little more comfortable with but now I needed to know.

"A friend, I hope!" He smiled hitting the top of the cab and sending me on my way.

Leaning back into the beaten up leather seat of the yellow cab, thoughts of the night running through ny head. My thoughts are interrupted by the driving.

"What was that?"

"I said," clearing his raspy voice "Wild night?"

"No... just an interesting one!" I smile to myself, listening the the rustling of the beads that decorated the interior of car.