Nightlife Series
When Jade loves you, she'll burn the world before she lets it touch you.
Michelle sees the shadows in her... and somehow finds comfort in them.
What starts as protection slowly turns into something they both never imagined, pulling...
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They stepped into Jade's house, and the warmth hit them first — then that smell. Rich, slow-cooked short ribs drifting through the air like a warm hug.
Michelle stopped dead in the foyer, eyes rolling back a little as she breathed in. "Mmm... Jade, baby... what you got simmerin' in here? It smell like heaven doin' a slow grind."
Jade smirked, locking the door behind them. "Short ribs. Been in the crock pot since this afternoon. Should be fallin' apart by now."
Michelle's stomach growled on cue, loud as hell. They both cracked up.
"Go take your shower," Jade teased, smacking her playfully on the butt. "I'll fix our plates."
While Michelle steamed up the bathroom, Jade moved through the kitchen like muscle memory — soft rice fluffed perfectly, cabbage still warm, and the short ribs so tender they slid right off the bone when she lifted them. She plated Michelle's portion the way she knew she liked: a little extra sauce, her rice shaped neatly, everything organized.
By the time Michelle came out — hair wrapped, wearing Jade's hoodie, and a pair of boy shorts — Jade was setting the plates down on the table.
Michelle sat, eyes widening as she took the first bite. And whew... she almost moaned.
"Oh my God... babe. You tryna marry me tonight? 'Cause this food... this is proposal behavior."
Jade chuckled, sitting across from her. "Just eat, babe."
They got a few bites in before Jade cleared her throat gently.
"So... I took care of something today." Michelle glanced up. "What you mean?"
Jade leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, tone casual but proud. "Your sister's flight for your birthday weekend. It's paid for. She's set. Everything else is finalized too— the dinner, the décor, the backyard, the menu. All you gotta do is enjoy yourself."
Michelle froze, fork halfway to her mouth, eyes glossing like she'd just been hit with a wave of emotions.
"...Jade." It came out soft. Shocked. Grateful.
Jade shrugged, that dangerous-calm confidence softened just for her. "You deserve to feel celebrated. And I want you happy, baby. That's all."
Michelle set her fork down, got up, walked around the table, and settled right in Jade's lap — straddling her like it was instinct. Arms around her neck. Face buried against her cheek.
"You don't even know what you do to me..." Michelle whispered, voice thick. "I'm so thankful for you. Like... really thankful."
Jade's hands slid to her waist, grounding her. "Then stay happy with me."
"I plan to," Michelle murmured, kissing her deeply, slow.
Jade kept her arms wrapped around her as they kissed, as Michelle rested her forehead to hers, smiling so hard her cheeks hurt.
