Chapter 23

Selena had been in full content mode all week, preparing for her upcoming trip out of the country.

Her camera was propped up in the perfect angle, ring light glowing as she sat at her vanity, freshly done nails tapping against her products.

"Good morning, y'all! Today we are getting ready for my trip—hair, nails, toes, shopping... all that. So, let's get into it."

She adjusted the camera and held up her foundation, blending it into her skin.

"I'm getting small boho knotless today, and y'all know I love a good braid look when I travel. It's just so easy to manage. My nail appointment is right after, so I'm thinking a soft pink or maybe white—something cute and clean."

As she spoke, she switched between blending her makeup and checking herself in the mirror.

She knew people loved these videos—watching her get her hair done, seeing her shopping hauls, following along as she prepped for trips. It was her thing.

By the time she finished filming her GRWM, she was out the door, camera still rolling as she vlogged the whole day.

Her first stop was her hair appointment, where the stylist worked quickly, knotting in the small boho braids. The curls framed her face perfectly, giving that effortless, vacation-ready vibe.

Next, she hit the nail salon, where she got a fresh white set with matching toes. Her lashes were already done from the day before, so after a quick wax, she headed to the mall, grabbing last-minute outfits and accessories.

By the time she got home, she was exhausted—but satisfied.

She ended her vlog with a quick outro, blowing a kiss to the camera before shutting it off.

Later That Night –

Selena hadn't planned on seeing Von tonight, but when he hit her up, saying he wanted to take her somewhere, she couldn't say no.

Now, she sat in the passenger seat of his Camaro, a fitted dress hugging her curves, fresh face glowing under the streetlights.

Von glanced over at her, his grill flashing as he smirked. "I see you tryna be seen tonight."

Selena rolled her eyes. "Boy, shut up."

He chuckled, pulling into the restaurant parking lot. "Come on, then."

Von didn't do fancy. That much, Selena already knew. But tonight, as he led her inside the dimly lit restaurant, she could tell he had put some thought into this.

The spot was intimate—warm lighting, jazz playing low in the background, and booths tucked into private corners. It wasn't one of those Instagram-worthy, flashy places, but it felt real. Comfortable.

Selena slid into the booth, adjusting her dress as Von sat across from her. He leaned back, casually drumming his fingers against the table, his diamond bracelets catching the light.

She smirked. "So... is this your version of romance?"

Von scoffed, shaking his head. "Girl, eat your food."

Selena laughed, picking up the menu. "I'm just saying, I wasn't expecting this. You don't seem like the 'dinner date' type."

Von tilted his head. "Why not?"

She shrugged. "You always act like you don't like people."

He smirked. "I don't."

Selena rolled her eyes. "And yet, here you are."

Von didn't respond right away. He just looked at her, something unreadable in his expression. Then, finally, he said, "You different."

Selena raised an eyebrow. "How?"

Von leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping. "You don't be on that extra shit. You don't do too much." He paused, studying her. "You just be."

Selena wasn't expecting that.

She didn't know why, but something about the way he said it made her stomach flip.

She looked down at her menu, suddenly needing a distraction. "Whatever. What you getting?"

Von smirked, but he let it go, tapping the table. "Probably the steak."

Selena hummed, skimming the options. "You a steak-and-potatoes type of man, huh?"

Von chuckled. "Something like that."

The conversation flowed easily after that, light teasing mixed with real talks. Selena found herself relaxing, enjoying the energy between them.

By the time the food arrived, they were lost in conversation—laughing at something dumb, debating over the best fast food fries, Von smirking every time she got too into a topic.

At one point, Selena caught him staring again.

She set her fork down. "Okay, what?"

Von exhaled, shaking his head. "Nothing."

Selena narrowed her eyes. "No, for real. You keep looking at me like that."

Von leaned back, rubbing his jaw. "I just... I don't know what to do with you."

Selena frowned slightly. "What you mean?"

Von's tongue flicked over his grill as he considered his words. "I don't really be doing this shit. Dating, sitting in restaurants, talking to somebody for real."

Selena tilted her head. "And yet... here you are."

Von smirked. "Shut up."

Selena grinned, but deep down, she understood what he meant. Von wasn't the type to open up easily. And yet, here he was.

After Dinner

Von insisted on paying, sliding his card to the waiter before Selena could even pretend to argue.

Afterward, instead of heading straight home, they drove around for a bit, the city lights reflecting against the Camaro's glossy black paint.

Selena leaned back in the seat, full and content. "That was nice."

Von glanced over. "Yeah?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

A small silence settled between them. Not awkward, just... charged.

Von's grip on the wheel tightened slightly. "You wanna do this again?"

Selena hesitated, then smirked. "Maybe."

Von chuckled lowly. "You love playing."

Selena laughed, shaking her head. "I'm serious! Maybe I wanna be taken out and spoiled a little more."

Von hummed. "That's what you want?"

Selena glanced at him. "Would you do it?"

Von exhaled through his nose, a slow smirk forming. "Yeah... I would."

And the way he said it?

Selena felt it.

Her stomach flipped again, but she just looked away, biting her lip to hide her smile.

Maybe she was in trouble after all.