DUANE
The buzz of the door, signaling that Diana was letting me in, shocked me a little.
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My Only, the spinoff to My First, My Last, is available for pre-order! 🎉
If you’ve been wanting to catch up with Ayla and Hassani, now is the time—because this spinoff takes their love story to a whole new level.
They built their marriage on a rock-solid foundation: best friends first, soulmates always. But between Hassani designing dream properties for Greene Gardens and Ayla holding down the life they built, the blueprint of their love is starting to crack.
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It’s a chilly afternoon in the heart of Manhattan, but the air feels warm inside the charming chocolatier shop. Located in a cozy corner near the edge of the bustling shopping district, the shop offers a variety of decadent hot chocolates in every flavor imaginable—perfect for a cold day. The room is softly lit, with dark wood paneling and shelves lined with gleaming jars of rich cocoa powders, exotic spices, and decadent truffles. The gentle hum of jazz music plays in the background, and the scent of melting chocolate is intoxicating.
Joi Friday, dressed in a stylish yet casual outfit—an oversized sweater, designer jeans, and boots—sits at a small table, taking a break from the shopping spree she’s just completed.
“This was Jeremiah’s idea,” she insists when my eyes drop to the bags. “He said I’ve been working really hard and deserve to treat myself.”
Several shopping bags lie at her feet, some brimming with luxury items, others containing purchases she’s made with more thought, now that she’s learned to better balance her life. She sips on a dark chocolate hot cocoa, her eyes reflecting a sense of quiet contentment. Her thoughts seem to be with her husband, Jeremiah, as she catches her breath for a moment before diving back into retail therapy.
“Shopping used to be my therapy,” she says, smiling softly as she looks around the cozy space, her voice carrying a newfound sense of peace. “But since marrying Jeremiah, I’ve realized that I’ve learned how to spend in ways that truly benefit me. It’s not just about the things I can buy—it’s about the value I place on my time, my experiences, and the love in my life.”
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I could not wait to write Mello’s story. He was a standout character in parts 2 and 3 of the No Fraternizing series, and honestly? I just wanted him to find love. I love a good redemption arc, and They Call Me Mello was his in a way. He left New York to lay low, but in the process, he found a permanent home for his heart.
And while there were plenty of grand gestures throughout his story, this one in chapter seven? Still warms my heart.
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Though we didn’t get to experience They Call Me Mello through Rayelle’s eyes, seeing her through Mello’s perspective gave us a clear enough picture. This headstrong, independent woman switched her hips into Mello’s world and turned his temporary stay in Miami into a permanent one. She was just what he needed.
I personally loved her character. She was flawed, real, and genuine at heart. She had the kind of quiet strength that made Mello reflect on everything he thought he knew about love. And much like her now husband, Rayelle has a story of her own.
Let’s get to know Rayelle Bell a little more intimately.
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DIANA
I sighed, staring up at my ceiling. I’d been working all day, nonstop—more than I usually did on a Monday—but I needed the distraction badly.
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Romello will always be Romello. It was good catching up with Mello in this alternate story ending. I’ve always wanted to return to him and Rayelle, and I was happy to do it this way. We’ll be seeing Mello again soon—where? I don’t know yet. But if you know me, you know past characters always have a way of popping up when they’re needed. For now, enjoy this alternate ending from Mello’s spinoff. He’s still THAT guy!
ROMELLO
“Yeah,” Rayelle said ahead of me. “Just give me like three minutes.”
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If you ask me, every part of Wrath is a grand gesture from Asher, starting from when he first sees Lauryn escaping into her building after getting fired, to him moving into her building. This story truly showed how a good man can make a woman feel soft in a world she always viewed as hard.
While there were plenty of moments where Asher proved his love through actions, this moment in chapter sixteen was one of the most necessary. It was the grand gesture that got Lauryn comfortable enough to do something she never thought she’d do—find comfort in a man’s company.
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Romello “Mello” St. Claire was a character that stole attention from the very first scene he appeared in. We couldn’t forget the way he pulled up in front of Kuts Kings or the presence he made known when he stepped into the shop in part two of the No Fraternizing series. From his first appearance to his final one in part three, readers have always wanted more Mello. And they got it in both his short story in Forbidden: An Anthology and his spinoff romance, They Call Me Mello. There’s a lot to love when it comes to Mello, and just like the other characters we’ve dived into, he’s got an interesting backstory.
Let’s get to know Mello a little more intimately.
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DUANE
It was after hours at The Sneaker Vault, and I’d just returned to my office after letting my final employee, Xav, out through the door before locking it.
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