Free Cherished by Kim Cash Tate

glimpsed—and big into community prestige.
    â€œI’d better get going,” he said. “What are you doing tonight? Anything special?”
    Kelli saw the lights dim in the ballroom. She hated being secretive, but there was no way she could explain the conference without delving into aspects of her life she’d left untapped thus far with him. Maybe one day. But not right now. “Spending some time with my sisters-in-law. Kind of a girls’ night out.”
    â€œHave fun,” he said. “I’ll talk to you later this weekend.”
    As Kelli worked her way back to the table, a familiar up-tempo beat fired up. Rita’s voice boomed above the chart-topping song. “She needs no introduction here, does she?”
    â€œNo! Woo!” sounded from the crowd as people rose to their feet. Kelli stood between Cyd and Stephanie, her eyes on the stage.
    â€œThe incomparable, the electric, the young woman who’ll set your heart on fire for God—Monica Styles!”
    The special effects lighting went wild and Monica’s voice filled the air before anyone could see her, moving many in the crowd to their tiptoes. A laser spotlight flashed various spots around the room, then landed on Monica as she took the stage. She had an infectious exuberance, bouncing with her dancers across the stage with lively moves that got the rest of them going.
    Kelli rocked side to side and sang along, shaking her head as Stephanie mimicked Monica’s raise-the-roof dance. Stephanie looked back at Logan and gestured for him to join in, but he stuck with a cool head bop, like Cyd.
    â€œHallelujah!” Monica said, the song fading beneath her voice. “Are y’all having a good time?”
    Hoots and calls sounded all around. A concert vibe had replaced the conference vibe in the space of four minutes. Probably wasn’t hard to do in a music-loving crowd.
    â€œI’m so glad to be here tonight,” Monica declared. “This conference blessed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and I know it’ll bless you too. Right now I’m excited to share one of my favorites from the album I’m working on . . . I’m hoping it becomes a favorite of yours too.”
    The music started pumping.
    â€œAnd I’ve got a special surprise for you,” she said above the beat. “My good friend is featured on this song. I think you may know him. His first album is still garnering lots of attention, and he’s making a surprise appearance with me here tonight!” She stepped aside and extended her hand. “Show your love for Alien!”
    The crowd roared as loud as it had for Monica. Kelli was clueless. She looked at Stephanie, thinking she would know who he was, but Stephanie shrugged.
    Alien made his entrance onstage, rhyming on top of the music, easing into choreographed moves with Monica. Kelli loved the beat, nodded her head—then froze.
    She took a couple of steps forward. I must be seeing things. That can’t be Brian .
    She’d already had one shock this week where he was concerned. When Cedric told her he’d seen Brian at Living Word, she’d thought he was joking. He had to call Lindell to prove it, which only meant it was true but she still couldn’t believe it. When Cedric said Brian wanted her to call him, she thought Brian had to be joking. The thought made her skin crawl.
    Like seeing him right now.
    Brian, a Christian rapper? He was one of the few kids in high school who knew exactly what he wanted to be, a scientist. She couldn’t count the number of times they’d visited the St. Louis Science Center together—his idea of Saturday fun. How had he ever gotten onto this path?
    â€œGive Him your all,” he said above the music.
    â€œGive Him your all,” the crowd answered back.
    â€œKelli, you okay?” Cyd touched her shoulder. “You look . . . weird.”
    Kelli kept staring forward, her ears filling