“What’s that supposed to mean?” Imani asks, her voice pleasant.
“Nothing.” Keisha’s smile is sugar-sweet. “Just that some girls have all the luck.” Her eyes travel over Imani again. “Did you do something different with your hair? It looks... bigger.”
“It’s called washing it. You should try it sometime.”
Keisha’s smile flickers.
“And I love this outfit.” Keisha gestures at Imani’s simple sweater and jeans. “Very... cozy. Is that what you wear around the cabin? I bet it’s practical for all that cleaning.”
“I don’t clean anymore.” Imani’s voice is calm, unbothered. “I have other things to do now.”
“I’m sure you do.” Keisha glances at me again. “Though I have to warn you, Imani. Do you know what they say about him in town? He’s made three cleaners quit. His own clan barely tolerates him. Even Derrick didn’t think anyone would last more than a day up there.”
She pauses, clearly expecting a reaction.
Imani shrugs.
“And?” she says.
Keisha blinks. “And? Doesn’t that worry you?”
“No.” Imani looks at me, her expression soft and real. “I love my grumpy bear.”
Everything stops.
Those four words freeze me in place. My heart stutters. I forget how to breathe. She’s looking at me like I’m the only thing in the room that matters, and she just said she loves me.
She loves me.
I don’t think. I just move.
I grab her face and kiss her like nothing else exists. Like Derrick isn’t standing three feet away. Like Keisha isn’t watching with her jaw hanging open. Like I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear those words and now that I have, I can’t hold back another second.
She kisses me back just as fiercely, her hands gripping my wrists, her body pressing into mine. I sense it all: warm and certain and real. She meant it. She loves me.
When I finally pull back, we’re both breathing hard.
“I love you too,” I tell her, my voice rough. “In case that wasn’t clear.”
Her smile could light up the whole damn town. “It’s clear now.”
Someone clears their throat. I look up to see Derrick studying the ceiling and Keisha staring at us with an expression caught between shock and fury.
Imani turns to face her, lips still swollen from my kiss, cheeks flushed, looking completely unbothered by the audience.
“You were saying, Keisha?”
Keisha opens her mouth, then closes it. For a moment, she looks like she might actually have nothing to say.
“I just think...” She rallies, straightening her shoulders. “I just think you should be careful. You barely know him. And his reputation?—“
“His reputation is that he’s loyal, protective, and doesn’t suffer fools.” Imani tilts her head. “I can see why that might be intimidating for some people.”
Keisha’s eyes narrow.
“Look.” Imani’s voice softens slightly, almost sympathetic. “I get it, Keisha. I really do. It’s hard watching other people get the things you want. A man who loves them. A family. A future.” She shrugs. “I hope you find that someday. I really do.”
Keisha’s face flushes an ugly red. She looks like she wants to say something cutting, something vicious, but nothing comes out.
