“Anyway.” Imani turns back to Derrick, dismissing Keisha entirely. “Thank you again for everything, Derrick. I appreciate the opportunity.”
“Of course.” Derrick is clearly trying not to smile. “Good luck with everything. Both of you.”
“Thanks.” Imani takes my hand. “Ready?”
I’m more than ready.
We walk out of Shadow Suds together, leaving Keisha fuming in Derrick’s office. The receptionist watches us go with wide eyes.
Outside, I take a deep breath. That’s done. Handled. Behind us.
Imani is grinning.
“That felt good,” she says.
“You handled it perfectly.” I open the truck door for her, helping her up. “She had no idea what to do with you.”
“She never does.” Imani settles into the seat, still smiling. “She’s always been like that. Nice-nasty. Backhanded compliments. Little digs that are supposed to make you feel small.” She shrugs. “It used to bother me. But now I have everything she wants and nothing she says can touch me.”
I circle around to the driver’s side and climb in, but I don’t start the engine. I just sit there, looking at her.
“You love me,” I say.
Her smile softens. “I do.”
“You said it first.”
“Someone had to.” She reaches over and takes my hand. “You were taking too long.”
“I was scared.” The confession tumbles out. “I’ve never felt this before. Never had someone I was terrified of losing.”
“You’re not going to lose me.” She squeezes my hand. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re building a life together, remember? Moving to the clan. Starting fresh. All of it.”
“All of it,” I repeat. “Together.”
“Together.”
I lean over and kiss her again, softer this time.
“I love you,” I tell her against her lips. “I should have said it sooner.”
“You said it when it mattered.” She pulls back, her eyes bright. “Now take me to my apartment. I have one more chapter to close before we can start the next one.”
I start the truck.
One more stop. Then our new life begins.
23
IMANI
The apartment building looks smaller than I remember.
Tolin pulls into the parking lot and cuts the engine, but neither of us moves right away. I stare up at the second floor window that’s been mine for the past two months. The blinds are crooked because I never bothered to fix them. The window box I meant to plant flowers in sits empty, waiting for a spring that I won’t be here to see.
“You okay?” Tolin asks.
“Yeah.” I unbuckle my seatbelt. “Just thinking about how this place never really felt like home. It was just somewhere to sleep.”
