Brent folded his arms. “You flew all the way out here for her?”
Zaire placed a strawberry into the bowl. “You asking questions you already know the answer to.”
“Well,” Brent lifted a shoulder, “some of us like things clarified.”
Zaire finally glanced his way…quick, uninterested, dismissive. “Then clarify this…she not for you.”
Meadow’s eyes widened. “Zai?—”
Zaire shook his head. “Nah, I’m not bein’ rude. I’m bein’ clear.”
Brent clenched his jaw. “Say less.”
“Already did.”
Blain put his mug down. “Aight, y’all done. Ain’t nobody fighting in my kitchen.”
Meadow nudged Zaire’s waist. “Relax.”
He met her eyes. Something softened immediately. “I’m chill, cuh.”
And he was. The energy changed instantly when her hand slid over his stomach. That was enough to ground him.
Tia watched them quietly, her chest warming. “So what’s the plan for today?”
Zaire wiped his hands on a towel. “We go out. Shop a little cause my baby don’t know how to spend her man’s money. Probably grab some food, chill, and go to a concert later.”
“What concert?” Tia perked up.
“A listening party,” Zaire explained. “Jacory’s dropping new music.”
Tia’s jaw dropped. “Little Jay Jay?!”
Blain grinned. “Yup.”
Meadow’s eyes widened. “We’re going tothat?!”
Her and Tia grew up watching little Jay Jay on KidVerse. They loved her even more when she stepped into her true purpose and took the music industry by storm.
Zaire nodded, his tongue coating his plush lips. “You wanted a good time, right?”
Her smile spread slowly. “I really did.”
Tia clapped. “Oh we getting cute today.”
Meadow laughed softly. “Obviously.”
Zaire looked at her again, eyes dipping down her outfit. “You already cute…fine shit, cuh.” He licked his lips.
Meadow rolled her eyes and bumped his shoulder. “Boy…”
Blain glanced at Meadow, then at Brent still standing in the corner. “We should get ready. Y’all go shower. Me and Zaire gon’ clean up this kitchen.”
“Yea,” Brent scratched the back of his head. “I got an early flight…leaving today instead of tomorrow.”
Tia felt bad but already knew Blain had to have a real conversation with his big brother last night, once he knew Zaire would be coming to claim what was already his. Brent didn’t want to stop his pursuit of Meadow but knew when to bow out.
“Safe travels,” Zaire tossed out.
