Zainab laughed, but it came out watery. “I miss you so much, Prime. I miss our bed. I miss your voice when I’m falling asleep. I miss—” Her voice cracked. “I just miss you.”
“One more day, baby. One more day and you’re coming home.”
“What if bail doesn’t?—”
“It will.” I cut her off. Couldn’t let her go there. “Camille’s the best. The evidence is weak. And you’re seven months pregnant. No judge is gonna keep you locked up.”
“You promise?”
I put my hand on the glass. Palm flat. Fingers spread.
She looked at it for a second. Then pressed her hand against the other side. Matching mine. Almost touching but not.
“I promise,” I said. “I’m gonna be right there in that courtroom tomorrow. And when they let you go, I’m taking you straight to the house. Got a spot up in the hills. Views for days. You’re gonna love it.”
“You rented a house?”
“Had to. I wasn’t about to have you staying in no hotel while we wait for trial. You need space. Comfort. A real bed.”
Her eyes got wet again. “You didn’t have to do all that.”
“Yeah I did. You’re my family. Both of you.” I pressed harder against the glass, wishing I could break through it. “And when this is all over—when you’re free and clear—we’re gonna get married. Have this baby. Build everything we talked about.”
“Prime…”
“I mean it, Zainab. I don’t care what it takes. I don’t care how long. You’re mine. And I’m gonna spend the rest of my life proving that.”
A tear slid down her cheek. She wiped it quick, trying to be strong.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you more.”
The CO behind her tapped his watch. Time was up.
“Kiss my baby for me,” she said, standing up slowly, one hand on her belly. “Both of them.”
“I will. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She pressed her hand to her lips. Then to the glass. I did the same.
And then she was gone.
The driveback to the house was quiet.
I gripped the steering wheel too tight, jaw clenched, replaying the image of her in that jumpsuit. Her belly. Her tired eyes. Her hand on the glass where mine should’ve been.
Tomorrow. Just one more day.
If they denied bail, I didn’t know what I’d do. Probably something that would land me in a cell right next to her. But I couldn’t think like that. Had to stay focused. Had to believe.
Camille was good. The case was weak. Zainab was coming home.
She had to.
Yusef was at the door before I even got my key out.
He must’ve been watching from the window. His whole body was tense, the question all over his face before he even opened his mouth.
