Gia’s brows lifted. “Well shit, I might have to get a membership.”
Tatum laughed. “That place is wild. I heard they’ve got like… full-on suites with private chefs or some mess.”
Kairo cleared his throat beside me and sipped his drink, ready for a change in subject. I reached for mine without looking at him. “They do,” I said, calm and unbothered. “And it’s worth every dime.”
Gia looked at me playfully. “You must enjoy everything about it.”
I smiled. “I do. It’s become my home away from home. Keeps me sane.”
For all the nights I’d spent alone in our house, the cost of that membership was the least Kairo could do.
Before Gia could finish pouring the last of the wine into her glass, Kairo stood from the table.
“I’m gonna grab another bottle,” he said quickly, already moving toward the kitchen.
The shift was too fast and calculated. He wasn’t worried about that damn wine. He just didn’t want the spa conversation to drift any closer to something else.The moment he saw an opening to change the subject, he took it.
Tatum stood too. “I’ll go with you, bro.”
Of course he would. Once they were gone, Gia looked at me for a long second before speaking. “Why you look so uptight?”
I almost answered honestly. I almost said,Because I feel invisible half the time. Because I want something more than the routine we’ve built. Because I was laying in bed, ready to be wanted, and instead I’m here, listening to your unboxing monologue about a bag that cost more than someone’s yearly income.
But I knew better.
Gia’s brain didn’t stretch far past income, shopping, and expensive dinner reservations. If I told her what I was really feeling, she’d dismiss it before I could finish my sentence. So I said what women say when they’re trained to keep things light.
“Nothing. I’m just tired.”
Gia laughed like she couldn’t believe I would let myself do such a thing. “Tired? Girl, you better learn to sit down somewhere!”
I smiled, because I didn’t understand why I even dealt with her.
She leaned forward like she was about to give me the best advice. “The best thing Tatum and I ever did was get a nanny for each kid. Period. Sure, he works a lot. But when he’s home, we get to relax. We’re not worried about who needs what. And the kids love ’em.”
I nodded, remembering the years I did have a nanny. Back when I was in law school, trying to keep Kennedi from either of our parents’ care and my grades afloat. My nanny back then was a godsend and the only reason I graduated, if I’m honest. She made sure Kennedi was taken care of during that entire process. But when I passed, when the diplomas got framed and the classes were over, I realized just how much time I’d missed.
So I made a promise to myself:If I couldn’t get those years back, I’d damn sure show up for the rest of them.
I gave Kennedi everything I had—rides to school, dance recitals, late-night talks, field trip chaperoning. I wanted to be present and overly available.
Gia kept talking. “Girl, you better enjoy this life. Most women wish their man had Kairo’s money. You walk around sad when you should be smiling every day.”
I looked at her and in that moment, I realized we were having two entirely different conversations.
“Money isn’t everything,” I said quietly.
Gia’s eyes went wide like I’d just confessed a crime. “It’s not about it being everything, Khloe. But it’s a whole lot. And you need to be more grateful for the life Kairo created. That man worships you.”
I just rolled my eyes because I didn’t want to hear that shit. Yes, he took care of everything. Everything… except time. The one thing I wanted most.
He did everything except show up. Everything except choosing me when it wasn’t convenient. I looked at the hallway where I heard his voice and Tatum’s laughter moving closer.
The door finally clicked shut behind Tatum and Gia, and I let out a breath I’d been holding since dessert.
Kairo walked past me into the kitchen, grabbing the plates off the counter without saying a word. I followed, collecting glasses and wine bottles, stacking them carefully so I wouldn’t break something.
We moved around each other in silence before he gave me a look. I knew that look. The one where he knew I had somethingon my mind but didn’t want to press too soon. I rinsed the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher while he wiped the counters. Kairo hated cleaning just as much as he hated that I didn’t want to hire help, so I knew everything he was doing was calculated.
