“She’s a magical ballerina with army stamina,” I added, shaking my head. “I’m not signing up to die.”
They both laughed. Kendrix cleared his throat. “Since we all gon’ be gone tonight, though, y’all should do something. Magnolia is hosting ladies night at the club. Niv’s not dancing tonight, so maybe y’all swing can through. Rivah needs some fun before she’s caged in the house with a newborn. Have some fun.”
I thought about ladies night with drinks, music, and distractions from my town head.
“That actually sounds really good and well needed,” I said.
Kairo walked over and kissed my temple. “Yeah, baby. Go have you some fun.”
He hugged me, squeezing me tight like he always did before leaving for a trip. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I said back.
I walked them to the door, watching as Kendrix teased him about something else on the porch. Kairo turned back once, gave me that small wave, then headed to the car.
I sat cross-legged on the bathroom floor, a towel folded under my feet while I painted my toenails. I could’ve gone to the nail shop and probably should have, but something about doing it myself calmed me. The slow motions and focus of it all. It felt good to just do something for myself. No one needed me or asked for anything. Just me and the sound of Stacks’ voice on speaker phone.
I laughed, leaning my head back against the tub. “No, you did not say that to that lady.”
“I absolutely did,” he said, laughing with me. “And she still bought it.”
I shook my head smiling, glancing at my phone screen sitting beside me.
We’d been talking for 1 hour and 53 minutes. It didn’t even feel like it had been that long. My phone vibrated and I picked it up, unlocking it to a message from Niv.
Khloe I just got some edibles for tonight. I’m ready to get messed up and send those Givelle boys videos.
I burst out laughing.
“What’s funny?” Stacks asked.
“My group chat,” I said, still smiling. “They’re talking about edibles and tonight.”
“Oh yeah?” he said. “You taking one?”
“Hell no,” I replied quickly. “I barely want to drink, but I’m home alone and responsibility-free so I’m actually going to let loose for once.”
That felt good to say so I grinned and finished painting my pinky toe.
“So are you calling me to come get you when you drunk? You don’t need to drive yourself anywhere,” he asked.
The question caught me off guard. My fingers froze around the polish bottle.
Rivah was pregnant and couldn’t drink, so she was obviously driving. I already knew I’d get home safe. But the way he said it… like it was natural for him to be responsible for me… made something warm spread through my chest.
I let out a nervous laugh. “I appreciate the concern. Really.”
“That’s the best part,” he said softly.
“What is?”
“As a man…. dropping your woman off looking good for girls’ night. Let her have fun, then pick her up drunk and smiling so I can reap the benefits of making love to her all night. I can’t wait for days like that.”
My cheeks heated instantly. I stared down at my freshly painted toes, wondering if that man had read my journal. Because that… that right there… That was the exact fantasy I always craved but I never said out loud.
The romance of it. The intention. The feeling of being wanted and not just loved out of routine . Kairo and I had fun on the rare times that we stepped out but by the time we got home he was exhausted from his word day and then the enjoyment after. Responsible exhaustion. Understandable exhaustion. But still…exhaustion. And there I was blushing over a fantasy that never came true.
I swallowed, aware of my own body reacting to his words.
