“Fine. Let’s go to his stupid pub. Za, that better be the best fucking chips in all of fucking England, because it’s the last time you’ll ever have ‘em.”
Za shrugs, unfazed. “I really don’t care. Just don’t break up with him before I get my free drink.”
I don’t miss the grin that spreads across Jabari’s face.
Tuh! Don’t smile now, cause maybe you’ll get a glimpse into the future when I leave your arse.
Jankrow.
“Well then,” he says, already turning, “I’m getting fucked up tonight to celebrate. Come on, I’ll drive.”
“Then you shouldn’t drive,” I reply instantly. “Let’s take the tube.”
He laughs loud and disbelieving. “Me? On public transport? Get real, love.”
“Mind,” I point. “You kill me and a haunt mi a haunt yuh.”
“You two are idiots,” Za steps between us. She’s so used to our fighting she can’t even detect the flirtatious undertones. “I’ll call the Uber if needed.”
“Fine,” I concede, already moving toward the door with Za close by.
“Hey—hey—hey! Wait!” Jabari calls after us. “I gotta pay for the man-jah!”
We stop and turn slowly.
“The what?” I ask.
He gestures vaguely back toward the counter, still clutching the manga.
“The man-jah. The backwards book ting.”
“It’s manga,” I correct. “And please don’t ever say it like that again.”
Za laughs under her breath, holding her hand out. “Hurry up then Bari. I’ll go warm your car.”
Jabari groans but throws the keys her way and she catches it easily.
“Nice,” I clap.
“You coming?” She asks.
I look at Jabari. “In a bit, I gotta grab one more thing.”
She shrugs and walks out, not before yelling:
“Don’t kill each other,” over her shoulder.
Then I turn to Jabari, whose hand goes to my neck and pulls me in for a kiss. I allow it for a moment—because I genuinely like it—before I pull away.
“Absolutely not! Not after the stunt you just pulled.”
“Come on… you know I had too.”
“No! You really didn’t. You’re just messy, and controlling and jealous, and?—”
He pulls me in again. And the kiss is slower this time. Mummy says things like this ‘thief ya sense’ and I think she’s right. Because when he pulls away, I’m lost on why I was even annoyed or what I was even talking about.
“You coming round tonight?” He asks.
