“I’ve got stuff,” she says carefully. “Why?”
I swallow another bite. “I wanna see you.”
“You just did,” she says. “And you’re currently being kicked out.”
“I’m aware,” I reply. “I’m talking about properly. Not just sex.”
She sighs, rubbing her forehead. “Jabari?—”
“I’m not asking for anything mad,” I cut in. “Just time. Lunch. A walk.”
That gets a short laugh out of her. She looks away, then back at me.
“Tomorrow’s busy,” she says. “Awards prep.”
“So the next day,” I offer.
“That’s award day.”
“So. The next day?”
She hesitates. I see it. The pause where she weighs things. Where she decides whether I’m worth the disruption.
“I don’t wanna make promises,” she says finally.
“I’m not asking for one,” I reply. “Just asking if I can see you.”
She exhales through her nose.
“…Text me,” she says. “Tomorrow.”
My chest loosens. Just a little.
“That’s a yes,” I say.
“That’s a maybe,” she corrects. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
I grin anyway and finish the last bite on my plate.
“See you tomorrow!”
Before she can answer, I pull the door shut behind me and nearly walk straight into Za.
She skids to a stop when she sees me.
“Oh—hey!” she says, a little out of breath. “You leaving?”
“Yeah,” I reply. “Headed to practice.”
She squints at me. “Only just?”
I let out a short laugh. “Fuck, Francine cooked. You think I’m turning that down?”
Her mouth curves, soft and knowing. “Fairs.”
There’s a beat.
Za rocks on her heels like she’s deciding whether to say something. Then she does.
