“Zee. She cares about you,” he says instead. “Probably more than anyone.”
Za lets out a breath that sounds like it’s been stuck for a while. “I know. I just—sometimes it feels like we’re growing in different directions, you know? And I’m scared one day I’ll turn around and she won’t be with me anymore.”
The words hit too close.
Jabari swallows. “That ain’t happening.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do,” he says firmly. “’Cause no matter what she’s got going on, you’re still the first person she worries about. Even if she’s pretending she doesn’t.”
Za is quiet for a moment. “…You really think that?”
“I know it,” he says. “But she’s rubbish at saying it.”
A small laugh comes through the phone. “Tell me about it.”
Then, gentler, Za adds, “I just need to know we’re still okay. Me and her.”
Jabari’s gaze doesn’t leave mine as he answers.
“Then, when you see her, tell her,” he says. “Don’t wait till it turns into something bigger in your head. Just tell her how you feel. Tell her you care. Tell her she’s the most important person in your life. That you want her by your side, no matter what. Tell her…”I swear he looks me dead in my eyes and says this.“…you love her.”
I literally stop breathing.
Za’s voice wobbles when she speaks again. “You make it sound so simple.”
“It is.”
Another pause.
“…Alright,” Za says softly. “I will. Thanks, Jabari.”
“Anytime.”
He ends the call.
The room feels too quiet after.
He lowers the phone slowly and looks at me, something unguarded sitting in his eyes now. We hold each other’s gaze for a moment too long.
Then another.
And neither of us looks away.
Jabari’s hand comes to my face, thumb resting near my cheekbone, he’s testing whether I’ll flinch.
When I don’t, he leans in and kisses me on the nose.
My eyes sting, and I hate that, because I’m not trying to cry. I’m not trying to feel anything at all. I’m trying to hold it together. I exhale and pull back.
“I should go,” I say, voice shaky.
Jabari doesn’t argue. He just watches me with his lips tight as if he wants to but is choosing not to.
“Need me to drive you?”
“No, no. I prefer the bus.”
