And I can’t do that to her tonight. So I stay quiet. I breathe her in. I let her love me.
Za pulls back first, wiping her nose with the back of her hand again like she’s annoyed at herself for crying.
“Come,” she says, tugging my hand. “Sit with me.”
We go to the couch. She drops down, and I sink beside her. The flat feels warmer now, not because anything’s changed, but because we’re speaking again.
Za nudges my shoulder. “You hungry?”
“No.”
“Liar,” Za huffs like she knew it. “I’ll make something.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to,” she says firmly, then pauses. “Also… I’m trying to learn how to be a better friend. Like you.”
Christ.
I glance at her. “Za, you’re already too good.”
She rolls her eyes before disappearing into the kitchen. “Let me compliment you without you fighting it.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I check it:
Big Man Bari: u 2 good?
I sent backa thumbs up before Za came back from the kitchen with two mugs, set them down on the coffee table, then sit beside me again. She doesn’t drink straight away.
“I talked to Jabari,” she says.
My shoulders tense before I can stop them.
“Oh?” I keep my voice neutral. Casual. Like my pulse hasn’t just jumped.
“Yeah.” She glances at me. “I called him earlier.”
I hum. “And?”
Za exhales. “He gave you a lot of… grace.”
I snort before I can help myself. She shoots me a look. “I’m being serious, Frankie.”
I shut up.
“He… cares,” Za says carefully. “Like—he really cares about you.”
I shake my head lightly. “I don’t think?—”
“I’m not finished,” she cuts in, not unkindly. “He defended you in IG. Openly. He doesn’t do that. Not like that. And he’s not annoyed when I bring you up anymore.”
I glance at her. “Anymore?”
She nods. “Before, he’d roll his eyes or change the subject. Now he actually asks how you’re doing.”
My chest feels like it’s on fire.
“And,” she adds softly, “you’re not as annoyed with him either.”
