I groan. “Alright, alright.”
She steps forward and pulls me into a quick hug before I can react.
“Just don’t forget I exist,” she mutters into my shoulder.
“Never,” I reply.?? Za narrows her eyes at me.
“By the way. How did you know about my off-Broadway part?”
My brain stalls for half a second.
“Ahhh,” I say, scratching the back of my neck. “Frankie told me. During one of our meetings.”
Za frowns. “But you just got back.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! Think Jabari.
“Zoom, Zaza,” I reply quickly. “We do virtual check-ins sometimes.”
She studies my face like she’s looking for cracks.
“Right,” she says slowly.
I hold her gaze just long enough to make it look normal.
She tilts her head. “How’s it going with you two? With the game and everything.”
“It’s going good,” I say. “She’s a pain to work with and the hours are pretty demanding, but… it’s cool.”
She keeps watching me.
“What’s going on with you two?” she asks.
“Nothing.”
The word comes out too quick.
Za’s eyes widen. “Oh my days.”
I look away.
“Tell me you don’t have feelings for her.”
Silence.Not yet Za.
Za’s mouth drops open. “Jabari, I swear?—”
“Chinaza!” comes from the kitchen before she can finish.
Za closes her eyes briefly to collect her thoughts before we both head to the kitchen as I avoid her attempts to spark up that discussion again. I gotta wait til Frankie’s ready.
I glance across the room and catch Frankie’s eyes.
Mum appears at the doorway, apron tied tight around her waist. “Chinaza. I need you to check in the pantry for the paper plates and forks.”
Dad walks past with a drink in his hand. “We’re all out.”
Mum freezes. “What?”
