Smart, funny, everything good about the Pracher bloodline. He’d made sure she’d never know the version of her uncle who settled disputes with fists and fear. That life was behind him now— it had served its purpose.
“Okay. Love you, Uncle Lani. Oh—and I need shoes too.”
“Say less. I got you. I’ll bring something back from L.A. Love you, Roe.”
“And yeah, like an auntie.”
Rolani laughed. “See, now you’re asking for too much. But I’ll see what I can manage.”
“You just brought her clothes back last time. She doesn’t need more,” Georgie cut in from the background, all in their business like always.
Ro rolled his eyes. “Nobody asked you. Bye.”
He hung up, that wide grin still on his face as the airstrip came into view. Monroe was good. Georgie had her for the weekend — structure, consistency, someone who loved her. Georgie had been Pearl's best friend since they were young girls, which made her family in his eyes. She showed up without being asked and never complained. Of course, he took care of her, but she was always willing to help, paid or not.
His phone buzzed again. Tahlia.
T: Fuck you, Rolani.
Bird behavior.
He ignored that shit and blocked Tahlia’s number. Rolani grabbed his duffel from the passenger seat and jogged up the steps, ready to see what L.A. had in store for him.
Chapter Two
The private jetbuzzed like a party before the party, champagne popping, laughter spilling louder than the engines. Everyone was hyped about the trip.
Kennedi should’ve been caught up in it, floating right alongside them, but really, she was just happy to be back in the sky. Months grounded in Coupeville had made her world feel small, and sitting on this jet reminded her of what it felt like to breathe.
“Girl, you good?” her friend Paige slid into the seat across from her, two flutes in hand, timing her entrance perfectly. The grin on her face told Kennedi she was lit. As she should have been. Her man was about to have a show on network television. It was major.
Kennedi closed her laptop to join the moment. “I’m good. Just ready to take off. What’s the holdup?”
“Waiting on one more person. Ro—Vanni’s partner. The one I told you about.”
Her winking made Kennedi roll her eyes. Paige and Giovanni had been trying to play matchmakers. Hell, all her friends had since they’d been bitten by the love bug.
“Get a grip, Paige,” she joked while laughing.
“Okay, okay, anyway. You excited about the premiere?” Paige handed her a glass with a proud smile that made Kennedi soften. “Thank you again for doing this. He’s been a nervous wreck.”
“Paige, stop. I should be thanking you. This could take TKL,Through Ken’s Lens, to another level.” Kennedi accepted the drink, bubbles tickling her nose as she sipped. “I love y’all for this. And I got a free trip to L.A.? I can’t complain.”
“Exactly. And I’m so happy you came back home, we missed you. Have you linked with Isha and Shadow yet? Carmen’s antisocial ass—I swear I don’t know if she’s alive half the time.”
The mention of her girls tugged a smile out of her. They’d all grown up together on the same block—different ages, different vibes, but the bond was tight.
“No girl, we’ve all been busy. You’re the only reason I even leave the house these days.” Kennedi laughed softly. “Adult friendships require intention, and I’ve been slacking.”
The truth was that she didn’t know how to sit still. Her whole identity was built on chasing. But lately, she’d been asking herself—what do you do when you finally catch it? What happens when there’s nowhere left to run? She had been considering getting back to jet setting. But some unknown force had stopped her. Coupeville was home, but more than that, she felt like it was the place she needed to be, at least for now. And she’d also listen…for now.
“Girl, I feel that. But if you come work for Gio full-time, we can hang out a lot more.” Paige winked. “I’ll even make him give you long lunches. Fuckin the boss has perks.”
“Giovanni needs to tell your ass no sometimes.” Kennedi shook her head, laughing. “I’m still weighing it. I don’t want to drown myself when I’m just getting TKL off the ground.”
Paige leaned in, eyes soft. “So proud of you, sis. We used to cut your articles out and frame them. Supported you across the seas, bitch.”
Kennedi shook her head, smiling despite herself. “You sound like a sap. But I love it, and I love you for that.” She tilted her glass toward Giovanni, who was trying—and failing—to pull Paige’s attention. “Go on. He’s been staring you down this whole time.”
