“You deserve to be loved out loud,” she adds. “And if Mama and Sr. have truly grown the way they say they have—then give them the chance to show up for you the way they showed up for me.”
I lean back and wipe my cheeks, breathing through the swirl of relief and fear.
“You really think they’ll be okay.”
Ajaih smirks. “If your dad can survive Knox explaining polyamory to him over ribs and sweet tea, he can survive this.”
I laugh despite myself.
“Stop underestimating them,” she says. “And stop underestimating yourself.”
I nod slowly.
My fears were felling smaller than the love.
And that feels like something worth stepping toward.
Ajaih shifts on the couch like she’s about to drop another bomb, and I already know it’s coming.
“So,” she says casually, like she didn’t just rearrange my entire emotional landscape five minutes ago, “I actually spoke to Mama and Sr.”
I groan. “You did not.”
“Oh, I absolutely did.”
I bury my face in my hands. “Jaja.” She laughs. “Relax. They asked me to tell you something.”
I peek through my fingers. “What?”
She straightens her posture, mimicking Daddy’s sermon voice. “Tell my baby girl to stop hiding in a closet that doesn’t have any doors.”
For a second--I just stare at her.
Then we both break into a fit of giggles.
“That sounds exactly like his ass,” I say, shaking my head.
“Oh, it gets better,” she adds. “Mama said she’s tired of watching you and Zaria pretend to be ‘just friends’ when y’all practically vibrate when you’re in the same room.”
I freeze. “We do not.”
Ajaih gives me a look. “Lena. Please. The sexual and romantic tension is so loud it could have its own microphone.”
I choke on my own breath. “Oh my God.”
“She said she’s watched the two of you trying not to touch. Trying not to stare. Working overtime not to be too close. Sorry Bean, but it’s obnoxiously obvious.”
My face burns. “I thought we were subtle.”
“You were not.”
I groan again. Half out of embarrassment and, half out of relief.
“Before you spiral,” Ajaih continues gently, “they know Zaria is trans.”
I still.
“They’ve known,” she says softly. “And they’ve never felt a need to speak on it because it doesn’t negate her being a beautiful woman with a kind heart.”
