Page 50 of Standing In The Sun

A warm silence wrapped around them…the kind that didn’t need to be filled.

The music still floated through the space between them, but that space felt smaller and smaller the longer he held her.

She could feel it - something stirring under his skin…something matching what had been rising under hers.

Nervously, Ahvi whispered, “If you as fire as they say you are, rap over this beat, Nar.” She put weight on his rap name, dragging it slow like honey off a spoon.

Lunar laughed, dropping his head as if her words tickled him to the core.

She sucked in a breath, hoping he didn’t feel how fast her heart was beating.

“This ain’t no challenge, Ahvi,” he said, his eyes low and voice smooth. It slurred just a bit, but was still sharp.

Lunar let the chorus ride a little before leaning in so close his lips grazed her ear.

His voice dropped into a soft rhythm.

“I was movin’ through the city, heart heavy like stone,

Never knew what I was missin’, I was fine on my own,

Kept my head low, shadows where I’d rather be,

Didn’t chase love, nah it never chased me.

Then you showed up, light drippin’ off your skin,

Smile like the sunrise, pulled me right in,

Didn’t ask for this feelin’, but you gave it for free,

Now the sun hit different when you stand next to me.”

Ahvi tried not to react, but she swayed into him anyway, her body betraying her cool.

His words wrapped around her, not just because of how they sounded, but because of howthey felt.She knew she was probably just another muse to him. He didn’t know her. …not really…not yet. And yea, the internet said he was in love with Apple… maybe still was…maybe those words were for her.

But in that moment…in the way his hands held her like he didn’t want to let go, the way he looked at her like he could already see past the surface…Ahvi let herself pretend - just for now. There couldn’t be any harm in pretending.

“You rap like you tryna make a girl fall in love with you,” she whispered, barely able to find her voice.

He leaned back just enough to look her in the eyes. “Maybe I am,” Lunar said. Simple. Honest.

Ahvi blinked, unsure if he was serious or just in the moment like everyone else in the backyard. Either way…

Her stomach dipped.

That quiet little flip that only happens when the truth feels too close to good to be safe.

twelve

Ahvi yawned,still groggy but she needed to get up. Not only did she get in the bed late but Kamari wore her out with his squirming and restless sleep. He was having a hard time sleeping without Lunar and let her know it all night with little whimpers in his sleep.

The other guest rooms were occupied so she slept in Lunar’s room while he claimed to be inspired and spent his night in the studio.

Now, she wanted to get up before everyone and make them breakfast. Ahvi wanted it to be a surprise but seeing as she needed to get a few ingredients, she would have to let someone know so she could get a ride to the store.

After she had Kamari fed and dressed, she tipped downstairs trying not to wake anyone which was hard with Kamari talking up a storm.

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