Page 114 of Kentrell

“Don’t trip, cuddy—I wasn’t supposed to know either,” Ayesha said, trying to ease the weight of the moment with a half-smile.

I looked at her sideways.

She held up her hands. “I walked in on them on the floor inmyroom when they thought me and you were still sleep on the couch.” Her voice was casual, like she was sharing gossip. But my chest tightened all over again.

The thought ofShemarfinding out made my stomach flip.

His temper wasn’t a secret. His trust, once lost, was damn near impossible to regain. If he knew... if this came out the wrong way—it wouldn’t just be messy.

It would beexplosive.

And I couldn’t be the one to set that fire. I couldn’t risk being the match that burned the whole damn friend group down. But knowing the secret,holdingit, felt like pressing a lit coal against my chest.

It’s not my story to tell.

But it sure as hell was sitting heavy on my conscience.

“Why?” I asked suddenly, the question slipping out like steam from a pressure valve.

“Whatchu mean, why?” Stacia looked genuinely confused.

I tried to explain but stumbled. “Like...why?”

I hoped she understood the weight of what I meant—even if I couldn’t say it eloquently. Why risk everything? Her marriage, their friendship, all of it?

Stacia blinked, then snorted. “Because it feels good—shit.”

Mars and Ayesha cracked up beside her.

“Bitch, after the wayyoutold us Kentrell had you bent like a paperclip—you of all people should know why I like it,” Stacia added, laughing.

“And I’m a munch,” Mars said with a shrug, like she was announcing her lunch order.

The room erupted in laughter again—except for me.

I was still stuck on something deeper.

“So... Stacia’sher?” I said aloud, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

My mind flashed back to last week. My office. Mars showing up in a mood after Kentrell kissed me for the first time. Her eyes cloudy, her spirit off. That was the day she admitted she lovedShereef… andher.

“Herwho?” Stacia’s brow furrowed. Ayesha tilted her head.

Mars didn’t say a word, but her eyes narrowed in my direction. That fire was there. She wasn’t ready for me to drag that part out into the open, and guilt pricked at my chest. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.

But Ihadjust walked in on them, and all three of them had been keeping this from me for years.

“It’s nothing,” I mumbled, exhaling hard. “I just…”

I paused, gathering my thoughts. “So Stacia’s the reason you don’t do serious relationships?”

“No,” Mars said quickly, her voice firm. “I’mthe reason.”

There was something in her tone that made me glance up.

Honesty. Relief. Maybe even a little vulnerability.

“Zoe, I’m a munch,” she said again, this time with conviction. “I like—no, Ilovepussy. And Stacia’s? Tastes good.”

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