Page 119 of Kentrell

“What?” Ayesha blinked, clearly baffled by my habit of voicing thoughts out loud.

I shook my head, forcing myself out of the emotional maze I’d wandered into. “I’m happy for y’all,” I said softly, a genuine smile spreading across my face. Rashad’s impending proposal had sent me spiraling—but not in a bad way. Just... reflective.

“Me too.” Ayesha beamed, her joy glowing like a lamp across her face. Then, without missing a beat?—

“I’d be alothappier if you let Kentrell stretch that pussy out?—”

“Ayesha!” I gasped, covering my face with both hands.

She cracked up, unbothered.

Before I could even come up with a smart comeback to Ayesha’s wild mouth, the doorbell chimed.

We both froze.

My heart fluttered like it had been waiting for a cue.

No way.

“Who is that?” Ayesha whispered, already creeping behind me like a nosy little sister.

I didn’t answer.

Because deep down… Iknew.

I padded barefoot to the door, Ayesha tiptoeing close behind me, peeking over my shoulder like we were kids again.

When I pulled the door open, the brisk night air swept in—and there he was.

Kentrell.

Dressed in dark jeans and a fitted brown sweater under a heavy coat, with a Gucci skully and scarf set perfectly framing his face. The deep brown in the wool matched the tone of his sweater, his scarf, even his dark brown Timbs. He looked like he stepped out of a luxury streetwear catalog—sharp, fine, and mine.

We stared at each other for a second too long.

His eyes swept over me slowly, then dropped to my legs before meeting my gaze again with a faint smirk.

“You miss me?” he asked, voice low and gritty, like he already knew the answer.

I tried to play it cool, but I felt heat rise up my neck.

Behind me, Ayesha broke the silence with a wide grin. “Hey,Kentrell.”

Kentrell nodded at her without breaking eye contact with me.

“Wussup,sista-cousin,” he said, his deep voice laced with quiet amusement.

Ayesha giggled, clearly eating it up. But I didn’t laugh. I couldn’t.

I just stood there—staring.

I swallowed, my fingers still curled around the edge of the door like I needed something to ground me. His presence had this pull, like gravity worked different when he was near.

My heart was beating faster now, not in fear—but in that anticipation you feel when you’re face-to-face with something you’ve beenwanting.

“Aren’t you gonna let him in?” Ayesha blurted, clearly over my stunned silence.

I blinked, trying to gather myself. My brain felt scrambled as I stepped back, giving him space to walk through the door.

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