Page 158 of Kentrell

Comfortably, carelessly naked.

Stretched out across the plush rug in front of the fireplace, champagne bottle sweating beside us, half a tray of strawberriesand chocolate dipped in the gloss of candlelight. A thick blanket was tossed over us, mostly for modesty and mood, because neither of us seemed to care about the rest of the world right now.

Zoe was lying on her stomach, chin in her hand, eyes dancing as she talked.

“AndScrubsis top five. Easily. Don’t even argue.”

I smirked, picking up another berry. “That the one with the fake doctors?”

“First of all—watch your mouth,” she said, swiping the berry from my fingers and biting into it. “They weren’t fake. They werefunny.Modern Family too. But I’m still stuck on reruns.227.A Different World.Amen.”

I shook my head, grinning as she popped the rest of the strawberry into her mouth and licked her fingers.

“You got favorite shows like you fifty,” I teased.

“And you don’t have any.”

“Not really,” I said, sipping my champagne. “Ain’t never really had the space to sit down and watch shit consistently. I was too busy making sure folks stayed fed and alive.”

She got quiet for a second, eyes soft.

Then—buzz buzz buzz.

My phone lit up on the floor beside me.

FaceTime.Kensei.

I leaned over and answered, flipping the camera toward my face with a lazy grin.

“Kensei Sensei,” I said, voice deep and relaxed.

“Damn,youanswered?” Kensei smirked back. “I was expecting a missed call. Figured y’all were out in a forest somewhere.”

“Close enough,” I chuckled. “What’s up?”

He flipped the camera to show a few mannequins lined up in a Paris showroom, draped in bold, sculpted designs—structured coats, layered textures, bright colors.

“This one right here,” he said, pointing to a fitted, backless jumpsuit with mesh paneling, “you can get this shit for yo girl since she liked that pink catsuit.”

Zoe bit back a smile, her eyes instantly lighting up at the mention.

I caught it, couldn’t help smirking too. Then I lifted the phone a little and shifted so my back blocked everything from Zoe’s collarbone down.

“Look,” I said, motioning for her to peek into the camera. “Tell him what you think.”

Zoe leaned over my shoulder just enough to catch a glimpse of the piece.

She gave a small nod and was about to pull back, but?—

“Wussup,” Kensei said.

Her eyes popped wide. “Oh!”

I cracked up. “Say somethin’, shorty.”

She cleared her throat. “Hi…hi, Kensei.”

“Why you so nervous?” he asked, playful but relaxed.

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