Page 165 of Kentrell

“Kentrell?”

He let out a slow breath. Then shrugged, like the weight on his chest wasn’t as heavy as it felt.

“I do pay attention,” he said quietly. “Always have.”

I didn’t say anything. Just let him talk.

“When I walked into your office that first time… you had on your lil’ Malibu Barbie outfit.” His voice dropped low with the memory as I snorted.

“The one you wore just for me.”

“I—” A protest sat on the tip of my tongue. A lie, dressed and ready to be told. But I caught myself. As arrogant as he was… he wasn’t wrong.

I still remembered the night before, pacing with my friends, trying on outfits, running through what I’d say like I was preparing for a life-changing event.

And honestly… I was.

Because after that day, Kentrell popped up at my office with Café Vervé, my K-Reese bags… and that unshakable confidence. Delivered it all with a kiss.

One of many we shared after that.

My life was never the same.

“You’re right,” I sighed, looking up from my plate to meet his low-cut eyes. “I did dress for youthatday.”

A slow smile pulled at his mouth like he’d just won something.

“That day?” His arrogance peeked through as I twisted my lips, fighting a laugh and rolling my eyes.

“I’ll let you come to terms with the way you feel… but you knew it was over with,” he said, bold and sure.

I laughed. “Oh, I did, huh?” Tilting my head. “And what did you know?” I asked, lifting my glass for a sip of orange juice.

“Me?” He leaned back, that lazy confidence settling over him. I nodded, setting my cup down, resuming my meal.

“Shit…” His voice dropped again. “I knew I wasn’t gon’ be able to stay away from you.”

I blinked. Heart tightening.

“You ain’t just fine, Zoe. You focused. You thorough. About your shit.” Every word landed like a wooden beam being laid across the foundation of who I was—something steady to fall back on when the world got too loud.

My chest swelled, heat creeping up my neck as I smiled, proud and… his.

“You care. Not just about the details, but about how shit gets done… who it affects… and what the effect will be.” He shook his head with a smile of his own. “I look over all the shit yousend me. Even when I tell you to just press through on my properties… you ignore me and still make sure I’m in the loop.”

I cracked a smile at that.

He’d already told me—more than once—that business wasn’t up for discussion between us. Not anymore. Not when we were together like this.

And honestly… I didn’t regret it.

“Ain’t no half-steppin’ with you, Zoe.” His voice softened, but his eyes stayed locked on me. “You raw as hell. You don’t need nobody… but you chose to be here. With me.”

He sat back, gaze still locked on mine. Unflinching.

“And I don’t take that shit lightly.”

I swallowed, hard.

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