Page 19 of Kentrell

And she wasn’t wrong.

WhatwouldI do if he showed up at Anderson & Hartman tomorrow, expecting a meeting?

My morning was stacked—meetings back-to-back—but I had a three-hour lunch window blocked off for errands and breathing room.

Realistically, I’d probably grab a matcha latte and grilled chicken salad from the café downstairs. Desi would stop by from Romano Vineyards with a couple of bottles and some of their signature cheeses as a thank-you for finalizing the Gourmet Grapes distribution deal. We’d catch up—he always brought good energy—but he wouldn’t monopolize my time.

After that, it’d be paperwork until close. No drama. No distractions.

But the truth?

I lied.

My schedule wasn’t full. Not really.

I just couldn’t stomach the idea of beingalonein a room with Mr. Caldwell.

Not when my body was still humming from the memory of his gaze.

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do.”

The panic started bubbling back up. My voice sounded thinner now, even to me. “I don’t even know what that mandoesfor a living.”

I inhaled deeply, trying to calm the riot in my chest, but all I could see behind my eyes werehis.

“Did you see the way he was looking at me?”

Heat flared across my cheeks again, and I caught Mars biting her lip and nodding with an infuriating smirk.

“Mars!”

“I’m not laughingatyou,” she said, already giggling through her words. Stacia slapped her arm playfully, which only made her laugh harder. “I’m laughing at thesituation! Like, I’veneverseen Zoe react to a man like this before. It shows potential.”

The way she said it made my stomach twist.

“Potential forwhat?” Ayesha asked sharply, slipping into full protective cousin mode before I could.

“Calm down, Zora Davis Jr.,” Mars shot back, smirking. “All I’m saying is it proves Zoe ain’t immune to catching the itch.”

Then she humped me from behind like the absolute menace she was, sending everyone—including me—into a fit of laughter.

“Because Isawthe way you were looking back at him,” she added, still grinning. “And don’t lie—your eyes dropped to his pants a few times.”

“You sawnothing.” I rolled my eyes, turning toward the mirror and catching her gaze with mine.

Okay—maybe she did catch me looking.

But still.

I didn’t stare the wayhedid.

That man looked at me like I was the only thing in the room. And men like that? Fine as hell and fully aware of it? They’re used to being stared at.

Iwas a blip on his radar. A footnote. Nothing to remember.

“So… what do you want to do?” Stacia asked, gently redirecting the conversation.

I shrugged. “I still want my jumpsuit. But I can have Shemar call Kensei for it. That way we avoid running into his brother.”

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