Page 22 of Kentrell

“Thenthat’syour reason for Rashad keeping you away from them,” Mars added, smirking. “And have youseenLex? Those eyes!”

The way she dragged out his name made me chuckle despite myself.

But her comment pulled my thoughts back to Kensei.Thoseeyes. Warm, golden, damn near glowing. Lex Barksdale had them too—and suddenly, the Barksdale name Ayesha mentioned felt even more relevant.

“Yeah,” Stacia chimed in, eyes wide with mischief. “Sounds like your man wants to keep you off thatCaldwell pipe.”

That did it. We all burst into laughter.

“Iknowif I weren’t married?—”

“Trick,please,” Mars cut her off, and the laughter grew, echoing through the bathroom like old-school gossip in a beauty shop.

Then—knock knock.

The room fell silent.

“Who is it?” we all called out at once, voices overlapping in perfect chaos.

“It’s me.”

Him.

He didn’t need to say anything else.

The moment he spoke, I knew it was Kentrell.

Just a few words exchanged with Kensei earlier were all I needed to memorize that voice—deep, patient, laced with quiet control.

My girls turned to me. All eyes onme.

My nerves tried to scatter, but I snatched them back together.

Why was he checking on us?

It would’ve made more sense for Kensei to come. Or even Malcolm. At least IknewMalcolm.

I took a breath. Shook my head once. Then moved toward the door and opened it with more confidence than I felt.

“Hey. I’m okay,” I said, relieved that my voice held steady. “Thanks for checking in.”

“Fasho.”

His tongue slid across his lips—and just like that, my legsalmostforgot how to stand.

Our eyes locked.

And he didn’t budge.

Didn’t flinch.

Didn’t look away.

He wasn’t here for a quick wellness check.

He washere.

And standing this close, I could finally see him.Allof him.

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