Page 299 of Kentrell

“Yes,” I said with a proud smile. “We’re definitely on track for a four-to-five-month release.” A few case files flashed through my mind as I mentally compared her timeline to others I’d worked on.

“Zoe… if you can do that, then you can get anything outta me!” she joked, making me laugh right along with her.

“What’s your favorite thing to eat?” she asked, half-joking, but still giving me that look like she fully expected an answer.

“Um… this week?” I laughed softly, thinking it over. “I’ve been craving a big pot of greens.” Just saying it made my mouth water. I stretched my arms wide to show just how big I wanted the pot to be, catching Jellybean snickering at my dramatic display.

“And I want them made with turkey—neck bones, legs, and wings,” I added, licking my lips like I could already taste it. “Seasoned the way my mama does… let it cook down slow… and when it’s finished?” I paused, biting my bottom lip just thinking about it. “I wanna get a big bowl… use the pasta spoon to scoop out as much greens as I can without too much juice… then ladle in just enough potlikker so it stops about a half inch before therim. Then I’ll cut up some fresh white onions… toss in a handful of juicy cherry tomatoes… sprinkle it with hot pepper flakes and drown it in hot sauce. Add a splash of vinegar for good measure… and then just go to town on it.”

I smacked my lips like I’d already had the first bite, finishing with the biggest, hungriest smile on my face. When I looked up… Jellybean was leaning to the side, head cocked, just smiling at me like I’d cracked some secret code.

“What?” I chuckled, suddenly a little nervous under her gaze.

She laughed too, shaking her head. “Oh no, baby… that’s definitely all I needed to know.” She gave a slow, knowing nod like she was mentally filing my whole answer away, making notes of her own… probably the same way Kentrell did every time he watched me like that.

“What time is it?” she asked, sitting up straighter and glancing toward the wall where a digital block clock with bright red numbers sat. She squinted at it, then turned back to me with a mischievous smile. “Tell me what I did last night?” she sang, dragging the lyrics out with a snap. “‘I came home… say, around a quarter to three…’” She belted the next line like Tweet herself before laughing and shaking her head. “I’m not gon’ keep you long, Zoe. I know you got other things to do.”

Was she dismissing me already? Damn. “Oh… okay—” I started, trying not to sound disappointed.

“Oh no, baby… don’t take it like that.” She laughed to herself, waving her hand like I’d completely misread her. “I enjoyed our time. And I’m looking forward to you coming up here with Tasha… now that I know who you are… and now that I know you’ve been working on my case.”

“You… want me to be here with her?” The question came out before I could stop it. The second it left my mouth, I caught the way her jaw ticked—tight and sharp—the same way Kentrell’sdid whenever I repeated something he’d said about me, like I needed clarification on whether he really meant it or not.

Oh my God… she was right. About him telling me where he wanted me to be with him… without asking. But she was wrong about him only getting that from his daddy. Because now… sitting across from her… it was clear as day that Kenneth Caldwell wasn’t the only influence in his life. Some of that… was all her.

“Okay now… don’t act crazy,” she said, pointing her finger at me with the same exact face my mama made whenever she was silently telling me to get my mind right. Act like I knew better.

“I’m sorry,” I giggled, already hating how easily I could see the people I loved most reflected in her. “I’ll be here next week,” I promised.

She nodded, dropping her hand and giving me a slow wink like she approved. “And I’ll be at your evidentiary hearing,” I added, gathering the files I’d brought in with me.

“With Kentrell?” she tossed out so casually I almost missed the weight behind it.

I looked up, caught off guard. “I’m sure he’ll be there.” I didn’t want to tell her that I hadn’t said a word to him about any of this yet. If she wanted him there… she was more than welcome to tell him. Have him show up for her… as her son… as her support.

But she wasn’t letting me off that easy. “You ain’t even told him what you was doing… have you?” She cocked her head to the side, giving me that same unreadable stare he used on me every time I tried to lie.

“No,” I admitted, too tired to fake it. “When I first filed the motions, I just wanted to hold off… wait until we got the judge to grant it. He did… and then I just… I don’t know… decided I’d surprise him when you came home.”

The smile that spread across her face hit me low in my stomach. This wasn’t a simple smile. It stretched… softened… and reached all the way to her eyes.

“Oooh… okay, Zoe,” she chuckled, shaking her head like she’d just figured me out. “I see… you love him too.”

And even though I’d already admitted it to her earlier… the way she said it this time felt different. Like she wasn’t just acknowledging it… but accepting it as truth.

“Well… had you been forthcoming—yeah, I can be prim, proper, and professional too, Miss Zoe,” she joked, making me laugh right along with her before she circled back to what she was saying. “Had you been upfront about your involvement in this case… I could’ve kept it a surprise.”

I blinked. “You told him?”

“Mm-hmm. This morning.”

My eyes bucked. “He came to see you this morning?”

She smiled wide and nodded like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Great minds often think alike,” she said, then mumbled just loud enough for me to catch, “Or should I say… of one body, using the same mind… ‘cause neither one of y’all can stop thinking about the other or the same damn thing.”

I couldn’t do anything but keep my mouth shut and laugh to myself… because she was right. Dead right.

“Alright, Miss Johnson… I’ll see you next week,” I sighed as I stood, gathering my things.

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