Page 338 of Kentrell

We’d been moving on the same wavelength this whole time. Trying to fix each other’s pasts… heal the childhood wounds wenever spoke about out loud… just so the other wouldn’t have to carry that weight alone anymore.

The realization sat so heavy on my chest, I couldn’t hold back.

“I love you,” I breathed out, turning toward him.

And as he leaned in, I didn’t care that the man who’d only just revealed himself as my father was standing two feet away… or that my mama was still perched on the other side of the sectional, staring like she was watching a slow-motion car crash.

I kissed him.

Because in this moment—right here, right now—nobody in this life would ever get me the way this man did.

And Kentrell?

He kissed me back like he understood that better than anyone.

“I love you, too.”

“Okay… now that I see we’re on the same page,” I said to Kentrell, giving his thigh one more squeeze before turning back toward my parents. “I still feel the same about everything. If I can help it, I won’t be making any public appearances for a while. Especially not while I’m working on this appeal?—”

“You’re doing an appeal?” Darius—my father—lit up with pride. His whole face shifted like I’d just handed him a second chance at life. The look alone made me smile, even though I tried not to.

“Yeah…” I nodded, unable to hide how good it felt to say it out loud. “I’ve been letting my criminal defense specialty collect dust while I focused on my premier accounts, but I want to branch out. Help in other ways. And helping Shaniece win her appeal?” I smiled a little wider. “That’ll let me know you didn’t waste your money sending me to UChicago.”

“I would never think my money was wasted on you, Zoe,” he said, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “You’ve excelled ateverything you’ve ever done. You graduated at sixteen with two degrees. Already determined to be the attorney you are today.” His words wrapped around me, hitting me right in the center of my chest. I felt the sting behind my eyes, blinking fast as Kentrell squeezed my thigh a little tighter, like he knew I was seconds from cracking. “Remove my money from the equation,” Darius went on, “and your academic record alone would’ve awarded you the same, if not more, grants and scholarships to land you exactly where you are now.”

“See,” Kentrell chimed in with that dimpled smirk I loved. “Told you it was all you.” His gaze caught mine through the blur of tears building up.

He had told me that—just a few weeks ago. The night I walked into my mother’s house and caught her and Darius wrapped in each other’s arms. That night Kentrell had driven me home… to Caldwell Manor… holding my hand the entire ride.

“Zoe.”

My gaze shifted back to where my father still stood, hands clasped like he was steadying himself.

“It may not be my place to ask this of you, but I’d regret it if I didn’t.” He inhaled slow, like every word came with weight. “I want us to build a relationship. Publicly… but privately first. While you’re working through the appeal… and your pregnancy… even your wedding. If you don’t want me there, I’ll understand?—”

“I do want that,” I cut in, my voice shaky but sure. I nodded. “I want the both of you to be there.” My throat tightened again, but I pushed through. “And I want that, too. I want to work on our relationship. Not just for me, but for… little Zoe.”

The second the words left my mouth, I hiccuped a sob. And that was it.

Kentrell, my father, and my mother all jumped up at the same time—closing in around me like a protective shield I didn’tknow I needed until that moment. Arms wrapped around me from every side. I let the tears come, laughing through them as I found myself buried in all of them at once.

“I like this,” I said, my voice muffled against Kentrell’s chest as I heard all of them laughing with me.

“Me too,” Mama sniffled, wiping at her cheeks.

“I second that emotion,” my father added, earning a snort from Kentrell, who was definitely laughing at how corny that sounded.

When everyone finally let me breathe, Mama was the last one still holding on. She hugged me tighter, her tears dampening my shoulder as I wrapped my arms right back around her.

“My baby is having a baby,” she sobbed, the shock and thrill making her voice crack. “And you’re marrying my best friend’s son—Lord have mercy.” She pulled back, nose stuffy, giving her voice that nasally edge that made me smile despite the mess of emotions.

“I never would’ve seen this happening,” she said, her eyes drifting toward Kentrell with something close to reluctant approval. “But… it seems fate decided y’all needed each other. I guess this is restoration for me and your mama.” She nodded toward Kentrell, who returned it with the same quiet respect he always gave when moments felt too big for words. “Because after everything I tried to do to mend my guilt… I still never felt like it was enough.” She sighed, and I watched as Darius slid a protective arm around her waist. Without hesitation, she leaned into him like muscle memory.

“But this… this feels right.”

I blinked through fresh tears and turned toward Kentrell, a full smile breaking across my face.

“So…” I grinned. “Does he have both of your blessings?”

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