Page 342 of Kentrell

“You want a little girl?” she asked, voice teasing but hopeful.

“Yeah… the first three,” I said, already grinning.

“First three?” She laughed, tossing her head back with that wide, carefree laugh I lived for.

“Hell yeah.” I nodded like I was signing a contract. “I wanna see how the Caldwell sibling dynamic shifts when it’s just three girls.”

“So basically… you’re experimenting with our kids?” She narrowed her eyes at me, pretending to be offended but I could already see her fighting the smile.

“Basically.” I shrugged like it wasn’t even up for debate.

And just like that… she cracked a smile.

“Really… I just know it’ll be peaceful as hell,” I said, exhaling as my mind drifted to how I grew up.

Kensei wasn’t always the problem, but Wani? Man… Wani stayed with some shit. And wherever Wani went, Lex wasn’t far behind.

They were like… chaos on a two-for-one deal.

Dye packs in the toilet. Firecrackers in the mailbox. Chasing folks down the block with Roman candles. Buying Super Soakers for drive-by drenches.

Just terrorizing the whole neighborhood for no reason other than they could.

But my girls?

Nah… I pictured them being different. Soft. Sweet. Smart-mouthed like their mama, sure… but still my peace.

Before I could say more, Wani’s voice crackled loud over the intercom, making both me and Zoe jump.

“Aye, Zoe… yo mama said this music ain’t foolin’ nobody,” Wani’s voice broke through, killing the song mid-beat. “She said if you not in this kitchen in the next thirty minutes… she comin’ in hot?—”

“I never said any of that!” Zora’s voice came up loud behind him, making Zoe clap her hands over her face as she burst out laughing. “Wani! Leave my baby alone and finish chopping them bell peppers and onions and celery!”

“If she yo baby then let her chop this shit up too?—”

“Nigga… if you wanna eat, you gon’ use them hands and help… before I help the back of my hand all over yo face!”

“Oh, shit!” I laughed, covering my mouth as I heard Wani and Kensei howling in the background before the intercom finally crackled off and the music kicked back on.

Zoe turned to me, face suddenly serious, her smile curling slow at the corner. “Girls it is,” she said like it was law now.

“See… told you.” I smirked, catching the sparkle in her eyes right before she giggled again and climbed out of bed.

“Kentrell!” she gasped, feeling me come up behind her, pressing my whole front to her back as she bent down to grab my T-shirt from the floor.

I turned her to face me, arms circling her waist, pulling her tight to me. My face dipped straight into the crook of her neck, breathing her in like I needed it just to function.

“Come take a shower with me,” I murmured against her skin, making her shiver all over again.

“I can’t—I need to help my mama cook.”

“You can’t even cook,” I teased, biting her earlobe just enough to make her jerk and squeal before laughing.

“Ha. Ha,” she deadpanned, rolling her eyes like she wasn’t grinning at the same time. “And so what? I can prep.”

“Shit… that’s about it,” I said, chuckling as I dragged my hands down her hips.

We both cracked up laughing, her giggles breaking soft and sweet against my neck as I kissed her there again just to hear it one more time.

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