Page 81 of Kentrell

Before I could answer, she slipped right back into her sing-song mess.

“And I know damn well you wasn’t about to let him catch an attitude with Ayesha?—”

“He did not,” I cut in. “He’s just not talkative with strangers.”

“Mmhmm,” she clucked in my ear, making me roll my eyes. “Oh, so when did your cousin become a stranger?”

“I never said Ayesha was a stranger tome—Anastacia,” I emphasized, laughing as I sipped my wine.

“Yeah, but you defending him like that’s yo man,” she shot back.

I laughed out loud, setting my glass down before I spilled it. “Well, heismy client.”

That was twice.

I didn’t want to take it there, but Kentrell brought out something in me—a want to protect him.

“Oop, excuse me then,” Stacia snorted.

“So where’d y’all go? 'Cause Iknowyou ain’t get home till after midnight. We was waiting for yo ass at the door.”

My eyes widened. Of course they clocked me. I should’ve known they’d be camped out like church mothers with snacks and speculation.

“Oh, so now you ain’t saying shit?” Stacia sat up on the call—I could hear it in her tone. “Zoe?”

Before I could even try to answer, the line beeped.

“I’m still here—Mars is calling.”

I didn’t even get a chance to switch over before Stacia said, “Aight—add her in. Iknowshe about to be loud.”

I did, and just like clockwork?—

“BITCH!” Mars hollered the second she joined.

“Yup,” Stacia muttered. “There it go.”

“Y’all was gon’ have this whole conference without me?” Mars gasped. “I knew y’all was on the phone. The group chat been quiet—tooquiet.”

I sighed, adjusting my bonnet and settling deeper into the couch. “Because we all work.”

“Workwhat?” Mars sucked her teeth. “Orwhom—’cause I heard through the grapevine formerly known as Ayesha?—”

Me and Stacia burst out laughing. Mars was so damn silly.

“—thatThick Dick McGeeshowed up unannounced.”

“Thick Dick McGee!” Stacia echoed, wheezing through laughter.

I bit my lip, trying not to grin at the memory. I’d seen a print more than once. And during lunch, when my foot was pressed against him under the table? Baby. Felt big enough to play footsies withme.

“ZOE!” Mars snatched me back to reality.

“See, she keep going mute—what thehellyantehappened?” Stacia said, pulling a giggle out of me.

“We kissed again?—”

“AGAIN?” Stacia damn near screamed. “Bitch,when was the first time?!”

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