Page 130 of Rose
He left without another word.
The second he was back in his car, he pulled out his phone and dialed the only number that brought him peace.
Allure.
No answer.
His grip tightened around the steering wheel as that boiling anger threatened to crack the surface again.
He needed a break. He needed oil, tools, vinyl, and silence. He headed to his shop, praying the sound of engines and the hum of music could drown out the noise clawing at his mind.
???
Ahzii walked intoGold, the blast of cool air hitting her sun-warmed skin like a welcome kiss. Miami’s heat still lingered, even with summer nearing its end. She slid off her shades, helmet in hand, scanning the familiar space. The scent of buttery garlic and grilled citrus filled the air.
“Hi, Ms. Rose,” Chris greeted from the host stand with a smile.
“Hey, Chris. How you been?” she asked, her voice smooth, casual.
She’d been coming here often after her first visit—Goldhad quickly become her favorite spot. Every dish hit like a memory she didn’t know she needed.
“Doing good. Just trying to keep the boss lady happy,” Chris said with a wink.
Ahzii chuckled. Chris and Sarai were messing around on the low, and while Sarai treated it like a no-strings escape, Chris clearly wanted more. It was written all over him, his gaze lingered, his smirk always a little too soft when she wasn’t looking. Sarai couldn’t see it. But Ahzii could.
“Mmm, I bet. Where’s boss lady now?” she asked, glancing toward the back.
“Corner table, by the window. She’s waiting on you.”
“Thanks.”
Ahzii made her way toward the table, her Marni slides quiet against the tile. Sarai was already seated, phone pressed to her ear, voice sharp with irritation.
“Sav, I don’t know why Ahzii’s not answering the phone,” Sarai said. “She’s not your wife—yet….Well then, put a ring on it.”
Ahzii smirked, recognizing that tone, and who it was for.
She’d seen Savior’s calls but hadn’t picked up. Not because she didn’t want to. Because she did. Too much. After opening up to him that night about her daughter, about her childhood… something shifted. He made her feel too much. And that terrified her.
“Tell her yourself, Savior. I have to go—I got a business to run.” Sarai hung up with a sigh as Ahzii approached.
“Girl,” Sarai said, standing to hug her, “please call my brother. Send him the eggplant emoji orsomethingso he knows you thinking about him. I’m tired of this man blowing up my phone every thirty minutes like I got a tracking chip on you.”
Ahzii laughed softly as they hugged. “I’ll call him later.”
Sarai tilted her head, catching the shift in her tone.
“What did his big-headed ass do?” she asked, eyes narrowing. “I love my brother, but I will shoot his knees if he hurt you. Don’t test me, Ahzii.”
That protective glint in her eye made Ahzii smile, reminded her why she liked Sarai so much.
“He didn’t do anything wrong,” she said quietly as they sat. “I promise.”
The waitress returned quickly, jotting down their drink and food orders with a practiced smile before disappearing again.
Ahzii’s phone buzzed on the table.
Savior. Again.
