Page 143 of Rose
“Yo, you good?” Savior’s voice broke through, his tone winded but laced with concern.
Ahzii nodded too quickly. “Yeah—I… just got lightheaded. Pushed too hard.”
She dared a glance back.
Nothing. No man. No hoodie. No eyes. No William.
Just wind and leaves and empty air.
Her throat tightened as she reached for Ace’s leash. Her fingers shook, but she hid it. Whatever it was—grief, memory, delusion—it was easier to act like it hadn’t happened.
Even if her pulse was still pounding for a ghost.
“Well, I won,” she said, forcing a grin as she turned to him.
Savior narrowed his eyes, still watching her too closely. “Yeah, you did. You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. I think the fruit wasn’t enough. Let’s go.”
She didn’t wait for a response, just clipped Ace’s leash and walked toward the truck.
And she didn’t look back again.
Back at the house, Ahzii moved through the kitchen, hips swaying as music played softly in the background. She danced and stirred, needing something—anything—to pull her mind away from what happened at the park. It hadn’t happened in a while, but it wasn’t her first time imagining William. Grief had a way of crawling back when you least expected it. Still, she pushed it down, burying the unease under focus. Focus on the now. On Savior.
Across the room, he fed the dogs, glancing up at the smell wafting through the kitchen. “It smells good in here. What you makin’ your man?” he teased.
She didn’t bother correcting him this time. Just smiled. “Heard from a little birdie that chocolate chip pancakes were your favorite. So—pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and good ole orange juice.” She pointed to the spread she was working on, flipping bacon with one hand while managing the pancakes with the other.
Savior leaned against the counter, watching her with something close to awe. No one had ever done this for him. Not even his own blood. “I appreciate this. I appreciate you, Allure,” he said, voice low, emotion thick in it.
She turned off the stove and faced him, her tone soft. “I know you never celebrated your birthday before… but I want this year to be different. You deserve to be celebrated.”
She kissed him, slow, warm, and full, and when he deepened it, she didn’t pull back. She let him feel everything she couldn’t say out loud.
“What you got planned for me, huh?” he asked once they broke apart, his hands still gripping her waist.
Instead of answering, she plated their food and climbed onto the counter, motioning him to stand between her legs. She fed him, piece by piece, in between her own bites, fully devoted to taking care of him today.
“First stop? Disney World. Ever been?” she asked, slipping him a forkful of eggs.
He shook his head. “Nah.”
“Me either,” she grinned. “So our first time gets to be together.”
That made him smile, big and genuine. “Then?”
“These pancakes fire,” he said through a mouthful. “You might’ve just beat Gold with this.”
She laughed. “Don’t gas me—Sarai gave me the recipe. I just followed instructions.”
“After Disney, then what?” he asked again, reaching for more bacon.
“Patience, Savior.” She winked. “You’ll see.”
He stared at her a second too long before murmuring, “I love seeing that smile.”
She dropped her gaze, cheeks heating. “I miss showing it,” she admitted.
