Page 64 of Rose
“I’m just saying what itlookslike,” Sincere said, lifting his hands in surrender. “But if your heart’s telling you to pursue her—don’t let my smart-dumb ass stop you.”
Savior cut his eyes at him but didn’t say anything.
Instead, he exhaled smoke and reached for his keys.
“Yeah,” he muttered, “but you need to stop giving Aunt Marley them fucking edibles. I called her earlier and told her Brasi almost got hit by a car, and she laughed for ten minutes.”
Sincerebrokelaughing. “Man, stay outta me and Auntie’s business! She needed that.”
Savior cracked a reluctant smirk but shook his head.
“Look,” Sincere said, voice serious now, “I ain’t mean to piss you off or make shit worse. You the leader of this family for a reason, Sav. If you think she’s the one…” he stepped closer, “don’t letnobodystop you from finding out.”
Savior looked at him, the weight of those words settling into his chest.
“All love, nigga,” he said, pulling him in for a hug.
“All love,” Sincere echoed, gripping him tight.
They pulled back, and just as Savior turned to leave, Sincere grinned.
“Oh—and heads up,” he added, laughing, “Sarai might steal her before you even get a chance. Youknowyou can’t date a woman once she becomes Sarai’s best friend.”
He chuckled, knowing exactly how Sarai operated when she believed she’d found a real friend.
Sarai was used to doing life solo. Being a Carter meant keeping people at a distance. The few friends she’d made in college only knew her as the girl who could cook her ass off and happened to be the twin sister to the finest, smartest boy on campus.
People always gravitated to her—but none of those friendships lasted.
So when shedidconnect with someone? She clung to them like family.
“Fuck Gold,” Savior snapped, voice sharp with possession. “Ahzii was my wife first—before her damn best friend.”
Sincere laughed, long and hard. “Inloveass…” he said, shaking his head. Then paused. “Damn. I never thought I’d say that. Not to you.”
Savior rolled his eyes, jaw ticking.
“Too soon for that shit,” he muttered.
He didn’t know what this feeling was. But it was swallowing him whole. It lived in his bones now.
Sincere lifted a brow. “Yet, you killed for her… gave Gold amilliondollars just so she could eat free for life… and stalked the woman like you auditioning for Lifetime.”
He grabbed his keys, shaking his head. “Bet you already looking at rings and baby names. In love ass nigga—like I said.”
“Man, fuck you.” Savior mugged him. “You leaving?”
“Yeah. Need to go see my wife.” Sincere smirked, tossing his lab coat over the chair. “She’s at the shop.Perfectday for you to meet your sister-in-law. And since I know you missing Ahzii’s face, this time you don’t gotta stalk her ass to see it.”
He laughed at the middle finger Savior threw his way, still grinning.
Savior wanted to go. God, he wanted to see her. But he couldn’t. Not yet.
Not until he got his head straight.
He needed to get back to the shop. Needed the hum of machines, the rhythm of routine. Because the one woman he couldn’t stop thinking about—the one he swore he’d never need—was already living in his damn mind. Rent free.
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