Page 73 of Rose
“Thank you, Ma. But… babies?”
As if on cue, A’Mazi walked in from the balcony, a bag of ice in hand.
“Hey, Shug. Happy birthday.” He leaned down to kiss her cheek.
“Thanks. Happy birthday to you, too.” She smiled back as he carried the ice into the kitchen.
“Go wash up—you smell like outside,” Bianca said to her. “Food’s almost ready.”
“Sincere and Sarai are on the way too,” Kyre added while texting, completely casual.
Ahzii’s body tensed. Her heart stuttered at the mention of their names—not because of them, but because of who they were connected to.
She hadn’t seen or spoken to Savior since that night.
The night he fixed her tires.
The night they kissed.
The kiss that crawled under her skin and lingered long after she swore it wouldn’t. That kiss had felt like something real… and that was exactly why it terrified her.
“Just them two, right?” she asked, trying to sound casual, but her voice betrayed her, shaky and unsure.
Kyre barely looked up from her phone. “Yes, girl. Who else would be coming?” she said, thumbs still flying across the screen. “Taylor wanted to pull up, but she’s stuck with classes and buried in work.”
Ahzii nodded, already knowing how Taylor got when school had her in a chokehold. She’d sent a long, heartfelt message earlier that morning, wishing her happy birthday and reminding her how much she loved her. She even promised to bring her gift to the shop tomorrow.
And knowing Taylor? That gift was bound to be over the top.
Before Ahzii could answer, Bianca’s voice cut in. “MiMi, you burning the bacon.”
Kyre yelped and spun back to the stove, narrowly rescuing what was left of the pan. MiMi was her mother’s nickname for Kyre, short for her middle name—Miani. It was a small reminder of how close their bond had become—Kyre was family.
Ahzii used the distraction to slip away, silently grateful she didn’t have to say his name out loud.
She headed upstairs, her mind still swirling. She’d expected this birthday to be quiet, heavy, hollow. But apparently, her family had other plans.
And maybe, just maybe, a distraction was exactly what she needed.
Ahzii stepped out of the shower, steam still curling off her skin, wrapping her in a heat that matched the storm she had just let pour out. The water had drowned her sobs, her grief, her pain—but as soon as her feet touched the tile, her tears stopped, and her face returned to stone. She couldn’t walk around broken, not today. Not in front of her family.
She moved through the motions—rubbing her favorite vanilla-scented lotion into her skin, grounding herself in the familiar comfort of its sweetness. Her walk-in closet greeted her like a boutique she rarely shopped from, filled with clothes she bought but barely wore. Since it was just breakfast with family, she kept it simple: a slightly croppedChild of God 07tee, high-waisted jean shorts that hugged her curves perfectly, and black fuzzy Balenciaga slides to stay comfortable.
Her pixie cut was gone now, replaced by fresh boho knotless braids she’d gotten a few days ago in a silent act of self-care. She pulled them into a high bun, letting a few curly pieces fall to frame her face. She brushed through her lash extensions,glossed her lips, and double-checked her eyes for redness. No signs of the tears she'd shed. That was what mattered.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, she stopped short. A’Mazi was sitting on her bed, scrolling on his phone, surrounded by gift bags. He looked up and smiled gently.
“Hey, Boobie,” she said softly.
He stood, opening his arms without a word. “I heard you in the shower, Shug. You don’t have to be strong or numb around me.”
Her eyes welled up immediately. He always knew. He always saw her—no mask could fool him. She rushed into his arms, breaking down in the only place she felt safe enough to fall apart.
“I miss them so much,” she cried into his chest, soaking his Amiri shirt with grief she couldn’t swallow anymore.
“I know,” he whispered, resting his chin on the top of her head. “But want to know something?”
She didn’t respond—just cried harder, so he kept going.
