Chapter 22

𝙻𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚢𝚗

The last place the girls wanted to go was this restaurant closer to the city, and honestly? The vibe was already off in my spirit. Aries and Khalil were outside, stuffin’ all our luggage into the cars, while I sat here eating breakfast and mentally preparing myself for the chaos that was inevitably waitin’ for me back home.

The girls had already gone out to the diner, livin’ their best lives while I was stuck here marinatin’ in irritation. And tomorrow? Yeah, my dad was coming back, which meant chaos was scheduled, booked, and confirmed.

So I told myself I might as well make this dinner worth it, even if my mood was sittin’ at a strong “don’t talk to me unless it’s ’bout food.” I wasn’t feeling it. Not even a little bit. Especially after the fuck shit Essence pulled last night. My shoes were somewhere in a mosquito-infested forest, and on top of that, I woke up this mornin’ looking like a damn snack platter for bugs. Bites everywhere.

Everything was irritating me. Every little thing. The air, the silence, the fact that my socks had to suffer, all of it. And of course, the only person who clocked that immediately was Aries.

Suddenly, I felt something lean into me, solid and warm, and before I could even process it, her finger flicked my nose.

I huffed, swatting her hand away. “Don’t—” I started and she chuckled, leanin’ in again like she was testing my patience on purpose.

“Aries, fuck off,” I grumbled, tryna shrug her off, but she just laughed and wrapped her arms around me anyway, all strong and annoying, swaying us side to side. My hand ended up gripping her bicep automatically, without even thinkin’, my body not even matching my attitude.

“Cheer up. We’ll be home soon,” she murmured.

I nodded anyway, because she wasn’t wrong, and I didn’t have the energy to argue with logic right now. Home came with responsibilities. Expectations. My dad. Everything.

“You like the breakfast I made you?” she added, softer this time, and that caught me off guard just enough to make my face warm.

Why am I blushin’ over food?

I nodded again, slower, lettin’ out a small hum like I wasn’t just two seconds away from being mean again.

She smelled good too. Like vanilla and cocoa, something warm and stupidly comforting that made it harder to stay irritated. It mixed with her natural scent in a way that had no business affecting me like that either.

Then she let go, and immediately I spun around in my chair, my brows pulling together like I just got robbed.

“I didn’t say let go?—” I started, raisin’ a brow, but my eyes betrayed me mid-sentence.

Because why was she standin’ there shirtless.

Her v-line was visible, her sweatpants hanging low like they had no sense or responsibility, and before I could even stop myself, my hand moved.

I reached for her waistband and tugged her closer, like my hands made a decision my pride wasn’t ready to discuss. But she caught my wrist real quick, stoppin’ me before I could get bold for real.

“Ayo, chill,” she said flatly, and I glanced down, realizing there was no waistband of boxers in sight.

“Oh—sorry,” I said, but my eyes didn’t move. Not once. Because now I was committed after noticing the details, and her abdomen was not making it easy to act normal.

The veins trailin’ up her abdomen, the way her muscles tensed and relaxed under my gaze? Yeah, this was mine…

Before I could think better of it, my hand moved again, slower this time, my fingers brushin’ over those same veins. She stiffened for a second, then relaxed, her hand still loosely around my wrist like she didn’t know whether to stop me or let me keep being a problem.

“Let go,” I said, rollin’ my eyes like I wasn’t the one causin’ all this, and she listened.

She just watched me, her jaw tightenin’ slightly as my hands roamed like they paid rent there.

“Londyn,” she breathed out, low, controlled, like she was trying real hard not to react the way she wanted to.

I hummed as if I didn’t hear the warning, pushing up from the chair and lettin’ my hands travel higher until they wrapped around her neck.

She looked down at me, eyes locking onto mine, and I watched them darken just a little.

“You keep playin’ with me lately,” she husked, and I smirked, tilting my head like I was innocent.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said sweetly, even though she and I both knew that was a bold-faced lie.

My nails grazed the back of her neck, slow and deliberate, and she let out a quiet breath.

“Yeah?” she rasped, and I giggled, my fingers slippin’ into the back of her hair like I was testing how far I could push this.

“Yeah,” I said softly.

She leaned down, tiltin’ her head, lips parting. I followed without thinking, because clearly, I don’t learn, my brain officially on airplane mode.

Then suddenly,

“Aries!?—” I gasped, joltin’ as she slapped my ass like she lost her damn mind, and then she just… walked off. Laughin’, like she ain’t just slapped my ass.

I know she did not just play me like that…

My mouth opened, fully ready to cuss her out, or read her for filth, but Khalil walked in at the worst possible time, fresh from the pool.

His eyes went wide immediately. “Aw hell nah. I saw that shit.”

“Fuck you didn’t!?!” I snapped.

“Calm down, I ain’t finna say shit,” he said, hands up like he was innocent, and I stepped back with a long sigh, tryna regain whatever dignity I had left.

“Y’all some freaks though,” he added, already backing up like he knew I was about to swing, and then he straight up ran before I could reach him.

Right on cue, the girls walked in laughing, and of course… of course Imani was the first one to notice me standing there looking like I just got caught in 4K.

And I just knew…she was ’bout to be on some bullshit.

“Girl, you okay?” Imani asked, and I nodded so fast it probably looked rehearsed, turning right back to the kitchen island to wash my plate like that was my full-time job now.

“Yeah,” I said.

If I keep moving, nobody can question me. That was the plan. A weak-ass plan actually. Because not even ten seconds later, I felt Imani’s presence behind me like a shadow that specialized in mess.

“I know you,” she started, and I already knew I didn’t like where this was going. “Something’s on your mind.”

Here we go.

“Nothing!?” I shot back way too quick, voice jumping up like it got somewhere to be. I didn’t even turn around, just kept washing like if I focused hard enough the conversation would disappear like Casper the ghost.

She hummed, squintin’ at me like she was zooming in for evidence. I could feel her staring at the side of my face like she was tryna peel my thoughts open.

“If you can’t tell me,” she said slowly, draggin’ it out, “tell your girlfrienddd.”

The plate almost slipped clean out of my hands. I caught it quick, but not before letting out a harsh huff, my shoulders tightening. “Girl—”

She laughed, already knowing she struck a nerve, leaning in to kiss my temple before walkin’ off.

Girlfriend? Oh, please.

I finished cleaning up, tryna shake it off, but that word kept echoing like it had rent due in my head. Once I was done, I headed to my room, and the second I walked in, the girls were already waiting… holding up a pink dress like they were presenting an award.

“We’re doing your hair too,” Britney added, already lookin’ too pleased with herself.

My brows furrowed instantly. “Don’t you guys have to get dressed too—”

Imani didn’t even let me finish, she just shoved me straight into the bathroom.

I grumbled the entire time but still did what they said and by the time I came out, Britney had already taken over, fixin’ the wig, lettin’ the waves fall just right like she was sculptin’ something.

“Why blonde?” I asked, watchin’ her adjust it in the mirror.

“Because it looks sexy with pink,” she said simply, steppin’ back like an artist admiring her work.

Imani and Britney both squealed like they just created something revolutionary, and I rolled my eyes, which… okay.

It did eat a lil’.

Meanwhile, Essence was in the corner with Chelsea, sittin’ on the edge of Imani and Britney’s bed, tappin’ away on her phone like none of this concerned her.

Typical.

“Yo, is my hoodie in here—” I turned toward the door at the same time Aries walked in.

And we both froze, her eyes widenin’.

Mine did too. I looked down at my dress and she looked down at her jacket, and then back at each other.

Imani and Britney snickered behind me, actin’ like they set this up on purpose.

“Why you wearin’ pink?” I asked immediately, pointin’ at her like she was the problem.

She lifted her arms, lookin’ down at herself again like she was just now realizin’ what she had on, then slowly turned her head toward Imani, her jaw going slack. “Imani bought it—”

My head snapped toward her so fast you would’ve thought I was Usain Bolt. “Are you serious!?”

Essence scoffed loudly, pushing herself off the bed before grabbing Aries by the arm and dragging her right back out the room like she needed a break from the foolishness.

But guess what? So did I girl.

“Seriously!?” I repeated, glarin’ at Imani like she set me up on purpose.

“Whatt, I just thought it’d be cute,” Imani sang, completely unashamed. “You two been lookin’ like a couple lately.”

“Cute??” I echoed, crossin’ my arms.

Britney nodded along, way too supportive. “Plus, it’s the last day. Have some fun.”

I raised a brow, trying to stay annoyed, trying not to think about how Aries looked when she walked in.

“Y’all are coming to the dinner too, right?” I asked, narrowin’ my eyes at both of them.

“Definitely,” they both said in sync, smilin’ like they just set the stage for something I wasn’t ready for.

Great.

Exactly what I needed.

𐃯

They lied out their asses.

Bold-faced, straight-faced, no hesitation. And the crazy part? They coordinated it like a group project. The ride back into the city was long, long enough for me to sit there and replay every fake “we’ll be there” they fed me. And by the time we actually pulled up to the restaurant, it was very clear… it was just me and Aries.

Alone. At the exact restaurant I said I wanted to go to?

My arm was looped through hers as she guided me inside, steady and unbothered, while I was still mentally writin’ their obituaries.

“I can’t believe they fucked us over,” I mumbled under my breath, leanin’ into her slightly as she led me to the table.

She chuckled like this was all part of a joke she was in on, steppin’ ahead to pull my chair out for me, and I paused for half a second, caught off guard in a way I didn’t even expect.

Like—pause. Hold on. Rewind. It was small, simple… but it hit different. Because yeah, I’ve done dinners before. Fancy ones too.

But I ain’t used to that? Jalen pulling out a chair for me?

Girl, please. That man barely knew what a door handle was, let alone openin’ it for somebody else.

So this? This was new.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice softer than I liked, like it slipped out before I could dress it up with attitude.

She sat across from me, real calm, like she didn’t just shake my entire perspective with one small gesture. I narrowed my eyes at her.

“You fuckin’ knew,” I said, pointin’ at her like I just solved a case.

She scratched the back of her neck, already smilin’. “I did ask them to help me out…”

My eyes widened immediately. “Wait? You planned this!?” I said, louder than intended, catchin’ a couple glances from nearby tables.

I glanced around quickly, clearin’ my throat like I ain’t almost expose myself.

“Yeah, you said you wanted to go here last night while half asleep,” she explained, like that was a perfectly normal thing to act on.

My brows furrowed. “…So you made reservations?” I asked, softer now.

She nodded, and I just sat there for a second, lookin’ at her. Actually looking. Scannin’ every little thing like my brain was tryna process it all at once.

The way she sat, the way she watched me, the way she didn’t make a big deal out of something that clearly took effort.

I tucked my hair behind my ear, suddenly unsure what to do with all of that.

Because she listens. Even when I don’t think she is… she does. And even if she doesn’t get it right away, she circles back.

Always.

I cleared my throat, tryna gather myself, and she extended her hand across the table.

“You look gorgeous by the way, Londyn,” she said softly.

And there it was again.

That warmth creeping up my face.

And… lower.

I squeezed my thighs together a little, huffin’ like I was annoyed instead of affected, before placin’ my hand in hers. “Thank you,” I muttered.

She chuckled quietly, her thumb brushin’ over my hand in slow, absent circles like she wasn’t even thinkin’ about it.

We ordered food, ate, talked. Nothing crazy. Nothing loud. Just us. And it felt… different. Lighter. Easier. No interruptions. No side comments. No Essence hoverin’ in the background at the worst possible moment.

I didn’t have to stay on edge, and didn’t have to question anythin’ because she was right there. With me.

And for once, I let myself enjoy it without that little voice in the back of my head asking if I should.

By the time we got back, I was a little unsteady steppin’ up to the entrance, and she caught it immediately.

“Are you tipsy?” she teased, her voice light.

I stumbled again just to be dramatic, and before I could even argue, she lifted me with one arm like I weighed nothin’.

I should do this more often..

I couldn’t even help the giggle that slipped out, clingin’ onto her without even thinkin’.

“Bedroom, please,” I said, wrappin’ around her and buryin’ my face near her neck. “And no, I’m not tipsy… I’m just a bit happy.”

“Mm,” she hummed. “That’s good.”

She carried me upstairs like it was nothin’, like she ain’t out here makin’ my heart act up again, before settin’ me down gently on my feet.

“I’ll be back though,” she added, already turnin’ to leave.

And just like that, she was gone.

I watched her go, then let out a small breath, the scent of my house wrappin’ around me again. It’d only been a week, but it felt longer. Like I left one version of myself and came back… slightly rearranged?

I reached back, fumblin’ with the clasp of my corset, struggling for a second before finally getting it undone. “Finally,” I muttered, tugging it loose before pulling at the strap for the pink bra Imani gave me at the start of the trip.

Which… somehow matched everything.

I shook my head, half laughin’, half annoyed as I slid the skirt portion of the dress down, stepping out of it and tossin’ everything to the side with a tired huff.

“Aight, I’m back—”

I spun around so fast I almost lost my balance.

Aries stood there, holdin’ a bag, but the second she saw me, her body froze.

Her hand dropped. “Oh—fuck—shit. I’m sorry!” she blurted, spinnin’ around and coverin’ her eyes.

And I couldn’t help it. I laughed. Cackled actually.

I walked over to her, shakin’ my head. “Girl, relax,” I said, reachin’ for her wrist, tuggin’ her hand down just a little. “You actin’ like you ain’t seen skin before.”

She stayed turned around anyway, all stubborn. And for some reason? That made her even cuter.

“What’s this?” I hummed, eyein’ the bag.

She huffed like I was the problem. “Clothes first?” she suggested, still half-turned like if she faced me too long she might tweak out.

I slowly moved her hand from her face, raisin’ a brow at her like she just said something insane. “You slapped my ass today and you wanna talk ’bout clothes first?”

She pressed her lips together, clearly trying not to laugh, then shoved the bag into my hands like that would distract me.

I took it, side-eyeing her, then started digging through it, tossing out the crumpled gift paper until I hit a box.

My jaw dropped.

“Aries!?” I screamed, loud enough to prolly wake the neighbors, and she jolted like I just set off an alarm before breakin’ into a laugh.

I didn’t even think. I jumped into her arms, wrapping around her. She stiffened for a split second before catching me, holdin’ me up securely like she was used to me being dramatic.

“Oh my gosh, thank you…” I squealed, my voice high, and she just hummed, her eyes locked on me like she was studyin’ my reaction more than the gift itself.

“Open it,” she said, settin’ me back down.

I did not need to be told twice. I popped the box open and pulled out the designer bag, and yeah… I lost it all over again. “Oh my—” I squealed, turnin’ it around, admirin’ every angle like it was a trophy.

“Can’t nobody tell me shit,” I said with full confidence, already imaginin’ the looks I was about to get.

She chuckled low, licking her lips as her gaze dropped for a second before coming back up. “You like it?”

“I love it!?” I smiled, softer this time, steppin’ closer and wrappin’ an arm around her neck without even thinking.

We locked eyes, and just like that… the mood shifted.

Her eyes darkened, her arms slidin’ around me, pulling me in closer like she had no intention of letting me go. I hummed, a small giggle slipping out, even though my heart was already picking up pace.

“What is it?” I asked, tiltin’ my head.

“I’ma need you to put on clothes, mama,” she said low, her voice droppin’ in a way that made my stomach flip.

I raised a brow immediately, fingers sliding up to hold her by her jaw, tilting her face just enough so she had to look at me. “Why?” I asked, a little amused… a little curious.

Her jaw tightened under my fingers. “Please?” she tried again, softer this time.

I shook my head slowly. “Tell me why first.”

She let out a quiet huff, her hand settling at my lower back, warm and steady. “Ion wanna tell you, that’s the problem,” she rasped. “I wanna show you.”

Her hands slid lower, gripping my ass, and my breath hitched before I could stop it. That same heat pooled low in my stomach, heavier this time, and harder to ignore.

I leaned into her without thinking, my hand slipping from her jaw to her neck, fingers curling there as I pulled her closer like I was about to commit to whatever this was.

And then it hit me. Real hard.

‘Cause, hollon.

Wait.

Pause.

If this keeps going… I’m ’bout to embarrass myself.

Badly. Like, catastrophically.

‘Cause Ion even know what I’m doing for real.

“O-okay, you told me!” I stammered quickly, breaking the moment like I just saved my own life, stepping back and putting distance between us before I made another questionable decision.

I turned fast, heading straight for my closet like that was my escape route, grabbing the first baggy tee I saw and pulling it over my head.

Behind me, she let out a quiet sigh of relief, which made me pause.

I glanced back at her, and then my eyes dropped.

Oh.

Yeah, no. That’s not my imagination.

That’s not a trick of the light either.

That is very much real.

And suddenly? The oversized tee felt… Extremely necessary.