Attractions: Book 2

6

"Hey, girl." KK squealed, hugging Malia tight. "I swear you're like my only friend these days."

Malia and KK had been spending a lot of time together as of late. Malia was helping her with wedding planning as well as taking comfort in the fact that Kadre was her only friend that still lived in state.

"I agree." Malia rubbed KK's belly before smiling. "How's baby doing?"

One thing Malia's therapist told her was to avoid triggers. That meant that if anything was gonna remind her of that fire, try not to spend too much time thinking about it.

That was hard, though.

It was hard considering she loved to be around KK. KK was as pregnant as she could ever be and Malia was beyond happy for her. They'd had their differences but now, Malia and Kadre were the best of friends.

"She's doing good." KK said. "Stressing me out like always. How have you been?"

Malia tilted her head. "Actually, K... I've been good. I go back to school next week and therapy has been helping a lot."

"So, you went through with therapy." KK confirmed. "I have been thinking about that as well."

"I think it's really good." Malia told her as they sat down for brunch. "What's making you consider therapy?"

KK sighed. "I don't know. It's just... my husband has been kind of uninterested lately and we have a kid on the way and stuff."

"Yeah?"

"But I'm not gonna beg anyone to be with me because that part of my life is over." She explained further. "I just already hate being the baby's mother. So if something happens and I have 2 kids by different dads? That's just not gonna make me feel good about how my life is going."

Malia nodded. "I get it. I think that sometimes as women we tend to forget that when something happens, it doesn't just affect us."

"My mom said the same thing so that's why I'm trying to be patient with him because he also has a kid on the way and his life is also gonna change." KK said. "I love talking to you. I miss Brook and Niya."

Malia laughed. "Right! It just be me and you now."

Malia rang the doorbell of Ja's parent's house, having offered to drop Kaari off to be with her father. KK was short on time since they'd spent so much time at brunch and with a free schedule, Malia agreed to bring Kaari.

"Hey, Miss Malia." Jamie smiled as Kaari ran right past her. "How you doin'?"

She smiled. "I'm doing good. KK had to run over to a doctor's appointment so I brought Kaari since I live right down the street."

"That's good." Jamie said. "You goin' to the game tonight?"

Malia thought about how today marked a year and how nothing had reminded her of it until just now. Ja was gonna play today and she knew that he'd play for his unborn child.

"I don't think so." Malia admitted. "It would be out of place for me to go."

Jamie scoffed. "Girl, you and Ja broke up. Not me and you. What you'on like me no more?"

Malia laughed, following Jamie to the kitchen. "I can come for a little while."

An Instagram message request came through on Malia's phone and since she had time to kill, she slid into the bar in the Morant kitchen and pushed the notification. She wasn't surprised that it was from Killian but either way, she wasn't sure whether or not she could respond.