Alaniela's POV
Atlanta, GA
3:45 PM
The Atlanta sun was fucking disrespectful.
It clung to your skin like syrup as you pulled up to your cousin's backyard cookout.
Music was bumpin', grills were smokin', and the scent of fried fish, ribs, and sweet tea hit you all at once.
You weren't in the mood for all this. Not really.
Not after weeks of radio silence from him.
You adjusted the strap on your sundress, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the car.
You weren't gonna let one man ruin your summer even if that man was Anthony freaking Edwards.
But the second your sandals hit the grass, someone whistled.
"Lawd have mercy... y'all see this shit?" a familiar voice called out. "There go trouble, fresh off the runway."
You froze. Turned. And there he was — Ant, leaned back against the porch rail, red cup in one hand, a rib in the other, chain glinting against his chest, smirking like the devil himself.
Your stomach flipped.
"You really came, huh? Thought you was done wit' me," he said, wiping sauce off his fingers and tossing the bone on a plate.
You rolled your eyes. "Didn't hear from you for a whole month. Figured we were both done."
He pushed off the porch and walked over slowly, that lazy Georgia swagger in every step.
"I wasn't done. I was lettin' you cool off, Alani. You was actin' all spicy and slick."
"You ghosted me."
"I ain't ghost you," he said with a half-smile. "I was just lettin' you miss me a lil' bit."
stupid ass niggas.
You crossed your arms. "You serious right now?"
"Deadass."
That same grin he used to get away with everything. That same voice he used when he whispered your name into your neck late at night.
You hated how much you wanted to smile. How much you missed that damn accent.
⸻
[Later that night...]
The cookout had cooled down. The sky was dark, stars peeking through the humid air, and the slow R&B had replaced the trap music.
You were sitting by the cooler, drinking peach lemonade when you felt eyes on you again.
Ant was watching you from the porch.
Then, he moved.
You didn't even have time to react before he was beside you, close enough for your knees to brush.
"I missed you," he said low, just for you.
"You didn't act like it."
"I ain't good with feelings and allat. I know I be actin' dumb sometimes... but damn, Lani. You had me twisted. I ain't tryna lose you."
You blinked, caught off guard by the honesty in his tone. "So what, you just thought I'd show up and we'd be cool again?"
He tilted his head. "Nah... but I was hopin' you would. 'Cause if you didn't? I was gon' pull up to yo' mama's house wit' flowers and beg for real."
You bit your lip, trying not to laugh. "You're a mess."
He stepped closer, brushing your curls from your face. "Maybe. But I'm your mess, ain't I?"
Your heart did a little flip. Again.
⸻
[After the cookout – his place]
He didn't pressure you to come home with him — but he didn't not try either.
Now, standing barefoot in his kitchen in one of his oversized Timberwolves shirts, you stirred macaroni on the stove while he leaned against the counter, watching you like you were the main course.
"You starin' hard," you said, without looking.
"I'm tryna memorize this moment," he said. "Ain't nothin' better than my girl in my kitchen, wearin' my shirt, cookin' like we married."
You turned, raising a brow. "We not even on speaking terms for half the month and now we married?"
"You skipped the fightin' part. We speakin' now," he said, moving behind you and wrapping his arms around your waist.
You giggled as he kissed your shoulder. "Why you so clingy tonight?"
He rested his chin on your shoulder. "'Cause I missed you. And you look too damn good to be across the house right now."
Dinner got cold.
Let's just say... you made up for lost time.
He was soft with his hands, but rough with his mouth. All that tension — the unspoken things, the missed texts, the slow burn — exploded the second you touched his curls and whispered "I missed you too."
He moved slow at first. Real slow.
Then fast enough to make you grab the sheets.
"Say you mine," he growled against your lips.
————
i make another Anthony Edwards one cus he is fineeeeeee
anyways love yall!! and don't be silent readers! comment and vote :)
-Z😸
"I'm yours," you gasped. "I've always been yours."
