Kansas City, KS
4:48 PM
Kiara's POV
It all starts with me standing in the kitchen, scrolling through the group chat.
Jade: Dinner tonight? 7pm?
Maya: YES. Mandatory girls' night.
Me: I'm in.
I hit send and smile—bad idea.
Because behind me on the couch, Rashee lifts his head immediately, suspicious as hell.
"You in... where?" he asks, accent thick.
"Dinner with the girls."
"No you not."
I take a deep breath. "Yes, I am."
He sits up fully now, eyes locked on me like I've betrayed him personally. "Kiara, stop playin'. You wasn't at home all week."
"I WAS home! I was literally here with you for four days straight."
"Ion care," he says bluntly. "Not enough."
I blink at him. "Are you serious right now?"
"Deadass."
I turn to face him. "I need to get out. I love you, but I need friend time."
He scoffs. "You need me time."
"I've had you time."
"Ain't enough."
"Rashee."
"Nope." He waves his hand. "Cancel it."
I laugh out of disbelief. "I'm not canceling."
He narrows his eyes. "You really gon' do that to me?"
"I'm doing nothing TO you. I'm going to dinner."
"You tryna leave me in this condo alone—"
"Oh my GOSH," I groan, grabbing my towel. "You'll live."
"We gon' see 'bout that," he mutters.
I ignore him and go shower.
⸻
When I'm doing my hair, he's in the doorway like a guard assigned against his will.
"You really not stayin'?" he asks.
"No."
"You ain't even think about stayin'."
"I did."
"When?"
"Just now."
He scoffs so loud I see it in the mirror. "You be lyin' to me like it's your hobby."
I roll my eyes. "I'm going."
"I don't like that."
"That's unfortunate."
He pushes off the wall and comes up behind me, arms circling my waist. He presses his chin on my shoulder. "Stay home."
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Kiara..."
"No."
He huffs and walks out. He's way too calm.
Which means trouble.
⸻
I finish my hair, put on my outfit, my heels, my gloss—feelin' cute—and walk into the living room...
And damn near run into him.
