"You want tater tots, I'm finna make some." Kamaria rubbed her stomach feeling hungry. "Why you say it like that?" "Say what, like how?" She questioned, raising her eye brows in confusion since she hadn't said anything out of the ordinary. "You say Ta-ter like Tay-Tah. Like Tayta." He kept his eyes trained on her, not missing how the corners of her mouth twitched trying not to smile. "Imma call you that now." He declared with a shrug. "Uhh no you ain't, and you could've just said you ain't want none." She shut it down waving him off. "Okay...Tayta." He smirked. --- Ever since a small child, Kamaria had always been the feisty middle child bringing life to every situation with her vibrant ways. She never took mess from any one, and was big on defending herself. Toting a big heart, she always saw the good in people, which had to be her best and worst trait wrapped in one. Known for her spirited ways, her life is turned upside down when one deadly night occurs. Changing her life for the worst. Samir was always the outgoing friend of his group. Known for his unapologetic attitude, he never had to feel like an outsider with his two bestfriends. Although the life of the party, Samir struggles to be contempt with living a normal teenage life, always finding himself in the middle of troubling situations. It wasn't until one fatal evening that changed his view on life, forever. Fast forward years later, brilliant and ambitious Kamaria finds herself struggling with her academic life as the trauma she has endured takes a toll on her every day life. Focused on securing her future life throws her in for another loop when the past she had been avoiding shows up with a bright smile on his face, crashing full force into her life. Being back in the presence of one another their worlds collide in a whirlwind of emotions and an undeniable connection between the two of them. Started; October 20th 2023 Published; October 22nd 2023 Finished; February 29th 2024

He left a mark I never asked for. Now he wants to finish the piece. Amina Westbrook didn't choose motherhood. But when her younger sister dropped a baby and disappeared, Amina stepped up, raised that little girl as her own, and never looked back. Seven years later, the past comes tatted, cocky, and fine as hell-standing in the grocery store with the same hypnotic eyes her daughter sees in the mirror. Santiago Vega. Zuri's father. The man who left before he ever knew she existed. Now he wants in. He wants time. Forgiveness. A chance to be a father. And every time he shows up with that deep voice and soft smirk, Amina hates how badly she wants to let him. Santiago isn't just showing up for Zuri-he's showing up for her. Fixing things she didn't ask him to fix. Dropping money in her hand like it's his right. Touching her like he already knows how she breaks. Amina's been holding everything together for so long, she doesn't know how to let go. Doesn't know how to want someone who actually stays. But Santiago stays. Through the attitude. The boundaries. The sparks that keep catching fire. And when he finally gets his hands on her? There's nothing soft about it. Now she's spiraling in his sheets, clashing with him in front of her family, and falling harder than she ever meant to. Because Santiago doesn't just want to play daddy. He wants the whole damn family. And this time, he's not leaving until he has them. Ink Don't Lie is a gritty, emotionally charged, standalone romance about second chances, found family, and the kind of love that refuses to walk away.