Page 48 of Heavy Is The Crown

Zahir scoffed again. “That’s cause it ain’t true. Krys don’t like messy people. That’s her real pet peeve.”

Krys turned slowly, glaring. “Zahir. Shut up.”

Ray groaned, throwing a napkin at him. “Damn, you tryna play the game for them? Sit this one out!”

Zahir exhaled hard, clearly pissed.

The last question came:“Who said ‘I love you’ first?”

The room buzzed, people leaning in, waiting to see how they’d answer.

Krys smirked, ready to shut it down. “Neither. We ain’t there yet.”

But Kenyatta tilted his head, eyes locked on hers. “I said it first.”

The group collectively gasped.

Krys’ mouth parted slightly. “Excuse me?”

Kenyatta leaned in, voice dropping just low enough for her to feel it in her chest. “You don’t remember? That night at the gas station…the way I looked at you? That was love at first sight, Bae.”

Laughter and dramatic reactions erupted around them, but Krys barely heard it. Kenyatta was looking at her like he meant that shit. Like he was having a little too much fun blurring the lines. And honestly, she wasn’t so sure if she hated it.

Zahir was fuming, however. He shoved his chair back, mumbling under his breath.

Tyra rolled her eyes, waving him off. “Boy, if you don’t go find some business and stay the fuck out theirs.”

Jared shook his head. “Let these two have their moment, damn. You actin’ real jealous, bruh.”

Zahir clenched his jaw, but he ain’t say another word.

For now.

**********

The night had been smooth. Too smooth.

The drinks were flowing, the laughter bounced off the walls, and the vibe was just right. But Zahir wasn’t feeling it.

Krys had caught the way his eyes lingered too long whenever Kenyatta spoke. The way he sized him up like he was looking for something, some kind of weakness to poke at. Kenyatta peeped it early. The tight jaw, the fake ass smile, the way his eyes kept cutting over to Krys like he was trying to solve a problem that had already been solved.

The nigga was bothered. And sure enough, after a few more sips of his drink, he finally tried it.

“You don’t say much, huh?” Zahir directed at Kenyatta, swirling his drink like this was some kind of mob sit-down.

Kenyatta exhaled slow, turning his head just enough to look at him. “You talk enough for the both of us, though, huh?”

“Damn.” Ray’s man, Jared, muttered under his breath.

A few others at the table chuckled under their breath, watching the exchange unfold like it was a pay-per-view fight.

Zahir smirked, but Krys saw the way his jaw flexed. He didn’t like that. Not one bit.

“So,Yatta, right?” Zahir leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “What you do for a living?”

“None of yo’ business!” Tyra exclaimed. She was over Zahir. “Damn!”

Kenyatta sat back, completely unfazed, eyes steady. “Maintenance.”

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