Page 63 of Heavy Is The Crown

Her mind was too loud. Too busy replaying the moment she handed Kenyatta that salaried position, the way she introduced him to the staff, how she positioned him with more authority than she needed to.

She knew why she did it. She didn’t like the way Zahir tried to downplay her man’s position.

Wait.

Krys’ stomach tightened. Did she just… call him that?

Her eyes fluttered shut as she exhaled sharply.

No. No, no, no.

This was strictly business. She was a strategic woman, and this was nothing more than optics. But the way she let Kenyatta step into a higher role, the way she made it clear he wasn’t just some random maintenance worker she plucked off the street to fix pipes and unclog toilets?

She was doing too much. And she knew it.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts.

Sydnee.

Krys stared at the name for a long second, jaw tightening before she answered. “What?”

Sydnee sighed dramatically. “Girl, you always answer like you got beef with me, and I ain’t even did nothing to your funky tail.”

An unspoken tension was held between them, but it never interfered with their sisterly vibes. They were cousins, but Krys had a closer connection with Sydnee than she did with her own sister, Ray. Partly because they were the same age and grew up together before Ray came along. If anyone ever asked, Krys would say that Sydnee was definitely her sister. Her ace, her ride or die, her bestie, her keeper. Sydnee was often her voice of reason, and they often bumped heads on certain matters. However, they looked beyond their differences and stayed loyal to one another.

“What do you want, heifa?” Krys finally asked.

Sydnee cleared her throat. “I’m calling because my mom wanted me to personally make sure you were still coming to the graduation ceremony and the cookout at her house.”

Krys had almost forgotten about that.

Sydnee’s brother, Trevor was graduating pre-med from Bayview University, and of course, the family was going all out for the celebration. A ceremony, followed by a cookout. A lot of family would be there. And of course, so would Zahir.

Krys groaned at the thought. “And let me guess…he’scoming?”

Sydnee paused for a fraction of a second. “Of course, he is. Trevor invited him. And you know he’s not turning the opportunity to be around us down.”

Krys did know. That’s exactly why Zahir would always be around. He was practically family at this point, a parasite attached to her world, lingering a little too much.

Sydnee continued with a quiet hesitation. “Which brings me to my next question…are you bringing your new man?”

Krys twirled a pen between her fingers, her smile deepening. “Why? You finally want to interrogate? I saw you sizing him up the other night.”

Sydnee let out a soft chuckle. “Well, you know I have to do my assessment. This one…He’s fine, if I have to say so myself.”

“Oh, where’s your girl? Don’t let her hear that,” Krys teased, then caught herself. “Oh, my bad. Are those the pronouns she’s still using?”

“Panda is still going by she and her as of now. We’ll make sure to politely let you all know when that changes.” Sydnee redirected the conversation, not letting Krys off that easy. “But that’s not why I’m asking.”

Krys flung her arms in defeat. “Damn it! I thought you were going to move on.”

Sydnee laughed. “Nice try. Let’s spin the block back to Kenyatta. No one knew about him until couple’s night; not even me.” Sydnee’s voice was smooth, observational, but not pressing. “And I find that interesting.”

Krys knew what this was; Sydnee was trying to get a read on her.

Sydnee was many things, but one thing she wasn’t was messy. She didn’t do the loud, dramatic back-and-forths. She wasn’t one to start unnecessary problems. She was quiet, observant, and careful with her words.

“Where’d he come from?” Sydnee asked casually. “How come no one knew about him before? Not even Ray.”

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