Page 80 of Heavy Is The Crown

A few chuckles rippled through the small gathering.

Ray slid up beside her, grinning like she had been waiting for this moment all day.

“Ohhh, I didn’t know you were bringing bae to another family function.” Ray folded her arms, leaning in like she was about to get the gossip of the year. “You serious, serious about him, huh?”

Krys rolled her eyes, but the smirk she fought back gave her away. “Ray, don’t start.”

Ray ignored her completely, tilting her head toward Kenyatta, clearly assessing. “Mmm. Okay, okay. Yeah, I see the vision.”

Kenyatta just chuckled, dapping her up. “What’s up, Ray?”

Ray shook her head, still grinning. “Nothing, but yo’ lil friend over there fuming cause you here…again!”

Krys scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “He’ll be a’ight.” She didn’t even have to look. She already knew Zahir was in his feelings. She had clocked his little side glances the moment they came around the corner.

Ray laughed, looping her arm through Krys’ dramatically. “I swear, you messy in the most graceful way. It’s honestly inspiring.”

Krys flashed a knowing smile. “I don’t do messy, Ray. I just…live my life.”

Ray turned to Kenyatta, still amused. “A’ight, Kenyatta, let me ask you something, how do you feel about being Krys’ latest TV show?”

Kenyatta slipped an arm around Krys’ waist like it was second nature. “Man, she live for this kinda shit.”

Krys tilted her head up at him, grinning. “I thrive in it.”

Before Ray could respond, the screened-in patio’s door swung open, and Pam stepped out like a queen surveying her domain. Dressed in a flowy linen two-piece, gold hoops glinting in the sunlight, her sharp brown eyes immediately zeroed in on Kenyatta with the kind of weight only a mother could wield.

Kenyatta straightened instinctively. Not out of fear, but out of respect.

Pam didn’t say anything at first. Just took him in, weighing him, reading him, making sure she saw what she needed to see.

Then, finally she smile, warm and approving. “Are you Kenyatta?”

Kenyatta straightened slightly. “Yes, ma’am.”

Pam’s smile grew. “My daughter doesn’t bring just anybody around, so I take it you must be somebody real special.”

Kenyatta glanced at Krys, then back at Pam with a knowing smirk. “I guess I am.”

Pam let out a soft chuckle, clearly liking his energy. She turned to Kaliyah, bending slightly. “And who’s this pretty girl?”

Kaliyah, still feeling out the situation, clutched her dad’s arm, peeking up through her lashes.

Kenyatta nudged her gently. “Go on, baby. Say hello.”

Kaliyah hesitated before whispering. “Kaliyah.”

Pam’s smile softened. “Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”

Kaliyah’s little cheeks flushed, and she murmured a small “thank you.”

Enough with being messy, Ray stepped in. “My daughter, Mia and the other lil’ girls are inside playing in the kids’ room. You wanna go see what they’re up to?”

Kaliyah looked to Kenyatta for approval. He nodded and ushered her on. “Go ‘head. Just behave yourself.”

Kaliyah acknowledged him with a subtle nod and followed Ray inside the house.

Pam stood, looking between Krys and Kenyatta, a silent understanding passing between them.

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