Page 75 of Risks

“Seriously?” Finn grits as if insulted.“Not like that?”

She folds her arms tightly and looksat the carpet.

He flushes out a loud huff. “Soexactly what is this then? We’ve been hanging out for nearly two months, Kenya.”

“Two months?” Varen and I yell atthe same time.

“Yeah,” Finn confirms boldly withouttaking his eyes off her. “She told me not to say anything, and we don’t meet upoutside my house.”

“Damn, Ken,” I mutter.

“You’re hiding our relationship,”Finn adds in a softer tone.

She meets his gaze then. “Look it’sjust…”

“What?” he demands, the muscles inhis jaw tensing. “Is it because I’m white? Are you having fun with me until youmeet someone you’ll feel more comfortable with walking around in public?”

“Finn…” She twists her mouth, notknowing what to say.

“You know what? Fuck this.” He throwshis hand up in defeat and stomps out of the room.

Varen goes after him, and I shut thedoor and move closer to my best friend, asking, “How did it happen?”

She sits at the side of the bed. “Finncaught me one afternoon at the coffee shop. I guess he was going there, tryingto see me again after that day I turned him down.” A smile tugs at her lips,fighting to form. “I liked his persistent ass and gave him my number.”

“So you’ve been hooking up here?” Isit beside her.

“We don’t only hook up,” she argues,giving me an eye-roll. “We talk a lot. He’s funny. Has a big heart. And yeah,he’s made me realize how flexible I am.” Her smile comes through entirely, andshe dips her head as if suddenly shy. My best friend is never like this. Itdawns on me.

“Oh shit. You fell for Finn.”

“Ugh.” She rubs her temples. “Yes. Ido have it bad for him.”

“So, what’s the problem, Ken?” Inudge her arm. “Why are you hiding it?”

She frowns. “Cause, T, I’m not bravelike you. I see how people stare at you and Varen. I don’t know if I can handlethose judgy assholes.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Ken, if I payattention to that, it’ll destroy us. I can’t imagine my life without him. Whatwe have is incredible.” I give her hand a loving squeeze. “Fuck what anyonethinks. What matters is how you feel about each other and whether you’rewilling to fight for it.”

“Damn, bestie,” she murmurs. “Youreally did fight to be together, huh?”

I snort. “Yeah. Look at us now.”

Kenya raises her chin, a seriousexpression on her face now. “You’re right. Fuck it.” That’s all she says beforepushing up from the bed.

I follow her out of the room anddown the passage. Turning into the kitchen, she stops at the sliding doors andlooks outside at Finn. He and Varen are talking in the yard.

Kenya draws a deep breath, opens thedoor, and steps onto the deck.

I glance at her fists, clenchedtightly. I’m sure her heart’s sprinting as she struts down the steps andcontinues across the yard, heading straight to Finn.

The two friends cut theirconversation and slant as she reaches them.

Kenya grabs Finn by his shirt, pullshim into her, and kisses him to the sounds of oohs and cheers.

Varen snorts, then walks over anddrapes his arm around me. “Crazy, huh.”

“Yeah, I guess you just can’t fight love.”I face him fully and touch his chest. “When it happens, better to surrender.Hopefully, it leads to a great place.”

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