Page 24 of I See You

Hassan wanted to ask about the woman—Sev.

Buthedidn’t.Thatwasn’thim.Hedidn’taskaboutwomen.He didn’t care. At least, that’s what he told himself.

"Get home safe."

"You too, cousin."

Harperpulledoutoftheparkinglot,disappearingintothenight.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. A text from Roman.

Roman: Everything handled.

Hassan exhaled, rolling his shoulders. It was already past one in the morning, and he was tired of being out.

He climbed into his car, gripping the wheel as he drove home, letting the night wash away.

But no matter how hard he tried—

The thought of that mysterious woman wouldn’t leave his mind. She was still there, lingering in the back of his mind, like a song he hadn’t even realized was stuck on repeat.

???

Hassan sat in his office, eyes locked on the paperwork spread out in front of him, his mind buried in numbers, calculations, and business.

This was routine. The only thing that kept the chaos in his head manageable. His phone buzzed against the desk, snapping him out of his focus. He glanced at the screen.

Harper.

He exhaled, leaning back in his chair. He still felt some type of way about last night—about her telling him he needed help—but he could never stay mad at her for long.

He swiped to answer, bringing the phone to his ear.

"Yeah?" His voice was low, his attention still partially on the books in front of him.

"You still mad at me?"

Her soft voice carried a slight pout, and Hassan smirked to himself.

She hated when he was upset with her.

"Nah," he muttered. "What you want though, Harp? I'm working." "Madeawantsustocomeoverfordinnertonight.Andshesaid bring Roman’s ass too."

Hassan nodded out of habit, even though she couldn’t see him. "Aight,"heagreed,alreadypreparingtogetoffthephone."Letme get back to this—"

"About last night—" Harper cut in, her voice dipping softer, more cautious.

Hassan immediately shut it down. "It’s all good, Harper."

He didn’t do emotions. Didn’t dwell on shit. He had already let it go.

Silence lingered on the line for a moment.

Then—

"I love you, cousin."

Hassan sighed heavily, dragging a hand down his face. Harper was theonlypersoninhislifewhorequiredhimtobejustalittlesoft.Shewas sensitive, and if he didn’t say it back, she’d have an attitude all day. "Iloveyoutoo."Hisvoicewasgruff,reluctant,butgenuine."Now bye."

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