Page 81 of Falling Into Gravity

“Tonight,” he said, kissing the spot below her ear—nothing rushed. “I’m done leaving notes. Promise…I’m trying to show up like you told me too.”

She let her eyes close, his breath settle over her skin. Yeah…punishment officially lifted. “Malik,” she whined his name airily, extending her neck so he could take more.

The warmth and wetness of his tongue created a trail of goosebumps across her skin. “I’m trying to one up them niggas in your DMs trying to trick on you.”

Aku laughed. “Them niggas still don’t have the taste of my pussy on their lips.”

Malik kissed her earlobe, then the corner of her lips. “Mine wearing off. I need to reapply it.”

Head falling back into him, Aku cackled loud. “You’re barely off pussy punishment. Make this date real nice and I’ll give you head while you drive.”

“On the dead homies?”

“On the gang,” she laughed.

Her outfit was laid across the bed.

A slinky, asymmetrical top in a shade of metallic bronze that made her brown skin glow like the golden hour hit her all day. She paired it with high-waisted olive cargo pants that cinched her waist and hugged her hips making her slim curves really pop. Aku had a nasty pair of heels that would add the razzle she needed—designer strappy, toe-out, ankle-wrapped with a tiny charm on the side that saidluxury, bitch.It would make her legs look damn near endless.

Aku had to pause and blink at her own reflection.

Bob was already sleek—curved just right at the ends, flat to her scalp with a part so crisp it looked unreal - lashes full, lip gloss glossy, nails fresh, and every freckle across her button nose was catching the light like God personally kissed her with glitter, or she was magic like Gran Betty told Myesa.

Despite looking like she had the world in the palm of her hand, her stomach was on somejunior high crushenergy - lightflips and warm little jitters. She’d been on dates before—lavish ones. with NBA players…Directors…Rappers…the occasional spoiled heir who thought money could fill his personality void.

None of them made her feel thishopeful,with the exception of one.

Aku grabbed her phone, scrolling to Devin’s name before going to her favorites and hitting Noodle’s name instead.

“Don’t say nothin’,” Aku said the moment Noodle answered. “Just shut up and listen.”

“I haven’t even said anything,” Noodle replied with a soft laugh. She was out in New York for a movie audition.

“I know, but I can hear your judgment and your bun.”

“Mywhat?”

“Your bun, Noodle! I know it’s twisted tight on top of your head, while you squintin’ at that little script like you tryna find a reason to say no.”

Aku said the weirdest shit that only made sense to her until she explained further.

Noodle giggled. “Okay, you might be right.”

“IknowI’m right.”

Aku flopped back on the bed dramatically, legs swinging. “Anyway, I need you to tell me I don’t look too good.”

“I…what?”

“Tell me I look regular, like mid.”

“Aku, you’ve never looked mid a day in your life. Why would I lie to you?”

“Because I’m freaking out, girl! Malik said he wanted to take me out…I feel like I’m doing too much. Like, I don’t want him to feel uncomfortable in my world, you know?”

The words hit her chest after she said it.

Noodle thought over her words, then sighed, feeling like it was her turn to walk Aku off the ledge like Aku had done for her when she was caught up in Bu. “You really like him.”

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