Annie & Smoke Fanpage🤎

https://www.tiktok.com/@annie.smoke0?_t=ZP-900v0v4NiAQ&_r=1 https://youtube.com/@anniensmoke3?si=DRbbxsKT1yhEZuAS https://www.instagram.com/anniensmoke3?igsh=cXA0dHk4bWFoc3dn https://www.threads.com/@anniensmoke3

[anniensmoke3]

Michael reacting to the most beautiful scene between Smoke and Annie. 🥹🥹🥹 One of my dreams came true I always wanted to see his reaction to the scene.

[brownskincheyenne]

This song reminds me of Annie being fed up with smoke … Fed up with him always being in crisis . Always being in survival mode.. loving him two ways but him always giving her one !! This song reminds me of When Annie is split in two ..in spirit and in body .. this is Annie questioning if her prayers are enough.. is her love enough .. & thinking.. “I’m not what you need “

And to me this is smokes answer lbs😂… like where are you going? … I need you .. we gone have dark days but you my light in all things .. let’s talk it out .. you say I’m two ways bt really with you ..I’m only one (Elijah).. we can get into it .. but we gone get intimate always!! a deeper love .. higher than a climax… deeper than the ocean ..I’m not leaving and I ain’t allowing you to leave..

[kkbeauty86]

Chapter 32 (pt.1)

“It Takes Two”

Ms. Maingot’s eyes go wide.

“Oh my God! Her water just broke!”

Stack’s head snaps toward Dajia.

The color drains from his face.

His stomach drops.

Smoke and Shaad immediately let him go.

He rushes over to her. “Oh shit… baby.” He gently cups her face. “Come on. We gotta get you to the hospital.”

Dajia shakes her head. “No, Stack.” She takes a shaky breath. “Call my doula. Tell her to meet us at the house.”

Stack doesn’t argue.

He nods immediately. “I got you.”

He steps away, already pulling his phone from his pocket.

Meanwhile, Annie and Dominique hurry to Dajia’s side.

Both of them are visibly panicked.

Dominique grabs her arm. “Are you okay?”

Dajia looks at her like she’s lost her mind. “No, girl.” She lets out a nervous laugh that quickly turns into tears. “I’m not ready.”

Annie immediately takes her hand.

“It’s okay.” She gives it a reassuring squeeze. “We’re here.”

Dajia nods, trying to steady her breathing.

Ms. Maingot is already moving.

“I’m going to get my car so we can get you home.”

“Okay,” Dajia says quietly.

A moment later, Stack walks back over. “She’s on her way to the house now.”

“Good.”

Everyone begins filtering outside.

The excitement from the baby shower is gone.

Now every face is filled with concern.

As they’re making their way across the parking lot, Preston spots the commotion.

His brows furrow. “What’s going on?”

Dajia looks at him. “My water broke, Daddy.”

His eyes widen instantly. “What?”

He hurries over. “We gotta get you to the hospital.”

Dajia shakes her head. “Uh uh, Daddy.”

She winces. “I’m having him at home.”

“At home?” Preston asks in disbelief. “What?”

“Daddy…” she says through clenched teeth, “…now’s not the time to argue.”

Before he can respond, Mrs. Maingot pulls her SUV around to the curb.

Stack quickly opens the back door. “Come on, baby.”

He helps Dajia inside before climbing “in beside her.

Ms. Maingot pulls away immediately.

The tires barely finish rolling before—

“Ahhh!” Dajia cries out. Her entire body tenses.

She doubles over in the seat.

Stack’s eyes grow wide. “What’s wrong?”

Another moan escapes her.

“You havin’ a contraction?”

She nods rapidly, breathing hard.

“Y-yes…”

“Baby, gimme yo hand.”

She reaches for him without hesitation.

He laces his fingers through hers.

Her grip tightens instantly.

Ms. Maingot glances into the rearview mirror. “I’m timing your contractions.”

She keeps one eye on the road and another on the clock. “Breathe, baby. Nice and slow.”

Dajia nods, trying to focus.

She inhales through her nose. Then exhales slowly.

Stack rubs circles along her lower back with his free hand. “It’s okay, baby girl.”

He kisses the side of her head. “I’m right here.”

A few minutes later—Another contraction slams into her. “Ohhh!”

She squeezes Stack’s hand so hard he feels his knuckles pop.

He doesn’t flinch. He just holds on tighter.

Ms. Maingot checks the time again.

“They’re three minutes apart.” She looks at Dajia in the mirror.

“You’re definitely in labor, baby.”

Dajia nods through another deep breath. “I know…”

Within minutes, they pull into the driveway.

Almost simultaneously, another vehicle pulls up behind them.

The doula.

She climbs out carrying several bags. “How far apart?”

“Three minutes,” Ms. Maingot answers.

The doula nods immediately. “Alright. Let’s get her inside.”

Stack carefully helps Dajia out of the SUV.

She leans heavily against him as another contraction threatens to build.

“I got you,” he whispers. “I ain’t lettin’ you fall.”

Together, with her parents and the doula close behind, they hurry into the house.

Just a few hours earlier, they had all been celebrating a baby shower.

Now…It was finally time to meet Eli.

Once inside, the doula quickly gets to work.

She helps Dajia onto the bed long enough to check her cervix.

A smile spreads across her face. “You’re already at eight centimeters.”

She looks up at everyone. “She’s progressing quickly.” She stands. “Come on. Let’s get you in the tub.”

Within minutes, warm water fills the birthing tub.

Steam rises around the room.

Five minutes later, Dajia eases herself into the water with Stack climbing in behind her. He settles against the back of the tub and gently pulls her against his chest.

She leans into him, exhausted.

His arms wrap around her belly while one hand rubs slow circles across it.

The warmth of the water eases some of the pressure.

For a moment…She relaxes.

Then another contraction crashes over her. “Ahhhh!”

She pitches forward, gripping the sides of the tub. Her breathing becomes ragged.

Ms. Maingot kneels beside the tub and gently brushes damp locs away from Dajia’s face. “Breathe, baby.”

“I’m trying, Ma…” Dajia cries. “I can’t… it hurts too bad.”

“I know it does.” Her mother takes one of her hands.

“But you gotta breathe through it. Don’t fight your body. Let it do what it was made to do.”

Behind her, Stack kisses the side of her head. “You doing so good, baby girl.” His own voice trembles. “He will be here before you know it”

Another wave rolls through.

Dajia squeezes both their hands until her knuckles turn white.

The doula quietly watches.

She waits for the contraction to pass before checking Dajia again.

A few seconds later, she smiles. “You’re complete.”

Everyone looks at her.

She nods. “It’s time.”

Dajia’s eyes widen. “Already?”

The doula gently squeezes her shoulder. “It’s time to meet your son.”

Fresh tears fill Dajia’s eyes.

She nods.

The next contraction builds.

“Okay, Dajia.” The doula positions herself.

“When it peaks…Push.”

Dajia takes a deep breath.

Then bears down with everything she has.

“That’s it!” the doula encourages.

“Beautiful!”

Stack tightens his arms around her.

“Come on, baby girl. “You got this.”

Ms. Maingot wipes tears from her own cheeks. “That’s my girl.”

Another contraction. Another push.

Dajia cries out. “I’m tired!”

“I know,” Stack whispers into her ear.

“I know you are. But our son is almost here. You can do this.”

She nods, panting. Then pushes again.

Minutes seem to stretch forever.

Every contraction demands every ounce of strength she has left.

Stack keeps whispering words of encouragement into her ear.

He rubs her shoulders.

Kisses the top of her head.

Tells her over and over how proud he is.

Inside…He’s terrified.

His heart is pounding so hard he swears everyone in the room can hear it.

But he refuses to let her see it.

She needs him steady.

So that’s exactly what he gives her.

The doula suddenly smiles. “I see his head!”

Stack’s eyes get big “Oh shit!…”

Another push.

“That’s it! Again, Dajia!”

She digs deep.

With one final cry…She pushes as hard as she can.

And suddenly…A tiny little body slips effortlessly into the warm water.

The room falls silent for one breathtaking second.

Then—A loud newborn cry fills the bathroom.

Stack lets out a shaky laugh.

“Oh… my God.”

The doula gently lifts the baby from the water and immediately places him on Dajia’s chest. “There he is. Your baby boy.”

Dajia wraps trembling arms around him.

The moment she looks into his little face…She breaks.

Tears stream down her cheeks.

“Hi, baby.”

Her voice barely comes out above a whisper. “Hi, Eli.”

Eli lets out another tiny cry before settling against her skin.

Stack stares at them in complete awe.

A grin slowly spreads across his face.

Then it grows wider. And wider.

Until every single one of his dimples shows.

He laughs through tears. “Look what we made.”

He reaches over, gently stroking Eli’s tiny cheek with one finger. “He perfect.”

Mrs. Maingot quietly wipes her own eyes. “My grandson…”

Preston stands in the doorway, overcome with emotion as he watches his daughter cradle her son for the very first time.

The doula smiles at the new family.

“Congratulations.”

“Welcome to the world, Eli Preston Maingot-Moore.”

The room fills with happy tears, relieved laughter, and grateful smiles.

Their little boy was finally here.

The doula gently takes Eli from Dajia’s arms. “Let me get him cleaned up.”

She wraps him in a warm towel, carefully wiping away the remaining vernix before checking him over from head to toe.

She listens to his heartbeat.

Counts his tiny fingers. His tiny toes.

Checks his breathing. His reflexes.

Then she smiles. “He’s perfect.”

Everyone in the room lets out the breath they’d been holding.

She places him on the scale.

“He looks to be right around six pounds.”

Dajia smiles through tired eyes.

“I knew you was in there eatin’ everything.”

The room fills with soft laughter.

A little while later…

The house has finally grown quiet.

The excitement has settled into peace.

Dajia rests comfortably in bed, propped against a pile of pillows.

She’s exhausted. But she can’t stop smiling.

Across the room, Stack slowly walks laps with Eli cradled in his arm.

Eli is wide awake.

His dark little eyes stare up at his daddy as if he’s studying every feature on his face.

Stack’s heart completely melts.

He smiles down at him.

“Well…” He chuckles softly.

“Hello, son. Welcome to the world.”

Eli blinks up at him.

Stack gently brushes a finger across his tiny cheek. “Look at you. You look just like yo’ mama.”

Dajia grins. “Good.”

Stack looks over at her and laughs. “Don’t do that.”

She shrugs innocently. “What? He do.”

“He got my nose.”

“Mmm… I don’t know about that.”

Stack shakes his head. “You already startin’.”

Dajia laughs so hard her stomach hurts.

A soft knock sounds at the bedroom door before it slowly opens.

Ms. Maingot and Preston step inside.

The moment Ms. Maingot sees Eli, both hands fly to her chest. “Oh my God…”

Fresh tears fill her eyes. “My grandson.”

She walks over slowly “Can I hold him?”

Stack smiles. “Of course.”

He carefully transfers Eli into her waiting arms.

She looks down at him like he’s the most precious thing she’s ever seen. “Oh…”

Her voice cracks. “He’s beautiful.”

She smiles through tears.

“He already looks like his mama.”

Dajia laughs. “Ma…” She points at her.

“Don’t start. Cause then you gon’ make me cry.”

Ms. Maingot sniffles. “I can’t help it.”

She kisses Eli’s forehead. “My grandbaby is finally here.”

She rocks him gently for a moment before turning toward Preston. “You wanna hold him?”

Preston hesitates. Just for a second.

Then he slowly reaches out.

She carefully places Eli into his arms.

The transformation is immediate.

The hard expression that rarely leaves Preston’s face disappears.

Years in the military had taught him discipline. Control. To keep his emotions tucked away.

But none of that matters now.

A slow smile spreads across his face.

Then it grows wider.

His eyes never leave Eli. “Hey there, little man…” His voice is barely above a whisper.

Dajia watches from the bed. Her expression softens.

She can’t remember the last time she’d seen her father look so… gentle.

So unguarded. It makes her heart swell.

Stack notices too.

He quietly walks back over to the bed and sits beside her.

Without saying a word, he slips an arm around her shoulders.

Then kisses her forehead. “We did it, baby girl.”

Dajia slowly turns to look at him.

A playful smile creeps onto her face. “We’ did it?”

Stack busts into laughter. “I mean…” He rubs the back of his neck. “You did it. You definitely did the hard part.”

“Mhm.” She gives him the side eye. “That’s what I thought.”

Stack laughs harder. “I helped in spirit.”

“In spirit?” she repeats. “You squeezed my hand like you was the one havin’ contractions.”

“Shit I was emotionally in labor.”

Dajia stares at him for a moment.

Then she busts out laughing. “So now you done gave birth too?”

“I deserve a lil credit.”

She shakes her head, smiling. “You lucky you fine.”

“I know.”

Their eyes meet.

Both of them begin laughing all over again.

Across the room, Preston looks over at them before glancing back down at Eli.

A small smile tugs at his lips.

His grandson had entered the world surrounded by love.

And he couldn’t have asked for anything more.

👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽

The next afternoon, Annie and Smoke pull into Dajia and Stack’s driveway just as Dominique and Antonio do.

The trunks of both vehicles are packed with baby shower gifts that had been left behind after all the excitement.

Smoke climbs out carrying a stack of gift bags while Annie grabs a few boxes.

Antonio whistles. “Boy… y’all got enough gifts don’t y’all?.”

Stack laughs from the doorway. “Man, tell me about it.”

Everyone files inside.

The house is much quieter than it had been the day before.

When they walk inside the room, they immediately spot Dajia sitting up in bed.

Eli is tucked against her chest, sleeping peacefully.

Dominique gasps. “Oh my God!”

Annie immediately melts. “Awww…” She places a hand over her heart.

“He is so little.”

Smoke doesn’t say anything. He simply looks over at Stack.

Their eyes meet. Smoke gives him one slow nod.

A proud look spreads across his face. No words are needed.

Antonio walks over and claps Stack firmly on the shoulder.

“Look at you.” He smiles. “You really a dad now.”

Stack grins so hard his dimples deepen. “Mhm.”

Antonio chuckles. “Crazy, ain’t it?”

Stack glances over at Eli. “Yeah…”

A smile tugs at his lips. “It’s the best feeling I ever had.”

Annie steps closer to the bed, practically bouncing with excitement. “I washed my hands.” She holds both palms up. “Let me hold him.”

Dajia laughs. “I know you did.”

She carefully lifts Eli from her chest and gently places him into Annie’s waiting arms.

The moment Annie looks down at him…Her entire face lights up. “Oh my God…He’s so handsome.”

She gently wraps one finger around his tiny hand. “Hey, nephew. It’s TT Annie. You should know my voice by now.”

Almost on cue…One of Eli’s little eyes slowly peeks open.

Annie gasps. “Oh!” She laughs. “Aww! He does recognize my voice!”

Dajia shakes her head, smiling. “You so dramatic.”

“I am not!” Annie laughs. “He knows his TT.”

Everyone in the room chuckles.

Annie gently rocks him for another minute before walking over to Smoke. “Here.”

She carefully places Eli into his uncle’s arms.

Smoke instinctively supports his tiny head.

He looks down at him. Completely captivated.

A soft smile crosses his face. “Sup, nephew.”

He says it so quietly it almost comes out as a whisper. “You gave everybody a scare yesterday.”

Eli stretches a tiny hand before settling back against Smoke’s chest.

Stack watches from across the room.

A grin slowly spreads across his face.

Seeing his twin brother hold his son…It does something to him.

Smoke glances up. “He perfect.”

Stack nods proudly. “I know.”

After a few moments, Smoke carefully walks over to Dominique.

“You wanna hold him?”

Dominique’s eyes get big. “You know I do.”

Smoke gently transfers Eli into her arms.

The second she looks at him, she smiles from ear to ear. “Oh my goodness.” She laughs softly. “Look at this little face.”

She studies him for a long moment before looking at Dajia. “He looks just like you.”

Dajia smiles proudly. “I know. I carried him for nine months. He better.”

Everybody laughs.

Dominique lightly rubs his tiny back.

“He has your whole face. Even the way his lips pout.”

She kisses the top of his head before reluctantly handing him to Antonio.

Antonio carefully takes Eli.

His smile instantly fades into pure awe.

He stares down at the tiny little boy lying peacefully in his arms.

“…Man.” His voice comes out barely above a whisper. “So this what it feel like.”

Dominique watches her husband, her heart instantly melting.

Antonio gently runs one finger across Eli’s tiny fist.

Eli instinctively wraps his little fingers around it.

Antonio freezes. “Oh…” His eyes widen. “He grabbed me.”

Nobody says a word. They simply watch.

Antonio smiles so wide his cheeks begin to hurt. “I ain’t gon’ lie…” He looks over at Stack. “I think I’m in trouble.”

Stack laughs. “What you mean?”

Antonio shakes his head, unable to stop smiling. “Cause now I want one.”

Dominique turns and looks at him.

“You do?”

Antonio never takes his eyes off Eli. “Mhm. I definitely do.”

Dominique smiles to herself.

She’d never seen her husband look at anything with so much tenderness.

Stack leans back in his chair and folds his arms. “Told y’all. One baby’ll change everything.”

The room fills with warm laughter as Eli lets out a tiny yawn, completely unaware that he’d already stolen every heart in the room.

🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸

Later that night, Smoke and Annie are at home. They were watching a movie on Paramount, but of course, with them, it always ended with them conjoined.

Smoke is behind Annie on the couch, her face resting on the arm.

He smacks her ass. “Who fuckin’ you good like this?”

Annie groans. “Youuuu.”

“You feel how deep I am. I’m in this shit. Tryna touch the bottom of that pussy.”

“Yesss, you too fuckin’ deep.”

“Nah, I’m not deep enough.” Smoke groans. “Mmm, Daddy gon’ have to go without this pussy for six weeks. I don’t know what I’m gon’ do.”

He slides out slowly, then pushes back in hard.

Annie screams, “Ughhh!”

“What you screamin’ for, Mama? You know how to take this dick.”

He smacks her ass again. “Daddy gon’ miss fuckin’ you all over this house.”

Annie groans. “Oh. My. God.”

He hits her ass again. “God ain’t makin’ you feel like this. I am. Say my name, baby.”

“Ughhhh, Daddy!”

Smoke shakes his head. “I’m telling you, Mama, soon as you have our babies, you better get on birth control. You know I can’t stay out this pussy.”

“I knowww.”

Annie’s so wet, Smoke can barely take it.

He reaches under her arms,

Pulls her up toward him and makes her look in the mirror. “Say I deserve this dick.”

Annie doesn’t hesitate. “I deserve this dick.”

“Say I’m beautiful.”

He’s giving her steady strokes.

“Ahhh!!.”

He thrusts hard once. “Say it.”

“Shitttt, I’m beautiful.”

“There you go, mama. That’s Daddy’s baby.”

He puts his mouth on her ear. “I love you more than life itself, and I can’t wait until you have more of my babies. I’m gon’ keep you filled wit’ this nut. You hear me?”

Annie nods. “Yes, Smoke.”

He thrusts harder. “You gon’ be a Twinkie walkin around this bitch.”

Annie moans. “Smokeeeee.”

“Yeah. I know what that mean. Come on, baby. Come on this dick.”

Annie doesn’t even say anything. She just gushes all over him.

“Damn, Mama, that ain’t take no time.”

Annie screams, “Fill me up, Daddy.”

Smoke grunts and thrusts two more times.

Then he fills her up to the brim…

👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽

The next morning at Stack and Dajia’s , sunlight spills through the bedroom curtains.

The house is quiet.

For the first time in what feels like forever…

There isn’t a room full of people.

No contractions. No chaos. Just peace.

Eli sleeps soundly in the bassinet beside the bed, his tiny chest rising and falling beneath his swaddle.

Every now and then, he lets out a little sigh in his sleep.

Stack and Dajia lay facing each other.

Neither of them has gotten much sleep.

But neither of them minds.

Every few minutes one of them glances over at the bassinet just to make sure Eli is still there. Still real.

Dajia smiles. “I still can’t believe we got a son.”

Stack follows her gaze. “I can.”

She looks back at him. “Oh yeah?”

He grins. “Yeah. ‘Cause we make pretty babies.”

Dajia rolls her eyes. “You so full of yourself.”

“I ain’t lyin’.”

She laughs quietly before the smile slowly fades from her face.

Stack notices immediately. “What?”

She lets out a long sigh. “I’m still upset.”

He already knows what she’s talking about. “The baby shower.”

She nods. “It was supposed to be a happy day.”

“It was.”

“Until y’all started fighting.”

Stack drops his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

She studies him. “You embarrassed me.”

“I know.”

“You embarrassed yourself.”

“I know.”

“You embarrassed Titus.”

Stack sighs. “I know.”

A long silence settles between them.

Finally, he speaks. “But…”

She raises an eyebrow.

“I still feel like he crossed a boundary.”

Dajia closes her eyes for a second.

“Stack…”

“I’m serious. He had his arm around my wife.”

“He was looking at pictures.”

“He still had his arm around you.”

“I didn’t even know it was there.”

“I know.” His voice softens. “I know you didn’t. But he did. And I ain’t like it.”

Dajia rubs her forehead. “I just wish you would’ve pulled me to the side first.”

“I wasn’t thinkin’.”

“No.”She gives him a look. “You definitely wasn’t.”

He nods. “I know.”

She reaches over and intertwines their fingers. “I’m not saying Titus was completely innocent.”

Stack looks at her.

“But the way everything happened…” She shakes her head. .”It didn’t have to happen like that.”

“I know.”

Another quiet moment passes.

Then Dajia lets out a frustrated sigh.

“Well… It don’t even matter now.”

Stack furrows his brows. “What you mean?”

“Titus quit.”

His expression hardens. “He what?”

“He texted me last night.” She reaches over to the nightstand and picks up her phone. “He said after everything that happened, he doesn’t feel comfortable working wit me anymore.”

Stack doesn’t say anything.

“He apologized for the way things ended…” She shrugs. “But he quit.”

The room falls silent.

Dajia stares up at the ceiling. “Now I don’t have anybody to run sessions while I’m on maternity leave.”

Stack turns toward her. “You still got other photographers.”

“They’re freelancers. They don’t edit like Titus. They don’t know my clients. They don’t know my workflow.” She sighs again. “So now…” She looks over at the bassinet. “I’m probably gonna have to go back to work early.”

The second the words leave her mouth…

Stack’s face changes. “The hell you are.”

She looks back at him. “What?”

“You not goin’ back to work early.”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“You do.”

“No, Stack.”

“I own a business. I have weddings booked. I have newborn sessions. I have contracts. If I don’t show up…”

She shrugs helplessly. “…I lose money.”

Stack sits up in bed. “Nah. I’m fixin’ it.”

She blinks. “Fixin’ what?”

“The whole situation.”

She folds her arms. “And exactly how you gon’ do that?”

“I don’t know yet. But I’m gonna figure it out.”

“Stack…”

“I’m serious.”

He looks over at Eli sleeping peacefully. “You just had our son. You supposed to be home recovering. Bonding with him. Not stressing about photo shoots.”

She reaches over and touches his arm. “I appreciate that. But this happened because of you.”

He doesn’t argue. “I know.”

She holds his gaze. “So don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

Stack shakes his head. “I ain’t making a promise I can’t keep. I’m making one I fully intend to keep.”

He leans over and kisses her forehead. “I caused this. So I’m gonna fix it.”

Dajia searches his face.

She can tell he means every word.

The only thing she doesn’t know…

Is what he’s planning.

And judging by the determined look in his eyes…

Neither does he.

🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸

The house is quiet in that soft, late-afternoon way.

Sunlight spills through the windows, warm and lazy, stretching across the hardwood floors. The TV is on low—some random show Annie isn’t really watching. She’s curled up on the couch, one hand resting on her stomach, absentmindedly rubbing slow circles like she’s soothing both herself and the babies.

From the kitchen, you can hear Smoke moving around, glass clinking, cabinet doors opening and closing. He’s not doing anything important. Just… staying close.

Then—Ding-dong.

Annie doesn’t move.

“Smoke—” she calls lazily, not even opening her eyes. “Can you get that?”

“I got it.”

His footsteps are steady, unhurried as he makes his way to the front door. He wipes his hands on a towel, unlocking it without thinking twice.

The door swings open. And he pauses.

Standing there is a woman.

Mid-twenties. Same complexion as Annie. Same kind of softness in her features,but her eyes… her eyes are searching. Nervous. Hopeful.

She studies him just as closely. “…Hi,” she says carefully. “Are you Annie’s husband?”

Smoke’s brow furrows slightly at the question, but he nods anyway. “Yeah.”

Her expression shifts, confusion flickers for just a second, like something in her head didn’t match what she expected.

“…Okay,” she murmurs. Then, a little more certain: “Is she here?”

Smoke hesitates, something in his gut tightening.

But he answers anyway. “Yeah.”

He glances back into the house, voice carrying just enough. “Annie—come here a second.”

From the living room—“Who is it?” she calls, already sounding mildly annoyed at being disturbed.

“No idea,” he replies, eyes still on the woman. “She askin’ for you.”

There’s a pause… then the sound of Annie shifting, pushing herself up off the couch.

Her footsteps are slower now, pregnancy making everything a little heavier, a little more deliberate.

She appears around the corner, one hand pressed to her lower back.

“…Yes?” she says, already halfway over it.

Then she sees her.

And stops.

There’s a flicker of confusion immediately.

Because this woman—Looks like she could belong.

Annie’s brows pull together slightly as she steps closer, instinctively placing a hand over her stomach again.

“…Hi,” Annie says cautiously. “Can I help you?”

The woman smiles. Not big. Not overly friendly. Just… emotional.

Like she’s been waiting for this moment.

“My name is Angeline Batiste,” she says gently. “But… I go by Angie.”

The name lands.

And Annie’s confusion deepens instantly.

Batiste.

Her eyes narrow just slightly.

“…Okay…” she says slowly. “And?”

Angie exhales softly, like she’s steadying herself. “I’m… your sister.”

Silence.

It doesn’t just fall—It drops.

Heavy. Sharp.

Annie blinks. Once. Twice. “…No,” she says immediately, shaking her head. “No, that’s not—no.”

Angie nods, like she expected that reaction. “Our father is James.”

That does it.

Annie’s stomach drops so fast it feels physical.

Her hand tightens over it. “There’s no way,” she says, firmer now. “That’s not—no. That’s not possible.”

Smoke’s posture shifts behind the door, subtle but protective now. His eyes move between them, watching Annie closely.

Angie keeps her voice calm. “My mom didn’t tell me about him until I got older,” she explains. “She was embarrassed. She… she had an affair with him. She didn’t want to tell me at first because he was married.”

Annie’s face hardens. “Married to my mother,” she snaps. “So whatever story you got—”

“I know,” Angie says quickly, nodding. “I know. I found that out later too.”

Annie shakes her head again, backing up half a step like distance will make this make sense.

“No. No, because—” she gestures, frustrated, overwhelmed “—how old are you?”

“Twenty-four.”

That hits like a slap.

Same age. Same as Legacy.

Annie’s breath catches. “…No,” she whispers, but it’s weaker now.

“My mom said she didn’t tell me because she didn’t want to ruin his family,” Angie continues, her voice softer now. “But when I got older… she told me his name. Told me I had two sisters.”

Annie just stares at her.

Processing. Failing to process.

Her world tilting in real time. “…No,” she says again, but there’s no fight behind it now. Just disbelief. “No. You need to go.”

Angie’s face falls slightly, but she doesn’t argue. “Annie—”

“I said leave.” Her voice cracks on the last word.

That’s what gives her away.

She turns before anyone can say anything else.

And walks off. Fast.

One hand gripping her stomach, the other wiping at her face as she disappears down the hallway toward their bedroom.

The silence that follows is thick.

Heavy.

Smoke exhales slowly, running a hand over his jaw.

He looks back at Angie.

She’s standing there, holding herself together, but barely.

“…I’m sorry,” he says, voice low but respectful. “This… ain’t somethin’ she was ready for.”

Angie nods, swallowing. “I figured,” she admits quietly.

He steps out just a little, pulling the door in behind him.

“Look,” he says, softer now. “You can’t just drop somethin’ like that and expect her to take it right then.”

“I know,” she says again, eyes glossy now. “I just… I had to see her.”

He studies her for a second. Then nods. “Give her some time,” he says. “I’ll talk to her.”

A small pause. “…Come back another day.”

Angie hesitates. Then nods. “Okay.”

Smoke watches her turn and walk away.

Then he closes the door.

And stands there for a second.

Thinking.

Before heading down the hallway after his wife.

Smoke closes the bedroom door quietly behind him.

The room is dim, the curtains still drawn from where Annie had been relaxing earlier.

She sits on the edge of the bed with her back to him, shoulders tense, one hand protectively wrapped around her belly. She doesn’t turn around when she hears his footsteps.

Smoke walks over slowly.

He sits beside her, leaving just enough space so she doesn’t feel crowded.

For a long moment, neither of them says anything.

Finally… “You okay, mama?”

Annie wipes quickly at her face. “I’m fine.”

Smoke sighs softly. “No, you ain’t.”

“I’m fine, Smoke.”

Her voice is flat, almost rehearsed.

She doesn’t want to talk.

He knows that tone.

Instead of pushing, he gently places a hand on her back, rubbing slow circles between her shoulder blades. “You ain’t gotta pretend wit me.”

“I’m not pretendin’.”

“You are.”

Silence.

Annie stares at the floor. “I just wanna lay down.”

Smoke nods. “Okay.”

He starts to stand, but before he can…

“I was finally gettin’ better.” Her voice is barely above a whisper.

Smoke stops. He slowly sits back down.

“I was finally…” Annie swallows hard. “…starting to heal.” The tears she’d been fighting begin filling her eyes again. “I’ve been doing so good.”

Her breathing starts to shake. “I stopped blaming myself for everything… I stopped replayin’ all the things my daddy did to my mama over and over in my head.”

She presses her palms against her eyes. “I finally started sleepin’ better.”

Smoke’s heart sinks.

“And now…” Her voice cracks. “…here comes another reminder.” The tears spill over.

“Another reminder of how horrible he was to her.”

She lets out a broken sob. “He cheated on her… over and over.”

Another sob escapes. “He embarrassed her…”

She shakes her head. “And now I find out he had another child while he was married to my mama?”

She covers her face completely. “I hate him.” The words come out muffled behind her hands. “I hate him so much.”

Smoke’s chest tightens. Seeing Annie cry was already hard.

Seeing her cry while carrying their daughters…It scared him.

He immediately wraps both arms around her, carefully pulling her against his chest.

“Hey…” His voice is gentle. “I got you.”

Annie doesn’t fight him.

She completely falls apart.

Her sobs echo through the room as she buries her face into his shoulder.

Smoke holds her tighter, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other rubs slow circles over her back. “It’s okay, baby.”

She cries harder. “I don’t wanna feel like this.”

“I know.”

“I’m tired of him hurtin’ me.”

“I know.”

“He dead and he’s still hurtin’ me.”

Smoke closes his eyes for a second.

That sentence breaks something inside him.

He kisses the top of her head. “I understand yo pain.”

She sniffles against his shirt.

“I really do.”

She slowly looks up at him through tear filled eyes.

“I know what it’s like to have a parent leave scars that don’t disappear just because time passes.” He gently wipes beneath her eyes. “I ain’t never gon’ tell you how you supposed to feel about James.” He pauses. “Because yo feelings are valid.”

Annie nods weakly.

“But…” He hesitates, choosing every word carefully. “I don’t want you to punish yo sister for somethin’ she ain’t have no control over.”

Annie looks away.

Smoke continues softly. “She didn’t ask to be born.”

“No…”

“She didn’t ask for her mama to have an affair.”

“No…”

“And she didn’t ask James to be her daddy.”

Annie’s lip trembles. “I know.”

Smoke brushes a thumb across her cheek. “From what I just saw…”

He glances toward the bedroom door.

“…she looked just as nervous as you were.”

Annie sighs shakily. “I just…” She shakes her head. “I don’t know if I can do it.”

“You don’t have to decide today.”

“I don’t?”

“No.” Smoke smiles gently. “You just found out you got another sister less than ten minutes ago.”

Despite everything, Annie lets out the smallest, tearful laugh. “When you put it like that…”

He chuckles softly. “I mean… that’s a lot for anybody baby.”

She leans her forehead against his shoulder again. “I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

She closes her eyes. “What if every time I look at her…all I see is what my daddy did to my mama?”

Smoke is quiet for a moment. Then he kisses her temple. “Maybe that’s what you’ll see today.”

She listens.

“And maybe next week too.”

Another kiss. “But time has a funny way of changin’ what we see.” He gently rubs her belly. “One day… you might stop seeing James. “He looks down at her stomach before meeting her eyes again. “And start seeing a woman who lost out on havin’ sisters for twenty four years.”

Annie thinks about that. Really thinks. “I can’t promise anything.”

“I’m not askin’ you to.” He smiles warmly. “I’m just askin’ you to take yo time.”

Annie nods slowly. “I’ll try.”

“That’s all I need.” He eases them both farther onto the bed until Annie is lying against his chest.

Smoke wraps both arms around her, one hand resting protectively over her belly.

His daughters kick beneath his palm.

A faint smile crosses his face. “They tellin’ they mama to calm down.”

Annie sniffles out a tiny laugh. “You think so?”

“I know so.” He kisses the side of her head. “They need their mama. And I need you.”

Annie reaches for his hand and intertwines their fingers.

For the first time since Angie knocked on their door…She lets herself simply be held.

Fifteen minutes pass by…

Annie remains curled against Smoke’s chest.

His arms are still wrapped around her while his fingers lazily rub slow circles across her back.

The room is quiet except for the occasional sniffle escaping Annie.

After several minutes, she finally sits up.

Smoke looks down at her. “You aight?”

She shakes her head. “No.”

She reaches over to her nightstand and grabs her phone. “I need to call Legacy.”

Smoke nods.”I’ll give you some privacy.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

“I know.” He kisses her forehead.

“But I think this a sister conversation.”

Annie gives him a small appreciative smile. “Thank you.”

Smoke squeezes her hand before quietly leaving the room, pulling the door almost shut behind him.

Annie stares at Legacy’s contact for a long moment before pressing Call.

It rings once. Twice.

Then—“Hey, Annie.”

The sound of her sister’s voice nearly makes Annie cry all over again.

“…Did you know?”

Silence.

Legacy lets out a quiet sigh…”Yeah.”

Annie’s stomach twists.

“You knew?”

“I did.”

“When?”

“A few days ago.”

Annie wipes another tear from her cheek. “A few days?”

“Yeah.” Her voice is gentle. “She came to see me first.”

Annie blinks. “What?”

Legacy nods even though Annie can’t see her.

“She showed up at my house.”

Annie shakes her head in disbelief. “So… you met her?”

“I did.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

Legacy is quiet for a second. “It wasn’t my place.”

Annie frowns. “What do you mean it wasn’t yo place?”

“I wanted to tell you.”

Legacy sighs. “I really did. But this wasn’t my story to tell.”

Annie doesn’t answer.

“I figured if she was really our sister… then she deserved the opportunity to introduce herself.”

Another tear slides down Annie’s face.

“It would’ve been easier if I knew.”

“I don’t know, Annie.” Legacy’s voice softens. “I don’t think anything about today was ever gonna be easy.”

Annie lowers her head. “So… it’s true?”

“Yeah.”

“You believe her?”

“I do.”

“How?”

“She showed me pictures.” Legacy pauses. “Pictures of James with her mama.”

Annie squeezes her eyes shut.

“And…She had paperwork wit his name on it.”

Annie’s heart sinks. “So she’s really Our sister.”

The words hang painfully between them.

After several moments, Annie whispers, “I’m so angry.”

“I know.”

“I just started healing from everything Daddy did to Mama.”

Her voice cracks again. “And now this.”

Legacy sighs. “I know.”

“I don’t think you do.”

“I do.” Legacy’s tone remains calm. “I’ve had a couple days to sit with it.”

She continues softly, “I was angry too.”

“You were?”

“Very.”

“At her?”

“No.” Legacy answers without hesitation. “Never at her.”

Annie furrows her brows. “You not?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because none of this is Angie’s fault.”

Annie is quiet.

Legacy continues. “She didn’t ask James to be her daddy.”

She pauses. “She didn’t ask her mama to have an affair.”

Another pause. “And she sure didn’t ask to grow up not knowin’ she had sisters.”

Annie thinks about what Smoke had just told her.

Almost word for word.

Legacy sighs softly. “The only person I’m mad at… is Daddy.”

Tears begin rolling down Annie’s cheeks again. “He keeps hurting us.”

“I know.”

“He gone…” Annie’s voice breaks.

“…and he’s still hurting us.”

“I know, sis.”

Another silence settles over the phone.

Finally Annie asks, “Where is she?”

“She’s wit me.”

Annie blinks. “What?”

“I told her she could stay here while she’s in town.”

“You did?”

“Yeah.” Legacy’s voice is full of compassion. “She came all the way from New Orleans looking for family.”

Annie doesn’t respond.

“I couldn’t let her stay by herself.”

Another long pause.

Then Annie quietly asks, “So… y’all just talked?”

“We talked for hours.”

“What was she like?”

Legacy smiles to herself. “Scared.”

Annie’s eyebrows lift. “Scared?”

Terrified.” Legacy chuckles softly. “She probably rehearsed what she was gonna say to us a thousand times.”

Annie thinks back to the woman standing nervously on her porch.

She hadn’t noticed it before.

She’d been too shocked.

Legacy speaks again. “You ain’t gotta accept this today.”

“I’m not sure I ever will.”

“Maybe.” Legacy answers honestly. “But don’t make that decision today.”

Annie wipes her face. “Smoke said the same thing.”

Legacy smiles. “Sounds like yo husband got some sense.”

A small laugh escapes Annie despite herself. “He does.”

“I love you, Annie.”

“I love you too.”

After they hang up, Annie lowers the phone into her lap.

Her chest still aches. Nothing feels okay. Nothing makes sense.

But between Smoke’s words and Legacy’s…

A tiny part of her begins to understand that the person standing on her porch today wasn’t the man who destroyed their family.

She was just another daughter left behind by him.

🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸

The next afternoon…

The lunch crowd at Moore Life Lounge has just started to thin out.

The smell of smoked wings and fried catfish lingers in the air while soft R&B plays through the speakers.

Titus walks through the front doors with his hands shoved into his pockets.

He isn’t exactly sure why he agreed to meet Stack.

All Stack told him over the phone was…

“I owe you an apology.”

Antonio points toward one of the back booths. “He back there.”

Titus nods once.

As he walks toward the booth, he spots Stack already waiting.

Two glasses of sweet tea sit on the table.

Stack stands when he sees him “Appreciate you coming.”

Titus doesn’t return the smile. “I almost didn’t.”

“I know.”

They both sit.

Silence settles between them.

Finally…Stack exhales. “I’m sorry.”

Titus doesn’t react.

Stack shakes his head. “Nah…I’m really sorry. I handled that whole situation wrong.”

Titus leans back in the booth. “You did.”

“I know.”

“You embarrassed me.”

“I know.”

“In front of damn near everybody.”

“I know.”

Titus studies him. “So what changed?”

Stack looks down at his hands.

“My wife.”

Titus raises an eyebrow.

“She ain’t let me off easy.” A small smile crosses Stack’s face.

“And she shouldn’t have.” He looks back up “I’ve had a few days to think. I was mad. I saw yo arm around my wife…And I reacted.”

Titus folds his arms. “You swung before you even asked what was going on.”

“I did. And that was wrong.” Stack leans forward. “But…I need you to understand somethin’.”

Titus doesn’t interrupt.

“I’m a husband before I’m anything else. My mind didn’t see a photographer. It didn’t see y’all reviewing pictures. It saw another man touching my wife.” He pauses. “And I snapped.”

Titus nods slowly. “I get that.”

Stack continues. “I’m not saying it was right. “‘Cause it wasn’t. But I’m asking you to see it through my eyes.”

Titus sits quietly for a long moment.

Finally…He sighs. “I can.”

Stack looks up.

Titus shrugs. “If somebody had they arm around my wife…” He shakes his head.

“…I’d probably have a problem too.”

Stack nods. “Exactly.”

Another pause.

“But…” Titus points at him. “You still could’ve handled it differently.”

“I know. I should’ve. I let my emotions get ahead of my common sense.”

Titus finally lets his shoulders relax.

“I wasn’t trying to disrespect your marriage.”

“I know that now.”

“I honestly wasn’t even thinking. We was looking at pictures. Dajia got excited. I threw my arm around her without even realizing I did it.” He shakes his head. “That was my mistake. I should’ve respected that boundary. I also apologize for calling you out your name.”

Stack nods. “I appreciate you sayin’ that.”

The tension between them begins to disappear.

Stack takes a deep breath. “So…I got one more favor to ask.”

Titus already knows where this is going. “You want me to come back.”

“I do.”

Titus looks away. “I already told Dajia I quit.”

“I know.” Stack nods. “But she needs you. She’s supposed to be at home with Eli. Not worryin’ about editin’ weddings. Not stressin’ over clients. And that’s on me.”

Titus stays quiet.

Stack leans forward. “I’ll even pay you more.”

That gets Titus’ attention. “What?”

“I’m serious. I’ll cover the difference outta my own pocket if I have to. I don’t care. I just need my wife to be able to stay home wit our son.”

Titus blinks. “You’d do that?”

“Without question.” Stack’s voice softens.

“And…” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m working on me.”

Titus raises an eyebrow.

“My insecurities. My temper. My reactions. I ain’t perfect. But I’m tryna be better. I owe my wife that. I owe my son that, and I owe myself that.”

Titus studies him for nearly a minute.

He can tell Stack means every word.

Finally…He lets out a slow breath. “Aight.”

Stack sits up straighter. “You’ll come back?”

Titus nods. “I’ll come back.”

Relief instantly washes across Stack’s face.

“But…” He points a finger. “I got conditions.”

“Name ’em.”

“I’ll never cross another boundary. No hugs. No touching. No nothing. Our relationship stays professional.”

Stack nods immediately. “Respect.”

“And…” Titus continues. “You gotta trust your wife.”

Stack smiles. “I do. I’m learning that trusting her also means trusting the boundaries she sets.”

Titus finally smiles for the first time all afternoon. “Good. ‘Cause Dajia always made it clear where I stood. I should’ve been more mindful too.”

Stack stands. “So…We good?”

Titus looks at him for a second before standing too. “…We good.”

The two men shake hands.

Then, almost simultaneously…

They pull each other into a quick one armed hug.

Antonio watches from behind the bar and grins.

“About damn time.”

Both men laugh.

As they pull apart, Stack shakes his head.

“I ain’t never apologizing to yo ass again.”

Titus smirks. “You probably will.”

“Nah. You gon’ do somethin’ else.”

Titus laughs. “I’ll try not to.”

Stack points at him. “You better.”

For the first time since the baby shower…

Everything between them felt settled.

And for the first time since Eli was born…

Stack knew Dajia could stay home exactly where she belonged—with their son—without worrying about the business she’d worked so hard to build.

♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️

Smoke stops by Moore Life Lounge on his way back home from Zen.

The lunch rush is finally over.

Music hums softly through the speakers while employees wipe tables and restock the bar.

Smoke walks through the front doors looking more drained than usual.

Antonio looks up from his laptop.

“There go the dad to be.”

Smoke forces a weak smirk. “What up.”

Stack glances over from where he’s going through invoices. “You look like somebody stole yo bike.”

Smoke sighs. “Man…”

Stack immediately knows something’s wrong.

He tosses the paperwork onto the desk. “What happened?”

Smoke drops into one of the office chairs and leans back, rubbing both hands down his face.

“I don’t even know where to start.”

Antonio closes his laptop. “Start at the beginning.”

Smoke stares at the ceiling for a second before speaking.

“This morning… a woman knocks on our door.”

Both men listen quietly.

“Says her name is Angeline Batiste.” He shakes his head. “Asks if I’m Annie’s husband.”

Stack frowns. “Who the hell is Angeline?”

Smoke looks at them. “Apparently… Annie’s sister.”

Silence.

Both men blink.

“…What?” Antonio asks.

“James has another daughter.”

Stack sits up straighter. “Hold on.”

He holds up a finger. “The same James that used to beat on Annie’s mama?”

Smoke nods once. “And cheated on her.”

Antonio lets out a long whistle. “Damn.”

“That’s exactly what Annie says.” Smoke leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“The girl tells Annie she’s twenty four.”

Stack’s eyes widen. “The same age as Legacy?”

“Yep.”

Stack slowly shakes his head. “So James was just out here livin’ a whole double life.”

Smoke sighs. “Basically.”

Antonio rubs the back of his neck. “How Annie take it?”

Smoke lets out a humorless laugh. “About how you’d expect.” He swallows. “She told the girl to leave.”

Neither man judges her.

Smoke looks between them. “I ain’t never seen her break down like that.” His voice grows quieter. “She tells me she’s finally startin’ to heal from everything James did to her mama.” He pauses. “And then this happens.”

The room falls silent.

Antonio looks down at the desk. “I hate that for her.”

“So do I.” Smoke rubs at his beard. “She cried so hard, man.” His voice catches. “I don’t like seein’ her like that.”

He exhales slowly. “She pregnant wit my daughters and all I can think is… please don’t let this stress her out.”

Stack nods knowingly. “I know.”

Smoke looks at him. “Nah…” He shakes his head. “You don’t.”

“I do.”

Stack leans forward. “When Dajia was pregnant wit Eli, every time she cried, I felt helpless.”

He chuckles without humor. “You wanna fix it.”

Smoke nods immediately. “Exactly.”

“You wanna take whatever hurtin’ her and beat the hell out of it.”

Antonio laughs softly. “Ain’t nobody to beat up this time.”

“I know.” Smoke sighs again. “And that’s what make it worse.”

He looks down at his hands. “I can’t protect her from memories.”

Neither of them answers right away.

After a few moments, Antonio finally speaks. “You know what I hear when you telling us all this?”

Smoke looks over. “You never said Annie mad at Angie.”

Smoke furrows his brows. “What you mean?”

“You say she hurt because of James.”

Antonio folds his hands together. “Those two different people.”

Smoke thinks about it.

Antonio continues. “Right now, Angie represents the affair.”

He taps the desk lightly. “But that don’t necessarily mean she’ll always represent the affair.”

Smoke nods slowly. “I hope not.”

“I do too.” Antonio smiles gently. “Sometimes pain shows up before perspective does.”

Smoke sits quietly with those words.

Then Stack speaks. “I agree wit Antonio.”

Smoke looks over.

“But I also think you handled it right.”

“I did?”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t force Annie to sit there and talk.”

Smoke shakes his head. “Hell no.”

“You don’t tell her she wrong.”

“No.”

“And you don’t slam the door in that girl’s face either.”

Smoke thinks back to the conversation. “I didn’t I just told her to come back another time.”

“Exactly.” Stack points at him.

“Because both of them victims.”

Smoke’s eyebrows lift slightly.

Stack continues. “James created this mess.” He leans back in his chair.

“Not Annie. Not Legacy. And damn sure not Angie.”

Antonio nods.

“He gone.” Stack sighs. “But unfortunately…he left three daughters tryna make sense of choices they never made.”

Smoke sits there quietly.

That sentence settles deep.

“I told Annie not to punish her sister for somethin’ she ain’t ask for.”

“And you right,” Antonio says. “But make sure you don’t rush her.”

Smoke nods. “I won’t.”

Stack smiles. “You know Annie.”

Smoke chuckles. “Stubborn as hell.”

“There you go.” Stack grins. “The more somebody tell her what she gotta do, the slower she gon’ do it.”

All three men laugh.

The heaviness in the room eases just enough for Smoke to finally breathe.

Antonio stands and claps him on the shoulder. “Just keep loving your wife.”

Stack nods. “And if Angie really came lookin’ for her after twenty four years…” He shrugs. “Somethin’ tells me she ain’t lookin’ for money.”

Smoke thinks back to the young woman’s face. “She looked… scared.”

“Exactly,” Stack says. “She probably rehearsed that conversation a hundred times before she ever knocked on y’all door.”

Smoke nods.

For the first time since everything happened, he allows himself to think beyond Annie’s pain.

Angie looked terrified too.

Smoke stands and grabs his keys. “I appreciate y’all.”

Antonio smiles. “That’s what brothers for.”

Stack pats him on the back. “Now go home.”

Smoke looks at him.

“Yo wife need you more than this business do.”

Smoke nods once.

Without another word, he heads for the door, knowing exactly where he needs to be.

Part 2

[kkbeauty86]

Chapter 32 (pt.2)

“It Takes Two”

Two days pass.

The news that she has another sister…

A sister her father kept hidden all these years…

Has consumed Annie’s every thought.

She’s barely left the bed.

She hasn’t picked up a book.

She hasn’t played her saxophone.

She hasn’t answered many phone calls.

She just…Lays there.

Staring at the ceiling.

Her mind won’t stop replaying everything.

Not only did James abuse her mother…He cheated on her too.

And fathered another child.

Another daughter.

One he kept a secret.

Annie squeezes her eyes shut.

Did Mama know?

The question haunts her.

If she did…How much more heartbreak did she carry around before she died?

A lump forms in Annie’s throat.

Tears sting her eyes all over again.

Just then, she hears the front door open.

A few seconds later, Smoke walks into the bedroom carrying his keys.

He immediately notices she’s still under the covers.

His smile fades. “Hey, Mama.”

She hums quietly.

“You still in bed?”

“Mhm.”

Smoke frowns. He walks over and sits beside her, gently rubbing her leg through the blanket. “I need you to get up, baby.”

She doesn’t move.

“Let’s go get somethin’ to eat.”

Annie slowly shakes her head. “No, babe. I don’t feel like it.”

“I know you don’t.” He brushes a few pieces of hair away from her face. “But you’ve been in this bed for two days. You gotta get out this house. Clear yo head.”

She stares at him for a long moment. She doesn’t have the energy to argue. With a defeated sigh, she nods. “…Okay, Smoke.”

A small smile crosses his face. “That’s my girl.”

Annie slowly sits up on the edge of the bed.

Smoke kisses the top of her head. “I’ma grab me somethin’ to drink. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

He disappears down the hallway.

Annie pushes herself to her feet.

The room immediately tilts.

She pauses. “What…”

She blinks hard. Her vision blurs.

Dark spots begin dancing across her eyes.

She shakes her head, trying to clear it.

Instead… The dizziness gets worse.

“Oh…” Before she can reach the dresser—Everything goes black.

THUD!

Smoke freezes. His heart drops.

He takes off running. “ANNIE!”

He rushes into the bedroom.

His breath catches.

Annie is lying on the floor.

Completely unconscious.

“Baby!” He drops to his knees beside her.

His hands tremble as he gently pats her cheek. “Annie… Come on, Mama. Wake up. Please.”

A few terrifying seconds pass.

Then…Her eyelids flutter.

She blinks up at him, confused.

“…What happened?”

Smoke lets out a shaky breath. “You passed out.” He carefully helps her sit up. “You scared the hell outta me.”

Annie rubs her forehead. “I think I’m okay.”

“No.” His voice is firm. “We goin’ to the hospital.”

“Smoke—”

“No.” He shakes his head. “We ain’t arguin’. You carryin’ my daughters. And you just passed out. We goin’”

Annie looks into his worried eyes.

She can see the fear written all over his face.

She simply nods. “…Okay.”

A short time later…

Smoke practically runs through the hospital doors with Annie at his side.

Within minutes, she’s in a labor and delivery room.

A nurse wraps a blood pressure cuff around her arm.

Smoke stands beside the bed, refusing to let go of her hand.

The machine beeps.

The nurse’s expression changes. “I’ll be right back.”

She quickly steps out.

Annie looks over at Smoke. “What’s wrong?”

He tries to smile. “I’m sure it’s nothin’.”

But he doesn’t believe his own words.

A few moments later, Annie’s OB walks into the room carrying her chart.

She offers Annie a reassuring smile before pulling up a stool. “Hi, Annie.”

Annie manages a nervous smile. “Hi.”

The doctor sets the chart down.

“Your blood pressure is very high.”

Annie’s stomach sinks.

“We’ve been monitoring it for weeks, and after today’s episode, I’m concerned.” She pauses. “I don’t think it’s safe for you to continue the pregnancy.”

Annie’s eyes widen. “What does that mean?”

The doctor gently places a hand on the bed. “It means…We’re going to induce your labor today.”

Silence.

Annie’s heart immediately begins racing. “Today?”

The doctor nods. “Today.”

Panic flashes across Annie’s face. “No…”She grips Smoke’s hand tighter. “I’m not ready.” Fresh tears spill down her cheeks. “I’m not at forty weeks.”

Smoke immediately moves closer. He cups her face. “Hey. Look at me.”

Her eyes meet his.

“You remember what the doctor been tellin’ us?”

She sniffles.

“They’re healthy.” They’re strong. And we almost made it.”

The doctor nods in agreement. “Your girls are in a great position. You’re thirty eight weeks, you don’t have to go the full forty weeks and at this point, your elevated blood pressure poses a bigger risk than delivering them.”

Annie takes a shaky breath. “So…I can still have them vaginally?”

The doctor smiles. “Yes. As long as both babies continue tolerating labor well and their heart rates stay reassuring…” She nods. “There’s no reason we can’t attempt a vaginal delivery.”

Annie visibly relaxes. “So no C-section?”

“Only if it becomes medically necessary. If either baby’s heart rate begins to drop or labor stops progressing safely, we’ll move quickly. But right now…” She smiles. “Our plan is exactly what you wanted for yourself at home, minus the tub.”

Smoke kisses Annie’s forehead. “You hear that baby?”

She nods, wiping away another tear.

“Okay…”

The doctor stands. “I’m going to have the nurses start Pitocin. It will help your body begin contracting.”

She gives Annie’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “The next time we have this conversation…” She smiles warmly. “You’ll be meeting your daughters.”

A few minutes later, a nurse hangs a bag of Pitocin on Annie’s IV pole.

The clear medication slowly begins dripping into the line.

Smoke pulls his chair closer to the bed.

Never letting go of Annie’s hand.

He kisses her knuckles. “You ready to meet our girls?”

Annie looks down at her belly before placing her free hand over it.

A small smile breaks through her fear. “I’ve been ready.”

Now…All they had to do was wait for labor to begin.

Sometime later, the contractions settle into a steady rhythm.

Each one is a little stronger than the last.

Annie takes a slow breath before looking over at Smoke. “Call my dad…” She pauses to breathe. “…and Legacy.”

Smoke nods. “Okay mama.”

He kisses her forehead before stepping into the corner of the room.

He dials Roland first. “Pops?” A smile briefly crosses his face. “It’s time…Yes, sir.”

He hangs up and immediately calls Legacy.

She answers on the second ring.

“Smoke?”

Before he can respond—“Ahhhh!”

Annie lets out a loud cry from across the room.

Smoke instantly whips his head around.

“Yeah, Legacy…” he says quickly, his eyes never leaving Annie. “Annie’s having the babies today.” A pause. “Yeah…Okay. We’ll see you when you get here.”

He hangs up without another word and rushes back to the bedside. “You okay, Mama?”

Annie shakes her head.

Before she can answer, another contraction crashes into her. “Ahhh!”

She bends forward, gripping the bedrail.

Smoke’s eyes fill with concern.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s… it’s a contraction.”

She breathes through clenched teeth.

“I gotta use the bathroom.”

She reaches toward him. “Help me up.”

Smoke carefully wraps an arm around her waist. “I got you.”

Slowly, they make their way to the bathroom.

After a few minutes, Annie stands.

The second she does—A warm gush rushes down her legs. She freezes.

Water splashes onto the tile floor.

Her eyes grow wide. “Smoke…”

He immediately looks up.

“My water just broke.”

Smoke rushes over.

His eyes dart from the puddle on the floor…

Back to Annie. A slow smile spreads across his face. “Our girls are really coming.”

Another contraction slams into Annie before she can respond.

She doubles over. “Ohhhh!”

Smoke places one hand against the wall to steady her while the other presses firmly against her lower back. “There you go. Breathe. You don’t have to fight it.”

Annie moans through the pain, her entire body trembling. She’s so close to folding and getting medicine.

Smoke keeps rubbing slow circles across her lower back until the contraction finally eases. “There you go. It passed.” He kisses the side of her head. “Let’s get you back in bed baby.”

About an hour later…

A nurse walks back into the room. “Let’s see how you’re doing.” She checks Annie’s cervix. Then smiles. “You’re five centimeters.”

Annie’s exhausted face falls. “That’s it?”

The nurse gives her an encouraging smile.“For a first labor with twins, you’re making good progress.” She removes her gloves.“Would you like an epidural to help with the pain?”

Annie shakes her head without hesitation.“No. I want to try to do this naturally.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

The nurse nods. “Alright. If you change your mind, let us know.” She smiles. “I’ll come back and check you again later.” After she leaves, the room grows quiet again.

The hours creep by.

Annie tries to rest between contractions.

Whenever they slow down, she closes her eyes for a few precious minutes.

But the contractions become stronger.

Longer. Harder.

Eventually sleep becomes impossible.

Around one o’clock in the morning, Annie climbs onto her knees in the hospital bed. She’s so close to giving in and getting medicine.

She leans over the raised head of the bed and slowly rocks back and forth. Another contraction grips her. She cries out.

Smoke immediately moves behind her. He places both hands against her lower back and begins applying firm pressure. “You doin’ good mama. Breathe for me.”

Annie sobs through another contraction. “I can’t…”

“Yes, you can.” He kisses her shoulder. You already came this far. You stronger than you think.” Smoke tries to sound confident. But inside…He’s scared. Every cry that leaves Annie’s mouth feels like a punch to his chest. He wishes he could take the pain from her. Instead…All he can do is stay beside her.

Around two in the morning, another nurse comes in to check Annie. She performs another cervical exam “Hmm…” She looks at Annie sympathetically. “You’re seven centimeters.”

Annie drops her forehead onto the pillow.“Only seven?”

The nurse nods gently. “You’ve made progress, but labor has slowed.” She glances toward the monitor before looking back at Annie. “The babies are tolerating labor well, which is good.” She pauses. “But because this is a twin pregnancy and your labor has stalled, I do want to discuss the possibility of a cesarean delivery if things don’t begin progressing.”

Annie immediately shakes her head. “No.”

The nurse remains calm. “I’m not saying we’re doing one right now. I just want you to understand it may become necessary if labor doesn’t continue safely.”

“I don’t want a C-section.” Tears well in Annie’s eyes. I want more time.”

Smoke remembers the conversation they had weeks earlier.

Annie had told him one of her biggest fears. That too often Black women felt unheard during childbirth. That sometimes their concerns and wishes were dismissed.

He gently squeezes her hand before looking at the nurse. “Her doctor told us the plan was a vaginal delivery as long as the babies and Annie stayed stable.”

The nurse nods. “Yes.”

Smoke continues calmly. “How are the girls doing?”

“Their heart rates look reassuring.”

“And Annie?”

“She’s stable.”

Smoke nods once. “Then we’d like to keep trying for as long as we can.” He looks down at Annie. “That’s what she wants.”

The nurse studies them both for a moment before offering a reassuring smile. “That’s a reasonable request.” She places the chart back on the counter. “I’m comfortable giving labor more time since everyone is stable.” She looks at Annie. “But we’ll continue monitoring you and both babies closely. If anything changes, we’ll talk through the options together before making any decisions whenever it’s medically appropriate.”

Annie releases a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. “Thank you.”

The nurse gives her shoulder a gentle pat. “You’re doing a really good job. We’ll check you again in a little while.”

After she leaves, the room falls quiet again.

Smoke brushes hair away from Annie’s forehead. “You heard her.” He smiles softly. “Our girls still doin’ good.”

Annie nods, exhausted. “I just wanna meet them.”

“You will.” He kisses her forehead. “And when they get here…” He smiles. “They gon’ know just how hard their mama fought to bring ’em into this world.”

By five o’clock that morning, Annie has lost all sense of time. The contractions come one after another. There is barely enough time to catch her breath before the next one crashes over her.

She’s walking slow laps around the labor room with Smoke close behind, one hand resting on her lower back.

Another contraction grips her.

She stops in her tracks. “Ohhh…”

Smoke immediately wraps his arms around her. “Breathe, baby. You got it.”

The contraction finally eases.

Just then, the nurse walks back into the room. It’s time to check you.”

Annie nods weakly.

Smoke helps her back into the bed.

The nurse performs the cervical exam. A huge smile spreads across her face. “Ten centimeters.”

Annie closes her eyes and lets out the deepest breath of relief she’s taken all night. “Finally.”

The nurse removes her gloves. “I’ll go get your doctor.”

As soon as she leaves, Annie turns toward Smoke. “Go get Legacy. She’s in the waiting room.”

Smoke nods. “I’ll be right back.”

Within minutes, nurses begin filling the room.

Delivery trays are opened.

Warm blankets are stacked nearby.

The bassinet is rolled into place.

The room suddenly feels alive.

Smoke returns with Legacy.

Legacy rushes to Annie’s side and immediately grabs her hand. “You got this, sis.”

Annie gives her a tired smile.

A moment later, her OB walks in.

“Good morning.”

She smiles warmly. “You ready to meet your girls?”

Annie nods through another contraction. “As ready as I’m gonna be.”

The doctor takes her position. “Alright, Annie. With your next contraction…I want you to push.”

Smoke climbs onto the bed behind Annie.

She leans back against his chest.

He wraps his arms around her.

One hand grips hers.

The other brushes her hair away from her face. “You’ve been handlin’ this like a champ. You so strong mama. You got this.”

Another contraction builds.

“There it is,” the doctor says. “Big breath. And push.”

Annie bears down with everything she has. “Ahhhh!” Her entire body shakes with effort.

Smoke kisses the side of her head.

“That’s it, baby. You doin’ so good…I love you so much.”

Another push.

“I can’t!” Annie cries. “It feels like… everything’s falling out!”

The doctor smiles reassuringly. “That’s exactly what it should feel like. You’re doing beautifully.”

Smoke presses another kiss against her temple. “You can do it baby. Our daughters are almost here. Come on, Mama. You got this.”

Another contraction.

Another push.

“There you go beautiful. Look at you. You doin’ so good.”

The room fills with Annie’s cries.

Then— “I see her head!”

Smoke gasps, heart racing. “See mama. One is almost out. That’s daddy’s baby. Good job”

The doctor smiles. “One more big push!”

Annie screams as she bears down one final time. “Ahhhh!!!”

Suddenly…A tiny little body slips into the doctor’s waiting hands. “And Baby A is here!”

A loud cry immediately fills the room.

Smoke’s eyes begin to water “Oh wow…” He laughs through them. “You did it beautiful! Look!…There goes our baby!” He kisses all over Annie’s face and neck.

The doctor briefly lifts her. “It’s a beautiful little girl.”

She has a head full of hair and fat cheeks.

The nurses quickly carry her to the warmer to dry her off and assess her.

Annie barely has time to look.

Another contraction slams into her.

“Ohhh!”

The doctor looks back. “Alright, Annie. Let’s have her sister.”

Annie pushes again.

Nothing. Again. Still nothing.

The doctor watches carefully. “The baby’s not descending.”

Annie pants heavily. “I…” She catches her breath. “I wanna push on all fours.”

The doctor nods. “Okay. Let’s help her turn.”

Smoke and Legacy carefully help Annie onto her hands and knees.

She leans forward, resting her forehead against Smoke’s chest.

She rocks back and forth instinctively.

Smoke rubs firm circles across her lower back. “There you go baby. Listen to yo body.”

Another contraction.

“Push.”

Annie does.

The doctor watches intently. “I see the baby…” She pauses. “She’s crowning.” Then her expression changes slightly. “Okay…The baby’s trying to come face-up.”

The room grows quiet.

The doctor looks at Annie. “I’m going to help her rotate. You’ll feel some pressure.”

Annie nods through tears.

The doctor carefully reaches in and gently rotates the baby. “There she goes.” She smiles. “Perfect. Alright, Annie. One more big push. You can do this.”

Smoke kisses Annie’s cheek again.

“Come on, push one more time for daddy. You doin so good mama. Daddy’s so proud of you.”

Annie nods and lets out the loudest cry yet.

Every ounce of strength she has left pours into one final push.

Seconds later…The second little girl is born.

The room waits. Silence.

Annie’s smile disappears. “…Why isn’t she crying?”

The nurses immediately carry the baby to the warmer.

The doctor remains calm. “Give them a moment.”

Smoke watches anxiously.

His heart pounds so hard it hurts.

One nurse begins suctioning the baby’s mouth.

Another listens carefully to her lungs.

The doctor looks over. “She swallowed some meconium. We’re clearing her airway.”

Annie’s eyes immediately fill with tears. “Smoke…” Her voice trembles. “Why isn’t she crying?”

Smoke gently cups her face.

“Hey.” He forces a calm smile, even though fear twists in his own stomach.

“They helpin’ her. She gon’ be aight.” He kisses her forehead. “You hear me? They got her.”

Annie nods weakly.

But she can’t stop crying.

The seconds feel like hours.

Then—A tiny cough. Followed by another.

Finally…A loud newborn cry fills the room.

Annie immediately breaks down.

“Oh, thank God…”

Smoke closes his eyes in relief.

A shaky laugh escapes him.

“There she go.”

The nurses smile as they finish drying her off. “She’s doing great now.”

The nurse weighs them both. “Baby A is Seven pounds five ounces”. She weighs the other “Baby B is Seven pounds , Twelve ounces.”

The doctor smiles as both baby girls are finally cleaned.

She walks over to Annie’s bedside carrying one little girl while a nurse follows close behind with the other.

“Mom and Dad…” She smiles. “Meet your daughters.”

Fresh tears spill down Annie’s cheeks as the doctor gently lays the first baby in her arms.

The nurse settles the second little girl beside her.

For a long moment…

Neither Annie nor Smoke says a word.

They simply stare.

Smoke lets out a quiet laugh. “They look exactly alike.”

Annie nods slowly. “Oh my God…They really do.”

She looks from one tiny face to the other. Same little button nose. Same full cheeks. Same tiny lips. Even the same Dark wisps of dark hair.

Smoke scratches the back of his head. “Well this gon’ be a problem.”

Annie laughs through her tears. “We ain’t gon’ know who’s who.”

The doctor chuckles. “That happens more often than you think with twins.”

Annie studies the baby resting against her left arm.

“So…” She looks up at Smoke. “Which one is Anijah?”

Smoke glances between both girls.

“I don’t know.”

Annie smiles. “I thought you said you knew yo babies.”

“I do.” He leans closer, studying them with exaggerated seriousness. “I’m just… makin’ sure.”

Annie laughs. “You are so full of it.”

The room fills with soft laughter.

Smoke’s eyes settle on the baby who had taken longer to deliver.

He smiles knowingly. “I think this one…”

He gently strokes her tiny hand. “…this gotta be Aniyah.”

Annie raises an eyebrow. “Why?”

“’Cause she already hardheaded.”

The doctor laughs.

Smoke grins. “She was rowdy the whole pregnancy. Then when it was finally time to come out…” He shakes his head. “She still ain’t wanna cooperate.”

Annie laughs. “She did give us a hard time. And she was always the one kickin’ me the hardest.”

Smoke points at the sleeping baby. “Exactly. That’s Aniyah.”

Annie looks down at her for another moment before smiling. “Yeah…I think you’re right.”

She kisses the baby’s forehead.

“Well…Welcome to the world, Aniyah.”

Then she looks at the other little girl curled peacefully against her chest.

“And that makes you…” She smiles warmly. “Anijah.”

Smoke leans down and kisses Anijah’s tiny forehead. “My calm baby.”

Annie laughs. “You don’t know if she calm yet.”

“I do.”

“You just makin’ stuff up.”

Smoke shrugs. “I’m her daddy. I know.”

The doctor smiles at the new parents.

“If you’d like, we can put identification wristbands on each baby.”

She holds up two tiny bands.

“We’ll label one ‘Baby A – Anijah Moore’ and the other ‘Baby B – Aniyah Moore.’ That way there’s never any confusion while you’re here.”

Smoke nods immediately. “Yeah. We definitely gon’ need those.”

Annie laughs. “Please. ‘Cause they look like they was copied and pasted.”

The nurse carefully secures the tiny bands around each baby’s wrist before checking them one last time.

“There we go.”

She smiles. “No mixing these two up.”

Smoke looks down at his daughters and grins.

“My twin girls.”

Annie rests her head back against the pillow, smiling at the sight of their matching little faces. “They may look exactly alike…” She looks down at them again “…but I got a feeling they about to have two completely different personalities.”

The nurses grab the babies back to asses Annie and to swaddle the babies.

Ten minutes later…

The nurses finish Annie’s assessments before gently swaddling both baby girls.

One by one, they place them into Smoke’s waiting arms.

He hesitates for the briefest second.

Almost like he’s afraid he’ll do something wrong.

The nurse smiles. “You got them, Dad.”

Smoke nods once. “I got ’em.”

She carefully settles Anijah into the crook of one arm.

Then Aniyah into the other.

Smoke instinctively adjusts them until both little girls are resting comfortably in both arms.

The room fades away.

It’s just him…And his daughters.

His eyes move from one tiny face to the other.

Anijah peeks one eye open

Aniyah lets out a soft sigh in her sleep.

Smoke’s lips slowly part.

“…Damn.”

His voice barely rises above a whisper. “Y’all really here.”

He studies every little feature.

Their tiny noses. Their full cheeks.

The wisps of dark hair peeking from beneath their hats.

He smiles to himself. “My girls.”

His throat tightens. He swallows hard.

But it doesn’t help.

Without saying another word, tears quietly spill down his cheeks.

He doesn’t make a sound.

He simply stands there…

Holding the two greatest blessings he’d ever received.

Annie watches him from the bed.

Her heart swells.

She has seen Elijah angry.

She has seen him protective.

She has seen him determined.

She’s watched him build businesses from the ground up.

She’s watched him comfort her through grief.

But she’d never seen him like this.

So completely undone.

She smiles through her own tears.

“I love you.”

Smoke looks up. His eyes are red and glassy. “I love you too.”

He glances back down at the girls.

“I ain’t know I could love somebody this much.”

Annie laughs softly, wiping at her cheeks. “You love three people that much now.”

Smoke chuckles through his tears. “Yeah…I do.”

He walks over to the bed and carefully sits beside Annie.

She leans her head against his shoulder.

Together, they look down at their daughters.

Smoke kisses the top of Anijah’s tiny head. Then Aniyah’s.

“So…”He whispers. “Which one of y’all gon be keepin’ us up all night?”

Annie laughs. “I think both of them.”

Smoke grins. “I believe it.”

The four of them sit together in comfortable silence.

No words are needed.

Everything they had prayed for…

Everything they had fought through…

Was finally resting safely in Smoke’s arms.

Later that afternoon, another knock sounds at the hospital room door.

“Come in,” Annie calls softly.

The door swings open.

Stack walks in first carrying a large bouquet of pink flowers.

Right behind him are Dominique and Antonio.

Shaad and Legacy follow close behind.

The room immediately fills with smiles. “There go my nieces,” Stack says with a grin.

Smoke laughs. “You ain’t even say hey.”

“I can speak to y’all later.” Stack waves him off. “I been waitin’ to meet these lil girls.”

Everyone chuckles.

Stack walks straight over to Annie’s bedside.

He looks down at the two bassinets sitting beside her bed.

His grin slowly fades into pure awe.

“…Damn.” He shakes his head. “They really here.”

Annie smiles. “They really are.”

Stack leans over the bassinets.

His eyes bounce back and forth between the babies.

Smoke notices. “What?”

Stack squints. “They look exactly alike.”

“They do.”

Stack folds his arms. “Nah. I’ma figure this out.”

Smoke laughs. “Figure what out?”

“How to tell ’em apart.”

Annie raises an eyebrow. “They got wristbands.”

“I ain’t talkin’ about them. I’m not gon use them”

Stack points toward the girls. “I’m finna study they little faces.”

“They twins.”

“So?”

“I’m a twin.”

He shrugs proudly. “I know how this work.”

Smoke laughs harder. “You don’t know shit.”

“I know enough.” Stack leans down even closer. “This one…” He points.

“…her left eyebrow look a little different.”

Smoke and Annie look where he’s pointing.

They don’t see a thing.

Smoke shakes his head. “You makin’ shit up.”

“I ain’t.”

“You are.”

“I’ll have it figured out before y’all.”

Annie laughs. “We’ll see.”

Stack smiles. “Watch.”

He lightly rubs one tiny foot.

“Uncle Stack gon’ always know who y’all are.”

Stack carefully slides his hands beneath one of the babies and lifts her into his arms.

She stays sound asleep, her tiny body completely relaxed against his chest.

He studies her little face.

Her nose. Her lips.

The way her tiny eyebrows sit.

After a long moment, he nods confidently. “This gotta be Anijah.”

Annie raises an eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”

“Mhm.” He smiles down at her. “I can tell by how peaceful she sleepin’.”

He kisses the top of her tiny head. “Uncle Elias is here, baby girl.”

Smoke watches his brother quietly.

Something deep in his chest warms.

Growing up, Stack had always been loud. Flashy.

The life of every room he walked into.

Always cracking jokes.

Always putting on a show.

But standing here…Holding his niece so carefully…

Speaking to her so softly…

It was like all of that melted away.

For these little girls…He wasn’t trying to impress anybody.

He was just…Uncle Elias.

Smoke smiles to himself.

He loves seeing this side of his brother.

Stack gently lifts Anijah closer to his face and takes a dramatic sniff.

He immediately starts laughing. “You smell like baby lotion.”

The room fills with laughter.

Annie shakes her head. “You are so silly.”

“I know.” He grins before looking back down at Anijah. “And I love it.”

Carefully, he settles her back into the bassinet before reaching for her sister.

He scoops up the second baby just as gently.

She stretches in her sleep before settling into his arms.

Stack squints at her face. “Hmm…This definitely Aniyah.”

Smoke folds his arms. “And how you figure that?”

Stack nods toward the sleeping baby. “’Cause she got that little frown.”

He chuckles. “She still mad we made her come out.”

Annie busts into laughter. “You know what…That actually sound like her.”

Stack rocks her gently. “You gave yo’ mama a hard time, didn’t you?”

He smiles proudly. “But that’s aight. Uncle Elias gon’ learn every little thing about both of y’all.”

He looks between the twins and nods to himself.

“I’ll have y’all figured out before anybody else.”

Smoke laughs. “We’ll see.”

Stack grins. “Nah. Watch me…”

Five minutes later…

“Who’s next?” Annie asks.

Shaad immediately raises his hand.

“Me.”

Everyone laughs.

Smoke carefully lifts Anijah from the bassinet before placing her into Shaad’s arms.

Then he hands him Aniyah.

Shaad looks down at the two tiny girls resting against him.

His smile grows wider and wider.

“…Look at y’all.” His voice softens. “My nieces.”

He gently rocks them. “I can’t believe y’all really here.”

A lump forms in his throat. “I’m an uncle.”

Smoke grins. “You been one.”

“Nah.” Shaad shakes his head. “This different.”

He looks down at the twins again.

“They really here now. You and Stack got me out here in Unc status. Never thought I’d see the day.”

Legacy quietly watches from beside him.

The smile on her face slowly softens.

Seeing Shaad hold the girls so naturally…So gently…Makes her heart flutter.

He looks so comfortable. So protective.

Without realizing it…She catches herself smiling at him instead of the babies.

Shaad looks up. Their eyes meet.

She quickly looks away.

Trying not to get caught.

Shaad smiles to himself. He noticed.

Dominique steps forward next.

“I think it’s my turn.”

Shaad carefully hands both girls back to Smoke.

Smoke places them one at a time into Dominique’s arms.

The moment she looks down…

She freezes.

Her eyes instantly fill with tears.

“Oh…” A shaky laugh escapes her. “Oh my God.”

Smoke and Annie exchange a look.

Dominique begins crying. Not loud.

Just quiet tears rolling down her cheeks.

Annie immediately reaches for her arm. “Domino…”

Dominique laughs through her tears. “I’m sorry.”

She shakes her head. “I just…”

She looks back down at the twins. “I’ve been with you through everything.”

She smiles sadly. “The late-night study sessions.”

“The engineering exams.” “The breakups.” “The tears.”

“The days you wanted to quit.” “The days you thought you wasn’t enough.”

She shakes her head. “And now…” She looks at Annie.

“You’re somebody’s mama.” Her voice cracks. “I’m so proud of you.”

Annie’s own eyes begin filling again. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Antonio quietly wraps an arm around Dominique’s shoulders.

He kisses the side of her head. “You alright?”

She nods, smiling through her tears. “I’m just emotional.”

“I know.” He smiles. “It’s okay.”

He gently takes one of the twins from her before accepting the other.

Antonio studies both little girls for a long moment. “They beautiful.”

He looks over at Smoke.

His expression grows serious. “I’m proud of you, bro.”

Smoke smiles. “Appreciate it.”

Antonio nods. “No. I mean it.”

He glances back down at the girls.

“You built businesses. You changed your life. You became the man you always said you wanted to be.”

Then he looks back at Smoke.

“And now…” He smiles. “You a father.”

“A good one.”

Smoke swallows hard.

His eyes drift to Annie before returning to Antonio. “Thank you.”

Antonio nods once. “I know y’all gon’ raise these girls right.”

The room falls quiet.

Everyone simply stands there looking at the twins.

Two tiny little girls.

Already surrounded by an entire village that loved them before they ever took their first breath.

👨🏾‍🍼👩🏿‍🍼🧑🏾‍🍼👩🏿‍🍼🧑🏾‍🍼👩🏿‍🍼🧑🏾‍🍼👩🏿‍🍼🧑🏾‍🍼👩🏿‍🍼🧑🏾‍🍼

The first morning at home feels different. Quieter. Softer.

Sunlight pours through the bedroom curtains, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. The house smells faintly of baby lotion, fresh laundry, and the pancakes Smoke made earlier that morning.

For the first time…They’re home.

Not in a hospital. Not surrounded by nurses.

Just the four of them.

Aniyah sleeps peacefully in the bassinet beside the bed. Every few seconds, her tiny lips twitch before she lets out a little squeak in her sleep.

Annie smiles every time she hears it.

Across the room, she’s propped up in the recliner by the window with a soft blanket over her lap.

The rhythmic hum of her breast pump fills the room. Whirr… pause… whirr… pause…

She watches the bottles slowly begin to fill.

Meanwhile, Smoke sits on the edge of the bed with Anijah curled comfortably against his chest.

She’s wide awake.

Her tiny brown eyes are open staring across the room.

Smoke gently rubs the center of her back with one large hand.

She’s so little. So warm.

She smells like milk and baby powder.

He can’t stop looking at her.

Or Annie.

His eyes drift back across the room.

He studies Annie quietly.

The loose pieces of hair framing her face.

The tiredness beneath her eyes.

The way motherhood somehow makes her even more beautiful than she already was.

He doesn’t realize he’s staring until—Annie looks over.

She catches him smiling. “What?”

Smoke shakes his head slowly. “You so beautiful, Mama.”

Annie’s cheeks immediately warm. “Smoke…”

He smiles. “I’m serious. I can’t believe you really had my daughters.”

His voice softens with every word. “I still be thinkin’ about everything you went through. The contractions. The pushin’. The fear.” He shakes his head in amazement. “You handled all of that so damn well. I’ve never been more proud of anybody.” His eyes never leave hers. “I’m obsessed wit you, baby.”

Annie bites back a smile. “You are?”

“Mhm. Hopelessly.”

She laughs softly, looking down to hide her blush. “You so crazy.”

“Nah.” He glances down at Anijah, who’s still wide awake.

He gently kisses the top of her tiny head.

“Our babies…” He smiles. “Look at what we made. They so beautiful.” He looks back at Annie. “And they look just like you.”

Annie laughs. “They do not.”

“They absolutely do. I should’ve known we was gon’ make some gorgeous babies. They got yo attitude already too.”

Annie rolls her eyes. “They two days old.”

“They still got attitudes. Especially Aniyah. She stubborn just like you.”

She laughs harder. “You get on my nerves.”

Smoke shrugs. “I’m just callin’ it how I see it.”

Annie smiles as she watches him cradle their daughter so naturally.

Her heart feels impossibly full. “Thank you.”

Smoke raises an eyebrow. “For what?”

“I love watchin’ you be a dad already.”

She wipes a happy tear from the corner of her eye. “You make it look so easy.”

Smoke looks down at Anijah.

She yawns and stretches. He rubs his fingers over her curls. He smiles.

“I’ve been waitin’ on this for a long time.”

He looks back at Annie. “Now…I need you to promise me somethin’.”

“What?”

“When we go to bed tonight…I want you sleepin’.”

Annie gives him a confused look. “What you mean?”

“I’ll get up.” He shrugs like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “I’ll change diapers. I’ll warm bottles. I’ll feed ’em. You just rest.”

Annie immediately shakes her head.

“No, Smoke. We a team. If you gettin’ up…I’m gettin’ up too.”

He shakes his head. “No. Baby, you just carried twins for nine months. You pushed both of ’em out. You deserve to rest.”

Annie smiles lovingly at him. “I appreciate that. But I’m their mama. And you their daddy. We gon’ do this together. We can take turns. You don’t have to do it all by yourself.”

Smoke sighs. “I just want you to be okay.”

“I know.” She smiles. “And I’ll be okay. As long as we doin’ this together.”

Smoke looks at her for a long moment. Then slowly nods. “Aight. We’ll take turns.”

Annie grins. “There you go.”

He points at her. “You won this one.”

“I know.” She giggles. “I usually do.”

Smoke laughs and shakes his head. “You lucky I love you.”

She smiles. “I know.”

At that exact moment, Aniyah lets out a tiny cry from the bassinet.

Both Annie and Smoke immediately turn their heads.

Then they look at each other.

Without saying a word…They both laugh.

Smoke carefully stands with Anijah still tucked against his chest while Annie gets up and walks over to lift Anijah from the bassinet.

The room fills with the soft sounds of newborn fussing, the gentle hum of the breast pump winding down, and two exhausted parents quietly figuring out this new chapter together.

It isn’t perfect. It isn’t easy.

But as the morning sunlight wraps around their little family…It already feels like home.

👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽

Three mornings later, at Stack and Dajia’s house…

The sun has barely started peeking through the curtains.

The house is quiet again.

Well…Almost.

Tiny cries echo through the nursery.

Eli’s hungry. Again.

Dajia slowly opens her eyes.

She doesn’t even bother looking beside her.

She already knows. Stack is still asleep.

She lets out a tired sigh and pushes herself upright.

Every muscle in her body aches.

She shuffles across the room, lifts Eli from his bassinet, and presses him against her shoulder.

“It’s okay, baby. I got you.”

His cries immediately soften as she gently rocks him.

She carries him into the living room, fixes his bottle, changes his diaper, feeds him, burps him, and rocks him back to sleep.

By the time she lays him back in the bassinet…Almost an hour has passed.

She crawls back into bed.

Just as she closes her eyes…

Eli lets out another little fuss.

Dajia stares at the ceiling.

“…You gotta be kidding me.”

She laughs tiredly.

Then gets right back up.

A little later that morning…

Stack strolls into the kitchen stretching.

He yawns. “Morning, baby girl.”

Dajia doesn’t answer.

She’s standing at the counter making a fresh pot of coffee.

Her hair is wrapped up.

She has on one of Stack’s oversized T-shirts.

Dark circles sit beneath her eyes.

Stack walks over and kisses her cheek. “You aight?”

She keeps stirring her coffee. “Mhm.”

“You sure?”

Silence.

He studies her face. “You don’t look alright.”

Dajia finally turns around. “You really wanna know?”

“Yeah.”

She lets out a long breath. “I’m tired, Stack.”

He nods. “I know. We both are.”

She laughs. Except there’s no humor in it.

“No. We not.”

His brows knit together. “What you mean?”

“I’m tired.”

“You…” She points at him. “…sleep.”

Stack blinks. “What?”

“You sleep through everything.” She throws both hands in the air. “Eli cries… You sleep. I change his diaper…You sleep. I make bottles… You sleep. I feed him… You still sleep.”

Stack’s smile completely disappears.

“Dajia—”

“No.” Her voice rises. “I’m exhausted. I haven’t slept more than an hour at a time since he’s been born. And every single time he cries…” She points toward the bedroom.“…I’m the one getting up. Her eyes begin watering. “I feel like I’m doin’ this by myself.”

The words hit Stack like a punch to the chest.

He just stands there. “I didn’t…” He shakes his head. “I didn’t know. You think I would’ve let you keep getting up by yourself if I knew?”

Dajia wipes at her eyes. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t.”

Stack walks over and gently takes the coffee mug out of her hands before setting it on the counter.

Then he reaches for both of her hands. “Dajia.”

She doesn’t look at him.

He waits. Finally…She lifts her eyes.

“I’m sorry.” His voice is quiet. “I swear to you…I didn’t realize. I sleep so damn hard, I don’t hear him.”

“I thought we was takin’ turns.” She shakes her head. “And we haven’t been. You’ve been takin’ all the turns sleepin’”

Stack closes his eyes. “Damn.” Guilt washes over him. He wraps his arms around her.

She melts into his chest. “I should’ve told you.”

“You shouldn’t have had to.” He kisses the top of her head. “That’s on me.” He gently rubs her back. “I’ll do better.”

She sniffles. “You promise?”

He nods without hesitation. “I promise. If I don’t wake up…” He thinks for a second. “Shake me. I mean it. I don’t care how hard. Throw a pillow. Push me. Kick me if you got to.”

A small laugh escapes Dajia.

“I’m serious. I’m Eli’s parent too. I don’t want you carryin’ all this by yourself.”

She finally smiles. “I know.”

He rests his forehead against hers. “We a team. I ain’t gon’ let you feel like you in this alone again.”

Dajia nods. “Okay.”

Right on cue…A tiny cry comes from the bedroom. Both of them pause.

Stack points toward the hallway.

“I got him.”

Dajia starts to follow.

Stack gently stops her. “No.” He kisses her forehead. “You sit down. Drink yo coffee while it’s still hot.”

She watches him jog toward the nursery.

A few seconds later, she hears his voice drifting down the hallway. “Hey, lil man. Daddy finally made it.”

Dajia leans back in her chair. Takes a sip of coffee.

And lets herself breathe…

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Around three o’clock in the morning…

Annie slowly opens her eyes.

The room is dim, lit only by the soft amber glow of the nightlight sitting on the dresser.

For a moment, she isn’t sure what woke her.

She instinctively reaches across the bed.

The sheets beside her are cool. Empty.

She blinks. “Smoke?” No answer.

Anijah is still asleep in her bassinet beside the bed, her tiny breaths coming in soft, steady little puffs.

Annie smiles. At least one of them was sleeping.

She carefully slips out of bed, wrapping her robe tighter around herself before trudging barefoot into the hallway.

The hardwood floor is cool beneath her feet.

The house is quiet. Then…She hears it.

A soft voice floating through the darkness.

Smoke. He’s singing.

The melody is low and gentle, barely louder than a whisper.

The kind of singing someone does when they think no one is listening.

Annie follows the sound down the hallway.

As she reaches the living room, she stops in her tracks.

Moonlight spills through the front windows, casting silver ribbons across the floor.

Smoke is slowly pacing back and forth.

Aniyah is tucked against his chest, wrapped snugly in a pale yellow swaddle.

One of his large hands supports the back of her tiny head while the other gently pats her diapered bottom in a slow, rhythmic pattern.

His voice fills the room.

Soft. Warm. Safe.

He sways with her as he sings, never missing a beat.

Aniyah’s wide little eyes are wide open

She isn’t crying anymore.

She’s simply listening.

Like the sound of his voice is enough.

Annie’s heart squeezes.

For a moment…She forgets to breathe.

She’d always imagined Smoke being a good father.

But seeing it…

Seeing this hard, intimidating man quietly walking laps around their living room at three in the morning, singing to one of their daughters…

It was more beautiful than anything she’d imagined.

Her chest fills with so much love it almost hurts.

She leans against the hallway wall, smiling to herself.

God… I picked the right man.

Almost as if he feels her watching him, Smoke turns around.

His eyes immediately soften. “There go my mama.” He smiles. “What you doin’ up?”

He glances toward the hallway behind her.

“I didn’t hear Anijah cry.”

Annie shakes her head. “She didn’t.”

She walks over until she’s standing beside him.

“I just woke up and you weren’t next to me.”

She smiles. “So I came lookin’ for you.”

Smoke nods toward the little girl resting against his chest.

“Yeah…Aniyah started whinin’ a little. So I picked her up. Then…” He chuckles.

“She decided she wanted the whole neighborhood to know she was awake.”

Annie laughs quietly.

“So I changed her diaper…” He continues pacing. “Fed her. Burped her. And she still wouldn’t stop hollerin’.”

Annie looks down at Aniyah. “So…” She smiles knowingly. “Is that why you were singin’?”

Smoke sighs dramatically. “Yep. It’s the only thing that’ll calm her down.”

He looks down at his daughter with a grin.

“She got so used to hearin’ you sing while she was in yo belly.”

Annie’s eyes immediately soften. “Really?”

Smoke nods. “The second I started singin’…” He shrugs. “She settled right down.”

Annie giggles. “I guess you were right.”

Smoke raises an eyebrow. “About what?”

“She is trouble.”

Smoke looks down at Aniyah before smiling proudly. “Just like her mama.”

Annie playfully rolls her eyes. “There you go.”

“But…” He kisses the top of Aniyah’s head. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Annie folds her arms. “You say that now.”

Smoke doesn’t hesitate. “I’m gon’ always say it.” He gently rocks Aniyah. “She ain’t trouble. She’s just a girl who know what she want.”

Annie laughs. “If you say so.” She reaches her arms out. “Come on. Give her to me. You go get some sleep.”

Smoke immediately shakes his head. “Nah, baby. I got her.”

“You sure?”

“Of course.” He smiles at her. “You carried them girls for nine months. Least I can do is carry one around the house.”

Annie’s heart melts all over again.

She reaches up and gently smooths the back of his T-shirt before leaning in to kiss his cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Right on cue… A loud cry echoes from down the hall.

Both of them freeze. Then slowly turn toward the bedroom. Anijah. Smoke and Annie look back at each other. They bust into laughter.

Annie shakes her head. “Well…” She smiles. “Looks like we gon’ be up together.”

Smoke grins. “I like that.”

Annie laughs. “You like bein’ sleep deprived?”

“Nah.” He wraps an arm around her waist as they start walking back toward the bedroom together. “I just like doin’ life wit you.”

Annie looks at him. The exhaustion was still there. The sleepless nights. The sore body.

The endless diapers and feedings.

But standing beside Smoke…Listening to both of their daughters calling for them…She realized something. This wasn’t just exhaustion. It was the sound of the life they’d dreamed about. And somehow…She’d never slept better.

A week later…

The afternoon sun pours through the living room windows while Aniyah and Anijah sleep peacefully in their bassinets.

Smoke is stretched out on the couch watching football with the volume turned down low.

Annie sits on the floor beside the bassinets, smiling every time one of the girls makes a tiny sound.

Ding-dong.

Smoke glances toward the door. “I got it.”

He stands and opens the front door.

“What’s up, Pops?”

Roland smiles. “Hey, son.”

Smoke steps aside. “Come on in.”

Legacy walks in behind Roland carrying a gift bag.

Then…Smoke notices Angie standing quietly behind them.

She offers him a small, nervous smile. “Hi.”

“Hey.” Smoke returns the smile before glancing toward the living room “Babe… you got company.”

Annie looks up from the bassinets.

She smiles when she sees Roland. “Hey, Dad.”

Roland walks over and kisses the top of her head. “Hey, Pumpkin.”

Legacy follows, wrapping Annie in a careful hug. “How my babies doin’?”

“We’re survivin’,” Annie laughs. Then…Her eyes land on Angie.

Her smile fades into surprise. She hadn’t expected that.

Angie immediately notices the change in her expression. “I-I’m sorry,” she says quickly. “Legacy invited me. If this isn’t okay, I can leave.”

Legacy looks between them. “I hope you don’t mind, Annie. I just… thought maybe…”She doesn’t finish.

The room grows quiet.

Smoke watches Annie carefully, letting her decide.

Annie looks at Angie.

She can see how uncomfortable she is. How she’s standing near the door like she’s already preparing to leave.

Then she remembers what Smoke told her. Don’t punish your sister for something she ain’t ask for.

She remembers Legacy saying almost the exact same thing.

Annie lets out a slow breath. “No…”

Everyone waits. “It’s okay.”

Angie’s shoulders visibly relax.

“You can stay.”

A genuine smile spreads across her face. “Thank you.”

Smoke catches Annie’s eye from across the room.

He doesn’t say anything.

Just gives her the smallest nod.

She returns one of her own.

Roland claps his hands together.

“Now…” He grins. “Enough of us standing around.”

“Where my grandbabies?”

Annie laughs. “They sleep.”

“That ain’t stopping me from looking.”

Everyone gathers around the bassinets.

Angie steps up slowly.

Her eyes immediately fill with tears.

“Oh…” She whispers. “They’re so beautiful.”

Smoke smiles proudly. “They definitely take after they mama.”

Roland chuckles. “You ain’t lying.”

Legacy leans over the bassinets.

“My nieces getting so big already.”

Aniyah stretches her tiny arms before settling back down.

Angie smiles so wide it almost hurts. “They’re identical.”

“They sure are,” Annie says. “The hospital gave us little bracelets so we could tell them apart.”

Everyone laughs.

After a few moments, Anijah begins to stir.

Smoke carefully lifts her from the bassinet. “There she go.”

He rocks her gently until she settles against his chest.

Angie watches with admiration. “You a natural.”

Smoke smiles. “I’m tryin’.” He kisses the baby’s forehead.

Annie notices Angie staring.

Not in a strange way. In a longing way.

Like she’s imagining something she’s never had.

Angie hesitates before speaking. “…Can…” She looks at Annie. “…Can I hold one?”

The room grows still. Nobody speaks.

Nobody pressures Annie.

Legacy looks down. Roland quietly waits. Even Smoke says nothing.

He simply looks at his wife. The decision is hers.

Annie studies Angie for a few seconds.

She sees the uncertainty. The hope. The fear of hearing no.

Finally…Annie nods. “Yeah.”

Angie’s eyes widen. “Really?”

“Yeah.” A smile slowly spreads across Annie’s face. “Just wash yo hands first.”

Everyone laughs softly.

“I already did before I came in,” Angie says quickly, holding them up. “I’ve been nervous all day.”

That makes Annie smile a little bigger.

Smoke carefully walks over and gently places Anijah into Angie’s arms. “Support her head.”

“I got her.” Angie cradles the tiny baby against her chest like she’s holding something priceless. Her eyes immediately begin watering. “Oh my goodness…” She whispers. “Hey, sweet girl.”

Anijah yawns before nestling deeper into her arms. Angie laughs through her tears.

“She likes you,” Smoke says.

“I hope so.” Angie gently rubs the baby’s tiny back. “I always wanted to be an auntie.” The words slip out before she can stop them.

The room falls quiet.

Angie looks up, embarrassed. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean—”

“No.” Annie softly interrupts her. “It’s okay.”

Angie swallows hard. “I used to imagine what it’d be like.” She looks back down at Anijah. “I just… didn’t know I actually had nieces and a nephew.”

Annie feels something in her chest shift. Just a little. She watches Angie smile at the baby with nothing but genuine love on her face. No hidden agenda. No expectations. Just happiness.

Roland quietly wipes at the corner of his eye.

Legacy notices and smiles. “What?”

Roland chuckles. “I’m just looking at my girls.” He shakes his head. “Life sure got a funny way of bringing people together.”

Annie reaches over and picks up Aniyah.

She glances at Angie. Then at the tiny baby sleeping peacefully in her arms.

Maybe…Just maybe…Smoke was right.

And maybe Legacy was too.

This wasn’t James standing in her living room. This was simply another daughter trying to find the family he never gave her.

After everyone spends a few more minutes admiring the twins, Legacy looks over at Roland and smiles. “You been standin’ over there looking at them this whole time.”

Roland chuckles. “I know.”

“You gonna hold yo grandbabies or what?”

Everyone laughs.

Roland rubs his palms together. “I’ve been waiting on somebody to ask.”

Annie grins. “You don’t have to be invited, Dad.”

Roland’s heart swells at the word. He steps closer to Annie, who carefully lifts Aniyah from her shoulder. “Here.”

Roland slides one arm beneath the tiny baby’s head and the other beneath her body, cradling her against his chest with practiced ease. The moment she settles into his arms…His entire face softens.“There she is.” His voice barely rises above a whisper. “Hey, beautiful girl.”

Aniyah stretches her tiny fingers before wrapping them around one of Roland’s.

He chuckles quietly. “Oh…” He looks over at everyone. “She got a grip.”

Smoke laughs. “Just like her crazy mama.”

Annie playfully rolls her eyes. “I heard that.”

Roland smiles as he looks back down at Aniyah. “You know…” He gently rocks her. “I used to dream about moments like this.”

The room grows quiet.

He looks over at Annie. “When your mama and y’all moved in with me… I remember thinking how much I wanted to be a father to you and Legacy.” He chuckles softly. “It wasn’t easy either.”

Legacy laughs. “No, it wasn’t.”

Annie smiles through watery eyes.

Roland nods. “Y’all had been through so much that trusting another man wasn’t exactly high on the list.”

Annie lowers her eyes. “I was scared.”

“I know you were.” He smiles warmly. “So I never tried to force it. I just kept showing up.” He gently strokes Aniyah’s tiny hand. “Little by little… you and Legacy let me in.” His voice catches with emotion. “Then one day, you looked at me and called me ‘Dad.’”

Annie smiles. “I’ll never forget that day.”

“Roland shakes his head with a grin “Neither will I. That’s still one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever been given.” Roland glances over at the second bassinet where Anijah is now laying, asleep and grins. “So…” He looks at Annie. “I get a chance to hold my other granddaughter, or is she sleepin’ too good?”

Everyone laughs.

Annie smiles as she walks over to the bassinet. “I think she’s fine, you can wake her up.”

She carefully scoops Anijah into her arms. The tiny baby lets out a little stretch before settling right back down.

Annie walks over to Roland. “Here.”

Roland shifts Aniyah into the crook of one arm while Annie gently transfers Anijah into the other.

“There we go.” He looks down at the twins, one nestled in each arm.

His eyes immediately begin to water.

“Well…” He chuckles through the emotion. “Look at this.”

Smoke smiles from across the room.

“Now that’s a proud granddaddy.”

“The proudest.”

Roland rocks them gently, looking from one little face to the other.

“They look so much alike.”

“They do,” Annie says with a laugh. “We’re so thankful the hospital put bracelets on them because even we kept second-guessing ourselves.”

Roland leans in and studies them for another moment. “I think I got it.”

Everyone looks at him.

He points with his chin toward Aniyah.

“She the one always lookin’ around.”

Then he looks down at Anijah.

“And this one…” He smiles.

“…she look content just bein’ held.”

Smoke laughs. “That’s about right.”

Annie nods. “She’s definitely the calmer one.”

Roland kisses the top of Anijah’s head before doing the same to Aniyah.

“My sweet girls.” His voice softens.

“I’ve been blessed more than I deserve.” He looks over at Annie.

“I prayed that one day you’d have a man who’d love you the way I love your mama and he delivered.” His eyes drift to Smoke.“And then God gave me not one…” He looks back down at the twins. “…but two more little girls to love.”

Smoke smiles, his chest swelling with pride. “You stuck wit us now, Pops.”

Roland laughs. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Part 1

This one is shorter guys. The next chapter will be longer. Postpartum depression comes into play next.

[devotedlydarkstrawberry]

Cry for You AU Sinners Smoke and Annie One Shot

The quiet hum of the wheels of her luggage across their hardwood floor filled Smoke's ears. Inwardly, his stomach was tied into knots and he was in shambles. He could feel the palms of his hands begin to perspire and a dull ache throbbed between his brows.

"Annie," he gruffly said.

She turned and glanced back at him.

"Smoke. We already talked about this. I will only be gone for a few days. We're going to celebrate Pearline before her and Sammie get hitched baby."

"You can't reschedule?"

"Reschedule?" she said with a slight chuckle. "Baby you can't reschedule a bachelorette trip. Plus I know you and Stack have something wild planned for Sammie. Well more Stack that you but still..."

She leaned closer to give his a sweet kiss before she grabbed the handle of her luggage.

"I will see you in 3 days. The girls are outside waiting."

Outside of their home sat a Sprinter van with the bride to be donned with a crown and a sash. Spilling from the van, were Pearline's sisters, cousins and linesisters from her sorority in college. Their laughter and hoots could be heard down the entire street. They all cheered at the sight of Annie when the door of Smoke and Annie's home swung open.

Standing before them was Annie with one hand on her luggage and a brooding Smoke behind her who seemed to want to put an end to their shenanigans before they started.

"I got it," Smoke stated as he grabbed the handle of Annie's luggage. Although every fiber of his being was telling him to take the suitcase back in the house and unpack Annie's belongings, he begrudgingly wheeled her things to the Sprinter.

He turned to Annie looking side to side as if he wishing he could compel she to stay. She looked up at him with her beautiful dark doe eyes stepping closer.

"It won't be that bad baby. And I will see you when I get back."

Stepping on the tips of her toes, she pressed a kiss to his lips that he leaned in to extend as he slipped his arm around her waist.

"Alright you two lovebirds," Pearline said, "I promise we'll get her back to ya in one piece Smoke."

Smoke watched the rear lights of the Sprinter until he couldn't see them anymore.

Smoke turned and walked back into his home. He plopped down on the black leather sofa in his man cave with a cigar in one hand a beer in the other. His eyes watched the sweep of the hands of the clock as a basketball game played in the background. It had only been an hour and he was ready for Annie to come home. He felt like crying.

The ring of the doorbell broke him from his thoughts. Looking at his phone, he could see his twin and Sammie on his front porch. In their hands were bags from Smoke and Stack's favorite wing spot and cases of beer.

"Ay I know you see us," hollered Stack. Smoke didn't need this shit right now as he closed his eyes. He heard the front door slam and foot falls leading towards him. He peeked one eye open to see Sammie and Stack standing directly in front of him.

"I know you heard us. What ya doing round here all sad and shit?"

Smoke looked back at his twin and couldn't help but be annoyed.

"You know why."

"Aww shit man. Annie will be back in a few days. She's been gone less that two hours and you're already feeling it in ya chest?"

Normally Smoke didn't mind his brother poking fun but today he was over it.

"Look, Sammie you're sure you wanna do this?" Stack pointed back at his twin. "Look at him all lovesick. He can't breathe without her. You're sure you wanna do this with Pearline? You wanna be just as lovesick as him too?"

Hearts lit up in Sammie's eyes as he thought of Pearline.

"Yeah man and I can't wait."

"See that's what's wrong with yall asses now. Too damn in love."

"I can't wait until love catches your ass," said Sammie as he laughed while opening the tray of hot wings and grabbing a beer.

Smoke looked at Stack and Sammie and couldn't believe what was happening.

"Listen Smoke I know you miss Annie something serious right now cause I feel the same about Pearline but let's just have some beers and a few laughs aight."

Smoke didn't want to but he could never disappoint his favorite little cousin. Grabbing a crispy lemon pepper flat, he dunked it into blue cheese dressing and popped open another beer.

After a few hours of good food, jokes and even better company Smoke felt just a little bit lighter."

"Aight, now I know you missing Annie something serious and I wouldn't be your favorite brother if I didn't look out for ya."

Smoke glared at Stack and said. "You're my only brother."

"That's not the point. Anyways I got something for you."

"Better not be a motherfucking stripper like last time."

Stack's eyes widened. "Now I wouldn't do no shit like that...again." And he meant that. The last time Stack tried to cheer Smoke up when he and Annie broke up, he hired a stripper to brighten his spirit up or at least help him relieve some tension. Annie walked in on the stripper in the living room of the bachelor pad he shared with his brother as she rocked her hips to the sensual music that played. Luckily for Smoke, it was evident he had nothing to due with the stripper being in nothing but a g-string and pasties in their home. Annie threatened to have Stack hopping on his legs like a frog for the rest of his life if ever pulled some shit like that again. Stack knew Annie was serious as a heart attack and considering she was the woowoo lady everyone went to for their problems, he knew she could make it happen. And Smoke fell even deeper in love with Annie that day.

"Naw man. I got something even better."

Smoke raised his eyebrows at his brother.

"You know me and Pearline's linesister got a little situation going on. Well she told me exactly where they're staying and I know that they've been at the club for a few hours now."

Smoke continued to listen to his brother babble on hoping he would get to the part that would make him feel better fast.

"And if we leave right now, you can be waiting in the bed..."

Before Stack could even finish his statement, Smoke had already stood up and was headed out of the room.

"Where ya headed?," yelled Stack to Smoke's back as he threw his arms in the air.

Smoke looked over his shoulder and said, "I gotta get my keys. Let's go."

Sammie and Stack broke out into laughter watching Smoke move with a purpose. Sammie was right behind Smoke though because he was just as excited to see Pearline.

Slamming the door behind them, they hopped in Sammie's Suburban and headed for the airport.

A few hours later Annie was a giggling and stumbling mess as she fumbled with her hotel room key. She swung the door opened as she threw her stilettos off of her aching feet crossing the threshold. She gasped as she walked through her suite to find a sleeping Smoke on her bed.

She smiled to herself as she leaned over and kissed his cheek. She couldn't wait to get in bed and snuggle with her man.

------

I wanna thank Jodeci for this little one shot. I was cooking breakfast listening to Cry for You and this entire scene played in my mind. I felt like That's so Raven.

Anywhoo hope yall enjoy!

[moth2flamewriting]

OFFICIAL M2FW SINNERS MASTERLIST

ENTER AT YOU OWN RISK! Graphic CONTENT.

18+ MINORS DO NOT ENGAGE

Actively UPDATING! Enjoyyyyy some old works :)

-

Elijah ‘Smoke’ Moore x Annie Moore

Worker’s Comp

Put It Down Right (Teaser) TBA

Couple’s Therapy: 1, 2, 3, 4

Sit On It

Tell Him

Love Hate Thing

In My Feelings

Take It

Open Season: 1, 2

Precious Cargo: 1, 2

[kkbeauty86]

My First Love series

Chapter 4( pt.1)

“One Call Away”

It’s Sunday morning.

The house phone rings, breaking the silence.

Smoke groans and rolls over, blindly reaching across the nightstand until his hand finds the receiver.

He answers without even opening his eyes. “What it is?”

Stack’s voice comes through the other end. “Aye, me and Tobias finna pull up. Roll up.”

Smoke lets out a tired groan. He hasn’t even gotten out of bed yet. “Aight, bro.”

“Bet.”

The line goes dead.

Smoke tosses the phone back onto the cradle before dragging himself out of bed.

He walks into the living room, unlocks the front door, then grabs his rolling tray off the coffee table.

The TV flickers on as he settles onto the couch. He starts breaking the weed down, expertly rolling a blunt.

A few minutes later, Stack and Tobias walk right in like they own the place.

Tobias drops onto the couch. “What’s good, bro?”

Smoke doesn’t even look up. “Nothin’. Just woke up.”

Stack pulls a blunt from behind his ear, sparks it, and takes a long pull. “Nigga… I barely see yo’ ass anymore.”

Smoke chuckles. “Nigga, you know where I live. You should’ve been pulled up.”

Stack laughs. “Nigga, you just had to fuck shit up wit Monica. Now you can’t even come chill wit yo own bro.”

Smoke sucks his teeth. “I ain’t fuck shit up. She the one trippin’. I just been on some chill shit.”

Stack grins like he already knows better. “Nigga, no you haven’t.”

Smoke finally looks up.

Stack points the blunt toward him. “Monica came home yesterday yellin’ talkin’ ‘bout Shatara seen you at Skateland skatin’ wit some bitch… and y’all was kissin’ and shit.”

Smoke’s stomach instantly drops.

Damn. This is the last thing he needs.

He already knows exactly where this is headed. It isn’t even about the fact that he was with somebody else. It’s the fact that he hasn’t really been fucking with Monica lately.

And now she knows he was out in public with another woman. Kissing her.

Smoke rarely took women out.

If he dealt with somebody, he either pulled up to her place or she came to his. Between hustling and work, he never really cared about going on dates.

So why the hell did he kiss Annie in the middle of a skating rink? In front of everybody. That wasn’t even him.

But…He doesn’t regret it. Not even a little bit. If somebody gave him the chance to do it all over again…He’d kiss her the exact same way.

He still can’t get the feeling of her lips out of his mind.

Tobias laughs.

Smoke cuts his eyes at him before looking back at Stack. “Damn… people nosey as fuck.”

Stack passes the blunt to Tobias. “Man, you was out in public wit the shit. What you expect?”

“I expect people to mind they fuckin’ business. I don’t owe nobody shit.”

Tobias nods in agreement before passing the blunt to Smoke.

Smoke takes a slow pull.

“You know how girls be,” Tobias says. “Soon as you give ‘em some dick or some money, they think they own yo’ ass.”

Stack busts out laughing. “Facts. They don’t listen for shit.” He shakes his head. “I gotta admit though, bro… when Monica said you was kissin’ her in public…” He points at Smoke. “I ain’t believe that shit.”

Smoke simply stares back. Silent.

Stack’s grin slowly disappears. “Damn…” He leans forward. “You really was?”

Smoke shrugs. “Do it matter?”

“Nigga, hell yeah it matter!”

Stack throws both hands up.

“You ain’t never did no shit like that.”

He laughs. “This bitch must be cold.”

Smoke’s jaw immediately tightens.

“She not a bitch.” His voice comes out lower than before. “Watch yo’ mouth.”

Both Stack and Tobias look at him.

Stack’s eyebrows shoot up. “Nigga… what?” He points the blunt at Smoke. “Now you standin’ up for her too?” He laughs louder. “Her pussy must be gold.”

“Stack,” Tobias cuts in, “shut the fuck up.”

Stack looks over at him.

Tobias shrugs. “She is fine as fuck though.” He looks back at Smoke. “Leave the nigga alone.”

Now Smoke’s looking at Tobias sideways. Confused. Not just because Tobias defended him…But because he called Annie fine. Something about hearing another man say it rubs him the wrong way.

Tobias notices the look immediately. He laughs. “Don’t look at me like that, nigga.” He raises both hands. “I ain’t mean shit by it.”

Stack notices everything. “Ohhh…” He points back and forth between Smoke and Tobias. “Nah…”

He starts laughing even harder. “Whoever this girl is… “He points at Smoke. “She got you trippin’ already.”

Smoke rolls his eyes. “I ain’t trippin’.”

“The fuck you ain’t.” Stack grins. “And Tobias… Shatara said you was caked up wit her friend too.”

Tobias clicks his tongue. “Yeah… and?” I don’t owe nobody shit either.”

Stack throws his hands in the air. “Damn! So y’all just left a nigga out?” He starts laughing. “I know they got some more friends.” He points at Smoke. “Hook me up.”

Smoke shakes his head immediately. “Man, hell nah.” He laughs. “Don’t nobody wanna be caught up in yo’ drama.”

“Whatever.” Stack smirks. “Look like you in some drama now.”

“I ain’t into shit.” Smoke leans back on the couch. “Monica ain’t my baby mama or my girl.”

Stack nods slowly. “Yeah…” A grin creeps across his face. “Tell her that.”

Smoke sighs. The other women he’s dealt with never acted like this.

They understood exactly what it was.

If they saw him, they saw him. If they didn’t…They kept living.

But Monica…Somewhere along the line she’d started feeling entitled to him.

Maybe because he’d spent a little more time around her. Maybe because she lived with Stack. Either way…Smoke hated it.

He didn’t want any woman feeling like she had a claim on him.

Well…Almost none.

His thoughts drift back to Annie.

Oddly enough…If Annie ever acted a little jealous over him…He doesn’t think he’d mind. Matter of fact…He thinks he’d actually like it.

Smoke catches himself and quietly chuckles. “Damn…”

Stack immediately looks over. “What’s so funny?” He reaches toward Smoke. “And nigga… pass the blunt.”

Smoke hands it over. “Nothin’, nigga. Damn.”

Stack takes the blunt, side-eyeing him the whole time.

A slow grin spreads across his face.

“Nah…” He points at Smoke. “You smiling too much.”

Smoke frowns. “I always smile.”

“The fuck you do.” Stack laughs. “Nigga… you got that look.”

“What look?”

“The look a nigga get when he really fuck wit somebody.”

Smoke immediately shakes his head. “You sound dumb as hell.”

Stack and Tobias exchange a glance before busting into laughter.

Smoke just sucks his teeth and leans back into the couch. He can deny it all he wants.

But judging by the way his mind keeps drifting back to Annie…

Even he’s starting to wonder if his brother might be onto something.

🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇

Out south at Annie’s house, the cool Sunday morning breeze drifts through the open bedroom window, making the white curtains sway gently.

Bobby Jones Gospel plays quietly on BET in the background while the smell of breakfast floats through the house.

Annie sits cross legged on her bed while Rhonda and Devin lounge across it, making themselves right at home.

Devin grins. “So I hear y’all had a ball Friday with them fine ass niggas y’all met at the mall.” She points at Annie. “And I heard you was kissin’ Smoke and gave him yo’ number.”

Annie’s eyes immediately cut to Rhonda.

Rhonda busts out laughing. “My bad, Annie. It was too good not to tell. I had to.”

Annie sucks her teeth. “Damn. I can’t even tell my own business.”

“Nope,” Rhonda says with a shrug.

Devin leans in, smiling. “So… how was the kiss, Annie?”

Annie instantly blushes

Devin’s eyes get wide. “Damn… it was that good?”

Annie laughs and throws a pillow at her. “Shut up.”

Rhonda intercepts and catches the pillow before it hits Devin. “Uh-uh. Don’t avoid the question, Annie.” She points at her. “I wanna know too.”

Annie rolls her eyes before letting out a small sigh. “Truth is…” A smile slowly spreads across her face. “It was so damn good.” She shakes her head, almost laughing at herself. “Like… I can’t stop thinkin’ about it.”

Rhonda and Devin let out matching squeals.

“I know that’s right!” Devin says.

“Shit, I wouldn’t be able to either if I was you,” Rhonda adds. “Y’all was all into it too. I thought y’all was finna crash into somebody out there.”

Annie laughs. “I mean…” She shrugs. “I was a little lost in it. Not gonna lie.” She bites her lip for a second. “His lips are so soft.”

Rhonda dramatically fans herself. “Look at you bein’ fast.”

“Mhmm,” Devin agrees, laughing.

Annie shakes her head. “He kissed me first. I was not expectin’ that.”

Rhonda smirks. “So? You liked it.” She nudges Annie’s knee. “You just as guilty as him.” She tilts her head. “Now… has he called you yet?”

Annie sighs. “No… not yet.” She looks down at her hands. “And I’m so nervous, y’all.”

Devin furrows her brows. “Why? Y’all already broke the ice with the letters.”

“I know…” Annie smiles nervously. “But that don’t make me any less nervous.”

Devin laughs. “I gotta see this nigga.” She points between Annie and Rhonda. “He must be fine as hell for you to still be nervous.”

Rhonda doesn’t hesitate. “Oh, he is.” She nods confidently. “He fine as hell.” She looks at Devin. “Wait ’til you see him.”

Annie slowly turns and side eyes Rhonda. “Aye…” She points at her. “Watch it now.”

The words come out jokingly…But Annie feels a tiny pinch in her chest. It surprises her. Rhonda isn’t lying.

Smoke is fine. More than fine actually.

So why did hearing another woman say it bother her?

Rhonda notices Annie’s expression and laughs. “What, Annie? I ain’t blind.” She shrugs. “Tobias fine as hell too, though.”

Devin snaps her fingers. “I know that’s right.” Then she looks at Annie with a grin. “Claim yo’ man.”

Annie’s eyebrows shoot up. “That’s not my man.”

Devin laughs. “Shit… he might as well be.” She throws her hands up. “Y’all kissin’ and shit.”

“Shut up.” Annie throws another pillow, making all three of them bust into laughter.

After everyone settles down, Devin grins again. “Anyway…” She points between Annie and Rhonda. “When am I gon’ get to meet them? And when y’all gon’ hook me up with a brother or cousin or somethin’?”

Rhonda laughs. “Damn, girl. We still tryna get to know them ourselves.”

Annie cracks up.

Rhonda suddenly snaps her fingers. “Ooh! I wanna go to the And1 game at Kemper.” She points at Annie. “I’ma tell Tobias he and Smoke should go.” Then she smiles. “And Annie… you comin’.”

Annie shakes her head, already laughing. “You always plotting’.”

“Somebody gotta help y’all,” Rhonda says proudly.

Devin folds her arms. “Well damn. I don’t get no invite?”

Rhonda clicks her tongue. “You and Ebony can come too.”

Devin grins. “Oh, I’m comin’.”

She points at Rhonda. “And tell them to bring a brother or a friend.”

Rhonda nods. “Got you.”

Annie just shakes her head, smiling to herself.

She tries to act like all of Rhonda’s plotting is ridiculous…But deep down…She hopes Smoke says yes.

🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃

8:30 p.m. rolls around, and Smoke is just getting home from trapping.

He’s calling it an early night because he has plans.

He’s finally gonna call Annie.

He knows he can’t call her too late since she’s still in school and has to be up early in the morning. The thought makes him chuckle to himself.

He would’ve called her yesterday, but work kept him late. Brandon called out, leaving Smoke stuck breaking down the grill by himself before closing.

By the time he got home, it was too late.

Annie had been off yesterday anyway.

After taking a hot shower, he throws on a white T-shirt and a pair of gray basketball shorts before flopping onto his bed.

He reaches over to his nightstand, grabs his Nokia, and stares at it for a second.

A smile creeps onto his face.

Instead of calling right away, he decides to give her a heads up.

His thumbs move across the keypad.

Hey, it’s me, Smoke. I’m gettin’ ready to call.

He hits send.

Out south…

Annie is lying on her stomach across her bed, one foot kicking lazily in the air while she finishes her homework.

Her bedroom is quiet except for the soft hum of her ceiling fan and the scratch of her pencil across the paper.

Her Nokia suddenly vibrates against her comforter.

She reaches for it absentmindedly.

The second she reads the screen…

Her heart skips. Smoke.

A smile instantly spreads across her face.

Yes…She saved his number the very night he asked for hers.

Even though she’d never worked up the courage to call him herself.

Butterflies explode in her stomach.

He’s about to call. Her palms suddenly feel warm. She’s so nervous she almost feels sick.

Taking a deep breath, she types back carefully.

Okay. Call in ten minutes. My minutes are free.

She smiles to herself after pressing send.

One more minute and she would’ve been paying for that call.

Smoke’s phone buzzes almost immediately.

He reads her message and laughs, shaking his head.

He forgot all about free nights starting at nine.

He quickly replies.

Got you.

Then he sets his phone on the nightstand and glances at the clock.

Eight fifty. Only ten more minutes.

For some reason…

Those ten minutes suddenly feel like they’re taking forever.

Annie watches the clock on her nightstand. 8:58…8:59…9:00.

Her stomach twists into knots.

She wipes her sweaty palms against her pajama shorts.

Please don’t ring yet…

A second later… Her Nokia lights up and begins to ring. 9:01.

Her heart immediately starts pounding.

She stares at the screen for a moment. Smoke

She inhales slowly.

Okay, Annie… answer the phone.

She presses the button. “Hello?”

The second Smoke hears her voice, a smile spreads across his face.

Damn…She sounds even sweeter over the phone.

His heart gives a little flutter he wasn’t expecting. “Sup, Pretty Eyes?” he says with a grin. “Thought you wasn’t gon’ answer.”

Annie’s stomach flips all over again.

Lord…His voice sounds even better over the phone. Deep. Smooth.

She can practically hear the smile in it.

A nervous giggle slips out before she can stop it.

The sound pulls at something in Smoke’s chest.

He already likes making her laugh.

“Why you call me that?” she asks softly.

Smoke smiles. “Call you what?”

She smiles too. “Pretty Eyes.”

A quiet chuckle rumbles through the phone. “I call you that ‘cause yo’ eyes big and beautiful.” He pauses for a second. “Ain’t nobody ever told you that before?”

Annie feels warmth rush into her cheeks.

Thankfully…He can’t see her blushing.

She smiles to herself. “Not really.”

Smoke shakes his head. “Well…I’m tellin’ you now. And I’m gon’ keep tellin’ you.”

Annie bites the inside of her cheek to hide another smile. “Thank you.”

Smoke chuckles. “Ain’t no need to thank me. I’m just tellin’ the truth.”

Another soft giggle escapes her.

Smoke smiles to himself.

He could get used to hearing that.

“So…” He shifts against his headboard. “What you doin’?”

“I just finished doin’ some homework.”

Smoke lets out an amused laugh. “Oh… It’s been a minute since I heard somebody say that.”

Annie raises an eyebrow even though he can’t see it. “Oh?” She smiles. “Is that a bad thing?”

Smoke sucks his teeth. “Man, nah.” He laughs. “At least you actually do yo’ homework.”

That earns another laugh from Annie.

“Well, yeah. Of course. I’m not on the principal’s honor roll for nothin’.”

Smoke blinks. “Damn. So that mean you make straight A’s?”

A shy smile spreads across Annie’s face. “Mhmm.”

Smoke leans back against the headboard.

He honestly doesn’t know what to say for a second. Every time he learns something new about her… She impresses him even more. She isn’t just beautiful. She has goals. She works. She stays out of trouble.

And now…She makes straight A’s.

He shakes his head with a smile. “That’s dope, Annie.” His voice softens. “The more you tell me about yo self…The more I wanna know.”

“Thank you.” Annie smiles to herself before asking, “What school you graduate from?”

“I graduated from Central.”

“Oh.” She nods even though he can’t see her. “I got a couple cousins that go there.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. One’s a senior and one’s a sophomore.”

“That’s what’s up.” Smoke shifts against his headboard. “So what school you go to?”

“I go to Hickman Mills.” She pauses. “You know where that’s at?”

Smoke lets out a quiet laugh. “Of course. I know Kansas City like the back of my hand.”

Annie smiles to herself, feeling a little silly.

Of course he knew. She should’ve known better than to ask. “My bad,” she says with a little laugh. “Guess I ain’t think about that.”

Smoke chuckles. “What you apologizin’ for? You ain’t assume nothin’.” He pauses. “I like that.”

Annie’s cheeks warm.

She isn’t exactly sure how to respond to that.

The silence isn’t awkward anymore.

It’s… comfortable.

Smoke fills it without missing a beat.

“So you stay closer to Raytown?”

“Yeah. Off 87th.” She smiles. “Right across the street is considered Raytown.”

“Oh, I know exactly where that’s at.”

“Mhmm.” She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “So you stay in the city?”

“Yeah…”He laughs. “Somewhat.”

Annie grins. “Somewhat? What that mean?”

“I stay off Eastwood Trafficway.” He shrugs even though she can’t see him. “It ain’t deep in the city. It’s right off seventy one highway.”

“Ohhh. I get it.” She nods. “You grow up there?”

“Nah. I grew up in the Thirties.” He pauses. “You know where that’s at?”

“Nah.” She laughs softly. “I ain’t never been to the Thirties.”

Smoke raises an eyebrow. “For real?”

“For real.”

“Do you come to the city at all?”

“Not really.” She starts counting on her fingers. “Just to visit family… The Plaza… Crown Center… And Ward Parkway.”

Smoke laughs. A real laugh.

Annie smiles. “What?” She laughs too. “What’s funny?”

“My bad, lil’ mama.” Smoke shakes his head. “I don’t really consider none of that the city.” He grins. “I’m gon’ have to take you around and show you the city for real.”

Butterflies instantly fill Annie’s stomach. She can’t stop herself from smiling. “For real?” She leans back against her pillows.“Like where?”

Smoke starts naming places without even thinking. “Troost…Prospect…The Fifties… The Thirties…The West Bottoms….Parker Square…Wayne Minor.” He chuckles. “Both of them the projects, but they be lit in the daytime…And the food over there…” He kisses his teeth. “Man…It’s some good ass food in the city.”

“Oh yeah?” Annie asks. “Like where?”

“Humdingers.” He answers immediately. “Go Chicken Go.”

“I’ve had Go Chicken Go once…I liked it.”

Smoke laughs. “Yeah. They gizzards good as hell.”

“They are.” Annie laughs. “But we got good food out here too.”

“Oh yeah?” Smoke smiles. “Like what?”

“We got Godfather’s Pizza…Big T’s and Fish City.” She grins. “Godfather’s got the best pizza ever.”

Smoke nods. “I’ll give you Fish City. I ain’t never had Godfather’s though.”

Annie gasps dramatically. “You’ve never had Godfather’s?”

“Nah.”

“They really good. We eat it all the time.”

Smoke hums. “Hmm… I still think Santora’s got the best pizza around here.” He pauses just long enough for Annie to wonder where he’s going with it. “But…” His voice softens. “Maybe we can hit up Godfather’s one day…You can make a believer outta me.”

Annie’s heart skips. He’s already making plans. Not someday in theory.

One day. With her.

She smiles so hard her cheeks begin to hurt. “Okay.” It comes out barely above a whisper.

There’s a brief silence.

Not an awkward one.

Just long enough for Smoke to hear the hesitation in her voice.

He smiles to himself. “Annie.”

“Hmm?”

“You still scared of me?”

Annie opens her mouth.

Nothing comes out. She bites her lip instead.

Smoke chuckles softly. “It’s okay.” His voice is calm. “Be honest wit’ me.”

Annie lets out a quiet sigh. “…Yeah.” She closes her eyes. “I’m still very nervous.”

Smoke grunts. “Why?”

Annie fiddles with her comforter

“I told you.” She laughs nervously. “’Cause you look too good, Smoke…And you older.” She pauses. “I mean… Why me?”

Smoke shifts again against his headboard and chuckles. “Damn, Shorty. If you call me fine one more time, my head gon’ get big.”

That pulls a genuine laugh out of Annie. “Oh, please, Elijah.” She smiles. “Don’t act like women ain’t never called you fine.”

“I mean…”Smoke shrugs. “Yeah, they do. But…” His voice softens. “None of ’em ever made me feel like you do when they say it.”

Annie’s stomach flips so hard she has to press a hand against it.

She doesn’t know what to do with that.

Smoke continues before she can overthink it. “Stop askin’ why you, Annie.” He pauses. “Why not you?”

Another quiet silence settles between them. “I’m the one who’s nervous as hell.” He laughs at himself. “And I’m happy you even gave me the time of day.” His tone grows more sincere. “You different….You so pretty to me.” He smiles. “You one of the most beautiful women I ever laid my eyes on.” He pauses for a moment. “I know niggas tell you that shit all the time…Don’t they?”

Annie can’t stop smiling now. Her cheeks hurt. She can’t believe this man is really saying all of this to her.

Especially over the phone.

She lets out a shy laugh. “Um…I mean…Yeah.” She shrugs even though he can’t see it. “Dudes holler at me.They call me sexy. But…” She smiles to herself. “You know how high school boys are. They don’t compliment girls like that. They too busy tryna be hard and impress they friends.”

Smoke nods. “Yeah…But I’m a grown ass man, Annie. I’m not scared to say how I feel. I’m not ashamed to tell you how beautiful I think you are.” His voice remains steady. Honest. “And I ain’t tryna rush to take you out. I know we gotta take our time to get there.” He smiles. “But… Just so you know eventually…I wanna get to that point.”

Annie’s heart melts. Oh my God…

He’s saying all the right things.

She smiles into her pillow. “I know and I do too.”

Smoke smiles so hard his cheeks start hurting. “I’m gon’ be patient wit’ you…I promise.”

Another piece of Annie’s nervousness melts away. “Okay.”

Smoke can hear the difference in her voice now. She’s smiling.

“You feel a little better?”

Annie giggles. “Yeah. I do. Thank you.”

Smoke grins. “You welcome…” He pauses just long enough to tease her. “Annika.”

Annie’s mouth falls open. She starts laughing. “You really sayin’ my real name right now?”

“Hell yeah.”Smoke laughs with her. “You been usin’ mine.” He shrugs. “It’s only fair, right?”

Annie shakes her head, smiling so hard her cheeks ache. “Yes…” She laughs again. “Elijah.”

The way she says his name has him swooning. He doesn’t know why.

He just knows…He hopes she never stops saying it. “Good.”

Smoke glances at the clock on his nightstand. “Well… it’s gettin’ late. “I know you got school tomorrow…And work.”

Annie laughs. “How you know I got work tomorrow?”

Smoke grins. “Come on now.”

That answer makes Annie laugh even harder. The conversation has gone by so fast she hadn’t even realized what time it was. Truth be told…She doesn’t want it to end.

And if Smoke is being honest with himself…Neither does he.

A comfortable silence settles between them. Neither one feels the need to rush and fill it anymore.

Smoke breaks it first. “I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

The words come out before he can overthink them.

Annie smiles into her pillow. “I can’t wait to see you either.”

Smoke grins. “Good. Make sure you act like it too.”

Annie laughs. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what it mean.” He chuckles. “When you see me, you can at least speak to me.”

Annie shakes her head even though he can’t see her. “I mean…” She smiles. “You can speak too. Instead of just starin’.”

Smoke laughs. “I do be tryin’ to speak….You just be too busy lookin’ away from me…” He pauses. “You don’t even look at me long enough.”

Annie clicks her tongue. “I do look at you long enough.”

“Nah.” He laughs. “Not really, not as long as I want you to.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Hell yeah.”

She smiles, ready to argue back. “Don’t even try it, Elijah. You break eye contact first a lot of the time.” She laughs. “Admit it.”

Smoke lets out a chortle. “Aight…” He rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah… sometimes I do.” He pauses. “But that’s ’cause you got the type of eyes a nigga can get lost in.” His voice softens. “And I be tryna work. I can’t afford to get lost in ’em while we at work.” He smiles. “Now outside of work…That’s a different story. I got all the time in the world then.”

Annie presses her face into her pillow to hide the smile spreading across it.

Lord…She wishes there was some way to record this conversation so she could play it back whenever she wanted.

The amount of times he’d made her blush… Laugh… Smile… All in one phone call… She’d lost count. “Whatever, Elijah.”

Smoke’s smile drops “I’m serious though.”His voice grows quieter.

“So am I.” Annie answers softly.

Another comfortable silence falls between them.

Neither of them wants to be the one to say goodbye.

Finally…Smoke speaks. “Well, Pretty Eyes…I hope you have a good night.”

Annie smiles. “I hope you do too.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you then.”

For a second…Neither of them hangs up.

Almost like they’re both waiting on the other person to do it first.

Then…Click.

The line goes dead.

Smoke lays back against his pillow with a smile he can’t seem to wipe off his face. He hardly ever smiled before her but now it’s something he seems to do all of the time.

That conversation couldn’t have gone any better.

It started off with nervous laughs and awkward pauses…

But somewhere in the middle…

Everything just flowed.

Every time he made Annie laugh, something in his chest lit up.

He could practically picture her smiling on the other end of the phone.

He knew she was still nervous.

But by the end of the call…

He could hear her relaxing.

She wasn’t overthinking every word anymore.

She was simply…Talking to him.

He smiles to himself.

Annie is humble to a fault.

As beautiful as she is, she still questions why he’d want her.

He hates that.

Because if anybody deserves to know how special they are…It’s her.

He wants her to see herself the way he already does.

And if it’s up to him…

He’s gonna spend however long it takes showing her.

He laughs at himself again, he can’t believe he was already making plans to take her out. Smoke didn’t mean to scare her, it’s like he couldn’t help himself the words just tumbled out of his mouth so naturally, which is crazy because he didn’t even go out on dates but yet there he was jumping the gun and already telling her about places he wanted to go. For some reason she just had that effect on him.

Still smiling, Smoke closes his eyes.

For the first time in a long time…

He falls asleep thinking about one person.

Across the city, Annie lies on her stomach, hugging her pillow close to her chest.

The room is quiet now.

Only the soft hum of the ceiling fan fills the air.

She stares at the glow in the dark stars on her ceiling, replaying every part of their conversation. It wasn’t scary at all.

Not like she’d convinced herself it would be.

Instead…He made her feel comfortable. Safe. Like she didn’t have to pretend to be anybody but herself.

Every compliment he’d given her…

Every joke…

Every time he’d called her “Pretty Eyes…”

Every time he’d said her name…

She remembers all of it.

A smile slowly spreads across her face.

She’s already looking forward to talking to him again.

And maybe…Just maybe…He was right.

She needed to stop asking herself…

Why me? Maybe it was finally time to start believing she was enough.

With that thought warming her heart, Annie snuggles deeper beneath her blankets.

Still smiling…She slowly drifts off to sleep, wondering what tomorrow will bring.

✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️

The next morning at school, the hallways are already packed.

Lockers slam shut. Teachers stand in their doorways greeting students while conversations bounce off the cinderblock walls. The smell of cafeteria breakfast lingers in the air as students rush to beat the first bell.

Annie and Devin step through the front doors together.

Before they’ve even made it halfway down the hall, Devin nudges Annie with her elbow. “So…”

Annie already knows where this is going. She laughs. “Damn, Devin. We just stepped in the building. No time to waste, huh?”

“Girl, no. I’ve been waiting on this. Did he call you?”

Annie smiles to herself. “Yeah, girl… we talked.”

Devin squeals loud enough to make a few students turn around. “I knew it! So how’d it go?”

Annie can’t hide her smile. “It went really good.” She looks down for a second, remembering the night before. “I didn’t even wanna get off the phone.”

Devin grins. “Oooooh.”

“Mhmm” Annie grins “He said all the right things.”

Devin grabs Annie’s arm dramatically.

“You gon’ have to give me every single detail.”

Annie rolls her eyes. “I guess.”

“Don’t be like that, Annie.”

“Whatever.”

Still laughing, they stop in front of Annie’s locker.

She spins the combination and pulls the metal door open.

The moment it swings wide…

A folded piece of paper flutters to the floor. Annie’s smile disappears. Her stomach twists.

Devin looks down. “Oh hell…”

She already knows. “Don’t tell me Ryan wrote you another damn letter.”

Annie bends down and picks it up.

She doesn’t even have to unfold it.

She recognizes the handwriting immediately.

She sighs. “Yeah, girl.”

Devin throws her head back. “Oh my God. He is not giving up. I wish he would.”

“So do I.”

Annie stuffs the letter into her purse without opening it.

She slams her locker shut. “Come on.”

The two continue walking toward class.

By lunchtime, the cafeteria is buzzing.

Music leaks from somebody’s headphones.

A group of boys is arguing over basketball while someone nearby laughs so hard they nearly choke on their fries.

Annie sits down with Rhonda, Ebony, and Devin.

She hasn’t even opened her milk before Devin speaks. “So…”

Annie sighs. “What?”

“What’s the letter say?”

Ebony looks up. “What letter?”

Rhonda glances between them.

“From Smoke?”

Devin shakes her head. “Nah. Ryan’s weird ass.”

Rhonda immediately sucks her teeth.

“Oh, hell no.”

Ebony leans forward. “What’d he say?”

Annie shrugs. “I don’t know. I ain’t read it.”

Ebony blinks. “What? Why not?”

“Because I don’t care.”

Devin laughs. “Where the letter at? We reading it right now.”

Annie sighs dramatically. “I knew y’all wasn’t gon’ leave me alone.”

She reaches into her purse and hands it over.

Devin unfolds the paper.

She clears her throat dramatically. “Ahem.”

The girls laugh.

Then she begins reading.

Ann,

Skip all the formalities. What’s this shit I hear about you being at the skating rink with another dude? They said you was kissing him and everything. What the fuck is that? Ain’t no way you moved on that quick. That means he been around this whole time.

I ain’t dumb, and yet you mad at me about Dana while you was cheating the whole time? You a hypocrite.

Who he is, Ann? I wanna know.

It’s funny how all of a sudden you can get out the house for him but couldn’t make time for me.

What school the nigga go to?

When I find out who he is, it’s like that for him. We scrapping, and you better not get in the way.

—Ryan

Devin slowly folds the letter.

The table is quiet for exactly three seconds.

Then— “I know his light-skinned ass was red as hell while writing this.”

The whole table busts into laughter.

Rhonda wipes tears from the corners of her eyes. “He’s crazy”

Devin shakes her head. “He probably pressed so hard the pen almost ripped through the paper.”

More laughter.

Rhonda catches her breath.”Ryan really think he tough.”

Devin snorts. “He fake tough. He ain’t fighting shit.”

Rhonda grins. “Especially not Smoke.” She laughs. “He talmbout, ‘What school the nigga go to? If only he knew.”

The girls laugh all over again.

Annie shakes her head. “I swear…”

Once everyone settles down, Devin looks at Annie. “So how you feel?”

Annie sighs. “Honestly…” She shrugs. “I’m just annoyed. Why are people even telling him my business?”

As she says it, Ebony looks down at her tray. She suddenly becomes very interested in her fries. Guilt flashes across her face. Rhonda notices. She doesn’t say anything… But she definitely notices.

Ebony clears her throat. “So…You gonna write him back?”

Annie looks at her like she’s lost her mind “Hell no.”

“Why not?” Ebony asks. “He still fighting for you.”

Before Annie can answer, Rhonda jumps in. “I thought we already discussed this shit, Ebony.” She points across the table. “Annie got a real man now. He older. He make his own money. He got his own car. And he fine as hell.” She laughs. “No offense, Annie…But Ryan can’t compete with that.”

Ebony clicks her tongue. “I guess.”

Annie finally looks directly at her. Her expression hardens. “I’m gonna be honest. I don’t give a damn what you think or say about Ryan anymore. I’m done.” The words come out calm…But firm.

Ebony slowly raises her hands. “Okay, girl.”

The conversation moves on.

But Rhonda quietly studies Ebony from across the table.

Something about the way she’d defended Ryan…Again…Didn’t sit right with her.

A little while later…

The final bell rings.

Lockers slam shut all around the hallway as students flood toward the exits, laughing, talking, making plans.

Annie weaves through the crowd toward her locker. She’s already thinking about work. She still has to hurry home, change clothes, and make it to Red Lobster on time.

As she gets closer, something catches her eye. She slows. Then stops completely. Her stomach drops. Spray painted across the front of her locker in thick black letters is one word.

HOE

For a second…She can’t move.

She just stares.

Her throat tightens as she swallows hard.

“No…” She whispers.

Her eyes dart up and down the hallway. Students continue walking by. Nobody says anything. A few glance over. Some look away quickly. Others stare a little longer than they should.

Heat rushes into Annie’s face.

She already knows who did it—Ryan.

Who else would? Her jaw clenches.

Anger surges through her so fast it almost takes her breath away.

Are you serious?

She balls her hands into fists.

Part of her wants to march straight through the school and find him.

She wants to cuss him out.

Demand to know what gives him the right to humiliate her like this.

But she doesn’t have time. She has to be at work.

Instead, she steps closer to the locker.

Maybe… she can wipe it off.

She rubs at the paint with the sleeve of her jacket. Nothing.

She tries harder. The black paint only smears a little. It isn’t coming off.

Her heart sinks. “No… no…”

Students continue passing.

One boy nudges his friend and quietly points.

A couple of girls whisper to each other as they walk by.

Annie lowers her head. Her cheeks burn. Tears sting her eyes before she can stop them.

Not because she believes the word.

But because everyone else can see it.

Because now people are looking.

Wondering. Talking.

She blinks rapidly, refusing to let the tears fall.

“Don’t cry.”

“Don’t give anybody the satisfaction.”

She takes a shaky breath. Her mind races. Maybe the janitor can clean it tomorrow… No. Tomorrow is too late.

She can’t leave it there overnight.

She can’t come back in the morning and let the whole school see it.

That means…She’s going to be late for work.

The thought only frustrates her more.

Ryan didn’t just vandalize her locker.

He stole her time. Embarrassed her.

Made her day harder.

All because she refused to take him back. Annie closes her eyes for a second and exhales slowly.

Then squares her shoulders.

There’s only one thing she can do.

She turns away from the locker and starts walking toward the principal’s office. Her footsteps are quick.

Determined.

But each one feels heavier than the last.

Behind her…The word is still there.

Waiting. Mocking her.

And all Annie can think is…

Why won’t he just leave me alone?

🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀🦞🦀

It’s 4:00 p.m., and the dinner prep is in full swing at Red Lobster.

The kitchen hums with controlled chaos. Oil crackles in the fryers.

Steaks hiss as they hit the grill.

Someone calls out for more biscuits while another cook slides a rack of shrimp into the broiler.

Smoke works the line like he always does. Quick. Precise. Focused.

Or at least…He’s trying to be.

Every few minutes, his eyes drift toward the swinging kitchen doors.

Each time they push open, he instinctively looks up.

Every time…It’s somebody else.

A server. A busser. A manager.

Not Annie.

He checks the clock mounted above the ticket machine. 4:00.

His brow furrows.

She was supposed to be here at three.

Annie wasn’t the type to be late.

If anything, she usually showed up early.

He plates another order, but his mind isn’t on the food.mWhere the hell is she?

His thoughts start running.

Did I keep her up too late on the phone?

He immediately dismisses it.

Nah…They hadn’t even talked that long.

Maybe she didn’t go to school today.

Or maybe…Something happened.

That thought settles in his chest like a brick.

Without realizing it, he reaches into his pocket where his cell phone rests.

For a brief second…He thinks about calling her. Just one quick call.

Just to make sure she’s alright.

His thumb brushes the phone.

Then he stops himself.

Man… what are you doing?

He shakes his head. That’d be doing too much. They’d just started talking.

He had no right to be checking on her whereabouts. Still…The feeling wouldn’t leave. He couldn’t explain it.

He’d never found himself worrying over a woman like this before.

Especially one he’d only known for a little while.

He grabs another plate and slides vegetables into place.

The kitchen doors swing open again.

His eyes lift automatically.

This time…It’s her.

Relief washes over him so fast he almost laughs. There you are.

A smile starts to tug at the corner of his mouth.

Then…He really looks at her.

The smile disappears.

Something’s wrong. Very wrong.

She isn’t smiling.

She isn’t bouncing through the kitchen with that quiet little energy she always carries.

Her shoulders are slumped.

Her eyes stay fixed on the floor.

She doesn’t greet anyone.

Doesn’t glance toward the line.

Doesn’t even look his way.

She quietly hangs her jacket on the hook. Grabs her server book.

Then heads straight back onto the floor.

Smoke watches her until the kitchen doors close again.

His chest burns. She hadn’t even looked at him.

His mind immediately starts replaying the night before.

Did I say something wrong?

Did I move too fast?

Did I scare her off?

They’d left each other smiling.

Everything had been good.

So…What happened between last night and today?

Before he can talk himself out of it, Smoke wipes his hands on a towel and steps away from the line.

One of the cooks looks over.

“Where you goin’?”

“I’ll be back.”

Smoke pushes through the kitchen doors into the dining room.

He scans the restaurant.

Near the front entrance, he spots Annie.

She’s standing with her back to him, talking to Michelle.

Smoke slows his steps.

He isn’t trying to eavesdrop.

But Annie’s voice carries.

“…I’m so sorry I’m late.”

She sounds tired. “I had something bad happen at school, and I had to stay and take care of it.”

Smoke’s shoulders loosen just a little.

At least…It wasn’t because of him.

Michelle’s expression softens.

“It’s okay, Annie. Bryan already told me what happened. I’m so sorry that happened to you.”

Smoke’s ears perk up immediately.

His jaw tightens.

Something happened?

Michelle continues.

“You’re never late, so you’re good.”

Annie nods. “Thank you so much, Michelle.”

Michelle hesitates before asking,

“Do you know who did it?”

Annie lets out a quiet breath.

“Yeah. I do. I reported it to the principal.”

Michelle nods firmly. “Good.I hope whoever did it gets exactly the punishment they deserve.”

Smoke’s stomach knots.

So somebody really did hurt her.

His hands slowly curl into fists at his sides.

He doesn’t know what happened.

He doesn’t know who did it.

But just hearing that someone had done something to make Annie walk in looking that defeated…It makes something hot settle in his chest.

He turns without saying a word and heads back toward the kitchen.

The sizzling grills and shouted ticket times fade into the background.

His mind is somewhere else now.

Whoever did this…

His jaw flexes.

I need to find out what happened.

Because one thing is becoming painfully clear to him—When it came to Annie… He was already more protective than he probably had any business being.

A little while later, Annie pushes through the kitchen doors to pick up another order.

The kitchen is still loud.

The fryers hiss.

The grill crackles.

Cooks call out ticket times over one another while servers weave in and out of the narrow galley.

Normally, Annie would be smiling.

Tonight…She’s quiet.

She steps up to the window and waits for her food.

Smoke looks up from the line.

His eyes immediately find her.

She looks exhausted.

The brightness she usually carries is gone. Even her shoulders seem heavier.

He gives her a small nod.

Annie notices and quietly nods back.

No smile. No shy giggle.

No blushing before looking away.

Just…A nod.

Smoke’s chest tightens.

He catches her eyes for only a second, but that’s all he needs.

The hurt is still there.

Those big, pretty doe eyes that usually sparkled looked dull tonight.

He hates seeing them like that.

For a split second, he thinks about saying something. You alright?

What happened? Who did it?

Anything. But the words never leave his mouth.

The kitchen isn’t the place. They’re both working. People are everywhere.

So instead…He slides her plate through the window.

She quietly mouths, “Thank you.”

Smoke nods once. “You welcome.”

She picks up the plate and disappears back onto the floor.

His eyes follow the swinging kitchen doors long after she’s gone.

The rest of the night feels different.

Every now and then, Annie comes back into the kitchen.

Every now and then…Their eyes meet.

Just like always.

Only tonight…She never smiles.

She doesn’t laugh with Megan.

She doesn’t tease anybody.

She simply does her job.

Smoke notices every bit of it.

Each glance worries him a little more.

Whatever happened at school…It really got to her.

And not knowing what it was…

Is starting to bother him.

Closing time finally arrives.

The restaurant slowly empties.

Servers finish their side work while the kitchen begins breaking everything down.

Smoke is still in the back, scrubbing down the line.

The smell of bleach mixes with grilled seafood and grease as everyone gets ready to head home.

Out in the dining room, Annie quietly unties her apron.

Megan notices the expression on her face. “Girl…” She gently takes the silverware bucket from Annie.

“I’ll roll these.”

Annie looks surprised. “You sure?”

“Mhmm. You’ve helped me enough.”

She smiles warmly. “I got you tonight.”

Annie’s shoulders finally relax a little.

“Thank you.”

“Go home and get some rest.”

Annie smiles—a tiny one this time.

“Thanks, Megan.”

The two had become friends over the last few weeks.

Always helping each other when one needed it.

Tonight…Annie was the one who needed it.

She grabs her things and quietly leaves for the night.

About twenty minutes later…

Smoke finishes cleaning his station.

He washes his hands. Grabs his keys.

Then walks out into the dining room.

Almost instinctively…His eyes start searching. Near the hostess stand.

Nothing. Near the computers.

Nothing. The front windows.

Megan notices immediately.

A grin spreads across her face.

“Looking for Annie?”

Smoke slowly looks over at her.

He doesn’t answer. Doesn’t deny it either.

Megan laughs. “She already left.”

She gestures toward the bucket beside her. “I’m rolling her silverware.”

Smoke glances down at the bucket.

His stomach flutters. He’d missed her.

He didn’t even get to tell her goodnight.

Didn’t get to ask if she was okay.

Didn’t even get one of those quiet little smiles she always gave him before leaving.

He nods once. “Aight.”

Then he turns and heads for the door.

The drive home is quieter than usual.

The radio is on…But Smoke isn’t listening.

Streetlights blur past his windshield as he drives through the City.

His hands rest loosely on the steering wheel.

His mind…Is somewhere else.

All he can see is Annie’s face.

The way she’d walked into work.

Head down. Eyes tired. Not herself.

He thinks about what Annie said.

“Something bad happened at school.”

Then… “Do you know who did it?”

Somebody hurt her.

He just doesn’t know how.

Or why.

His jaw tightens. He wishes he’d asked. Wishes he’d found a moment to pull her aside.

Even if it was just for thirty seconds.

Instead…He let her go home carrying whatever was weighing on her.

Smoke sighs. “This shit ain’t sittin’ right wit me.” He mumbles

He drums his fingers against the steering wheel.

Normally he’d tell himself to mind his business. Normally he’d wait until tomorrow.

Normally…He wouldn’t be this worried about somebody he’d only known a short time.

But Annie wasn’t “normally.”

She’d become the first person he looked for when he walked into work.

The first person he noticed when she smiled. The first person he thought about when he woke up .

And apparently…The first person whose sadness followed him home.

By the time he pulls into his driveway…

He’s already made up his mind.

He cuts the engine.

Sits there for a second.

Then reaches for his phone.

He glances at the clock.

It’s late. Too late by most people’s standards.

He doesn’t care. If she’s asleep…She won’t answer.

If she’s awake…He wants to hear her voice.

He wants to know she’s alright.

He wants to know what happened.

Smoke finds Annie’s name.

His thumb hovers over the call button for only a second. Then he presses it.

He isn’t calling because he’s nosy.

He isn’t calling because he’s trying to be controlling.

He’s calling because all night…

He couldn’t shake the feeling that the girl who always made everyone else’s day a little brighter…

Needed somebody to check on hers…

Annie is lying across her bed in an oversized T-shirt, the see through corded house phone tucked between her shoulder and ear.

She’s on three way with Rhonda and Devin.

The bedroom is dark except for the glow of her bedside lamp. Every now and then, she absentmindedly traces circles on her comforter as they talk.

Rhonda lets out a long sigh.

“I’m sorry he did that shit, Annie.”

Devin clicks her tongue. “Yeah, that’s messed up.” She pauses before adding, “He a hoe for that. The nigga literally wrote exactly what he is on your locker.”

That earns a small laugh from Annie.

She shakes her head. “Ugh… I don’t even know what I was thinking ever being in a relationship with him.”

“Girl,” Rhonda says, “we live and learn. He just bitter. He so used to girls kissing his ass that he can’t handle somebody finally telling him no.”

Devin jumps in. “And you actually moved on.”

She laughs. “Meanwhile Dana’s desperate ass still over there with him…”

“…even though she got all them letters he been writing you.”

Annie sighs. “I know.”

She rolls onto her back and stares at the ceiling. “I just don’t know who he thinks I am.”

Devin sucks her teeth “He really thought spray-painting your locker was gon’ make you come back.”

Rhonda scoffs. “That shit don’t even make sense.”

Devin’s voice softens.

“So… what’d the principal say?”

Before Annie can answer—

Her cell phone lights up on the nightstand.

It begins to ring. Annie glances over.

Then her eyes go wide.

She sits straight up in bed. “Oh my God.”

“What?” Rhonda asks.

Annie grabs the phone. “It’s Smoke.”

Both girls squeal at the same time.

“Answer it!” Rhonda blurts out.

“Girl, hurry!” Devin says.

Annie laughs nervously. “My heart beating so fast.”

“Quit talking to us!” Rhonda laughs.

“Go answer the phone!”

“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Devin says.

Annie smiles. “Okay. Bye, y’all.”

She quickly hangs up the house phone and reaches for her cell.

Her fingers fumble as she goes to answer

The ringing stops. She freezes.

The screen goes dark.

“…No.”

She stares at it for another second.

“He hung up.”

On the other side of the city…

Smoke sits quietly in his truck, his phone still in his hand.

He looks at the screen for a long moment before letting out a slow breath.

“Maybe she sleep.”

He leans his head back against the seat.

“I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Smoke climbs out of his truck and starts toward his apartment.

The night air is cool, carrying the distant hum of traffic and music from somebody’s car down the block. His phone rests loosely in his hand as he climbs the stairs.

Meanwhile, Annie sits on the edge of her bed, staring at her cell.

Her thumb hovers over the call button.

She debates it for a few seconds.

Maybe he really thought she was asleep.

Maybe he only called to say goodnight.

Maybe calling back would make her look too eager.

Then she thinks about how disappointed she felt when the ringing stopped.

Annie takes a breath and presses call before she can change her mind.

Smoke’s phone rings just as he slides his key into the lock.

He glances down at the glowing screen.

Annie.

A slow smirk pulls at his mouth.

She called back. So she wasn’t asleep.

Smoke answers as he steps inside and closes the door behind him.

“Sup, pretty eyes?”

Annie’s stomach flips. “Hello, Elijah.”

His heart skips at the sound of his real name leaving her mouth. Soft. Sweet.

Like she’s already claimed the right to use it.

“I’m glad you called me back,” he says, locking the door. “My bad for calling this late. I really just wanted to talk to you.”

“It’s okay. I was on the phone anyway.”

Smoke’s ears perk up. His mind immediately takes him somewhere it has no business going.

Who the hell was she talking to this late?

Another dude?

The thought irritates him before he can stop it.

He pushes it away just as quickly.

“Oh.” He walks toward his bedroom. “I ain’t mean to cut yo conversation short.”

“No, it’s okay. It was just my friends. I talk to them all day, every day. I’ll see them at school tomorrow anyway.”

The tension leaves Smoke’s shoulders.

He nods to himself as if she can see him.

“Aight.” He enters his bedroom, kicks off his shoes, and stretches across the bed. “So…”

He settles the phone against his ear.

“How are you?”

“I’m…okay.”

Smoke’s brow furrows. There she goes.

Trying to be brave.

Trying to make everything sound fine when it clearly isn’t.

“Annika?”

Annie’s stomach tightens at the sound of her full name coming from him again.

“Hm?”

“You not okay.” His voice softens. “And I can tell.”

Annie doesn’t respond.

Smoke stares at the ceiling. “I don’t wanna pressure you into telling me what’s wrong. But I want you to know I’m here to listen.”

His thumb brushes slowly against the side of the phone. “I’m not gon judge you. I want you to feel like you can open up to me, even though we just gettin’ to know each other.”

Annie closes her eyes.

The sincerity in his voice makes her chest ache.

Most men didn’t want to hear women’s problems. They wanted the fun parts.

The smiles. The flirting. Not the hurt.

Not the messy parts.

But Smoke sounds like he really wants to know.

Annie exhales slowly. “No…” She swallows. “I’m not okay.”

Smoke sits up against the headboard. “Okay.” His voice remains calm. “Now we gettin’ somewhere. Talk to me.”

Silence settles over the line.

Smoke can hear her breathing.

He senses the hesitation immediately.

“Tell me what happened.” He pauses.

“Did somebody do somethin’ to you?”

“Yeah…”Annie’s voice is quiet “Somebody did.”

Smoke’s jaw tightens. “Okay. Who?”

Annie stares at the pattern on her comforter. “You sure you wanna know?”

Smoke chuckles softly, but there’s no humor in it. “Hell yeah.” His voice drops lower. “I wanna know everything when it comes to you.”

Annie’s heart flutters. She decides to be honest.

If they were trying to build something, she needed to feel comfortable opening up to him.

She just hadn’t expected drama to find them this soon. “You remember when I wrote you that poem and said the last guy I was with hurt me?”

Smoke’s expression hardens. “Yeah.”

“Well…” Annie pulls her knees to her chest.

“It was him.”

Smoke runs a hand down his face.

“Aight.” He forces himself to stay calm.

“What he do to you?”

Annie swallows hard. “When we were together, he cheated on me.”

Smoke says nothing, letting her continue.

“He’s a football player, and she’s a cheerleader. They kissed at camp.” Her voice grows tighter. “So I broke up with him.”

“Good,” Smoke says quietly.

Annie pauses. “But ever since I ended it, he refuses to let me move on.”

Smoke’s brows pull together.

“Even though he’s with the girl he cheated on me with.”

Smoke cuts in. “When you say he refuses to let you move on, what you mean?” His tone sharpens. “What’s he doin’?”

“He used to call me back-to-back.”

Annie looks toward her bedroom door, lowering her voice even though it’s closed. “The house phone and my cell. But he knows I won’t answer anymore, so he started slipping letters into my locker, begging me to take him back.”

Smoke’s grip tightens around the phone.

“I wrote him back one time and told him to stop. I told him I was done.”

“And he ain’t listen.” It isn’t a question.

“No.” Annie sighs. “At the last football game I went to, he begged me again. I refused, and I gave his girlfriend all the letters he’d written me.”

Smoke’s mouth twitches slightly.

He likes that. She stood on her decision.

“He stopped writing after that, but…”

Her voice trails off.

Smoke feels his agitation beginning to rise. One thing he couldn’t stand was a man refusing to respect a woman’s choice.

“But what?” He keeps his voice steady for her. “You doin’ good. I’m listenin’” He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You can tell me. What else did he do?”

“So…” Annie hesitates. “Somebody saw us at Skateland.”

Smoke’s jaw flexes.

He already knows where this is headed. He’s dealing with his own version of the same bullshit.

“They knew him,” Annie continues, “and went back and told him I was skating with you and that we were kissing.”

Smoke’s eyes narrow.

“So he wrote me this rude ass letter.”

“What he say?”

“He called me a hypocrite. Said I must’ve been cheating on him with you the whole time we were together.”

Smoke shakes his head slowly.

“He said I was no better than him.”

“That don’t even make sense.”

“I know.”

Annie’s voice trembles with frustration. “Then he started asking who you were and what school you went to.”

Smoke almost laughs. “What school I go to?”

“Yeah.”

Despite everything, Annie lets out a tiny laugh. “He said when he finds out who you are, he’s gonna fight you.”

Smoke leans back against the headboard.

A quiet hum leaves his chest.

Not because it’s funny.

But because the idea of some high school football player putting fear in him is ridiculous.

Smoke had been fighting his entire life.

He’d had to. Growing up where he did, weakness made you a target. Everybody in his neighborhood knew better than to try him or Stack.

Still, he doesn’t brag. Doesn’t laugh.

He knows Annie is upset, and the last thing she needs is him making light of it.

“Hm.” He keeps his voice calm. “What else he say?”

“That was the end of the letter.”

Smoke goes silent for a moment. Then asks, “That all that happened?”

Annie doesn’t answer.

Smoke’s eyes narrow.

He recognizes the silence now.

She’s holding something back.

And he knows for a fact there’s more.

He heard what Annie and Michelle said earlier.

Whatever kept her at school wasn’t just some letter.

“Annie.”

She closes her eyes.

Smoke’s tone softens, but there’s firmness underneath it. “Come on, lil mama.” He lowers his voice. “Don’t hide nothing from me.”

Annie’s fingers tighten around the phone.

“Don’t give me half truths. I know something else happened.” He pauses, allowing the weight of his words to settle. “Spill it.”

Annie lets out a slow breath. “So…” She stares down at the comforter beneath her fingers. “When I went to my locker after school…”

Her voice grows quieter. “…somebody had spray painted hoe across it. Big black letters.”

Smoke goes completely still.

“I tried to wipe it off…” She swallows hard. “It wouldn’t come off.” A lump forms in her throat. “I know it was him.” She shakes her head even though he can’t see her. “I ain’t got no enemies.”

For a split second…Smoke doesn’t say anything. Then he sits upright so fast the mattress creaks beneath him. “He did what?”

His voice is low. Controlled.

But there’s an edge to it Annie hasn’t heard before.

“He… spray painted hoe on my locker.”

Smoke’s free hand curls into a fist so tight his knuckles damn near turn white.

A hot wave of anger rolls through him.

So that’s why she’d walked into work looking like the light had been taken out of her.

That’s why she hadn’t smiled.

Why she barely spoke.

His chest tightens.

She had every right to feel hurt.

Humiliated.

Some coward ass nigga had publicly tried to shame her because she wouldn’t take him back.

Smoke slowly exhales through his nose.

He’d never understood niggas who couldn’t accept rejection.

If a woman said she was done…She was done.

That was it. Harassing her. Following her. Trying to embarrass her.

That shit wasn’t love. That was ego.

And it made his blood boil.

His voice stays calm. Too calm. “What’s his name?”

Annie’s eyebrows knit together. “…Ryan.” A moment passes. .”Why?”

Smoke stares at the wall. “What he look like?”

Annie’s stomach drops.

Now she understands where his questions are headed.

She sits up. “No, Elijah.”

Her voice is gentle but firm. “I don’t want any problems.”

Smoke rubs his jaw. “Oh, there ain’t no problems.”

The way he says it doesn’t reassure her. If anything…It worries her more.

Silence stretches between them.

Finally Annie speaks again.

“…Are you mad?”

Smoke lets out a humorless chuckle. “Truthfully?” He pauses. Nah…”

His jaw flexes. “I’m pissed.”

Annie’s heart flutters. Not because he’s angry. Because she can hear it.

Not anger directed at her…Anger for her.

Nobody had ever sounded protective over her like that before.

She lowers her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Smoke answers immediately.

“Nah.” His voice softens. “It ain’t you. Don’t apologize. You ain’t the one who did something wrong.”

Annie closes her eyes. “Okay.”

@lilbitt @lizbehave @myheartsaysyes @viciously-divine @girlmath101 @bananajoeclone @waitingtobreatheagain @xeebop @zunibugsiren @pastelprintessa

Part 2

[kkbeauty86]

My First Love Series

Chapter 4 (pt.2)

“One Call Away”

Smoke leans forward. “Listen to me.” His tone is steady now. “What he did says everything about him and nothing about you. You hear me?”

Annie nods before realizing he can’t see her. “…Yeah.”

“No.” Smoke says gently. “I need to hear you say it.”

She smiles faintly despite herself. “…I hear you.”

“Good.”

Another quiet settles over the line.

This one feels different. Not awkward.

Comfortable.

Smoke finally speaks again. “I hate that you had to go through that.” His voice is sincere. “And I hate even more that you had to carry it around by yo self all day. I want you to know…” Smoke pauses, choosing his words carefully. “I’m proud of you.”

Annie’s heart skips. “Proud?”

“Yeah.” His voice is steady. “For standin’ yo’ ground. For not lettin’ nobody guilt you into goin’ back on yo’ word.” He lets out a slow sigh. “That shit ain’t easy.”

Silence hangs between them for a moment. Smoke continues. “You way too beautiful inside and out to let a nigga disrespect you or play wit’ you.” His jaw tightens just thinking about it. “You deserve the moon, the stars, and the damn earth, Annie. If a nigga dumb enough to cheat on you…” He shakes his head. “…then he never deserved you in the first place.”

Annie feels tears prick at the corners of her eyes. Nobody has ever talked to her like this before. Not her parents. Not Ryan. Not anyone. Smoke isn’t just telling her what she wants to hear. He actually sounds…Upset for her.

“You need a man that’s gon’ value you. A man whose actions match the shit that come out his mouth. Cause words don’t mean nothin’ if the actions don’t line up.” He exhales. “His actions already told you everything you needed to know. That nigga ain’t value what he had.” His voice softens. “How long was y’all together?”

Annie’s stomach twists. “Ten months.” She looks down at the blanket. “…Thank you, Elijah.” Her voice is barely above a whisper.

Smoke nods even though she can’t see him. “I don’t ever wanna see you look like you did today.” He pauses. .”I like seein’ you smile.” A small smile spreads across his own face. “And if I can be one of the reasons behind it…” He chuckles quietly. .”I’d like that even more.”

Annie closes her eyes.

There he goes again. Saying exactly what her heart needs to hear.

She doesn’t understand how someone she’s only known a short time can make her feel so… seen.

She smiles. “Thank you. I wanna make you smile too.”

Smoke lets out a low laugh. “Shit…You already do.”

That pulls a genuine giggle from Annie. “Especially now that I know you got dimples.”

Smoke laughs. “Oh yeah?”

She smiles wider. “Yeah. You just keep gettin’ finer.”

Smoke sucks his teeth dramatically. “Here you go. Blowin my head up.”

“Mhmm.” she says while laughing

He shakes his head, smiling to himself.“It’s nice hearin’ you laugh.”

“Is it?”

“Hell yeah.” His answer comes without hesitation. “I’ma keep you laughin’.”

Annie smiles so hard her cheeks begin to ache. “Good.” She lets out a small breath. “I need to laugh.”

“I agree.”

A comfortable silence settles between them.

Smoke breaks it. . “Annie.”

“Hmm?”

“Can you do me a favor?”

“Sure.”

“If he do anything else…” His tone becomes serious again. “I need you to tell me.”

Annie nods instinctively before remembering he can’t see her. “Yeah. I will.”

“You promise?”

“Yes.”

Smoke smiles. “Nah. I want you to say it.”

Annie laughs softly. “I promise.”

“Good. ‘Cause I’m only one call away”Smoke finally relaxes. “Well… It’s gettin’ late. I hope tomorrow go a lil better for you.”

“Me too.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He smiles. “Have a good night, Pretty Eyes.”

A warmth spreads through Annie’s chest. “You have a good night too. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Neither of them hangs up. The line stays quiet.

Neither one wants to be the first to end the conversation.

Eventually…Smoke smiles to himself and finally presses the button.

The line goes dead.

Smoke lays back on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

His apartment is quiet except for the hum of the box fan in the corner.

He replays everything Annie told him.

Ryan. The cheating. The disrespect.

The tears she’d been trying so hard to hide.

Smoke clenches his jaw.

He didn’t tell Annie…But he isn’t lettin’ this shit slide.

He doesn’t know who Ryan is.

But he’s gonna find out. One way or another.

And if that nigga think he can keep disrespecting Annie or playin’ games with her feelings… He got another thing comin’.

He should’ve known or at least expected some nigga still lurking around. She’s too beautiful not to.

Smoke closes his eyes. She deserves peace. Real peace.

And for some reason…He suddenly feels responsible for protecting it.

That thought catches him off guard.

He frowns at the ceiling.

Since when did he start thinkin’ like this?

He’s never been the type to get wrapped up in one woman.

Hell…He never wanted to.

Never committed to anyone.

No feelings. No attachment. No problem.

But Annie…She isn’t like anybody else he’s ever dealt with.

The thought of another man hurting her makes something ugly twist inside his chest.

And the thought of someone else making her smile…He doesn’t even like that.

Smoke lets out a quiet laugh at himself. “Damn…” He rubs a hand down his face. “What the hell she doin’ to me?”

For the first time in his life…

The idea of holding onto one woman doesn’t feel like a burden.

It feels like a possibility.

🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆

The next day, Smoke is behind the wheel of his truck, headed to work.

The windows are cracked just enough to let the early fall air roll through as he cruises down the street.

His mind keeps drifting back to everything Annie told him the night before.

Ryan.

Smoke reaches for his Nokia and scrolls through his contacts.

He finds his cousin Nate’s number and hits call.

After a couple rings— “What’s poppin’?”

“Shit, mobbin’,” Smoke replies. “Aye…You know a nigga named Ryan that’s on the football team up at yo school?”

“Fasho. Everybody know that nigga. What’s good?”

Smoke’s grip tightens slightly on the steering wheel. “Shit… I got some static wit’ that nigga, and I need to handle that shit ASAP.”

“Damn. Y’all fonkin’?”

“Shit, hell yeah. I don’t even know that nigga…But it seem like he want it wit’ me. And you know me… I ain’t hidin’. I’m gon’ give him what he lookin’ for.”

Nate lets out a low chuckle. “Shit, I hear that. What you need?”

“I need you to point that nigga out to me.” Smoke glances in the rearview mirror before changing lanes. “I’m gon’ pop up in a few days when y’all get out. We gon’ post up… And you gon’ show me who he is.”

“Say no more. I got you.”

“Bet.”

“One.”

“One.”

The call ends.

Smoke tosses the phone onto the passenger seat and keeps driving.

His jaw stays set. He isn’t looking for trouble.

But if Ryan insists on bringing trouble to Annie…Smoke plans on making sure that shit ends.

♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️

It’s 2:50 p.m., and the kitchen is already coming alive.

The grills hiss as fresh burgers hit the flat top, grease popping against the hot steel. The smell of onions, garlic butter, and seasoning hangs thick in the air while tickets steadily begin feeding through the printer.

Smoke is setting up his station for the dinner rush.

A battered silver boombox sits on the prep table, blasting a G-Unit CD loud enough for the entire kitchen to hear.

“Wanna Get to Know You” fades out as Brandon stands beside him chopping tomatoes, rapping every word like he’s in the studio recording it.

Smoke just shakes his head with a grin while seasoning steaks.

Brandon glances over. “So…”

Smoke doesn’t look up. “So what?”

Brandon smirks. “What’s up wit you and Annie?”

Smoke’s hand pauses for the smallest second. “What?”

Brandon laughs. “Nigga, you heard me.”

He points the knife at Smoke.

“Don’t think we don’t be noticin’ yo’ ass back here.”

Smoke fights the smile trying to spread across his face.

He focuses on arranging chicken breasts on the grill instead. “Nothin’, nigga.” He waves him off. “Damn. Maybe if y’all stop watchin’ me and cook, we can get this food out faster.”

Jesse, working the fryers, laughs without even looking up.

Brandon sucks his teeth.

“Nigga, I’m fast.” He points at everybody. “Y’all can’t keep up.”

Smoke snorts. “Yeah aight.”

Just then…The back door swings open.

Smoke doesn’t even realize he’s looking until he’s already looking. Annie.

She steps inside wearing her server uniform, carrying her apron over one shoulder.

She hangs her jacket on the hook near the office before turning toward the line.

Her eyes immediately find Smoke.

Neither of them smiles right away.

She simply mouths…”Hello.”

Smoke can’t help the grin that spreads across his face.

He mouths back…”What’s up?”

She smiles to herself before disappearing into the dining room.

Brandon catches every bit of it. “Ohhh…”

Smoke ignores him. He keeps thinking about the way she just smiled at him.

About twenty minutes later…

Annie walks back into the kitchen to pick up one of her tables’ orders.

She waits patiently at the service line while Smoke works through the tickets.

Right then, the music changes.

The opening beat of G-Unit’s “Smile” fills the kitchen.

Smoke unconsciously starts nodding his head while calling out orders.

🎵 I wanna be the reason you smile…🎵

Brandon notices the timing and starts laughing under his breath.

Smoke ignores him.

Annie glances up. Their eyes meet.

Everything around them seems to quiet for just a second.

The printer still spits out tickets.

The fryer timer still beeps.

Servers still weave in and out of the kitchen.

But neither of them notices.

🎵 After you wipe away your tears and dry your eyes… 🎵

The lyrics hit differently after their conversation the night before.

Smoke finds himself wondering if she’s doing a little better today.

Annie smiles first.

Not the shy little smile she usually gives him. A real one. Warm.

Without thinking, Smoke smiles back.

His golds catch the fluorescent lights overhead.

🎵 Whenever I’m not around and you feelin’ down…Let the thought of me be… the reason you smile… 🎵

Annie’s stomach squeezes.

🎵 I don't wanna see you frown, like them kids watch a clown

I wanna bring you joy and be (be the reason you smile)

Baby, you know my style, you know how I get down

I provide by any means to be (be the reason you smile)🎵

Lord…Why he gotta smile like that?

Brandon looks between the two of them before letting out an exaggerated, “Mhmmm.”

The whole line hears him.

Smoke cuts his eyes sideways.

Brandon just keeps laughing.

Smoke shakes his head and goes back to plating Annie’s order.

He slides the finished plate through the service window…But doesn’t let go.

Annie reaches for it.

The second her fingers touch the edge…Smoke slowly slides it back toward himself.

A teasing grin spreads across his face.

Annie looks up at him.

Then she starts laughing. “What?”

Smoke leans against the line. “Say please.”

Annie blinks. “What?”

“You heard me.” He shrugs. “Say it. Or I ain’t givin’ it to you.”

Annie clicks her tongue, trying to look annoyed. It doesn’t work.

Her smile is way too big.

She lets out an exaggerated sigh.

“Pleeease…” She pauses just long enough to make him wait. “…Elijah.”

The second his real name leaves her mouth… Smoke’s chest tightens.

Damn. He likes hearing her say it way more than he should.

Trying not to smile too hard, he finally slides the plate back toward her.

Annie grabs it. She turns to leave.

Smoke calls after her. “No thank you?”

She glances back over her shoulder with that same mischievous grin.

“Uh-uh.” Then she walks away laughing.

Smoke watches her disappear through the swinging doors.

He shakes his head, chuckling quietly to himself.

Brandon immediately starts clowning.

“Ohhh…” He points toward the dining room. “So she can call you Elijah now?”

Jesse busts out laughing. “So that’s what we doin’?”

The entire line joins in.

Smoke just keeps smiling to himself while wiping down the counter. “Y’all worry ’bout these damn tickets.”

Brandon laughs even harder. “Nigga…You ain’t deny it.”

Smoke doesn’t answer.

He simply looks toward the swinging doors one more time, hoping Annie comes back through.

Standing a few feet away, Megan quietly watches the entire exchange while stocking salads.

She notices the smiles. The teasing.

The way Smoke’s whole demeanor changes whenever Annie walks into the kitchen.

A small smile tugs at her lips.

Well… That explains a lot.

Without saying a word, she grabs another tray and heads back to work, deciding she’d rather watch this play out than ask any questions.

🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃

Later that night, Smoke is stretched across his bed with one arm behind his head.

He stares at the ceiling for a minute before reaching over to the nightstand.

His hand wraps around the cordless house phone.

Without thinking, he dials Annie’s number. It’s crazy.

He’s only called it a few times

And somehow he already knows every digit by heart.

♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️

Across town, Annie has just stepped out of the shower.

The scent of cocoa butter fills her room as she towels off her damp curls.

She walks into her room and her cell phone rings on the bed.

She frowns. She doesn’t recognize the number. Her stomach knots. Ryan?

Surely…He ain’t that crazy.

She hesitates before finally answering. “Hello?” A pause. “Who is this?”

Smoke chuckles. “It’s me, Pretty Eyes.”

Annie’s eyebrows lift. “Oh.”

Smoke grins. “My bad. This my house phone. Save it in yo phone too.”

She smiles. “I will.”

“So…” Smoke settles deeper into his pillow. “What you doin’?”

“Just got out the shower.”

Smoke swallows. His mind immediately paints a picture he has no business picturing.

He clears his throat. “I see. So…Was yo day better today?”

Annie smiles. “Yeah… for the most part. How was yours?”

“Shit… My day was good.” He pauses.

“Especially ’cause I got to see you.”

Heat rushes into Annie’s cheeks.

“Elijah…” She laughs softly. “Stop playin’ with me.”

Smoke smiles to himself. “I’m not playin’.”

She bites her lip. “Do you talk to every girl like this?”

Smoke’s smile fades. “Nah. I don’t.”

Annie clicks her tongue. “Whatever, Elijah. I don’t believe that.”

Smoke lets out a quiet grunt. “One thing about me…I don’t lie. So when I say somethin’…I mean it.”

Annie hums softly.

But she doesn’t answer.

Smoke already knows why. “You don’t believe me… Do you?”

Annie sighs. “I don’t know. You seem too good to be true.”

Smoke smiles. “I’ll take that. But the same can be said about you.”

Annie shakes her head. “Nah. I don’t think so.”

His voice grows more serious. “Annika.”

“Hmm?”

“Stop doin’ that.”.

“Stop doin’ what?”

“Downplayin’ yo self. You say all these good things about everybody else..But when it come to you…You act like you don’t deserve none of it.”

His words catch Annie off guard.

She isn’t used to someone paying attention to the way she talks about herself. “Okay…”

She smiles. “But can I ask you somethin’?”

“Anything.”

She hesitates. “Why do you say all these nice things to me…And nobody else?”

Smoke is quiet for a moment.

Long enough to really think about it.

“The truth is…I don’t know.” He laughs softly. “It’s just… Somethin’ about you… You make me want to. I’m really just sayin’ how I feel.” He smiles. “I get happy when I talk to you…When I see you.”

Annie can’t stop smiling.

That answer feels…Real.

“I got another question.”

Smoke laughs. “I see you full of ’em today.”

She giggles. “I don’t have any girls I need to worry about… Right? No recent ex-girlfriends?”

Smoke grows thoughtful.

He knows this answer matters.

“No. I ain’t got no ex-girlfriends. I ain’t really done relationships as a grown man. I didn’t do ’em in high school neither.” He exhales. “Now… Do I mess around? The truth is…Yeah. I ain’t tied down to nobody. And I haven’t been.”

The smile slowly fades from Annie’s face.

Part of her is relieved. Another part…

Feels uneasy.

“Why haven’t you done a relationship? You a player or somethin’?”

Smoke laughs. A genuine laugh. “Nah. A playa lies. I don’t.” He shrugs. “Relationships just ain’t been my focus. I got dreams I’m chasin’. I got work. I got hustles. I always told women exactly what it was.”

Annie goes quiet. “…Oh.”

That’s it. Just… “Oh.”

Smoke immediately notices.

The warmth that had been in her voice moments ago…Is gone.

His stomach sinks.

Damn. I scared her.

“That’s it? No more questions?”

“No.”

He smiles to himself. “Don’t lie to me. If there’s somethin’ you wanna know…Ask.”

“I…”She stops herself.

Smoke closes his eyes.

He already knows. “You scared I just want one thing from you…Ain’t you?”

Silence.

Annie swallows. “…Yeah Smoke”

She notices she called him Smoke instead of Elijah. She hadn’t even realized it.

Smoke notices too.

And the distance in it makes something tighten in his chest.

Annie finally lets everything out.

“Growing up…My dad always told me a lotta men play games. They only want one thing.” She sighs. “Fine niggas like you… They always got a lotta women. That’s what I was afraid of. I don’t wanna be in the mix. I’m not that type of girl.”

Smoke shakes his head. “I know you ain’t.” His voice is gentle. “The only thing I want from you… Is to get to know you. I wanna see where this goes. You got my attention. Ain’t nobody else got it.” He pauses. “Right now…My life consist of work…Hustlin’… Chasin’ a dream and when I get done wit all that…” He smirks. “I come home… And call you.”

Annie feels her chest loosen.

“I hope me bein’ honest ain’t scare you. I just wanted to answer yo questions truthfully.”

A slow smile returns to Annie’s face. “Okay.”

“You good?”

“Yeah.” She laughs softly. “I’m good.”

Smoke finally exhales. “Good. ‘Cause I would’ve hated to mess this up.”

Annie’s heart melts a little. “You didn’t.”

He smiles. “Now…My turn.”

She giggles dramatically. “Oh Lord. What you wanna know?”

“Yo parents still together?”

“Mhmm.”

“How many siblings you got?”

“I got six.”

Smoke’s eyebrows shoot up. “Six?”

She laughs. “Yep.”

“Who the oldest?”

“Me.”

“Damn, Shorty. So you basically helpin’ raise all them.”

She laughs. “Unfortunately. I love ’em…But they bad as hell. What about you?”

“I got one brother.”

“Oh.”

Just then—Knock. Knock. “Hold on.”

She lays the phone on the bed.

Smoke listens without even pretending not to.

He hears Annie greet her mother.

Then hears every word about helping with her little sister’s hair. Helping her dad.

Her mom leaving for two weeks.

Helping Edward with the younger kids.

By the time the bedroom door closes again…

Smoke understands.

No wonder she always seems tired.

No wonder she carries herself the way she does. She’s been carrying everybody else for a long time.

Annie picks the phone back up. “Hello?”

“Yeah. I’m still here.”

She laughs. “You was eavesdroppin’?”

“Damn right.”

Annie busts into laughter. She covers her mouth. “Elijah…You a mess.”

“I know.” He grins. “You do a lot, huh?”

She sighs. “Yeah. I do. But enough about me.” She smiles. “Did Tobias ask you about the And1 game next weekend?”

“He did. We already got our tickets.”

His eyebrows lift. “What? You goin’ too?”

“Of course. I’ve been the last two years.”

Smoke laughs. “Damn. Me too. I’m surprised I ain’t never seen you.”

“I know, right?”

He smiles. “Well…I hope I see you this time.”

Annie grins. “You will.”

Smoke’s heart skips. “Oh yeah?”

“Mhmm.” She smiles to herself. “Just don’t be starin’ at me the whole time.”

Smoke laughs. “Shit… I ain’t makin’ no promises.”

Annie shakes her head, smiling. “I knew you was gon’ say that. And I already know you gon’ catch me lookin’ at you too.” She goes quiet for a second. “…Maybe.”

Smoke grins. “I’ll take a maybe.”

Another comfortable silence settles between them. Neither of them rushes to fill it.

Neither of them wants to hang up.

Smoke smiles into the receiver. “Guess I’ma have to give you another reason to smile tomorrow.”

Annie bites her lip. “I guess we’ll see.”

“You will.”

His confidence makes her laugh again.

“There go that laugh.” Smoke says softly. “Told you I was gon’ keep you laughin’.”

Annie smiles into the phone. “Good night, Elijah.”

His chest warms. “Good night, Pretty Eyes.”

This time…Neither of them hangs up right away. They simply stay on the line…

Smiling…

Listening to each other’s breathing…

Until one of them finally finds the strength to hang up.

🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇

It’s Wednesday evening of the following week

Smoke pulls into the parking lot at Hickman Mills just as football practice is letting out.

The sun hangs low in the sky, casting long shadows across the pavement.

Players spill out of the field house laughing, helmets tucked beneath their arms, shoulder pads still strapped on.

Smoke leans against the side of his truck with his arms folded across his chest.

His cousin had pointed Ryan out on Monday.

So today…There wouldn’t be any guessing.

A few minutes later, Ryan walks out in his practice uniform with Dana beside him.

Smoke pushes himself off the truck.

His expression never changes.

He walks straight toward them.

Ryan notices him first.

His conversation trails off.

Smoke sizes him up from head to toe.

Light-skinned. Lanky build. Fresh fade.

Handsome. He doesn’t look intimidating.

Dana’s eyes drift over Smoke for a second longer than she intends. He’s easily one of the finest men she’s ever seen.

Smoke stops a few feet away. “Aye…You Ryan?”

Ryan looks confused. “…Yeah. Why?”

Smoke nods once. “I heard you was lookin’ for me.”

Ryan frowns. “I don’t even know you.”

“You right. You don’t.” Smoke’s eyes harden. “But I heard you wanted to fight the nigga that kissed Annie.” He points to himself. “That’s me. Smoke” A moment passes. “So… What’s up? I’m here.”

Ryan blinks. His eyes flick toward Dana before landing back on Smoke.

Dana folds her arms. “What the hell he talkin’ about?”

Ryan shakes his head a little too quickly.

“I don’t know.”

Smoke lets out a humorless laugh. “Nah. You know exactly what I’m talkin’ about. You wrote Annie that disrespectful ass letter. Cryin’ like a bitch ‘cause you finally realized she wasn’t comin’ back. And at the end of it…You said you wanted to fight me.”Smoke shrugs. “So I figured I’d save you the trouble of wonderin’ where to find me. I’m here to see if you really about what you said in that letter. Nigga you know we from the show me state. I don’t play around wit threats. I really will take it how far you wanna go.”

Ryan’s face tightens. “She lyin’.”

Smoke stares at him.

Expressionless. “Oh…So now she lyin’.” He tilts his head. “So you ain’t spray paint ‘hoe’ on her locker either?”

Ryan’s eyes dart away for the briefest second.

Dana notices. Her eyebrows knit together. “Wait…That was you?”

Ryan looks at her immediately. “Nah. It wasn’t me.”

Dana doesn’t look convinced.

Smoke shakes his head slowly. “I figured this was how it was gon’ go. I knew you was gon’ bitch up.” He steps a little closer. Not aggressively. Just enough that Ryan has to look at him. “You real loud when it’s a woman. But when it’s time to stand on what you said…when it comes to a man, you real quiet.”

He lets the sentence hang.

Ryan swallows.

Smoke steps directly into his face.

Damn near nose to nose.

Smoke’s voice stays calm. Almost too calm.“Listen to me. Leave Annie the fuck alone. No more letters. No more calls. No more embarrassin’ her. No more games. She’s made it clear she’s done…if she tells me you’ve done any of the sort…Then I’m makin’ a trip back up here and we gon’ make them words you put in that letter come to fruition my nigga.”

Ryan doesn’t answer. He can’t.

The confidence he’d carried walking out of practice is completely gone.

He never expected the guy Annie kissed to actually show up.

Much less stand in front of him this calmly.

Or make it this clear that Annie wasn’t dealing with everything by herself anymore.

Smoke holds his gaze for another long moment.

He sees nothing but fear in his eyes.

Ryan can’t meet his eyes for more than a second before looking away.

Smoke gives a small shake of his head.

“That’s what I thought.”

He turns and walks back toward his truck without another word.

Dana watches him leave before slowly looking back at Ryan.

Disappointment is written all over her face.

Ryan remains rooted to the pavement.

His heart still racing.

For the first time…It really sinks in.

Annie had really moved on.

And whoever “Smoke” was…

He wasn’t a man Ryan was eager to cross again.

✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚✏️📚

The next day after school, Annie is in the newspaper room with Ebony, putting the finishing touches on an article before the next edition goes to print.

The room is quiet except for the tapping of keyboards and the hum of the computers.

Annie rereads her last paragraph, making a few edits before saving her work.

Ebony suddenly leans over. “Girl…Guess what?”

Annie glances up from the screen. “What?”

Ebony grins. “I heard yo’ nigga Smoke came up here yesterday and checked the fuck outta Ryan.”

Annie’s fingers freeze on the keyboard.

Her stomach drops. “What?”

“Mhmm.” Ebony nods enthusiastically.

“Girl, had that nigga shook.”

Annie blinks a few times, trying to process what she just heard. “How you find this out?”

“Shit,” Ebony says with a laugh. “Dana was there and you know she went and told her little friends. They couldn’t hold water if they was a bucket.”

Annie leans back in her chair.

Her mind immediately starts racing.

Elijah…He actually came up here?

A part of her is shocked.

Another part…Can’t stop thinking about the promise he’d made over the phone. “If he do anything else… I need you to tell me.”

He’d never told her what he planned to do with that information.

She isn’t sure whether she should be flattered…Or upset.

She’s never had a man stand up for her like that before.

Usually, people expected her to deal with everything herself.

To ignore it. To move on.

Instead…Smoke had listened.

And then he did something about it.

Ebony snaps her out of her thoughts.

“You knew he was comin’ up here?”

Annie quickly shakes her head. “No, girl. As a matter of fact, I told him I ain’t want no problems.” She pauses before asking, “Do you know what he said to Ryan?”

Ebony nods. “Apparently he told him to leave you alone…And if he didn’t stop…He was gon’ come back up here and beat his ass.” She shrugs. “In so many words.”

Annie lowers her eyes to the desk.

Before she can stop it…A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.

Ebony catches it immediately.

She points at her. “Hold up. You actually like that shit?”

Annie tries to hide it. She can’t.

A laugh slips out instead.

“Actually…” She smiles. “I do.”

She shrugs. “I mean…Ryan disrespectful as hell. What he did was bullshit.” Her smile softens. “I just…” She exhales. “I hope he finally leaves me alone now.”

Ebony nods slowly. “I guess.”

Annie’s smile fades. She turns fully toward her. “Ebony…I don’t know what the fuck yo’ problem is. Ever since me and Ryan broke up, you been on some weird shit whenever Smoke come up.”

She shakes her head. “As my friend You supposed to be on my side.” Her voice isn’t loud. But it’s firm. “Ryan the one who hurt me. Not the other way around.”

Ebony immediately drops her eyes.

She sighs. “You right. My bad.”

She rubs the back of her neck.

“I am on your side. I just…” She shakes her head. “I really loved y’all together. I guess I kept hopin’ he’d get his shit together.” She looks back at Annie. “But he didn’t. And that ain’t fair to you. I’m sorry. I have been trippin’. I promise I’ma do better. I’ma support you.”

Annie studies her friend’s face for a long moment.

She can hear the sincerity in her voice. Slowly… She nods. “Okay.”

She decides to believe her.

Still…As she turns back toward her computer, her thoughts drift to Smoke.

She can almost picture him standing outside the school, calm as ever, confronting Ryan without ever telling her beforehand.

Part of her wants to fuss at him for taking matters into his own hands.

The other part…The part she’d never admit out loud…Feels something warm bloom inside her chest.

For the first time in her life…

She knows what it feels like to have someone stand beside her instead of expecting her to stand alone.

🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃

Later that night, Smoke and Annie are on the phone again.

At this point, it’s become a routine.

Every night around the same time, Smoke calls her.

Neither one says it out loud…

But both of them look forward to it all day.

Smoke is lying across his bed with one arm behind his head, absently spinning a pen between his fingers.

Annie is curled up beneath her comforter, her homework already finished.

The conversation slows for a moment. “Elijah?”

Smoke immediately smirks. “Uh-oh. What’s up? I know that tone.”

Annie giggles. “Mhmm…” She lets the silence build for another second. “Did you come up to my school to check Ryan?”

Smoke stills. His pen stops spinning.

So the bitch-ass nigga snitched.

He lets out a quiet breath. “Yeah. I did.”

Annie groans dramatically. “Elijah…I said I ain’t want any problems.”

“I know.” His voice stays calm. “And neither did I. That’s exactly why I went up there. I needed to make sure he ain’t have a problem wit’ me…” He pauses. “Or you… And he don’t. He ain’t gon’ bother you no more.”

Annie shakes her head even though he can’t see it. A smile slowly spreads across her face.

She honestly doesn’t know what to do with this man.

He hears one thing…Then goes and handles it.

“You somethin’ else.” She laughs. “I don’t even know what to say.”

Smoke chuckles. “Say thank you.”

Annie’s mouth falls open. “What?”

“You heard me, Shorty.”

She laughs harder. “Uh-uh, Big Head. I’m not.”

Smoke sucks his teeth. “Oh yeah? Aight. See if I do anything else for you.”

Annie clicks her tongue. “You will.”

Smoke laughs. “Oh yeah?”

“I love yo confidence.” He smiles to himself. “That’s the Annie I love to see.”

His words hit her square in the chest.

She doesn’t even realize she’s smiling until her cheeks start hurting.

All she can do is let out a little sigh.

Smoke smiles, hearing it through the phone. “I wish you worked today.”

Annie raises an eyebrow. “Why?”

“’Cause…I miss seein’ that pretty ass smile. And them bright eyes.” He pauses. “I wish you worked every day, truthfully.”

Annie laughs. “Oh…So you want me to be a slave?”

Smoke laughs with her. “Nah. Never that. I just need you to bless my eyes.”

Annie shakes her head, smiling.

“Elijah…There’s plenty of other women in there to do that.”

Smoke laughs. A real laugh.

The kind that comes from his stomach. “You funny as hell. I like that.”

Now Annie’s laughing too. “What? What’s funny?”

“Yo ass.”

She smiles. “I was serious.”

“Nah. You wasn’t. You know better.”

She narrows her eyes. “What do I know?”

Smoke grins. “You know I ain’t even know no other women worked there besides you.”

Annie’s cheeks instantly warm. “Oh yeah?”

“Hell yeah. That’s news to me. I’m just findin’ that out right now.”

Annie throws her head back laughing.

“Well played, Smoke.”

Smoke points toward the phone like she can see him. “It’s Elijah to you. Watch it.”

Annie bites her lip to stop another smile.

“Oh…My bad… Elijah.”

“There you go.” Smoke nods proudly. “That’s better…Annika. So…You got yo fit for Saturday?”

“Of course.”

Smoke hums in approval. “I can’t wait to see it.”

“Is that right?”

“Fasho. I love the way you dress.”

Annie blinks. “You do?”

“Most definitely. I love seein’ you outside them work clothes. I ain’t gon’ lie…You got style lil mama.”

Annie laughs softly. “Elijah…See? You be talkin’ about I be blowin’ yo head up. You blow mine up.”

Smoke lets out a chortle. “I’m just speakin’ the truth.”

“If you say so.” She smiles to herself. “Truth is…I love the way you dress too. I be speechless every time I see you.”

Smoke smirks. “I can tell.”

Annie clicks her tongue. “How?”

“I see the way you be lookin’.” He laughs. “You be lookin’ like you wanna pass out.”

Annie cackles so hard she has to pull the phone away from her ear.”Oh, whatever, Big Head.”

Smoke laughs right along with her.

“I ain’t lyin’. You just don’t realize yo face be tellin’ on you.”

“I do not.”

“You do.”

“I don’t.”

“You do.”

She smiles. “Agree to disagree.”

Smoke grins. “I’ma let you have this one.”

Just then, there’s a knock at Annie’s bedroom door before it slowly opens.

Edward sticks his head inside.

“Damn. You still on the phone?”

Annie nods. “Mhmm.”

Edward notices the smile stretched across her face. A slow grin spreads across his own. “Yeah…I can tell.”

Annie immediately rolls her eyes. “Boy, what?”

Edward folds his arms.

“Ain’t never seen you smile this damn much.” He glances at the phone. “That’s Smoke, ain’t it?”

Annie’s cheeks instantly turn pink. “Mind yo business.”

Edward laughs. “Nah. I’m just sayin’…My sister over here cheesin’ hard as hell. I know it’s serious.”

Annie throws a pillow at him. “Get out!”

Edward catches it, laughing.

“Aight, aight.” He points toward the phone.

“Tell Romeo I said what’s up.”

Annie groans. “Oh my God…Ed!”

He laughs all the way down the hallway.

Smoke heard every bit of it. He can’t stop smiling. “So…” He chuckles. “Romeo, huh?”

Annie buries her face in her pillow. “Don’t start.”

Smoke laughs. I ain’t say nothin’.”

“You was finna.”

“I was thinkin’ about it.”

She shakes her head. “You terrible.”

“I know.” He smiles. “I’ll let you get back to yo family. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow too.”

“Goodnight, Pretty Eyes.” His voice softens just enough to make her stomach flutter. “

Goodnight…” She smiles. “Elijah.”

Neither of them says anything for another second.

Neither of them wants to hang up.

Finally…

Smoke smiles to himself. “Sweet dreams, Annika.”

Annie’s heart does that little flip it always does when he says her name. “You too.”

Click.

Even after the line goes dead…

Both of them are still smiling.

Part 3

[kkbeauty86]

My First Love Series

Chapter 4 (pt.3)

“One Call Away”

The next evening, the dinner rush is finally winding down.

The kitchen smells of butter, grilled steak, garlic, and fresh biscuits. The constant hiss of the flat top has settled into a steady rhythm, and the printer that had been spitting tickets nonstop all night finally grows quiet.

The silver boombox sits on the prep counter.

Quiet Storm fills the kitchen.

Then Dru Hill’s “Beauty” comes on.

Smoke smiles to himself as he wipes down the stainless-steel counter.

🎵 Walks by me every day…

Her and love are the same…

The woman that’s stolen my heart…

And beauty is her name… 🎵

Right on cue…The kitchen doors swing open. Annie.

Smoke looks up instinctively.

Their eyes meet. Almost immediately.

Neither of them looks away.

🎵 I’m hoping I can make you mine…

’Fore another man steals your heart… And once your beauty is mine

I swear we will never be apart🎵

Annie walks toward the service window with her ticket in hand.

She stops in front of the line.

A small smile finds her lips.

Smoke can’t help but smile back.

For a moment…Everything else fades.

The sizzling grills. The clatter of pans.

The conversations around them.

It’s just…Her. Her smile.

Those bright eyes looking back at him.

He swears she’s like a magnet.

Every time she walks into the kitchen…His eyes find her before he even realizes he’s looking.

🎵 ’Cause my eyes have seen the glory…In the coming of your smile… 🎵

Annie feels those familiar butterflies dance in her stomach.

She knows she’s staring.

She also knows…She doesn’t want to stop.

Neither of them breaks eye contact.

It almost turns into a silent challenge.

You look away.

No… you.

Across the galley, Lindsey notices.

She pauses with a tray in her hands.

Instead of interrupting…She watches.

Curious to see just how long they’re going to keep looking at each other.

Brandon notices too. He smirks to himself.

🎵 You are so beautiful…When I'm down and out (When I'm down) I never seem to get tired... (Tired of your love, ooh, tired of your love) of your love…You’re wonderful. I'm just dying to make you see Anything you want inside your heart (You can find right here inside of me)🎵

Smoke’s lips slowly curl into a grin.

Annie’s heart flips.

“Aye…” Brandon laughs. “You gon’ plate her food or not?”

Smoke blinks, finally pulled back into the kitchen around him.

He chuckles under his breath and starts plating the order.

Annie laughs quietly to herself.

Lindsey catches the smile.

Something about the way they look at each other makes her chest tighten.

She’d worked to break his walls down and still nothing.

He’d barely spoken more than a few words to her. He barely laughed or smiled at all.

Yet with Annie…He smiled. He teased.

He laughed. Like it came naturally.

Smoke slides Annie’s plates across the window…But leaves both hands resting on the edge of them.

Annie looks down. Then back up at him. She smiles.

This time…She doesn’t even try to grab them.

“You not gon’ take yo’ food?” Smoke asks with a grin.

Annie shakes her head. “Uh-uh. Take your hands off of it.”

Smoke raises an eyebrow. “Not till I hear that magic word leave them lips.”

Annie plants a hand on her hip.

A playful smile spreads across her face. “You don’t make nobody else say please.”

Smoke chuckles. “Here you go wit that shit. I don’t care about nobody else.” His eyes stay locked on hers. “Now say it…’Fore you keep that table waitin’.”

The words hit Annie harder than he probably intended.

I don’t care about nobody else.

Heat creeps into her cheeks.

Lindsey notices. She rolls her eyes.

Annie reaches for the plates anyway.

Smoke slides them back just enough that she misses.

She busts into laughter. “Oh my God…”

She rises onto her tiptoes, trying again.

Smoke laughs and lifts the plates just a little higher.

“Elijah…” Her tone is half warning…Half amused.

He grins. “Say it.”

She folds her arms dramatically. “Please.”

A satisfied smile spreads across Smoke’s face. “There you go. See? Was that so hard?”

Annie shakes her head. “Smoke…”

A smile slips through anyway. “Give me my food before I come around there and get it myself.”

Smoke laughs. “That a promise?”

She points at him. “No. It’s a threat.”

Both of them laugh.

Lindsey finally exhales loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Can I get my food too?”

The playful moment breaks.

Smoke immediately slides Annie’s plates the rest of the way to her.

She takes them with a grin. “’Bout time, Big Head.”

She hurries back toward the dining room.

Smoke watches her disappear through the swinging doors for just a second before returning his attention to the line.

He finishes Lindsey’s order and slides it across. Silently

Lindsey takes the plate. “Thanks.”

Her tone is polite.

Smoke simply nods and goes back to wiping down his station, while Brandon watches the whole exchange with an amused shake of his head.

He doesn’t say a word.

He doesn’t have to.

Everybody on the line can already see it.

Whatever was growing between Smoke and Annie…It wasn’t hard to miss anymore.

🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇

Saturday finally rolls around.

Devin is behind the wheel of her mama’s Malibu while Ebony rides shotgun. Annie and Rhonda are in the backseat.

The car smells like vanilla body spray, cocoa butter, and Bath & Body Works lotion. Ashanti plays softly through the speakers while all four girls sing along between conversations.

Devin glances into the rearview mirror at Annie and Rhonda. “So…Did y’all tell them to bring some friends or family?”

Rhonda groans dramatically. “Yes, girl! Damn. How many times you gon’ ask?”

Annie laughs. “Devin, watch the road.”

Ebony cracks up in the passenger seat.

Rhonda shakes her head. “You ’bout to kill us ’cause you too eager to meet some niggas.”

The whole car erupts in laughter.

Tonight, every last one of them came dressed to impress. Lip gloss shining.

Fresh roller sets and wraps.

Perfume lingering in the air every time somebody moved.

They finally pull into Kemper Arena.

The parking lot is already overflowing with cars.

Music blasts from open windows.

People laugh across the lot.

Groups of friends make their way toward the entrance wearing oversized jerseys, throwback tees, fitted caps, baggy jeans, Apple Bottoms, and matching Air Force 1s.

The girls climb out.

Devin slowly scans the crowd. “Damn…This game always bring the fine niggas out.”

Rhonda nods in agreement. “Hell yeah. I’m scoutin’ tonight.”

Annie laughs. “What about Tobias?”

Rhonda waves her off. “Girl, what about him? We just talkin’. He ain’t my man.”

Ebony laughs. “You always do the most.”

Devin shrugs proudly. “I’m supposed to.”

All four girls laugh as they join the long line wrapping around the arena.

Inside…The arena is alive.

Bass rattles through the speakers.

The smell of popcorn, nachos, hot dogs, and pretzels fills the air.

Thousands of people buzz with excitement while the players warm up below.

The girls finally find their seats.

Ebony sits closest to the stairs.

Next to her is Devin. Then Rhonda.

Annie takes the seat further in the aisle.

She points toward the floor. “There go Hot Sauce!”

Rhonda practically jumps. “He fine as hell!”

Devin laughs. “I came here just for him.”

Ebony shoves her shoulder. “Shut up!”

They all busts into laughter.

Just then…Kevion and a couple of his friends walk in two rows below them.

“Kevion!” Devin yells.

He turns around instantly. “Aww shit! There go trouble!”

The two groups start yelling back and forth across the rows.

Kevion laughs before climbing the stairs with one of his boys.

They stop beside the girls, joking and catching up.

Outside…Smoke parks his truck.

He, Stack, Tobias, and Stack’s homeboy Ramon climb out.

The arena lights glow against the evening sky.

Groups of women walk toward the entrance laughing.

Stack immediately starts looking around. “Damn…I see some fine bitches already.”

Tobias sucks his teeth. “Here you go, nigga. We ain’t even got in the buildin’ yet.”

Stack grins. “Shit… You know I’m on the hunt from the car.”

Smoke just shakes his head.

The four of them head inside.

Almost immediately…Heads turn.

Women whisper to each other.

A couple openly stare.

Stack smirks. “I told y’all.”

Smoke ignores all of it.

They begin walking up the stairs toward their section.

Then…Smoke freezes.

His stomach instantly drops.

Annie.

She’s sitting with her friends. Laughing.

Two dudes are standing beside them talking. One of them says something that makes Annie throw her head back laughing.

Smoke swallows.

There goes that feeling again.

That tight feeling in his chest.

He doesn’t know why…But he doesn’t like seeing another man being the reason she’s smiling like that.

Her laugh… Her smile…Somehow they already feel special to him.

As Kevion and his friend head back down the stairs, they pass Smoke’s group.

Both groups instinctively size each other up. Quick mugs. Nothing said.

Just enough for each side to know the other noticed.

Smoke barely pays them any attention.

His eyes are already back on Annie.

Almost as if she feels him looking…

She turns her head. Their eyes meet.

Just like always. The noise around them disappears.

Annie feels her breath catch.

There he is. Standing a few steps away from her.

Looking directly at her.

Only…Something catches her attention.

Standing beside Tobias…Is another man with the exact same face as Smoke.

She blinks. Then looks back and forth between them.

Confused. Smoke notices.

A slow grin spreads across his face.

He gives her a little nod.

Annie laughs softly to herself.

He got a twin?

He never told her that.

Tobias smiles. “Sup, Rhonda.”

“Hey, Tobias.”

Devin points between all of them. “You gon’ introduce the rest of everybody?”

Tobias laughs. “Yeah.”

He points beside him. “This Stack.”

Then Ramon. “This Ramon.”

Finally… He points toward Smoke.

“And this Smoke.”

Every girl immediately looks at Annie.

Her cheeks warm.

Stack notices.

He grins to himself before looking at the girls. “What’s good? What y’all names is?”

They all introduce themselves.

Devin suddenly looks between Smoke and Stack. “Wait a minute…Y’all twins?”

Stack answers sarcastically without missing a beat. “Nah. We cousins.”

The girls busts out laughing.

“So stupid,” Ebony says.

Stack laughs too before his attention drifts to Devin.

She is gorgeous. Tall. Long legs.

Petite frame. Beautiful caramel skin.

And she’s looking right back at him.

Damn…

Stack slowly looks across the rest of the group.

Ebony. Pretty smile. Light skin. Button nose. Slanted eyes.

Rhonda. Rich chocolate complexion.

Fresh short haircut. Bright white smile.

Then…Annie.

Stack pauses.

Her skin practically glows beneath the arena lights. Her curls bounce every time she laughs.

Those bright eyes…Locked on…

Smoke.

Stack follows her gaze.

Sure enough…His brother is looking right back. Smiling. A real smile.

One Stack has almost never seen directed at a woman.

His eyebrow slowly rises.

So…This the mystery girl.

A grin spreads across his face.

Well…She off limits.

His eyes drift right back to Devin.

Who’s still looking at him. “Damn…The whole crew sexy as hell.”

The girls laugh.

Smoke cuts his eyes toward Stack.

“You done?”

Stack smirks. “I was just givin’ compliments.”

Ramon quietly smiles at Ebony.

She notices and smiles back before looking away.

Rhonda looks at Tobias. “Where y’all seats at?”

“Three rows up. “

“Oh…So y’all close.”

The lights begin to dim. The crowd erupts. The game is about to start.

Tobias nods toward the court. “We’ll see y’all after.”

“Oh, we definitely gon’ see y’all after.”

Stack says, never taking his eyes off Devin.

She bites her lip trying not to smile. “Aight then.”

The fellas turn and head toward their seats.

Smoke glances back one more time.

Annie is already looking at him.

He smiles. She smiles back.

Neither of them says a word.

They don’t have to.

Somehow…They’re already speaking the same language.

As soon as the guys disappear up the stairs, Devin turns around so fast she almost bumps into Rhonda. “Oh my God!”

She grabs both Rhonda and Annie’s arms.

“All them niggas fine as fuck, y’all!”

The girls bust into squeals and laughter, trying not to draw too much attention to themselves.

Devin fans herself dramatically. “I was not prepared for that.”

Ebony shakes her head, still laughing. “Me neither.” She looks over at Annie. “Girl…I understand now.”

She points toward the section where the guys disappeared. “I’d be scared too.”

Annie covers her face with her hands, laughing. “I told y’all.”

Ebony nods. “Hell yeah. I see exactly why you ain’t call him after y’all met.”

Devin turns toward Rhonda. “And Tobias fine as hell too.” She pauses, shaking her head in disbelief. “Damn. It’s crazy every last one of ’em fine.” She grins. “But I need Stack.” She presses a hand against her chest. “I’m ‘bout to be actin’ shy like you, Annie.”

Annie rolls her eyes. “You so damn annoying.”

She can’t help but laugh anyway.

Rhonda laughs with them before motioning toward the court. “Shhh. Y’all…The game.”

They all turn their attention back to the floor just as the crowd erupts and the announcer’s voice booms through Kemper Arena.

The lights dim. The music gets louder.

And for a little while…

Basketball has everyone’s attention.

Well…Almost everyone’s.

Smoke tries to focus on the game.

The squeak of sneakers echoes across the hardwood while the crowd roars every time somebody gets crossed over. The announcer’s voice booms through the Arena, mixing with the bass thumping from the arena speakers.

But no matter how hard he tries…

His eyes keep drifting to the back of Annie’s head.

He watches her clap after every big play.

She jumps to her feet. “Go Hot Sauce!”

Smoke chuckles under his breath.

She really wasn’t exaggerating in that letter.

She loves sports.

She cheers at every big play, laughs when somebody gets embarrassed, and leans so far forward in her seat it’s like she’s on the court with them. He loves that.

Another thing they have in common.

Stack stands up with the crowd after another crazy dunk. “Let’s go!”

The whole arena erupts.

Annie glances over her shoulder.

Her eyes immediately find Smoke.

He’s already looking at her.

She blushes instantly before turning back around.

Smoke can’t help but grin.

About twenty minutes later, Annie stands.

“Where you goin’?” Devin asks.

“To get some food.”

“Oh, shit. I’m goin’ too.”

She hops up and follows Annie down the stairs.

Smoke watches them disappear into the crowd.

“I’ll be back.” He says to the fellas before standing.

Stack smirks to himself.

He already knows exactly where his brother is headed.

Smoke makes his way down toward the concession stand.

The smell of buttery popcorn, nachos, hot dogs, and soft pretzels fills the air. The line snakes halfway across the concourse.

Devin looks ahead and sighs. “Shit… this line long.”

“Yeah, girl,” Annie laughs. “But I’m hungry.”

Just then…A deep voice speaks from behind her. “You gon’ get me somethin’ too?”

Annie’s stomach flutters.

She’d know that voice anywhere.

Slowly…She turns around.

Smoke.

At that exact moment, Beyoncé’s “That’s How You Like It” starts pouring through the arena speakers.

🎶 I need a thug that’ll have my back

Do-rag, Nike Airs to match…Ain't nothin' wrong with that (That's how I like it, baby)

Where my thugs at?

White T-shirt, I love that🎶

Annie’s eyes slowly travel from the top of his head…Down. This time she really looks at him in the light where she can actually see without it being dark and without anyone blocking her view.

🎶The way you talk

The way you dress

The way you smile

I like the way you are

The way you ain't

I like your honesty, integrity

It levels me, so please don't ever change🎶

Smoke went all out today.

He’s wearing a Kobe Bryant Lakers throwback jersey over a crisp white tall tee.

A matching Lakers headband hugs his perfectly laid waves.

A sweatband wraps around one forearm.

Baggy Girbaud jeans hang perfectly over a fresh pair of purple-and-gold Air Force 1s.

A Jacob watch glitters beneath the arena lights every time he moves.

Diamond studs catch another flash.

Two platinum chains rest against his jersey.

Two platinum rings decorate his fingers.

His Cartier eyeglasses somehow make him look even better.

And then…His cologne reaches her.

Warm. Clean. Masculine.

It wraps around her before he even says another word.

🎶 I like the way you brush your hair…

I like the stylish clothes you wear… It's just the real things you do. That's why I wanna stick with you🎶

Annie forgets how to speak.

Lord…

He looks…Too damn good.

Those glasses should honestly be illegal.

He really got dressed today.

🎶 I hope you like my style

The way I dress

The way I flirt

Say yes. I hope you like my mind

The things I say🎶

Smoke notices the look in her eyes immediately.

A smug smile slowly spreads across his face.

Then it’s his turn.

His eyes slowly roam over Annie.

She’s wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey dress that falls perfectly against her frame.

Fresh black and red Jordan 13s.

The front of her hair is neatly twisted back into flat twists while the rest falls into soft, bouncy curls that brush her shoulders every time she moves. Gold hoop earrings swing gently as she turns her head. Her black Dooney & Bourke shoulder bag rests comfortably beneath her arm. A gold herringbone necklace catches the light against her skin. Gold bracelets softly clink together as she shifts.

And tucked into the cartilage of her ear…

That little magnetic earring.

🎶 I know you heard I'm a gangster

They say, ‘Stay away from them gangsters.’

They never change up, or pull they pants up

Well, baby girl, put ya foot down

Don't let 'em push you around, you know what you like🎶

Smoke’s heart pounds.

She always looks beautiful.

But today…She looks damn near unreal.

Like she walked straight out of one of those music videos everybody watched after school.

Devin looks Smoke up and down too. “Damn…”

She quickly looks between him and Annie.

The chemistry between them is so thick she almost feels like she’s interrupting something.

“What you say?” Annie finally manages.

Smoke grins. “You heard me. You gon’ get me somethin’ too?”

Annie giggles. “Yeah…What you want?”

Smoke laughs. “You know I’m just playin’. What you gettin’?”

“A hot dog…I guess.”

He raises an eyebrow. “That’s it?”

“Mhm.”

“Nah.” He shakes his head. “Get whatever you want, lil’ mama.”

Annie blinks. “Huh?”

“If you can ‘huh,’ you can hear. You heard me. Get whatever you want. I got you.”

Annie smiles nervously. “Smoke…”

Smoke raises one eyebrow. “Oh… now it’s Smoke? I see you tryna act brand new in front of yo’ lil’ friend.”

Devin busts out laughing.

Annie shoots her a look before looking back at him. “Elijah…You don’t have to—”

Smoke cuts her off. “What I tell you about that?”

Annie blushes.

Smoke steps a little closer.

Just enough that only she can hear him.

He leans toward her ear.

His voice drops into that deep bass she loves.

His cologne surrounds her again.

“Annika…Stop frontin’ in here. You know me. We ain’t strangers no more.”

A chill races down Annie’s spine.

Her stomach twists into knots.

He straightens back up.

Devin watches the entire exchange with wide eyes.

Oh… they got it bad.

Smoke looks over at her. “I got you too. Get whatever you want.”

Devin points to herself. “You for real?”

Smoke chuckles while looking back at Annie. “Yeah.”

Devin laughs. “Shit…You ain’t gotta tell me twice.”

Annie starts laughing.

By the time they reach the counter, they’re still smiling.

Annie orders a hot dog…Then popcorn.

Smoke nods toward the cashier. “Add two nachos.”

Annie turns around.

Smoke smirks. “Yeah. Get you some nachos too. They good as hell.”

Annie laughs and shakes her head. “You so extra.”

Smoke reaches into his pocket and pulls out a thick knot of cash.

Without hesitation, he pays for everything.

The three of them start walking back toward their section.

Smoke carries the tray with the nachos while Annie balances the drinks.

As they walk, Smoke can’t stop looking at her side profile.

The arena lights catch her skin every few steps.

Her curls bounce as she laughs with Devin.

Annie tries to act like she doesn’t feel him staring.

He smiles to himself. “I know you feel me lookin’.”

Annie immediately laughs. “Stop. You’re makin’ me nervous.”

Smoke kisses his teeth. “There you go wit that. You gon’ have to get used to me lookin’.” He smiles. “You shouldn’t be so beautiful.”

Annie feels her face grow warm all over again.

She finally looks up at him. “Thank you, Elijah.”

Smoke hums in approval. “That’s better.”

They climb back up the stairs toward their seats.

Devin smiles. “Thanks again, Smoke.”

He nods once. “No problem.”

Then his eyes drift back to Annie. “See you afterwards.”

A grin spreads across her face. “See you.”

When Annie and Devin finally make it back to their seats, they’re balancing trays loaded down with food.

Rhonda’s eyes get wide. “Damn!”

She looks between the two of them. “Y’all got hella shit.”

Ebony starts laughing. “The hell y’all buy? The whole concession stand?”

Annie and Devin crack up as they carefully pass everything around.

Devin can’t even wait.

She points at Annie. “Annie’s man bought all this for us.”

Ebony’s mouth falls open. “Smoke bought all that?”

Devin nods. “Yep. He got it bad for Annie.”

She leans in with a grin. Y’all should’ve seen them flirtin’. I swear I felt like I was interruptin’ something.”

The girls immediately start squealing.

Devin keeps going. “He was callin’ her beautiful and shit. He could not stop lookin’ at her.”

Annie hides her face behind her cup, laughing. “Shut up, Devin.”

“Nope.” Devin points at her. “I ain’t lyin’.”She shakes her head. “Girl, you definitely upgraded from that nigga Ryan.”

Rhonda sucks her teeth dramatically. “Man…I should’ve known when he followed y’all to the concession stand he was finna spend some money.” She reaches over and steals a few pieces of Annie’s popcorn. “I missed out.”

Annie laughs and nudges her shoulder. “You snooze, you lose.”

The girls bust into laughter.

Devin shakes her head, still thinking about Smoke. “Nah, for real though.” She points toward the section where the guys are sitting. “You better hold on to that nigga. That’s one of the finest niggas I ever seen.”

She starts counting on her fingers. “He can dress. He smell good. He compliment you every chance he get. And not only did he spend his money on you…”

She gestures toward all the food spread across their laps. “He bought yo friends food too.”

She leans closer with a smirk. “Keep him, girl.”

Annie feels her cheeks grow warm.

She shakes her head, trying to hide her smile. “Y’all so damn extra.” But she can’t stop laughing. Deep down…

She knows every single one of them is right.

Smoke settles back into his seat with a bottle of water in one hand.

The game is back underway.

The crowd erupts after another ankle-breaking crossover, but before he can even sit all the way down…

Stack grins. “Aight…So we just gon’ act like we ain’t see what the hell just happened?”

Smoke keeps his eyes on the court “What happened?”

Tobias laughs. “This nigga.”

Ramon shakes his head. “You know exactly what happened.”

Smoke shrugs. “I went to get some food.”

“Yeah…” Stack says, drawing the words out. “You went to get Annie some food.”

The three of them laugh.

Smoke smirks but doesn’t answer.

Stack elbows him. “You bought food for the whole damn row.”

Smoke finally looks over. “So?”

“So?” Stack repeats. “Nigga, you don’t even buy me food.”

The fellas bust out laughing.

Smoke sucks his teeth. “You got money.”

“So do she,” Stack shoots back.

More laughter.

Tobias leans forward. “I ain’t never seen this nigga chase after nobody.”

Ramon nods. “He been watchin’ her the whole game.”

Smoke cuts his eyes toward Ramon.

“I been watchin’ the game.”

Stack lets out the loudest laugh yet.

“The game? Nigga, every time I looked over, you was lookin’ at Annie. You ain’t even know who had the ball.”

Smoke shakes his head. “Y’all doin’ too fuckin’ much.”

“Nah.” Stack points toward him. “You doin’ too much.” He starts counting on his fingers. “You been staring at her all night. You followed her to the concession stand. You paid for all they food.” He pauses dramatically. “And then…This nigga walked back up here starin’ at her the whole damn time.”

Tobias laughs so hard. “I peeped that shit too.”

Smoke can’t help but grin. “Aight damn. I was lookin’.”

“Damn right you was.” Stack says. “You was lookin’ so hard I thought you was finna walk into somebody.”

The guys crack up.

Smoke laughs with them this time. “Aight, man.”

Stack folds his arms. “So…You finally gon’ admit that’s yo’ girl?”

Smoke’s smile softens. “Nah. We just gettin’ to know each other.”

Tobias nods approvingly. “I respect that. But…” He smirks. “You definitely got it bad.”

Smoke looks down toward the court for a second before glancing back toward Annie’s section.

She laughs at something Devin says.

Almost like she can feel him…

She turns around. Their eyes meet from three sections away.

She smiles.

Smoke smiles right back.

Stack watches the exchange.

Then slowly looks back at his brother.

“Aww, hell.”

Smoke raises an eyebrow. “What?”

Stack laughs and points at him. “You gone.”

The fellas laugh again.

“Gone gone.”

Tobias nods. “I ain’t never seen this nigga smile this damn much.”

Ramon chuckles. “He different.”

Stack leans back in his seat, still grinning. “Nah…This ain’t just different.” He looks over at Smoke one more time. “I think my brother done found him one.”

Smoke doesn’t answer.

He simply glances back toward Annie one more time before returning his attention to the court.

The small smile on his face says more than any words ever could.

When the game ends, the arena empties in a wave of people.

The crowd spills into the parking lot, still buzzing about the crazy crossovers and dunks they just witnessed. Car doors slam, music starts blasting from every direction, and headlights cut through the chilly fall evening.

The girls make it outside first.

Not long after, Kevion and his friends spot them. “Aye!” Kevion calls out.

The girls stop to talk.

Annie laughs at something Kevion says, the sound carrying through the parking lot.

A few minutes later, Smoke, Stack, Tobias, and Ramon step outside.

Smoke instinctively starts scanning the crowd.

His eyes land on Annie almost immediately.

There she is. Standing in a circle…

Laughing with the same dudes from inside the arena.

His jaw tightens ever so slightly.

Who the fuck are those niggas?

He doesn’t say anything.

Instead, he keeps walking toward his truck like it doesn’t bother him at all.

He unlocks it, climbs inside for a second, then starts it.

Chingy’s “One Call Away” comes booming through the speakers.

The bass rolls across the parking lot.

The fellas post up. Leaning against the truck, talking while the song plays.

Smoke isn’t really listening.

His eyes drift back to Annie.

Just in time to see her hug the guy she’d been talking to.

His stomach flips. He swallows hard.

He doesn’t like that feeling.

Not one bit.

A few moments later, the girls finally head their way.

Devin grins. “Hey, y’all.”

Everybody exchanges greetings.

Devin’s eyes immediately find Stack.

She gives him a slow once over.

Stack is wearing a black Tim Duncan Spurs jersey over a white tee, baggy black jeans, and black-and-white Jordan 12s. Fresh braids frame his face, platinum shining in his mouth every time he smiles. A Rolex catches the parking lot lights while thick platinum chains rest against his chest.

He notices her looking.

A grin spreads across his face. “What’s good?”

Devin smiles right back. “Nothin’. What’s poppin’ with you?”

Stack chuckles. “Come find out.”

He nods his head, motioning for her to follow.

Without hesitation…Devin does.

The two of them wander off, talking and laughing almost immediately.

Smoke shakes his head. “That nigga don’t waste no time.”

Tobias laughs before turning toward Rhonda. The two of them quickly fall into their own conversation.

That leaves…Smoke. Annie. Ebony.

And Ramon.

Smoke and Annie lock eyes.

Neither of them says anything.

Chingy continues playing from the truck.

🎶 I seen it in her eye…

Mama lookin’ like all I wanted was sex…Then moved to the next (that ain't true) But it was something about this girl's style that make me feel no regrets🎶

Smoke slowly holds his hand out. “Come here. Come talk to me for a minute.”

🎶Afraid she might think I'm in a rush to touch, crush and be up

But baby, I ain't on that stuff🎶

Annie glances over at Ebony.

Ebony smiles knowingly. “Go, girl.”

Annie smiles shyly before slipping her hand into Smoke’s.

His fingers close around hers.

Warm. Gentle.

He leads her around to the back of the truck.

Ebony stays behind, chatting with Ramon.

Smoke lowers the tailgate.

The metal thumps softly into place.

They sit side by side.

Close enough that their shoulders brush every few seconds.

🎶If you're rolling with me baby, hop in, it's enough room

We can gaze at the stars and shine like the moon

Give me a chance to show ya and a chance to know ya

Just be true and there's nothing I won't do for ya🎶

A soft breeze drifts through the parking lot.

Annie’s perfume floats toward him.

Sweet. Light. Familiar.

Smoke smiles to himself. “So…You enjoy the game?”

Annie nods. “Yeah. I did.”

Smoke chuckles. “I could tell.”

She cuts her eyes at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You was hella into it. I heard you over everybody.”

Annie throws her head back laughing.

“Oh, whatever. You could not.”

“I definitely could.”

She clicks her tongue. “You could only hear me ‘cause you was lookin’ at me all night.”

Smoke pauses. Then laughs. “Damn. You right. I couldn’t help it though.”

Annie giggles. “Here you go, Elijah Blowin’ my head up again.”

“My bad.” He shrugs. “I’m just bein’ honest. You a magnet.”

Annie smiles. “So are you.”

Smoke grins. “Thanks. I see I almost made you pass out again today.”

She tries to hold in her laugh.

Fails miserably. “Damn. Just expose me, why don’t you?”

Smoke laughs. “It’s okay…’Cause you almost made me do the same.”

Annie raises an eyebrow. “Oh, please, Big Head.”

“I’m serious. I knew you was gon’ be lookin’ good as hell today…” He slowly shakes his head. “But shit…You exceeded what I expected.”

Heat spreads across Annie’s cheeks.

“I can say the same thing about you.” She smiles. “And why ain’t you tell me you had a twin?”

Smoke exhales through his nose. “‘Cause you ain’t ask.”

Annie laughs. “Oh, okay, Elijah.” She nudges his shoulder. “So what’s it like… havin’ a twin?”

Smoke leans back a little, looking up.

“Shit…That’s a loaded answer.”

He looks out across the crowded parking lot. “Maybe one day I can really go into depth. But to sum it up…It’s different than most sibling relationships. You share everything. So sometimes you struggle to figure out who you are outside of bein’ a twin. You got this bond…No matter what happen…It don’t break.” He smiles to himself. “It’s a blessin’…And a curse.”

Silence settles between them.

Annie thinks about his words.

“I get that.” She nods slowly. “Havin’ siblings is already hard enough. So I could only imagine.” She smiles. “Y’all do seem like complete opposites though.”

Smoke chuckles. “In some ways. But deep down… We mostly the same.”

Annie smiles. “That’s actually beautiful when you think about it. Always havin’ somebody in your corner.”

Smoke hums. “Yeah.” He glances at her. “You seem to got that kinda bond wit yo’ brother too.”

Annie looks over at him. “How you know that?”

“‘Cause I watched y’all at the rink.” He smiles. “And I hear how y’all joke every time we on the phone.”

Annie’s expression softens. “Yeah…We close. He’s one of my best friends.”

“I can tell.” Smoke hesitates for a second before admitting, “I gotta confess somethin’.”

Annie raises an eyebrow. “What?”

“At first…I thought he was yo’ man at the skating rink.”

Annie’s face scrunches up instantly.

“What? Eww. No.”

Smoke laughs. “Y’all was holdin’ hands and shit. I just assumed.”

She laughs. “Well…That’s what you get for assumin’.”

Smoke smirks. “Oh…So I guess I shouldn’t assume the nigga you was just huggin’ earlier yo man either.”

Annie looks confused…Then remembers Kevion. “Oh!” She laughs. “Eww, no, Elijah. Kevion just my friend. He’s like a brother to me.”

Smoke raises an eyebrow. “Y’all women love havin’ play brothers and shit.”

Annie smiles. “I mean…Relationships between a man and woman don’t always gotta be romantic. They can be strictly platonic too.”

Smoke thinks for a moment and there’s a minute of silence.

Annie breaks it “So you don’t think it’s possible?”

Smoke shrugs. “I don’t know. I ain’t never done it. And nobody around me has either. That ain’t sayin’ it can’t happen. It’s just…Different from what I’m used to.”

Annie nods. “Well…I’m here to tell you it can.”

Smoke smiles. “Aight then. I believe you, lil’ mama.”

Comfortable silence settles over them.

The music continues playing.

People laugh nearby. Car doors slam.

Someone starts another vehicle a few rows over.

Smoke glances sideways.

She’s looking everywhere…Except at him.

A grin slowly tugs at his lips. “You still can’t look at me?”

Annie smirks. “I can.”

His voice drops lower. “Prove it…Look at me.”

Her heart immediately starts racing.

She shakes her head.

Then…Slowly…She turns toward him.

Her eyes lift to meet his. Just for a second. Before they fall again.

Smoke smiles.

He reaches over gently and tips her chin upward with his thumb and index finger. “There you go.” He holds her gaze. “I need you to get used to lookin’ at me up close. Not just when we across the room.” His voice softens. “I wanna see these pretty eyes up close. We ain’t at work…So I can get lost in ’em now.”

Annie’s throat goes dry.

Butterflies erupt inside her stomach.

She can’t think. Can’t speak.

His sleepy eyes stay locked on hers.

Finally…He smiles. “You so pretty, Annika. Don’t be afraid to let me see you.”

Annie swallows. Then gives the smallest nod.

Before she can find the words…

Stack’s voice rings out across the parking lot.

“Aye! Y’all come around here and hit this blunt!”

Smoke sighs through his nose and lets his hand fall away.

“Saved by yo brother,” Annie teases softly.

Smoke laughs. “For now.”

He stands first, then offers her his hand. She takes it.

He helps her down from the tailgate.

Together, they walk back around the truck to join everyone else.

When they make it back around the truck, everyone naturally falls into a circle while Chingy’s “Holidae Inn” is bumping through the speakers. Cars are slowly pulling out of the parking lot, headlights sweeping across the pavement as people laugh, talk, and relive their favorite plays from the game.

Stack finishes rolling the blunt and sparks it.

He takes the first hit before holding it out toward Annie. “Aye, Annie.”

Before Annie can even open her mouth to politely turn it down..Smack.

Smoke knocks Stack’s hand away.

Stack looks at him like he done lost his damn mind. “The fuck?”

Smoke shrugs like it isn’t a big deal.

“Nah.”

Annie lets out a small, nervous laugh, surprised by how quickly he reacted.

Stack studies his brother for a second before shaking his head. “Aight then.”

He turns toward Devin instead. “Here.”

Devin grins. “Shit, don’t mind if I do.”

She takes a hit before passing it to Tobias.

Tobias inhales and passes it over to Rhonda.

Rhonda takes her turn before holding it out toward Ebony.

Ebony shakes her head. “I’m good.”

Ramon takes it next.

Then…He passes it to Smoke.

Smoke brings it to his lips and takes a slow pull.

He tips his head back slightly before letting the smoke drift from his mouth up his nose.

Annie quietly watches him.

She’d had a feeling he smoked.

He hustled.

And plenty of times after lunch breaks at Red Lobster, he’d come back with the other cooks wearing that same relaxed expression and those heavy, sleepy eyes.

For some reason…Knowing she was right makes her smile to herself.

It doesn’t make her think less of him.

If anything…It reminds her that he never expected her to do something just because he did.

He could’ve easily let Stack hand it to her.

Instead…Without making a scene…

He stopped it.

Something about that small gesture makes her heart soften.

He looked out for her without trying to embarrass her. She liked that.

More than she’d probably admit.

A few minutes later, the blunt burns down to nothing.

Rhonda suddenly reaches into her purse. “Oh!” She pulls out a yellow disposable Kodak camera. “Come on, y’all. We gotta get some pictures.”

Everybody laughs.

Tobias takes the camera first.

He snaps a few pictures of the girls together.

The flash pops brightly against the night sky.

Next…Rhonda takes a picture of all the fellas standing together in front of Smoke’s truck.

After that, she looks around.

A group of girls is standing beside a nearby car.

“Excuse me. Can you take one of all of us?”

One of the girls smiles. “Yeah, I got you.”

She walks over and takes the camera.

As everyone gets into position…

Her eyes linger.

Mostly…On Smoke.

Annie notices.

A strange feeling settles in her chest.

Not anger. Not exactly.

Just…Discomfort.

She suddenly realizes something.

If things between her and Smoke keep growing…Women looking at him…

Probably won’t be a rare thing.

He was fine.

She couldn’t even blame them.

That didn’t mean she had to like it.

Everybody finds their spots.

Tobias slips an arm around Rhonda’s shoulders.

Ramon kneels down in front of Ebony with a grin.

Stack turns toward Devin.

Before she knows what’s happening…

He casually rests a hand against her ass.

Devin busts into laughter. “You bold.”

“I know.” Stack says with a smirk.

Smoke steps beside Annie.

At first, he drapes an arm across her shoulders.

Then…Almost instinctively…

His hand slides lower until it rests comfortably around her waist.

He gently guides her in front of him.

His other hand settles lightly against her stomach.

Annie’s heart pounds so loudly she’s convinced everyone can hear it.

Smoke lowers his head slightly until it rests near her shoulder.

She can feel the warmth of his breath.

The girl holding the camera notices.

Her smile fades for just a second.

She quickly snaps the picture anyway.

Flash.

The moment is frozen forever.

Everyone thanks her before breaking apart.

The conversations naturally split back up.

Stack wastes no time. “So…” He looks at Devin. “You gon’ give me yo’ number or what?”

Devin smiles. “I thought you’d never ask.”

They exchange numbers.

Not too far away…Ramon asks Ebony for hers.

She smiles before giving it to him too.

Meanwhile…

Smoke nods toward a quieter spot.

Annie follows him a few steps away from everyone else.

Smoke slides both hands into his pockets. “I’m gon’ call you later on. That aight?”

Annie smiles. “Of course.”

He nods. “Good.” A soft smile spreads across his face. “I’m glad I got to spend some time wit you today.”

“Me too.”

Silence settles between them.

Neither seems to mind it.

They simply look at one another.

Finally…Smoke clears his throat.

“Can I have a hug before you go?”

Annie smiles wider. “Yes, Elijah.”

His dimples immediately appear.

He steps closer. His arms wrap comfortably around her waist.

Annie slides hers around his neck.

The moment they touch…Something shifts.

Neither of them expected a simple hug to feel like this.

Smoke buries his face gently against the side of her neck.

She smells like brown sugar and vanilla. Warm. Sweet. Comforting.

He closes his eyes for a second.

His arms tighten just a little.

Not enough to make her uncomfortable.

Just enough to silently say…

I don’t really wanna let you go yet.

Annie smiles into his shoulder.

She doesn’t rush to pull away either.

For a few quiet seconds…

The rest of the parking lot disappears.

Devin notices first. She elbows Rhonda. The two of them start giggling.

Stack shakes his head. “Aye, nigga!” He laughs. “Let her go before you squeeze her to death.”

Smoke and Annie break apart laughing.

He reaches down and catches her hand one last time.

Giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’ll see you later.”

Annie nods. “See you.”

She reluctantly lets go and walks back toward the girls.

Smoke stays exactly where he is.

Watching her.

She glances back once before climbing into Devin’s mom’s car.

Smoke smiles to himself.

Only after the car disappears into the stream of traffic…Does he finally climb into his truck…

🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆

The next morning, a loud knock echoes through Smoke’s small house.

He groans, rolling over to look at the clock. 9:17 a.m.

“Damn…”

Another knock follows. More impatient this time.

Smoke throws the covers back, pulls on a white T-shirt, and walks to the front door.

The moment he opens it…He sighs.

“Monica.”

She stands on the porch with her arms folded tightly across her chest.

Her lips are pressed into a thin line.

“We need to talk.”

Smoke steps aside.

She walks in without waiting for an invitation.

He shuts the door behind her.

She turns to face him.

“Shatara saw you at Skateland”

Smoke’s expression doesn’t change.

“…Okay. And?”

Monica folds her arms even tighter.

“She said you was all hugged up wit some girl.”

Smoke lets out a quiet breath. “So?”

Monica’s eyebrows shoot up. “So?That’s all you gotta say?”

Smoke shrugs. “What you want me to say?”

She takes a step toward him. “Now you wanna be hugged up and kissin’ bitches, but never wanted to be seen in public wit no bitch not even me. I wanna know who she is.”

Smoke shakes his head once.

“Nah. You don’t need to know that.”

Monica scoffs. “Excuse me?”

“I said… You don’t need to know.”

Her frustration grows. “Why? What make her so special you won’t even say her name?”

Smoke leans against the wall, completely unbothered.

“‘Cause it ain’t none of yo business.”

Monica laughs in disbelief. “It is my business.”

Smoke immediately shakes his head.

“No. It ain’t.” He looks her square in the eyes. “We ain’t together. We never was. I don’t owe you or no other woman no explanations.”

His words sting.

Monica looks away for a second before looking back. “So that’s it? You just movin’ on?”

Smoke sighs. “I’m livin’ my life. I never lied to you. I never told you we was together. I never promised you nothin’.”

Monica studies his face. “You really like her.”

Smoke doesn’t answer.

The silence says enough.

Monica feels her stomach sink.

“So that’s why you won’t tell me.”

Smoke exhales. “Monica…Let it go.”

She shakes her head.

“I can’t let it go. Shatara said you couldn’t keep yo fuckin’ eyes off her.”

Smoke chuckles under his breath.

“Yo friend need to mind her fuckin’ business.”

“My point exactly.” Monica snaps. “So who is she?”

Smoke’s expression hardens. “I said leave it alone.”

She folds her arms again. “I’ma find out.”

Smoke nods slowly. “You do what you feel like you gotta do. But don’t drag somebody else into this.” His voice is calm, but firm. “She ain’t did shit to you. We not together. So whoever I spend my time wit…ain’t got nothin’ to do wit you and if I find out you did anything to her. I promise I’m gon’ make you regret that shit for as long as you live.”

Monica searches his face one last time, hoping he’ll change his mind.

He doesn’t.

Smoke opens the front door. “I ain’t got shit else to say.”

Monica walks past him, stopping on the porch.

She looks back over her shoulder.

“I’ma find out who she is.”

Smoke meets her eyes.

“Or…” He shrugs. “You could just let it go.”

She doesn’t respond.

She climbs into her car and drives away.

Smoke watches her disappear down the street before rubbing a hand over his face.

“Damn.”

He has a feeling this conversation isn’t over. Not by a long shot…

Part 1

Part 2

Y’all Smoke has it bad. I know Smoke doesn’t smile but I wanted to capture how Annie is slowly changing him. It’s a natural reflex at this point. She also got my boy feeling jealous and ready to conquer the world for her. ‘I fear’ (in my Aniyah voice) Annie really is that girl. . Also Stack just overly going. Baby mama and all. 🥴😩😂

[anniensmoke3]

Annie & Smoke😍

[anniensmoke3]

Beautiful Annie🤎

[thebumblebeesworld]

THREE'S • A • CROWD

part three • finale • modern!au annie x smoke

summary: all his life, smoke had heard that two is company but three is a crowd; and never had it made as much sense as it did now.

cw: smut, toxic smoke x annie, possesive!smoke, obsessed!smoke, obsessed!annie, public!sex, unprotected!sex (everyone say thank you to @brownskincheyenne), light choking, cheating, use of alcohol, use of the nword

a/n: here's the final part and a very annie centered chapterrrr. we been focused on smoke, but now it's her time to shine! this is much longer that part one and two combined, so please enjoy! requested here and inspired by @librababe7

part one; part two.

masterlist

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Her new nigga wasn’t someone she was serious about. Yes—he was sexy as hell, and yes—and he did whatever she told him to, but he wasn’t Smoke.

Annie had promised herself after that first time that she wouldn’t become addicted to the man. It was easy enough to say but too hard to make reality, and whenever she found her mind drifting to Smoke, all she could think about was the sight, smell, and taste of him. All she could feel was his hands roaming her body, throwing her around—handling her. It had been a long time since she was this engrossed in another person, so when he texted, she responded. When he begged to come over, she let him.

Her new nigga was an attempt to stop this obsession from spreading. He was something to offset her need for Smoke. It worked—at first—but every time she got a taste of Smoke again, she was ready to throw in the towel and run to her friend in confession.

She knew why the woman had put an end to the threesome shit just as soon as it had started. Annie and the man had went wild, and when you get completely lost the way they did, you have to nip that shit in the bud expeditiously. Her friend could see where it was heading, could tell that if they continued she would end up with no man at all—but she didn’t move quick enough.

Annie had snatched her nigga up, and if Smoke was intrigued by her before, he was damn near obsessed now.

When he yelled at her about her new man, the audacity made her laugh and boil with anger. You would think he'd focus on the more pressing matter first: they had a double date to be worried about, and there he was focused about some stupid shit. But Annie couldn’t deny that Smoke’s possessive side made her tingle. There was something about the raising of his voice, the crazy look in his eye, the way he gritted his teeth at her.

She wanted to tell him that she was all his and that she wasn’t serious about dude, but then she’d have no cards to play and nobody to fall back on.

She wasn’t that stupid.

~~~~~

Annie stared down at her phone. Smoke was blowing her up like he had been all week, but she had nothing to say to him; Nothing worthwhile, and nothing that would soothe the insane way he was behaving. She rolled her eyes as a litany of messages came through.

So you ain't gon answer my fuckin messages?

You got me textin and callin yo ass and I know you see it

I told yo ass I was serious, Annie

Im serious bout you

Bout us

Answer yo damn phone, woman

Aight

Keep playin

Just wait til I see yo lil boyfriend at this dinner then

“You ready for our double date on friday,” her friend asked, bumping her shoulder as she passed her to look at the wall of shoes in front of them. Startled, Annie immediately stuffed her phone in her purse, swiveling around with a flushed look as her surroundings came back into the forefront.

The mall was loud even though it was a week day, but her mind was still oscillating between Smoke's messages and maintaining this lie.

“Sure,” she hummed, picking up a pair of heels. “I been wantin’ to try that restaurant for a while, too.”

“Mhm,” her friend responded distractedly. Annie had stooped to try on the shoe, giving her the chance to watch her without being interrupted. Her eyes drifted over her—hot and greedy—but when Annie stood up straight, she diverted her gaze. “I’m ready to meet yo’ new man,” she lied, huffing softly. “Tryna see who takin’ all your time away like this.” And with that, the friend laughed—boastful and haughty—but Annie could tell what was underneath it.

She had suspected for a while now that her friend still felt a way about their little rendezvous. Since then, she looked at Annie with the memory of her naked body still roaming around her mind, and when Annie began to spend less time with her and more time with her new man (and Smoke), she continuously demanded to know who was taking her away from her. She played it off as a joke, but Annie could sense her true feelings.

This stupid double date was set up for her friend to finally meet her "competition", as she had put it. And while Annie hated the whole idea of it, she couldn’t fight the irony of Smoke being the real reason for her lack of free time.

She was split between three people who couldn’t get enough Annie, and she didn’t know what to do. She had a friend who was obsessed with her and secretly pining for something she had put an end to herself. She had a new man who was supposed to be a fun distraction from the bullshit, but the more things progressed with him, the more enraptured he became, too. And she had Smoke—a man as addicted to her as she was him.

It was a hot ass mess of her own making, but there seemed to be no turning back now.

"What you wearin' to dinner," her friend questioned, biting her bottom lip. She was back to looking her up and down and clearly envisioning Annie being put through the mattress.

"Girl," Annie cackled, rolling her eyes as they walked into another store. "Stop lookin' at me like that before I tell yo' man on you."

"Oh, please," she grumbled, moving to a rack of dresses. Rolling her shoulders back, her voice leveled to a tone Annie couldn't fully decipher. "Smoke be lookin' at you, too."

~~~~~

When she made it to the restaurant, Annie felt like she was walking into the lion's den. With her new nigga at her side, she only felt worse, like she was subjecting him to a violence he had no possible understanding of.

Before now, she'd felt no reason to explain the intricacies of her relationship with Smoke and her friend to him. He didn’t know about the threesome or her and Smoke’s relationship or how her friend still wanted her. It was none of his business, and they weren't serious enough for her to start divulging secrets with the man.

But it didn't make her feel any better about bringing him into the environment because she knew her guilt would only grow with time.

“Hey, sexy,” Annie’s friend shouted in greeting, standing from her seat to welcome the woman and her guest. Her arms wrapped around her waist, holding her tight as the two men beside them sized each other up. Smoke rose from his chair slowly, eyes remaining in the unfamiliar face. He disregarded the nickname, disregarded Annie’s attire. There was nothing more important than figuring out what made this nigga good enough for his Annie.

Greeting her friend back with a firm hug, the woman introduced her guest—and immediately the air turned cold.

Smoke, his girlfriend, and Annie’s man all traded looks between each other, each of them full of competition and jealousy.

“Have you all ordered anything,” Annie laughed off nervously, trepidation blanketing her emotions. She took a seat at the table, right between Smoke and her friend—across from her man. The other woman cleared her throat to speak, but Annie could only focus on how Smoke had yet to acknowledge her.

“Just a bottle of wine,” her friend offered blankly.

“Well,” Annie breathed emptily. She didn’t know what to say or how to proceed. Never once had she been in a situation such as this, but she promised herself that she’d make it out alive. Noticing that her dress had ridden up, Annie fought the fabric to bring it down to an appropriate length, but that was entirely the wrong move.

Smoke’s eyes were on her in an instant, burning holes into her body because who did she think she was wearing something that short outside the house? Who did she think she was showing off what was his? He swallowed a thick gulp of wine, gritting his teeth when it hit the back of his throat.

He’d been too distracted earlier, but Annie had Smoke’s full attention now.

Seated at the square dining table in the middle of an overly loud restaurant, the man found himself placed between Annie and her new nigga. It disgusted him to see her making eyes at the man across from her while he was completely unconcerned with his own girl. They’d had a fight before arriving. Something stupid about him being distant and not showing much affection, something about how he hadn’t initiated sex in ages; But he was really cool off all that. He wanted Annie. Needed Annie.

The past week or so without the woman made him feel like he was going to die, but now that he could see her again, he’d been restored.

Between flagged down waiters and their food finally arriving from the backed up kitchen, little words had left his mouth. Smoke watched with angered eyes as Annie talked with everyone but him. She hardly looked in his direction, but it gave him plenty of time to analyze everything else. Both his and Annie’s dates were looking at the woman as if she’d hung the stars, severely infatuated by every word coming out of her mouth.

He understood that feeling. Annie was reverent, a fucking sight to behold.

“So, how serious you and Annie is,” he interrupted, bringing tension back to the table. The other man scoffed, working his jaw, and the two women refused to meet each other’s gazes. They were both embarrassed for a multitude of reasons.

“Serious enough,” Annie’s date countered with attitude. His eyebrows were scrunched, leaning into Smoke’s personal space. “You cool wit’ that?”

The question was unnecessary because everyone could tell his answer was a resounding no. Heat rose in his body. Jealousy dripped off of him. Smoke blew from his nostrils.

“Nigga, who the fuck you thin—”

“We’re just enjoyin’ ourselves,” Annie swallowed, unafraid of interrupting Smoke’s speech, uncaring of the glare he sent into the side of her head. She knew she needed to intervene quickly because no one at this table needed to believe that she and this man were anywhere near serious. Smoke was irate. Her friend was envious. And her nigga was ready to fight the whole table ‘bout her—and she wasn’t ready to see him end up on his ass. “We just gettin’ to know each other,” she explained further, shrugging to show indifference. “Learnin’ each other. Havin’ fun.”

“Don’t sound serious to me,” her friend whispered into her glass. And Smoke grunted in agreement. He eyed the way his girl rolled her eyes at the other man, how she clearly viewed him as some sort of intruder when she sent this all up. They didn't have to be here, but now they all pissed.

Smoke chuckled when Annie’s date shrunk into his seat.

Unable to hold back from touching her any longer, the man grabbed her near bare thigh beneath the table. He needed the stability. Needed it to keep him from doing something he would soon regret because Annie’s man was on the verge of saying more slick shit and his girl had turned her eyes to him, suspicious of his behavior as if she wasn't acting just as questionable.

“You good, Smoke,” she questioned from across the table, eyes low and jaw set. Her gaze communicated a million words, and he simply wasn’t ready to deal with that tonight.

“I’m fine,” but as he spoke shortly, his grip tightened on Annie, and he felt her gasp before her fingers joined his atop her thigh.

Annie was losing her mind.

The room was suffocating her, and Smoke's hands on her body—and beginning to tighten every second—only made her want him more. She felt stupid for spending the last week not talking to him, but she needed to make him sweat. In her attempts to have him unnerved, things had backfired, and all she wanted was to be alone with the man she had been avoiding for days.

“I think I need some air,” the woman exasperated, shooting a heated glance in his direction.

Before she could even stand, both men had moved to help her from her seat, and even her friend had extended a hand in assistance as well. It was awkward. Embarrassingly, Annie declined the help, finding the nearest exit to the restaurant's private courtyard.

It was much quieter outside, and the night air had a cooling note to it that instantly calmed her body. The dress she wore clung to her in the best way, ridding up with each step she made toward the fountain in the middle of the space. She was most surprised at the fact that no one was out here, and her mind cleansed itself at that realization.

“I can’t believe you brought that nigga,” she heard from behind her, the words hot as they punctuated the air. She could feel his body nearing hers, and as she rolled her shoulders to stand up straight, she could feel the hard plains of his chest.

“What you expect me to do, Smoke,” Annie questioned, exhaustion and need in her tone. “Just show up alone?”

“Hell yeah,” he grumbled. With a hand moving to her waist, he pulled her ass to lay flush with his crotch. He laughed at the shiver down her spine. “You mine, Annie, and both of them up in there lookin’ at you like they got the right to.”

“Smoke,” the woman groaned, slowly grinding into him. She was listening, or at least trying to, but Smoke was addictive. All it took was a few short words and that damn grumble to get her going. She didn’t know how she’d survive the rest of the night.

“Told ‘em I was headed to make a phone call, so we ain’t got much time, baby girl,” he whispered headily. “What you want?”

“I need to cum,” she cried, turning around in his arms. She fisted his shirt and gave him the softest eyes she could muster. “It’s been too long.”

“And who’s fault is that,” Smoke growled. He walked her into a corner where one wall of the building met another; where dense plants created enough shadows for him to do what needed to be done; where the world could become their own.

His lips landed on her neck first; Her purse was still sitting at the table, and they didn’t need the added drama of smudged makeup to ruin tonight anymore than they were about to. He nipped at her skin with care as his fingers glided down her thighs and back up again. Smoke would never get enough of the feel of her—the softness, the solidity beneath it all.

“You out of yo' mind comin' wit' that nigga,” he argued yet again. “Even crazier for wearin' this little ass dress, but I'm gon' let you slide for now.”

Her dress hem was thrown up over her hips before she could process everything, and his hands were inside her panties just as she had demanded. Annie loved that Smoke was a man on a mission in everything that he did. If there was a task to complete, he was diligent in seeing it through. Currently, she was his task, so when his thick fingers found her wet heat, she allowed her body to settle, knowing she would be taken care of.

It felt as if she were being engulfed—by him, by her emotions, by the entire date night from Hell. All she wanted was Smoke, but as his fingers stroked her, she just couldn’t stay focused on the moment.

“Breathe, baby,” the man reminded her, slowing his hand between her legs. The pace was teasing, shallower than he knew Annie needed. Her warmth surrounded him, and her arousal dripped down his fingers with each dragging thrust.

“Please,” Annie choked out, clawing at his shoulders. Her mind was still swirling, imagining both of their dates waiting at the table, hopeful for their return. Guilt settled into her skin, but she needed this. Staring into the man’s eyes, she attempted to ground herself, slowly beginning to work her hips into his palm.

“There you go,” Smoke encouraged, increasing his speed as she rutted against him. Heat flushed his face when she grabbed his throat and held him there, but he couldn’t lie about how good it felt. The choking—along with her moans—made him feel lightheaded in the best way, urging him to bring her to her climax. But his arousal was thumping in the seat of his own pants, and every few seconds, he thrusted his clothed length against her thigh.

“Put it in,” Annie lulled into his left ear.

And how could he resist that?

Looking out over his shoulder and finding the courtyard still empty, Smoke quickly unbuckled his belt. He’d have to do a whole lot of lying when he made it back to the table after this, but all of that was a distant concern that he refused to let take precedence.

“I ain’t got no condom,” he breathed heavily, but he was quick to realize that Annie didn’t mind when her leg wrapped around his hip and her hand dragged his dick closer to her entrance.

“I’m surprised you even came tonight,” the woman at the table grinned like a Cheshire cat. Her voice was teetering on the edge of something smug, but the man beside her didn’t pick up on it.

“Why are you surprised,” he questioned in response.

“I just thought you’d have a problem with it after Annie told you,” she chuckled.

“Told me what,” he asked once more, and the woman knew she was about to be triumphant.

“Oh, you don’t know, do you,” she feigned innocence. Her eyes got big and round as if she hadn’t meant to spill the beans and saw no way out but through. “You know Annie’s like my best friend and all, and we’re so close,” she began, voice lilting. “I thought she would have told you about me, her, and Smoke since y'all are so serious and everything.”

“Y’all—”

“Fucked? Yeah,” she answered with indifference, shrugging as she beckoned a waiter over for another bottle of wine. She refilled her glass and tried her best to stuff down her grin. She so badly needed this nigga to move on—because in her mind, if she had to compete for Annie’s attention against Smoke only, she’d double her chances at winning.

Oh, how wrong she was.

But nevertheless, the man beside her only added to her overconfidence when sadness washed over his body. She watched him look down at his watch and back toward the two empty chairs at their table.

“Fuck this pussy, baby,” Annie demanded, smacking the side of Smoke’s ass as he folded her up into the corner. She adored the heat of the moment, how they were doing this in public when they had people waiting for them. She loved the seclusion of it, how it was dark in their corner, and with the plants blocking the view no one would see them anyway.

It felt right no matter how wrong it was, and with Smoke finally fucking her raw like this, she was ready to give him what he wanted. What she had been denying herself, too.

“You mine,” she slurred, drunk off of the feeling of his thrusts.

“Huh, baby,” he grunted, sweat near his hairline.

“You my only nigga,” she confirmed, moaning lightly at him faltering in shock. She grabbed his face, nails crescenting his skin. “You mine, and I’m yours. But you need to put an end to yo’ relationship. Can you do that for me, baby?”

The words were sealed with a kiss to the corner of his mouth. Smoke nodded his head profusely before doubling his efforts.

“I swear it’s over wit’ her,” he damn near cried, throat cracking around a moan.

He’d do whatever she asked because Annie was his priority. Annie was what he’d always needed.

He continued to fuck her as he felt his body beginning to succumb to their combined efforts. Annie was clenching around his length and swearing softly against his lips. She couldn’t take it anymore, the guilt turning into something that nudged at her desire. Neither of them cared about the consequences or repercussions of their cheating because they had this: each other.

As they walked back to the table, they did it together—side by side instead of hiding behind a lie any longer.

Each step sent fear through Annie's body, but as Smoke's shoulder brushed against hers, her heart rate leveled out. What they hadn't expected upon returning was for the table to be missing one of their guests. The closer they got, Smoke's girl became clearer in their view, and when her head turned in their direction, a near evil smirk lit her face.

"Where ole dude at," Smoke puzzled distantly, knowing that whenever he turned up it would be time to come clean. He sat in his seat, Annie to one side and his girl in front of him. The laugh she let out told him everything he needed to know.

"He left," she muttered, already taking in Annie's appearance: the wrinkles in her dress, the slant of her hem, the dampness along her edges.

"Why'd he go," Annie uttered worriedly, causing both of the people at the table to roll their eyes. It's not that she cared about him that much, but when she left the table, everything was fine except for her need for Smoke.

"Y'all was out there together, weren't y'all," the other woman questioned instead, completely disregarding what she'd been asked. Her gaze had moved to Smoke, and his eyes told it all. He could never lie too well when confronted with something outright. His leg was bouncing beneath the table, and his brows were furrowed in a way that said he couldn't wait for tonight to be over with. But those damn eyes lit up every time he looked over at Annie, and the way he wanted her made the other woman's heart hurt.

"I asked you a question," Annie insisted, huffing and crossing her arms beneath her chest. "What did you say to him?" Because she knew the woman had done something. Her friend had set this all up for a reason, and she never liked the idea of Annie entertaining another person. Never liked that she didn't have all of Annie's attention.

"He somehow found out about our li'l threesome," she admitted with a casualness that irked Annie to her core.

"Why would you tell him that," she groaned. "You know I hadn't told him yet."

"I guess it slipped my mind," but as she said the words, she looked at Smoke. The darkness in his eyes. The irritation building in his bones. "What were y'all doin' outside?"

And although Smoke wanted to allow Annie the opportunity to speak her mind, he needed to put an end to this.

"We was fuckin'," he exasperated, already feeling Annie's eyes on him due to his bluntness. He continued to look at the woman he had arrived with tonight, watching the emotions pass over her face. He remembered the fight from earlier about him not being present. He remembered the days she'd come home after hanging out with Annie and how all she wanted was to fuck him with the thought of the other woman fresh in her mind. He thought back to when she had first admitted to wanting a threesome with her friend—the betrayal of it.

The look on her face now had nothing to do with her being cheated on and everything to do with the fact that it was with Annie—the woman that she wanted more than anything else. But she was his now, and that thought settled him.

"We through," he huffed, standing from his seat. He pulled out some cash, throwing it on the table. "You ain't wanted me for a long time, and I apologize for lyin' but that's all I got for you." He wanted to scoff when she looked up at him because she looked pathetic. Shoulders hunched and eyes wet, he could tell she knew this was the end of whatever fantasy she had created for her and the other woman. As much as he wanted to bring it up, it wasn't worth it.

Annie stood when his hand extended toward her.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, standing over the other woman with an honest look. "But it was never gonna work between us."

And with a promise to move out within the week and to pay his half of the rent for the remainder of their lease, Smoke and Annie departed from the double date from hell—hand in hand and with a weight lifted off of their shoulders.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

word count: ~4,200

a/n: and they lived happily ever afterrrr—-

taglist: comment HERE to be added!

@brownskincheyenne @bigjh @zer0productions @devonda81 @raysogroovy @terayne-4 @hdfen2474 @mbjswife @iiiheartfayee @nifniffy @nuttyinternetprincess @chrome-edition @my-name-is-h-u-m-a-n @sweetalittleselfish-honey @theegyal @known-only-by-the-insane @nanak0matsux @thugger-wugger @voidlesslove @massiv3tr33p3rsona @thefutureemmywinner @thelifeoflagab @itstayleigh @shamansha @margepimpson @everlucivee @katezy2x @chknnwffls @juniooox @milkywayzard @bbymuthaaa @zunibugsiren @strawberrylemonades-stuff @rkiiives @kitesatforestp @saralance03 @wildcardmelaninfreak @thevelvetwhispers @queenofklonnie22 @wakandamama @numb1smokeanniestan @mayday39 @bl3ssyn @blue4everrsworld

[lizbehave]

† The Priestess

Annie, an 18-year-old from New Orleans, moves to Clarksdale with dreams of building a life all her own. There she meets Smoke, a 21-year-old war veteran with a dangerous reputation. What grows between them is sweet, sticky, and Southern— a smoldering love set against a world of bootlegging, Hoodoo, and blues.

Chapter 9 Desire—A Night-Blooming Flower

“She was one of those languid women made of dark honey. Smooth and sweet, and terribly sticky, who take control of a room with a syrupy gesture. A toss of the hair, a single, slow whiplash of the eyes—and all the while remain as still as the center of a hurricane, apparently unaware of the force of gravity by which they irresistibly attract to themselves the yearnings and the souls of men.” Perfume - Patrick Süskind

Annie stared out the kitchen window of Nellie’s home, the pad of her thumb caught on the tip of an empty pea pod. She could see Nellie’s mama in the yard hanging linens from the clothesline. Beyond that, the hum of Fourth Street crept through the backyards and alleyways of the neighborhood. Smoke rose from the railroad depot a street over, coughing thick black puffs into the air that looked like a blemish against the bright blue afternoon sky. And somewhere in the distance, the sweet, rotten smell of the Sunflower River floated its way through the cracks of the modest shotgun off Ashton Street.

“Louisiana?” Gigi asked. She shelled a pea with quick hands, dropping the pod in the waste bowl. “You over there daydreamin’.”

“With a big ass grin on your face, too,” Verity chimed in.

Annie blinked twice. “Yeah. Just thinkin’.” 

Nellie grinned. “Mhmm. She thinkin’ about her man.”

Annie rolled her eyes but her mouth twitched. Her man. Her mouth felt dry, words trapped in her throat, but she didn’t dare swallow. Not with Nellie sneaking glances at her, Pearline watching her closely out of the corner of her eye, and Gigi eyeing her curiously. Eventually the conversation folded back into itself. The phonograph skipped to a new song, shells hit the bowl in the middle of the table with a hollow tap, Verity started talking about living in Bronzeville. But desire bloomed under Annie’s skin like a bruise the more she thought of Smoke, spreading through her veins like a whisper of lightning before a storm. 

“So are you gonna…you know…” Pearline started. “Give him your virgin?” she whispered.

Annie turned her head to Pearline.

“Uhh, I-I think so.”

“You think so? Or you know so?” Gigi asked.

“Don’t do it if you ain’t sure,” Pearline added.

“I am sure.”

The answer settled into the room.

“You scared?” The question came from Verity.

A beat.

“Yeah.”

“Of what?”

Before she could answer, another question followed, this time from Gigi again. “You scared of what it’s gon’ feel like, or how you gon’ feel after the deed is done?” 

Annie hummed in thought. 

“Both,” she said finally. “But mostly what it’s gon’ feel like.” 

She fiddled with her fingers. “Do it hurt?” 

She looked up then, avoiding the direct gaze of the faces staring back at her.

Verity spoke up.

“At first, yes,” she said honestly. “Then it feels good. As long as he know what he doin’,” she mumbled under her breath.

“Mhmm.”

“Oh,” Annie trailed off. She rubbed her arms, looking down at her work. Their pile of peas was dwindling down as the day dragged on.

Pearline placed a hand on Annie’s forearm, the touch reassuring. “I feel like you in good hands.”

“‘Specially since he snatched you up so quick,” Nellie added. “He ain’t waste no time.”

“None.”

Annie chuckled. She rubbed her arms again. “Yeah, I guess so.”

She shifted her weight on the chair, her chest tightening. Her heartbeat thumped loudly in her chest, and she tried to ease it by taking deep, controlled breaths. As the conversation in Nellie’s kitchen turned into something lighter, Annie’s thoughts drifted back to what she finally admitted out loud.

The next day…

A bloody sludge of gills and guts covered Annie’s apron. Her fingers, the edge of the kitchen counter—coated in it. She cleaned and gutted catfish, then skinned, trimmed, and sliced them with a thin, sharp knife, separating the scaly skin from the fillet after removing the entrails. The heads sat in a corner of the countertop, where Felix sat on the kitchen floor just below. Tail swinging, eyes wide, he looked like he was ready to pounce.

Annie watched him out of the corner of her eye. 

“Aht aht!” she scolded, pointing the tip of her knife at him. “Don’t even think about it.” 

Some of the gunk from the knife flew onto his paw, which he looked down at like he was personally offended by its presence. He looked up at Annie and meowed, a short trill of frustration. 

She talked back like he could understand what she was saying, looking up from scooping the kidney out of a fish. “What?”

“Mrrp,” he meowed.

Annie rolled her eyes. “That ain’t my problem.”

“Mrrrrrrrrp.”

“Since when you scared of a lil’ blood?”

Felix yawned and rubbed his head with his clean paw, licked the blood off his other one, then meowed again.

“Le pauvre,” she teased.

He whipped around, slipping out the back through the slightly cracked door. Just then Aunt Della walked through the same door, a basket at her hip full of root vegetables. Her hair was pinned back and kept in place with a lavender headscarf, her temples displaying hues of vivid black and silver kinks, coils, and curls that spoke to time and memory. She set the basket and her gardening gloves down on the kitchen table next to the chipped ceramic bowl of onions.

“What you do?”

“To who?” Annie wiped the sweat beading on her brow with the back of her arm.

“Felix.”

“I ain’t did nothin’ to that boy,” she huffed. “He wanna stand in the rain and be mad he got wet.”

“Figures,” Aunt Della chuckled. “You almost done?”

“Almost done, auntie,” Annie answered. “Got two more left.” 

“Lemme start heatin’ this oil up then.”

Three knocks on the front door interrupted their routine, causing both ladies to turn their heads. Loretta Hightower stood at the door, visible through the front window in a tailored three-piece set and matching hat. The vibrant green suit dazzled under the sun that cloaked the porch in a veil of honey-gold. Annie, elbows deep in fish guts, turned back to the catfish while Aunt Della walked over to answer the front door.

“Delilah!” Loretta squealed. 

“Loretta!” 

They embraced. A long, familiar hold that spoke of history and friendship. The low murmur of their conversation carried into the kitchen as Annie stood facing the large back window. Felix was bathing himself with his tongue, staring at her like he had an attitude. She stuck her tongue out at him.

Soft footsteps and the click-clack of heels approached the kitchen. 

“Annie! Loretta got somethin’ for you.”

Annie gasped softly, turning and wiping her hands off on her apron. “What is it?” 

“You got a letter back.” 

Annie jolted and hurried to the wash basin. 

“Oh, let me just…” She submerged her hands down to her forearms in the soapy water, picking up a brush to scrub under her fingernails. “Just gimme a second. Thank you so much, Mrs. Hightower.”

Aunt Della and Loretta chuckled. 

“It’s not goin’ anywhere, baby,” Aunt Della assured her. 

“And it’s a thick one, too, Annie,” Loretta added.

Annie’s heart went from leaping, to soaring, to beating so fast it almost bolted out of her chest. She scrubbed death off her hands until they started to prune. They shook gently underneath the water, vibrating the basin and splashing droplets onto her apron. Aunt Della and Loretta could both hear the soft sniffles she tried to hide underneath the sounds of splashing water. Aunt Della approached her and Annie felt a hand on her back as she whispered something that made her calm her frantic movements.

Annie slowed her motions, dried her hands, and took the envelope, holding it like she held the world in her palms. She brought the paper to her nose, inhaling the familiar scent of her mother’s perfume and her father’s aftershave, breathing it into memory. She gently detached the adhesive of the envelope with wobbly fingers, her heart thumping in her chest as she removed a stack of thick, wide paper folded delicately from the envelope, taking care to notice the flower petals that were packed along with it. 

Blue lobelias. 

They were her favorite.

It was a visually striking perennial that grew in clusters in the field by her great-grandmother’s shack. She remembered hiding behind them when she played hide-and-seek with her brothers as a child. 

Annie wiped a tear that threatened to fall down her cheek carefully and unfolded the letter. The first thing her eyes ran across was her mother’s beautiful cursive that filled the page with soft, whimsical strokes.

Our dear Annie, was all she read at first. Then she reread it. And read it again. 

The words hit her right in the gut. Homesickness burned deep under her skin, hotter than the afternoon sun that hung large and heavy and beamed through the kitchen windows. Deciding to read the letter later on, she tucked it back into the envelope, careful not to spill any petals. The thick envelope went into her apron pocket. 

“Thank you, Mrs. Hightower. Thank you so much.” 

Loretta took a step towards her, then widened her arms, bringing her into a hug. She rubbed her back with a soothing, maternal warmth.

“Lemme know if you need anything else, okay?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Annie felt the long tail of Felix tickle the side of her calf as he contorted his body around her ankle and tilted his head up at her.

“Mrrow,” he purred.

“Guess you ain’t mad at me no mo’, huh?” Annie pursed her lips at Felix as he stared at her for a moment before disappearing into the front room. 

“Well, I better be goin’,” Loretta said. “Almost supper time at the restaurant.” 

“Thank you again,” Annie said.

Loretta nodded, gave Aunt Della a hug, then walked towards the front, the floorboards groaning under her heels. She hesitated at the door, looked back and gave another winsome smile, then slipped outside without another word. 

For a moment, the cool air that crept in made the room feel less stuffy, like the crack of the door let something slip out with it. 

Annie exhaled, her shoulders relaxing.

“You okay, sugar?” Aunt Della asked.

“Yeah,” Annie looked around, rolling up her sleeves. “Just need to do somethin’ with my hands.” 

She crossed the room to the woodstove and scooped a heaving amount of lard into the cast iron pot to heat up. She checked the pot of beans on the back burner, stirring it once before covering it back up. Aunt Della moved to the counter, rolling her own sleeves up and cleaning the catfish filets while Annie mixed the batter together.

The scent of frying oil filled the kitchen even as words didn’t. 

The two women worked together quietly preparing supper as the shuffle of boots became louder, attracted by the smell of spice and fried cornmeal. 

Annie stood at the stove frying fish in batches, watching the corners curl up and waiting to feel the underside was the perfect shade of golden before it was ready to flip.

Annie was in her head.

Because that’s where the letter lived. Not the words. Not yet. It was the smell of her parents soaked into the paper. The flower petals that brought her back to her childhood. 

She didn’t hear the door creak, the screen door slamming shut in that playful way. Didn’t notice the floorboards acquiesce under the weight of his soldier-like footfalls. Didn’t feel the air in the room shift. Didn’t hear him greet Aunt Della in the background. And definitely didn’t hear him approach her.

Two large hands gripped Annie’s waist. The scent of tobacco and peppermint, potent and personal, floated over her shoulder eclipsing the smell of hot grease.

Annie smiled. “Hey.”

“Hey.” 

Smoke set his chin on her shoulder, his hands firm on her hips. “How you be?” 

“Good,” she hummed, the answer an affirmation that settled deep in his chest. 

Better now, she thought to herself. 

The homesickness—gone. Thoughts of the place she called—used to call—home, all melted under his touch. It soothed her somehow. The way his grip was firm but gentle on her waist. Possessive when he pulled her in tighter and rested his chin on her shoulder. Restrained when a shaky breath hit the delicate skin of her neck.

Smoke noticed it all. 

The way her shoulders slackened when he touched her. 

The little jolt that ran through her body. Barely noticeable, but there. 

The way her breath hitched. 

The way she tried to hide it all. 

That was his favorite part; the way she tried to mask her reactions. 

Then she did something unexpected.

Before he knew it she reached behind her, her fingers finding the shell of his ear. She grazed it just once with her fingertips, the touch barely there. But still. He couldn't help but shiver. It was a full-body one. His grip tightened on her waist, fingers twisting the fabric of her skirt for a second before relaxing again. He watched the corner of her mouth turn up as she turned a fish filet in the cast iron pan. Then he grinned too. His lips twisted playfully, the dimple in his cheek caving in.

“Y’all lookin’ mighty cozy over there.”

Stack. 

He walked in, brows high on his forehead when he saw Smoke behind Annie like a vat of hot oil wasn’t bubbling right in front of them. Steam rose slowly from the pot, beading sweat on both Annie and Smoke’s foreheads. One bad decision and a body part could end up with a third-degree burn.

But neither of them seemed to care. 

They didn’t seem to notice he or Miss Della were even there.

Annie swayed a bit as she flipped and dipped fish. And Smoke moved with her, a hushed conversation taking place between them as he rested his head on her shoulder. 

Stack looked at Aunt Della like “you seein’ this?” She shrugged. He walked over and gave her a hug as she prepared sides with serving utensils, all the while eyeing the perfectly golden-brown catfish strips piling up on a platter next to the stove. 

His mouth watered at the smell of the crispy fried crust and the spice of the batter—and he just knew once he bit into it, it’d steam and flake just the way he liked it.

So he took a chance.

He reached for a piece at the edge of the platter and two heads snapped towards him.

“You tryna get popped?” Annie asked.

Stack pulled his hand back. “I’m tryna get some fish, actually.”

“You’ll get some when it’s ready.”

“It looks ready.”

“I mean during supper. At the table.”

“I just wanna taste.”

Annie smirked, her chin tilting up playfully. “Later.”

Stack reached again.

“Boy!” She pointed her tongs at him.

Smoke watched the whole thing, amused. He didn’t move from his position.

“Girl!”

“You tryna get burned? Stack, you too close to the stove.”

Stack blinked. “Y’all basically knee deep in oil.” He smoothed out his shirt. “Besides. A lil’ burn won’t hurt me, woman.”

“You gon’ get popped with more than just oil if you don’t move,” Annie said with a grin. 

“Make it worth my while then,” he teased back. “Lemme get a lil’ piece.” He was relentless. He eyed a strip with a crispy end that he could break off easily. He reached out for the third time. 

Annie sighed. She had turned back to watching the pot now, but still caught Stack out of the corner of her eye. “Don’t move that hand.”

Stack smirked.

Annie rolled her eyes, breaking off the end of the piece Stack was eyeing. Steam curled into the air as the fish broke apart in flaky, white pieces. “Here, greedy!” She placed it in his palm before turning back to the stove.

“I’ll be that,” Stack teased. He hummed as soon as the savory spice of the fish hit his tastebuds. “Thank ya kindly.” He swaggered into the front room satisfied.

Smoke finally moved. 

“I’ll let you get back to it,” he said. He rubbed her shoulders and kissed her cheek before following his brother out the same way.

Annie chuckled to herself, shaking her head as she finished the last pieces she had left to fry. 

“I reckon everything goin' well between you two.” Aunt Della said.

Whole time, Annie had completely forgotten her great-aunt was even in the room. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of a moment—any moment with Smoke, really—being watched.

“Uh yeah,” she replied. That familiar tingling she only got when she thought about him spreading across her skin like wildfire. “We are.”

Annie felt Aunt Della’s smile from across the room, even with her back turned. She left the kitchen to ring the supper bell, the fabric of her skirt fluttering around her. 

Men made their way into the dining area one-by-one, fresh from cleaning their hands. They carried with them the smell of musk, turpentine, and a hard day’s work. It was heavy. Masculine. 

The twins walked in last.

Stack came in first, all dimples and bright eyes.

Smoke walked in behind him still sporting that same dimple that showed up earlier when his eyes found hers.

He didn’t hurry to sit at the table. Didn’t hurry to grab a plate. He stood at the edge of the room, waiting as Annie and Miss Della brought in the food. A large platter of fried fish, a steaming pot of beans and rice, skillets of cornbread, and a large pot of greens went to the middle of the table. 

The dining area filled with rising steam, watering mouths, and low conversation as the lodgers began to devour their supper.

Annie dropped her arms and stepped to him, the faint smell of pipe mix and soap clinging to his clothes.

“You not gon’ eat?” she asked.

“Was waitin’ for you.”

“You ain’t gotta do that.”

He grabbed her hands. “I do.”

Annie tipped her head towards the kitchen. “Lemme go wash up first.” 

“I’ll fix you a plate. Before these niggas eat it all.”

Annie giggled softly.

“Whatchu want?” 

“Just some fish…,” she said, walking backwards to the kitchen, “and some beans and rice.”

Smoke nodded once. “I got it.”

Supper was spent at the high-top four-seater table in the corner of the dining area. Smoke and Annie sat next to each other, Stack and Aunt Della directly across from them. They talked. They laughed. They ate. They drank. 

Every so often, Annie’s shoulder would brush against Smoke’s. She’d reach across the table for something—her glass, the saltshaker. When she pulled back their arms would press against each other and they’d stay there. Close. It felt like both of them were waiting for the moment something would force them to pull away from each other. It didn’t. 

Occasionally, Smoke would brush lint from Annie’s clothes or thumb a crumb from her cheek. His fingers would linger for a second too long, like they were waiting on her to pull back. She didn’t.

By the time supper was long over, the heat still lingered. 

It wasn’t from the food.

Even outside where a cool breeze swept through the night in broken intervals, pulling a delicate, melodic sound from the windchimes that reached back into the yard where Smoke and Annie stood. A fading oil lamp hung up high, casting gold across the backyard and leaving the rest of it in shadows. 

Annie didn’t know why she pulled Smoke to the side of the lean-to shed. Or maybe she did and she just didn’t want to admit it to herself.

She stood by it, back pressed against the wooden siding, hips tilted out slightly as her fingers twisted in the fabric of her skirt. 

Smoke stood in front of her, jaw tight, hands at his sides. They flexed periodically, twitched like he was fighting something. 

Nature’s soundtrack felt even louder tonight. The chirp of crickets shuddered in the grass. The deep bellow of a bullfrog echoed in the distance. And somewhere down the block, a harmonica played a gritty blues bend that floated down the street like smoke curling from a cigarette.

But the moment Annie shifted, the sounds began to slowly fade away. 

She moved in one smooth motion. Her hands rose to the collar of Smoke’s shirt, fingers twisting around the edge. Then she tugged, just once. The movement pulled him in until his hands bracketed her on the shed. 

She didn’t hesitate. 

The kiss started softly.

The slow smack of lips drowned out the crickets first, then the bullfrog. Then the metal-on-metal tapping of the water pump, its handle moving stubbornly with the wind. Smoke pulled Annie towards him as their mouths moved against each other. His hands found the small of her back, making it bow into him until she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave in to his pull. He sighed as the feeling of soft, plush curves met a hard stomach, strong arms, and broad shoulders carved by war and Mississippi cotton fields. 

They kissed slowly. Like they were savoring the taste of each other. Their lips met and released, connecting in a slow dance that was all their own. Then the kiss deepened, their tongues coming out to play as they twirled around each other.

Annie’s hands moved from his neck to his shoulders to steady herself as their heads swiveled and they explored every corner of their mouths. She gasped, then groaned, when he pulled her bottom lip into his mouth. Biting, then soothing the sting with a lick.

Their tongues flicked against each other, slow and nasty. Like the harmonica still playing down the street. It had slowed down its tune, the legato wailing all sultry and soulful through the night. 

Even that sound disappeared after a while. It was quiet in the bubble they created when it was just them two, just shared breaths and gasps for air. 

Annie tasted like pot likker and the peppermint stick she sucked on after supper. Like home on a quiet winter evening in front of a fire. Smoke tasted like tobacco and grass from the cigarette he finished right before Annie pulled him into the backyard when she thought nobody was paying attention.

Her hands fell from his shoulders to his chest, rubbing her palms against the solidness that sat underneath the cotton. His hands traveled south from her back to the curve of her ass, his calloused hands smoothing over all the thickness that sat back there. 

His blood sparked hot. 

His hands itched to grip, wanted to grab—but he pulled back instead.

“Annie,” he rasped, his voice low and rough.

Their breaths were heavy, lustful. What began slowly was quickly turning into something more gluttonous than supper. He felt it in him. He saw it in Annie.

He pressed his forehead to hers. Her eyes widened as the noise from inside swelled abruptly. She turned her head towards it as her pulse sped down and her breath came out slower. When the noise dimmed down again, she turned back.

“Why’d you stop?”

The question cut through the silence. 

Smoke looked at Annie, her brows knit, her eyes searching his.

The oil lamp above them crackled one last time before completely snuffing out, leaving them with just the dim light that pooled outside from the kitchen window. A large wax candle sat on the sill, its fire burning dimly through the window. Annie looked at Smoke. Even in the near darkness outside, she could feel the hunger in his gaze. 

And she felt the same way. 

Famished.

Smoke lifted a hand. His fingers brushed the side of her face, grazing the smooth skin of her cheek. Annie’s eyes fluttered under his touch. Her hand grabbed his wrist and his hand stilled, but it wasn’t to stop him. It was to hold him there. 

“It’s okay,” she whispered, gulping when she saw the darkening of his eyes.

“I ain’t never…” was all she got off before the words disappeared in her throat. 

She didn’t finish her sentence. She didn’t need to.

Everything in Smoke went still except the muscle of his jaw that twitched once then stopped.

He looked away.

He wasn’t surprised. That was the thing.

Her words were confirmation of something he’d already assumed about her. 

But there was something about the way she said it that he filed away for later.

She’d never been touched. 

Not like this. 

And while he stood breathing desire down her throat with his hand on her ass, he felt something twist in his chest.

Guilt.

It moved in quickly, crowding his thoughts. Guilt for moving too fast. Guilt for letting his want for her carry him far enough that he had to stop himself before she did. 

“I know,” Smoke said finally. 

Annie looked away.

“Look at me.”

She couldn’t look at him at that moment. 

Not because she was embarrassed, ashamed, or insecure. Not really. She just felt inexperienced. Young in a way she hated feeling in anybody’s eyes. 

Her eyes traveling up his chest to his collar where she picked at a loose thread. “I want you,” she whispered, “to be my first.” 

The words were so quiet that the night almost took hold of them. 

Smoke’s eyes closed for half a second. He pulled her close, pressing his forehead to hers. 

“You ‘sho?”

For a split second, his words sounded like a plea to Annie rather than a question.

“Yes,” she said, grabbing onto the folds of his shirt. 

The backyard held its breath. Here in their little bubble, the only thing that existed was Smoke, Annie, and this moment between them. Smoke took Annie’s hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles, keeping his eyes trained on hers.

“You mine?”

Annie grinned, nodding once. 

“Nah,” Smoke gripped her chin again, tracing her bottom lip with his thumb. “I wanna hear you say it.”

She lowered her head, then looked up, her big brown eyes certain and glittering in the sliver of moonlight that peeked out from behind the clouds. Her lips parted. “I’m yours. Tout.”

“Creole?”

“Mhmm,” she grinned proudly.

Smoke hummed— a deep vibrating sound that shot up Annie’s spine. Her words were a soothing balm, loosening the hooks of guilt lodged in his back.

“Good,” he said. He rubbed her back with wide strokes, holding her close as the nighttime settled around them, comfortable and warm despite the November cold. 

“Ou m’ap pèm?”

“What’s that?”

“You mine too?”

“Teach me how to say it back.”

“Mwen se ou.”

“Mwen se ou,” he repeated back.

“You gettin’ better,” she gasped, her whole face lighting up. 

Smoke smirked smugly. “Gotta good teacher.”

“Mwen se tout ou.”

“That too,” he grunted.

Annie snorted, turning her head briefly. “Don’t be makin’ fun of me.”

“I ain’t,” he shrugged. “That’s what you sound like.”

He gave her a real smile then, dimples deep in both his cheeks. He couldn’t hide it.

“I was so nervous,” she admitted, her grin wrapping around her words despite herself.

Smoke raised a brow. “Nervous ‘bout what?” 

“To tell you.”

“That you a virgin?”

Annie nodded, hand finding that loose thread again. Smoke grabbed her hand and kissed it.

“You ain’t gotta be nervous to tell me stuff, you hear?” 

Annie sighed, pressing her palms to his chest. “I know.”

Smoke stared down at Annie. Her soft, panting breaths, her heart beating against his own chest. He raised his right hand to hers, covering her right palm that lay directly over his heart. His thumb brushed over her knuckles. The gesture—the warmth in it—made her look at him. Their eyes locked and held, the look between them speaking louder than any words could at that moment. 

“I’m scared,” she said quietly. 

“Scared of what?” 

Their mouths moved but their bodies were still. Smoke’s hand sat over Annie’s on his chest like it was frozen there, his heart beat steadily under her palm. 

“What it’s gon’ be like,” she mumbled, barely a breath, “the first time.”

“What you think?”

Annie shook her head, unsure. “I don’t know.”

Smoke ran his tongue along the back of his teeth.

“How you want it to be?”

Annie’s lips twisted in thought as Smoke’s eyes pinned her in place. Their hands stayed where they were, his thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. 

“Don’t be scared.”

Annie said nothing. Her lips parted like she wanted to speak but decided against it.

Smoke’s voice dropped low and deep, rough with something—but not sultry. He wasn’t trying to make her shiver or choke on a gasp. Not right now. Right now he wanted—needed—to assure her. He needed her to feel the promise in his words. Needed her to know he meant it.

He looked Annie in the eye, the weight of his hand pressing harder against hers where it rested on top of his heart. “I’m gon’ take good care of you, Annie.”

The words were simple, but she felt them in her core. Her skin lit up with that familiar tingle, her heartbeat thumping hard against her ribs. 

Annie looked down at her hand, shifting it slightly under his.

She could hear the promise beneath the words.

And something in her—something that felt older than her—told her to believe it. So, she did.

“I ain’t even thought about it like that. Not for real.”

Lie.

Smoke raised a brow. “Never?”

Annie shook her head once. Then she nodded, pursing her lips so the corner of her mouth would stop twitching. 

“Well,” she breathed, the gust of air warming his collarbone. “A little.”

She rolled her lips inward and finally looked up at him. 

The heat that had reduced to a simmer sparked up again. Smoke’s eyes darkened at her words, her curiosity, her comfort. Her closeness felt like second nature to him, but her vulnerability hit something deeper in his chest.

“What you was thinkin’?”

Annie’s eyes trailed from his eyes down to his lips. They sat perfectly on his face— thick, plump, and so soft against her own.

“Tell me,” he insisted, voice low and coaxing. 

“I had a dream…” She looked away. Her eyes went to something different now since she felt his gaze piercing her soul. She focused on a bush of moonflowers by the fence, their wilting petals fluttering in the breeze like little ghosts. “About you.” 

“‘Bout me?” he drawled. Smugly, almost. “And what happened in this dream?” His hands traveled up and down her spine.

Annie fidgeted nervously.

“I don’t remember.”

Smoke tilted his head. “How you know it was about me then?” 

She hesitated. 

“‘Cause….”

“‘Cause what?”

“How I felt.”

“How you feel?”

The flashbacks came in waves. Along with a feeling she couldn’t find the word for until now. 

“Full.” 

The word came out so tiny, it sounded accidental. It was barely a word. More like a faint expulsion of air that drifted through the seams of his mouth. But it was raw, and it settled like a presence in his chest, latching onto the corners of his soul that housed devotion and something deeper. 

Restraint pressed against every instinct he’d ever possessed and the inside of his slacks. 

This woman had no idea what she was doing to him.

“We should go inside,” he muttered. “Befo’ your aunt come lookin’ for us.”

Annie giggled softly, his shoulders relaxing at the sound. 

“You scared of Aunt Della?”

“Yes.”

Annie laughed for real this time, the tension loosening just enough to let them breathe again. They walked towards the back door and Smoke held the door open for her to fully step inside. 

The moon hung high above the rooftops, cutting through the inky black sky like a blade of silver light. It poured through the windows of Annie’s bedroom, making the lobelia petals that were scattered across her covers glow around the edges like they were suspended in a dream. 

Annie unfolded her letter, her eyes scanning through the words briefly, but she was only looking for one thing. Something she’d been holding in since Loretta first placed it in her hands.

The end.

The signatures.

She read it with shaky hands.

All our love,

Papa & Maman

Nana

Junior

Vernon

Leroy

Raymond

Maurice

They were all there.

Except one.

Uriah. 

He was her closest brother.

Annie didn’t know why she expected his name to be scrawled among the signatures, his chicken scratch inked deep into the paper. He’d been dead over a year at that point. But the absence felt worse than accepting he was dead.

She still felt him, like him slipping through the cracks of the earth didn’t necessarily mean he would be missing from a letter sent from home. 

She knew it wasn’t really his missing signature that made tears pool in her eyes, it was his soul. 

Since the government refused to send his body back from France after the war, his spirit had been unsettled. Restless. 

She felt it the most when she took her ilekes off. She always covered them, sandwiching them between two thin, white cloths that belonged to her great-grandmother, then set them in a drawer taking care that they didn’t touch the surface of the wood. 

She’d say a prayer for him at the tiny altar in the corner of her room that sat on top of a warped, lopsided, low table. It smelled of old wood, herbs, and dust.

Salt for protection and peace of mind.

A pinch of soil.

A Mississippi river rock.

His name written on a piece of paper. Pinched and folded in half towards her. 

A half-burned taper candle.

Blue cloth. A snippet from his baby quilt, stitched from her mother’s, grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s hands.

Molasses chews. Because those were his favorite growing up.

She lit the candle, the flame catching blue at first before bleeding orange. When it steadied, she bowed her head.

“Uriah Silas Antonio Royal,” she said. Her voice sounded tiny and helpless in the confines of her room. 

“Blood callin’ you even though your bones ain’t make it back.” 

She paused, taking a shaky breath. 

Then she laid her offering.

“Water for the journey. Salt for your peace. Light so you can see. A piece of home so you remember. Think of us, and remember where you belong.” 

The candle flickered violently. 

“Ancestors, please,” she said, looking out the window to the moon. “Don’t let him cross alone, he scared.” 

Annie swallowed hard to clear the lump that swelled in her throat, a tear drop falling directly onto the flame. It flickered and smoked, but the amber light held the line in the darkness of her room.

She bent over, crying quietly into the fabric of her nightgown, her tears dampening the delicate white cotton. She closed her eyes and the present slipped into the past, seamless and real. She could see it all— the draw, the aim, the shot. The scream she could feel in her bones, muffled by wet soil, quicklime, and tarp. 

Annie opened her eyes and the scent of graveyard dirt and saltwater hung in the air. The silence that came after wasn’t peaceful. It was eerie. 

After a while, she spoke again.

“Ain’t no guns tonight,” she said. She cleared her throat to silence the tears and took a few deep breaths. “Ain’t no shoutin’. Ain’t no mud in your mouth. Just light. Just a way home.” 

The flame flickered again, its shape bending against the darkness like someone was pushing on it. 

Annie wiped the grief that lay wet tracks on her cheeks. 

“It’s okay,” she rasped, catching her breath. “Come on home.”

The flame finally settled into itself. 

Only then did she blow it out. 

The next morning felt like a slow exhale. Annie moved around the boarding house with a lightness that felt like the rainbow after a thunderstorm. Morning duties went by smoothly, followed by breakfast, chores, lessons, and a quick lunch. By the afternoon she was tying bundles of roots in the kitchen while Aunt Della sat in the front room writing a letter at her desk. The house groaned around them as cool air settled into its bones. The phonograph was playing low in the background when they heard a knock on the front door followed by two impatient honks of a car horn.

“I’ll get it,” Annie called from the kitchen. 

She wiped her hands and walked towards the front.

“Hey Pea,” Annie said when she opened the door.

Pearline frowned as she laid eyes on Annie. 

“Annie girl, why you ain’t dressed?”

Annie looked at Pearline. Then she looked at the car idling on the street. Then back to her, confused. 

“Dressed for what?”

“Your fittin’ today!”

“Oh my Lord!”

Aunt Della shook her head as Pearline stepped in, watching Annie trip halfway up the stairs.

“How you doin’, Mrs. Clark?”

“Doin’ fine,” Aunt Della responded. “How you?”

“Doin’ mighty fine myself.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Aunt Della put her pen down and looked at Pearline as she stepped further into the front room. She pulled a small drawstring pouch from the pocket of her dress and placed it on her writing desk. 

Pearline took it and quickly stuffed it in her purse. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

“You welcome.”

Aunt Della's eyes flicked down to Pearline’s stomach before she turned back to her pen and paper. 

Twenty minutes later, Pearline and Annie were on their way to Issaquena Street. The ride was quiet, with Pearline staring out the passenger window while her husband drove. Annie sat in the backseat, lips rolled and hands in her lap. 

“I’m so sorry, Mr. George,” Annie said to Pearline’s husband. “It completely slipped my mind.”

Mr. George grunted as the car came to a slow stop in front of the shop. “That’s alright.”

The girls climbed out of the Model T Ford. 

“Pearline?” He called after his wife.

She looked back as she stepped on the curb. “Yes?”

“Six o’clock.”

“Alright.”

The sign for the shop hung overhead as Pearline and Annie inched their way toward the door. As they walked down the steps and down the short, covered walkway to the modiste, Annie’s thoughts drifted to the excitement waiting for them next week.

The Harvest Party.

LUELLA’S DRESSING ROOM & ALTERATIONS

“Smoke gon’ forget his own name when he see you,” Pearline teased Annie. 

Luella smirked, adjusting a corset frame where it was pinned to one of the Dressmakers’ mannequins. 

Annie blushed where she stood barefoot on the platform in front of the three-way mirror, knee-length robe wrapped around her thick frame, long hair braided into a coily crown. 

Sunlight came through the curtains in golden slits, turning the dust motes suspended by the window into glitter. The click of heels and the low hum of sewing machines faded away behind the damask velvet drapes that separated the private alcove from the showroom. It felt cozy back here— like warmth, perfume, and whispers. Gloves, hair combs, purses, and other finishing touches were lined up on a table on the side where the crystal jars filled with candies added to the plush decor. 

Pearline sat on a velvet ottoman, one leg crossed politely over the other. Her gloved hands came together in her lap, her fingers mindlessly playing with the lace trim at her wrist.

“I can’t wait to see it,” she said. She smiled at Annie through the mirror—but it was bittersweet. Pensive. 

Annie’s brows knit together. “What’s wrong?” she mouthed. 

Pearline just shook her head and looked down. Annie tilted her head at her friend.

Just then, Luella’s assistant walked around the corner with a garment bag. She handled it carefully, hanging it on the clothing rack before rolling it from behind the seating area to rest at the side of the viewing platform. “You ready?” 

Annie turned, her face lighting up, but she still watched Pearline carefully out of the corner of her eye. She had a melancholic aura to her even though she tried to cover it with excitement for her friend. Her spine was snapped straight, her legs politely crossed— but something hung in the air between them.

Annie nodded, signaling she was ready. Luella stepped to the clothing rack and unzipped the garment bag as her and assistant removed it from its cover. She gasped when the rich, deep green velvet bodice caught the dim light of the alcove, then hopped off the platform, padding over to the rack.

“Wow,” Pearline stood up in awe. “It’s beautiful, Annie,” she whispered. She ran her gloved fingers down the sides of it, skimming over the delicate beadwork and fringe. 

It was a one-of-a-kind piece, made to stand out and be seen through the low lights and smoke in the juke. 

Luella and her assistant went over accessory ideas with Annie— purses, coats, shoes. Even some hair ideas. They talked to her about pressing her hair and wearing it pinned back into a chignon with a side part. Her excitement grew by the minute until she looked to the side and saw Pearline. The teasing from earlier was gone. Now she was quiet.

Polite.

But barely there.

They finally got to the jewelry options. Lightweight earrings, delicate necklaces, beaded bracelets. Luella held up a thin silver chain for Annie to look at, but Annie almost winced at the idea of wearing anything but her ilekes. She ran her finger over them.

“You can’t wear that necklace with,” she pointed to it, then to the dress on the rack, “that dress!” Luella’s assistant exclaimed.

Luella quietly agreed. “She’s right, sugar.” 

“But, I always wear my beads,” Annie rubbed one, taking a small step back from the accessory table. 

“Every single day?” Pearline asked.

“No,” she shook her head. “Not every day.”

Pearline shrugged. “So you can go one night without ‘em,” she trailed off as a hand reached over to touch them. 

She stopped herself when she saw Annie’s eyes grow wide.

“I can’t touch ‘em?”

Annie shook her head no.

Pearline crossed her arms, putting her weight on one hip. “Why not?” 

“Cuz they blessed.” 

Pearline scrunched her nose up. “What you mean, blessed?”

Annie looked towards the window, then back. “I don’t really know. But my great-grandma told me I can’t let anyone touch ‘em, or she gotta bless ‘em again. And she dead, so...”

“Annie,” Pearline pleaded quietly. Her face relaxed like she recognized this wasn’t a conversation to have here. Not while they were surrounded by pearls and sequins, lace, leather and perfume. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

Luella and her assistant sorted necklaces while they continued their conversation in hushed tones. 

“She gave ‘em to me when I was seven.” 

Pearline’s eyes softened.

“Told me never to take ‘em off.”

“Have you?”

“No,” Annie sighed. “Only on certain days.” 

She exhaled again, her lips curving up into a sly grin. “But I guess I can go without ‘em…for just the night.”

Pearline smiled. 

Luella’s assistant came over and squealed with glee while Luella picked up a long silver necklace with a small diamond pendant that hung like a teardrop in the center.

Luella’s assistant pointed at it. “Annie, what you think ‘bout this one?”

Annie’s eyes lit up, intrigued. “I like it.” Her hands fingered the delicate chain. “A lot.”

She turned to reach over and rub Pearline’s shoulder as Luella and her assistant continued to talk her ear off about her jewelry options. 

“Wanna get a soda after this?” she asked.

“I’d love to.” Pearline couldn’t agree fast enough.

The walk back over to Fourth Street was brisk. Annie and Pearline walked the streets, arms folded across their chests, wool overcoats wrapped tightly around them. 

The sidewalks were even busier today. Despite the unusual cold front that blew into the Delta, most sharecroppers were stuck in limbo waiting on their settlements to come back from the plantation owners. Which means they’d make their way to town looking for some way to entertain themselves.

Besides the cafes and jukes, Fourth Street Drugs was a popular spot. It held a soda fountain on the right side of the store with ice cream, soda, and other fizzy drinks.

Step through the narrow wooden door that separated it from the drugstore and it felt like you were stepping into a different world. 

The space was a haven for young folks—swirling on lacquered stools, sipping sodas, floats, and malts. A polished oval countertop ran along the mirrored wall, a bar-like soda fountain directly in front of it. Ice cream, fruit, and syrups stood in a line up for the soda jerk to easily mix flavors. Light snacks sat in glass displays at each end of the countertop. 

The bell above the shop dinged twice as Annie and Pearline stepped through. 

They made themselves comfortable at the bartop, unwrapping scarves and taking off their hats. Annie ordered an ice cream soda from the soda jerk and Pearline decided on a cherry phosphate over ice. 

They enjoyed the live music— an elderly man in dark blue and black checkered shirt and overalls playing his harmonica and singing. He was tall, dark-skinned, and lanky, but his eyes were warm. His harmonica sat between his hands like a silver smile.

🎵 Don't get mad at me, boys, if your buggy don't ride like mine

I said, don’t get mad at me if your buggy don’t ride like mine

'Cause it's an easy-ridin' buggy, rarin' to go all the time* 🎵

Annie didn't recognize the song, nor the man. But she recognized the sound of that harmonica. The way he bent his notes felt familiar to her, like it was the soundtrack to something special.

The memory hit like a freight train.

Her and Smoke in the backyard after supper.

She barely heard, let alone remembered, anything from that night. Not besides the sound of Smoke’s voice. But she remembered that harmonica playing while they kissed slow under the moonlight.

She instantly got chills.

“That’s my time for today, my name is Delta Slim and I thank ya for listenin’.”

The whole room exploded with applause as Delta Slim slipped from the stage to the backroom. 

Annie watched him disappear down the hallway, then turned to Pearline.

She could tell she was only halfway present.

She tried to be cheerful while sipping her drink, but every time the shop bell rang her eyes would drift towards the entrance. Annie watched her out of the corner of her eye, wiping the corner of her mouth when a drop of ice cream landed on her chin. 

“I can’t go to the party,” Pearline admitted. 

“Why not?”

Pearline sighed. “My husband.” 

Annie’s lips pressed into a straight line. 

Pearline’s husband was an older man. Good bank job. Well-maintained house in a decent part of town. He was respected in the Black community of Coahoma County. 

He was protective over Pearline when it mattered. 

She found it sweet at first. Endearing. 

But that protection started to feel like a suffocating control.

And Pearline was starting to feel like a fish out of water. 

Annie shook her head. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. 

Pearline looked down, swirled her drink, and took another sip. 

“He's a good man, Annie,” she said, staring into her cup like that would make it true.

Annie felt skeptical but she was unwilling to push her friend into feeling uncomfortable.

“You happy?”

Pearline took a full minute to answer. 

“Yeah.” 

“Well,” Annie grabbed Pearline’s forearm, stroking her skin. “That’s what matters then...that you happy.”

Pearline gave her a weak smile.

A Few Nights Later — Moon Lake, Mississippi

Smoke and Stack stepped foot into the building, overhead lights so bright they had to blink so their eyes could adjust. It was something Smoke never got used to—the lights. He’d seen the Mississippi sun become a furnace in the sky— but this new, artificial shit? It was stronger. Blinding.

He didn’t like any of it. 

Stack was prepared. He always was when it came to his twin.

He handed Smoke a pair of American Optical aviators that they were fitted for during the war. They had smoked out dark lenses, a thin metal frame, and a double bridge that sat comfortably across his nose.

The twins walked through the casino like men on a mission. Smoke kept his hands in his pockets, but he still met eyes. A bootlegger on a craps table. Another man in a fancy pressed suit, elbows deep in a blackjack game to the right. 

They made their way to the side of the room, shoulders squared, eyes sharp, steps measured, cutting through a maze of fumes, lights, and laughter, until they were standing in front of the walkway that led to the private gaming salons. 

A narrow, low-lit corridor loomed in front of them. Dark green doors stretched down the hallway lined up like little soldiers. The walls were covered with patterned maroon wallpaper that looked like old blood dripping slowly from the panels. Smoke hovered overhead, suspended at the ceiling like a thick, tobacco-filled cloud. Floorboards groaned underneath heels and two-tone spectator shoes while furniture legs groaned under men all looking to play the long game with duffel bags full of cash.

Door 14. The Roulette Room.

Laughter slipped out the open door. 

The room was cozy but not small, decorated to feel expensive with its soft lamplight, burgundy wallpaper, velvet drapes and deep mahogany woodwork. 

A large roulette table flanked by carved wooden chairs with upholstered seats sat in the middle, the dealer leaning over the table with practiced focus. Framed paintings hung high above tall wooden panels, fireplaces, and wall sconces that divided the space. 

The room wasn’t full but wasn’t empty either. 

And most people present weren’t there to play. 

Not really.

Members of Clarksdale’s fraternal lodge were scattered around the room—Pythians with their ceremonial hats and others in regular suits. Smoking, fraternizing, throwing drinks back. Women in sequined dresses, strappy shoes, and pressed waves socialized among them.

Clay stood in the middle, leaning against a fireplace with two fingers of something dark in his hand. Maybe whiskey. Maybe brandy. A crystal glass decanter sat by his elbow. He swished his drink around, taking small sips while he listened to a man speak, voice low under the soft clatter of chips and murmured bets.

It was a white man. Rotund build. Dressed in a white single-breasted suit jacket and trousers, white shirt, and striped bowtie. He had a thick unibrow and mustache, and a hearty laugh that echoed off the walls but a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He didn’t look flashy; he looked comfortable. Too comfortable. 

And that was just from a distance. 

Smoke’s lip curled up instantly. 

Stack elbowed him in the arm when he saw the raw expression on his brother’s face. 

“Chill out, nigga.” 

Smoke grunted.

When Clay saw the twins across the room, he didn’t flinch. He just waved them over, setting his glass down on the mantle.

They split up like they always did when they first entered a space, Smoke rounding left, Stack circling right. 

It was part of their routine. A twin language developed from survival and war. 

They didn’t discuss it. They didn’t need to. 

They orbited the room. The movement looked casual, but they were quietly filing away every detail. Every glance meant suspicion, calculation, or warning. Nerves that had nothing to do with gambling. Shifty eyes. Hidden weapons. 

Smoke was the quicker draw of the two, and he always rolled deep. Two pistols. Bolo knife. Always tucked away but easily accessible.

Stack was slower to draw but had a way of disguising danger as charm before anybody realized it was danger. He kept a colt .45 and a brass knuckle knife hidden seamlessly in his clothing.

When they reached Clay, he already had two cigars cut for them. 

“Jim—” he said with a wide grin. “These the two gentlemen I was tellin’ you ‘bout earlier.” 

“Ah, the twins!” this Jim character said. 

He tapped ash from his own cigar on a lacquered tray and looked between Smoke and Stack who flanked him—one twin on each side.

“You fellas ever think about comin’ up North?” 

Stack answered. “We been up North.”

“Where to?”

“Harlem.”

“New York...What about Illinois? Arkansas?”

Smoke spoke up. “Arkansas ain’t up north.” 

“I know,” Jim replied.

“So why you askin’?” he asked flatly.

Jim shrugged. “Just curious.”

“Nah.” Smoke turned his head. “We don't go up North much.”

“But it depend on who askin’,” Stack added. 

Both twins looked at Jim.

Smoke with his head tilted downwards and his hooded eyes that could look up through a man and pierce his soul. 

Stack stood with his head tilted up so he was always looking down at someone, eyes twinkling, smirk wide, golds flashing.

Jim chuckled once, amused. At least on the surface. 

The ice in Stack’s cup tapped against the glass as it melted, sitting completely untouched in front of him. Smoke had already smoked his cigar down to the nub and sat with his elbows on his knees. 

Jim and his posse were long gone by now. 

Smoke, Stack, Clay and two of Clay’s men sat around a small round table that was polished to a shine that caught the lamplight in amber streaks. They talked routes, distribution, provisions, collections, hidden shipments, payoffs. 

Stack’s eyes sparkled every time someone mentioned Little Rock or Chicago. 

Smoke’s eyes held an unimpressed dullness even under the golden pools of lamplight.

Clay noticed, his eyes flicking between the two of them, subtly eyeing the difference in demeanor. 

“What you think?” Stack whispered to Smoke.

Smoke frowned then leaned over. “‘Bout what?”

“Big Jim.”

“I ain’t.”

Stack sucked his teeth loudly which earned a stare from Smoke.

Stack grumbled under his breath. 

“Shut up, nigga” Smoke gritted. 

“Just think about it,” Stack pushed. “Me. You. And Little Rock.”

Stack finally picked up his drink and took a swig. “You can bring Annie, too.”

Smoke just shook his head. Leaving Clarksdale was the last thing he was thinking about. 

The casino carried on in the background. Jazz, smoke, and the sweet-sharp smell of corn liquor spilled from the large double doors every time a patron stepped out. 

Smoke stood outside, the orange ember of his cigarette burning bright behind his palm. 

He didn’t come outside for quiet. The casino wasn’t quiet. Moon Lake never was. 

He stood at the dock and took a long drag of tobacco. It burned his chest. The cherry, spice, and the faint trace of lake humidity calmed the dull throb of a headache that sat behind his skull. 

“People done carved out every corner of Chicago. Whole lotta money there. But Arkansas….” 

Big Jim’s words echoed in his head. 

And Stack’s. 

He was always hyped about something. A scheme, a trick, a scam. 

And Smoke would always be caught up right along with him. 

But this one—

“Know a couple call houses in Little Rock need fixin’ up,” Big Jim said between puffs. 

A member of his posse, another white man with olive skin, a stocky build and a scar on his left cheek spoke up next.

“Bathhouse in Hot Springs. Y’all would do good up there, too.” He took a swig of his whiskey. “Real good.”

Smoke pushed the thoughts away before they could take root in his mind.

His thoughts turned to Annie instead.

To the confession she made.

The thought he filed away for later resurfaced while he looked out at the water. Night blanketed the cypress trees and the shores and the forest beyond it while the twinkling lights of the Moon Lake island helped soften its edges. 

Annie never shrank herself or made herself smaller for other people’s comfort. That’s one thing Smoke noticed the most about her. She was like him in that way. 

But something was different about the look on her face when she said those three words.

I ain’t never…

She looked vulnerable. Timid almost. 

His chest tightened at the thought. 

Something flickered in her eyes that night, just for a second before it disappeared. 

It wasn’t from the moonlight, from the candle on the windowsill, or from the oil lamp that hung above them on the shed.

It was deeper than that.

It was fear.

Fear of how he’d take it. Fear it would change his mind about her. 

He could see it in how she rushed to cling onto something. The loose thread on his shirt, something in the backyard. 

She showed him a part of herself. A part nobody else got to see. 

She gave that to him. 

And for just a second, she was scared of what he’d do with it.

Smoke’s jaw clenched.

He never wanted her to feel like that. He never wanted to be the reason she felt like that. Not again. 

Because that softness, the most tender part of her that she revealed to him in a whisper, barely a breath—that was his to protect now. 

Reeds danced with the current as it drifted downriver. The blades flitted across each other in the breeze, the low, whispery rustle felt gentle and soothing compared to the harsh sounds of the casino.

It felt like Annie.

Her scent arrived like a memory carried over water.

The lake carried the smell of some woman’s perfume. Smoke wouldn’t have noticed it, but the smell of lavender carried something sharper underneath that made his head snap around. 

Night-blooming jasmine. 

That sun-drenched, heady lushness that lingered on Annie’s wrists, behind her ears, and on her necklaces. 

That combined with the smell of something brackish made him feel like she was standing in front of him, those soft arms wrapped around his neck while his head tucked into her chest smelling like a midnight garden.

It cut through the harshness of the casino. The haze, the booze, the sweat. 

Moon Lake smelled like vice and pressure.

Annie was the opposite of all of that. 

While moonlight turned lake waters into glass, Smoke closed his eyes and made a decision.

Then another one.

He showed up at Della’s a few days later when the house had lulled into its afternoon pace.

“Got somewhere I wanna take you.” 

Those were the only words Smoke muttered before he whisked Annie out of the boarding house and into his truck. He wouldn’t tell Annie where they were going. All she knew was that they were heading north, the sun just starting its slow descent to the left of the road. 

The fields were empty this time of the year, of both people and cotton. The bare stalks stood tall and rigid like silent witnesses.

“I got a letter from my folks back home,” Annie said, looking out the window.

Smoke kept his eyes forward. “What they say?”

“Everybody doin’ good.”

“Good.”

Annie went on, talking Smoke up about her nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. By the time she stopped to catch her breath, she was beaming with pride. Smoke listened to her talk with a lopsided grin of admiration. Then she started talking about her immediate family. Her mama. Her daddy. Her brothers. Her words got slower. Her breath hitched a few times like she was choosing her words carefully. 

Smoke noticed and started probing.

“Your mama a midwife, right? And your daddy—he work at the docks?”

“He a fisherman. You remembered.” She grinned and relaxed a little bit.

“How your brothers be?”

Annie tensed. “They good,” she said quickly.

“Hmm. And what they do?”

She rattled off five different occupations, but he knew she had six brothers. She told him. 

Annie was her parent’s seventh child.

He waited for her to fill in the blanks, but she didn’t. She just stared out the window like she was holding her breath.

“What was his name?” he asked.

Annie looked down at her hands. They were fidgeting again, playing with the hem of her clothing. She had on a tan-colored shirtwaist dress that complimented the rich brown color of her skin. It sat underneath a grey overcoat made from a light material. 

Mississippi weather was mild that day, a nice break from the cold front they experienced the past few weeks. 

Stockings and oxfords completed her look, and a cloche hat with a cream-colored ribbon was pinned onto her low bun.

The cab of the truck was silent for a while as the wheels rolled over loose gravel. But after a few more moments, Annie finally let out the breath she’d been holding.

“Uriah,” she said quietly. “His name was–is–Uriah.”

Smoke’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “What happened to ‘em?”

“The war.”

“I’m sorry.”

Annie looked towards the road again. “Ain’t your fault.”

“Still.” He looked over at her briefly. “Y’all were close?”

“The closest.”

Smoke’s hand grabbed hers in her lap. She took a moment to rub the skin of his hands, his calloused palms warm around hers.

The road in front of them narrowed slightly. They crossed a bridge, the packed dirt turning into dusty brickwork as they traversed the water. 

The sun was beginning to wane, writing its farewell letter in shades of orange and purple as it disappeared behind the trees. 

On the other side of the bridge sat Moon Lake Island. 

A twenty-four-hour haven of whimsy, seduction, and leisure. Hanging lights glittered like fireflies, their bulbs blinking rapidly like they were dying out. That was on purpose.

It was just a bridge away from Lula, but it felt miles away—a sharp contrast to the cotton fields and the back of plantation houses that sat just across a small stretch of water. 

A supper club and casino stood like landmarks on the north island. The Blue Room was a pleasure palace that fronted as a place to enjoy oysters and prime cuts of steak at all hours of the night, and the Moon Lake Casino was its younger, slick-talking brother. 

The Black Elk Lodge was a hotel that stretched across the entire span of the southern island, wide and proud like the hand of a giant. Small lake front cabins scattered along the shore surrounding the courtyard hotel, a place where the whole world could go quiet.

Smoke cut the engine. He kept a hand on the small of her back, the other hand holding onto a covered basket as he guided Annie to the small private dock where he’d rented a rowboat from the lodge. He tugged the fraying rope that moored it to the shore, pulling it up so it sat halfway on the bank.

The inside was a tight fit, but dry. It was deep, lined with fragments of mismatched, aged wood where he set the basket of food in the middle of the two benches. Smoke helped Annie inside, unleashing the boat while he took the oars in his hand. 

His muscles moved beneath rolled sleeves while he rowed them away from the shore. He grunted under his breath as he stroked, moving his arms back and forth until their boat was dislodged from the thick mud on the shore. It glided smoothly into the water.

Annie’s thoughts were a tangled web. She smoothed her skirt down and crossed her legs, staring at the lake surrounding them to avert her eyes from the way his muscles clung to his shirt. A cool gust of wind swept over their boat drying the small bead of sweat that had started to form at her temple.

The lakefront cabins of The Black Elk Lodge lined the shore behind them. Small, wooden cabins with hanging lanterns, flower boxes on the porch, and warm orange light in the windows. 

Sounds from the island started to fade as they rowed into a thinner stretch of the lake. Ancient trees stood tall like ancestors along the shore. Spanish moss hung overhead like lace curtains, turning the sun into little slivers of bronze light that spotted the forest floor.

“Pretty out here,” Annie remarked quietly.

She trailed her fingers along the water. It rippled and separated under her touch into gentle waves that sloshed along the side of the boat.

“Yeah it is,” Smoke agreed. 

But he wasn’t talking about the lake. He was talking about her.

He couldn’t stop looking at her. 

The colors of dusk shimmered on the water catching the contours of Annie’s skin that looked lit from within. Her cheekbones, full lips, button nose, doe eyes. She unpinned her hat and released her bun once they got further from the shore. Her hair—dark, thick and coiled down her back—caught the light in deep blue streaks that shimmered against the jewel-toned sky. She looked ethereal. Sunset made her beads glow against her skin; the multi-colored necklaces sat tucked gracefully under the neckline of her dress.

“You gon’ burn a hole in me, Elijah,” Annie said, eyes trained on the rippling water around their boat.

Smoke smirked.

“Just thinkin’ about how pretty you look right now.”

Annie huffed a laugh. “Just right now?”

“Nah,” Smoke chuckled. “You always beautiful…but you glowin’ different right now.” 

“Why, thank you.”

Just then, the sun cut sharply, burning into her eyes. Her entire iris flooded with a deep bronze color just long enough for it to make Smoke blink twice. 

“What?” 

Smoke shook his head. “Nothin’.” But something about the evening sky and the water bleeding into each other had him feeling like he was seeing something that wasn’t really there.

“You hungry?” he asked.

Their picnic basket was lined with sheer fabric and made of handwoven old reed with a handle covered in spiral carvings. It carried a couple baloney sandwiches with mustard, mason jars with sweet tea, and a brown paper bag filled with boiled peanuts rolled in honey and brown sugar. 

“‘Could use somethin’ sweet.”

Smoke uncovered the basket. Annie removed the paper bag from it and inhaled its sugary scent. She reached in and popped a peanut in her mouth. “Want one?”

Smoke looked at her like she should already know that answer.

Annie smiled. “You know–I never thought someone like you would be a sweet tooth.”

“Why not?”

“‘Cause you walk around like you eat straight salt for dinner.”

Smoke sucked his teeth and looked away.

Annie laughed lightly. “You know it’s true.”

Smoke looked back at her. “It ain’t.”

“Here.”

She put a peanut in her hand, holding it up to his lips as he held onto the oars. It went in easily, his lips leaving moist heat on her fingertips that went through her body in waves. 

Smoke hummed at the salty, sweet taste. “Mmmm.” The echo of his voice vibrated deep in her body. “That’s good.”

“You like it?” Annie teased with a sultry voice.

Smoke raised a brow as he set the oars in the boat. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

Smoke looked down at the peanut she had ready in her palm and leaned towards her anyways. He parted his mouth just enough. His lips touched her fingers again this time, his tongue licking through the opening of her fingertips as he took the candied peanut in his mouth. He licked his lips when he pulled back, eyes on her.

“Trouble.” 

“Me?” she snickered. She clutched her chest, taunting. “You the one tryna swallow my fingers.”

The air outside felt thicker over the water. The sky grew darker now, the brightness of the day dimming to something that looked like the glow of a low-burning oil lamp spread across the sky. Annie tossed the bag of peanuts back in the basket and screwed the cap off her mason jar of tea, taking a nervous sip.

“You come out here often?” she asked.

Smoke shrugged. “From time to time.”

“For what?”

Her eyes drifted to a pair of wood storks nested together along the bank. It was lined in reeds, soft mud, and the thick, tangled network of cypress roots that reached like fingers into the water. Annie thought it looked like the kind of place old spirits preferred. Somewhere quiet enough to listen and deep enough to hold secrets. Smoke favored that part too—the quiet, the shade, the way the trees swallowed noise and gave a man room to think.

“To quiet what won’t settle anywhere else.”

Annie turned to look at Smoke. This wasn't just a date.

“Thank you for showin' me this place,” she said. “Your place.”

She leaned in and he met her halfway.

The front room was dim. 

Not because he was trying to set the mood, but because he only had the patience to light two candles. The soft light brushed the walls, the flames coaxing shadows into a slow dance. Outside, the night breathed in low drones. An owl hooted somewhere—a deep, resonant sound that echoed through the trees. The wind fluttered through fallen leaves and whispered secrets through branches. But inside, the living room of Smoke and Stack's home held a calm, comfortable level of domesticity despite the hum of outdoors.

Smoke and Annie sat next to each other on the couch in Smoke’s house. Annie played a crossword puzzle from the Chicago Whip, stretched sideways across the couch with her feet in Smoke’s lap. Smoke had his hands on her feet as they went back and forth about the answers. 

“What’s a three-letter word for a four-legged animal with spots?”

“A cow,” Smoke said easily.

“No, that don’t fit my crossword.”

“What? Lemme see that…”

Smoke reached for the newspaper, but Annie moved it away from his grasp.

“It's a dog.”

“It could be a cat, too…since we just sayin’ shit.”

Annie swatted him with the newspaper.

“What was that for?”

“For bein' a smart ass.”

Annie set the newspaper down.

“Givin' up already?”

She shot him a look that could have cut through glass. “I’m tired.” She propped her head up with her hand.

Smoke started to push off the couch. “You ready to go back?”

“No,” her hand shot out, “not yet,” she said softer.

Smoke sat back.

Annie tugged on his arm, and he followed her pull as she brought him towards her. Slowly.

Not because he was scared.

He hadn’t been scared since he was a child.

But because he cared.

He laid down behind her, his front pressing against her back, and automatically wrapped an arm around her waist. His hold on her was tight, possessive. 

And Annie loved it.

She stroked his hand with her fingertips. It sat just above her bellybutton with a firm grip.

She melted into him.

He kissed the back of her shoulders first.

Light, delicate pecks that left warmth on her skin.

His lips moved to her neck and the kisses lingered longer, his arm tightening around her waist. He heard her gasps, her short panting breaths, and decided to keep going.

And Annie could feel everything. 

His kisses became closer together. 

Somehow, her hand lifted to the back of his head pulling him closer to her. 

She finally let out a word that wrecked him.

“Elijah,” she gasped.

Smoke chuckled, the sound forced a breath onto the delicate spot just behind her ear, and he heard something from her he never heard before.

A sharp, sudden intake of breath.

It was nothing like the noise she let out when he kissed her the other day. This one was quick, unexpected, new. It made her eyes widen.

It made her roll her hips once. The friction was there for a second and gone just as fast, but it pulled a low groan from him.

She laced their hands together and turned, just slightly. The movement pulled her under him.

Their faces met first.

They looked into each other’s eyes and rubbed noses. 

“Damn,” Smoke whispered. “You so beautiful.”

He leaned forward and their lips met gently. The kiss quickly turned passionate, their hunger urgent and palpable. Annie’s back pressed into Smoke’s front, and she could feel him behind her, hard and growing and right there.

Between the breaths and the pants and the tongues and the lips, he pulled back from her a second. Smoke looked down at her kiss-bruised lips and her blown pupils, and the want written all over her face.

They were so wrapped up in each other that he almost missed the sound of a car turning onto the dirt path that led to their home.

Almost.

But the soldier in him never knew a full night's rest.

Smoke’s head turned towards the door out of instinct. He listened carefully, then heard it clearly.

The rumble of an engine. 

Wheels erratically crunching over dirt.

Stack.

Smoke looked at Annie who had stilled under him, trying to figure out why he stopped.

“He's back.”

Annie paused for a second, then exhaled sharply and swung her legs over the side of the couch. She stood up slowly, smoothing the fabric of her dress along her hips as the adrenaline started to fade and annoyance started to set in. She walked over to the mirror to check her hair which had become a mass of crushed kinks, coils, and curls, and tried to tame it back into place even though she herself was completely undone.

Smoke sat on the couch, just staring at the floor.

He rubbed a hand down his face.

He couldn’t help but feel like Stack picked this very moment to come back—on purpose. He checked the Elgin watch on his wrist, 9:30pm. Stack never came in this early— not on the weekend anyway. 

Doors opened and closed in succession. Car door first. The snap of twigs and the crunch of polished shoes over solid earth next. Then the screen door creaked open and the bolt on the front door unlatched.

Stack walked in the house completely aware of what had just transpired, but he knew better. He was well versed in reading a room.

He noticed the way Smoke was sitting. Noticed how he was staring at the back of Annie who was fixing her hair in the mirror. He saw the pillows on the couch that look just as deflated as his brother.

He looked between them and his smirk spread slow and smug on his face. 

“Well good evenin’,” he announced, his voice cutting through their quiet tension.

Annie looked over from the other side of the room. “Evenin’,” she said warmly, putting the last of her pins in her hair.

Smoke didn’t respond. He pinched the bridge of his nose and pushed off the couch. 

“Annie,” he said to get her attention. She turned around as he stood up to grab his coat and car keys. “Let’s get to gettin’.”

Stack crossed the room and sat right on the couch. He got comfortable, putting an ankle on his knee before pulling a small notebook from his pocket.  “Leavin’ so soon?” 

He looked at Smoke, then Annie, then back to Smoke. 

“It’s gettin’ late,” Smoke grumbled. He grabbed Annie’s hand and held the door wide as she slipped underneath his arm. 

“Bye, Elias!” Annie said as she practically skipped to Smoke’s truck with Smoke’s gaze following right behind her. 

“Bye, Annie!” Stack yelled after her. “Bye, Elijah,” he said to Smoke in a slower, more teasing manner. 

Smoke rolled his eyes and grunted as he walked down the steps to his truck. He opened the door for Annie who hustled into the passenger seat. Smoke shut her door carefully then rounded the front to the driver’s side. Once he got in, he let the quiet sit for a second before adjusting himself in his seat.

Annie pretended she didn’t see it, but her face, half shadowed in darkness and the light from the front room of the cottage, betrayed her. She looked out the window smiling as the engine started with a rattle and sputter of the exhaust pipe. 

The drive back to Aunt Della’s boarding house was quiet. Moonlight flooded the cab of the truck, highlighting the contours of Smoke's face—his eyelashes, his lips, his mustache all bathed in a pale, lunar glow. His hand rested on her thigh, holding firmly onto the supple flesh. Annie traced along the veins of his hand with her fingertips before laying her palm on top of his.

“I had a good time tonight,” she said after about a mile of silence.

“You did?” 

“Yeah, I did.”

“Good,” he said quietly. 

The stars sprinkled tiny silver blessings above them as they made their way to the boarding house, the occasional animal darting in the road, drawn like a moth to a flame to his headlights. Smoke and Annie laced their fingers together as the road to town stretched in front of them. 

-

-

*Song by Bud Spires

Note: Sorry this took so long to post. I was lowkey scared. 😂 But on another note— The Harvest Party is coming up next!

@myheartsaysyes @nika324 @brownsugarcoffy @soufcakmistress @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @dealore @thedutifulone @lilbitt @kkbeauty86 @nyifly22 @brownskincheyenne @atpeaceinthestars @explodesallovertheplace @miss-spiders-sunny-patch @margepimpson @sweetarchivistsiege @zunibugsiren @blue4everrsworld @xeebop @hdfen2474 @girlmath101 @sintizc @chromexbarbie @theogbadbitch @shereeluvssinners @anniensmoke3 @og-goddesstrill @thebumblebeesworld @merrymaryfebruary @partylikemajima @numb1smokeanniestan @shamansha @nicanotnika @hotebonynearby @dollys-world224 @waitingtobreatheagain @theegoldenchild @swuchiwa @bananajoeclone

[cravemyhoney]

ELIJAH “SMOKE” MOORE

oneshots!

smoke x annie!

smoke x annie x reader!

drabble — playground rules!

middle-aged!smoke request.

trick!smoke tricking on annie,

mean!smoke x black!fem!reader.

mean!smoke x black!fem!reader pt. 2.

more of trick!smoke tricking on annie.

olderman!smoke x younger!fem!reader

yearningbestfriend!smoke x spoiled!reader

criminal!stickyfingers!smoke x bimbo!reader.

series!

HANGMAN, MASTERLIST,

THREE’S NOT A CROWD, MASTERLIST.

AT THE SAME DAMN TIME, MASTERLIST.

headcannons!

more to come soon!

smaus!

reader asking mean!dadbf!smoke if she can go out to a party with pearline.

[brownlyfe]

AMERICAN DREAM soldier!smoke x virginteacher!annie

NINE.2: Try A Little Tenderness previous next

cw: none summary: the military does a lot to a man. for smoke it gives him dreams. dreams of a woman he’s never met a day in his life. all he knows is the sweet sound of her voice and the outline of her body. it’s like his soul is crying for her, but he doesn’t even know where to start looking. notes: part 2 of chapter nine!

When Thanksgiving morning came, Annie slipped from the bed and got dressed as quiet as possible. It was incredibly early and it was still dark except for the faint morning light that was creeping through the windows.

Elijah was dead asleep on the couch with one arm thrown over his head as his chest rose and fell steadily. Annie smiled at the sight, walked over, and pulled the blanket up high on him. He stirred a bit, but didn't wake.

She went to the kitchen, and as quickly as possible, she scribbled a note to Elijah letting him know that she left for the day. After that she quickly started gathering the pies, not realizing that in her rush she had miscounted. She grabbed four of the pies and hurried out the door.

She stepped outside and a few minutes later she was driving through Baltimore. It didn't take long for her to pull up back home. She grabbed the pies from the backseat and headed inside. The door opened and the smell of greens and ham hit her in the face. 

Annie followed the smell to the kitchen where she found her grandmother, Aunt Clarisse, Rosette, and Olivia. Clarisse was the first to say something to her the moment she noticed her niece standing in the doorway.

"Look at who decided to come back home."

"Goodmorning," Annie laughed as she set the pies down on the table.

"Mornin', baby," her grandmother said from her place by the stove.

Little baby Olivia let out an excited squeal at the sight of Annie. She was practically bouncing from her spot on her blanket on the floor. Annie melted. She crouched down and kissed Olivia's chubby cheek.

Annie straightened and looked around the busy kitchen.

"What y'all doin'? Need help?"

"No. Your cousin done already messed up the greens," Clarisse shook her head. 

"I didn't mess up no damn—" Rosette started muttering under her breath. But before she could finish Mama Nette popped her with a kitchen towel. 

"Watch your mouth."

"What I get hit for? I'm too old for that," Rosette rubbed her arm. "And why Annie never get hit?"

"'Cause Annie listens," Mama Nette snorted.

"I listen," Rosette looked offended.

"No you don't."

"I do."

Clarisse and Mama Nette exchanged a look.

"Yeah right, Annie mess up all the time, but y'all don't ever get mad at her," Rosette rolled her eyes.

"Annie ain't never messed up nothin' I taught her," Mama Nette looked genuinely confused by the statement. "That's why she the only one that know all my pie receipes."

A smug smile spread across Annie's face as she bent down and scooped Olivia into her arms. The baby immediately settled against her chest. Annie kissed the top of her little head.

"Can't help that I'm the favorite."

Rosette narrowed her eyes at her, but Annie just looked with that same smug smile as she bounced Olivia gently.

"Shut up."

"Don't be jealous, Rosie," Annie laughed.

"You lucky you holdin' my baby."

The room erupted into laughter. Even Olivia giggled though she didn't understand any of it.

When they settled, Clarisse looked over at Annie, giving her a pointed look, "You not gettin' outta where you was at, Miss Thing."

"She was over at that man's house."

Annie stared at her grandmother in disbelief. The older woman kept right on stirring.

Clarisse slowly nodded as she looked at Annie, "Hm. You been shackin' up?"

Before Annie could even answer, Mama Nette spoke again.

"No," Annie sighed in relief, but then her grandmother continued. "But she want to."

The relief disappeared. Annie sat there feeling completely betrayed.

"I don't know why you keep doin' this to me." Annie sputtered. "There ain't no reason for you to tell everybody my business."

"You ain't got no business," Mama Nette finally looked over. "You wasn't doin' nothin' remember?"

Rosette looked entirely too entertained at Annie getting clipped by their grandmother.

Annie opened her mouth then closed it becasue she truly had nothing to say to defend herself.

"She gonna have to repent extra hard this Sunday for all this lyin' she been doin' recently," Mama Nette shook her head. "That man be having her all twisted up and she know she like it."

Annie rolled her eyes dramatically then she buried her face against Olivia's little shoulder. Olivia just patted Annie's cheek.

A few hours later the cooking was finally almost done. Most of the food was finished and packed up. 

Annie stood in the dining room helping wrap a few things while Olivia sat on her hip chewing on the sleeve of her dress. The baby had spent most of the morning attached to her. Any time somebody tried to take her, Olivia would fuss until Annie got her back.

Mama Nette was doing one final count, making sure that they had everything they needed. When she got to the pies and noticed that there were only four she eyed Annie. 

"Annette, why you only got four pies here?" 

Annie looked at the table only to see that her grandmother was right. There were only four pies on the table. Her eyes immediately became wider. 

Rosette's face had a smirk on it, "Looks like the favorite messed up just that quick."

"Where they at and are they done?" Mama Nette folded her arms.

"Yes they're done Mama. I just forgot 'em," then she rushed over to the phone.

She dialed Elijah's number. The phone rang three times before Elijah answered.

"Hello?"

"Oh good. You're up," Annie sighed in relief.

"Bunny, I been up," His sleepy chuckle came through the line. "Why you callin'?"

"I forgot two of the pies. Can you bring them? They should still be on the counter."

"Yeah, I got you."

"Thank you, baby."

"It ain't nothing."

"I'll see you soon."

"See you soon."

After hanging up, Annie helped her family load everything up into the cars. Once everything was put up, the two cars hit the road to Ray's house. 

There were a line of cars on the street when they pulled up. The front door opened and family members poured out to help take the dishes inside. 

Inside the home Ray had moved everyhting around to make space for everyone. He had put some tables together to make one large table in the middle of the living room. There was also a smaller table for the children and room for the food. 

The house was loud with conversation and children playing. Food was already on the table and what they brought only added to it. Everything was just what Annie missed about home. Good food and family. The only thing she felt was missing was Elijah. 

Suddenly, Victoria appeared beside her.

"So when he gettin' here?"

"Soon," Annie rolled her eyes, an unintentional habit.

A while later, Annie found herself standing near the window peeking out of it every few seconds. Five-year-old Joyce had attached herself to Annie's legs asking her a million questions. It distracted her enough to not look out the window every five minutes. It wasn't like she was waiting on anyone.

But when a knock hit the door, Annie pulled away from the little girl, giving some random excuse. She hurried to the door, pulled it open, and there Elijah stood with the two forgotten pies in his hand. 

He was dressed nice in black slacks, a black button down shirt, and a dark blue wool coat. He even had on polished hard bottom shoes. His look made Annie smile. And it wasn't because he never made the effort to look nice, but Annie knows that Elijah could care less about how he looked. But clearly he had decided to put a little extra effort in today.

Elijah looked into her big, soft, brown eyes and felt the hint of nervousness in him disappear.

"Hey, Bunny," Elijah smiled.

"Hi, baby," she said sweetly.

They leaned into each other so naturally. Their lips met in a gentle kiss. And once they pulled apart Annie was smiling. She was so utterly happy.

"Thank you again for bringing the pies."

"You're welcome."

She looked at him for another second. Then leaned forward and kissed him again. This one lasted a touch longer.

She pulled back and grabbed his hand, "Come on let's get you inside."

She led him inside and the warmth of the family atmosphere surrounded him. The house was loud with conversation that floated from every direction. Laughter was mixed in along with the sounds of children running and playing. 

Annie kept hold of his hand as she guided him through the house of people. She could tell that her family was looking, but trying to hold in their comments. They walked until they got to the food table.

"Put them right there," he set the strawberry pies down where she told him.

Annie noticed the way Elijah looked around at everyone. She knew how overwhelming her family could be, and for someone like Elijah she knew it could be a bit much. She squeezed his hand to get his attention.

"If it get too much, you tell me."

"I'll be alright," Elijah looked at her, his face not showing any signs of overstimulation.

"You sure?"

"Mhm."

She studied him for another second then nodded.

Unfortunately she never got the chance to start introducing him around.

"Elijah come here," Mama Nette's voice carried easily through the house. "And Annie go help your uncles with the kids in the kitchen."

Both of them looked over to see the older woman sitting comfortably in a chair in the den.

"Mama—"

"Gone on."

Annie huffed as she stared into the older woman's eyes. And Mama Nette stared right back. Neither woman looked away. 

Elijah tugged at Annie's hand, "It's okay, Bunny."

"Fine," Annie looked uncertain, but she sighed. "But I'll be back."

She squeezed his hand one last time before disappearing toward the kitchen.

Elijah watched her go then looked at the older woman who was waiting on him. Mama Nette gestured to the empty chair near her as a way to tell him to sit down. And he obeyed, not wanting to go against her. 

The second he sat down he understood why Annie was hesitant to leave him. There were four women and a baby staring at him. They were staring so intensely as if they were trying to see straight through his skin to his bones. He sat back in the chair and gulped.

Mama Nette noticed and the corner of her mouth twitched. She knew Elijah was a strong man, but the Richard women could could break down even the toughest of soldiers. 

"Let me introduce everybody to you since they just wanna stare at like you a zoo animal," Mama Nette pointed around the circle. "That's Clarisse, Annie's Aunt. Annie's cousin, Rosette and Rosette's daughter, Olivia. That's Esther, William Junior's wife. And Victoria, my oldest granddaughter."

They all still just stared at him not making any moves to say a thing to him.

"Now go on and introduce yourself," Mama Nette folded her hands in her lap.

Elijah cleared his throat. Suddenly he felt like a boy instead of a twenty-seven year old man.

"Nice to meet y'all. My name's Elijah Moore," the words managed to come out easy.

"And that's your real name?" Victoria tilted her head.

"Last time I checked," Elijah looked over at her.

Mama Nette chuckled at Elijah's audacity. She could tell he wasn't a man to back down easily. And she figured he had to be to deal with Annie.

"Oh, you tryna be Mister Funny Man?" Victoria's eyebrows furrowed, completely taken aback.

"Ain't nothin' funny to me," his answer came quick.

"Good. 'Cause ain't nothin' attractive 'bout a man who can't take nothin' serious."

"I'm takin' this very serious."

That earned him a few approving nods.

"Where you from?" Rosette asked as she balanced Olivia in her lap.

"Clarksdale, Mississippi."

"So you a Delta man?" 

"Yes ma'am."

"Do you know where we from?" Clarisse asked.

"Yes ma'am," Elijah rubbed his sweating and slightly shaking palms against his thighs. Something about the intensity of these women was making his anxiety act up.

"You ever been there before?"

"A few times."

"So that means you know what we capable of?"

"I think so," Elijah didn't quite know what Annie's Aunt meant by that, but he remembered the conversation he had with Mama Nette. He didn't think he wanted to get on the bad side of a bunch of Hoodoo women.

"What you do for work?" Victoria asked.

"I work at Ray's garage."

"That what you really wanna do?" Clarisse asked.

The question made Elijah pause becasue nobody had really asked him that before. At least not recently. Usually people asked what he did, but not if that was what he really wanted to do. He looked down for a second before answering as honestly as he could.

"I don't rightly know. I guess I ain't figured out exactly what I want yet. I know I'm good with my hands, so it works out," he shrugged.

"I bet you are," Rosette smirked as her eyes dropped down to his hands.

Elijah cleared his throat and shifted in his seat at her staring. For a half a second he considered hiding them, but then he realized foing that would probably make it worse..

"Got good workin' hands too," Rosette's smirk just deepened.

"Rosette," Clarisse said in warning.

"Sorry, Mama."

The women laughed as Elijah rubbed the back of his neck.

Thankfully, Esther moved the conversation along.

"How long you been in Baltimore?"

"Since April."

"Ain't been here that long and you already got your eyes set on my niece," Clarisse said.

Before he could answer, Victoria spoke.

"How long you plannin' on stayin' in Baltimore?"

"I—"

"Everything okay?" A familiar voice cut through the conversation.

Everybody turned to see Annie standing next to Elijah's chair. She walked up and rested a hand on his shoulder. She looked from the women to Elijah with concern written all over her face. 

"Girl ain't nobody doin' nothin' to this man. He alright," Mama Nette as she turned in her chair. "Go back to the kitchen."

"You okay?" Annie ignored the woman and looked at Elijah.

"I'm alright, Bunny," Elijah lightly grabbed her hand and nodded his head.

She still looked suspicious.

Mama Nette waved her hand, "Take your ass back on in there."

"If we was gon' hurt him we'd already done it," her Aunt Clarisse said.

Annie huffed dramatically, but she listened. Reluctantly she started walking away. But in the process she let her hand slide from Elijah's shoulder then down his arm. Elijah caught the hand before she could fully walk away.

The women all watched as Elijah lifted it and pressed a kiss to the back of it. He did it as if it was second nature. It was the type of affection that made Annie smile when she finally walked away.

He turned beack to see all eyes were on him again. 

"What exactly you want with my cousin?" Rosette tilted her head.

Elijah eyes moved between the women, wanting them to understand how serious he was about their Annie.

"I want everything with her."

The women exchanged glances.

Nobody laughed.

Nobody teased.

"Saying everything is a might big statement. You know that?" One of Clarisse's eyebrows rose in question. 

"Yes, ma'am."

"Do you know what all that means when it come to Annie? She ain't no simple woman," Clarisse studied him carefully.

"Yes ma'am I do," Elijah confidently nodded. He already knew first hand how difficult Annie could be, but some would say he was just as bad.

"What about her makes you want her so bad?" Victoria asked.

Elijah took a moment to get his thoughts together, and not because he didn't know, but because he wanted to say it right.

"Truthfully, she saved and she don't even know it. When I got back from overseas I wasn't doing well. There were days I'd wake up angry, couldn't sleep, and didn't want to be around nobody. And you wouldn't know it by looking at me. But when I found her, she lit up something in me. It was like she planted herself in my blood and I ain't have a bad day since," his voice was calm as he spoke.

"I don't want nothin' temporary with her. She don't deserve that. She's the woman I wanna wake up beside every mornin'. I wanna take care of her . I wanna spend the rest of my life fmy life hearin' her talk because she can just go on about stuff she gets excited about. And I always want her excited about something. It's my job to keep her happy and that's what I plan to do."

"I love how she takes care of people whether they ask for it or not. She remembers everything and she loves her family. She always has enough love for everybody. I love how determined she is. She works hard and she has dreams and goals. Hell, I even love how stubborn she is," that makes everyone laugh.

Mama Nette takes a moment to just stare at Elijah. She'd never heard him talk this much. He seemed like a man that didn't say more than he had to. But it looks like that when it comes to her granddaughter, he had a whole lot to say and he needed to say it. That man loved Annie and it was written all over him.

"Ain't never heard anybody talk about her like that before. You must really love her?" Esther asked.

"I'm in love with her," Elijah's answer came out so quick as he looked at her. 

Nobody said anything because there wasn't really anything to say. The sincerity in his voice was impossible to miss, and they could feel the love practically floating off of him.

"Annie," Mama Nette's voice floated thorughout the house, and within seconds, hurried footsteps were heard.

Annie appeared looking rather worried. She looked at Elijah, but he showed no signs that there was anything to be worried about. So, she turned her eyes to her grandmother.

"Yes, Mama?"

"Everything ready?"

"…Yes?" Annie blinked confused.

"Everybody let's go on to the table."

Everyone in the house started making their way to the living room. Even Annie, who was still trying to figure out what happened. Elijah followed beside her not giving anything away.

Certain foods had been moved from the food table to the table. Everyone gathered around the white tablecloth covered table. Mama Nette took her place at the head of the table and reached for the hands beside her.

"Everybody close ya eyes and bow ya heads," almost everyone obeyed even the small children.

Elijah was the only one still looking around at the full circle.

Annie briefly opened her eyes to see Elijah with his wide open. She tugged his hand that was in hers.

"Close your eyes."

He closed his eyes and lowered his head just before Mama Nette started praying. As soon as she finished everyone said Amen and let their hands go. They moved to find their seats and the children scrambled to their table.

Elijah automatically reached for Annie's chair and pulled it out. Then he waited until she sat to push it in. She smiled up at him.

"Thank you, baby."

He nodded as he took the seat beside her. And as soon as he settled in his seat he had the feeling of being watched. He looked up to see Ray, Marcus, and an older man looking at him from way down at the other end of the table.

Annie lightly tapped Elijah's arm, pulling him away from the three men's stares. He gave his attention to Annie. She was holding the plate that was in his spot in her hand.

"What you want on you plate?" she asked.

"Whatever you think," Elijah glanced over the spread.

Annie rolled her eyes, but did as told. She scooped some mac and cheese, greens, candied yams, and dressing on his plate. Then she got up to put some meat on the plate for him. She knew that she didn't have to do this because Elijah was perfectly fine doing things for himself, but she felt with all this pressure from her family she would ease his mind a little today.

She sat back down and set Elijah's plate down in front of him. He thanked her and she went to grab her own plate to start putting her food together.

"Annette."

Annie looked up to see her Uncle William staring at him from the other end of the table. 

"Yes, sir?"

"How long you been with him?"

Annie's eyes flickered to Elijah before returning to her uncle. William hadn't even verbally acknowledged and now he was talking as if the man wasn't sitting at the table next to her.

"We been together a few months now."

"A few months. Ain't that somethin'," William hummed as he stabbed a piece of turkey with his fork. "Must be serious if you lettin' him come to Thanksgiving."

"Yes sir. If you say so," Annie knew how her oldest uncle could get.

"Since you bringing him to Thanksgiving, I'd say so."

Several people around the table exchanged glances. Across the table Uncle Ray was trying not to grin.

"Ray," William looked at his younger brother.

"Yeah brother?" Ray looked up from his food.

"How long he been working at your shop?"

"Since April," a smirk appeared on Ray's face.

"And how'd he get that job?"

Ray looked at Elijah then back to William, "Annie mostly."

Annie breathed out in frustration. She could feel the irritation rolling off of Elijah and she knew if this kept going he would be in his right to say something.

"Uncle Ray, you know that's not true."

"And is," he shrugged. "You always tryna save somebody."

"Girl woulda brought home a stray dog if Mama let her. Guess she kept up the habit."

Annie's face showed clear irritation as she dropped her fork down.

"Okay, y'all gone stop talking about him like he ain't sittin' right here. He's a good man and comparin' him to a stray dog is disrespectful. I know y'all tryna look out for me, but I don't like how y'all going about it. You can't say you protectin' me 'cause this ain't it. These things y'all sayin' is hurtful. Get to know him before y'all try to make assumptions about him," Annie looked between both of her uncles.

"That's right," Mama Nette muttered. Her sons could be a real piece of work at times.

William sighed and Ray looked down at his plate. Neither man liked being corrected by their niece like that, especially in front of the whole family. But neither one would go against her either.

"Ain't mean no disrespect," her Uncle William looked genuinely pained by the admission.

"Me neither," Ray said right after.

This was the closest thing to an apology that Elijah had ever heard from Ray's mouth, but he didn't care too much about that when he was irritated by the older man. He face was stone cold as he stared at the two men. One of the things he wouldn't ever take was disrespect from two grown men, or at least two supposed grown men.

"I understand that y'all protectin' her and all but anything anybody wanna know about me can be asked directly to me. I'm an honest man and ain't one to just sit and pussyfoot around, but y'all makin' it real hard to act civil. I'm a grown man not a dog."

Then, before anybody could say anything else a loud crash echoed from the children's table. Little Jeremy was staring at the floor in horror while a glass of sweet tea spread across the table and dripped into his lap.

The interruption only lasted a few minutes before everybody settled back into eating. Towels had been brought out and Jeremy had been reassured that nobody was upset with him.

Elijah had managed to avoid being the center of attention again. At least until Mama Nette spoke up from her seat. She had been watching him for most of the meal anyway.

"Elijah, you likin' the food?"

"Yes ma'am. Ain't had food like this in a long time," he glanced down at the crowded plate in front of him.

"Why you ain't?" Victoria looked up from where she was helping Joyce cut her ham into smaller pieces.

"I was overseas for a few years. And before that me and my brother was movin' around so much we couldn't really get no good homecooked food like this."

"You was in the military?" William Jr. asked.

"Since fifty-four."

"You Army?" William Sr. set his fork down.

"Yes sir," Elijah kept his face stone cold.

William nodded thoughtfully. Then he took a sip of sweet tea before asking the next question.

"You hunt?"

Annie looked at her uncle and so did some of the other men at the table.

"Only done it once or twice."

"Mississippi boy only hunted twice?" William raised an eyebrow.

"Yes sir. My daddy wasn't teaching us much of nothing."

"Fair enough," William slowly nodded seeming to understand there was more to that story. "If you shoot good you'll be alright. But we'll see 'bout that."

Elijah looked on confused. And he was about to ask what exactly the man meant by that, but the conversation moved on. The entire focus of the table shifted away from the topic completely. When he looked over at Annie she seemed to be just as confused as he was. But her confusion had some understanding to it.

"Bunny, what he said that for?"

Annie cleared her throat and looked at Elijah, "I think he just invited you to go huntin' with them."

"Why he do that? Seem like he don't like me."

"He only invites the men he respects to hunt with him."

The dining table had been cleared. Leftovers had been wrapped and stacked. Somebody had put the radio on. And the card table was out. The children went back to running through the house despite being told at least fifteen times not to.

Annie sat tucked away in the den with Olivia in her lap. The baby had screamed for her the last ten minutes of dinner, so Annie had no choice but to grab her. And the girl was finally in her arms, she refused to leave. 

The baby was currently fight sleep with everything she had. Her tiny eyes kept falling closed before snapping back open every time her head started to fall. 

"You so tired, huh?" Annie chuckled softly as Olivia blinked up at her. 

The baby just shoved two small fingers into her mouth as an answer. A string of drool followed soon after. Annie grabbed a cloth from beside and wiped the baby's chin. Olivia curled herself against Annie's chest, her other hand fisted the woman's dress.

That was when Elijah appeared beside the couch. He had just gotten out of a conversation about cars that he got roped into by Annie's cousins, Percy and Johnathon. Now he looked relieved to have found Annie again.

He sat down beside her. His eyes moved from her face down to the baby attached to her. Olivia had somehow managed to wedge herself directly into Annie's side.

Annie followed his gaze, "What?"

"Nothin'."

It wasn't nothing because Elijah couldn't stop staring. Annie looked so natural holding a baby, even if the baby was family. It was like every move of hers was instinctive. He had noticed since the dinner table. 

And it wasn't just the baby that Annie seemed to shine with. The older children were just as attached. They followed her from room to room, calling for her, wanting her attention. And every single time she'd stop what she was doing and answer them.

The sight of it all made he aware of his thoughts. He found himself wondering what Annie would look like with their children. What their babies would look like. He hoped they would have her pretty brown eyes, and her smile, and her laugh.

"What you thinkin' so hard about?"

"Hm?" Elijah came back to reality, blinking the thoughts away. 

Annie shook her head and let out a little puff of a laugh. She had noticed the way Elijah had looked at Olivia and wanted to test some waters.

"You wanna hold her?"

His eyebrows immediately lifted, "I don't know about that, Bunny."

"And why not?" Annie laughed.

"I ain't never really held a baby before," he looked at the baby.

"Seriously?" Annie stared at him.

Elijah nodded.

"Well that's a shame."

He looked down at Olivia and she looked back at him.

"I think you'll be fine. Olivia's easy."

"I don't know."

"Elijah."

He sighed, but she was already moving the baby. And when Olivia noticed she was getting moved out of the comfort of her arms, she made a sound of protest. Her tiny face scrunched up as if she was about to start crying. Annie shushed her as she bounced her lightly in the air.

"Oh hush. You're alright,"

Olivia clearly disagreed. Still, Annie carefully transferred her into Elijah's lap. The second the baby settled there, Elijah completely froze up. His hands hovered around her awkwardly unsure where they were supposed to go.

"Baby, don't look so scared," Annie tried so hard to hold her laughter in.

"I ain't scared," he shot her a look. "What if she fall though?"

"She ain't gone fall, just put your arm around her."

Reluctantly he wrapped one arm around Olivia.

The baby stared up at him. And after several seconds, Olivia decided she was okay with being around this strange man. She yawned and reached out to grab the front of his shirt. She pulled herself up a bit on her legs and laid down on his chest. The other tiny hand that wasn't gripping his shirt, reached around to his arm and softly started patting it.

Annie practically melted at the sight. But when she noticed Elijah's confusion on the movement she spoke up.

"She wants you to pat her back." 

Elijah nodded his head in understanding and hesitantly started to pat the baby's back as gently as he could. It didn't take long for her eyes to start closing and soon enough she was asleep.

Annie watched the sight quietly, not able to look away. He was being so careful handling something so small and precious. He looked so sweet with her. It truly made Annie wonder how he would be with their kids. Maybe she wouldn't have to wait too long to find out, if they could—

"Auntie Annie!" She looked up to see the children standing in front of her. "Come play with us!"

"What y'all playing?"

"Hide and seek!"

The children immediately started pulling on her arms to make her stand up. She did and was suddenly being dragged away.

Christmas Night, 1958

Inside Elijah's apartment, the lamps cast a warm glow across the living room. The Christmas tree stood in the corner near the window. It wasn't a big tree like the one Annie has at home, but it was good enough for the both of them. They had picked it out a few weeks earlier after Annie said that he couldn't do Christmas right with no tree.

They were currently sitting on the couch, practically under each other. Annie was curled into his side and Elijah had an arm on the back of the couch behind her. They'd spent most of the evening talking about the day, like how Ray had actually gotten Elijah a gift. And now, with the day being settled, Elijah thought it was time for them to give their gifts to each other.

Annie sat up straight, excited for whatever Elijah was going to give her. Elijah reached on the table and grabbed the box. He put it in her hands and she carefully began to open.

Elijah sat back and watched as her fingers worked the ribbon loose. The anticipation on her face alone made everything worth it.

She pulled the paper away and was met with the same coat she'd been stopping to look at every single time they went to the department store downtown. It was a beautiful cream-colored wool coat that cost far too much.

"You bought me the coat?" Annie asked as she lifted it out of the box.

"You kept lookin' at it, so I figured you wanted it but wouldn't buy it for yourself since it was so expensive."

She pouted, willing herself not to be too emotional.

Then she noticed there was a small box inside. She pulled it out and noticed the way Elijah looked away from her. He had suddenly become very interested in the Christmas tree.

"What's this?"

Elijah didn't respond, just nodded to the box. So she opened it.

Inside sat a simple yet elegant gold bypass ring with two small diamonds.

"Elijah," his name came out barely above a whisper.

"It ain't an engagement ring…yet," he rubbed the back of his neck. "I just wanted yo uto have it."

"Why would you spend this much money on me?" She shook her head.

"Who else I'm supposed to spend it on?" He made a confused face as if she asked the dumbest question in the world. "I wanna take care of you, Bunny. And you need to let me without askin' about how much it cost all the time. That ain't your problem, okay?"

The tone of his voice made her body get warm. Instead of verbally answering him, she just nodded her head in fear that if she did say something it would be something that neither one expected.

Eventually she slid the ring onto her ring finger on her right hand and it was a perfect fit. But of course it was. He probably had sneakily gotten her ring size months ago.

She stared at it for several seconds before giving the kind of smile tha treached her eyes. Then she looked at him with twinkling eyes.

"I got your gift too. It's in the car 'cause I can't bring it up by myself. It's heavy."

"What'd you buy me, woman?" He raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"You gotta go get it."

A few minutes later they were outside in the cold. Annie stood beside him in her new coat while he opened her trunk. Inside was a large gift box. 

He carried it back into the apartment upstairs and set it down beside the couch.

Annie sat down on the couch and sighed as she looked at the box.

"I got this because Mama told me you didn't know what you really wanted to do, but you like workin' with your hands and fixin' things. So I'd figured you'd like this."

Elijah opened the lid to see a professional mechanic's toolkit. And it wasn't one of the cheap sets either. It was a Proto set. He ran his fingers over the polished metal while she looked on nervously.

"I picked it out myself. I did have to ask around a little for help, but I think I got the right stuff."

"You did just fine, Bunny. I really like it."

"You do?" Relief immediately washed over her face.

"Yeah."

He laughed softly the reached over and pulled her into his lap. Annie squealed at the movement. Elijah pressed a kiss to the side of her head.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, baby."

He smiled and gave her a sweet kiss on the lips. When they pulled away Annie stared into his eyes.

"I checked your mail earlier and saw that you got a letter from your brother."

She slid off his lap, walked to the small table in the corner, and grabbed the envelope. She returned back to her spot in his lap.

"You wanna read it?"

"Don't matter," Elijah shrugged.

But Annie knew him well enough by now to know he wanted to hear it.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Carefully, she opened the envelope and pulled out several folded sheets of paper. She dramtically cleared her throat and began reading out loud.

Most of the first page was Stack just talking about anything like the people he'd met and the random arguments he'd gotten into. Though Annie had never met Stack before, she found herself smiling because it felt like she was getting a picture of him through his words. He was clearly different than Elijah. He seemed loud and reckless, but funny and charismatic.

When she got to the next page, she started reading about all the women he'd been with. She slightly lowered the paper and looked at Elijah.

"You got something to say?"

"Nope."

"You judging my brother?"

"I'm not, just seeing if this how you was."

Elijah sucked his teeth, "Woman you know me well enough to know that ain't what I do."

The next page shifted into stories about his gambling ventures and how shook several men for money. He'd become so invested in it, but it seemed to be working out for him.

"I don't think I like your twin too much," Annie shook her head.

"He's fine, just gotta let him settle in and you'll get used to him."

"Don't think I would."

"You would."

She continued reading despite her protests. Halfway through the next page she instinctively took to reading it in her head, but Elijah tried to peek at the words forcing her to go to reading it out loud again.

"How that dream girl doing? You ain't said much beside 'she's real'. If she's so real then tell me something about her. What's her name? What she do? What's she like? If she's worth writing about then you write about her. If she ain't, stop talking about her."

Annie's eyes slowly lifted. Elijah was avoiding looking directly at her, which told her everything.

She finished the rest of the letter which was mostly Stack asking questions about Baltimore and whether Elijah planned on staying there permanently, and work. Then the letter ended.

"Have you been writing about me?" Annie carefully folded the papers together.Elijah finally met her eyes.

"'Course I have. That's my twin. He know everything about me and I know everything about him. This the longest we been apart, and I had to tell him about the woman that's changed my life," the answer came easy for him.

"Can't believe you lasted this long away from him."

"I spent my whole life taking care of him. And I'd do it again. But if being apart from him now meant finding you, then I'd make that trade every time. I love you, Bunny and he should know that."

The emotion hit Annie hard. Her eyes watered as she leaned down a bit to kiss him. When she pulled back, she stayed close enough that their foreheads almost touched. Her eyes searched his and whatever she found there made her smile.

"I love you too."

Annie laughed softly at his expression.

"I'm in love with you."

His eyes lit up and the smile that spread across his face was the most brightest and boyish smile she'd ever seen him have. It was the smile he rarely showed anybody else, besides maybe Stack. Annie realized she'd never seen Elijah look happier than he did right then.

end notes: so question for the people that make it this far...when do y'all think their first time is gonna be? i, of course, know. but i'm curious when y'all think it will be. especially if you've caught all of annie's little hints that maybe's she might be more ready than we think... - - - taglist: @brownskincheyenne @psychicafrorainbow @hdfen2474 @harleycativy @issfaith @virgoobaby @secretisme4 @magnifique2be @blackgirlsrock444 @lestatthelioncourt @juniooox @meannaim @ayishia101 @lizbehave @myheartsaysyes @mmbee675 @summrsovrinterlude @bananajoeclone @cocochannelmoi @lsc72 @aellesa @deceptakani @thedutifulone @atpeaceinthestars @ladychzzcake @theegoldenchild @juniooox @swtvenus @lovenykol @birchwood3657 @theogbadbitch @prettyisasprettydoes1306 @pastelprintessa @soufcakmistress @sarcastic-sunshines @sexysativa605 @mai4u @jimenaasss @brownsugarcoffy @mel-717 @jaeflair @girlmath101

[moth2flamewriting]

Big Mama.

Y’all give credit to @dealore for this prompt that made me want to actually write something down for once. I changed it up a little about how they meet and such. I made Annie;’s daughter a little psycho.. so yeah.. She not wrapped too tight at all. Anyway.. I hope you enjoy my take on it.

As always,

Enjoy :)

“Elijah fuck, you digging in me,” she clawed at the headboard, hoping to get a grip on anything. He thrusted into her hard, her knees slipping under him. “No, no, no, put it back where I had it Anais,” he snarled into her ear.

She couldn’t believe what she had got herself into. Her fucking daughter introduced her to this man. She was 38 years old, what business did she have fucking a man 10 years younger than her. Shit, that 28 year old was tearing her insides out. The night they met was literally a fluke. Her daughter, Amerie, had been ranting and raving about the new CEO at her job.

-

“Mama you gotta meet him, he’s just different. He cares about us, y’know? I never had a boss who actually cares.” The way her daughter’s voice lit up, it sounded like she had some type of crush on the man.

-

When they entered the fundraising gala that night, Annie’s attire stole everyone’s attention. The black dress hugged her breast just right, pushing them up perky and oiled up. Her hips were outlined as if the Gods themselves sculpted it. The 6inch pump that laced up her calf, showing off her dangerously long and thick legs. The men ogled the older woman, forgetting the ones standing right next to them.

“Mama, let’s get a drink or something,” Amerie led her towards the bar. “What do you want? It’s open bar,” Amerie asked looking back at her partially. “I’ll take a French 75,” Annie told her daughter. They got their drinks and made their way through the crowd. Amerie making sure comments on every person who has their eyes on her mama.

“AMERIE!” Their heads turn as they spot Chanel, one of her daughter’s coworkers. “Dang girl, you clean up nice,” she complimented her favorite coworker. “Chanel, hey girl! Thank you. This here is my mama,” Chanel’s eyes turn to Annie. Her face worth a thousand words, jaw dropped and eyes popping out of her head.

‘Nah, girl.. THIS CAN’T BE YO MAMA,” Chanel chuckled. “Well thank you Chanel, I’ll take that as a compliment,” Annie smiled politely.

Comments on how young she looked always gave Annie a little more pep in her step. She was already so naturally captivating and confident. She was successful and well off. But time slows down for no one and she was 38 before she could catch her breath. Amerie’s voice cut through her thoughts, “Have you seen Mr. Moore yet? I want to introduce my mama to him.” Chanel looked around in the direction she last pointed, “Last I saw him he was outside having a conversation with big money.”

Amerie didn’t hesitate to walk in that direction in search of the man. Annie couldn’t really understand why her daughter was so desperate for them to meet. He was her boss, they’d literally never cross paths. But she wanted to make her child happy. She spent so long waiting for Amerie to be passionate about something, and if this new boss was helping her find her passions then fine.

They reached the back exit, onto a large patio carved with marble and rose bushes meeting the edge. Smoke hung in the air as the men puffed on their cigars. A lot of expensive suits were on this patio. Armani suits and Cartier tie clips, Scotch poured into low rim drinking glasses. It wa almost as if Amerie spotted the man instantly. As Annie approached from behind them she took in the mans thick frame, his muscled cut through the tailored shirt he wore. The beard that ran down the side of his face, low cut with deep waves. Her mouth was dry before she even saw his face but then he turned. And her world stopped as his eyes connected with hers for a brief second.

“And who might you be?” he offered his hand out towards Annie. She took it. “Well that’s who i wanted to introduce you to Mr. Moore. This my mama, Anais Desson. Mama, this my boss, Elijah Moore,” Amerie cut in.

Amerie watched the interaction between them with a bitter taste in her mouth. He’s never even looked her way for more than a few seconds. She pushed the feeling aside as nothing, this was her mother for god’s sake. ‘What would a 38 year old woman even do with that?’ Amerie thought to herself. “Well it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he pulled her hand up to his lips, placing a warm kiss to the back of it. “Likewise,” Annie responded her eyes gone dark.

‘Elijah Moore.’ Annie thought to herself.

‘Anais Desson.’ Elijah thought to himself.

He thought about her the whole evening. Looking for her in every room that he walked into. ‘Who the hell was this woman?And what the fuck took her so long to get to me?’ He thought to himself. When he laid eyes on her, he was almost 100% certain that he was drooling on himself. A woman that fine should not exist. When he spotted her amongst the crowd her zoned in, making his way to her. Soon as he was in arms length of her, Amerie stepped in front of him. Eyes sparkling at him like he hung the stars. Elijah had seen that look before. The woman obsessed with what he appeared to be. Did it have to be the woman of my dreams daughter though?

All he had to do was get through this interaction with her, so that he could get to the trophy at the end of this race. The gala wouldn’t go on forever and it was already too much time lost between them already.

“Hey Mr. Moore, I just wanted to thank you for being such a gentleman with my mama earlier. Those are good qualities in a man,” her eyes hinting up for a response she would never get.

“Of course, Amerie. You’re a valued employee and well respected. We will always treat family members as if they were members of our team too.” Good response, Elijah. There was nothing leading about that at all. She should get the subtle hint and dropped this silly infatuation. That was not at all what the young woman heard from the man. He might as well have swept her up and kissed her, cause in her mind she was completely gone. Her face burned hot, her cheeks turning a deep red. “I appreciate that, sir.” Her attempt at appearing docile and meek was everything that embarrassing could be. She did not read that response right at all. He would have to deal with that later, he had to get back to her.

“Excuse me,” he sidestepped her and swerved through the people that gathered between them when he finally reached her. Sitting at the bar, her back outrageously up straight, her legs crossed under the fabric. His breathing heavier as he casually leaned up against the bar. “Yo let me get a whiskey, thank you brotha,” he delivered smoothly. His scent flooded her nostrils, dark and sweet, she inhaled sharply.

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” he whispered only loud enough for her to hear. “But I haven’t been able to get you off my mind since I met you over an hour ago.” Annie sat there frozen, shit she felt it too. She’d imagined a thousand times in the last hour what that mouth would feel like on her neck, those hands wrapped around her waist. But this was her daughters boss, she was about to be fucking forty, what the hell were these feelings.

“Mr. Moo-,” he cut her off.

“Elijah. You can call me Elijah, You the only person in this whole building who can get away with that. I’d surely die if I had to bear that this whole conversation,” he grinned at her. She tried it out in her mouth, her breath altering as she said it barely above a whisper.

“Elijah.” And their eyes locked. They both were holding their breath and knew exactly why. When she said his name it was like something woke them both up. It wasn’t surface attraction, if it ever was that. Chills ran up his body, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. His body shifted towards her against his will.

“I been waiting my whole life to hear you say that,” he relayed it so seriously her body damn near went limp. ‘Thank god I am sitting down.’ She thought to herself.

“I-i,” she stuttered. The moment was broken by a cough, it was Amerie. Elijah stepped back slowly, making it seem as the space had been between them. ‘She cockblocking like a motherfucker.’ He sighed out lowly. He wanted this woman under him shaking, clawing at this back and releasing sounds that should only be meant for his ears. He wanted her lips on him, her warm mouth pulling and tugging at his lips. Fuck, he had to figure out how to get her between 4 walls and completely alone. He needed privacy for the fire she sparked in him.

Elijah had never seen a woman so beautiful, someone whose eyes made him feel like he was drowning and the only one who could save him was her. His world stopped for a few seconds when he met her. But standing here? At the bar? Hearing this outrageously gorgeous woman say his name. He felt more in that moment than he had with anyone in his whole life.

“Mama, it’s bout time for us to go. Cars out front,” Amerie shot out. She noticed the way Elijah looked at her mother. He couldn’t even make eye contact with her when he needed something done at work. ‘So the man can spare my mama glance but not me?’ Amerie was a ticking time bomb. She’d never have a man sidestep her so hard. And then of all people to take interest in? Her mama? She knew for one thing, her mama wasn’t going. That’s a grown ass woman who needs herself a grown ass man. CEO be damned! Little did she know that Annie was feeling something for this man that she hadn’t felt for a man in a long time.

The way something sparked inside her was something that was foreign. And at 38? That’s scary. Something so unknown and unexpected on something so damn fine. She wanted nothing more in that moment for him to have wrapped his hands around her face and swap DNA with her. She wanted nothing more for him to strip her down bare, and have his way with her. She wanted nothing more than to make her child disappear and not be calling her mama in front of a man who so obviously wants to take her the fuck down.

“Mama c’mon,” she insisted. She was growing impatient. When Amerie turned to Elijah, you couldn’t tell. She even put on a voice to go with it. “Mr. Moore, thank you for such a wonderful evening.” She held her hand out, Elijah felt obligated to shake it even if it was against his better judgement. Amerie batted her eyelashes at the contact and let out a small giggle. She wasn’t even trying to hide it.

She stood, slowly and hesitantly. Waiting for some sort of sign that he was going to stop her. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Moore,” Annie heard out her hand, he brought it to his mouth and kissed it.

“The pleasure was all mine.”

-

As they made their way out of the building, she couldn’t help but look back and see if he was coming for her. ‘What the fuck am i doing? This man is 28 years old.’ She talked herself all the way out of it. Of what she felt less than 10 minutes ago. It was bullshit, it wasn’t real. It was a big party and everyone had to cling to someone.

“Anais,” her head snapped up. She turned quickly, his chest was rising and falling as if he just ran a mile. Thank the lord, Amerie was in the car when he came out. “You left this,” he reached to give her the purse. How the fuck did she forget her whole fucking purse? And with the purse came a small piece a paper that she quickly tucked inside.

“Thank you,” she whispered with a small smile on her face.

“Again, the pleasure is all mine,” he winked and smirked at her. They bid their ‘final’ goodnight and Annie got into the car.

“Whatchu forget mama?” Amerie asked, she was obviously agitated. “My purse. That was nice of him to return it to me,” she replied. ‘Yeah, sure was.” Amerie thought to herself through a lens of judgement.. She decided she was going to ruin the thought for Annie. A mother wouldn’t pursue someone who had interest in her daughter?

“Isn’t he amazing Mama. And he’s so handsome and smart,” she gushed. It made Annie sick to her stomach. Had she been so wrapped up in his charm that she hadn’t noticed? Was she just so dizzy in his presence that she completely missed it? She could hear that admiration in her daughter’s voice. Surely, something had to be said for that to come about. What Annie didn’t know is that Elijah hadn’t shown any interest in Amerie. Hell, he hadn’t really shown any interest in anyone until he saw Annie.

Annie clutched the purse tight into her abdomen, trying to forget the piece of paper that waited so patiently for her to read it.

-

The rest of the car ride was silent and slightly uncomfortable. Amerie dropped Annie off at her apartment with a swift ‘Night Mama’ and rushed hug. Maybe she did sense something between Elijah and Annie. Maybe she didn’t make up the connection. She wracked her brain the entire thirty minute ride.

When she got in the house she wanted nothing more than to wash of this ridiculous night and it’s ridiculous emotions. But she sat on her couch, clutching the purse, hesitant to open it. When she did every single doubt left her mind.

I’ll never stop thinking about you. Elijah

951-7768

She pulled her phone out and called the number. The buzz that ran through her body felt like kisses all over her skin. His kisses, and she hadn’t even felt that.

“I was waiting on you Anais.” He said as he pulled on his freshly lit joint. Her breath hitched. Before she said anything she needed to clear the air about her child. If she was to do this, she had to be sure. She had to be certain there was NOTHING there.

“What’s the deal with you and my daughter? Whatchu’ trynna run a game?” She asked confrontationally. She puffed her chest up as if he could see her.

“I’m gon’ be real honest with you, I couldn’t even tell you what she does at the company. The most I’ve talked to her is tonight.” He was honest and upfront. He knew who he wanted right now. And it was not Amerie.

“You wanna keep talking about her? or do you wanna get to the reason you called?” He cut through sharp bringing her out of her head. His voiced vibrated through her body like a sound wave. The hum he gave her when he spoke quite literally made her dizzy.

“I don’t know why I called.”

“Yes you do.” He shot.

She didn’t even fight it. How could she with the way her blood was pumping through her.

“I haven’t stop thinking about you either. And that’s confusing for me,” she confessed. She settled back into her couch, letting out a deep breath.

“Let’s deal with it face to face,” he took a shot in the dark. He was holding his breath, gearing up for rejection.

“Okay.” Why should she deny herself this? She’s allowed to see people, right? Allowed to engage?

“Send the location.” She sent it immediately.

“I’m 30 minutes out, I’ll let you know when I’m close.” He confirmed with her. He hadn’t thought twice, he was going to see this woman.

-

Annie rushed to prepare herself for this very welcomed visitor. She showered and put on her backless night gown. She sprayed herself with a heavenly perfume. That stayed in the air, no matter what way she moved. Her phone chimed, making her hyper aware of everything that seemed to be out of place in her home. She rushed to fluff pillows, straighten picture frames that seemed crooked and smoothed out her attire. She wanted to appear prepared, when in reality she was shitting bricks.

Elijah wasn’t too far off from that same feeling as he approached the three-story townhouse. His heart was in his ass. But, he came here with a mission in mind. And that was to at least to convince her to think about giving him a chance. So, he was young but h was grown and he could handle a grown woman. As he approached her home, he took slow and measured steps getting to the front door. Trying not to seem like he was in a rush to get there. He played cool with three even knocks on her door. Annie took her time opening it but, she knew he would not knock again.

When the door opened, Elijah released a deep breath at the sight of the woman. Standing there with a slip on that accentuated her curves and left nothing to the imagination. Her nippled standing at attention, her neck exposed and shining. Begging for him to mark his territory.

“You gon just stand there?” Her eyebrow raised.

“I ain’t heard you doing no invitin.” He countered.

She opened the door wider, ushering him in with her arms. She instructed him to leave his shoes at the door. She had a strict rule of wearing shoes in her house. She guided him into the living room. Sitting down at the furthest end of the couch. Distant couldn’t keep this heat contained too much longer. The way he looked. The sweatpants hanging low on his waist. The white t-shirt with his muscles busting through. His scent, the way he filled the space. Such a big, strong man. ‘Fuck, don’t start salivating.” She straightened her posture, pushing her aching breasts into the air. He noticed.

“You don’t think I’m worth the trouble? Cause I’m young?” He posed the question innocently, there was no sexual charge behind his words, yet.

“I think that I’m 38 and I’m not looking to be distracted by young shit.” She wasn’t going to tiptoe around it. She had her worries and concerns. Especially with the situation at hand. “I’m young but ain’t shit young about me woman. I’m straight forward with my shit, I rarely fuck around. I saw you, I wanted you and I made that clear. That sound like a man who do ‘young shit’?” His eyebrow arched. She cleared her throat. What the fuck was she supposed to say to that. He hadn’t played at all. He was sitting in her house after only knowing her all of 6 hours.

She stood up slowly, approaching him with heated caution. She stood in front of him breathing heavily, with her hand stretched out. Inviting him further into the house and into her bedroom.

-

She led him to the loveseat at the end of her bed.

Elijah sat, impatiently patient. A goddess was standing in front of him so close, he could melt into her. “Come here,” he beckoned her. Annie crawled into his lap slowly. Placing her thick thighs on the outside of him, straddling his lap. Her pussy sitting directly on top of his bulge. “You think you know what to do with all this,” she whispered hovering over his ear. He groaned at the pace of the slow assault on his lap. It was almost painful. “You gon be begging me to get up off of you,” his lips met hers in a fiery passion. A moan worth a thousand words escaped their lips. Their tongue battled for dominance, swapping slow wet flicks of the tongue. Whimpers coming from him sucking her bottom lip. Her pussy clenched around nothing and his dick grew painfully harder. the more passionately they kissed, the harder Annie grinded, Elijah meeting her hips with his.

His hand reached around kneading her ass, spreading and squeezing her plump cheeks. “Mmmm, feel on this body,” she moaned into his mouth. She was drunk off his kiss, she never wanted it to end.

Elijah was fighting for his life, he wanted to rip her clothes off. He took his time finding and exploring her neck. Looking for a sign of pleasure, he sucked and bit at her soothing by wrapping his tongue around the sting. His hands found her titties, he pulled and brushed over the hardened nipples. Dragging the front of her nightgown down, her breast fully exposed to him. His mouth got wet and before he could think his hot mouth wrapped around her peaks. Annie moaned and let out a string of cuss words lost in the pleasure. Her pussy was leaking in the seat of her panties, surely leaving a wet spot over his erection.

“Elijah, please,” she breathed out. She needed him to touch her. She needed something, a release.

He lifted her up placing her in his spot on the seat. He hovered over her, locking lips while he spread her legs open. He kissed down her body leaving and path of heat across her skin. He came face to face with her wet, covered center. “Fuck, that pussy crying. i ain’t even touched her,” he whispered into her heat. He ran his strong hand over her center. Her fat clit poked through the fabric. He rubbed slow circles over it. Her back arched and hips rolled, begging for more contact with whimpers and sighs. He wanted to taste her. He ripped the panties off her, “Now don’t go ripping shit you don’t pay for.” He didn’t dignify it with a verbal response. He put his tongue right at her opening, lightly flicking his tongue in her gushy center. Her pussy clenched and wept at the contact.

He licked up her slit taking her fat mound in his mouth, covering it in spit. He licked her pussy sloppy and fully. “Oh my Godddddd,” she grabbed the back of his head, spreading her legs wider. His tongue fucked her whole until she was begging for a release, “You like the way I eat this fat muhfucka,” he growled from below, sending shocks up her spine. She thrusted her pussy closer to his face, pulling and gripping the back of his head. Encouraging him to just climb inside her and live in her. Her looks shooks with the build of her first orgasm, “Baby please keep sucking this pussy, I-I-I’m boutta fucking squirt all over you,” she whimpered looking down. Her pussy clamped down on his tongue as her body went limp, she locked him in place and she rode it out. He licked her slow until she came down from it. Her chest rising and falling heavily. He scaled her body, squeezing her sides as he came in for a kiss.

“That’s one.” He grinned. “You taste so fucking good.” The kiss deepened, Annie tasted herself on his tongue, the taste had to bea drug. Her head swirled and her body tingled. His dick sat hard, pointed straight at her stomach. She trailed his stomach, feeling his hard stomach on the way, until she felt the front of his pants, gripping him hard. She stroked him teasingly, spending time rubbing his tip. She slipping her hand into his waistband making contact with the dick for the first time. He was huge from what she could feel. Veiny and long, and so fucking heavy.

“Pull that dick out Big Mama and see what you won,” he stood up over her. She pulled her sweats and underwear down in one tug, freeing the monstrous cock from its cage. Gosh, he was beautiful. She drooled at the sight of the magnificent penis. She stroked him slow, in awe of how her hand barely wrapped around him. How soft her touch was, even though she was jerking him hard. She leaned in without permission, swirling her tongue over the tip f his cock. She licked the bead of precum and hummed. “Mmm, just how i thought you’d taste,” she swallowed him whole.

His dick hit the back of her throat and his eyes rolled to the back of his head. He spit and jerked him like she’d done it before. She was a professionally, for sure. She moaned around the head, how was he getting fucking harder? “Just like that baby, suck that dick just like that,”he guided her head until he realized he was throat fucking her. Not that she wasn’t complaining. She liked having her throat used by him. Loved it even. He pulled her off for air but she said, “Why’d you stop?” He groaned at the sight of her, covered in so much spit that it dripped down her chin.

Her pussy pulsed at the way he fucked her mouth. She couldn’t wait until she was being drilled by that big mean dick.

“Cause if I keep going, I’m not gon get to the good part baby. Come lay on the bed.”

-hey yallllll :) im so happy to put something out that im really proud offf! Again s/o @dealore for the prompt!! Lmk what you think!! Am i like.. back?? Some typos and shit but fuck it yolo!!!

[raysul454]

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