Page 46

Atlas

It took until after brunch for Lu and Ebony to stop teasing Kairi and me about the bathroom incident. By then, they’d moved on to talking about New York. We were all sitting around, lounging on the sofa, the Miami skyline in the backdrop.

I cleared my throat. “We have to head back around five,” I announced. “Should be home by nine.”

They all groaned, rolling their eyes in unison.

I smirked, pulling out my credit card and holding it up. “But for the next few hours, y’all can shop. Just have mercy on me.”

Ebony stood and stepped forward, her expression half-amused, half-mocking. “You know Lu and I are independently wealthy, right? You can’t bribe us into liking you.”

I wasn’t trying to bribe them—just trying to build a bridge. Before I could respond, Lu nudged Ebony sharply. “Shut up, stupid. We can be bribed. If this man wants to spend his money on us, let him.” She snatched the card from my hand. “Better his than mine.”

Kairi laughed, her eyes meeting mine briefly before Lu grabbed her arm.

“You—let’s go,” Lu demanded. “Don’t even look at him anymore. I’m tired of y’all eye-fucking each other, and I definitely don’t need y’all getting lost in the bathroom again.”

Kairi’s laughter rang out as they headed out, all three of them dressed in yellow. I’d never realized just how good that color looked on brown skin until now.

Once they were gone, I started packing so I’d be ready to help them with theirs later. As I zipped my suitcase, my phone rang. I checked the screen—Ashlen.

Of course, she’d call now. I answered with a tight jaw.

“Three million fucking dollars?!” she screamed in my ear. “You had that much stashed away and had me on a budget? You couldn’t even buy doves for our daughters’ funeral?”

My grip on the phone tightened. It pissed me off that she was conflating her spending habits with the arrangements for our children’s funeral—twisting everything to play the victim. I knew this call was coming the moment my lawyer sent over the financials her attorney requested.

“You can have half. Just sign the papers for the divorce you initiated,” I said, trying to keep my voice level.

Silence hung between us for a beat, and then her voice dripped with venom. “I don’t want half—I want it all.”

“No,” I said firmly, trying to sound more convincing than I felt.

“Then I’ll drag this divorce out. Make it public. ‘Husband leaves wife for her best friend, the bestselling author.’ You think your little love story will survive that?”

I clenched my teeth. “Okay, Ashlen. Have it your way.”

“Thought so.” Her voice was triumphant. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer. Tell Kairi I said hi and that I hope she’s enjoying my leftovers.”

I hung up before I could say something that would escalate things. She thought she’d won, but she hadn’t. I had a contract to sell my app—a platform that allowed users to trade rare or hard-to-find books. According to my lawyer, the money would be mine alone, since the deal was finalized after she filed for divorce. She was playing checkers, and I was playing chess. I wasn’t going to let my son’s future hang in the balance, even if I knew Kairi would ensure he never wanted for anything. It was my responsibility.

I went back to packing, pushing away the remnants of that conversation. Just as I zipped the last bag, the door burst open. Ebony, Lu, and Kairi returned, arms filled with bags.

A bellboy followed behind them, carrying an antique chair.

I stared at it. “That had to be expensive,” I commented, eyeing the intricate detailing.

Ebony shrugged nonchalantly. “That’s why I paid for it.” She handed my card back.

Kairi walked up to me then, her eyes soft. Before I could say anything, she leaned in and kissed me—long, slow, and hard. I forgot about Ashlen. I forgot about everything except the feel of Kairi’s lips. My chest swelled with a happiness I hadn’t let myself feel in years.

Lu made a loud, exaggerated cough. “Alright, lovebirds, break it up. I’m starving. Can we eat before we leave?”

Kairi pulled away. I looked at her with pleading eyes, hoping she’d say no, but she nodded.

“Yes,” she answered, much to my chagrin.

I sighed.