Page 20

The house was buzzing with energy, laughter, music, the lingering aroma of barbecue still floating through the air as the night rolled in. Plates were emptied, drinks were poured, and now it was time for games.

Ray, being the instigator she was, had riled everybody up, insisting on a game of Charades, because according to her:

“Ain’t no real Black function complete without folks ackin’ a fool.”

The group gathered in the living room, some sitting on the sectional, others posted up against the walls or lounging on the floor. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course, the kids—including Kaliyah and Mia, who had been inseparable since they got there.

Krys sat on the couch, legs crossed, wine in hand, watching the madness unfold with pure amusement. Kenyatta was posted beside her, arms relaxed across the back of the couch, close enough that his warmth was noticeable but not quite touching her.

Yet.

Ray, as the undisputed host and lead family event planner, stood in the center of the room, waving a stack of index cards.

“A’ight, listen up! We gon’ do this right. Teams of two, and no cheating ‘cause I already know how y’all get!”

Krys teased, raising a brow. “Is that a preemptive call-out, Ray?”

Ray pointed at her, eyes narrowing. “You damn right! ‘Cause you be cheating your ass off.”

“I don’t cheat,” Krys said smoothly, sipping her wine. “I just win efficiently.”

The group booed playfully, and Kenyatta laughed, shaking his head. “She competitive like that?” he asked Ray, clearly entertained.

Ray scoffed. “Boy, you ‘bout to see for yourself.”

And just like that, Ray called it.

Krys and Kenyatta were teammates. The first few rounds went as expected; plenty of dramatic overacting, loud shouting, and questionable guesses.

Tyra was over-the-top as usual, reenacting Titanic by standing on a chair, fake crying about Jack. Uncle Thomas had everybody in tears trying to act out The Matrix, moving in slow motion and nearly knocking over a lamp in the process. Even the kids got in on it; Kaliyah and Mia were a duo, giggling nonstop when Mia tried to act out Spider-Man but ended up looking like she was swatting bees.

But then it was Krys and Kenyatta’s turn.

Kenyatta stood in front of her, rolling his shoulders back, exhaling like he was about to go into battle. “A’ight, let’s do this.”

Krys smiled, cocky, relaxed, confident. “Try not to embarrass me.”

“Me?” He shot her a look. “I’m tryna make sure you keep up.”

She squinted at him. “That’s cute. Watch me work.”

Ray passed Krys the card. She read it quickly, nodded with confidence, and set the card down. The timer started.

Krys immediately threw her hands up like claws, growled low, and stalked forward like a predator.

Kenyatta barely hesitated before saying, “Lion.”

Krys made a face, shook her head, and roared again.

Kenyatta smirked. “A’ight, panther.”

She gave him a sharp look.

His eyes narrowed before it clicked. “Wait—Black Panther?”

She pointed at him, and the room erupted in cheers as the timer buzzed.

“That was fast as hell!” Tyra called out.

Kenyatta just shrugged. “I told y’all, I pay attention.”

Krys licked her lips slightly, eyeing him. Oh, she liked that answer.

The next card was even funnier.

Krys placed her hands on her belly, waddled dramatically, and gave Kenyatta a look. He immediately choked on his drink.

“Aw, hell nah,” he muttered under his breath.

The room was already howling.

Krys just lifted a brow, waiting for him to answer. He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Pregnant?”

Krys nodded, encouraging him to go deeper.

He squinted at her exaggerated movements. “Wait…you pregnant?”

More laughter.

“Bruh,” Ray wheezed. “You really think she’d pick that card?”

Kenyatta rubbed his chin, before his eyes widened slightly in realization. He gave her a slow, knowing look.

“Nah.” He shook his head, voice dropping. “Stepmama.”

The entire room exploded.

Krys’ jaw dropped open. “Are you serious?”

“You waddling like you got a stepbaby on the way,” he grinned.

“Boy, go to hell,” she smacked his arm, but she was laughing.

Ray was in tears. “Oh nah, he gets you, girl.”

Kenyatta winked at her. “I got the point though, didn’t I?”

Krys glared at him, but the corners of her lips twitched. Oh, he was good.

The next card…something changed.

Krys stared at it, lips parting slightly. She hesitated.

Kenyatta frowned, watching her reaction. “What?”

Krys took a slow breath, set the card down, and locked eyes with him. Then she simply held out her hand.

Palm up.

Waiting.

Kenyatta stilled. For the first time all night, he didn’t immediately answer. He just…looked at her.

For some reason the room got quieter. Like everyone felt the shift.

Kenyatta’s eyes searched hers, the teasing momentarily gone, something heavier settling between them.

Then a smile formed, slow and smooth. “Love.”

A hush fell over the room.

Krys inhaled.

The timer buzzed.

She snatched her hand away quickly, shaking off the moment. “Nope. That was wrong. Drink up.”

The room burst into groans and protests; everyone thought he had nailed it.

Kenyatta chuckled, grabbing a shot. “Damn, Bae. You was just gon’ let me lose like that?”

“You got it wrong,” she said quickly, trying to sound unaffected.

“Did I?” His voice dipped, eyes still locked on hers.

Krys looked away, sipping her wine. For a second, she really wasn’t sure.

And neither was he. But neither of them spoke on it.

Not yet.

They just played the game.