Page 48 of Rose

“Why are you ignoring him, Zii?” she asked, sipping her strawberry lemon drop.

Ahzii let out a quiet sigh, fingers curling around her glass like it held all the answers. “I don’t know,” she muttered, though the weight in her chest told a different story.

Sarai blinked at her. “Girl, you do know. Spill it.”

Ahzii took a long sip, needing the citrus bite to steady her nerves. “I wasn’t supposed to feel this way again,” she said slowly. “Not for another man.”

Sarai leaned forward slightly, sensing the shift. “Feel what?”

Ahzii hesitated, her voice soft. “Remember when we first met, and I snapped about the donation and the flowers?”

“Yeah,” Sarai nodded, “you said you weren’t trying to replace someone you used to love.”

Ahzii gave a small nod as the waitress returned with their plates and quietly excused herself.

“Right. Because I used to be married, Sarai.”

Sarai’s eyes widened. “Girl! I knew somebody got down on one knee for your ass at least once,” she teased, trying to lighten the mood .

Ahzii laughed under her breath, but it faded quickly.

“His name was William, and he was my first love. My soulmate. The first man who showed me what love felt like... what it meant to be loved by a man.”

She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Her hand moved to the diamond rings she wore around her neck.

Sarai caught the shift, the way Ahzii’s shoulders tensed under the memory. “So… what happened?”

“He was murdered,” Ahzii said, her voice barely a whisper. “Killed in cold blood. And I swear, it felt like my heart died with him.”

Sarai stayed quiet, her chest tightening as she watched the pain flicker behind Ahzii’s eyes.

“I never thought I’d feel anything close to that again,” Ahzii continued. “Until your brother barged into my life and started digging up everything I buried. Started making me feel again.”

Sarai’s lips curled into a faint smile. “So why run from him? I can tell he really likes you… maybe even loves you.”

That word made Ahzii’s body lock up. Her eyes dropped.

“It feels like I’m betraying the man who loved me. Like letting your brother in means erasing what I had. And what if he patches the wounds just to leave me with more scars?”

Sarai reached across the table, voice gentle but firm. “Ahzii… maybe William sent my brother to you. Maybe he knew you weren’t supposed to walk through life without love.”

Ahzii fell into thought, gaze unfocused as her fingers absentmindedly touched the rings again.

She didn’t know if it was love, not yet, but Savior made her feel like she was becoming again. Not just surviving. Not just existing.

“I find that hard to believe,” she whispered, brushing the thought away like ash from her skin.

“You can doubt it,” Sarai said, sipping again, “but I know my brother. He doesn’t say it out loud, but I see it. In his eyes. In the way he watches you like you’re the first peace he’s ever known.”

Ahzii’s throat tightened.

“And you,” Sarai added, “the way you dodge his calls… the way your body reacts when you even think about him? You’re either already there, or dangerously close.”

Ahzii picked up her glass and downed the rest of her drink in one go.

Because Sarai was right.

And that scared her more than anything.

“I’m not ready for that,” she said, barely above a whisper.

“And he understands that,” Sarai said, her tone soft but firm.

“My brother’s patient, but he’s got a heart too.

A fragile one, even if he hides it under all that steel.

I love you like a sister, Zii, but don’t break my brother’s heart just because you’re scared to feel something you clearly deserve. ”

Her voice dropped with weight. “I’ll kill you if you hurt him. ”

Ahzii nodded, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “I’d do the same if it was A’Mazi.”

“I’m not trying to hurt him,” she added after a beat, stirring her food. “It’s just… the more I push him away, the harder he pulls me close.”

“Then stop playing tug of war with him and let him love you already.” Sarai laughed as Ahzii rolled her eyes. Easier said than done.

She set her fork down. “Can we talk about the reason I called you?”

“Yes, what’s up? Something about an art showcase?” Sarai asked, slicing into her food.

“Yeah. I went to an art museum last week with Savior,” Ahzii paused, after saying his name, “—and it inspired me. I want to start doing showcases again. But I want to host one here.”

“Really?!” Sarai lit up, her excitement immediate and real.

Ahzii blinked, surprised. “Why are you excited? You’re the one with the popular restaurant.”

“Exactly,” Sarai grinned. “I love art, and a showcase here? That’s good energy, good press, more people through the doors. I’d be honored to host your show, Zii.”

Ahzii smiled, warmed by her enthusiasm. She didn’t expect it, but she should’ve. Sarai was one of the brightest lights she’d found since moving to Miami, fitting perfectly into her world like she'd always belonged.

“So,” Sarai asked, “when are you thinking?”

“Maybe two weeks from today.”

Sarai froze mid-chew, then raised her brow. “So… Savior’s birthday?”

Ahzii blinked. “His birthday’s in two weeks?”

“He never told you?” Sarai asked, surprised.

“No,” Ahzii murmured, more to herself than Sarai.

“Makes sense. He don’t celebrate it. Never did.”

Ahzii’s face fell. “Not even when he was little? No parties? No cake?”

“Nothing,” Sarai said, her voice quieter now. “Not a single candle. Not even a Happy Birthday text.”

Ahzii sat back in her seat, her chest tightening.

She’d had birthdays under bridges, in parks, abandoned buildings, but she’d always made them something .

She and Mazi used to sneak leftover cake from the diner she worked at, split it down the middle, and light one candle to share. No gifts, but always joy. Always hope.

Savior had a whole family, and somehow still had nothing .

And for a moment, that truth broke something open in her.

“Nope. My Aunt Marley used to bake him cookies, but that was all he got. Me and Sin tried to celebrate him when we got older, but he always refused. It was just another day to him… because that’s all it ever was.” Sarai’s voice softened with hurt.

She hated how their parents treated Savior. Always had. She was fiercely protective of him because he was the first person who ever protected her. Sincere was the brain, the talented twin. Sarai? She was the baby. The one everyone thought needed saving.

But Savior never treated her like glass. He gave her freedom. Loved her fiercely. Taught her how to fight. How to be .

Everything she was—she owed to him.

“Damn,” Ahzii murmured, sympathy leaking through her voice. The more she learned, the more the layers of Savior Carter made tragic sense.

“Well, push it back to the middle of next month. I don’t want to overshadow his birthday with my showcase,” Ahzii said, sipping her drink.

“You don’t want to overshadow it… or you planning something for him?” Sarai teased, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips.

“Nosy much?” Ahzii laughed, rolling her eyes.

“Whatever. I’m more than happy to help,” Sarai grinned.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Ahzii’s phone lit up again. Savior. She sighed, staring at the screen.

“Girl, answer the man’s damn call. If he shows up here acting a fool, I’m kicking both of y’all asses,” Sarai warned, pointing at her with a manicured nail.

Ahzii snorted. “I’m about to go see him.”

“Mmm, missing your man,” Sarai sang playfully.

Ahzii chuckled, but the truth settled quietly in her chest. No matter how many times she tried to lie to herself, tried to tell herself that it was just sex, just fun, she couldn’t keep pretending. When he was near, her stomach flipped. When he was gone, she ached for him.

“He’s not my man,” she muttered, then added under her breath, “But I do miss his crazy ass.”

Sarai’s eyes widened, then softened into a smile. “Well, go see him then. I need to get back to work anyway. We’ll go over the showcase details later.”

They stood, embracing warmly.

Ahzii pulled a hundred-dollar bill from her pocket and held it out.

“Girl, no.” Sarai smacked her hand away. “Put that in the tip jar. I’m not taking your money.”

“Bitch, take the damn money. I’m a customer like everybody else.”

“You ain’t just everybody else. Tip jar, or nothing.” Sarai winked.

Ahzii laughed, shaking her head. “Stubborn like your damn brother.”

“You’ll get used to it, Mrs. Carter, ” Sarai shot back with a wicked grin.

“Bitch, bye.” Ahzii rolled her eyes. “Thanks for lunch. I’ll call you later.”

They hugged again before Ahzii walked toward the exit, dropping the hundred into the tip jar and tossing a wave to Chris.

“Love you, sister-in-law!” Sarai shouted from across the restaurant.

Ahzii flipped her off without even turning around, a grin tugging at her lips as she stepped into the Miami heat—heart a little lighter, thoughts full of a man who wasn’t hers… but just might be.

???

Ahzii stepped into Savior’s home, the heavy thump of paws greeting her before anything else.

Brasi and Bishop rushed up, their massive grey bodies wiggling with excitement.

One had piercing blue eyes, the other a soft, almost golden hazel.

They were slightly smaller than Ace, who stood calmly by her side, posture alert but respectful.

“Hi, cuties,” she cooed, crouching to rub their heads. Ace stayed rooted beside her, watchful and unbothered.

“This is Ace,” she said, introducing her boy like a proud mom.

“Your brother,” came Savior’s voice, low and smooth, cutting through the space like heat through fog.

She looked up, and everything slowed.