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Ahvi nibbled on her nails, her eyes staring off into the future trying to figure out what was next for her. She was beyond nervous, but she was also excited, ready to lay eyes on her baby. But then what? What would be her next steps?

The judge gave her a hefty sixty days to find employment, which wouldn’t be an issue if she wasn’t so stubborn. She had no desire to clock in for somebody else, no interest in settling for a check that barely covered the basics. She wanted more. She wanted to cook her ass off and make people feel something with her food. Maybe one day someone would discover her. Maybe she’d end up on one of those bullshit cooking shows where she wins it all and shows the world how a Black girl from the hood was really magical.

That was the dream, but right now reality had her locked up in a place that moved at a pace slower than death.

“That’s the look of a woman tryna figure out how to move a mountain with her bare hands.” Ahvi blinked, being pulled from her thoughts by the familiar rasp of her cellmate – Miss Deb’s voice.

Miss Deb had been in and out of the system so long that she talked about it like it was just a part of life. She was the type of woman who had seen everything, done everything, and had no problem schooling the young girls who thought they knew something.

Ahvi smirked slightly, glancing over at her. “What else I’m supposed to do? Sit here and twiddle my thumbs?”

Miss Deb chuckled, leaning back on her cot. “Naw baby, but you ever heard the sayin’, ‘When you in the dark, you don’t gotta see the whole staircase, just the next step’?”

Ahvi sighed, “Sounds good, but what if I don’t even know where the first step at?”

Miss Deb lifted a thin, graying brow. “That ain’t true. You just scared to take it.”

That sat in Ahvi’s chest a little too heavy because she really was scared.

Scared of failing, scared of struggling even more than she already had, scared of what came next when her whole life had been snatched from her hands for the past month. Granted, her past life was barely worth a damn, but it was hers.

Miss Deb studied Ahvi’s soft feminine features even though she wanted to be as hard as a man. “Let me tell you somethin’ I learned the hard way… life don’t get no easier, but you get smarter. You get tougher. You learn what’s worth fightin’ for and what ain’t. And from what I done seen? You got somethin’ worth fightin’ for. So quit overthinking and take the next damn step.”

Ahvi swallowed, her throat tight. She didn’t say anything…didn’t have to.

Because she was gonna fight…for herself…for Kamari…for the life she knew she deserved.

She just had to get out of this place first. They needed to hurry up and let her out. Her cot had been packed up since morning roll call and now it was all just a waiting game.

The prison system would snatch you up quick but when it was time to let you go, they’d drag their damn feet.

Ahvi had been up since before dawn, pacing the tiny cell, waiting for them to call her name. But the minutes stretched into hours.

Miss Deb had already dozed off twice. “Girl, they ain’t gon’ rush for you,” she said, yawning. “You might as well sit your ass down.”

And she tried. She really did. But every tick of the clock had her heart pounding harder. She exhaled when they called her name.

“Ahvi Farooq!”

Ahvi damn near jumped up before the guard even finished calling her.

Miss Deb just smirked. “Go on, then. And remember what I said, with yo’ pretty self.”

Ahvi nodded, gripping her cot one last time before stepping out.

The walk through the facility felt different . The cold walls and the buzzing fluorescent lights wasn’t home, but she had been in here long enough and too many times for it to leave a mark on her.

She passed by a few familiar faces - some offered small nods while others looked away from jealousy or sadness in their eyes. Not everybody got to walk out of here.

The guards barely acknowledged her as they led her through the process. First stop, she retrieved her property.

It was weird watching them slide her old clothes across the counter like she was checking out of a damn hotel. She pulled on her shorts and graphic tee, feeling almost like herself again. Then, they walked her through the gates and to the front door.

Ahvi stepped through, the air hitting her skin like a baptism. It smelled different out there, it felt like freedom . She laughed to herself at how dramatic she was being after only serving thirty days . Those thirty days without Kamari felt like a lifetime though.

She looked around the parking lot, searching for her ride.

And standing right there, like something out of a dream, stood Lunar.

Leaning against the side of an all-black Range Rover in a designer t-shirt, chains sitting against his chest and arms crossed in that effortless way of his? The sun flickered against his deep brown skin casting a glow around him that made him look untouchable.

Ahvi damn near stopped breathing. Having phone conversations and talking to him across a metal table in visitation didn’t feel anything like seeing him right now.

He was leaning against his car, looking like a whole angel in disguise-- if angels wore designer jeans and gold chains that gleamed in the sun. His hair had a sheen that coated his waves beautifully. His beard was lined to perfection, and when his eyes landed on her, that slow, cocky smirk spread across his lips.

Her body reacted before she could stop it. Skin heating up, stomach flipping, heart pounding in a way that had nothing to do with nerves.

Over the last thirty days, everything had changed. Her whole life had flipped upside down. Now she was standing there, looking at the man who had been holding it together while she was locked away, and all she wanted to do was kiss him. But life didn’t work that way, their friendship had bloomed over the last month and she didn’t even know what was next for them in their weird lives.

“Damn,” Lunar muttered, pulling her head out of the clouds. “They got you in there lookin’ rough as hell.”

He joked at her bushy edges and wrinkled clothes. Even in his jokes, he knew Ahvi was fine regardless.

Ahvi scoffed, shaking her head. “You tryna be funny?”

“A lil’ bit.” His lips curved, but there was something else behind it…something deeper. He pushed off the car, walking toward her. “C’mon, let’s go.”

Ahvi stopped short. “Go where?”

Lunar looked at her like she was slow. “You homeless, right?”

Her jaw clenched. “I wouldn’t call it that.”

“What would you call it then?”

She didn’t answer.

Lunar sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “Your mom already said you can’t stay there. You ain’t got nowhere else. You ain’t ‘bout to be dragging Kamari from couch to couch. So, you coming with me.”

Ahvi hesitated, her eyes darting around the parking lot.

Living with Lunar was stepping into a whole different kind of situation. She’d already placed too much on his shoulders with Kamari and she wasn’t trying to be nobody’s charity case.

“I’ll figure it out,” she mumbled. “I always do.”

Lunar scoffed. “Yea? And what, let the judge catch you jobless and couch-hopping? You tryna go back?”

Her stomach twisted. “No,” she admitted.

“Then stop being hard-headed and get in the damn car, Ahvi.”

Why did he have to say her name like that? Ahvi had never loved her name more than when it was escaping from Lunar’s lips.

She wanted to argue, wanted to tell him she had it under control, but the truth was— she didn’t.

So, she exhaled sharply and pulled the car door open. “This is temporary,” she said, sliding in. “And where my baby?” she asked, finally looking in the backseat. Her heart galloped when she noticed the new and seemingly expensive car seat. She wondered if he had someone that knew what they were doing, put the car seat in the car ‘cause Lunar didn’t look like the type to know much about car seats. There were also a few scattered toys like Kamari really belonged. She got choked up for a moment but kept her tears to herself.

“At the house with Pimp.” Lunar responded again, like that was where Kamari was supposed to be. “Put your seat belt on.”

Ahvi kissed her teeth but did what she was told, ready to love all over Kamari and get her life back on track. She had no interest in living with Lunar for longer than she needed to. That and the judge would be on her bad if she didn’t show a job at her next check in.

* * *

The second the car turned into the circular drive, Ahvi’s heart dropped into her stomach.

The scene before her didn’t look like one of Sheena’s get togethers. The cars alone cost more than everyone she knew combined, multiplied by ten. No, these were luxury cars - Bentleys, G-Wagons, Range Rovers, even a few foreign cars she couldn’t name but had seen once or twice on social media. These were the kinds of cars you didn’t park on curbs, the kind of cars that didn’t belong in her world.

“Lunar…” Her voice was low as she ran her hand down her puffy edges. Her mind raced thinking about all the luxury her baby had been around and how much they’d poured into him and her whenever she called. Tears misted her eyes from nervousness.

“Ahvi,” he said her name so cool while he cut the engine. Lunar turned towards her, giving her his undivided attention. “You good?”

She turned toward him slow. “Why it look like a damn awards show out here?”

“’Cause this family don’t let you do nothing that ain’t grand,” Lunar laughed. “It’s a little party or whatever Stephanie took upon herself to throw for you like you been locked up for years.”

“All this for me?” Ahvi blinked like Lunar was speaking in tongues. Why would they do anything for her when they’d already done enough by letting Kamari into their world without second guessing?

“Ain’t that what I just said?”

“Oh, don’t get smart with me, nigga!” Ahvi punched him in the arm.

Lunar rubbed it. “That shit hurt…keep your hands to yourself.”

“Or what?” She challenged, getting in his face.

Lunar examined her up close, etching every little detail into his mind. Like the tiny beauty mark that sat under her big eyes. Too small to see without invading her personal space. He outlined the natural line of her lips and the way her throat bobbed up and down when she swallowed hard.

His dick jumped and his tongue swiped across his lips. Her eyes bucked when his hand landed on the back of her neck, gripping it with just enough pressure. “Or I show you where I like to put my hands.” He leaned in so close she could smell his breath. “And I damn sure ain’t got no self-control so tread lightly.”

He pulled back, allowing her to inhale deeply like she had been suffocating.

Lunar pushed his door open. “Come on.”

Ahvi nodded, pinching her skin to stop the ache between her legs. She didn’t know how she was going to make it being so close to Lunar when he was so sexy and said shit that made her pussy cry out to be touched. Once outside the car, she looked down at the chipped polish on her toes, suddenly becoming self-conscious. She looked at all the money sitting in the driveway feeling out of place.

Lunar must’ve felt the shift in her because he snaked his fingers between hers. “I’ve seen some of the most exotic looking women, fucked some of the baddest hoes but none of them hold a candle to you, Ahvi. My people ain’t like that, they’re already team Ahvi.”

She nodded, deciding to put her fears to the back of her mind as Lunar walked her to the door. Pimp stood in the doorway, Kamari in his arms slobbering his chain.

“Is that even sanitary?” Ahvi asked, her face bunched up before falling into a content smile. “Mari,” she cooed. “Come here, baby.” She held her hands out. Grabbing her son into her arms, she showered him with frantic kisses.

Gently, she squeezed him into her chest, inhaling his scent because she’d missed everything about him, but Kamari had his eyes on Lunar.

But, the second Kamari spotted Lunar, his whole body twisted in Ahvi’s arms, fighting to get free.

“Damn,” she mumbled. “You done turned my baby against me.” She cut her eyes at Lunar.

He put his arms up in mock surrender. “That ain’t on me.” One side of his lips lifted into a half grin.

“Girl, that baby don’t like nobody but Pimp and Lunar.” Stephanie walked into the room looking as youthful as ever. “Ahvi’s free,” she laughed wrapping her arm around Ahvi where Kamari mushed her away. “See?”

“You swear you still young.” Tiny walked up shaking her head at Stephanie. Although she was Big Lunar’s mom, Tiny looked at her as her mom too.

Ahvi looked at everyone awkwardly. She didn’t know what to do or say. Yes, she talked to Tiny and Stephanie over the phone but seeing them in person was different. Especially when Tiny was Lunar’s mama and she was a true mama bear. She was not with the bullshit when it came to her boys.

“Y’all let her breathe,” Aku said, swaying into the room, already feeling good.

That made Ahvi smile. Aku was closer to her age, and they talked a little more than she did with the older two ladies. Aku vented to her about things that went beyond what Kamari was doing. Within thirty days, they’d built a good, little bond.

Aku was even more beautiful than she remembered her being just from social media. Tall, slender, but juicy in all the places men liked. Even the handful of ass looked like a dump truck.

“Give him to me,” Lunar said, seeing his boy struggling to get in his arms.

Ahvi kissed her teeth, but reluctantly gave him up.

Aku wrapped her arms around her. “We ‘bout to have a time, honey.” She wagged her tongue. “Noodle on her way over now. I can’t wait for you to meet her…that’s my best bitch.”

Tiny pinched her, “You grown but damn,” she fussed.

“Auntie, you be letting Lunar cuss,” Aku called her out.

“Sholl do!” Stephanie cosigned, “and keep your hands off my babies.”

“Stephanie, I ain’t worried about you…where Griff at?”

That made Stephanie laugh. “I ain’t scared of my husband like you scared of yours.”

“We’ll see,” Tiny teased.

After twenty minutes of being passed around, hugged, teased, and handed a drink she barely had time to sip, Ahvi leaned into Lunar like he knew what she needed without saying anything. They barely knew each other but being next to him gave her comfort.

“Okay, y’all let Ahvi get comfortable…she ain’t washed them clothes in thirty days.” Lunar fanned his face.

Pimp slapped hands with him, laughing hard like it was the funniest shit he heard all day.

Rolling her eyes, she leaned into him deeper, ready to catch her breath.

Lunar nodded once. “Come on.”

She followed him through the house, taking in the sheer size of it. Every hallway stretched endlessly. The ceilings were high and the walls were lined with sleek modern art. One turn led to another, and then another, until finally, they reached his room.

It was enormous. The ceilings stretched even higher there. His walls were a rich, dark gray, and the big bed in the center looked like it could swallow a person whole. But it wasn’t the size of the room that made her stop, it was the closet that took her breath away.

“I wanted to get you a whole new wardrobe but you don’t seem like the type to like shit like that so,” he shrugged, spreading his hands wide for her to get a look at his next good deed.

Her eyes opened wide in shock at what was before her - rows of shelves, hanging racks, and stacks of boxes labeled in black marker. Ahvi was written across them and she read it in her mind in his voice—the voice she loved to hear speak her name. He said it like it held some weight in his world.

Ahvi’s heart thumped hard against her ribs as she stepped forward, her fingers skimming over the top of one of the boxes. Her voice whispered softly as she looked up at him confused, “What - why…?” She was totally blown away. No one had ever done anything this thoughtful for her.

Lunar rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at her, then away. “Your sister told me about the eviction, so I went and got your things before they put it on the side of the road.” He exhaled, shifting his weight. “I knew you’d want it.”

He said it like it was no big deal. Maybe to him, it wasn’t. But for her, it was more than a big deal. Whatever was bigger than a big deal – next level – that’s what it was.

She blinked, throat suddenly tight. Tears brimmed her eyes.

“You got all of my stuff? I – I thought I lost everything,” her voice cracked, and she fell to her knees as if the wind had been knocked out of her.

Lunar nodded. “Yea.”

A slow, shaky breath escaped her, but it did nothing to ease the tension building in her chest. It was one thing to look after her son, to pick her up from jail, to give her a place to stay, and even to throw her a damn party. But going out of his way to rescue her precious belongings when no one else gave a damn, meant more than she knew how to say. She didn’t know if she’d ever be able to express how grateful she was for him…for his entire family and all they’d done for her and her son.

Her eyes found his, neither of them moving, caught up in something so soul stirring that it held them captive.

The air between them changed. It shifted into something unspoken and heavy. Lunar wasn’t looking away this time. He was watching her, his gaze steady and unreadable. something twinkling behind his eyes that made her stomach tighten.

Ahvi swallowed, not knowing that little movement did something to him too.

He stepped back.

She stepped forward.

His eyes lifted, challenging her.

Then, without another word, Ahvi grabbed a change of clothes from one of the boxes and walked toward the bathroom.

He exhaled the breath he’d been holding with a knowing smirk lifting his lips. He knew he wanted her. Lunar wanted Ahvi from the moment she stepped out her Nissan when they met, her beauty shining brighter than the sun. Actually, Lunar knew he wanted her from their first phone call when talking to her was so easy. He really knew he needed her when her son invaded his heart as if his blood ran through the kids’ veins. He just had to show Ahvi why she needed him too.

She didn’t look back at him. She was too afraid she’d jump into his arms or get on her knees to thank him properly. But then she remembered Butta telling her about little Ms. Apple coming out the house one morning like she’d slept over.

Ahvi had to snap out of this fantasy, she had a lot of shit she needed to get done and didn’t need to be distracted by another man. Especially not when she had yet to find the last man that clouded her mind and threw her off her game. Nah, Ahvi needed to keep her head on a swivel. Her freedom and motherhood depended on it.