Queen Move

“We won’t let them,” I promise, even though my back’s against the wall and I’m not sure how to stop them without drawing it out into a long court battle, and probably sensationalizing it even more.

“I’ll keep working the legal angle,” Keith says, standing and stretching. “Well, it’s been real, fam, but I’ve given my whole day to this. Didn’t make it to the office, but I gotta make it home.”

“Same.” Kayla stands. “My kids are on their way home from camp. I need to go get dinner ready.”

Kayla looks down at her phone when it buzzes. “Ugh. What’d I tell you? My kids. It’ll take me forever to get rid of them all. I want an empty nest so bad.”

“And you’ll be an emotional wreck when they leave. Believe me,” Mama says, laughing. “Send them over here next weekend. You and Lawrence get some time to yourselves.”

Kayla’s usually haughty expression softens, and she kisses Mama’s cheek. “I’m gonna take you up on it and leave before you change your mind.” She heads for the door and waves over her shoulder.

“I’m out, too,” Keith says. He bends to drop a kiss on Mama’s head and then mine. Mama walks him to the door and I hear my phone ringing in the distance. I race upstairs where it was charging.

Ezra.

“Hey,” I say.

“You said you’d answer your phone.”

“I know. I’m sorry. Phone died. Did you talk to your mom?”

“Yeah. She denies it.”

“Well, of course she does,” I say easily enough despite the deep relief that pours through me. “It’s not true.”

“Do you have any more to do there?”

“No. I’ve done all I can do for today, I think. We’ll start again tomorrow.”

“Come spend the night,” he says, sending shivers along my skin.

“With you?” I ask teasingly.

“That was the idea, yes,” he says, a smile evident in his voice.

“Could we…?” I hesitate, not sure I want to bring this up now. “I don’t want to stay at your house tonight.”

“Noah’s not due back yet. We—”

“It’s Aiko’s house, Ez. Her photos, her slippers and robe and clothes and Mommy mug. She’s everywhere, and I would like a night with you where every time I turn around I’m not confronted by your life with her.”

“I’m sorry, Tru,” he says after a loaded pause. “I should have realized that, but a hotel feels…seedy. I understand discretion, but I don’t want you to feel in any way that we’re sneaking around or doing something wrong.”

“I don’t feel that way, but we don’t have to go to a hotel. I know just the place.”

Chapter Forty

Ezra

“I didn’t get to come here when we were growing up,” I tell Kimba. “It’s beautiful.”

Lake Lanier’s surface shines like volcanic glass under the moonlight, black and bright.

“My grandfather bought the lake house right before you guys moved.” She sets down a plate of cold cuts and the fresh-baked bread we bought on our way here. “Things picked up significantly for Daddy—not just the money he was making, but all the work he was doing. It became a good place for us to get away from the city.”

The Allens’ lake house is modest, but comfortable. Its best feature is the private dock that leads to the lake. We’re having dinner under a small covered structure set at the end of the dock.

“The glamorous life, huh?” Kimba jokes, proffering a sandwich. “I really go all out for my man.”