Page 45 of When Love Takes Root

“I can be late.”

“You won’t be late on my account.”

She hesitated. “You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

She looked unconvinced, but she gathered her bag. “Text me if you need me.”

“I will. Thank you, sweetie.”

When the door closed behind her, I locked it, then unlocked it again because the electrician was still coming. I turned the sign to closed and straightened the stack of product cards near the register until they sat perfectly aligned.

My phone buzzed again. This time, it was Kayden.

Kayden:

You good?

Me:

I’m good. Y’all at home?

Kayden:

Yeah. JJ picked up Skye and Zuri. Maya being weird.

Me:

Be nice.

Kayden:

Are you coming home soon?

Me:

As soon as the electrician finishes.

Kayden:

Love you.

Me:

Love y’all. Text me if anything comes up.

I set my phone down and leaned both hands against the desk.

“Lord,” I whispered, “I’m tired.”

No polished prayer. No testimony. Just the truth.

Outside, the low rumble of a motorcycle rolled into the parking lot, followed by the heavy open and shut of a truck door, then another. My spine straightened before I told it to, my palms still resting on the desk while the prayer I had just breathed settled somewhere behind my ribs.

Through the front window, Onyx came into view first, removing his helmet as he headed toward the salon.

Then the driver’s side opened, and another man stepped down. I knew neither man from the truck, yet kinship showed before either of them spoke. They carried pieces of each other in the depth of their skin, the width of their shoulders, and the sharp-eyed way they surveyed the lot before moving. The driver pulled my attention and held it without asking.