Page 198 of The Sweetest Return

“Imani Bennett,” Marisol said, reaching for both of Imani’s hands. “Finally.”

Imani smiled, and the courtyard warmed around it.

“We are grateful you made space for us.”

“No, darling. We are grateful you made it here. That bracelet has been haunting me since I saw it.”

“As it should.”

Marisol laughed.

Laila Hart appeared at the top of the shallow steps in a white robe, bare face, hair pinned up, skin glowing the way rich women somehow made exhaustion look intentional. She was smaller than she looked onscreen and stronger in person because she did not rush.

Everybody else adjusted to her pace.

Except Imani.

Imani simply smiled.

“Laila,” she said. “It’s an honor.”

Laila’s gaze dropped to the bracelet. “That is the one?”

“This is the one that made Marisol threaten people on both coasts.”

“I only threatened two,” Marisol said.

Laila laughed softly, then looked at Imani again. “Show me.”

That was where my part ended.

Officially.

Imani turned toward me before going inside. “You good?”

I looked at the people waiting for her. Marisol. Laila. The assistant. Security. The house manager. All of them ready to follow her lead even if they didn’t know it yet.

“I’m good.”

Her eyes softened for half a second, private enough that nobody else would have known what to do with it.

“Thank you.”

“You already thanked me.”

“Not for the plane.”

My hand rested at her lower back just long enough to feel her breath catch. “Then what?”

“For not making this yours.”

That hit harder than I expected.

I kept my voice low. “It’s yours, Mani.”

Her lips parted slightly, and for one second I wanted to kiss her in front of everybody just to see if the room could survive it.

I did not.