Se connecterMaya's POVAs I walked around the studio, making sure everything was ready, I couldn't help but feel proud.The donated smocks were neatly stacked. The goodie bags were lined up and ready to go. The food looked amazing. Everything looked beyond perfect.This was the first day of our art program, and we were scheduled to run it for four consecutive weekends. The goal was simple to teach the kids something new, give them a creative outlet, and hopefully inspire them to keep coming back.If things went well, maybe we'd gain enough traction to offer classes throughout the summer.A lot of parents were already excited about it. Some probably just wanted a couple hours of peace and quiet on a Saturday morning, but honestly, that was fine too.We had chosen the perfect time, not too early, not too late.Just enough structure and fun to make everyone happy.One of the volunteers, Myla, hurried over carrying several large containers of paint."Do you think this is enough paint?" she asked.I s
Shane's POVI woke up early Saturday morning around seven because I needed to get my family ready for the art class Maya was hosting.Rolling out of bed, I made a beeline for the bathroom. Nature wasn't waiting on anybody this morning.After taking care of business, I flushed, washed my hands, and headed back into my room. My eyes immediately drifted to my phone.Maya never called me back last night.That wasn't like her.Something had to have happened really big with her brother. For him to show up that late, it had to be serious. Maybe it was about her mom. Maybe something else entirely.I checked my phone.No missed calls.No messages.I quickly sent her a text.Good morning, love. Contact me when you wake up. I want to know what happened with your brother. Can't wait to see you later.Your love.Satisfied, I set my phone down and headed back into the bathroom for a shower.After brushing my teeth, trimming my beard, and combing my hair, I got dressed in a pair of joggers, a T-shir
Maya’s POVI watched as my brother forked another piece of cheesecake, chewing slowly, his shoulders slumped under the weight of everything he’d been carrying. I took a sip of my wine and crossed my legs, giving him the space he needed. He let out a deep breath and sighed, the sound heavy in the quiet of my living room.“Well, today I came home from work…” he started. “Normally I’d swing by Mom’s to get the kids, because she's been picking them up from school since we moved back from Arizona. Alexis works part-time when she feels like it, but she hasn’t found anything steady here. I just didn't understood why she couldn’t pick them up herself. She’s not doing shit during the day.”I shrugged. “Yeah, pretty much. I actually thought she was handling it. I didn’t realize Mom was still doing all the pickups.”He nodded. “She told us she was out job hunting, but there were no prospects, no callbacks, just nothing. I’m not stressing it too much. I make decent money, the company helped wit
Maya's POV After dinner, we decided to take the kids to Dave & Buster's for a little while so they could burn off some energy and have some fun.We would've gone to Chuck E. Cheese, but it was getting late and they were already getting ready to close.The girls practically kidnapped Gabby the second we walked through the door, running off together while SJ wandered off to do his own thing.I slipped my arm through Shane's and smiled."Are you having a good night?" he asked.I laughed."I actually am. Even after the whole Stanley kerfuffle."He stopped walking and looked at me."Did you literally just use the word kerfuffle?""Yes," I said proudly. "I used the word kerfuffle."We both burst out laughing.The next hour flew by.I spent most of it dominating the giant Fruit Ninja game while Shane got way too competitive on some rope-jumping arcade game.For a little while, everything felt normal.No drama.No Stanley.No family stress.Just fun.By the time we checked the clock, though,
Crandon's POVAs I ran around the building looking for Tempest, I couldn't find her anywhere.Not her office, or the conference rooms, or the break rooms.Nowhere.The uneasy feeling I'd had all morning was no longer a feeling. It was a full-blown alarm bell going off in my head.I turned to security."Pull up every camera. Right now."By then, Knox had joined me.A few minutes later, Kole showed up too.All three of us stood behind the security desk while Stuart pulled up the surveillance footage."Back it up to noon," I said.The footage rolled.There she was.Tempest leaving the building.Crossing the street.Walking into the café.My stomach tightened."Do you have exterior cameras access?" I asked.Stuart nodded."We have a long-range camera. Let me pull it up."A few seconds later, the view changed.We watched Tempest walk into the café.She approached the counter.Talked briefly with one of the employees.Then she raised a finger as if saying she'd be right back and headed towar
Crandon's POVAs Tempest and I made it to work on time, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen today.I didn't know what it was.It wasn't exactly a bad feeling, but there was something sitting in the pit of my stomach. An eerie sensation. Like the universe was holding its breath and waiting for something to happen.Maybe I was overthinking.Maybe I was just tired.Or maybe my instincts were trying to tell me something.As we stepped off the elevator, Tempest headed toward the associate floor while I continued toward mine. Before she left, I pulled her close and kissed her."Have a good day, okay?"She smiled."Okay. And remember, I'm picking up lunch from across the street. The stoves are still broken."I groaned."What the hell? That's ridiculous. Those stoves have been broken for weeks now.""I know.""I'm calling somebody."She laughed."Who?""The grandparents first. Then whoever owns that catering company."She shook her head."Okay, Mr. Executive.""I m
Shane’s POVSitting across from Maya feels unreal, like I slipped into someone else’s life and forgot to check the mirror on the way in. She’s beautiful in that effortless, dangerous way. The kind of woman you don’t approach unless you’re prepared to have your whole equilibrium shaken, and here she
Keisha’s POVI sit beside Kole, watching him spiral in real time, and honestly, I’ve seen a lot in my life. Boardrooms full of men twice my age trying to intimidate me. Audits that would make lesser people sweat through their suits. Hostile takeovers. Corporate warfare.But this?This girl has been
Crandon’s POVAs I walk around Knox’s wedding, I sigh, long and heavy, because I see her.Her.The beauty that should’ve been mine.The one I really, really, really fucked up with.Carmen.She’s standing a few feet away, laughing as her cousin comes down with the bouquet like she just won the Super
Kole’s POVWalking around my brother’s wedding, I feel… good. Like genuinely good, proud, happy, and whole.I watch Knox laughing with Sienna, the way his hand stays anchored at the small of her back like he’s afraid she might float away, and it hits me how far we’ve come. There were plenty of tim







