YAYA
It had been damn near a month since that night. Almost four weeks of tight schedules, mounting pressure, and time slipping through our fingers like water. Graduation was finally here and I had an offer for an interview from Hollis Medical. Of course, my parents were delighted. And me?
I was exhausted. I hadn’t slept a full night in days. My planner looked like a war zone. My inbox had three unread emails with the word “contract” in the subject line. And Ezra?
Ezra was preparing to fly to New York soon to meet with Nina and publishers who wanted to “develop his voice.” He’d been writing, filling up his spiral notebooks. We were both growing. But that closeness we built—the late-night laughs, the spontaneous sex, the Sunday mornings wrapped in each other—felt like it was shrinking. Not fading. Just… tightening like the space was still there, but we didn’t have time to sit in it.
And now? On top of everything else, I was finally bringing him to meet my parents. Not at a typical cookout. Not red cups and spades and paper plates. This was my parents’ version of a cookout, which meant wine glasses, live jazz, linen, shrimp skewers, and a rented event tent in the backyard of the mansion. Stepping out of the shower, I remembered the day I'd asked Ezra to come.
The laughter from the next table faded in and out, drowned by the clinking of silverware and the vibes of a live saxophone floating from the corner of the rooftop restaurant. I swirled my mango lemon drop around in my glass, the condensation wetting my palm as I tried to keep my thoughts from spiraling again. I would be graduating in four days and in two weeks … the NCLEX. My future.
“Bitch, if you stir that drink any harder, the glass us gonna crack,” Erin said, raising her wine glass with a smirk. “You okay?”
I blinked, sat up straighter, and smiled. “Yeah. Just thinking.”
Dianna leaned in with her usual softness. “About tomorrow or the exam?”
“Both,” I exhaled, setting the glass down. “Like… what if I get up on stage and trip in my heels? What if I freeze during the test and forget everything I learned? What if—”
“Girl.” Erin snapped her fingers and waved her other hand like she was clearing the air. “You been at the top of our class since day one. You got this. Hell, you are this.”
Dianna nodded. “Facts. You’ve studied. You’ve sacrificed. You’ve had clinicals on top of clinicals. You even gave up Sunday dinners with your parents and you know that’s sacred.”
I smiled, but it didn’t reach all the way. “Yeah, but what if I get that letter in the mail saying I didn’t pass, and then everything just—”
“You ever think,” Dianna cut in, tipping her glass toward me, “maybe it’s not fear, it’s just nerves? Like, this is a big ass transition. You’re closing a whole chapter, Vanni. That shit is scary. But it doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”
I blinked again, letting that sit. She was right. Erin added, “And you’re not doing it alone. You got us and Poet Bae now.”
At the mention of Ezra, my heart tripped like clockwork. A warmth moved through me that was both calming and chaotic. “I told him to come,” I said, glancing toward the entrance like I could will him into view. “I wanted y’all to finally meet.”
Dianna raised a brow. “You mean he’s finally gonna bless us with his presence?”
“He is,” I whispered, turning toward the glass door as the hostess pointed him in our direction.
Ezra walked in like time moved differently for him. He had on dark jeans, a navy blue hoodie, which exposed his neck tattoos, locs hanging past his shoulders, and a fitted cap on. His chains glinted under the patio lights and his good eye swept the restaurant before locking on me.
My breath caught and Erin muttered, “Goddamn. Did he get finer?”
Dianna lifted a brow. “Now I really see why you be ghosting us.”
He reached our table, leaned down, and kissed my lips. “Ladies,” he greeted, voice smooth and calm as he pulled out the empty chair next to me. “Nice seein' y’all again.”
I smiled and formally introduced them, finally relaxing as he took my hand beneath the table and squeezed. It was his way of grounding me and saying I see you, I got you, without saying it out loud. We ordered more drinks and the night took on a new energy. Dianna grilled him playfully while Erin asked about his next open mic and his goals, and he held his own like he’d known them for years.
“Let me find out y’all are gonna be a power couple,” Erin teased, sipping her wine. “Nurse and wordsmith. Fixing hearts in every way.”
Ezra glanced over at me with a smile in his eyes. “Sounds 'bout right.” When he said that, I felt my chest tighten like maybe I could let go of the fear just long enough to believe in what we were building.
Soon, the food came and the vibes continued. And for the first time in days, I wasn’t thinking about what could go wrong. I was letting myself feel what had already gone right.
B y t h e t i m e we got back to Ezra’s place, we were both buzzed and ready to just be. He unlocked the door with one hand and pulled me in with the other. I barely had time to kick off my heels before he backed me against the wall, one hand sliding around my waist and the other under my chin.
“What’s goin’ on in that head of yours?” he asked low, eyes searching mine like they always did.
“Everything.”
“Get out.”
I gave a small smile. “Help me then.”
His lips crashed into mine hungrily and urgently, but still with that tenderness only he ever gave me. The kiss turned breathless quickly, my arms locked around his neck, his hands sliding under my dress, gripping my thighs, and lifting me off the floor. I wrapped my legs around him instinctively, feeling the vibration of his low groan against my mouth. Ezra carried me to the couch like I weighed nothing, setting me down slowly before tugging my dress up and over my head.
“No bra?” he asked, smirking as he looked at me.
“I knew I was seeing you.”
He bit his bottom lip, eyes dragging over me. “Fuck.” I reached for his shirt, unbuttoning it slowly, then his jeans, easing them down with his boxers until he was just him, big, thick, and mine. The way his body moved over mine always made me feel worshipped and not just wanted. His lips moved down my neck and then across my chest as his voice murmured, “Relax, baby. I got you.”
I whimpered as he sucked gently on my nipples, one hand stroking between my legs, teasing me open with the kind of patience that drove me wild. I arched into him, chasing his touch. “Ezra… I wanna feel you.”
When he slid inside me, it was deep and slow, like a sigh my body had been holding in all night. I clutched his shoulders, tears stinging my eyes and not from pain, but release. The kind that came from being seen, known, and still chosen. His thrusts were deep, measured, and filled with something that bordered on reverence. “You feel me, baby?”
“Oh, God,” I whispered into his neck. “I feel you.” My legs locked tighter around his waist, my hands in his locs. The pace quickened, my orgasm building. Every time I cried out, he kissed me. Every time my body trembled, he talked me through it.
“I got you,” he whispered, breath shaky. “Let go for me.”
And I did, more than once, and each wave crashed harder than the last. My body unraveled under his love, his hands, and his words. Ezra followed soon after, collapsing on top of me, forehead resting on mine, our bodies slick with sweat and everything unspoken. We laid there for a while, tangled on his couch, his thumb drawing lazy circles on my hip.
“I can tell ya girls fuck wit' me,” he said finally, chuckling.
I laughed, turning to face him. “I know, right? I'm glad.”
He smiled, brushing a loc from my face before kissing me slowly. “I’m proud of you. Graduation in a couple days. NCLEX comin' up. You ‘bout to change lives, baby.”
“I’m trying to change my own first.”
“You already have.”
There was a quiet moment between us, just comfortable. “Speaking of graduation,” I said, tracing his collarbone with my finger. “My parents are hosting something after the ceremony.”
Ezra raised a brow. “Like what? A lil’ cookout or somethin’?”
“A gathering,” I clarified. “Just family and close friends. Food. Vibes.” I paused, then sighed. “You remember me telling you how they are. It’s gonna be… over the top. You know, catered food and matching linen with jazz playing low in the background.”
He sat up and shook his head. “Yeah, nah. I’m cool. That don’t sound like my kinda party, Yaya. You want me to sit around a bunch of folks givin’ me side-eyes all afternoon?”
I snorted, then sat up as well, grabbing his face gently. “I know. I know how they can be. But I want you there, Ezra. Please. For me. I’ll pick you up and you’ll just be you… but maybe wear a nice shirt and some slacks.”
He laughed under his breath. “Damn, you really tryna change a nigga.”
“I’m trying to introduce you to the people who raised me. Let them see who I’m happy to have by my side.”
He gave me that long look he always did when he was battling his instinct to retreat. I leaned in and kissed him slowly, lingering, until he finally mumbled against my lips, “Aight. I’ll come.”
I smiled into the kiss. “Good answer.”
“Still wearin' my chains though.”
“Fine. Just... make sure you tuck 'em in.” We laughed and cuddled back up, him kissing my forehead and holding me close.
I wasn’t embarrassed by my upbringing at all. But I was nervous because Ezra wasn’t the type to code-switch like I was accustomed to doing. He was loving, smart, and talented, but also tatted, blunt, raw, and deeply him. And that’s exactly why I was with him. Still, I needed him to understand the assignment. So, when I called him as I finished doing my edges in the mirror, I was direct.
He picked up on the second ring. “Congrats again on graduatin', baby.”
“Thanks babe. It still feels like I'm floating but I'm so glad it's over.”
The moment my name was called, it felt like my lungs finally expanded all the way for the first time in so long. I walked across that stage with my head high, my heart full, and a soft tremble in my hands I tried to hide. Years of clinicals, cramming, breakdowns, and sleepless nights had all led to this. I did it. I really did it.
The applause blurred into a hum, but when I looked out and saw my parents standing and clapping—my father with a proud nod, my mother dabbing her eyes—I felt a small, long-overdue weight lift from my shoulders.
Afterward, I hugged my classmates, took a million photos, and floated through it all in a daze. But deep down, I knew this was only the beginning. There was still the NCLEX, pressure, and expectations. But at that moment, under the sun in my cap and gown with honor cords, I let myself breathe. For once, it wasn't for survival, but in celebration.
“I'm proud of you, wit' ya fine ass. I saved every pic you sent me.” Ezra said, and I blushed, soaking in the moment and then I cleared my throat.
“So, uh... just making sure we’re still on time. You said you’d be ready by six.”
“I’m ready.”
I hesitated. “And you dressed… accordingly?”
He was quiet for a second. “I mean, I ain’t in a tux or nothin’, but I ain’t in no sweatpants either.”
“Ezra…”
“What?”
I sighed. “Please tell me you at least have on a collared shirt?” He didn’t say anything but I could feel him. “I’ve told you how my parents are,” I added quickly. “ I’m not asking you to be someone you’re not, I swear. I just want you to meet them halfway.”
His voice came out lower now. Slower. “You think I can’t hold my own 'round ya folks?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“But that’s what you meant.”
“No, it’s not. It’s… Ezra, please. I’m already nervous as hell about this.”
There was another pause and then came a deep sigh. “Aight,” he said. “I’ll step it up.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m doin' this shit for you and you only.”
“I know,” I whispered. “And I appreciate it, babe.”
My incense burned low in the corner as I finished getting dressed, the soft thump of Heather Headley playing from the Bluetooth speaker. My apartment smelled like honey and sage, my floor-length mirror covered in sticky notes with affirmations scribbled in my handwriting.
I stood in front of it, smoothing my hands over the pale green satin dress hugging my hips, whispering to myself, “You are fine. You are focused. Your edges are laid. And this is going to go well.” Then, I grabbed my keys and purse, said a quick prayer under my breath, and headed out to pick him up.
Ezra was waiting outside his apartment building when I pulled up. And Lord... he looked dangerously fine. Not in the usual T-shirt and sweats way. He’d cleaned up—still Ezra, still raw—but elevated. Black linen button-down, sleeves rolled, a pair of tailored slacks instead of jeans. His chains were still on, of course, and a diamond stud was in his nose where there was usually just a tiny hole. I also noticed the diamond stud in his ear, too. His locs were freshly retwisted and pulled back into a low bun and his beard was full, lined up perfectly.
I rolled the window down, lips curled. “Well, damn, Mr. Lowe. You clean up nice.”
He smirked and slid into the passenger seat. “I know.”
The ride started quietly and tense. He scrolled his phone. I drummed my fingers on the wheel. “Are you mad?” I asked after a few blocks.
“Nah,” he said. “Just thinkin’.”
“About?”
“Ya folks. What they gon’ think. Whether they see me or just… see this,” he said, gesturing to his arm, the ink snaking up his skin.
“They’ll see you. Eventually.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Eventually?”
I winced. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just… it takes them time. They’re big on optics.”
He nodded. “Bet.”
I hated the way that bet sounded. So I reached over and grabbed his hand. “They’ll see what I see,” I said. “Just give ‘em a chance.”
He didn’t speak for a beat. Then he looked over at me, that smirk sneaking back onto his lips. “So what if ya Pops pull me to the side and ask if we be fuckin’? What I’mma say? That I be diggin’ you out in the dark to the rhythm of Lauryn Hill?”
I burst out laughing, slapping his arm. “Ezra!”
He kissed my hand. “Just tryna lighten the mood.”
“Well, it’s working.”
“You nervous?”
“Absolutely.”
He grinned. “Good. That makes two of us.”
We pulled up to the gated entrance of my parents’ home and I gave the security guard my name. As the gates creaked open, I exhaled, trying not to panic. Ezra looked up at the three-story white-brick mansion ahead of us, eyes widening just a little.
“This is they crib?”
“Yeah.”
“Yavanni. Come on, now.”
I laughed again, nerves vibrating through me as I parked in the circular driveway. “Just smile. Be charming.”
We both stepped out and I realized that no matter what happened in the next two hours, I wanted this man beside me. Tatted, hood and all.