5. Living the Prayer #2
When he pulled back, his forehead lingered against hers for a beat before his lips trailed lightly along her jaw, then to the curve of her neck.
The scent of his cologne mixed with the steam still rising from the food, wrapping around her senses.
Kira closed her eyes, exhaling slowly, her shoulders relaxing as his touch felt more grounding than urgent, like he wasn’t trying to take anything from her, just be close.
“Don’t get yourself in trouble, ma. Eat your food before it gets cold,” Sincere said, giving her a look that was half warning, half smile as he stepped back toward the counter.
“Okay, daddy,” Kira teased, laughing under her breath as she pulled the plate from the bag. She set it down carefully, the smell of steak and eggs filling the kitchen, then slid onto the stool across from him. She cut into the steak, steam rising as the knife pressed through.
“How’s your mom? I know you’re happy she’s discharged,” she said, glancing up at him briefly before taking a bite. Sincere leaned his elbows against the counter, watching her more than his own food.
“She’s good,” he replied. “She asked about you.” Kira paused mid-chew, eyes lifting slowly. “What did she say?” she asked, suddenly shy, fingers tracing the rim of her glass. He shook his head, chuckling.
“Yo, my mom’s is crazy. She like, “When’s the wedding, and where are my grandchildren?
’ Kira nearly spit out her orange juice, covering her mouth as she laughed, shoulders shaking.
“Oh my God,” she said, wiping her lip with the back of her hand.
“I wonder what would make her ask something like that,” she added, her tone turning playful and a little seductive as she met his gaze.
Sincere exhaled slowly, leaning back in his seat.
His eyes softened as they stayed on her.
“Because she knows what you mean to me,” he said quietly. “She knows you’re smart, caring, intelligent… and yeah, you got a fat ass too.” Kira burst out laughing, shaking her head as she nudged his shoulder with her foot under the counter.
“You a fuckin’ trip.” He only smiled wider, watching her like he had nowhere else to be.
“We talk about a lot of things, but you always make it about me,” Kira said softly. “What was it like for you growing up?” Sincere leaned back in his chair, rubbing his palms together slowly before answering, like he was warming up to something heavier than breakfast conversation.
“My mother was a teacher at Harlem Renaissance High School. My father worked for the NYPD. Strong, hardworking Black man… but he was abusive to my mother. An alcoholic. Still, he was good to me and my little brother.” He paused, eyes dropping to his plate, jaw flexing slightly.
“He instilled the fear of God in us. Made breakfast every morning without fail. I learned discipline from him. I also learned what not to become.” He swallowed. “Broken homes destroy families.” A quiet exhale left him.
“Everyone struggles, emotionally and physically. I’ve seen it up close.
The mother usually ends up carrying more than she can hold, forcing herself to be everything at once.
That’s how she becomes hyper-independent…
her mind don’t even think about peace no more, just survival.
And the kids… they feel that. They grow up with pieces missing they can’t even name.
The boys out here trying to become men with no blueprint, just guessing their way through life.
And the girls… they start thinking struggle is normal.
Like love is supposed to hurt. Then the cycle just keeps going.
Over and over again. Somebody gotta break it.
And I mean that. I would never want that for me and mine.
“My brother is my mom’s sister’s son. My aunt had an affair with my dad and chose to keep the child.
My brother and I always struggled to build something real.
It was complicated.” His fingers tapped lightly against his knee before he continued.
She was broken for years after that. So, I kept my head in the Bible and my mind on school instead of females.
” He finally looked up at Kira, eyes steady but carrying weight.
“You’d think after my father passed, me and my brother would’ve gotten closer… but we didn’t.” He leaned forward now, elbows resting on his knees.
“That’s why I work as hard as I do. So, when I find my wife, she doesn’t have to. So, my children have a real example of what a father is, not because of my words, but because of my actions.” Silence settled between them.
“I’m so sorry,” Kira said softly, her voice stripped of teasing. “I can’t imagine growing up in that kind of family dynamic.” She studied his face like she was tracing the invisible scars.
“The way you carry yourself… the world would never know.” Her hand lifted slowly, fingers sliding gently into his hair.
She rubbed his head the way you comfort someone strong who rarely asks to be comforted.
For a split second, he stiffened, not from rejection, but from unfamiliarity.
He was not used to being cared for like that from a woman he was involved with.
Then he leaned into her touch. There was no pity in her eyes.
Just understanding. And for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to feel it.
Jazz interrupted the moment. Kira let the call go to voicemail, but it rang again almost immediately. Sincere glanced toward the phone. “Go ahead. Talk to your friend. It might be important. I’m good, I feel at home. I’ll figure it out.” Kira smiled softly.
“Thank you.” He kissed her gently before stepping away to give her space. Kira answered the FaceTime call. “Hey, girl, hey,” she said, still glowing, but the moment she saw the tears in Jazz’s eyes, her expression shifted.
“Jazz… what’s wrong?”
“I just thought me and Keith would work,” Jazz said, her voice cracking. “I know I deal with other men, but that’s because he left a hole in my heart. I wanted to do what he does as payback… maybe then he’d know what that hurt feels like.” She sniffled, wiping her face.
“He won’t even help me with his child. Like, what the hell? I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, Kira. I was good to that man… until I wasn’t.” Kira’s tone softened, but her eyes sharpened with clarity.
“Listen to me, Jazz. Remember your worth. He doesn’t get to define that.” She shifted slightly, pacing the kitchen as she spoke.
“Remove yourself completely and carry on with dignity. We don’t beg or cry over trash around here. No questions. No chasing. No explanations.” Her voice wasn’t harsh, it was firm.
“Let him sit with knowing he lost someone great who’s never coming back. You deserve better, sis. You deserve more. Take your power back. Give yourself the love he never deserved to receive.”
Jazz sat quietly for a moment, letting Kira’s words settle. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
“Thank you, boo,” she said softly. “That’s why I love you, Kira. You’re always there when I need you. You always have my back. You never judge me. You feel my pain. You never dismiss me… and I don’t think I could ever thank you enough.”
“Girl, you don’t have to thank me,” Kira said gently. “Thank me by choosing you. Thank me by knowing who you are. Thank me by becoming the best version of Jazz. That’s how you can thank me.”
In the background, Sincere listened quietly.
He watched her from across the room, pride settling deep in his chest. He loved how she showed up for her friends.
He loved how she loved without judgment.
He loved how she encouraged women to choose themselves first. But more than that, he loved how she loved herself.
And in the back of his mind, without fear or hesitation, he knew. She was the one.
“Jazz, I want you to meet Sincere,” Kira said, turning the phone slightly toward him.
“I want you to meet this man who just came into my life and turned my world upside down. I don’t know who he thinks he is, girl…
but if it can happen for me, it can happen for you.
” Sincere turned his head shyly, rubbing the back of his neck like, here we go.
Jazz’s eyes widened on the screen. “Oh, he there? You got him in the house? I wanna see him. Let me meet Mr. Harlem!” Kira laughed and angled the phone toward him.
“Sincere, this is Jazz.” He stepped into view, giving a small wave. “How you doing?” Jazz leaned closer to the screen, inspecting him dramatically.
“Ohhh okay. I see you, Mr. Harlem.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jazz said, smiling through the screen.
“I’m so happy my best friend found someone.
She’s been bragging about you.” She glanced at Kira and laughed.
“I hope I’m not telling on my girl, but…
you know… if you treat her as good as she says you does, do you got a friend? ” They all burst out laughing.
“I got some friends,” Sincere said with a slight grin. “But I don’t know if you anything like Kira. I don’t know if they deserve you.” Jazz gasped dramatically.
“Oh, okay!”
“But you gotta come to New York first,” he continued. “You gotta get to Harlem, ma.” Jazz shook her head, half laughing, half sighing.
“I’m trying. It’s just hard right now.”
“Send me your Cash App. I got you,” Sincere said without hesitation. Jazz’s eyes widened.
“Oh, he serious?” Kira looked at him, surprised but smiling.
“Yeah, I’m serious,” Sincere said confidently. “Whatever Kira wants, I want. So, if she wants you here, you’re getting on a flight. You don’t have to worry about anything. I’ll get all your details from Kira, and I’ll see you soon.” Jazz blinked at the screen, impressed.