Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
DK
Me: You still up?
Itext Luna when I get home from poker. It’s close to midnight. She’s got an early morning, so I don’t call.
A few minutes later, the bubbles appear.
Mnandi Luna: Yea. Just finalizing details and eating cake. It’s delicious btw.
Me: I hope that wasn’t dinner.
Mnandi Luna: Why not cake for dinner?
Me: That’s fine when you’re coasting. Not when you’re running hard. Just want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.
I know the cost when you don’t.
Mnandi Luna: I am, but thanks for caring. How was poker? Did you win?
Me: It’s all math and bluffing. I whooped them good and came home $200 richer.
Mnandi Luna: Woo-hoo. I love a man who dominates… in and out of the bedroom.
Heat jolts right down my spine.
Me: You trying to start something?
Mnandi Luna: Nope. I don’t do phone sex. Just letting you know.
There’s something about the way she drops it—her tone is definitive, a hard line—that niggles my brain.
Me: No problem. Can I call you real quick? I just want to hear your voice.
Rayne: Give me five minutes.
I brush my teeth and strip out of my gray sweat pants and tank, wondering what Luna’s wearing. Satin, I imagine as I slide beneath the sheets. Something smooth, clinging to her curves. I slip in my earbuds and tap Mnandi Luna.
“Hi,” she answers on the first ring.
“You all tucked in?”
“Mhm. Only thing missing is you.”
That lands deep. I’m going to fall in love with this woman. I’m already halfway there.
“Next weekend,” I say. “Everything’s set.”
“Already?”
“I wasn’t going to waste time when I can’t wait to be with you.”
Silence. Shit. “Luna? Was that too much?”
“No,” she says softly. “Not at all. I just… I haven’t had this before.”
“What?”
“A man who really wants me.”
How is that fucking possible? “It’s no wonder you dumped your ex.”
“Yep. I finally stopped shopping at Home Depot.”
“Home Depot?”
“It took me two years to realize he was all lies, manipulation, and empty promises. I finally learned to believe what he showed me instead of what I wanted to see. My therapist put it into perspective. She said I was shopping for bread at Home Depot. That no matter how badly I wanted a loaf, I was never going to find it there.”
“That’s deep,” I say.
“Right? It really clicked. Hollis didn’t support my ambitions. My desires. He wanted me smaller so he could feel bigger. I think that’s why he cheated. I saw the sext messages. Women fawning over him, feeding his ego.”
My fists curl in the sheets. “So he was a lying, insecure m’budka on top of everything else.”
“Yes,” she sighs. “Leaving him was the best decision I made. I’d stopped loving him long before I left. I was just clinging to some desperate hope he’d grow into the man I needed.”
“I’m sorry he hurt you.” My voice lowers. “But for the record, I’m not Home Depot. I’m DK’s Bakery. Fresh bread served daily.”
She laughs, that full-throated sound I love. “That was terrible.”
I smile into the dark. “That was elite wordplay. And facts.”
“Well,” she says, playing along, “if you’re delivering, I like sourdough.”
“Noted.” I let the humor fade, then say, “I’m not going to hurt you, Luna.”
A pause. “It’s not you I don’t trust,” she says without defense. “It’s trusting myself again.”
That I understand. “It messes with you when you think your judgment failed.”
“Mhm. Speaking from experience?”
“Yes.” I stare at the ceiling. “Not the same situation. But I relate.”
“In what way?”
Luna knows about the insomnia. What she doesn’t know is what happened in D.C. I gave her the sanitized version. Clean edges. No wreckage. But if part of spending time together is for her to decide whether this is real—she deserves to hear the full truth about me.
“It’s a long story,” I say. “I’ll tell you next weekend.”
“Okay.” She doesn’t push. “What does DK stand for?”
“Dakarai Kawayan.”
“Ka-WAH-yahn,” she repeats carefully. “Did I say it right?”
“Perfect. It means bamboo. Represents strength. Durability.”
“And Dakarai?”
“Happiness and joy.”
“So strength and joy.” I hear her smiling.
“Do you have a middle name?”
“Nope. Just Rayne.”
“Stands on its own,” I say, turning onto my side. “Reine in French means queen. Suits you.”
She makes the softest sound. “You got me in my feels with that one. I always thought of it as rain—r-a-i-n. Hence my campaign slogan.”
“I saw your response. It was smart… leaning into that experience-doesn’t-mean-years-of-politics angle.”
“I told you I’m coming hard.”
“And you should. The mayorship is important to you.”
“It is,” she says, her voice deepening with emotion. “Growing up, I didn’t see women like me in leadership. Black. Fat. Vitiligo. I would’ve gladly taken any one of those. Now, I’m bringing all three for the girls of Bayside. So I hope you’re okay with second place.”
My laugh rumbles. “Can’t say I’ll mind that loss. But I won’t go down easily.”
“Opponents on the campaign trail. Partners in the bedroom.”
“I like that arrangement. When it’s just you and me, the campaign is the last thing on my mind.”
“I’m glad you called,” she murmurs.
“Me too. But it’s late. I should let you get some sleep.”
“I don’t want to go yet. But… is this okay for you?” She checks to be sure it won’t make it harder for me to sleep. “Talking before bed?”
“Your voice is relaxing.” I settle deeper into the mattress. “Tell me something about you I don’t know.”
“I told you a lot that night.”
“It can be small.”
She hums, thinking. “Okay. I’d go skydiving tomorrow. Zero fear. But bring an eyelash curler near me, and I’m already flinching.”
“I wasn’t expecting that.” I smile lazily and slip off my glasses. “What is it about an eyelash curler that’s so terrifying?”
“Have you seen those things? Tiny metal guillotines for your eyes. Hell no.”
I laugh quietly, the sound muffled by my pillow. “Fair.”
“Your turn. What are you afraid of?”
Falling first. Falling alone. Falling apart again. But I don’t kill the moment by saying any of that. “Sharks.”
“Why sharks?”
“I watched Jaws with an older kid when I was six. Traumatizing.”
“Aww. Poor little boo. I can picture you hiding behind your friend during the scary parts.”
“Not exactly the image I want you carrying of me.”
“Nothing to be ashamed of.” Her voice dips lower. “ I know you’re all man.”
Damn. I’m crazy about this woman.
Our conversation continues with childhood stories, shifting to family and our everyday lives. I learn that she starts her mornings with showtunes and amber honey in her coffee. The little, private things that feel sacred.
Sheets rustle on her end. I can see her so clearly, curled on her side, phone tucked close, lashes resting on her cheeks. The image makes me ache to be there.
“DK?” Sleep tugs at her voice.
“Hmm?”
“Can we stay like this?”
A languid warmth pulses behind my ribs. “Yeah.”
Her breathing evens out. Soft, slow, and steady in my ear. Without thinking, I match mine to hers.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Like we’re sharing the same air.
The ceiling fan turns above me, just like the nights before. Same room. Same bed. The difference is Luna.
And for the first time in a long while, I drift off without needing anything else.
The next morning, Neo rolls into town in a yellow metallic Corvette Z06. The V-8 engine roars like it’s making an announcement. Kendrick Lamar vibrates the pavement. Hardtop down, shades on, cornrows freshly braided.
Subtle has never been his ministry.
“Can’t do anything on the low,” I say when he kills the engine.
“No fun in that, bro.” He hops out and pulls me into a hug. “Wanna take her for a spin?”
“Damn straight. Is it a rental?”
“Yep. Thinking about buying one.” He pats the hood with affection. “Price tag ain’t for the weak, but you only live once.”
Not exactly my philosophy. But who am I to argue?
I slide into the driver’s seat and steer us toward an empty stretch of road. Then I open throttle. The acceleration presses my back into the leather. Smooth power. Responsive. Built for that wow factor.
“What do you think?” he asks. “Sexy, right?”
“Yeah, I get it.”
On the way back, he asks about my job.
“It’s not the pace I’m used to. Much smaller campaign. But it’s good… helping me balance.”
“That’s great, man,” he says with relief. I can imagine I’m the talk at home.
“How’s the betting business?” I ask about his newest venture.
“It’s picking up steam.” He adjusts his sunglasses. “Not Vegas-level, but Chicago’s sitting at number three now in the nation. Promising.”
We chat about our work and the family. About Gogo’s upcoming eightieth birthday and gift ideas.
When we arrive at the house, he scans the living room. “Nice. Modern. Needs color, though.”
“You’re an interior decorator now?”
“You know I likes to dabble. Decorating the houses I rent taught me a few things. If you want the sibling discount, I got you.”
“I’m good. Not looking for mirrors on the ceiling and bearskin rugs.”
He smirks. “Sensuality is the spice of life.”
“Agreed. I just prefer substance over show.”
“You calling me shallow?” He thrusts a finger at his chest.
“If the shoe fits”
“Shiit. Forget you, man.” He laughs. “I’m guessing Luna is substance.”
“Oh yeah.” I lean against the kitchen counter, replaying last night in my head. Talking for hours. Falling asleep on the phone. When I woke up, she was gone, but she’d left a message:
Morning, boo. I’m glad you slept. Enjoy your day with Neo. If you see me at the festival, I’ll be the one objectifying you from a distance. Tease me and wear shorts. Bye.
A slow grin stretches across my face. I’d made sure to pick the light blue pair.
Neo tilts his head, rubbing his chin. “This woman’s really got you wrapped. I haven’t seen you smile like that in years.”
“She’s special, man. But it’s complicated.”
“So you said.” And now there’s something more in his tone. “Still classified info.”
I nod. “I trust you. I’m just being extra cautious. That’s why next weekend has to stay on the low.”
“Don’t worry about that.” He opens the fridge, grabs one of the kombuchas I stocked for him. “The next house is more than a mile away. Private walk out to the beach.”
“That’s just what we need.” Time alone. I’d booked with Don next week. He’s the only one I can talk with openly about Luna… and Washington. Get that shit straight in my head before I lay it at her feet.
“So what’s happening in this town?” he asks.
“Summer Beach Festival.”
“I noticed some of the streets were closed off.”
“It’s a big event. Music tonight that I thought we could check out.”
“Yeah, that sounds like something.”
“I need to get there by noon for Diablo’s opening remarks. You can hang here if you want.”
“Nah, I’ll roll with you. Check out the beach.” He wiggles his brows. “See what all Bayside has to offer.”
I shake my head. Neo attracts women like a magnet.
I was the quiet one. Books. Structure. A late bloomer. Neo was parties and girls. Wild. Trouble. Drove my parents insane.
He’s still all good looks and swagger. He hasn’t mastered finesse yet. But I’m confident he will. One day.
I grab my keys, and we head to the beach.