Chapter 22 Tolin #2
“Fair enough.” He shakes his head, almost smiling. “Friends?”
“Friends.” I extend my hand this time, and we shake properly. “But if you ever look at her the way you did when we walked in, I’ll rip your arms off.”
“Tolin,” Imani warns.
“Just being clear.”
Derrick laughs, and it’s genuine this time. “Understood. Loud and clear.”
A voice from the doorway makes all of us turn.
“Well, well. Look who finally decided to show up.”
Keisha is leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a smile on her face that doesn’t reach her eyes. She’s dressed in Shadow Suds uniform, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail, her expression sharp and assessing.
“Keisha.” Imani’s voice is carefully neutral.
“We thought you died up on that mountain.” Keisha pushes off from the doorframe and saunters into the office, her eyes raking over Imani. “But here you are. In one piece. More or less.”
I feel Imani tense beside me, but her expression doesn’t change.
“I’m fine. Thanks for your concern.”
“Oh, I wasn’t concerned.” Keisha’s smile sharpens. “Just curious. You’ve been gone for what, two weeks? No call, no text. Very professional.”
“I was dealing with some things.”
“I can see that.” Keisha’s eyes drop to the mark on Imani’s neck, then travel up to me. She gives me a slow once-over, her expression somewhere between impressed and dismissive. “So this is him. The bear who makes everyone cry.”
I say nothing. Just stare at her.
She turns back to Imani, undeterred. “I have to say, Imani, I’m impressed. You went up there to scrub toilets and came back with a whole shifter.” She tilts her head. “Though I can’t say I’m surprised. You always were good at... landing on your feet.”
The implication is clear. I feel my bear rising, wanting to put this woman in her place.
But Imani squeezes my hand, and her confidence steadies me. She’s got this.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Imani asks, her voice pleasant.
“Nothing.” Keisha’s smile is sugar-sweet. “Just that some girls have all the luck.” Her eyes travel over Imani again. “Did you do something different with your hair? It looks... bigger.”
“It’s called washing it. You should try it sometime.”
Keisha’s smile flickers.
“And I love this outfit.” Keisha gestures at Imani’s simple sweater and jeans. “Very... cozy. Is that what you wear around the cabin? I bet it’s practical for all that cleaning.”
“I don’t clean anymore.” Imani’s voice is calm, unbothered. “I have other things to do now.”
“I’m sure you do.” Keisha glances at me again. “Though I have to warn you, Imani. Do you know what they say about him in town? He’s made three cleaners quit. His own clan barely tolerates him. Even Derrick didn’t think anyone would last more than a day up there.”
She pauses, clearly expecting a reaction.
Imani shrugs.
“And?” she says.
Keisha blinks. “And? Doesn’t that worry you?”
“No.” Imani looks at me, her expression soft and real. “I love my grumpy bear.”
Everything stops.
Those four words freeze me in place. My heart stutters. I forget how to breathe. She’s looking at me like I’m the only thing in the room that matters, and she just said she loves me.
She loves me.
I don’t think. I just move.
I grab her face and kiss her like nothing else exists. Like Derrick isn’t standing three feet away. Like Keisha isn’t watching with her jaw hanging open. Like I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear those words and now that I have, I can’t hold back another second.
She kisses me back just as fiercely, her hands gripping my wrists, her body pressing into mine. I sense it all: warm and certain and real. She meant it. She loves me.
When I finally pull back, we’re both breathing hard.
“I love you too,” I tell her, my voice rough. “In case that wasn’t clear.”
Her smile could light up the whole damn town. “It’s clear now.”
Someone clears their throat. I look up to see Derrick studying the ceiling and Keisha staring at us with an expression caught between shock and fury.
Imani turns to face her, lips still swollen from my kiss, cheeks flushed, looking completely unbothered by the audience.
“You were saying, Keisha?”
Keisha opens her mouth, then closes it. For a moment, she looks like she might actually have nothing to say.
“I just think...” She rallies, straightening her shoulders. “I just think you should be careful. You barely know him. And his reputation—“
“His reputation is that he’s loyal, protective, and doesn’t suffer fools.” Imani tilts her head. “I can see why that might be intimidating for some people.”
Keisha’s eyes narrow.
“Look.” Imani’s voice softens slightly, almost sympathetic. “I get it, Keisha. I really do. It’s hard watching other people get the things you want. A man who loves them. A family. A future.” She shrugs. “I hope you find that someday. I really do.”
Keisha’s face flushes an ugly red. She looks like she wants to say something cutting, something vicious, but nothing comes out.
“Anyway.” Imani turns back to Derrick, dismissing Keisha entirely. “Thank you again for everything, Derrick. I appreciate the opportunity.”
“Of course.” Derrick is clearly trying not to smile. “Good luck with everything. Both of you.”
“Thanks.” Imani takes my hand. “Ready?”
I’m more than ready.
We walk out of Shadow Suds together, leaving Keisha fuming in Derrick’s office. The receptionist watches us go with wide eyes.
Outside, I take a deep breath. That’s done. Handled. Behind us.
Imani is grinning.
“That felt good,” she says.
“You handled it perfectly.” I open the truck door for her, helping her up. “She had no idea what to do with you.”
“She never does.” Imani settles into the seat, still smiling. “She’s always been like that. Nice-nasty. Backhanded compliments. Little digs that are supposed to make you feel small.” She shrugs. “It used to bother me. But now I have everything she wants and nothing she says can touch me.”
I circle around to the driver’s side and climb in, but I don’t start the engine. I just sit there, looking at her.
“You love me,” I say.
Her smile softens. “I do.”
“You said it first.”
“Someone had to.” She reaches over and takes my hand. “You were taking too long.”
“I was scared.” The confession tumbles out. “I’ve never felt this before. Never had someone I was terrified of losing.”
“You’re not going to lose me.” She squeezes my hand. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re building a life together, remember? Moving to the clan. Starting fresh. All of it.”
“All of it,” I repeat. “Together.”
“Together.”
I lean over and kiss her again, softer this time.
“I love you,” I tell her against her lips. “I should have said it sooner.”
“You said it when it mattered.” She pulls back, her eyes bright. “Now take me to my apartment. I have one more chapter to close before we can start the next one.”
I start the truck.
One more stop. Then our new life begins.