Chapter Nine

October 15, 2024

Liked by kaylathepublicist, zillafatu, jacopfatu, and 4,560,400 others
reeva Best friend, you my motherfuckin' soulmate
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zillafatu Hey best friend @kaylathepublicist 😁

Reeva chuckled as she scrolled through her Instagram feed, her eyes dancing over the comment section of her latest post.

There, Zilla was flirting up a storm with Kayla, who was sitting right beside her, an amused smirk plastered across her face. Zilla's comments were playful and teasing, a mix of emojis that hinted at his interest.

Reeva leaned in, nudging Kayla gently. "You know you're like four years older than him, right?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

Kayla's smirk only widened. "And?" she shot back, unfazed.

Reeva couldn't help but roll her eyes, feeling a mix of exasperation and amusement. "I thought you liked them older," she replied, crossing her arms with a mock-serious expression.

Kayla broke into song, her voice rising playfully. "Age ain't nothing but a number," she sang, channeling the confident energy of Pretty Ricky. Reeva couldn't suppress a laugh, shaking her head. Kayla had a way of turning any situation into a light-hearted moment, and today was no exception.

"Nah, I like them fine," Kayla insisted, her gaze shifting back to the screen as she focused on Zilla's latest comment. "And he is fine."

Reeva shook her head again, this time with a smile. "Okay now, Kayla," she said, trying to sound more serious, but the laughter in her voice betrayed her.

Kayla shot her a look, playful yet pointed. "Focus on Jacob," she advised, referencing the man who had been consuming Reeva's thoughts lately.

With a sigh, Reeva pushed herself off the couch, making her way to the kitchen. She could smell something delicious wafting from the stove—her mother had outdone herself again. Baked potato topped with salmon and creamy cheese sauce. It was one of Reeva's favorites, and the thought of it made her stomach growl.

"When are Pops and Mama coming home?" Kayla called from the living room, still engrossed in her phone.

Reeva shrugged as she rummaged through the fridge, pulling out a plate to serve herself. "I think in an hour or two. Why?"

Kayla's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I'm gonna tell Papa Phil that he may have to pay for two weddings in a couple of months because this boy got a way with words," she said, a dramatic flair in her voice.

Reeva gasped, her hands pausing mid-motion as she turned to face Kayla. "Kayla!" she exclaimed, incredulous. "You can't just throw that out there!"

Kayla laughed, clearly enjoying Reeva's reaction. "What, you thought you were the only one able to get a Samoan?" she shot back, a gleam of playful competition lighting up her eyes.

Reeva rolled her eyes again, this time with a hint of affection. "Okay now, Kayla," she replied, a teasing tone creeping into her voice.

Kayla cleared her throat, her expression shifting to mock seriousness. "Make me a plate too before I tell Mama you starved me in here," she said, crossing her arms dramatically.

Reeva shot her a middle finger, the gesture playful rather than angry. "Childish," she replied, suppressing a grin.

"Here, damn, you get on my nerves," Reeva said, finally handing over a plate piled high with the comforting meal.

"Thank you, princess," Kayla said, her voice dripping with exaggerated gratitude as she took the plate from Reeva's hands.

As Reeva stood there, watching Kayla dig in, she felt a warmth spread through her chest. These moments were precious—the laughter, the teasing, the shared love of food and friendship.

Even as she returned to her own plate, she couldn't help but steal glances at Kayla, who was now fully engrossed in her meal, humming contentedly.

The familiar sounds of their parents' laughter echoed in the background as Reeva took a bite of her own food, savoring the flavors. The kitchen felt like a sanctuary, filled with the comforting scents of home and the warmth of familial bonds. It was moments like these that made the chaos of life feel manageable.

As she sat down across from Kayla, who was now scrolling through her phone, Reeva couldn't shake the feeling of excitement in the air.

There was something about the current vibe—perhaps it was the teasing about weddings, or the lighthearted banter, or the possibility of new romances—that felt electric.

"Have you really thought about it?" Reeva asked, unable to resist. "Like, what if Zilla does slide into your DMs? Are you really gonna entertain that?"

Kayla looked up, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Why not? Life's too short to let fine boys pass by," she said, winking at Reeva.

Reeva laughed, shaking her head. "You're something else, you know that?"

Kayla shrugged, her grin infectious. "Just keeping it real, sis."

They continued to eat, the conversation flowing easily between bites. Reeva shared her own feelings about Jacob, her words tumbling out as she described the way he made her feel—the nervousness, the thrill, and that giddy excitement every time he smiled at her.

Kayla listened intently, offering her opinions and encouragement, occasionally teasing Reeva about her shyness. "Just tell him you like him! What's the worst that could happen?" she urged, leaning closer, her voice animated.

"I don't know, Kayla! What if he thinks I'm weird?" Reeva replied, her insecurities bubbling to the surface.

"Who cares?" Kayla shot back. "You're fabulous! If he can't see that, then he's not worth your time."

Reeva smiled, grateful for Kayla's unwavering confidence. It was moments like this that made her feel stronger, like maybe she could take the leap. They spent the next hour chatting, dreaming up scenarios for both of their crushes, their laughter filling the kitchen until it felt alive with possibilities.

Just then, the sound of the front door opening caught their attention. Reeva's parents were home, their voices ringing with joy as they entered.

"Dinner's ready!" Reeva called out, her voice carrying through the house.

"Did you save some for us?" her father's jovial voice responded, laughter in his tone.

"Always," Reeva replied, her heart swelling with warmth at the thought of family time.

As her parents joined them at the table, the atmosphere shifted, filled with a comforting familiarity. The teasing continued, Kayla immediately launching into stories about her flirtations with Zilla, much to Reeva's embarrassment but also delight.

"Maybe one day you'll be telling us all about your own wedding," her mother joked, a twinkle in her eye.

Reeva blushed, shooting a look at Kayla, who only grinned wider. "At this rate, we might have to book two venues!" Kayla quipped, and laughter erupted once more.

Reeva felt the weight of her worries lift, replaced by the joy of being surrounded by love and laughter.

As she took a bite of her dinner, she realized that no matter what happened with Jacob or Zilla, she had this—a family, a best friend, and memories that would last a lifetime. Life was uncertain, but in this moment, everything felt just right.