Page 32 of All In

“There it go again.” He chuckled, stepping closer. “What?” she said, pretending not to follow.

“That title. You only call me that when you feelin’ flustered.”

“I’m not flustered.”

“Of course, you not.” He leaned against the counter, arms folded, watching her slice into the cobbler. Jackie huffed, trying to ignore him as she scooped a warm piece onto a plate and added a scoop of Talenti Madagascar vanilla ice cream. “You want some or you just gonna stand there psychoanalyzing’ me?”He grinned. “Can’t I do both?”

“No,” she said flatly, handing him the plate. They stood side by side in the small kitchen, the light from the stove hood castingeverything in a soft amber glow. Kormia’s voice floated faintly from the other room, off-key and muffled, but for once, Jackie seemed grateful for the distance.

Najee took a bite, then another, the warmth of the cobbler melting against the cold ice cream. “This is good,” he said, his tone sincere. “Like… dangerous good.” Jackie cracked a small smile, one she tried to hide behind her spoon. “I told you I could cook.” He glanced at her. “Yeah, you did.”

Silence lingered. But it wasn’t awkward. It was steady in a way that felt calm.

She leaned back against the counter, crossing her arms loosely. “Thanks again for earlier. The help, the food, the…” She trailed off, searching for a word that didn’t sound too heavy.

“Just—thank you.” Najee studied her for a second, that usual sharpness in his gaze softened now. “You don’t have to thank me, Jackie.” “Yeah, I do,” she said quietly.

“You didn’t have to show up.”

“I wanted to.” He could tell, that landed somewhere she didn’t want to touch.

Her eyes dropped to her plate, voice barely above a whisper. “Well, you did. And I appreciate it.” Her walls were back up—not slammed shut but rebuilt just enough to keep her firm. Najee didn’t push. He just nodded, letting her have the last word. They ate the rest in silence, the sound of spoons against plates the only thing cutting through the quiet hum of the fridge.

When she finally looked up again, he caught the faintest trace of something unspoken in her eyes. Gratitude, maybe. Or fear. Or both. Either way, he understood. He’d seen that look before—on people trying to survive the weight of their own hearts. When they finished eating, Jackie rinsed the dishes, running the sponge in small circles like she needed something to focus on.

Najee leaned against the counter, watching her, arms folded, quiet. “I should probably head out,” he said after a moment. Jackie nodded without looking up. “Yeah. It’s late.”

He lingered a second longer, like he wanted to say something else but decided against it.

“You did good tonight,” he said finally. That made her glance up, one brow lifting.

“You mean the cobbler or the event?” He smiled faintly. “Both.” Her mouth curved, soft but cautious. “Thank you.” Najee pushed off the counter and walked to the door.

She followed behind him, still holding the dishtowel in her hands. He stopped at the threshold, turning back to face her. “Come lock this door behind me,” he said. His tone was calm, but he knew it carried weight. Jackie met his gaze. “Okay.” He nodded once, slow, then stepped out into the night. The sound of the door clicking shut behind him was small but final.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

JACKIE

The lock clicked and Jackie just stood there.

Back pressed against the door, eyes closed, as the echo of his voice lingered in her chest.

Come lock this door behind me.Even the way he said it, steady and certain, was doing something to her. Something she didn’t want to unpack. She exhaled slowly, her head tipping back against the wood. The faint scent of him still clung to her. Clean. Warm.Expensive.It melted into her skin like it belonged there. “Girl, don’t tell me therapist bae got you over there blushing.”

Jackie’s eyes flew open. Kormia was sprawled across the couch, bonnet half-on, plate of lo mein in hand, grinning like she’d just caught her in the act. “Ain’t nobody blushing,” Jackie said, pushing off the door. “Girl, bye.” Kormia leaned against the arm of the couch, fork pointed like an accusation.

“You look like that man just kissed you on the porch before headin’ off to war.”

“Shut up,” Jackie said, laughing despite herself. “I’m serious!” Kormia cackled, slapping her knee. “You standin’ there with your back to the door like he just confessed his love or something.”

Jackie rolled her eyes, brushing past her to clear the table. “You so fucking messy.”

“Look, I ain’t mad at it,” Kormia said, throwing her hands in the air, smirking.

“That man was fine as hell, and he was on your body.”

“He was not,” Jackie said quickly, trying not to smile.