“I know she does. We didn’t exchange numbers at the funeral because she saw Noah and Aiko, and she knew if we stayed in touch…” I don’t finish that sentence. I don’t have to. The strip of Kimba’s dress in her hand completes that thought.

“Kimba would never cheat,” I say. “Neither would I.”

“I just want to go on record saying I still don’t think it’s wise.” Mona hops off the counter. “I think you should have given it a little more time. At least until Aiko’s back and Noah knows.”

“Kimba will be going back to D.C. by then. I didn’t want to wait. Aiko didn’t wait.” I give her the look that I hope shuts this conversation down. “I shouldn’t have to, either.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Three

Kimba

“How do I look?”

Kayla studies me, running critical eyes over my hair and makeup, taking her time inspecting another of Lotus’ creations, a dark blue jumpsuit with wide legs and fitted, quarter-length sleeves.

“Can we make the hair a little bigger, Lorette?” she asks.

“Bigger?” Lorette, Kayla’s hair stylist, and I ask in shocked unison.

“If this hair gets any bigger,” I say, patting my natural curls Lorette volumized considerably, “I’ll float right back to the eighties.”

The three of us laugh in the small dressing room as I wait for the producer to come get me.

“If you’re going on national television defending our right to wear our hair however the hell we want,” Kayla says, “I say go big.”

“I think this is big enough.” I glance in the mirror. It’s hard to believe that’s my hair dusting my shoulders. “Remember when I did the big chop?”

“Oh my God.” Kayla cackles. “Mama is still not over you cutting all your hair off. She called you Florida Evans for months.”

“I remember.” I roll my eyes. “But I was tired of putting chemicals in my hair. It’s taken years to grow back, but I’ve never regretted it.”

“It took me a few years to get up the nerve.” Kayla pats her short cap of natural hair. “But I can’t see myself going back either.”

“And you shouldn’t have to,” I say. “And if someone wants to perm their hair, they shouldn’t be condemned for that either. That’s what tonight is about. Being able to be our authentic selves and not be punished for it.”

“And about calling out Congressman Ruiz’s future opponent, right?” Kayla grins knowingly.

“Oh, yes. That, too. It’s a risky move, but I think it will pay off. We’ll see if I’m right.”

My phone buzzes on the dressing room counter. Ezra’s name flashes up.

“Oh.” Kayla purses her lips. “A little birdie told me something about you and Ezra Stern.”