After Linda’s arrival, it was strangely calm for a few minutes. Maybe everyone noticed the not-so-warm welcome from Noah. But trust the Black kids never to let anything kill the vibe, especially on vacation.
Sophia, Linda, and I naturally gravitated toward each other, three women in a sea of testosterone. We lounged on daybeds by the infinity pool, sipping from pineapple coconuts like we weren’t mentally calculating everyone’s emotional damage.
Linda, to her credit, was charming. A little too polished, but still likable. She complimented my nails, asked Sophia for skincare tips, and recounted her layover disaster in Paris like it was a scene out of a rom-com. But even with all the effort, I couldn’t ignore how stiff Noah had been since she showed up. Aloof. Quiet. Almost... removed.
Sop
