Miranda’s POV

The smile hadn’t left my face since dinner and after seeing Jalen off.

Sitting at the edge of my bed, I replayed the way everyone had reacted when I introduced Jalen as my boyfriend. The shocked silence, the teasing smiles, the protective gazes—and then, acceptance.

It wasReal, genuine acceptance. I felt like I could finally breathe, No hiding. No tiptoeing. No shame.

And just as I picked up my satin bonnet to wrap my hair, my phone buzzed.

Jalen ️ ...