The tension from breakfast faded quickly once the idea of a bike ride came up.
Ji Ah clapped her hands excitedly. "It's a perfect day for it—come on, let's ride down to the marina path!"
Lily grabbed her keys and sunglasses. "We've got three bikes in the garage. Kemet, you in?"
Kemet smiled, a little unsure. "Sure. I mean—I can try."
A few minutes later, they were outside, rolling the bikes onto the sidewalk. Ji Ah and Lily were already hopping onto their seats when Kemet stood awkwardly over his, gripping the handlebars like it was a wild animal.
"You good?" Ji Ah asked.
Kemet gave a nervous laugh. "Actually, I… I don't know how to ride one of these."
Ji Ah blinked. "Wait, for real?"
Lily quickly stepped in. "That's okay. No pressure."
"Well damn," Ji Ah said, shaking her head. "That's the first time I've heard someone say that with a straight face."
"Let's ditch the bikes," Lily said with a shrug. "I'll call Emma. She's probably bored anyway."
Less than fifteen minutes later, a shiny blue convertible pulled up with the top down. Emma was behind the wheel, rocking sunglasses that looked like they belonged in a movie.
"Get in, losers," she smirked. "We're going to the beach."
The wind whipped through their hair as they cruised down the coastal road. Kemet leaned over the edge of the door, eyes wide as he took in the shimmering ocean. He hadn't said much, but his silence was full of awe.
Ji Ah, however, kept her eyes on him—watching every subtle movement.
There was something off. Something a little too perfect.
Kemet didn't just not know things—he was too humble, too careful with his words. The way he said "ma'am" and held eye contact when people spoke. His smile was warm, but there was pain behind it. And the way Lily defended him? It wasn't casual. It was protective. Intimate.
When they arrived at the beach, Noah and Riley were already there. Lily jumped out of the car and ran straight into the water. The others unpacked. Riley and Emma were the first to pick out a perfect spot. Ji Ah and Noah followed, with Kemet carrying the cooler behind them.
The beach buzzed with life—kids shrieking in the surf, music drifting from Bluetooth speakers, and a dragon-tailed kite dancing high above the sand.
The guys eventually joined Lily in the water, trying to coax Kemet into coming too. He shook his head.
"I can't swim," he said with a shrug. "I'll just stay by the shore."
Kemet stood ankle-deep in the water, jeans rolled up, the breeze tugging at his shirt. His toes curled into the wet sand like he was trying to anchor himself—like the moment was too surreal to trust.
Ji Ah watched him from a distance, curiosity growing.
She leaned toward Emma and whispered, "Okay, seriously… does anything about him seem... off to you?"
Emma raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Ji Ah whispered, "He's too polite. Too careful. Who even says 'yes ma'am' anymore? And he's smart, but also clueless? Like… something doesn't add up."
Emma shrugged. "Maybe he's from Africa."
Ji Ah stared. "And Lily doesn't want to tell us because...?"
Emma chuckled. "Because you'd scare him away. You know how we get. Especially Taylor—she'd treat him like a science project."
"Girl, you're one to talk," she added, teasing. "You always say how obsessed you are with African guys. Sometimes you get way too clingy."
"I am not obsessed," Ji Ah said, defensive. "I'm literally just friends with Taylor's brother. And FYI—not clingy."
"Yeah, but he's just Black. Not African. Big difference."
Ji Ah huffed. "Okay, fine—maybe there's a different layer. African men do have this... I don't know... regal energy. Like they're made in a different mold or something."
Emma laughed. "Remember in third grade? That poor boy from Uganda? You followed him around for weeks. He changed schools 'cause he thought you were stalking him."
Ji Ah burst into laughter. "Okay, okay, I remember. But this is different! I've grown. I'm not that crazy girl anymore."
Emma side-eyed her. "Sure."
Then Emma leaned in again. "But seriously, not to judge... doesn't Lily seem too protective of him? Like, is he a secret boyfriend or something?"
Ji Ah frowned. "Wait, aren't they technically related?"
Emma shrugged. "Yeah, but still—he's kind of cute. Innocent. And polite. Honestly, I wouldn't blame Lily for catching feelings. He's a keeper."
"No," Ji Ah said, shaking her head. "Lily wouldn't do that. Unless… he is her boyfriend and they're not telling us."
"I should just ask him," she muttered.
Before she could make a move, Lily came out of the water and walked over to Kemet.
"What are you thinking about, Kemmy? Are you afraid of the water?"
Kemet smiled shyly. "No, I just... can't swim. And—why'd you call me Kemmy?"
Lily smirked. "It sounds sweet on you. Don't fight it."
Kemet laughed softly. "Okay, it's cool… So does this mean I'm cool now, like Ji Ah wants?"
Lily sat beside him and looked him in the eye. "Honey, don't try to impress anyone. Just be yourself. That's more than enough." Then she stood and walked back toward Ji Ah and Emma.
From a distance, Ji Ah and Emma smirked and decided to stir the pot .
As lily joined Ji Ah and Emma near the cooler. The sun was high, and the heat wrapped around them like a thick blanket while the waves crashed in the distance, Ji Ah, her eyes darting back toward Kemet, leaned in closer to Lily.
"Hey, Lily," Ji Ah said casually, her voice dripping with feigned innocence. "I was wondering… is it okay if I ask Kemet out?"
Lily froze mid-laugh, her eyes widening for a split second before she regained her composure. Her gaze snapped over to Kemet, who was still standing by the water, looking out at the horizon.
"Wait, seriously?" Lily asked, blinking. "You? Asking him out?"
Ji Ah nodded slowly, a teasing smile on her lips. "Why not? am not seeing anyone… and he's not exactly tied down, right? Not that I know of, anyway."
Lily's mind raced, but she quickly plastered a smile on her face. "Well, yeah. Not anyone I know," she said, her tone suddenly guarded. "But… come on, Ji Ah. Don't you think you're rushing it?"
Ji Ah's eyes sparkled with amusement, but her words were sincere. "Hey, you never know. Maybe it'll work out. I'll test my luck, just like anyone else. It's not like you're… with him or anything."
Lily's stomach tightened, her protective instincts flaring up. She wanted to tell Ji Ah that Kemet wasn't someone to treat like a test or a prize. But she bit her lip and swallowed her response, forcing a casual tone. "Just... don't make it weird, okay? He's different, Ji Ah. And we're all still getting to know him."