Page 248 of The Sweetest Return

“Do that.”

“And tell Warren if he wants Jalen, he better not wait until the combine to act interested.”

Dre smiled. “Now you recruiting me, Coach?”

“I’m always recruiting. Some habits don’t retire.”

When Coach Wallace walked away, Dre looked down at me. “You bored?”

“No.”

“You sure?”

“I like watching you be Coach Jones.”

His mouth curved, slow and pleased. “Yeah?”

“Yes.”

“You like him?”

“I married him.”

“You married Dre.”

“I married all of you.”

His expression softened in the middle of Homecoming noise, and for a second, the rest of campus felt far away.

Then Tee yelled his name from near the alumni tent.

“Twenty-two! Stop looking married and come defend these terrible run calls!”

Dre’s eyes closed. “That man has been loud since freshman year.”

“He’s consistent.”

“He’s a menace.”

Tee stood near one of the grills with Noelle beside him, looking sweet and quiet in a cream sweater while she calmly ate from his plate. Malcolm and Camille were a few feet away, finally done pretending. His hand rested low at her back while she talked, and every time she shifted, his fingers moved with her like touching her had become habit. Camille saw me watching, lifted her chin like a woman daring me to comment, then slipped her hand into his.

Malcolm kissed her temple in front of God, alumni, and whoever had questions.

I lifted my brows.

She looked away first.

That little glance told me enough. It also told me we would be having a conversation later, because Camille being publicly claimed in sensible heels was not something friendship allowed me to ignore.

Dre leaned down. “What was that?”

“Nothing.”

“You nebby.”

“I am observant.”

“You are nebby, man.”