Her lips pursed. “We haven’t known each otherthatlong, but long enough for me to notice when something’s bothering you. You’re not yourself.”
“Maybe—let’s stay in tonight,” I said in an attempt to get off the subject of what was bothering me, “chill with the family, do the movie night and games.”
“That’s fine, but I know that’s not what’s bothering you, so spill. Did something happen at work?”
“Naw, I just—” I paused, contemplating on whether or not I wanted to tell her, but it was her ex, so it was best I did before she heard it in another way. “Your husband… he was at the university today.”
Her eyes ballooned. “What? Why? Did he say something to you? I knew Zach’s messy ass was going to start some shit.”
“Hey,” I reached for her hand and led us both to my bed to have a seat. “Relax, okay? He didn’t say anything to me… not right away at least. I hired them to do some work at the president’s house for me, not knowing who he was,” I hurried to clear up. “When I went to check in with them, I overheard them talking about you and Leila. It wasn’t my plan to eavesdrop or even start trouble in that moment, but I couldn’t stand to hear it,” I confessed. “You and Ava have grown to mean a lot to me in this short period time. I’m not going to allow anyone to slander either of your names or disrespect you.”
She blushed like she always did and shrugged one of her shoulders a little. “They’re just words.”
“Naw, they’re not,” I argued. “Especially not from a man that vowed to love and protect the two of you. Words have a lot of power; the ability to lift you up or break you down. I’m not allowing the latter and neither should you, Leila.” I gave her a stern look. “You risked your life to give him something beautiful. The least he can do is respect you.”
With our eyes locked on one another’s, she placed her hand on the side of my face then moved in for a kiss.
“Thank you, Kiyan,” she said softly when she pulled back. “For everything.”
I placed a hand on top on hers briefly before I pulled it away and kissed the middle of her palm.
“You know you don’t have to thank me.”
“I do,” she insisted. “You came into my life and erased ten plus years’ worth of neglect, mistreatment, and self-sabotage. For a long time I felt like my situation with Aldrick was my karma for abandoning my friends and family to build a new life with him—like God was teaching me a lesson.”
“God doesn’t work like that baby,” I said as I took her other hand. “Sure, things didn’t work out the way you would have imagined you wanted them to, but even detours get you to the desired destination.”
Again, she smiled, showcasing her pearly white teeth before leaning in to kiss me. I wanted to take it a little further, but it wasn’t quite the right time for that. Especially not with my entire nosy family being awake, so unfortunately, I pulled back before I could get carried away and pressed my forehead against hers.
“I’m falling for you, Leila,” I admitted.
“Me too,” she replied softly.
Chapter Thirteen
“Mommy, pretty,” Ava commented when I surfaced from the bathroom.
Miranda had come in to do my makeup for the party tonight after I got back from getting my hair done. I’d almost talked myself out of going because deep down I felt like I didn’t belong or deserve to be going to a party, especially with all that I had going on, but I quickly rid my mind of those thoughts because I was no longer questioning God’s blessings. I was going with the flow and relishing in them all.
“Thank you, pumpkin,” I said as I pulled her small body into a hug.
“Lips.” She pointed to the red lip that Miranda had done. “Can I have some?”
My eyes grew and almost glossed over when I heard her form a complete sentence. It wasn’t the first time, but it didn’t happen often, so I was always shocked and so proud of her when she did it.
“Of course you can.” I beamed, walking over to grab my lip gloss from the dresser, applying a little to her lips. I gasped for dramatic effect once I was done. “You look so pretty, baby.”
“Mirror!” she exclaimed, hopping off the bed and rushing to the bathroom. Kiyan’s dad had gotten her a little stepping stool to use so she could reach the sink and see herself in the mirror. “Ou, pretty.”
I giggled at the sight of her pressing her lips together to make sure it was evenly layered.
“Yes, it looks so good.”
“Party?” She looked at me through the mirror with her little head angled to the side.
“Yes. Mommy is going to a party.”
“Can I?”
