Both of Nay’s brows shot up. She hadn’t expected him to say it so casually. Things had changed from what she remembered about her life. It left her more curious than anything about how much they had shifted. With Jane out of the picture, how were Phoebe and Audiemar so close? Was it more than that? She had no idea, but she had nothing but time to try and figure it all out.
“Be careful,” Audiemar warned when Mozzi nudged Coast along, so they didn’t have to suffer through the awkwardness.
Kong closed the door after them.
“Wow, something smells amazing.” Nayelli inhaled and shut her eyes.
“Phoebe, if you want to take her to her room, I can have Ayla put together a plate for her,” Kong suggested.
“I’m not so sure about that. Ayla doesn’t necessarily make traditional style foods. I’m sure Nayelli needs something that’s not going to send her into cardiac arrest,” Phoebe muttered, lowkey insulting Ayla, which pissed Kong off.
He didn’t do all that slick, underhanded talk, especially when Ayla hadn’t done anything to anyone around here but do her job. His kids and brothers loved her food, and even Audiemar had no complaints. Kong hadn’t tasted dishes as good as hers since Twyla and Jane. Both insisted that love was the secret ingredient in everything they prepared, and they could taste it in every bite. Ayla moved with that same method. She loved to sing and dance in the kitchen with no shame.
“I don’t care if it does. If it smells that good, I want to try it. I’d like to eat in the kitchen too, if that’s okay. I’m not ready to go to bed quite yet,” Nayelli conveyed.
Kong stopped to drop her bag in her room before joining everyone in the kitchen. The moment he strolled through the arched doorway, his eyes fixed on Ayla at the counter with Inari. Kara and Kyro were already seated at the table, waiting for their plates to be made. Perking up and smiling warmly, Nayelli studied Ayla and Inari.
“Hello,” she greeted them.
“Hi.” Ayla forced a tight smile over her plush mouth.
Inari didn’t bother with a response as she tipped her glass to her lips. Seeing that she was Ayla’s sister, Kong had to assume that she’d told her what went down between them. Inari grilled him like he had committed some heinous act while Ayla busied herself with making plates. Everything was arranged like she was serving it up in some five-star restaurant.
“I’m Nayelli.”
“I know,” Ayla replied. “Are you hungry?” she asked sweetly, which sent Inari’s head nearly spiraling off her neck she turned so fast.
Sometimes she hated that Ayla was so genuine and nice. There were too many motherfuckers out here using that as a weakness. It was one of the most beautiful things about her though. She was in a world of social media and fronting for the world, but she found that being her authentic self got her more love than anything. If anyone did hate, she did her best not to engage with it.
“Starving.” Nay pulled out the seat beside Inari to join them. “You’re pretty young to be chef.”
“What can I say? I wasn’t one of those who spent half their life trying to figure out what they wanted to do. I love to cook and eat, and I love providing comfort in the form of food to those I care about.”
“I like that. It all smells amazing too.” Nayelli observed the contents on the counter.
“Thank you,” Ayla replied, noticing a shift in Nay’s attitude.
She was all banged up and bruised, still rocking gauze around her head, and although she had a few scars on her face, her beauty couldn’t be hidden.
“I came up with my own spice blend that I use for practically everything.”
“Really? Impressive.” Nay leaned forward and took a big whiff of the aromas.
“Okay, I can’t do this. I’m going outside to smoke.” Inari waved a hand and slid off her stool.
Ayla stared after her like she wanted to say something or stop her, but Inari and that mouth stayed ready. She’d been drinking and had recently gone through something traumatic. Ayla knew her sister would never cop to that, though. She gotout from under Mira and her business for a reason. In the name of survival, they’d endured enough over the years. Inari worked hard to provide a soft life to not only herself, but her son and sister too.
While Ayla self-analyzed, guilt only ate further away at Kong. When Inari stepped away, and he listened to Ayla and Nay chat like two old friends, it fucked with him. Nay’s memory loss had changed her entire demeanor, making her more human and easier to relate to. If Ayla could get along with her, anything was possible. He didn’t want either of them to be hurt, but Nay was already a factor in his life. Ayla didn’t have anyone aside from Inari, so he felt responsible for making sure she was good too.
Not only that, but he knew his attraction to her went beyond physical. He hated that he’d also grown emotionally attached, because those were the chains hardest to break. Having that person who you feel understands you better than anyone else. It’d been a long time, but Ayla provided that. Like the two women who came before her that he loved, she practiced patience and made it easy to be open, even if you didn’t want to. At twenty-four, she also gave some sound advice.
“Is everything okay with her?” A curious frown marred Nay’s features.
Ayla cleared her throat and tightened her mouth with another forced smile before bowing her head.
“She’s fine. Too much wine. Let me get these plates made, so I can get her settled. I hope it’s okay. Mozzi said she could stay here and sleep it off.”
“Yeah, that’s fine,” Kong agreed.
