While she was gone, Ayla found herself at the counter with a bottle of water, staring off and doing the math. She was always the kind to minimize her own needs for the sake of others. She’d ignore some shit about herself while trying to help everyone else. It was a terrible trait. The small flutter in her lower abdomen filled her eyes with tears. It wasn’t painful, just strange. Like muscle movement.
Pausing, she leaned back and rested her hand over her stomach, thinking about the last time she and Kong had sex. Months ago. She hadn’t been touched since. She didn’t lie to Ayla when she said she’d been spotting, but she didn’t think anything of it because nothing else had changed. Or so she thought. Now her breasts and hips seemed enlarged, and there was damn sure something going on in her belly.
“Ayla.” Audiemar’s strong, deep baritone startled her when he came up behind her.
She jumped to her feet and grabbed an apron off the hook. It was her own personal logo for Palate Pleasures that she often wore in the kitchen when she cooked since she also filmed in here.
“Yes, sir. Can I get you something?” She rushed over to the other side of the counter to get back to work.
She had a lot of prepping to do for the party and was only slightly underway. Now that she was able to shake off her dizzy spell, she could try to focus.
“No, thank you. Looks like you’ve got a lot going on here. Phoebe ordered food for us, but if you could make something for the kids that would be great. They’ll be spending the night tonight.”
“Okay. Sure,” she agreed, nodding.
“Are you sure you won’t need any help? You seem a little flushed. Tired, maybe?”
“No. Inari actually stopped by. She ran to the store for a few things, but I will use her as my sous chef and Coast when she gets back from her appointment.”
“Very well. If you get overwhelmed, let me know. It’s going to be a big crowd.”
“I’ll be fine,” she assured him, forcing a smile on her face.
She was relieved when he was gone and immediately got to work chopping, grinding, and seasoning everything and placing them in their proper containers. With all the meat marinating, she decided to prep the stuff for the sides. Instead of a whole turkey since they just went through Thanksgiving, she decided on a whole bone in Turkey breast, venison roast that was now going in the slow cooker, lasagna, cheesy scalloped potatoes with ham, and chicken dumpling soup. Her sides were the usual, mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, roasted brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, and a plethora of homemade desserts that she was going to enlist the kids to help with tomorrow morning.
Nay’s familiar giggle eventually filled the halls, and she sailed inside with Kong. Ayla paused during her mashing process for the potatoes and briefly glanced up. Kong immediately went rigid, and Nayelli lingered near him.
“It smells amazing in here, Ayla,” she gushed.
“Thank you.”
“Maybe I should sit in here and take a few notes. The kids are always raving about your dishes. I can’t cook toast. Or rice.” She tittered. “I thought about hiring a chef. Maybe we could steal you from Audiemar.”
“At the rate she’s going, catch her if you can,” Inari spoke up from the doorway toting a Walgreens bag in her hand. “Her spice line is picking up, she’s got nearly four million followers, and I have been telling her for months she needs to get that Palate Pleasures cookbook together.”
“Oh, my God, can you imagine that? You’ll be some big time mogul like Rachel Ray. With cookware, and everything! That would be amazing!” Nayelli voiced.
“My sister is my biggest cheerleader,” Ayla muttered.
“For good reason, too. She’s talented, and I know what she’s capable of.”
“I gotta head out and meet up with Moose and Mozzi,” Kong announced.
“Okay. I’ll just have Mama take me home when she leaves.” Nay leaned in to kiss his cheek, and Kong waved to Inari and Ayla when he turned to go.
“Damn, that man is fine.” Nay sighed, and Ayla locked eyes with her sister across the counter.
“How are things going?” Inari peeled out of her green peacoat and set the Walgreens bag on the counter.
“Oh, they’re okay.” Nay paused at the counter. “Kong is very distant, though. It’s like he’s always somewhere else when we’re together. Even in bed.”
Ayla didn’t expect him to not be fucking his wife. He was a man after all, but to hear it was like a gut punch. She chopped quickly, wishing she could tune out the conversation altogether and hoping the subject changed soon.
“Hmm, you’re newlyweds pretty much.” Inari reached across the counter and picked up a sliced cucumber off the cutting board. “You would think he’d be more attentive.”
“I don’t know whether it’s the accident or because of his ex-wife…” Nay’s voice trailed off and Ayla kept her head bowed. “But he’s my husband, and I want us to be closer. I was talking to my mama about it. She thinks we need to start trying to have a baby. I haven’t even talked to him about that. But should I have to?”
Inari studied her cucumber before taking a bite, with a quick glance at her sister before chewing and turning to Nayelli. Shewas more so venting rather than asking for either of their opinions. She was respectful to Ayla, but she still treated her like the help.
