Ayla’s momentary pause and the way her eyes misted over told him everything. Her breathing changed, and he could tell her heart was probably racing too.
“I thought I was dreaming at first. But… when I realized he was real… I can’t explain how that brought me back to life.”
“I think that’s your answer.”
Ayla’s big, brown eyes drifted upward, somehow connecting with Kong's, some feet away as he leaned forward in his chair. Her middle and everything else tingled when he stared at her, half a smile on his lips, like he had something on his mind. Audiemar caught the exchange.
“Don’t give up too soon. Anything worth having means you have to work for it. Otherwise, it ain’t worth it.”
“How did you do that in under five minutes?” She laughed.
“I been around the block more times than you, youngin’. I subscribe to your channel, too. I see you got a podcast airing with Sarah Paul. Congratulations. I’ll be putting my order in first for a new set of pots and pans and spices for my new chef. Maybe a cookbook.” He tipped his glass to his lips.
“New chef?” She repeated, appalled as she nudged him playfully with her shoulder against his.
Audiemar chuckled. “I tried not to hire anyone permanently because I just couldn’t bring myself to do it when you were gone. Now that you’re back, I know you have way more opportunities out there than ever before. So, I have to come to terms with that, but she can at least have your cookbook and everything at her fingertips so she can figure some things out.”
“I’m touched,” Ayla gushed, pressing her hand against her chest.
Audiemar came off so hard. Like steel. Unbreakable. But over the last year, she’d gotten to know him. He was lowkey funny, with dry humor.
“You know who you remind me of?”
“Who?” Audiemar turned to her.
“My dad,” she answered, watching something shift beyond his features.
She wasn’t sure what she’d said, or how it registered with him, but clearly, she’d hit a nerve. Audiemar swallowed the rest of his drink.
“Is that right?”
“Yeah. What I can remember about him. He had that dry humor just like you. He kept my mama laughing,” Ayla recalled.
Audiemar cleared his throat and looked at his glass.
“I think I’m going to get a refill.”
“Okay.” Ayla frowned, watching him stand and pad across to the other side of the pool.
“Ayla! Come in the pool and play with us!” Kara cheered from one of Dane’s friend’s shoulders in the water.
She was going up against Sailor in a fight; he was on one of the other friend’s shoulders.
“Not right now. Maybe later.” Ayla sipped from her cup, and Kara pouted but quickly recovered when it was time to go up against Sailor.
“Can I sit with you?” Kong’s deep, rugged voice pulled her from her thoughts.
She had to cross her legs to keep herself from leaking into the seat of her panties. In his vintage hip hop cargo shorts and white tank top, he gave rugged sexiness. With a cold Bud Light Platinum in his hand, he took his father’s position at her side.
“I’m sorry,” were the first words out of his mouth, surprising her.
Kong took a moment to speak again, trying to figure out how he wanted to word himself with her.
“Instead of being grateful for having you back, I was worried about the wrong shit.” He shook his head.
“Hey,” she said, reaching for his hand and grabbing it.
His slanted orbs found hers, and he assessed her pretty face.
