It paid to have a man like Kong in her corner. Thanks to him, her industrial style office was almost complete. She couldn’t wait to start processing orders and shipping. More networks were reaching out about interviewing her, and even the Food Network was interested in doing a piece on her. The number of opportunities rolling in made her head spin.
Ayla nervously tipped her glass of champagne to her lips and adjusted her floral style maxi dress with spaghetti straps. With her hair parted on the side and swept over her shoulders in a layered, feathered style, she shined amid all the people milling around her. Everyone was dapper in their elegant designer threads, but there was only one person who Ayla’s eyes kept circling the room for.
“Are you okay?” her sister asked.
“Yeah,” she answered a little too quickly.
Her stomach was in knots. Mozzi told her what Kong relayed through a message, but that didn’t keep her thoughts from wandering to him all night. She’d snapped so many pictures and signed autographed copies of her cookbook while smiling that her jaws were starting to hurt. She needed a minute, but this party was for her, so she had to give it her all.
“He said he would be here, and you know he will,” Inari assured her. “You need another drink?”
“No. I’m fine.”
“Well, it looks like the party is a success. You sold out of the cookbook already! Mama would be so proud of you,” Inari gushed with a warm smile.
“You really think so?” Ayla sighed.
“Absolutely. You’re following your dream. You’re doing something you love and building an entire brand off it. I’m proud of you too!” She pulled her into a hug, and Ayla accepted her embrace by squeezing her back.
“Thanks, Nari.”
“Hey!” Coast sashayed toward them in her black beaded strapless gown, a glass of champagne in her hand. “So, how did we do?”
“I love the space. It’s perfect. Everything is amazing, Coast. I really appreciate you taking the time to help put all this together,” Ayla replied.
“Anything for you, Lala. I know I might not be a Jacobs sister by blood?—”
“Girl, hush!” Inari waved her off. “What that got to do with anything? We’re sisters, not by blood, but by choice.”
“Word,” Ayla agreed, nodding as they all brought their glasses together for a toast.
“And, since we are sharing all this good news this evening, I want you both to be the first to know that Jacobs Collectibles is hosting its grand opening in one month. I’m doing a private auction of some highly sought after art, and you have to be there,” Inari announced.
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Coast countered, eyes skimming the room for her husband.
He and Moose were at the bar with their heads together, and she wondered what that was about.
“Can y’all believe all the changes and everything we’ve gone through this last year?” Coast presented. “And somehow we managed to get through it all.”
“By the grace of God and sheer will,” Inari muttered, taking another sip of her drink.
The door to the main entrance swung open, and when Kong stepped inside, cradling Neo in his arms, Ayla’s breathing hitched. Confusion marred her features when he searched the room, and his slanted orbs landed on her. Her lip trembled, and the fluttering in her stomach picked up. In a sharp black suit, smelling good, fine as hell, he strolled toward her. She studied Neo in his arms first, then looked up into Kong’s expectant eyes.
“Wh-what are you doing? What are you doing with him?” she managed to ask.
“I’m bringing him home,” Kong answered, watching tears fill her eyes to the brim.
“Kong, what do you mean?”
“Say hello to our son, baby.”
Inari’s hand covered her mouth, and she gasped as her sister dropped her champagne glass.
“Oh, my God!” Coast squealed.
“Don’t play with me.” Ayla shook her head, and tears spilled from her eyes.
“I would never do that to you. This is our baby boy. The baby you birthed. Our son.” He placed Neo in her arms, and he remained sleeping as he snuggled against her chest.
