Page 60 of Kobalt

I knew that no matter what came, we would be all right, and there would always be sunshine after the rain.

TWO WEEKS LATER

Life had been lifing since we returned from our honeymoon. Kobalt had to go to the farm immediately to host some training camps, and I got pulled deep under contracts for those who wanted to have spaces designed for the holidays. Then there was holiday shopping to do on top of that. Thankfully, I had Whitney to help out with the uptick in services, and we were in the process of hiring an assistant.

Then there had been the matter of the family pulling a meeting together to inform everyone that the police had called my aunt Cynthia to advise her that they had found nothing suspicious related to Jaziel’s disappearance. They told her they thought he was on the run, because he was not only wanted by the police in relation to several robberies, assaults, and outstanding bench warrants, but word on the street was that some gangs were looking for him too.

They were closing the case because the captain had gotten orders from a higher up to drop it because there wasn’t enough evidence to point at foul play—no videos or witnesses—other than a hysterical girlfriend who had a reputation for drug use. They also didn’t have the manpower to look into it. It devastated Aunt Cynthia, but I hated to say that it was just one less evil force in the world.

Sky had asked Passion and me how Aunt Cynthia had enough tears to cry for that boy after all he’d done to her and her husband, but Passion explained that was still her child at the end of the day.

Today was the first time that I had a chance to stop by Niagara’s house so that we could talk about all that transpired between us. As I pulled up, I saw a familiar blue Navigator pulling out, but I wasn’t sure who it was.

I climbed out of my car at the curb, and when the car pulled by me, I attempted to look inside, but the windows were tinted beyond what was legal. I couldn’t see in, but I knew whomever it was could see out.

I rang the doorbell and waited because miss mamas had some explaining to do. Niagara jerked the door open wearing nothing but a teddy and staring at her phone. “Oh, baby did you forget—what are you doing here?” she asked when she looked up into my wide eyes.

“Am I not who you expected?” I asked smartly, biting back my smile as I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Mind ya bizness. Why are you here, Mrs. Harden?” she asked.

“You know that I’m not big on violence, and I prefer gentleness, but I’ve got something to tell you. If you’re about to act an ass, give me the blues, or be with the shits, then I’m gonna give you my ass to kiss first, sis.”

Niagara frowned at me. “The hell?”

“I’m serious. You were mad at me for not telling you everything that you felt I should the first time, and I’ve got something to tell you now. No, I didn’t tell you right away, but I’m doing it now.”

Niagara flinched in my direction, and I ducked and covered my head. Niagara laughed and pulled me into the house and closed the door.

“Get your scary ass in here with your non-fighting ass. You’re not about to bust a grape. Talking about giving me your ass to kiss. Girl, where?”

“Whatever. Bestie, I missed you, and I don’t want you to ignore my calls anymore.”

“Funny because since you’ve been married, you’ve been the one too busy to have lunch.”

“Not true. That’s not married life—that’s called my business is growing.”

She sucked her teeth. “Okay, I’m proud of you and your little business or whatever.”

I rolled my eyes. “Come on, Nia.”

“Whaaat?”

“I have something to tell you. Get pissed, get angry, but I have no regrets.”

“You pregnant again, sis?” Niagara looked at me with her top lip curled and her eyebrows furrowed.

“What? How did you know? Did he tell you? I swear if he told you, I’m going home and beating him.”

She stared at me for several long seconds before she walked to the kitchen. “Congratulations. Hallelujah. You can’t have a drink of wine, and no he didn’t tell me.”

“Uhm—how did you know?” I wasn’t sure if she wanted to poison me or celebrate with me. I was confused by my best friend’s unusually calm demeanor. It wasn’t like her.

“Well, heffa, you’ve already married him. What else was there left to announce? You’re divorcing him? That’s unlikely.”

“You don’t act happy for us though. Are you still that mad at me?”

“Baby, please. I was never mad at you. I was hurt because I couldn’t believe you didn’t tell me he was the father. I got over that, though. Besides, I’m having a moment here, and this ain’t about you. This is about me. Why ya ugly ass wasn’t gonna invite me to your wedding?”