“She doesn’t have a choice. I’m tired of her avoiding me, acting like shit is just going to magically get better. She can talk to a therapist but can’t talk to me?” An offended frown crowded her face.
“Kind of the point of therapy, baby.” Moose pecked her shoulder.
“Whatever. Whose side you on?”
“Yours. Always.”
“Better be.” Inari faced him and stood on her toes for a kiss. “I’m going to head out. There is a spare key on the hook downstairs in the hall.”
“Oh, so this nigga taking showers, getting keys, you got something you need to tell me Inari Rae Jacobs?” Coast teased.
“Well.“ Inari sighed and held the phone to her ear.
She studied Moose with nothing but a towel around his waist, that deep V leading to the curved monster she enjoyed so much.
“I think I’ve made him suffer enough.”
“Mmm, hmm. I knew it was only a matter of time.” Coast giggled.
“She love my black ass!” Moose yelled at Coast.
“And do.” She kissed him again. “Anyway, can you just lock up when y’all get ready to leave?”
“I got you. See you a little later.” Moose rested his hands on her hips.
“Absolutely.”
Inari ducked into her closet and slipped into a multicolored Dior two-piece halter and skirt set with matching slides. She slung her purse over her shoulder, and the minute she opened her bedroom door, she was hit by a whiff of bacon in the air. By the time she got downstairs, Dane was in the kitchen moving around and bouncing between pans while Tiara sat at the table, swinging her legs in one of the chairs.
“Good morning you two!” Inari stopped to kiss the top of Tiara’s head, then greeted Dane with one to the cheek.
“Hi!”
“Dane, you’re making breakfast?” Inari hiked a brow, lowkey shocked.
“Yeah, Ma. I can cook, you know.”
“Oh, I’m aware. I just thought it was limited to ramen and air fryer type meals,” Inari jested with a snicker.
“Funny,” Dane muttered, walking over to serve Tiara with a fresh, thick slice of French toast.
He slapped a couple of pieces of bacon beside it with scrambled eggs, and she steepled her hands together to pray over her meal.
“Thank you, Dane,” she accepted sweetly.
“You going somewhere?”
“To grab your auntie and meet Coast at the nail shop. Moose is going to take you and Tiara with him out to the estate to help set things up. I’ll see you guys in about an hour or so.” Inari picked up a slice of bacon and took a bite.
The drive to Ayla’s condo took about twenty minutes. She arrived outside the door and peeped Kong’s car parked on thecurb. Looking around, she observed the quiet neighborhood and waited as she listened to movement on the other side of the door. Kong opened it, looking disheveled as he swiped the sleep from his face and squinted through the sun at her.
“Hmm, so is this why she can’t answer the phone?” Inari sailed right past him inside, and he shut the door behind her.
She saw evidence of their date night still in the living room as Kong moved to straighten things up. It was obvious from his demeanor that something was up. He’d been as happy as she was the last few weeks with Ayla being home. Something had shifted, though.
“What’s wrong?”
“Talk to her.” Kong nodded to Ayla coming down the stairs with Iara on her hip.
