She was talking to her in that baby voice, and Iara smiled sweetly. Kong carried the tray of what was left of the sushi into the kitchen and moved around to clean up.
“What are you doing here?” she asked her sister.
“Checking on you. Coast and I are going to the nail shop before the barbecue. Get dressed so you can come with us. I’m sure Kong can get Rara to the house with her daddy,” Inari suggested.
“Yeah, that sounds good.” Ayla handed Rara over to Inari, and she blew strawberries on her little fat cheeks. “Give me like ten minutes.”
“What’s up with her?” Inari turned to Kong when her sister walked away.
“I guess you gotta ask her,” Kong mumbled.
Clearly, he was upset, and so was she. Inari wasn’t going to press, though. . At least not yet. Ayla used to be the type to wear her heart on her sleeve and express everything. Now she hid behind this reserved, resting bitch mask that scared Inari. She wondered what type of hell she’d gone through that would wieldthat kind of character change. Mira had done a number on her. Which only made her hate that bitch even more. She was glad she was dead.
While Ayla got dressed, Kong went to wake Kara and Kyro so they could get ready to go as well. She sailed down the stairs in an orange tube top with a pair of floral print beach shorts and brown sandals. A small Chanel crossbody bag was over her chest as she scrolled her phone. Kong admired her hair pulled up into a high ponytail as she adjusted the layered gold chain against her chest.
“Ready,” she announced.
Kong provided the kids with cereal bars for the road until they got to the estate. He’d already gotten his wake-up call from Desiree, so he knew he had to move or risk getting cursed the hell out. Inari handed Rara over to Kong, and she immediately reached for his chain.
“Daddy, I want real food. Why can’t Lala make breakfast?” Kara pouted.
“Tell you what, how about you come back tonight and spend the night with me, and tomorrow I can make you a big breakfast?” Ayla said, wrapping her arms across Kara’s shoulders from behind and hugging her.
“Can I, Daddy?” Kara lit up excitedly.
“Yeah.” Kong bobbed his head, and Rara reached out to fist some of his beard.
“Yay!”
“I want a big breakfast, too,” Kyro chimed in.
“You know you can stay too.” Ayla reached out and ran her fingers through his locs. “How about a retwist for the new school week too?”
“Alright, enough small talk. Let’s go. Coast is almost at the nail shop.” Inari hooked her arm through her sister’s and pulled her toward the door.
Kong gathered the kids, strapped Rara into her car seat, and they all stepped out of Ayla’s condo together and separated at their cars. Ayla hopped into the passenger seat of her sister’s car and watched Kong through her rearview mirror. When he closed the door and reached for his keys, he paused and gave Inari’s car a glance. He didn’t want to leave things with Ayla like this, but he didn’t know what to say or do. So he remained stoic. Hopping into the car, he pulled off and Ayla’s eyes fixated on the back of his truck until he was out of sight. Inari could tell something was up the minute she glanced her way. Ayla pulled her seat belt across her chest, and sat back calmly.
“So, is Kong the reason you couldn’t talk last night?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, and you’re not going to dish about it? Maybe save it for therapy?”
“What is wrong with you?” Ayla’s head swung in her direction.
“Me?” Inari seemed appalled.
“Yes, you.”
“I’m the one with the problem but you can’t spend an hour alone with your sister anymore and you’ve been back a few months now. I don’t even know what’s going on with you anymore. I have to follow all your social media shit to keep up. Clearly you and Kong are doing…whatever it is you’re doing.”
“I’ve been busy.” Ayla sighed, but her tone was sharp with annoyance. “Being back has been a lot. Look at the era we live in. Everything is content, everyone wants a sound bite. I’m getting paid.”
“I get all that, and I’m happy for you, but everything is so politically correct now, Ayla. Like, do I have to comment on your reels and shit to gain some interaction from my own sister?”
“You’re being dramatic,” Ayla mumbled.
“Am I?” Inari quipped.
