Page 139
I laughed because I knew she wasn't exaggerating.
Ashlynn had finally opened her beauty salon, and to say she was successful would have been an understatement.
Her appointment books stayed full for months. Celebrities flew into Westhaven specifically to sit in her chair, and she'd already built a reputation as one of the most sought-after hairstylists in the industry.
I'd watched her go from dreaming about owning a salon to running a business that had people fighting for appointments.
And I couldn't have been prouder.
“Speaking of the shop,” I said, linking my arm through hers, “how did that actress appointment go?”
“Girl, amazing. Her team already booked me for two more events.” Her entire face lit up as she spoke.
“Look at you!” I squeezed her arm, genuinely happy to see everything she'd worked for paying off.
“Don't play with me, bitch. I'm expensive now.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder, lifting her chin like she was posing for a camera.
We both burst out laughing.
“You've been expensive,” I reminded her.
“Exactly. Now everybody else knows it.”
A deep voice interrupted us.
“Y'all gonna stand here talking shit all night, or somebody gonna tell me where the food at?”
I turned to see Malachi approaching with one of the twins holding his hand while the other rested on his hip.
Those boys were their daddy made over, and they had inherited his talent for causing trouble.
“Look at Daddy Malachi!” I teased, laughing as I reached for the little one on his hip. The baby immediately leaned toward me, stretching his arms out while Malachi adjusted his grip.
“Don't Daddy Malachi me. Where the food at?” He looked past me toward the dining room, rubbing his stomach like somebody had been starving him all day.
Ashlynn rolled her eyes. “See what I deal with?” She gave her husband a look, but the smile tugging at her mouth ruined the attitude she was trying to give him.
Malachi leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You love me.”
“Unfortunately.” She shook her head, although she leaned into him before he pulled away.
He grinned before looking at me. “Where E at?”
“Probably somewhere pretending he's not checking on everything.” I glanced toward the hallway leading to the private offices, knowing my husband was likely making one last round.
“That sound about right.”
I watched Malachi head toward the bar with one of his sons following behind him, and for a moment, I couldn't help smiling.
If somebody had told me three years ago that these two men would be living the lives they were living now, I wouldn't have believed it.
But they'd done it.
Ezra and Malachi had officially walked away from the drug game.
Completely.
No more late-night meetings with dangerous people. No more watching over their shoulders. No more wondering whether the past would come knocking at our door.
