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“He’s adorable,” McKenna cooed.
“He’s over being here. Aren’t you, sweet pea?” She turned to McKenna after stroking a hand over the infant’s head. “I’m Jhorie Omari. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“McKenna Smith.” She paused and motioned to the men. “And Carter Reed.”
Jhorie offered a soft nod. “Seriously, we thank you for the donation no matter the amount. My husband and I are fully invested in not only the rec center but the community as a whole.”
“I should be thanking you. Do you see this beautiful creation I’m now the owner of? And I’m pretty sure I was promised a photo with the artist.” McKenna noticed the young girl with puffs sprouting from the sides of her head that looked too massive for her to remain balanced. She was wearing pink from head to toe and watching them curiously. McKenna smiled and kneeled in front of her. “Did you make this?”
She nodded and her big bright eyes lifted to the painting on the easel then moved back to McKenna. “Well, it’s beautiful and so are you. Karmiah, right?”
The little girl’s eyes brightened and lifted to Jhorie. McKenna smiled brighter. “Your name was on the back of the painting. I remembered.”
“Miah, what do you say? She complimented you and your painting.”
“Sorry, thank you,” the young beauty said quietly.
“You’re very welcome. How about I grab it so that we can take our picture?”
The little girl nodded wildly and McKenna lifted the canvas. Carter watched the two of them, half paying attention to what Ezekiel was saying because was so caught up in the idea of McKenna and their own child. One he hadn’t realized he wanted until that very minute.
“It’s scary how it surfaces out of nowhere and knocks you on your ass, isn’t it?”
A frown shifted onto Carter’s face when he turned to the man beside him, who added, “These women own us body and soul before we even realize what’s happening. It’s an entire fucking ego trip too, but one I’m willing to fully embrace. And from the looks of things, you fully understand what I mean.”
Carter’s eyes moved to McKenna who grinned while making silly faces as she and the little girl who had her totally enamored took selfies. He laughed and massaged his chin. “Yeah, I do.”
Ezekiel chuckled as well. “Good luck. That’s all I can offer you.” Then he walked away.
Carter didn’t need luck. Whatever future he wanted with McKenna he was more than willing to do the work to secure.
After they left the rec center, Carter drove them to their next location. Out of habit, he pulled into a side lot and parked near the building. When he shut off the car, McKenna’s eyes darted around in confusion and he almost laughed at the rising panic he noticed settling in. It was subtle but there. The lot where he parked didn’t offer any signage to alert her of where they were and there was also very little lighting. Bella House had a newly renovated interior but the outside structure was historic and old. From their vantage point, it appeared to be an abandoned building.
“Where are we?”
“You don’t trust me, Kenni?” Amusement flashed in Carter’s eyes and hers narrowed.
“You know I do but…”
“Nobody is dying tonight, you can relax.”
Her eyes darted to the building. “You sure?”
“Yeah, man, I’m sure. Bring your scary ass on.”
After they rounded the building and entered, Carter guided McKenna to the back after checking in with a staff member. He paid an exorbitant amount of money to rent the entire rooftop for their evening. They took an elevator that would lead them to their destination. It was also old but renovated, giving a nostalgic feel, as Carter closed the metal doors and pulled McKenna back into the comfort of his frame while they traveled up two floors and exited on the roof into the night air.
The sky was a bit cloudy so the illumination from the twinkly lights and candles gave the area an alluring romantic appeal. The glass enclosure centered on the rooftop sparkled from the flicker of the candles and McKenna felt a wave of emotions settle into her spirit.
When she turned to face Carter, whose dark eyes were on her and waiting, she smiled slowly.
“Butterflies.”
He nodded and lowered his gaze to her chest. She understood the meaning. He visibly noted the spot where her tattoo resided. She shifted her eyes to the small round table set up near the glass enclosure and her heart warmed. It was sitting under a wooden canopy with black silk loosely woven through the open top and around the base.
“We’re at Bella House?”
Once more he nodded. “You been here before?”
