“Oh shit!” She exclaimed. “You’re really trying to hire me? Don’t gas me up, boo.”
“I’m serious. She already asked me to talk to you. She’s flying out tomorrow, but I figured I’d jumpstart the process since you’re in my face now.”
She did a little dance and we all fell into a bout of laughter. I loved my girls and would always put them on if they allowed.
“And Marsha, I’d like to hire you as my assistant. I need help with all these studios and would love your help running the new location since you’re coming out there anyway. You down?”
“Am I down? Bish, I’m all yours!”
“I love y’all real bad,” I said.
“We love you too.”
We headed out and I looked at my studio one last time before I got in the car.
My heart was happy and I was damn proud of myself. Four locations soon to come, babies on the way, an amazing man to call my own, and my sister was about to lock her man down. I had amazing friends and a family who had my back always. I never felt safer than I did now and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
END.
EPILOGUE
Armond Davis
THE WAVES CRASHED AGAINST MY ankles. My pants were rolled up just enough to not get wet until I was ready. The heat of the day was a bodacious contrast to the cool water rippling against me.
I walked a few steps behind Brandy, taking in the sun’s glow against her skin. Her bikini left little to the imagination, and if this wasn’t a private beach, then she’d surely be covering that plump, sexy ass. Thankfully though, this was the view I was blessed with. Those long legs kicked along the sand while she made videos with her phone. She was like a personal content creator who posted nothing at all, only capturing the moments for herself.
She turned to face me and I gave her a knowing smile. It was only a matter of time before that phone turned my way. She licked her lips as she lifted her eyes from the phone. She was taken by my shirtless attire and swimming shorts. Maybe the sun was treating my body right too, I didn’t know, but mama was looking like she was ready to pounce on me at any moment.
“Mama, what’s good?” I urged.
If she kept that lip tucked in her mouth any longer, I was going to break, cuz,fuck.My baby was always working it. That light blue against her skin just accentuated her sexiness and I wanted nothing more than to take her back to the villa and devour her. I hated that it would have to come much later since I was hosting our family.
We were walking along the coast of Ravenna, Italy. The place I’d called home for more than half of my life. The bright water and white sand were exactly what we needed after the few months we’d endured. I didn’t want us in the bustle of the beach where umbrellas were lined up in rows and people walked over each other. No, we deserved privacy and owning a section of Ravenna Beach was something I boasted about. Probably the only thing I’d boasted about in life.
“Sis, you gotta take a picture. This is probably the only time he’ll ever let me bury him in sand,” Chardonnay called out behind us.
I chuckled at the thought and turned around to see Arlando’s head sticking out of a sand pile shaped to look like a woman with huge breasts. I laughed and Arlando sucked his teeth. Brandy quickly took the shot before Arlando wiggled himself out then popped up like he got bit by a scorpion.
“Why the hell would you give me titties?” Arlando griped.
Chardonnay laughed hard and went to hug him, but he shoved her off while attempting to swipe the sand away. She pouted then shoved him playfully. He joined in her laughter and I shook my head. Those two would always get a laugh out of me.
Brandy was snapping away, turning every which way to capture the moments. You would think photography was her profession the way she couldn’t stop herself at times. Whenever I looked at what she captured, I got captivated by the angles. She never took a picture straight on or how you’d perceive it to look.I could only imagine how crazy she’d go once our babies entered the world.
“What’s on your mind, baby daddy?” Brandy said as she wrapped her free arm around me and settled into my side.
I looked down at her and smirked before brushing loose hair from her face. I was so caught up in her beauty that I forgot she’d even asked me a question. I licked along my bottom lip slowly and her eyes got low as she stared at my motion.
“I want to take you all over the world and watch you capture it in the way that only you can,” I finally said.
That made her blush. She bit her lip then tucked her hair behind her ear. When she looked up at me with those big round eyes, I found myself getting lost in them. I was drowning in her waves and needed to pull myself back before my brother called me a simp or whatever these young cats were saying these days.
“I’d love to explore the world with you, Armond.”
Her words were soft and assured, causing me to get right down on one knee and hold onto her hand for dear life. I had already done this with her, yet this time it felt so real I was about to choke on my words. I looked over my shoulder and took a deep breath. Our parents were close enough to catch on to what was happening and my sister and niece were right beside them. Arlando nodded at me and I damn sure needed it. I was nervous as fuck and didn’t understand why. It was now or never because Brandy had tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Armond, what are you doing?” Brandy whispered.
