Chapter 24
Nari.
Corinne peeked into the suite next to the one we had just left.
They were all identical other than the two offices that had been converted into larger suites to accommodate the live-in resident advisors.
I had already hired one and was deciding between three potentials to take the second spot.
It would be necessary to have staff and security on-site twenty-four hours a day.
I wanted to ensure a healthy, safe environment for the residents.
Since we began promoting our services, we had hundreds of inquiries, but we weren’t scheduled to open for another month.
It took several months to renovate the location, and now, I was waiting for a green light from the city to open our doors.
With the number of inquiries, I was already scouting our next location because what I offered proved to be a much-needed resource.
“This is coming along nicely.”
“Thank you. We’re pretty much done. Just waiting on the city.”
She turned, offering a smug grin. “You mean to tell me that son of mine hasn’t pulled any strings to get this expedited?”
“No, because I made him promise not to. I don’t want anyone to think I’m not truly invested in doing the work, nor do I want them to assume this is not something I take seriously. I don’t want anyone to see the name and assume we aren’t here to make a difference.”
Corinne’s smile spread wider. “If they see what I see, then there’s no way anyone can mistake your passion for anything other than what it is. A genuine heart wanting to give back.”
She looped her arm through mine. “I’m very proud of you, sweetheart.”
“Thank you.” I rested my head on her shoulder. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”
“As am I with you.”
She separated and traveled a little farther down the hall, peeking into another one of the suites.
“So, how are things?”
“I can’t complain.” I offered a soft smile just as my little guy decided he wanted to get active. “Well, other than being ready to meet our newest addition, that is.”
“We’re only weeks away. I’m surprised you survived this long. Kincaid was a month early. He made a grand entrance too, which pitted the two of us at war. I thought I was going to have a nice Sunday brunch, but my son decided I would spend the afternoon in the hospital.”
“Who won?”
“He did, of course. As much as we pretend we’re running things, our children hold all the cards. You’ll soon learn that you’re simply here to serve them.”
“Not if I can help it. This little guy better not have any grand ideas about running things.”
My hands moved across my stomach at the same time he decided to initiate a round of somersaults or karate kicks or whatever the hell he was doing in there to disrupt my day.
“That baby boy is an Akel. You might as well give up all those fantasies of having control.”
“You’re really not giving me hope.”
She laughed lightly, placing her hand over my stomach. “I’m simply making sure you know what you’re up against.”
“Wonderful,” I mumbled.
Corinne smiled brightly. “I need to get going. I’m meeting your mother when I leave here.”
“So I heard.” I rolled my eyes and she looped her arm through mine again while we traveled down the hall toward the elevator.
“You’re more than welcome to join us if you’d like.”
“Nope. I refuse to be a third wheel. Have fun. She’s coming by tomorrow to help me organize the baby’s room. If your son doesn’t stop buying things for him, we will have to add on to the house just to have storage space.”
“This is his firstborn and his legacy. Be thankful it’s not a girl, or I can assure you, things would be much worse.”
“Imagine that,” I groaned, and she laughed as we stepped off the elevator into the lobby.
After we exited the building, I looked up, and she kissed my cheek, promising to see me soon. Conner was waiting, helping me into the back of the SUV I was being chauffeured around in for the day before returning to the driver’s seat.
“Where to, ma’am?”
“Home.” I was exhausted, but my stomach was also craving something sweet.
“Oh, wait, but can we stop by—”
“Sweets-n-Stuff?”
“Don’t act like you know me, Conner.” I narrowed my eyes and he offered me a smug grin through the rearview mirror.
“I wouldn’t dare. Mr. Akel suggested you might want to stop by there before heading home.”
“I’m sure he did.”
“Just following orders, ma’am.”
I shot him a narrowed stare before dialing Kincaid.
“You heading home?”
“Yes, but apparently, I’ve been scheduled to stop by Sweets-n-Stuff.”
He laughed. “It was simply a suggestion. You don’t have to go.”
“Oh no, buddy. I’m going, but be clear: I know the suggestion has nothing to do with me and everything to do with your new obsession with their red velvet cupcakes.”
Kincaid laughed and I could imagine his beautiful smile as he spoke.
“I don’t recall requesting anything.”
“Fine. I won’t bother bringing you one then.”
“But you may as well, since you’re going.”
“Mm-hmm. That’s what I thought.”
“How did the walk-through go with my mother?”
“Good. She was impressed.”
“As she should be. You’ve done an exceptional job of bringing things together. I’m extremely proud of you.”
“I’m proud of myself.”
He chuckled. “I have a few calls to make. I’ll see you when you get here.”
“You’re home?”
“Yes, waiting on you. So hurry.”
After ending the call, I felt a sense of peace while turning toward the window.
If anyone had told me this would be my life, I would have laughed in their face.
I was married, weeks away from delivering our first child.
My mother lived a few miles away from me and we talked daily.
I had a family—one who would give their last for me, same as I would do for them.
Exhaling a short sigh, I unlocked my phone and scrolled through my social media timeline.
Oddly enough, the first picture that appeared was one of Shayla.
She looked a lot better than she had in previous months.
Oddly enough, she seemed happy. There was a time when I would have rolled my eyes at the thought of her, but the more time that passed, I actually felt sorry for my cousin.
She was pregnant with twins, and from the posts she’d been making, the father wasn’t claiming her or the babies.
It was as if history was repeating itself in their family because Shayla shared with me that her own father refused to be a part of her life.
From a distance, I wished her well as long as she understood that offering any parts of her body to my husband anymore would not be in her best interest. I asked him several times if she’d contacted him again and he assured me she hadn’t.
Kincaid wasn’t the type to lie. I knew it was because his arrogance wouldn’t allow him to.
He was a This is what it is. Take or leave it type of guy, which was obnoxiously sexy and annoying.
I double tapped the picture and continued to swipe.
After a few more photos passed, I saw one of Alisha and Darius.
Her makeup was flawless as he held her from behind with his lips pressed to her cheek.
They informed us over dinner last week that they’d started the process of adoption because Alisha still hadn’t had any luck with carrying a baby.
She’d lost two already and he refused to allow her to continue to suffer through that devastation.
Kincaid pulled some strings to get them in touch with a private agency that specialized in placing infants and I was praying they would have a little one of their own soon.
“Would you like me to go in for you, Mrs. Akel?”
My eyes bounced up to meet Conner’s. We had arrived at our destination and I could already taste the delicious cream cheese icing on the tip of my tongue.
I had no idea what they put in their cupcakes and I was afraid to ask.
With the addiction that both Kincaid and I had, I was sure it was some type of illegal substance.
“Yes, please, if you don’t mind.” I pushed out a short sigh.
I had been up since seven and it was well after five.
This baby boy of mine seemed to drain every ounce of energy I had.
Once I rattled off the order for the half-dozen cupcakes I wanted, Conner was out the door, but I caught him, delivering one last request.
“Oh, and will you please bring me a sample of whatever they have out and—”
“Two jumbo red velvets for Mr. Akel. Got it.” He winked, shutting the door.
I grinned, knowing Kincaid and I both had become a little too predictable.
The good thing was our lives had settled into what could be considered a normal routine and I damn sure wouldn’t complain about that.
There was a time when I didn’t know if I was coming or going and the stress of the unknown had me constantly on edge.
Lately, I felt as if I could actually breathe and that feeling was priceless .
. . one I’d never known I’d needed until it existed.