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“He should be on his way. The food will be done in a minute. I’m just waiting on the cornbread.”

Bria walked over to the wall where all the pictures were.

There was something so nostalgic about Aunt Maddy’s home.

It reminded her of a grandmother’s home that housed so much comfort and memories.

She smiled when she saw a picture of Lo in his younger age.

If Bria had to guess, he was probably in his teens.

He was still handsome, making her believe he probably had a plethora of girls chasing after him.

Pulling out her phone from her purse, she held it up to the photo and before she could snap a picture, her phone was snatched from her hand.

“Don't take that picture,” he said with a smirk on his face.

“Lo, stop. Give me my phone.”

“Nah.” He slid it inside his pocket. “I was ugly on there.”

“No, you weren’t. Let me have my phone.”

He shook his head, adjusting Kylan in his arms and kissing her cheek. Bria had never seen anything so endearing coming from Lo. He looked good holding a baby. For a moment, she pictured him holding their child and wondered who the baby would take after.

“That’s alright. I’ll just come back on my own and get copies of all these pictures so I can put them up at our house.”

“Don't do that shit.”

“I am,” she declared and walked to the couch where Kaylona sat. “So, have you been doing any shows?”

She bobbed her head. “I have but I have to space them out, so I won’t be away from home long. I just came back from The Bay.” She scooted closer. “I got presented with an opportunity to go on tour with Brandy and Monica.”

“Oh, that’s great, right?”

“Yes, but I haven’t told Meco yet. He doesn’t want me gone long and the tour will be for two months. I’m torn on if I should take the opportunity.”

Bria brows rumpled. “You should take it. This is your career we’re talking about. I’m sure he would understand.”

“Girl, we’re talking about Meco here. He wants me close, and I know I couldn’t go two months without seeing my baby.

If I took her with me, I know he wouldn’t be able to go long without her either.

Girl, it’s so much to decide. I prayed for these opportunities but didn’t know I would have to choose between them and my family. ”

Bria wished she could relate to Kaylona’s dilemma. She had been single and without kids during most of her career. She never had to consider anyone else when it came time for her to book a gig or travel.

“Maybe he could go with you some dates,” Bria offered.

Kaylona gave her a knowing expression. “He’s so busy that I know it wouldn’t happen. I’m gonna have to talk to Tori about how she navigates this because I’m really overwhelmed.”

“Hey, why isn’t she here with her husband?”

“Oh, girl.” Kaylona chuckled. “It’s beef in this family, and Tori and Devyn stand on the side with Ada and Dax.”

“So, they don't like Aunt Maddy?”

Kaylona shrugged. “I guess not. They're all so tight-lipped about this shit that I don't know what’s what.”

Bria sat in deep thought, trying to make sense of what Kaylona just told her.

She had a clue that there was some kind of division between Ada and Maddy due to the scene at the wedding.

However, she didn’t know people had chosen sides.

Her gaze drifted to Lo, who talked with Meco in the dining room.

Then, she remembered him saying his parents weren’t invited.

What the hell went down between them?

“So, how has married life been?”

Bria exhaled dramatically, making Kaylona laugh.

“It’s been that bad?”

Bria shook her head, trying to sift through what she wanted to reveal and what she didn’t.

“Let’s just say it’s been a movie.”

“Oooh,” Kaylona cooed. “A movie. You know what? That sounds about right because my situation with Meco was like a movie.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, girl, I started off as his surrogate because I needed money to fund my EP.”

Bria gasped, prompting Kaylona to cackle uncontrollably.

“Wait, hold on.” Bria shook her head. “So, you guys weren’t a couple initially?”

“Nope, he hired me to be a surrogate for him and his ex, but then that bitch walked away and left my man to figure this shit out on his own. We fell in love and lived happily ever after.” She rolled her eyes.

“I’m just playing. We still got issues, but I can handle them. He likes to be in control too much.”

“Ugh, the story of my life. Lo don't want me to miss a call and if he text, he wants a response right away.”

Kaylona’s nose wrinkled. “Oh, hell no. Meco ain't that bad. Don't Lo know he’s married to the baddest ballerina in the game? You ain't got time to be answering his every call.”

“That’s what I tried to tell him, but he won’t listen.”

“Hmm.” Kaylona pursed her lips. “You know what? Lo makes Meco look like an angel. Let me stop complaining.”

Kylan walked over to Kaylona, and she picked her up. Kissing her cheek, she hugged her tightly, making Bria swoon. Being a mother was a role she definitely wanted to fulfill. Witnessing Kaylona with her mini-me made her desire grow exponentially.

“I love her so much,” Kaylona cooed. “She really saved my life. I don't even make a decision without considering her.”

Bria beamed. “She’s so beautiful. Literally looks just like you.”

“Aye.”

The sound of Lo’s voice would always interrupt any activity or conversation Bria was in. She looked at him, taking in his lean frame that was clothed in a black Celine t-shirt with the sleeves cut off, denim jeans, and Jordan 1s.

“You wanna see my old room?”

Nodding, she got up and followed him down the hallway. “You grew up here?”

“Yeah.”

“How come you weren’t raised by your parents?”

They took a left, and Lo approached a closed door. He opened it, and she walked in behind him. The rays of the sun peeked through the closed curtain. Lo sat on the full-sized bed, studying Bria while she tried to look around in the dim room.

“Why didn’t you answer my question?” she inquired, picking up a trophy that was on a stand.

National Scholar Chess Winner Kylo Crown.

“‘Cause it’s complicated.”

Bria looked at him. “You played chess?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I played a lot of shit.”

Bria took in all the awards that were in his name. He was on the debate team, basketball team, and even played football. She picked up his diploma and smiled.

“Did you graduate early?”

“Yeah.”

“You must be smart.” She looked at him.

He chuckled. “You trying to throw shots at me or something?”

Bria giggled. “Of course, not. I’m just making an observation.”

Lo grinned at her. “That’s what I get for trying to open up to you.”

Bria sat the diploma down. “Baby, don't be dramatic. I’m just saying, you’re so damn guarded that I didn’t realize that I’m married to a very smart man. What’s 345 x 60?” she joked.

Lo was silent for a moment until he replied, “20,700.”

Her mouth gaped. “Are you serious? Give me my phone so I can double check.”

Lo chortled loudly. “Double check? You never have to double check with me, but I’ll play along.”

Reaching into his pocket, he passed Bria her phone. She quickly went to her calculator app and typed in the numbers.

“Damn,” she whispered, stunned.

“Damn, what?” he challenged. “I was right?”

“Yeah, how the hell did you calculate that in your head?”

He shrugged. “I’ve always been good with numbers. Come over here.”

Bria did as he instructed and stood in front of him.

“You look real good today. I can’t stop staring at you.”

Bria climbed on top of him and graced his lips with a kiss. There was something sensual about this moment. Lo’s words were soft and not rooted in dominance. Bria wasn’t proficient in the school of Lo just yet, but she felt as though he was being sincere with her.

“What are you thinking?” he quizzed.

“I’m thinking that I want to stay in this moment.”

He licked his lips. “What you mean by that?”

“Us, getting along and getting to know one another. It feels good to be walking down this journey with you next to me rather than us apart.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I feel you.”

Lo kissed her once more, inciting his manhood to stiffen in his jeans.

“You wanna be my bad bitch right now?”

Bria grinned, as her center pulsed. “But what if your auntie catches us?”

“She won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I know her. She’s cooking and there’s nothing more important right now than her food coming out perfectly. So, are you gon’ keep questioning me or you gon’ let me feel you?”

There was something so exciting about doing something she wasn’t supposed to do. Granted, they were adults, but she was sure his aunt wouldn’t like her riding Lo’s dick inside her house.

“What I tell you that my wife gotta be?”

“Fearless.”

“Now, pull out my dick.”

Bria slid her hands up to his belt buckle and unfastened it. Unzipping his zipper, she reached inside his boxers and pulled out her favorite friend. Her mouth watered as she stroked it with her hand, giving him a beautiful visual with her red nails.

“Push your panties to the side.”

Bria was so aroused that her sex thumped in anticipation.

Lo’s love language was listening to him and now her love language was taking his direction.

She sucked in a deep breath as she slid down on his erection.

She couldn’t think of a better feeling than him filling her pussy with his girth.

He pulled her breasts from her dress and pinched her nipples.

“Ride this dick like it’s yours.”

Bria planted her palms on his chest and did as he instructed.