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DOUGH BOYZ: THE MOVIE… A PRIVATE PREMIER… ABOUT A YEAR LATER…

“Okay, does everyone have their snacks because we need to start it!” Lisara shouted over our theater room.

Everyone answered one way or another as all the mothers in the room settled their kids.

Presley had given birth to another son who she and Shakur named Sakim. And after her, Anastazia had also given birth to yet another little boy named Amare. They stated that if they had another daughter, they would use an S name to match Sophie’s, which I thought was so cute and thoughtful.

Of course, due to how much the boys loved sex, Yolani was now four months pregnant and so was Analicia—three and a half months to be exact. I was pretty sure Scotland was next because it was only a matter of time, especially because she was so happy for Yolani, who had done as she’d promised, I’d learned, which was to only get pregnant after her album drop and tour, which she’d just gotten off of.

And with the way Scotland was turning down drinks, I had a suspicion that she was baking already.

Khari claimed to be done, but Couture said they weren’t, so she’d be birthing another soon, too, I was sure.

“When can we see the Night Walker ?” Banks asked.

“This summer, in theaters . Y’all gon’ have to pay for that one so I can make sure the others get made,” Unique replied.

“Fine.” Banks huffed, shoving popcorn into her mouth.

“Aight, let me get the lights.” Unique stood and rushed to the wall to dim them as Lisara and I made eye contact.

I was nervous as hell as Prime stood by the projector to work it and get the movie going.

Everyone settled into the quiet, only sounds of snacks being opened or eaten and a few baby coos.

The whole room gasped as the sonogram filled the screen along the wall. The boys were confused because men were stupid, but the ladies caught on quickly, getting up to rush me with excitement.

“What the fuck is going on?” Unique bellowed as his brothers looked on, brows furrowed and confused.

Only a few began to register things when they saw their wives hugging me and patting my flat stomach.

“She’s pregnant, nigga. You sure you ready?” Prime asked, causing the room to laugh.

I wasn’t sure what his brothers were laughing at because them niggas didn’t catch on right away either.

Unique stared at me before starting my way, moving through his sisters-in-law to kiss me.

“You serious?”

“I am.” I smiled up at him, hands rested on his tatted biceps as his arms circled my body.

My gloss line had just hit stores and was selling like crazy, so this was the perfect time for us to start our family.

“I love you.” He spoke against my lips before pecking me deeply.

“I love you too.” I half smiled as he hugged me tightly again, then loosened it quickly. “The baby is like a blueberry, I think. You’re fine.” I read his mind and he gripped me against his solid body again.

“I’m happy as fuck right now, but please tell me y’all ain’t lose that film? I been hard at work on that shit for the past year.” Unique sighed.

And he had. People were excited for it to hit theaters right along with Night Walker . That accompanied with the fact that The Players had been a box office hit, made Unique a star.

The cherry on top was Tamira Weathers’ career being in the can. She’d become a pariah, and after being replaced on the new show she’d been bragging about securing, she hadn’t been hired as a showrunner since. And her husband divorced her quick, fast, and in a damn hurry.

“We got it.” Prime held it up before loading it.

We chuckled at Unique’s crazy ass before everyone returned to their seats, settled the kids yet again, and tuned in.

When I felt Unique cuddle me closer to him, having pulled back the separation bar of the theater seats, I smiled. His big hand dipped under my shirt to caress my stomach, sending butterflies throughout.

“I love you,” he whispered again to me as we kissed. “And I was just kidding. I’d watch that fucking sonogram all day.”

“I know, baby,” I replied softly as not to interrupt the opening credits.

Unique Compton, the fine, funny, but too flirty for my taste man had never been on my radar, but I guess like he said, the universe had other plans.

Somehow, we both ended up on Love’s Most Wanted list, and I couldn’t have been happier to be caught.