Even though they hadn’t made love like he wanted, he and Ava had gone back downstairs to the family room and curled up on the sofa, watching a movie while they stole tender kisses in between the scenes like teenagers in love.
As Langston remembered that night, he missed Ava even more. Going back to his desk, he picked up the phone and dialed Ava’s cell phone. His lips curled into a smile the second he heard her voice. “Hey, baby, I was just thinking about you.”
eee
The beachfront house was a cacophony of crying babies, whining toddlers, irritable young children, and mothers with nerves stretched super thin. Morning beach time had been cut short. By late morning, sunny, clear skies had turned into dark clouds, bringing with them a fierce thunderstorm. The sudden change in the outdoor atmosphere was responsible for everyone’s foul mood.
“I’m ready to go home. I hate being here with you stupid girls,” Kyle declared, kicking the checkerboard and sending the little red and black discs airborne. Ashley was teaching Zoe to play checkers, but Kyle was a little perturbed that the girls had decided to ignore him after he accidently stumbled into their sandcastle yesterday afternoon. It had been his idea to have a contest to see who could build the best sandcastle. But Kyle didn’t like it much when the yucky girls’ castle was nearly completed, looking fit for a princess. Using NJ as bate, Kyle cleverly chased the squealing toddler dead smack into Ashley and Zoe’s castle. Since then Zoe and Ashley had been giving him the silent treatment.
“Mommy!” Zoe wailed now, followed by Ashley screaming, “You get on my nerves, Kyle!”
“What is going on in here?” Karen screeched as all the mommies entered the family room. She was sure it was Kyle behind the mayhem. Lately the boy had been acting out, getting into all sorts of trouble. It was times like these Karen felt the burden of raising her children alone.
Both Zoe and Ashley jumped to their feet, running over to Karen. “Kyle kicked the checkerboard while I was teaching Zoe how to play!” Ashley yelled, her eyes flooding with tears of frustration. Her once lovable younger brother was turning into a monster.
“Yeah, Auntie Karen, and we didn’t do anything to him,” Zoe whined, just as frustrated. She didn’t like Kyle very much. He was mean.
Summer and Starr shared a look. Karen had better do something, and quick. Kyle was becoming an out-of-control hellion. Karen didn’t believe in spanking, but Starr thought, If that boy wakes up those babies, I’m going to tear up his little behind. Don’t care if Karen likes it or not.
It had taken Starr almost an hour to put the thirteen-month-old triplets down for their naps. As always Sydney was the ringleader. Shayla and Kalvin wouldn’t close their eyes until their older sister drifted off, fighting sleep every step of the way.
“I’m going back in my room with the babies,” Starr said and yawned, shuffling out of the room. Momma bear was just as tired as her cubs.
“Come on, Autumn and NJ. It’s time for your N-A-P,” Summer sang out to her babies.
“We don’t want a nap,” NJ told his mommy, shaking his head and looking every bit like his daddy, Nike Stiles.
Rubbing her eyes with her tiny fists, Autumn said, “You take nap with us, Mommy?”
Summer chuckled. Her babies were too cute. Before NJ even finished his sentence, he’d let out a big yawn. And Autumn was literally swaying on her feet. “NJ, you’re taking a nap. And, yes, Autumn, I’ll take a nap with you and your brother.”
As Summer exited the room, Zoe asked, “Where’s my Mommy, Auntie Summer?”
Summer smiled at Zoe. “Come on with us, Zoe. Your mommy is in the bedroom. I think she’s talking to your daddy.”
Once in the hallway, Summer heard Karen fuss. “Boy, what has gotten into you?”
eee
Ava’s ringing cell phone was just the escape she needed from all the craziness going on in the house. A tender smile touched her lips as she eased into the master bedroom suite she shared with Zoe. Settling down on the window seat facing the ocean, she flipped open the phone, putting it to her ear. “Hey, Lang.” Pausing for a second for Langston to speak, she responded, “I’ve only been gone a day.”
“I still miss you,” Langston admitted, his voice coming across deep and sexy.
Ava chuckled nervously. Sucking her teeth in playful, feigned annoyance, she said, “Boy, you do not miss me. Probably glad I’m gone. I know you’re tired of me all up in your space.”
The truth was Ava missed Langston too. Initially she thought she was going to have a time adjusting to living under the same roof with him. However, the past four weeks proved her wrong. Not only did she love being in his space, she felt comfortable in it. Drawing tiny circles with the tip of her finger on the window seat’s plush cushion, Ava didn’t want to think about the day she would have to leave to go back to Philly. She didn’t want to leave Zoe. And she didn’t want to leave Langston.
She shivered from the deep laugh that rumbled up from his chest. “Woman, you’re crazy if you think I’m tired of you. I’m seriously thinking about kidnapping you.”
“What?” Sucking her teeth again, she said, “You’re crazy.”
“Yeah, I am crazy, baby. Crazy for you. If I had my way, I’d lock you up and never let you out.” Langston wanted to tell Ava how much he wanted her. How much he loved her. How much he wanted to make them a permanent family. Not just a weekend and summer family. And babies. He wanted a house full of babies with Ava. But now was not the time to confess his feelings.
It was a good thing Ava was sitting down. She swayed from the lightheaded sensation swirling around in her head. Was he for real? Was it really like that? She heard every word he said. Yet she had a nagging feeling there was so much more layered underneath. This is not supposed to be happening, Ava again reminded herself. But it was happening, and there wasn’t a darn thing she could do about it.
Letting out a soft sigh, Ava pleaded, “Stop talking like that.” The man had her ready to scoop up Zoe and hightail it back to Georgetown. She read well between the lines. Shifting on the window seat, Ava crossed her legs, praying the throbbing between them would go away. That, however, only made it worse. Uncrossing her legs, she fanned her flushed face with her hand.
“Why? It’s the truth. It’s what I feel,” Langston admitted with conviction. Hunching in his leather chair, he attempted to get into a comfortable position. All the talk about locking up Ava had him as hard as steel.
Before Ava could respond, his intercom buzzed. “Hold on a sec, Ava.” Coming back on the line, he said, “Listen, baby, I’m sorry I have to go. My appointment is here.”
A wave of sadness washed over Ava. “All right. I’ll talk to you later,” she whispered.
“Later, baby.”
Just as she flipped the phone shut, there was a knock on her door. The person knocking didn’t wait for permission to enter.
Ava smiled when Zoe peeped her little head in the door. “Mommy, is my daddy still on the phone?”
Holding out her hand to Zoe, she motioned for the child to sit on her lap. “No, baby, he had to get back to work.” Zoe’s head fell, hiding her disappointment.
Ava tilted Zoe’s head so that she could kiss her forehead. “You miss your daddy?” Ava asked. Snuggling her head under Ava’s chin, Zoe nodded.
“I miss him too, my Zoe,” Ava whispered as she toyed with one of Zoe’s long braids.
Chapter 35
Finally nighttime had come, bringing with it a quiet peace. The children were sent to bed, and on the coffee table rested a tall pitcher of raspberry margaritas, along with freshly made salsa and tortilla chips. The women were comfortably seated on large, soft pillows around the coffee table in the family room.
“This has been one frustrating day,” Karen commented, filling her margarita glass for the third time. Taking a sip of her drink, she said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with my son. He’s been acting like Chucky lately.”
Although Karen was serious, she and the other women laughe
d at her reference to the evil, demon possessed doll.
“Have you tried talking to him?” Starr asked her sister, all traces of humor gone.
“Until I’m blue in the face.” Karen sighed, feeling helpless. She had talked to Kyle, taken away his favorite toys, and confined him to his room. Nothing she did changed his behavior.
“Maybe it’s just a stage he’s going through,” Summer offered.
“Yeah, maybe,” Ava said, then quickly added, “but if he doesn’t get any better, if I were you, I’d take him to see a child therapist.”
Karen choked on the cool liquid traveling down her throat. “You think my baby needs to see a therapist?” she squeaked out, concerned.
Dipping a tortilla chip into the salsa, Ava said, “Uh-huh. Kyle is a sweet kid. Something has to be bothering him that has him acting out lately.”
“But what? I don’t know what it could be.” Karen had spent many sleepless nights wondering what was going on in her little boy’s head.
The other women in the room looked at her with pity in their eyes. This thing with Kyle was really tearing up Karen.
“Sweetie, that’s what a therapist will help you find out,” Starr told her sister as she gently squeezed her hand.
“I can give you the name of a few really good therapists whenever you’re ready,” Ava offered. She could tell Karen wasn’t ready to accept that her son might need professional help.
“Thanks, Ava. I’ll let you know.” Setting her glass on the coaster, Karen pushed her troubles aside. She had come to have a good time with her sister and her friends. Deciding to change the subject, she smiled at Ava. “So how’s Langston?”
Tortilla chip and salsa in mid-air, ready to be popped into her mouth, Ava smirked. “He’s OK, I guess.” Her tone was just a little too nonchalant for her girls.
“You lying heifer. I saw the way you skipped your giddy behind into your room when your cell phone went off this afternoon,” Summer teased, dunking a chip in the salsa.
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Starr said, rolling her eyes. “Left me with Kevin’s screaming babies.”
Ava laughed. “Hey, Starr, why do your babies always have to be Kevin’s when they’re crying and cranky?”
“Because that’s just the way it is. When they act like little cherubs, then they belong to me.”
Ava shook her head. “You’re a hot mess, Starr Avery-Dawson.”
It was Summer who said, “No, you’re a hot mess, Ava Peretti. Stop stalling and talk to us.”
Rubbing her hands together, Ava brushed the residual spices from the chips off her fingers. Three pairs of eyes pinned her down as she picked up her glass and took a sip of her cool drink. Setting down the glass, she cleared her throat. “OK, Langston is doing good. Matter of fact, he’s doing too good.”
“Meaning?” Karen questioned, sliding the chips and salsa across the table.
Letting out a deep breath, Ava said, “Meaning he’s doing and saying all the right things to make me…” Ava’s voice trailed off. If she said it out loud, then she’d have to own up to her feelings. Which meant she would have to do something about them.
Starr cut her eyes at Summer. Their little trip to D.C. had paid off. Summer had to press her lips together to suppress the smile that was dying to break loose. Although they made a pact with Langston to help break down Ava’s resistance, in actuality they hadn’t really done much. Summer had sent Langston the beautiful portrait with hopes that Ava would see it the next time she visited his home and realize that they belonged together as a family.
It was Starr who had “kid time” at her house almost every weekend Zoe came to Philly, so she could shoo away Ava and Langston, telling them to come back in a couple of hours to pick up their daughter. With any luck, they’d spend a few hours alone, giving them the opportunity to reconnect. That was it. Brother man had done everything else on his own. And he was obviously doing one helluva job. Langston had gotten Ava to fall in love with him again.
Leaning her petite body over the coffee table, bringing her into her friend’s personal space, Summer squinted at Ava with mischief gleaming in her eyes. “Ooh, you did it? Didn’t you? You gave that man a piece of tail, and he done turned your little nasty behind out,” Summer whispered.
Ava’s mouth flew open, ready to refute Summer, but then she just threw her hand over her mouth as she screamed in laughter along with the rest of her friends. Wiping tears from her eyes, she said, “I hate you, Summer. You get on every last one of my nerves.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, Ava. Summer gets on your nerves. What else is new?” Starr jokingly asked. “Answer the question. Did you and Langston do the hokey-pokey or what?”
She didn’t have to answer her friends. The crimson color rising up from her neck and fanning across her face answered for her.
Karen, who was beyond a little tipsy, cried out, “You in love, Ava.” Starr, Ava, and Summer giggled when Karen hiccupped and slurred, “You ain’t no ho. You’s a good girl.” Starr had to catch her sister when she wobbled off her pillow as she continued to slur, “You gave him a piece of tail because you love him.” Nodding her head like a bobble head doll, she said, “Yup, you love him. And he loves you too.”
“Oh my goodness, she’s drunk as two skunks,” Starr mumbled, shaking her head as she laid down Karen on the floor, putting the pillow under her head.
The room was spinning as Karen closed her eyes and fussed, “I’m not drunk as no damn stinking skunks.”
Ava, Summer, and Starr giggled like school girls for fear that if they let out a hardy laugh, Karen would start acting up. Ava hadn’t meant to make the margaritas so potent.
“You know, all jokes aside, I think Karen is right,” Starr said.
Ava wasn’t even going to pretend that what Starr was saying wasn’t true, because it was true. She might lie to herself, but she wasn’t about to lie to her friends. As if. These two can read me like an open book. Fingering the locket around her neck, she whispered, “I do love him.” Tough girl Ava’s voice trembled when she admitted, “But I’m so scared.”
“Of what, honey?” Summer asked gently, holding her friend’s gaze.
Hunching her shoulders, Ava said, “I don’t know. Everything, I guess.” Resting her head in her hand, Ava began to stroke her forehead with her fingers. “What if it doesn’t work again like it didn’t the last time? Not only will I have a broken heart to deal with again, but what about Zoe? If we get together and breakup what kind of impact will that have on my baby?” Whatever happened between her and Langston, Zoe could not get hurt in the process. Ava would walk away from Langston before she’d allow anything to hurt her child.
Holding her hands up like she was stopping traffic, Starr said, “Whoa, whoa, calm down, boo. You are jumping way ahead of yourself. You seem like you’re closing the door before it can get fully opened.”
Ava turned to Summer as Summer began to speak. “Honey, you’re going to have to let the past stay where it belongs. You and Langston are different people now. Even you yourself said he’s changed. Ava, the poor man made a terrible mistake, and he’s doing everything in his power to make it up to you—”
Ava cut her off. “But what if he and that witch he calls a mother get back on speaking terms? And . . . and what if he catches feelings for that Christina chick? After all, they do work together for hours every day.” Ava knew she was grasping at straws or anything else that would rationalize why she shouldn’t give her and Langston a chance.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Starr flagged Ava. “Girl, stop talking stupid. You can believe Beatrice’s days of running her son’s life are over. I could tell you that from the way he looked at her at Zoe’s recital. He may have tried to hide it, but the hurt and anger was still there. And pullease! He don’t want nobody’s Christina. Trust me, if he wanted her, he would have had her a long time ago. So stop your trippin’.”
Ava looked to Summer again, this time for confirmation of what Starr was saying. Summer nodde
d her head in the affirmative. “Yup. Now you know we got your back right?”
Ava let out a deep breath. She hoped her friends were right. She loved Langston, and she wanted it all. She wanted to go to bed with him every night and wake up next to him each morning. She wanted them to raise Zoe together under the same roof and take her on fun vacations every year like her parents had done for her and her brother. She even entertained the idea of having another baby or two with him.
“And you know we wouldn’t be telling you to give your love for Langston another chance if we didn’t think he loved you, right?” Starr added.
“So trust your heart, honey, and let that man love you how you deserved to be loved,” Summer said, reaching across the table and giving Ava’s hand a gentle squeeze. “And if Langston by chance acts a fool, which I don’t think he will, but if he does, I got a couple keys I can introduce to that fine ride of his.”
Ava and Starr cracked up. Summer was hunched over with her imaginary key in her hand, scratching the side of an imaginary car. Ava smiled at her friends. “Group hug.”
The warm embrace of her friends gave Ava the courage to trust her heart and love again.
Chapter 36
The soft ding of the elevator signaling someone getting off captured Christina’s attention as she gathered documents, putting them into a folder. Looking up from her task, Christina gazed at the woman stepping off the elevator holding Zoe’s hand. She must have said something funny, because Zoe’s hand was over her mouth, hiding a giggle.
She is so beautiful, Christina thought. At first glance one would think Ava was Latina, however Christina knew better. Several weeks ago she’d learned from Zoe that Ava was biracial—African American and Italian.
“Hi, Miss Christina,” Zoe said.
“Hey, Miss Zoe, how are you? Did you work hard today?” Christina asked, playing their little greeting game.
Shaking her head and sending her braids swinging in the air, Zoe joyfully announced, “I just came from the beach with Mommy, my aunties, and my cousins.”
Key To My Heart (Love Conquers All) Page 20
