Chapter Seventeen
Takira
“That was delicious.” I pat my full belly and reach for my third Bellini. “I could get used to this.”
“I am used to this now,” Yari says, swirling the last of her angel hair pasta around a fork. “I need a raise, Lo, so I can afford an Italian chef.”
“Done!” Lotus toasts with her wine glass filled with water. “If this new line sells like I hope it does, we’ll all get raises.”
“It’ll be fantastic, like everything you do,” Kenan says. He frowns at her plate with its remnants of pasta and bread. “You barely ate. You feeling okay?”
“This was my second plate.” Lotus cups his face in one small hand. “I’m fine. The baby’s fine. We’re in a gorgeous Italian villa.”
The villa, nestled into the Amalfi Coast, overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea, has nine bedrooms, two private terraces, a swimming pool with outdoor showers, ancient fireplaces, antiques intermixed with the most modern accoutrements, and a gourmet kitchen our temporary Italian chef made impeccable use of.
“Yeah, nice hook-up, Jared,” August says. “This place is fantastic.”
“He’s been offering it to us for…” He looks to Banner. “How long?”
“Like two years, but we aren’t exactly the best about taking vacations,” she says wryly. “If I’d known how beautiful it was, we would have come sooner.”
“We’ll come back.” Jared leans over to kiss her hair. “And next time, we’ll bring the girls.”
She serves a grin to everyone at the table. “Jared’s convinced we’ll have all girls.”
“All?” Yari asks, brows lifted. “How many kids y’all trying to have?”
“Three,” Jared says.
“Four,” Banner says at the same time, laughing and leaning her head on her husband’s shoulder. “We’re negotiating.”
“I think we’re done,” Iris says. “I thought I wanted more, but I’m hitting a stride in my career. Getting my own accounts and making an impact. Firing on all cylinders. Sarai and David feel like enough.”
“What do you think, August?” Yari asks, grinning.
August holds his hands up and laughs. “I don’t have a uterus. I don’t produce milk. My job has me on the road away from my wife and kids half the year, so I say…yes, dear. Whatever you want, dear. I’m satisfied.” He kisses Iris’s hand. “But I’d be satisfied if all I had was you, baby.”
“Okay, number thirty-three,” Iris says, rolling her eyes, even as they brim with affection. “You’re getting some tonight. No need to lay it on that thick.”
August winks. “Insurance.”
We all laugh and push away from the table, agreeing to take advantage of the villa’s amenities.
“Swim?” Jade asks Kenya.
“Oh, yeah.” Kenya stretches. “I been slacking on my regimen. I need to get some laps in.”
Jade takes her hand and leads her much taller wife to the stairs. “Let’s get our suits.”
“Or we could swim without them,” Kenya teases.
“Not if I’m out there.” Yari laughs. “I don’t need to see all that.”
“There’s a theater in the basement,” Banner says, yawning. “We were gonna go watch a movie.”
“I have a feeling that movie will be watching you, Ban.” Jared pulls her into his side. “You’re tired.”
“Making a baby has that effect on me.” She widens her eyes meaningfully. “Something I didn’t have to hide this trip thanks to your big mouth.”