Page 129 of Emergence and Ascendance

"Because she's an easy target. Everybody knows Zoree's running things with her company and in the Kincaid household."

"She's damn sure the boss. Isn't that right, love?"

I chuckled and Zoree angled her head back, grinning at Dom. "This is Scotlyn, remember the one I was telling you about who's doing the waterfront thing."

"Ah damn, that's you? She's been talking my head off about that shit, saying we need a location out there."

"You can absolutely have a location out there, and because your wife was so gracious with encouraging BWB to support me, I'll even let you have first pick of spots at our outdoor mall." Scotlyn grinned and Dom nodded.

"Aight, we'll talk." He hooked his arm around Zoree's waist. "Come on, love, we need to get back."

Dom then looked at me. "Y'all come holla at us."

"I got you." I slid my arm around Scotlyn's waist and brought her into my side.

Zoree's brow slowly lifted before she grinned. "Y'all are cute. So I'm guessing Scotlyn will be your plus one for the scholarship banquet then."

"Unless she chooses not to go, then yes."

Dom chuckled and dropped his eyes to his wife.

"You done minding grown folks' business so we can get back to it?" Zoree playfully shoved her husband when he pulled her with him and walked off.

"So we're just making public statements?"

"What?"

She sampled another forkful of mac and cheese and dropped her eyes to where my arm was still around her waist.

I tightened my hold and kissed her temple. "Problem?"

"Nope, just observing."

"Good because Zoree is already texting half the city about seeing us together."

"Does that bother you?"

I leaned down and pressed another quick kiss to her temple. "Nah, I'm good with it."

We got back to our tour, stopping at Taste of Nigeria for their jollof rice and plantains, then Mr. Chow for some kind of dumpling Scotlyn swore was life changing before we made it to the set up Elias and Cress had. I was honestly surprised to see them both, assuming he would have let his staff be there.

"Uncle Christian." Amel darted through bodies and rushed me, bouncing on his toes, anxiously waiting until I lifted my hand and lowered it. He slapped his tiny palm against mine and smiled big as hell.

"Ay, what happened to your teeth? Looks like somebody stole two of them. You want me to call somebody about that?"

"No…" He dragged the word out, laughing. "They came out at school and my daddy bought me a car."

"A remote control car." Cress walked up with my niece in her arms and corrected him before she shot a dirty look at Elias who only shrugged. When Ava leaned my way with her arms open, I took her from Cress and kissed her face.

"He wanted to buy him a real car, didn't he?" Elias handed a plate to a woman standing near their booth but smirked, giving me my answer.

"Did you come to eat my daddy's food?" Amel asked, bouncing on his toes again.

"I didn't but she did. Melly, this is my friend Scotlyn."

"Hi, Scotlyn. I'm Amel. Come on." He grabbed her hand and dragged Scotlyn to where Elias was standing and started pointing at what they were serving.

"Friend?"

---