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Weeks have passed, and Arianna and Trevon were practically inseparable. Trevon took every opportunity to be with her, from dropping her off and picking her up from work down to him taking the time and effort to sit and learn sign with Leigh and Rae, communicating little by little with Ayla. The trio were gathered in the kitchen, Arianna's R&B playlist humming from the TV. Ayla working on her homework at the kitchen counter, while Trevon stood close behind Arianna as she cooked chili to welcome in the fall weather.
"You making cornbread with this too?" Trevon asked, nodding at the Jiffy's Cornbread mix on the counter.
"Yes I am," Arianna giggled. "Now back up off my ass before I hit you with your twin." She gave him a playful nudge as she poured the seasoned ground beef out of the skillet into the pot. Trevon chuckled, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
Suddenly, her phone began to ring on the counter confusing everyone. Trevon noticed the unsaved number on the screen, he picked it up, and showed Arianna. She glanced at it having FaceTime Video catch her attention, building her curiosity. After a small hesitation she answered.
"Hey, beautiful. Is Ayla there?" The deep, familiar voice brought a sense of discomfort throughout the kitchen. Arianna rolled her eyes before looking down, locking eyes with DeMario, while his dreads swung under the hood of his jacket.
"Ayla, it's your dad. Take the phone and go to your room, okay?" Arianna said with a forced smile plastered on her face, speaking in code to keep herself calm. Ayla's face lit up as she took the phone, running towards her bedroom to talk to her dad.
Ayla's small pitter patters faded away as she ran down the hall, the kitchen left in a deep wave of silence and confusion. Trevon leaned against the kitchen counter watching Arianna in silent confusion.
"Thought he didn't call or talk to y'all?" Trevon asked, folding his arms across his chest as he watched her facial expression.
"He doesn't. You see his number isn't saved—that was weird," Arianna said, opening two boxes of cornbread mix and dumping the contents into a mixing bowl.
"Okay, but a person shouldn't make you that mad. You wanna talk about it or something" Trevon's voice softening as he seen the irritation in her eyes.
"No, baby, I'm okay. Can we please just talk about something else?" Arianna questioned as she took the honey and sugar adding to the cornbread mix for extra sweetness.
"Okay," Trevon sighed, switching the conversation. "I was actually thinking about taking you and Ayla to the Aquarium. She loves stingrays, right?"
Arianna question, eyebrow rose in confusion. "How did you figure that out?"
"Leigh told me," he replied with a grin. "I asked her so I can help Ayla warm up a little bit more."
"Tre, really?" Arianna asked, taking the pan from him that he'd rinsed out and began pouring the batter into the bowl.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I do something like that? Y'all come together obviously I gotta attempt a bond with her." He said, shrugging.
Arianna chuckled, smiling at his thoughtfulness. "Never heard that before, honestly. I seriously only heard someone tell me 'My pussy gotta be good cause I got a kid.' Like, excuse me?" She laughed, smiling to look at him with appreciation.
After a second, she added, "By the way, you never told me what was going on with my car. It's almost been a month, and Ayla's birthday is in a month."
"Don't worry about all that, mama." Trevon voiced leaning in over her.
"Trevon I'm not finna play with you! Ayla birthday is coming up, and we need transportation." Arianna said rolling her eyes.
"You will I promise but when is her gymnastics class again?" Trevon asked picking her up and placing her on the counter.
"On Saturday then she is supposed to be going to her friends birthday sleepover." Arianna said as she stared into Trevon's eyes.
"Can I get a kiss?" Trevon asked leaning in closer. But before their lips could meet, Ayla came rushing back into the room. Ayla squealed, handing her the phone with her DeMario still on the call. Confusing both of the adults in the kitchen, having them to look over at her.
"Can you text me the address to her gymnastics training?" DeMario asked, trying to catch a glimpse of Trevon.
"Yeah, I'll send it. Bye." Arianna voiced, quickly hanging the phone up and glanced back up at Trevon.
"You got to talk about it eventually, baby," Trevon offered gently.
Arianna held her hand up, giving him a look that read, not now. Trevon sighed but gave her space, knowing she would come around.
Once dinner was ready, Arianna fixed the plates, sat them at the table, beginning with a prayer over the food.
"Is it good?" Arianna questioned, looking over at Ayla, who nodded enthusiastically.
Trevon clear his throat, smiling between Arianna and Ayla. "You want to go to Aquarium to see the stingrays?"
Ayla's face lit up withjoy, nodding eagerly. She loved stingrays and found there elegant moments so amazing.
"Okay Trevon and I are going to figure everything out. Can you please go get your pajamas ready so I can put you in the bath?"Arianna asked, noticing Ayla finished up her chili and cornbread. Ayla nodded, leaving Trevon and Arianna alone in the kitchen.
Trevon took his chance, leaning in closer. "Baby, I gotta ask, why you never kiss me for real."
Arianna chuckled, a playful grin playing upon her face. "I don't kiss niggas that ain't mine"
A spark flickered between the two as her words lingered. The truth was, Arianna's feelings for Trevon developed stronger each day they spent together.In that quiet moment, Trevon felt an undeniable feeling between them, and he realized he wanted her. Trevon smirked, his eyes locked onto hers as the ideas flowed passionately. One thing for sure—he needed Ayla's help to pull it off.
