I laughed. “Porter, I’m not sure the baby has ears yet at this point. Also, let’s table the third talk for now. One Porter Etienne is one too many. Besides, the baby could be a girl.”
“You’re right. Maybe her name can be Porsche.”
“After your car? You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Yeah. You’re right.”
Porter eventually got off his knees. “You’ve made every dream in my life come true, Ari. Who knew that girl on the train would be my destiny?”
Porter spun me around with one hand as giggles escaped me. I smiled, leaning my head on Porter’s shoulder. “I think you did.”
“I did. That reminds me. We should get some superglue for the new office. For any shoe accidents? Scratch that. You can’t be walking around in heels carrying my baby. Flats from now on!”
I punched Porter in the shoulder in jest. He pretended to wince. “I’m carrying our baby, you jerk! You need to be nice to me.”
He pulled me close and with a low voice said, “Oh, I promise to be nice to you. All over this office. Our office…especially back in that boardroom over there. Bending you over that table has been on my mind all day. I mean, when you’re the boss married to the other boss, there’s no conflict of interest there.”
I raised my brow and shook my head. “Porter Harrison, you’re something else.” Honestly, I had thought about that table too.
“And, Ari James Harrison, you’re perfect. Always have been and always will be.”
I smiled. “Partners-in-design?” I extended my fist.
Porter fist bumped me back, then bent down to kiss my lips, then my belly. “Partners-in-design. For the rest of our lives.”
We looked out the window at the city skyline, the gorgeous stadium we designed within view. Porter’s hand was firmly around my waist, encircling my growing tummy. Our friends and family were bustling around us, laughing and excited about this new chapter of our lives.
Faintly, in the distance, you could hear the train pulling out of the station.
Acknowledgments
I would be a poor excuse for a Missionary Baptist-raised kid if I did not start these acknowledgments by giving honor to God who is the head of my life. Without God, nothing is possible in my life. Thank you to my spiritual consultant, Pastor D. Danyelle Thomas. You have no idea how much your guidance helped me.
To Kate Marope, thank you so much for seeing something in me and my writing. When I had given up on the dream to have this book out in the world, you fought for it. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To Kerri Buckley, at Carina Press. Thank you for making me stretch and grow, breathing new life into my manuscript and me as a writer. I really appreciate everything you’ve done in making The Build Up what it is.
To my writing communities: Inclusive Romance Project, founded by the wonderful Kharma Kelly and Wordmakers, founded by Tasha L. Harrison. Thank you so much for lifting me up, believing in me, and giving me confidence when I needed it most.
To my mentor, Kilby Blades. Your time working with me to polish this manuscript and get it right was invaluable. You are not only a mentor, but a dear friend. I adore you.
Thanks to the writers/critique partners I’ve met and befriended along the way: Cat, Terri, Noreen, Fortune, Grace, Katherine, Noué, Kwana, Catherine, Dr. Margot, Ruthie, Mimi, AH, Mia T, Lisa, Karmen, Charish, Kelly, Mia H., RM, Ro, Gigi, Piper, Jeannette, Sri…your friendship has been invaluable. Thanks for helping me squash my imposter syndrome.
To my podcast partner, Dr. Yakini Etheridge. You’ve been there since day one, cheering me on. Thank you for being with me to start our podcast which has afforded me so many opportunities, including this book. It’s been an adventure. With a friendship over twenty years strong, we will ride this thing until the wheels fall off.
To my bestie and earliest beta reader, Candace. You have heard me cry, scream, and shout with joy. You never ignore a text message or FaceTime. You don’t know what your encouragement has meant to me. I really love you, girl.
To my other besties and forever beta readers, Adana, Yvonne, Taheerah, Angie, Tanisha, Peaches, Jackie, Rita, and Nisha. I love you to the moon and back.
To my HU consultant, Chris Hammond. Thank you all so much for giving me insight into the world of Hampton University, answering silly questions about minute things. You are my brother for life, despite me going to CAU （lol）。 It’s all HBCU love.
To my architectural consultants, Dr. L. David Stewart, and R. Denise Everson. Thank you for giving me insight into the world of Black architects. From jargon to issues, you answered all my questions. Romesha, you showed me how hard it was for sisters to make it in the field. I hope I did you proud with my honest portrayal of Ari.