Embers

One hot night at Carnival changes everything.
Aayala Campbell and Malik Johnson had known each other since high school, their friendship lasting decades. One fateful October night during Carnival, Aayala decided to let loose, but she never dreamed her best friend would be the man to set her world on fire or that it would change her life forever.
Now the consequence of that night has the cutest cheeks Aayala's ever laid eyes on, and after giving birth, she's ready to reclaim herself and her passion for photography. If only her mother could be a reliable babysitter, instead of leaving her stranded with a new baby and all these new feelings...
Malik returned to the merchant marines for his next tour weighted by many responsibilities, none bigger than Aayala and his unborn child. The more time he spends away, the more he realizes there is more to life than his job.
When Malik comes home from his tour ready to co-parent, Aayala is hesitant to depend on him. His work was his life, and he'll be gone in six months. She tries to keep her distance and focus on her new photography commission, but the embers left behind from that night are about to start a fire...