Page 39 of Sweetest Temptation
“Nyala, I wasn’t even planning on staying long. And why are our bands different colors? What is it you’re not telling me?”
“Nova, you ask too many questions. I told you, they are for us to get in. Please come on. Don’t be a party pooper.”
I was about to respond when my phone vibrated against my thigh. I pulled it out of the pocket of my apron and noticed I had three missed calls, a bunch of text messages from my mother, and a text message from Denise, my bakery manager. I opted to call my mother first, praying everything was okay. Before I could dial her number, she was calling me, so I quickly answered her call.
“Hey, Mama. Is everything okay?”
“You tell me!” She fired the words out, her voice dripping with curiosity. “Who is this man you all over the internet with? Sister Susie from church called me, said her daughter saw you on that TikTok with some handsome man. I sent you the videos. You got something you want to tell me, Miss Thang?”
My stomach dropped. “Videos? Mama, what are you talking about?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Mm-hmm,” she said, like she was settling in with popcorn. “Go on and look at what I sent you. I’ll wait.”
I fumbled to look at my phone, my fingers suddenly slick with nervous sweat. My heart was pounding so loud, I could barely hear myself think. I tapped the Messages app, and then my text thread with Mama, and there were three videos she’d sent. The first one had already started auto-playing.
“Oh my God…” I muttered under my breath.
It was the video from the day “Sweetest Temptation” launched. The video showed Samir tasting my dessert. Someone had zoomed in on us, catching the exact moment he took that slow, deliberate bite, never breaking eye contact with me. The look on his face was pure sin, and the way I was watching him back didn’t make it any better. I looked gone.
“Oh my God!” I gasped, hand flying to my mouth.
From the speaker, Mama was humming like she was watching a soap opera. “Mmh, chile, I see why you've been sounding all absent-minded lately. Look at the way he is looking at you! He ’bout ready to risk it all.”
“Mama, please stop…” I groaned, pacing back and forth in front of the counter. “This is so embarrassing. I knew people were recording, but I didn’t think it would reach the internet. Mama, he’s the guy who owns Fuego Azul. Remember? I told you that I signed a contract to use his tequila for my new tart.”
“Yeah. But you never said anything about you two hunching!”
“Ma! We are not! What makes you think that?!” I was so embarrassed.
“Girl, who do you think you're fooling? Either you've been in that man's bed, or he wants you in his bed. I may be up in age, but I ain’t stupid. Look at the way y’all staring at each other? He looks like he rather be eating you than that tart.”
“Yesss! I said the same thing, Mama Helen!” Nyala was hyping my mama up. She was leaning on the counter, watching me panic with a big, entertained grin. “Y’all had chemistry, sis. You can’t deny that. Watching you and Samir was so… intense.” She fanned herself, dramatically.
“Ny, not right now.” I groaned. “Mama, I gotta go,” I said quickly, snatching my phone off speaker and ending the call before she could say anything else.
“Girl, the internet is ruthless,” Nyala said, her eyes gleaming as she reached for my phone. “Let me see the comments.”
“Ny, don’t—” I tried to grab it back, but she was already scrolling, grinning from ear to ear.
“Ohhh, they are loving y’all!” she hollered, laughing.
@MzBandz:Is this the soft launch of her man? Because the chemistry is crazy!’
“Give me my phone, Nyala!” I lunged again, but she turned her back, still scrolling.
“Wait, wait! This one says…”
@RunItUp:Sis feeding him desserts and something else. I can see the tension through the screen! He looks like he be putting her through the mattress! AND talks her through it!
I groaned, pressing a hand to my forehead. “Oh my God…”
She kept going, way too entertained.
@KevLoc:Homie is definitely smashing that! Shorty thick and fine! I think I’ma slide through her shop and shoot my shot! lol.
“Ew! Oh, no he didn’t!”
@GiGi:Sis feeding him more than desserts.’‘The chemistry is chemistrying!
