Page 8 of Sweetest Temptation
“Friend, you have to let me go with you to this meeting!” Ny fanned herself dramatically. “That man is fineeee! Did you see his website? He looks like sex dipped in the finest chocolate! I just want to lick him!”
“Ny!” I burst out laughing. “You’re a fool. And you willnotbe going. This is business, not a time to find you a man. And I haven’t looked at his website, so I wouldn’t know if the man is fine or not.”
“I’m serious, Nova. At least let me catch the man.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
I shook my head but couldn’t stop smiling. She was a mess, but she was my mess, and right now, the only one making sure I didn’t let work swallow me whole.
“Nope. You have to get another man. I’m trying to do business with this one.”
“Shidd! If you don’t get the deal, at least get his number. Lord knows that man looks like he got BDE written all over him!”
“Well, good thing I’m not looking for a man. So…” I shrugged my shoulders.
“So, my ass. We are getting you back in the game. Starting when you go with me to this new lounge that’s opening next weekend.”
“Ny, I never said I was going. I said that I wouldthinkabout going.” I shook my head, standing back to inspect the Spider-Man cake. It came out perfect.
“Same thing. This guy I met at the club a few weeks ago invited me and a plus-one. Since you are my only friend, youaregoing.” Nyala picked up the bowl of frosting and dipped a spoon inside, scooping up the leftover butter cream and putting it in her mouth. “Mm. This is good.” She smacked her lips.
“Whatever. Let me box this cake up. I have a meeting in twenty minutes.”
After placing the cake in the walk-in refrigerator, my three o’clock appointment arrived. I let Denise know to show her to the conference room, where I held all my meetings with clients. Ten minutes later, Nyala and I were walking into the conference room. A woman was sitting at the long mahogany table, on the phone while she tapped away on her tablet. The first thing I noticed was how beautiful she was. The expensive, powdered-blue Alexander Chanel pantsuit she wore let me know she was paid. Her long, jet-black hair flowed effortlessly past her shoulders with a middle part. I could tell it was hers. If not, I needed to ask who her hairdresser was because, baby… Her ’dowas slayed to the gods! Her golden-brown complexion matched her honey-colored eyes that seemed brighter under the room lights.
“Hey, baby, let me call you back. My meeting is about to start. No, Jamian… I will be home soon. I’m sure you can hold off until I get there, baby.” She paused, then blushed at whatever the caller had said. Considering the big-ass rock on her finger, I assume it was her husband. “Okay. I love you more, big daddy.” She blew a kiss through the phone before hanging up and standing to her feet.
“Sorry about that. Ms. Pierce? I'm Modesty Armstrong. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.” She reached her hand out for me to shake.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I shook her hand before releasing it. “Have a seat. Oh, and this is my best friend, Nyala.” The ladies greeted each other before we all took our seats.
“Ms. Pierce. I…”
“Please. Call me Zanova.”
“Sure. So, Zanova… my husband, Jamian, and I are set to open a new hotel in Ibiza, and we are in desperate need of a pastry chef for the grand opening. The person I originally hired had a death in his family, which brings me to the reason for my visit. I’d love to hire you for your exceptional services for our special night. We’re hosting a pre-opening gala the evening before our grand opening, and I need a showstopping dessert table for our elite guests. The pre-opening gala will be formal, but we plan to only serve finger foods. We are saving the grand opening night for a huge banquet-style dinner. I only work with the best, and from everything I’ve heard, that’s you. I did my research, and I absolutely love your work. Your cakes are incredible.” She smiled, and I returned the gesture.
“Thank you so much. I am honored that you chose me. I do have a couple of questions.”
She nodded. “Shoot.”
“You only need desserts for the pre-opening gala?”
“Yes. The hotel staff and the catering company we hired for the grand opening dinner are handling desserts that night.”
“Perfect. Okay…” I looked at my tablet. “When is the event? Right now, I am booked up for the next week or so.”
“That’s perfect for us. The grand opening weekend isn’t until next month. My fiancée is prepared to fly you and your team out on his private jet. As well as set everyone up for the duration of your stay in our executive suites, since you’ll be the contract holder.”
“Aw, shit! Boo, you better say yes! I always wanted to go to Ibiza!” Nyala yelled, completely embarrassing me.
“Nyala! I apologize for my friend.” I turned and gave her a stern glare while she shrugged. My friend could be over the top at times, but I wouldn’t trade her for the world, so I hoped Modesty wouldn’t be opposed.
Modesty laughed, allowing me to release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “She’s fine, Zanova. My best friend, Jayla, responded the same way when she found out that she would be attending the grand opening in Ibiza.”
After we chuckled at our friends’ outspokenness, I gave it a quick thought before kindly accepting the offer. The $10,000 check sweetened the deal, she agreeing to pay me for any inconvenience the trip may have caused, given it was such short notice. I have traveled around the world, baking cakes for many weddings and events, but a bitch has never been to Ibiza! Although this trip was for business purposes, it may be what I needed to help kick-start my healing journey.
“Yesss! Bitch, we are going to Ibiza!” Nyala stood and started twerking.
Maybe I should rethink taking her ass!
