Page 81 of Sweetest Temptation
“What, Jerome?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.
“I saw you and just wanted to come and talk with you. How have you been?” he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.
“She’s been great. Now, move on before I pull out Rufus. He hasn't been out in a minute, and he’s dying to be put to use.” Nyala threatened him, stepping in between us, holding that damn taser at her side.
“Why are you always in our business, Nyala? Damn! You probably had something to do with Nova divorcing me. Worry about your own damn business and stay out of our shit!” Jerome had the nerve to say.
“Nova is my business, negro. She’s my best friend. I was there for her when your no good ass cheated the first time. And I wasthere when your ass cheated and had a baby on her. So yeah, she’s my business. Now, move around before I light your ass up with some volts!”
Jerome kissed his teeth like a bitch, dismissing Nyala’s threats. “Nova, please, can we go somewhere and talk?”
I sighed inwardly, not in the mood for a conversation. “There is nothing to talk about. I am no longer your concern. Now, if you’ll excuse us…” I turned around and pressed the unlock button on my key fob.
He didn't seem to take the hint, even more persistent. "I just need a few minutes, please!" He grabbed hold of my arm.
“Don’t touch me!” I yelled, snatching away from him and almost stumbling to the ground.
“Nigga, is you crazy?! Don’t be grabbing her like that and she’s pregnant!” Nyala yelled, pushing Jerome in the chest.
The look in his eyes when Nyala mentioned me being pregnant shifted fast. They went from shock to disbelief to concern, then to anger. His jaw tightened, and his nostrils flared as he stared at me like I’d just slapped him.
“Pregnant?” he repeated, his voice low and rough. “You pregnant, Nova?” His voice slightly cracked. He was hurt.
“Jerome, that’s none of your business.”
He took a step closer, eyes narrowing as I took a step back. Before I could blink, Jerome lunged forward and grabbed me around the neck. My back slammed into my truck as my bags went crashing onto the pavement.
“Bitch! You let that nigga get you pregnant?!” Jerome spoke through his gritted teeth.
I tried to ply him off me, but his strength was no match for me.
“Nigga, get off her!” I heard Nyala scream.
Zap!
Nyala’s crazy ass took her taser and jabbed it into Jerome’s side. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as the crackle of electricity filled the air and Jerome's eyes widened in surprise and pain. His grip loosened, as his body convulsed violently and he fell to the ground with his face twisted in agony.
I watched a mix of fear and disbelief etched across his features as the tasers current held him captive, and his body jerked with each pulse of electricity. His hands clawed at the air, desperate to find something to hold onto, but there was nothing but empty space.
I yelled to Nyala that we needed to go before we got our asses arrested. Thank God she listened. We hopped in my truck, and I sped out of the mall parking lot with my adrenaline pumping and Nyala’s laughter echoing through the truck.
After dropping Nyala off, I was headed to Samir’s house when I got a call from one of the contractors I hired to clean up the debris from the fire. He stated that he needed me to come down there to sign off on some paperwork. Not thinking anything of it, I made a detour and headed that way. As I turned down Maple Avenue, heading toward the shop, I expected to pull up to chaos, tools everywhere, boarded windows, and dust in the air.
Instead, my eyes landed on beautiful bay windows as I turned into the parking lot. There were no piles of debris cluttering the sidewalk. There was no dust, caution tape, or half-finished mess staring back at me either. The shop was completely remodeled, and I sat frozen in my car, wondering how all this had happened in such a short amount of time.
My breath caught in my throat as I stepped out of my truck, my eyes roaming over the building. Everything was exactly how I had envisioned it, maybe even better. The shopfront had been painted a soft, striking pale teal, which was the kind of color that drew your eye without trying too hard. It popped beautifullyagainst the warm brick, making the whole storefront look like it had been plucked straight from a dream—my dream.
I looked up and noticed the new sign, displaying “Zanova’s Tasty Treats” in elegant, flowing script, hanging perfectly over the big bay window. I swallowed hard feeling that familiar lump rise in my throat. I’d imagined this moment a hundred times while lying awake at night, wondering if I’d ever see this after all the setbacks for this second location.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I’m always gon’ make sure you straight. You’ve been through enough setbacks, love. I wanted you to feel what it’s like when everything finally goes right.”
My hand flew to my mouth as the tears spilled over. Samir didn’t know how much this meant to me. Besides my parents, no one has ever done anything like this for me, not even Jerome. He reached up and wiped my tears away with his thumb, his touch soft but sure.
“I can’t believe this,” I whispered, looking around the place, then at him.
“Believe it. You earned this, Nova baby. Every piece of it. Now let’s go see the rest of the place.”
