“Oh, you’re going to regret that, aggelé mou,” I warned as I moved toward the counter slowly. I plunged my hand into theflour bag, before I retaliated, sending a cloud of white powder in her direction.
A fig flew past my ear and I laughed as we devolved into a food fight. We chased each other around the kitchen island, grabbing whatever ingredients we could reach.
The staff passing by the open doorway stopped to stare at the spectacle. I deliberately missed with half my throws, more interested in the way her eyes lit up when she landed a hit.
My Theia and Yiayia backed away from our battlefield, clicking their tongues but watching with amusement. I hadn’t behaved like this since I was in high school and turned my school’s cafeteria into a mess.
I reached for the sugar bowl, brandishing it with exaggerated menace. “You’re going down, aggelé mou.”
She tried to dodge around the island, but I anticipated her movement, cutting her off and trapping her between my body and the cupboards. I could smell her perfume beneath the scent of flour and sugar. My dick throbbed at the scent, but something more profound stirred in my chest. Something I’d been fighting to ignore for days.
My fingers moved of their own accord, brushing her cheek, leaving a trail through the flour dust. Her skin was impossibly soft beneath my thumb.
“How is your skin so soft?”
“Daily moisturizing. Non-negotiable,” Tia replied, her voice carrying that matter-of-fact tone I’d come to appreciate.
“Non-negotiable?” I raised my eyebrows, intrigued as I continued my exploration of her face, shoulder, and arms.
“Mmhmm. As a Black woman, moisturizing isn’t optional. It’s essential. Without it…” She gave him a look. “Ashiness. It’s not cute.”
I interlaced our fingers, enjoying how perfectly her hand fit in mine despite the difference in size. “Ashiness?”
“When your skin gets dry and looks ashy gray. My mom drilled it into me early to lotion immediately after showering, while skin is still damp. Special attention goes to elbows and knees.” Her smile as she explained was both fond and patient.
I brought her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss against her palm. “I’ll have to thank your mother for these skincare lessons.”
I wondered what her mother would think of me if she knew my original intentions. The thought brought a flash of shame I quickly pushed aside.
I leaned down, drawn to her by a force I didn’t want to resist. She didn’t move away, and I caught the subtle parting of her lips, the quicker intake of breaths.
A throat cleared nearby, breaking the spell. Yiayia and theia stood off to one side, knowing grins on their faces.
Tia stepped back quickly and apologized for the mess.
“Nonsense, child,” Yiayia said, waving away Tia’s apology. “But look at you now. Covered head to toe! Why don’t you go freshen up?”
Tia nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Kyria Christakis. I’ll be quick.”
Yiayia stepped forward and placed a hand on Tia’s flour-dusted cheek. “My dear, anyone who has the courage to attempt our family’s traditional recipes, has earned the right to call me Yiayia.”
Tia blinked rapidly, clearly touched by the gesture. “I—thank you, Yiayia,” Tia said, the word sounding uncertain but sincere on her tongue.
“Go, koukla mou,” Yiayia said gently, brushing flour from Tia’s cheek with the back of her hand. “Before the flour decides to stay forever in that lovely hair of yours.”
I watched her leave, flour dusting her curves, and automatically moved to follow her. Yiayia’s firm grip on my arm stopped me.
“Not so fast, Santo,” she said, her voice light as the kitchen staff discreetly dispersed.
Theia Irida closed the kitchen door behind Tia. “Sit,” she commanded, pointing to a stool at the counter.
I raised an eyebrow but complied. These women had helped raise me. I knew better than to argue.
“We need to understand your intentions,” Irida said, folding her arms. “Not rumors. Not assumptions. Facts.
“Do I need intentions? We’re just having fun.” The flour on my shirt was starting to itch.
Yiayia shook her head, her voice firmer than usual. “We know your heart, agápi mou. But we also know your patterns. Be honest.”
