“You are. Oh my God, you like him!” Brandi was practically bouncing now. “Zahara Ali has a crush! Who is he? How’d you meet? Is he single? Does he have a brother?”
“It’s not like that.”
“Then what’s it like?”
“He’s just… he’s helping out. That’s it.”
“Helping out with groceries and picking you up at six in the morning? Girl, that man is courting you.”
“You are so nosy. And he’s not court—” I stopped, remembering the lipstick on his collar. The way my stomach had dropped when I saw it. The way I’d ran off even though part of me wanted to stay. “It’s complicated.”
“It’s only complicated because you’re making it complicated. If he’s treating you good and Yusef likes him, what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know if Yusef likes him yet.”
“But he’s met him?”
“Sort of. He’s been teaching him how to box.”
Brandi’s eyes went wide. “Teaching your son boxing, bringing you groceries, showing up at your door in the morning. Girl, that man is IN LOVE with you.”
“Stop.”
“I’m serious! You better lock that down before some other woman does.”
I thought the lipstick. About how someone else had already put their lips on him. And he was fine as fuck. Of course he had someone else.
“There might already be someone else,” I muttered.
“Then make him choose you. Show him what he’s missing.”
Before I could respond, my phone rang. Unknown number.
“Sorry, I should take this.” I stood, walking toward the window. “Hello?”
“Hi, is this Zahara with Sweet Zin?” A woman’s voice, professional and bright.
My heart started racing. “Yes, this is she.”
“Great! My name is Farah, I’m with Dynasty Event Planning. I got your information from a friend who highly recommended your desserts. We’re planning a major gala for the mayor’s office next month, and we’re looking for a dessert caterer. Would you be available to provide ten dozen assorted cinnamon rolls?”
I nearly dropped the phone.
Ten dozen. For the mayor’s office. This was huge. This was?—
Wait. Farah. The same Farah who’d been calling Prime?
“Um, yes. Yes, I’m available. When would you need them by?”
“The event is December fifteenth. I’ll need them delivered to the venue by four PM. Can you handle that?”
December fifteenth. That was two weeks away. I could do that. I could absolutely do that.
“Yes. Definitely.”
“Perfect! I’ll email you the details and contract. We’ll need a mix of your signature red velvet, the peach cobbler, and the bourbon pecan. And Zahara?” Her voice warmed slightly. “My friend spoke very highly of you. I’m excited to work with you.”
Her friend. Prime. He’d recommended me. Even after I’d flipped out on him. But what was his deal? Why would he recommend me to his girlfriend, or whoever she was to him.
