He laughed and walked over to kiss me. “How about this… I run home, freshen up, and be back in 45 minutes.”
“But before?”
“But before I leave, I’ll do everything that battery-operated babe can’t do.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, is that right? You think you can outdo Rose’lesha? You do know she never gets tired.”
He leaned in, close enough that I could smell his cologne and confidence. “Yeah, but she don’t kiss your neck while she’s working. Or whisper in your ear. Or grab your hips when you start running.”
“Ohhh.” I was biting my lip, barely holding in my smile. “Well, alright then.”
We walked through the doors of Loretta’s like we’d just stepped into somebody’s grandma’s kitchen. The air smelled like butter, powdered sugar, and a little bit of magic.
Heads turned wherever we walked because we came in looking like Mardi Gras royalty on a lunch break.
I had on a custom corset and skirt set, both covered in purple, green, and gold rhinestones that shimmered like a damn disco ball every time I moved. My boots matched the vibe. As soonas I booked my flight, I hit up my homegirl for a rush order. She came through with the magic, and baby…I wore that outfit. Maison matched my fly effortlessly and we looked good.
I looked around and asked, “Okay…what is this?”
“This,” he said, guiding me by the small of my back, “is Loretta’s. The queen of pralines and beignets.”
I raised a brow, skeptical but open. “Mmm. I’ve had some at Café Du Monde when I came for Essence Fest.”
He smirked. “Yeah, but you ain’t had these. I’m tellin’ you, this right here? Gone change your life.”
As we stepped further in, a warm voice called out, “Hey baby! It’s good to see you!”
A small woman with the brightest eyes and softest voice hugged him like he was her nephew, godson, or somebody’s favorite.
“You here to pick up your parents’ regular?”
I froze for a second, then thought—oh, so this is family-approved level good.
He chuckled and shook his head. “No ma’am, not today. My girlfriend’s in town and she’s never been here, so I had to bring her.”
She looked over at me with the biggest smile. “Well, alright then! I hope she ready.”
I laughed and nodded. “I hope I am too.”
“You already know what to get me,” he told her with a wink. “Give her the full experience.”
“Say less, baby,” she replied, taking his card. “I got you.”
We found a seat by the window, and I leaned back, already loving the vibe. I looked at him and whispered, “Girlfriend, huh?”
He smirked. “Just for 24 hours, remember?”
I bit my lip and shook my head. The man had charm in his DNA.
A few minutes later, the same sweet lady from earlier came back, balancing a tray that looked like it had been blessed by the ancestors. The aroma hit before the tray even sat down. It was warm, sugary, buttery, savory goodness all fighting for top spot in my nose.
She set it down with a wink. “Full experience, just like he asked for. Y’all enjoy.”
“Oh my goodness,” I said, eyes wide, “this smells like heaven got a kitchen.”
He laughed as he pulled the tray toward us and started pointing like he was introducing royalty.
“Aight, so boom,” he said, tapping the first pastry. “This one right here is the crab-stuffed beignet. That sauce on the side? Don’t play with it. It’s gonna bless your spirit.”
