I held her tight, tears threatening again. “Look at you. You look… Mehar, you look incredible.”
“I feel incredible.” She pulled back, and there was something in her eyes I’d never seen before. Confidence. Freedom. “For the first time in my life, I feel like ME.”
I looked at the two of them standing side by side. Prime’s little sister and my little sister. Both rebuilding their lives after marriages that had tried to break them. They’d become roommates a few months ago, and the arrangement had been good for both of them.
Yusef stood beside me, quiet as always. He hadn’t spoken a word in five months—not since the basement—but the nightmares had stopped. The haunted look in his eyes had faded slightly. And right now, standing in front of my bakery on the biggest day of my life, he did something that made my heart crack open.
He took my hand.
Just held it. Squeezed once.
I squeezed back, blinking away tears. “I love you,” I whispered. “So much.”
He didn’t respond. But he didn’t let go either.
Progress. Slow and painful, but progress.
The mayor arrivedforty-five minutes later.
Vivica Banks swept into Sweet Zin’s like she owned the place, her entourage trailing behind her, cameras already flashing. She was wearing a perfectly-tailored cream-colored suit, her smile wide and practiced.
I hated her.
Hated the way she moved through the world like everyone owed her something. Hated the way she’d treated Prime his whole life. Hated the way she showed up at events like this for the photo ops and the good press, playing the supportive politician when she didn’t give a damn about any of us.
But I smiled anyway.
Because having the mayor at your grand opening was good for business. Because sometimes you had to play the game even when you despised the other players.
“Zainab!” Vivica pulled me into an air kiss, her perfume overwhelming. “Congratulations. This place is absolutely charming.”
“Thank you, Mayor Banks. I appreciate you coming.”
“Of course! I love supporting Black women in business. And you’re carrying my precious grandchild.” She said it loud enough for the cameras to hear. “You’re an inspiration to the community.”
I wanted to vomit.
Prime appeared beside me, his hand on my back. Vivica’s smile tightened almost imperceptibly when she saw him.
“Prentice. You look well.”
“Vivica.”
Not “mother.” Not “Mom.” Just her name, cold and flat.
“Well.” She recovered quickly, turning back to me. “I should mingle. But congratulations again. This is really lovely.”
She swept away, her entourage following, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.
“I hate that woman,” I muttered.
“Join the club.” Prime kissed my temple. “Come on. It’s time for your speech.”
The crowd gathered around the small platform we’d set up near the front of the store. Press in the front row, phones and cameras ready. Family scattered throughout. Strangers who would hopefully become regulars.
I took a deep breath and stepped up to the microphone.
“Thank you all for coming today. This is… this is a dream come true. Literally.”
