“Because nobody believed in me after I fucked up, except for my granddad. If it hadn’t been for him, I would’ve been locked up or worse, despite my family’s money and connections, because I was heading down a bad road. This kid just needs someone to believe in him. You told me how it felt when no one would take a chance on you and hire you after you got fired.”
“Yeah, that was a rough time.”
“Well, he’s facing those same impossibilities, only worse because he’s a Black male.”
“I had to believe in myself and take a chance by opening my online bakery. He’s got to do the same thing. That’s what opened doors for me, my belief in myself and my faith.”
“Yeah, but the difference is, your parents believed in you enough to give you a place to stay during that time. They also invested money in your equipment and materials to get you started once you took the first step. This kid ain’t got that. His mom is dead, and his dad is working his ass off just to keep a roof over their heads. The last thing he can afford is to feed another mouth. So, Hollis has to be responsible for his choices.”
“As he should be.”
“Then just hear him out, please?”
“Fine. I will,” she replied reluctantly, pouting.
“Can I have a kiss? I mean, just in case he pisses you off more, and I get put on your shit list later. Not that I won’t beat that ass if he does, but you know.”
She giggled and shook her head. “Yes, babe. You can have a kiss. You don’t even have to go through all that.”
I pulled her to me again. “Gimme some sugar, girl.”
She laughed and dropped her head back.
“Oh, you wanna play?” I asked, leaning forward and nipping the base of her neck.
She moaned and jerked her hips forward. I grinded against her.
“That feels so good, Harlem.”
“How about this?” I asked, pushing my arousal against her.
“You’d better stop before your mentee gets tired of waiting in the truck.”
“I ain’t giving a shit about his dumbass right now,” I muttered, licking down the column of her neck. “Stupid shit he pulled, his ass deserves to sit in a hot vehicle for a few hours.”
She giggled. “What about my employees?”
“Their asses got keys?”
“No.”
“Then what you worried for? They can sit their asses out there and wait too.”
She laughed again as I squeezed her ass and then pulled back.
“Behave, Harlem. I’m not going to be able to focus on the conversation now that you’ve got me all hot and bothered.”
“Good. Be thinking about how you’re gonna reward me for coming through like Superman.”
“Ohhh. S on your chest and all that?”
“Yeah, dulzura. You’re my kryptonite.” I smacked her on the ass and reluctantly let her go.
“Go get that boy and bring him in here before I put something on you,” she teased.
“Please, dulzura. Put it on me,” I pleaded.
She laughed, smacked my chest, and then pushed me away. “Go get him.”
