Scandalicious

by Hobbs, Allison

“You seem to be going through it, sweetie. What’s wrong?” Melanee asked, sounding genuinely concerned, while secretly taunting Solay.

  “The charity event…” Solay rolled her eyes. “I’m going nuts trying to run the bakery and start preparing for that big event. It’s next week and I don’t know how I’m going to pull it all together.” Solay lifted her forearm, and used the sleeve of her sweater to wipe sweat from her forehead.

  Melanee pondered for a moment, wondering if she should lift a finger to help Solay. She had, after all, shot down Melanee’s contribution to that boring menu, and then had turned around and had tried to steal her idea by adding her own specialty items. But that didn’t last very long. Solay was too stingy and didn’t like thinking outside the box.

  What the heck? She’d be leaving Scandalicious soon, and catering to Madam Midnight’s sophisticated and discriminating palate. It wouldn’t hurt to help Solay out of the mess she’d gotten herself into.

  “I can call the pastry school if you’d like. They could probably send some students over to help out.”

  “Are you serious?” The way Solay’s face lit up, one would have thought Melanee had offered her a million bucks.

  “Yeah, their labor is cheap. Costs next to nothing. The students need the experience; you know what I mean?” She knew that Solay didn’t know what she meant because Solay didn’t learn the craft at a prestigious pastry school. She wasn’t trained and knowledgeable like Melanee. She was taught to bake by her grandmother, for heaven’s sake. It was a miracle or some kind of a fluke that Scandalicious was actually succeeding.

  Solay propped the mop against the fridge. “This is the best news you could have given me. Oh, my God! You rock, Melanee.” She rushed over and gave Melanee a big hug. Melanee stiffened in response, declining to return the gesture. Solay wasn’t one of her favorite people. But with a pack of students baking those two thousand cupcakes, Melanee wouldn’t have to worry about Solay hounding her to put in more hours.

  CHAPTER 35

  “How come you’re not dressed?” Deon asked when Solay opened the door for him. She was wearing a pair of clingy, low rider sweats and a short crop top—showing off lots of bare skin.

  “I had a rough day, thought we’d stay in tonight. I put this on just for you; don’t you like what you see?” She ran both hands along the curvature of her waistline and around to her taut stomach. “I was thinking about getting a piercing, right here…” She touched her navel. “What do you think?” she smiled seductively.

  “I think piercings are sexy as shit. But you’re sexy already; you don’t need none of that extra stuff.”

  Solay smiled at her man; he always knew what to say. She eyed Deon up and down, noticing that he was looker even more hot than usual. He was dressed so sharp, he could have been preparing to make an entrance down an urban-wear runway. His cap, shirt, and jacket were perfectly color-coordinated. His sagging jeans were of a high quality, appearing to have cost a whole lot more than Solay paid for her jeans. The new pair of boots on his feet did not come from Footlocker—they screamed Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom or some exclusive, men’s shoe boutique. Deon loved to dress, but he was looking a little too spiffy, being that he was about to come right out of that pricey gear.

  “Put something on, baby. Don’t you get tired of being stuck in the house all the time?”

  “Not really.” She didn’t need the outside world as long as she had Deon.

  “We’re going out tonight. I’m serious. I’m not taking no for an answer.”

  “Okaaaay,” Solay said reluctantly, thinking that the surprise she had for Deon would have to wait.

  She went through her closet, and frowned. There were several hot semi-formal dresses and an undetermined amount of business suits from her corporate days, but she hadn’t invested in too much casual chic attire. Scandalicious took up so much of her time, she rarely went shopping.

  Solay finally found a cute pair of jeans that hugged her butt nicely, but the label wasn’t impressive at all. Oh, well!

  She put on a tight red cashmere V-neck with the jeans and admired herself in the mirror. But she concluded that she was going to have to step up her gear if she was going to hang out with such a fashionista as Deon.

  Although her business was on South Street and her residence was right off of South Street, it was rare for Solay to browse the famous tourist strip, or even eat in the numerous restaurants that lined the street. She was too busy running Scandalicious in the daytime, and she didn’t feel safe to walk South Street alone at night. The out-of-town crowds and the Philadelphians were known to get drunk and out of control at night. Besides, Solay went to bed early. At this phase in her life, she had goals to achieve. Enjoying local nightspots and having an active social life was at the very bottom of her list of priorities.

  Solay would have been perfectly content to stay home, order some take-out and watch a movie with Deon at her apartment, but he was pretty emphatic that they get out and have some fun. A healthy relationship required compromising and coming outside of your comfort zone, from time to time.

  On their way to the comedy club, Laff House, they held hands, window-shopped, and stopped to smooch along the way. Deon looked fine as hell in clothes and buck naked, and Solay couldn’t even get mad at all the women that gawked at him. But Deon wasn’t paying those brazen females any attention.

  You can look but don’t touch, bitches!

  Solay and Deon were approaching two teenage girls that were hanging out on South Street—both sporting visible piercings and tattoos. The taller girl made a lewd comment to her girlfriend: “Mmm. Now that’s my type right there; I wonder how he’s holding down there?”

  “He needs to dump that corny chick, and come go with us,” the other girl said. “Hey, daddy…the party’s over here.”

  Stunned by the disrespect, Solay stopped walking. Her mouth dropped open. She looked over at the two teens, aghast. One girl was licking her lips invitingly, as if expecting Deon to drop Solay’s hand and join her and her friend.

  “Woof!” the other girl said, making a vulgar barking sound.

  Solay looked at Deon, astounded. “When did young girls start acting so bold—making sexual innuendos and lewd comments to grown men?”

  “They just acting crazy. Young and dumb. Don’t worry about those silly girls, baby. We ain’t gon’ let nobody ruin our good time tonight.” Gently but insistently, he tugged on Solay’s arm. Smothering Solay with lots of affection, he put an arm around her, placing kisses all over her cheek. They walked the next block hugged up tight; something Solay hadn’t done out in public since high school.

  She felt so loved…so cherished, she soon forgot about the offensive girls. Deon was very attentive—behind closed doors and whenever they were out together.

  The way he pampered himself with his extensive wardrobe, and horde of sneakers…the way he kept his hair and beard well-groomed, it would be easy to surmise that Deon was full of himself, but he was actually extremely humble. Very warm and giving. It was those traits that had endeared him to her. His cut-up and ripped body, his cute face and sexy ways were the icing on the cake for Solay.

  It was tight inside the Laff House, with tables scrunched together. At first, Solay was worried that she wouldn’t enjoy herself in such a crowded place. But by the time the comedians came onstage and started cracking jokes, she forgot all about the lack of elbow room. The great drinks and prompt service didn’t hurt, either.

  Between acts, Solay went to the restroom. When she returned to their table, she was surprised to see their waitress doing a little more than serving drinks. Grinning and preening, the hussy was all up in Deon’s face. Hot anger felt like fire, and Solay was certain that her brown skin had turned several shades of dark red.

  She squeezed past the flirty waitress and took her seat, then began to possessively caress Deon’s hand. Without saying a word, she was sending the waitress a loud message: He’s taken!

  “Is everything okay?” Deon asked
, turning away from the waitress and giving Solay his full attention.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied, smiling broadly, hiding her annoyance and jealousy.

  “Just making sure. You took so long, I was about to come in there after you.”

  “No, I didn’t,” Solay said, laughing.

  “It was too long for me.” Deon leaned in and gave her a quick kiss, and Solay immediately felt better.

  “Well, enjoy the show,” the waitress said, frowning as if offended by the open display of affection.

  That’s right, keep it moving, bitch!

  After the show, as they walked back to Solay’s apartment, Deon said, “The way South Street is poppin’ at night; I’m surprised you close up so early.”

  “Six-thirty is not early when you’ve been up way before the crack of dawn.”

  “But babe, look at all these people.” He motioned to the droves of sightseers on both sides of the street.

  “I’d have to hire evening staff that I could really trust to keep Scandalicious open late, and I’m just not there yet. Scandalicious is still growing. I don’t want to bite off more than I can handle.”

  “I can dig it. I know you got it all figured out, because you got a good head on your shoulders. That’s one of the things I really dig about you.”

  “Oh, yeah?” she said, smiling up at him. “What else do you like?”

  “You ain’t even gotta ask that; you know what I like.” He reached behind her and grabbed her ass. “I like that booty, baby.”

  Solay laughed and blushed, and then gazed at him adoringly. “I have a sexy surprise for you tonight—something really freaky,” she said, lifting an eyebrow suggestively.

  “A ménage?” He raised both his thick brows and grinned devilishly.

  “Not that freaky.” She gave him a playful shove.

  “Just kidding,” he added quickly.

  She’d seen a photo of a freaky dessert, called a banana-dick sundae, and she wanted to try it. She had the ice cream, cherries, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup. Deon’s dick would serve as the banana—the featured attraction. She couldn’t wait to get his curved dick on a plate with all the accoutrements surrounding it. Then she’d lap it all up, licking ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate syrup off his pretty dick until it was clean as a whistle.

  The thought of it gave her a hot rush.

  She’d expected Deon to press her for details of the kinky dessert, but he was surprisingly quiet as they turned the corner on the small side street that led to her apartment.

  “Uh, I’ma have to pass on that dessert, babe. I got an audition coming up, and I want to go home and start preparing for it.”

  “Oh,” she uttered, disappointment apparent in her tone of voice. “Well, we don’t have to do the dessert thing. I can deal with a quickie every now and then.” Solay hoped that she didn’t sound desperate, but she was taken off-guard, and wasn’t ready for the evening to end.

  “I’m sorry, babe. I can’t. That ain’t even how we do it. With you, sex is more than just a physical act; I’m not tryna bust a nut and bounce. Nah, it ain’t like that. I like to put my whole heart into it when I’m making love to you.”

  “So, uh, what are you auditioning for? Another commercial?”

  “Nah, it’s something big. I’m not up for a starring role; but it’s a big part.”

  “Really? What is it, Deon? TV? Movies?”

  “It’s a low-budget film. Something independent. But for me, it’s major.” He looked slightly embarrassed. “I don’t really want to talk about it. I’m sorry, Solay, but I just don’t wanna jinx it.” He touched his heart, and Solay felt compassion. Deon was showing her his vulnerability, and she appreciated that.

  Though it was on the tip of her tongue to ask him if he needed help to rehearse his lines, she realized it would seem as if she were using a sneaky ploy for him to go along with what she wanted. She told herself to stop being selfish and insecure. They’d had a great evening, and he had a right to go back to his place to work on his lines. Now was the time to be supportive, and not a whiny nag.

  Their kiss outside of her door was long and passionate. He pulled his lips away and stared in her eyes sincerely. “I’ma hit you up tomorrow. Okay, love?”

  She nodded sadly as she placed the key into the lock. She didn’t want him to leave her. He touched her cheek. She looked up, hoping he’d changed his mind.

  “Sweet dreams,” he said softly, and then bounded down the stairs.

  Going inside her apartment while Deon went back to his place seemed ridiculous. Inside, she slid the security chain in place.

  Suddenly her life seemed a bit off-kilter.

  Had the waitress slipped Deon her number? Did he secretly plan to get with one of those nasty girls that were cruising South Street, eyeballing men like they were raw meat?

  No, Deon wasn’t slimy like that. He got enough recreational sex working for that agency. Solay frowned and sighed. She was really starting to detest what he did for a living. She didn’t want another woman touching him in any manner. Looking on the bright side, it was a good thing that Deon had an upcoming audition. It was time for her man to get out of the escort business and start a new career.

  CHAPTER 36

  Vidal poked his head into the kitchen. “There’s a girl from a cooking school on the phone. The phone has been ringing every fifteen minutes, with different people asking about a baking position.”

  “Are you serious?” Solay shot a look of surprise at Melanee.

  Melanee looked unfazed. “We got so busy, I forgot to tell you that I was able to get you ten candidates. No pay. They all need the extra credit.”

  “Are you serious!”

  Melanee gave her a look that said it was no big deal.

  “You’re an angel, Melanee. I can’t thank you enough.” Squealing with joy, Solay hugged Melanee for the second time that day.

  Obviously in one of his prickly moods, Vidal sneered at the two women. “Umph, I hate to break up this ‘Kumbayah’ moment, but I’m feeling some kind of way. It would be nice if somebody would keep me abreast of what’s going on around here.”

  Solay pulled off her gloves and hurried to her miniscule office and spoke to the student. She returned to the front counter and pulled Vidal to the side. “We’re going to be getting a lot of calls from students; I’d appreciate you take down their names and make sure you get their numbers. I’m holding a group interview in a few days.”

  Vidal leaned way to the side. “Oh, now I’m your personal secretary! You got me holding down the front, entertaining the pests, wiping off counters, dealing with deliveries. God only knows what’s next. I didn’t sign up for all this. You need a personal assistant.”

  “I told you when I hired you that your job duties would change from time to time.”

  “Yeah, you did. But I thought working at Scandalicious was going to be a sweet gig, but this place is crazy. You should change the name to A Scandalous Mess!” he said and strode out of her office.

  Solay shook her head. The only way to control Vidal’s mouth was to erupt in an explosion of anger. And today, she was ecstatic over the free student labor to let Vidal upset her.

  As if the day couldn’t get any better, Vidal called out, “Solaaaay, ya man is here!” It was completely unprofessional for Vidal to yell in her bakery, but when she stepped out of her office and saw her golden delicious boyfriend, all she could do was grin. She should have been embarrassed for allowing the customers to see her blushing like a schoolgirl, but she wasn’t. She had fallen so hard for Deon, nobody else mattered.

  She was so happy to see her baby, she wanted to soar over the counter and jump into his arms, but instead she walked around the counter. “I’m taking a quick break, Vidal.” She motioned for Deon to meet her near the stairs.

  “Mmm-hmmm, a break, huh? I wish I could pull off my gloves and get up outta here whenever I get good and ready. Some people got it made in the shade,” he said for the amusement o
f the patrons. And the customers obliged Vidal with giggles and chuckles.

  Growing bolder, Vidal pointed at Solay and Deon who were in the back of the dining area, locked in an embrace.

  “I’m telling y’all, they don’t call this place Scandalicious for nothing. Umph, umph, umph.”

  “Dude up front is off the chain,” Deon commented. “He should go onstage on open mike night at Laff House.”

  “Vidal’s a mess,” Solay said, shaking her head. But Vidal and all his antics were the furthest thing from her mind. She was focused on the sexy man standing before her. My man! She shook her head, incredulous that she’d almost let such a good man get away, merely because he didn’t aspire to fit into the mold of society’s version.

  Solay smiled. “It’s good to see you. What a nice surprise! How’d your rehearsal go?”

  “I’m feeling good about it. I’ll find out when I audition. Anyway, I only stopped by for a quick minute. I know that last night didn’t turn out the way you wanted, so I brought you a little something. It didn’t feel right leaving you with that sad look on your face.” He reached inside the pocket of his jacket, and took a small box, wrapped in shimmering gift wrap and tied with a tiny silver bow.

  “Deon, you didn’t have to buy me anything.”

  “I wanted to.”

  She accepted the small box. “Ooo, what is it?” she asked, beaming.

  “Open it and find out. But since you asked, it’s a love note.”

  “Huh?”

  “Open it up.”

  She tore off the wrapping paper. Inside the little Tiffany box was a silver heart tag pendant with the words, I Love You, written in succession, in elegant script. “It’s beautiful.”

  “It’s called a Tiffany Love Note,” he explained.

  Solay gazed at the delicate gift for a moment, and then looked up at Deon. “This is so sweet of you; thank you, Deon.”

  “Welcome, baby.” He drew her into an embrace.

  She twisted herself out of Deon’s arms, and arched an eyebrow. “So are the words true? Do you love me?”