by Roi, D. S.
Cyana folded her lips into her mouth and inhaled a long breath against the sadness sprouting inside her while resting a hand on her chest. “Don’t do it to yourself, girl,” she whispered. “Keep your heart closed. It’s just not worth it.”
Cyana immersed herself in the wonderful world of batter, modeling chocolate and marzipan. She’d taken over the baking area. Mama Huffing sat on a high stool next to the stove stewing down vegetables for the family’s signature barbeque sauce. The printer near Iona hummed into life while she bounced Josiah on her knee and remained engrossed in the laptop on the peninsula.
The house phone rang and snatched the attention of all the women from their tasks. “I got it,” Mama said. Cyana almost immersed herself back into her mission of painting edible metallic onto her handcrafted orchid petals when she overheard Mama say, “Yes, your mother’s here now.”
She set the fragile flower down, smiling while wiping her hands clean with a towel. Mama waved the cordless at her while walking it over.
“Thanks.” Cyana held the phone between her shoulder and cheek while she worked. “Hey baby,” she chirped.
“Hey, Ma.” Eric’s baritone voice carried over the phone. “How’d you like the game?”
She laughed. “It was so exciting. You did well.”
She could envision his pearly white smile in her head while he chuckled. The thought broadened her grin.
“Yeah, I got some people looking at me now.”
“That’s wonderful,” she said.
“I can’t stay on long. I’m in between classes. I called Auntie when I couldn’t get a hold of you on your phone. I’m glad you made it home okay, even though I’m concerned about my headstrong Ma making a sixteen hour drive all by herself. Especially in your old beat up car.”
She shook her head. “Boy, don’t worry about me. I’m doing better than my car is right now. The car is doing hella’ better than my phone.”
He burst into laughter. “When they invent a wrist bungee you’ll be able to keep up with a phone.”
“You know your Ma’s luck with gadgets. I didn’t mean to worry you. The replacement should arrive here through the mail in a few days. Do you need anything?”
“I’m fine. I’m glad you’re in Georgia ‘cause I’m on my way down.”
She straightened in her seat, placing a hand to her chest. “Really?”
“Yeah. That’s why I called. We gotta play the Panthers in LaGrange next Friday. I was thinking about skipping a few classes to beat the bus down.”
“Boy, you know you better watch those grades.”
“I’m an A student, Ma. They’re my best classes. I can catch up on BioChemistry in my sleep.”
She chuckled at his confidence. She understood how much he enjoyed science, but remained willing to mother him despite his age and intellect. “Why?”
“I want to see you. I got some news. Will you meet me next Saturday for an early dinner?”
“Of course I’ll meet you. But, why not just tell me the news over the phone?”
“Ma, I gotta tell you this to your face. Don’t worry, it’s not bad. You trust me?”
She dropped her free hand to her apron, gripping it loosely at her lap with a short sigh. “Yes, Eric. I trust you.”
“Okay. Don’t forget to watch the game tonight.”
“Like I ever would.” She smiled.
“Love ya, Ma,” he said.
“Love you too, baby.” Cyana walked the phone back over to Mama.
“What’d he want?” Iona asked.
“To meet for dinner next Saturday.” Cyana shrugged, glancing at both Iona and her mother who each smirked. “Okay, what’s going on? You two know about it.”
“Not tellin’,” Mama said.
Cyana stalked over to her sister. Iona pretended to zip her lips and toss the key before ignoring her warning stare.
Cyana rolled her eyes. It was pointless trying to get information out of those two. Her attention fell to the computer screen where a photo a young Asher sat center the page. He was being led by a police officer with his hands cuffed behind his back.
Cyana gasped. “Iona, what are you doing? What is this?”
“Oh, shit. Sorry, Mama.” Iona apologized for her language.
“Iona, are these about Asher?”
Cyana skimmed over the headlines: “Playboy millionaire arrested.”, “Wilmington charged with assault.”, “Wilmington to face criminal charges.”; “Wilmington family losses.”
“Oh my god, Iona.”
“Don’t get upset, Ce Ce. I was just doing a little research on the man. You can’t be too careful these days. After what happened to me, I wasn’t gonna let some rich white boy date my sister without knowing a little about him.”
“Iona, this is an invasion of privacy.”
Iona raised her shoulders in defense. “It’s public news.”
“Yeah,” Cyana pointed at the newspaper. “In Texas. Not here. Not in Georgia.”
“I just did a regular search for his name. This is what came up.”
“Iona,” Cyana scolded.
“Girls!” Mama’s voice cut through the kitchen.
Cyana startled. The irritation at Iona was shifting towards the embarrassment of her truth being revealed. Iona swallow her next words. Cyana sucked in a steady draw of air to calm the thundering in her chest. “Now that is quite enough yelling in this house.”
“I’m sorry, Mama.” Cyana’s voice was quiet with her apology. She rubbed at her arm while glancing at the floor.
“I haven’t heard a single thing about what you two are saying. Ce Ce, what rich white boy?” Mama’s stern look held the warning Cyana better tell the truth, making her feel fifteen again.
She tugged on her sleeve. “Oh, Mama. I met the most incredible man at the Milway.”
“She met Asher Wilmington,” Iona blurted. “They’ve been getting along quite well.”
Cyana pivoted to her sister to shush her.
“Cyana, did you do something with our client you want to discuss with me?”
“I didn’t know who he was, Mama. He didn’t give me his last name when I met him or I would never have—” She cut off and covered her mouth.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” Mama asked.
“I think so.” She spoke through her fingers before dropping her hands. “Mama, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to put Huffing Kitchen in any kind of bind.”
The phone ringing broke into their discussion. Mama gave her the “this conversation isn’t over” glance, and then answered the phone.
“Iona,” Cyana hissed at her sister.
“What?” Iona hauled Josiah further up her lap. “I’m not the one who said anything.”
Cyana let out a frustrated groan.
“Ce Ce, he’s a hitter,” Iona whispered. The words crashed into Cyana’s core and coiled a tight knot in her middle. Ancient dread seeped into her limbs. The sting of fear sprouted in her throat. She'd spent years under Jamal's tyranny and endured many hospital visits to check on her baby. It all crashed into her, wrenching a shudder up her spine.
“Yes, Mr. Wilmington.” Mama’s voice made them fall silent. “Of course, Mr. Wilmington. Is there anything I can assist you with? Okay. You have a wonderful day.” Mama fixed her sight on Cyana. “It’s for you.”
Cyana thought her heart would jump from her chest. She huffed in a gulp of air before reaching for the phone. Her hands shook with anxiety as she placed the device to her ear.
“Breathe,” Iona hissed.
A weak gasp passed her throat, reminding her she still had a voice. “H-hello.”
“Hello, Love.”
His voice warmed her earlobe, making her heart pitter-patter in her chest. She suddenly wanted to do flips of joy in the kitchen despite the horrific news her sister had discovered. Fear coiled through the familiarity of her conflicting emotions.
“Are you busy?” he asked.
“Um.” She shot a glance around the room t
o her cakes, mother and sister.
Mama was back to stirring the pot. Iona mouthed an “I’m sorry.”
Cyana willed strength into her shoulders and her voice. “Yes. I’m elbows deep in the cake samples to present to Rebecca tomorrow.”
“I just finished sealing the floors in our kitchen to prep for appliance delivery. I’d love to show you how it all turned out. You should come over and see the end results of all your hard work.”
She nearly reached for the cakes as her excuse, to say she wouldn’t meet her deadline if she came but she nibbled on her bottom lip after a glance at the time. It wasn’t noon yet. The working nature of the Huffing women had them all up before the sun prepping food. She’d even managed to pick up her car right when Matthew’s opened the doors for business.
“I, ugh. Asher, you know how important this is for me.”
“I do. That’s why I invited Rebecca to come here for the taste testing tomorrow. I figured you could finish up your cakes over here and use our fridge to store them. Besides, you forgot something very important.”
“I did?” she asked.
“Huffin Muffin.”
Cyana dropped her head back with a silent curse. Her business plan sat on top of the fridge at the Milway. “What time?”
“Can you make it in thirty?”
“K.” She hung up the phone.
Iona’s curious gaze was wide-eyed and eager.
“He asked if I could finish the cakes over at the Milway,” Cyana said. She leaned against the counter and set down the phone, not feeling nearly as excited as she wanted to after hearing Iona’s discovery of violence in his past.
“Why?” Iona asked.
“He wants to show me the finished tile job we did together. He’s asked Rebecca to come there for the cake tasting tomorrow.” She placed both hands against the cornrows on top of her head. “I left my portfolio for Huffin Muffin over there.”
“Are you going?” Iona asked.
“Iona, your client has requested I meet with him. I think it might be in the best interest of Huffing Kitchen if I don’t rub him the wrong way.” She shoved from the counter. “I gotta be there in thirty.”
They loaded up the car in silence. Cyana kissed Mama’s cheek.
“Be careful, baby girl. We’ll see you for the game tonight.”
“I will.” Cyana walked to the driver’s seat were Iona stood with the keys.
Iona heaved a breath before passing them over. “Ce Ce, if it’s any consolation, I barely read a few articles on him.”
Cyana shook her head. “If there was something he wanted to tell me, then it should have been his call.”
Iona pouted. “I’m sorry, but you can be too trusting, Ce Ce. I thought I was protecting you with some light research. I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”
“He’s a hitter, Iona.” She sighed. “I can’t have another one of those.” She pressed her hand into the ache of her chest before giving Iona a hug. “I’m sorry I got so upset.” She squeezed her sister tighter. “I’m grateful you told me.”
16
Asher was standing at the top of the front porch; the familiar tapping of the Gremlin filled the air. The aged vehicle emerged on the long Milway drive. He could have kicked himself in the ass for waiting so anxiously for Cyana to arrive. Missing her throughout the night had done a number on his ability to play it cool. She drove the car around front before shutting it off. He shoved himself from the white column and trotted down the stairs while she got out and rounded the vehicle.
The first glimpse of her profile sprouted a renewed static in his chest. The grin he could never get rid of around her peeled across his face. He captured her hand before she could go for the trunk. The scent of cocoa butter and peppermint wafted from her.
“Hello, Love.” Her attentions were fleeting until he wrapped is arm around her waist and kissed her lips. She stiffened in his grasp and refused to look at him. Something isn’t right. He placed his fingers under her chin and lifted until she made eye contact. “You all right, Love?”
She flashed a half-hearted smile. “I’m sorry. Just, pressed for time today.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Got plans?”
She nodded. “I gotta be back to Mama’s tonight.”
“Okay. I’ll help you unload. We can do your cake before seeing the floors.”
“We?”
He shrugged. “I was hoping to steal some of your free time, but it looks like I’ll have to help you create it first.” He lifted her by the waist. She let out a short cry before he set her up against the trunk of the car. “I want a real one of these first.” He possessed her lips. Her kiss was restrained but under his persistence she relaxed and moaned into his mouth after a few moments. He glimpsed the passion spark in her gaze once he shifted away and hummed with satisfaction. “Come on. Let’s go.” He tapped her hip twice before tugging her from the car and setting her down. “How’d things go at Matthew’s?” he asked.
He noted her heavy sigh before she answered. “Thanks, Asher, but you didn’t have to. I can reimburse you for the repairs and tow in a few days.” She popped the hatch on the car, revealing the trunk stacked with containers.
“I got a better idea. Don’t.” He shrugged. “I haven’t done my good deed for the month.”
“Good deed?” she asked.
“Yeah.” He reached into the cooler and retrieved the long containers she’d stashed away. He shot her a questioning glance.
“I don’t have air conditioning. It’s chocolate,” she said.
“And you drove from Chicago to Georgia in the middle of summer?”
“At night,” she defended. “It’s cooler at night.”
“You drove alone, at night?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged.
“Right, there's nothing wrong with that.” he grumbled; then twirled towards the house once she reached for more boxes. “No, don’t.” He threw over his shoulder.
She froze, placed a hand on her hip. “Hey, Cowboy, I’ve been doing a lot more than driving and carrying my gear alone.”
He half-turned to her and tilted his head towards the house. “You aren’t alone today. Get the door. I’ll get the stuff. You can start organizing in the kitchen.”
The irritation with his concern simmered at the surface. She swallowed her retort.
“This is called being helpful, Love,” he said. “I don’t have to do just one good deed.”
She shook her head at him before leading the way up the steps to the door. Why did it bother her? The question turned over in her mind again and again. Was he presenting a false man? She paused in the mist of unloading the cooled boxes. Was she being fair? Asher had given her no reason to believe he was violent, but then again, Jamal had been the perfect gentleman until she became pregnant with Eric. When she noticed Asher in the kitchen with the final boxes in his arms she asked, “So, what’s this good deed thing about?”
He set the stack of sweet smelling boxes on the kitchen island while she continued to unpack. “I do something generous for someone every month. The only stipulation is the person has to be a stranger. It helps keep the demons off my ass.”
He smirked at her.
She raised an eyebrow. “So, I’m your target this month.”
He chuckled and arranged the last of the containers on the island before tugging her over to him. “I’m starting to think you won’t count. I’ve seen enough of you to be very familiar with who you are.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple.
“There’s not much to know,” she said.
“Mm. Simple girl, eh?” He sighed over her hair and ran his palms along both her arms before kissing the top of her head. “I like it.” He reached out to the box behind her permeating with irresistible smells. “What’s this?” He flipped open the lid. “Red velvet?” His voice perked with enthusiasm. He reached for the sheet cake.
“Back!” She swatted his hand. “Back, you vile beast.”
He laughed, sensing
his Cyana had escaped from whatever cage she’d locked herself up in. “Aw man. Now I’ve gone from white boy to vile beast?”
She giggled. “You can have the leftovers after I cut them.”
“Them?”
She pointed at the top box and made her way down the list. “Red velvet, German chocolate, vanilla, yellow and white.”
He groaned. “I’m gonna get so fat.”
She laughed. “You can’t take a bite until I say so.”
“Sister-girl, you got yourself a deal.” He moved towards the door. “I’ll go close up the car so we can get this party started.”
Cyana sighed once Asher left the kitchen, the trail of his sweet smelling aftershave hung in her nostrils, directing her attention from the scent of vanilla, chocolate and sugar her creations added to the space. Prickly bites of her history crept along her shoulders and down her spine. She was here before, caught in the battle of heart versus head. Her stomach knotted. Nausea seeped into her system. She had to stop this attraction before she got hurt again.
Her arms warmed where he’d rubbed her. The thought of breaking off their relationship thumped her heart with betraying refusal. “God, this is stupid. It should be so easy.” She scrubbed her face with her hands. He’s a hitter. Right? She crossed her arms over her middle with memories of pain and humiliation. Recalling the lies she’d parroted to police through busted lips and broken jaws, collarbones, arms and ribs. The officers saw through her as if she were made of air, too weak or wounded to cry. She’d always been a terrible liar. Asher is not Jamal. She fought back the tears. A shiver racked her spine. Why am I so weak?
He didn’t know what she’d found out about him. She didn’t have all the details. It wasn’t fair to change her behavior. It wasn’t right to deny herself these moments of fun with him.