Page 110 of Rather: The Therapist

Twice.

And, a third time, I banged my fist against the wheel.

Feelings. Fucking feelings! They didn’t outweigh the structure of our family’s syndicate. Neither did they surmount the influence of the commandments. It was inevitable. I had to tuck them away so I wouldn’t get in the way of Kofi and Rather’s destiny.

As head of the family, it was imperative I kept my shit in order and led by example. This wasn’t an example I wanted to set. This wasn’t the standard. This was hell and I’d be here for the rest of my days on earth, as long as the woman I wanted was forbidden.

NINE

“Nah.” Kofi grimaced. “Hell nah.”

Instead of finishing the cake sample, he spat it into the napkin in his hand.

“What the fuck is that supposed to be?”

Chuckling, I pointed to the picture that displayed the samples, their flavors, and the ingredients.

“Carrot cake? Who the fuck orders a carrot cake for their wedding?”

“Some couples, apparently.” I was doubling over in laughter.

I’d only been with Kofi for two hours and my jaws were already sore.

“Not us. We’re not– Ugh. The fuck, man. People really eat that shit? It’s like chewing a fucking sponge.”

“I guess it’s a no for the carrot cake,” Marg, the owner of the bakery asked as she returned to the table with another sample.

“It’s a hell no for me so it’s a hell no for her, too. Matter of fact, don’t waste anymore of your cake, ma’am. We’re good with the white cake. That whipped icing or whatever that shit was you let us taste the second time. And, at least one layer of red velvet. The design, we’re going with the big one. There will be a shitload of people. The details you can follow up with her on.”

With a shake of my head, I agreed, “I can handle the rest. I think he’s a bit overstimulated. We both want those flavors, though. Will that be doable?”

I was trying to hold in my laughter, but the faces Kofi was making beside me made it difficult.

“Yes, of course. I’ll give you a call tomorrow if you’re about over it for the day. We’ve been here for quite some time, so I completely understand.”

“That would be great. Call me tomorrow and we can solidify the details and note the specifics.”

“Alright. Sounds good.”

“It was nice meeting you two. Congratulations on your pending nuptials.”

“Thank you,” I responded, taking the duplicate order form she’d been filling out since we took our seats.

Kofi was the first to stand. Before I was able to push my chair back up to the table, he was already at the door waiting for me with it ajar. The coolness of the October weather was inviting. It wasn’t hot and neither was it cold.

The linen pants I wore paired perfectly with the beige button down and Louboutin sandals. We’d nearly eaten a week’s worth of cake, so my appetite had diminished. However, I was interested in the drink that Kofi had promised today.

“You hate carrot cake. Marking that in my mental notebook of all things Kofi.”

“And you love whipped icing.”

“I do. It makes me so happy.”

“Happy wife, happy sex life. Isn’t that how the saying goes.”

Completely taken by his charming personality and ability to bring a smile out of anyone, I shook my head.

“No. Happy wife, happy life.”

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