Page 4 of Coming Home for Love

“Okay.” She walked away to grab it but stopped near me before leaving. “That man knows he is fine and so sweet. His wife is a lucky woman.”

Nicki walked out of the kitchen to deliver the platter of Cajun chicken pasta the mayor came in twice a week to get for his wife. She didn’t lie either about how fine he was because Mayor Mills was fine, especially when he wore suits. His brother was fine too. They both were off the market and too old for me anyway, so I admired them from afar.

Focusing on the task at hand, I finished up the food and put it on the counter for one of the waitresses to pick up.

A few minutes later, Nicki came strolling back into the kitchen, leaned against the counter, and crossed her arms across her chest.

“Did you see the write-up Olivia Gray did about that burger place around the corner?”

I turned to face her. “No. Was it bad?”

She dropped her arms and tilted her head. “Girl, was it? She said the burgers weren’t cooked all the way. I feel sorry for them because you know her bad review could shut down your business.”

Olivia Gray was a popular food critic in Sweetwater Hills and the surrounding areas.

“That’s crazy. How could you not cook a burger all the way.” I rolled my eyes.

Her dark brown eyes bucked. “Right. Did you know she’s coming here soon?” She whispered that last part.

I hadn’t heard that news yet, but it made my heart thud in my chest. Not only would Olivia’s review make or break my career and this restaurant, but she was also my child’s aunt.

I never officially met her, but I knew who she was since she looked exactly like her brother.

“No. I didn’t know.”

Nicki leaned closer and whispered, “I overheard LaShay and Mike talking about it. I’m sure she’ll tell you about it sooner or later. Just act surprised.” She laughed.

I didn’t find it funny at all. The thought filled me with dread. I wasn’t worried about her giving my food a bad review. I was worried about her finding out the truth. I wasn’t sure how she would, but that didn’t stop me from worrying.

Nicki had no idea the frenzy she sent me into as she rambled on about how cute Olivia was. She thought she had a chance with her as if she didn’t know that woman had a husband and two children.

Nicki continued talking about some other stuff I wasn’t interested in, ruining the few minutes of reprieve I had. I wasn’t sure how she was employed here sometimes, or even what her role was, because she seemed to do more talking and bullshiting than anything. Word around the kitchen was she was fucking Mike, who was the manager, and that was how she got away with doing nothing.

When the computer system dinged, I got happy because that meant I could send Nicki on her way.

“Looks like I got work to do. See you later, girl.”

Nicki pushed off the counter. “You weren’t listening anyway.” She smirked and left the kitchen.

At least she knew I wasn’t listening, but that never stopped her from talking.

I looked at the screen to see what I needed to do and got back to work.

Too many hours later, I pulled up to my parents’ house to get my baby so we could go home.

“Hey, Mom,” I said when I entered the living room.

I walked over to her to kiss her cheek before plopping my bottom down on the couch next to her.

“I don’t even need to ask if it has been a long day or not, because it’s written all over your face. Even some of your locs came out of your bun.” She laughed and pulled one of my loose strands.

I sighed. “Yes, but I love it and it’s my dream, so I won’t complain. Where’s Dad?”

I didn’t need to ask her where my baby was because it was after ten at night, and I knew he was asleep.

“Your father had to go check on a patient who was having some issues. He said he may or may not have to do surgery, so who knows when he’ll be back.”

“That man won’t retire until they make him.” I chuckled.

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