Page 42 of A Toxic Redemption

"I'm scared, Kira," I eyed her and admitted. "I'm not saying I want a relationship, but what if I fall for this man and he hurts me?"

"Then we will beat his ass." She stood from her stool and cleaned her mess. "Well, we might have to shoot him, cousin. He ain't all together."

Talking for a few more minutes, I cleaned behind her as Kira told me her plans to bring in the new year. Jake was taking her to Jamaica, and I thought it was the sweetest thing because he wanted to start the year off with her and the life they created. We made plans to call each other later, and I continued to set up and get ready to open the bakery for the day.

I finally talked with my dad and told him about the financial woes I'd been enduring since I opened. He offered to give me the money I needed to stay ahead, but I declined. He's recently retired and has Sasha now. He needed his money, and I will make a way and figure things out. The chiming of my door opening snapped me from my thoughts.

"Good morning, and welcome to Soul Pies," I greeted the nice-looking woman when she came in. "What can I assist you with today?"

For a moment, we just stood there and looked at each other. She looked familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. She was really pretty and petite with rich chocolate skin, pretty brown eyes, and the baddest symmetrical cut shoulder-length bob I've ever seen. She was dripped in vintage Chanel from head to toe, but the Hermes bag on her shoulder told it all. She was definitely paid.

"Can I help you with something, ma'am?" I came around the counter and asked again as she continued to eye me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sorry." She chuckled and shook her head slightly. "You're prettier in person, and I was stuck for a minute."

"Do I know you from somewhere?" I angled my head and asked. "You look familiar, but I can't say where I know you from. Are you a previous customer?"

I had a nagging feeling about this lady, but I couldn't tell why. I don't recall running into her or her stopping by here at one point. She was being weird, and if she didn't hurry up and buy, I was putting her ass out.

"I imagine I do look familiar, love." She stepped toward me and smiled softly. "My name is Dana." She extended her hand for me to shake. "I'm your mother."

Stumbling, my eyes widened as I really took the time and looked at her. She looked familiar to me because our faces were damn near identical, and I don't know how I didn't see it when she first walked in. My mother was here in the flesh for the first time in over twenty years, and I don't know what to say. I do, however, know how to feel.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I seethed as I stepped closer to her. "How in the fuck did you find me?"

"Now, is that any way to talk to your mother?" she asked as she frowned slightly. "I'd think you'd be a little more happy to see me."

"Yeah, well, you thought wrong." I rolled my eyes and headed back behind the counter, and I could hear her walking behind me. "Why are you here?"

There was nothing she could say that would keep me from kicking her out on her ass, but I at least wanted to hear her bullshit before I gave her the boot.

"How have you been?" She sat her bag on the counter and looked around. "I see you've done well for yourself. This place is cute."

"My daddy always made sure I had my heart's desires. He's the best in the world, actually." She frowned slightly but triedto recover, but it was too late. "You have a problem with that or something?"

"Why would I?" She took a seat at the counter. "Can I get a cup of banana pudding while we chat? I heard it was delicious."

"Why in the fuck are you here?" I gritted once more. I was not about to play this game with her ass. "I have shit to do, and you're about to get out of here."

"You will watch how you talk to me." She palmed the counter and leaned forward. "You will respect me and—"

"Debin!" The door opened, and KJ's little voice yelled through the bakery. "I'm here!"

"Hey, my handsome baby!" I smiled as I picked him up and kissed him all over his face. "I missed you so much. I didn't know you were coming."

"From the time he came back to me last night, he has been wanting to see you. Shit, his daddy too, so I said why not?"

Placing KJ on his feet, I stood upright and took Khalil in. This man had the nerve to be out here in gray sweats like he had the right. The Air Max 97s were straight out of the box from the looks of them, and his hoodie hugged his upper body to perfection. The mere smell and presence of this man had me weak in the knees and I don't know if I had the strength to continue to fight it.

"Khalil, you just texted me this morning and didn't mention coming by." I walked into his awaiting arms. "I thought you had business to handle today."

"I do." He kissed the top of my forehead, and chills ran through my body. "I wanted to come by here and see you first."

"Excuse me." We looked in the direction of my unwanted guest. "I'm Dana, Devyn's mother." She extended her hand to Khalil. "And you are?"

"KJ, let's get you a snack big man." I turned and grabbed his little hand. Khalil had that ignorant look in his eye, and I wanted to get my baby away from him. "Have you had breakfast?"

"Yep! My Nana made gwits!" I chuckled as he messed up yet another word. "I glanced over my shoulder and noticed Dana lowering her hand as Khalil just stared at her. "You sit right here, and I'll be back, okay?" I kissed his forehead as I placed the cake in front of him and made my way back over to his father.

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