Full Figured 10 (13 page)

I pulled into my drive, exhausted. My ovens were on their last leg, and improvements on my fifth-hand bakery, Fire and Icing, were long overdue. In a prime location on the south side of Chicago, on the corner near a busy bus line, I had to upgrade and do some renovations, but time and money were always an issue: the timing was always bad, and I didn't want to take on any financial burden. I mean, the bakery was doing well, but it had only just recently started to turn a profit. After three years of busting my ass, I was finally seeing some revenue, and if I wanted to keep it that way, I knew I'd have to shut down the shop and get the repairs and upgrades done.

I was not expecting to see Chez's car in my driveway. We hadn't talked in four days, and Lord knows, I didn't want to see his ugly-ass face. I hurried inside to see what he wanted and why he had come to my house without calling first.

“Chez,” I called out.

“In here,” he called from his office—well, what used to be his office.

I headed that way, and when I walked in, there were boxes everywhere. “Packing your things, huh?”

“Yes, my place was done sooner than the contractor expected, and I can move in now.”

I smiled. Sounding casual, I said, “That's great.”

“It certainly is. I will be back in flight next week, and my schedule is going to be kinda heavy, so I won't be able to get as much done as I want.”

“Well, if you leave me your key, I'll be happy to move whatever I can,” I offered. Seconds later I was wondering why I had offered and why, when I was around him, I wanted to prove that I was a great woman and that he was giving up the best. I was always in “Impress Chez” mode, just hoping he'd see what everyone else saw in me and take me in his strong arms and love me back.

“You'd do that for me?”

Fronting like I was 100 percent down with the breakup, I smiled brightly and said, “Of course. The sooner I can get all your things out of my house, the sooner I can start living.”

“I understand, and since we are both of the same accord about this, I spoke to Jimmy about drawing up our papers.”

My eyes bulged. That was a gut punch. Square in the middle of my abdomen. I knew that would be next, but so soon? He had already spoken to his attorney.

I blinked and turned on fake Lynn again and smiled. “Good. The sooner the better, right?”

I didn't mean any of what I was saying. Deep down my heart was screaming,
Just love me, fool. Go to therapy, take a Viagra, get acupuncture, and just fix your sexual issues. I can deal with no flowers, no pet names, and a lack of romantic dinners. I just wanted to be held and fucked to sleep at night.

“My thoughts exactly.” He smiled. “I'm glad that we are doing this like civil adults,” he added.

“Me too.” I half smiled.

“For the record, Lynn, I do love you, but I can't force the exchanges or the romantic fairy tale you are looking for. I'm not that guy.”

“Look, Chez, it's a done deal. I know there is someone on your level of love, and there is someone out there on mine. I know you love me, Chez, but I just want more. I'm forty-one, and I have a lot of life left and a lot of love to give to a man who wants what I have to offer.”

“Lynn, you are a good woman.”

I agreed. “Hell, I know I am.”

He laughed. “I'm sorry that I didn't live up to your expectations of a husband.”

Moving over to help him, I said, “I'm sorry too.”

I helped out a bit, then made my way to the kitchen to cook dinner. We ate, talked about a few great moments in our marriage, and then I helped him load all we could into his car. Since he needed more than what would fit, we loaded my Tahoe, and I followed him to his place. The building was nice enough. It was still under construction and was lacking landscaping, but it was nice. We unloaded the cars, and he gave me the spare key, and I agreed to bring over whatever I could manage while he was away.

When I got home, I felt a little better. Although I loved him and wished we could have made it, it didn't happen, so I took off my wedding ring and smiled, instead of crying, when I put it away. I went downstairs for a glass of red. I was in the mood to do something that would enable me to focus on change and not loss.

I grabbed my stainless mixing bowl, some flour, eggs, and sugar and was relieved I had butter. Baking or cooking always made me feel good, so I'd make cupcakes and leave them on a couple of neighbors' porches in the morning. After whipping up four dozen, I packaged them all and then headed up to my bedroom.

It felt super cold in the room. I was used to Chez not being there, but knowing he'd never return made that night the longest night I'd ever had.

“Oh, please. No, please,” I cried.

My favorite oven, also the largest one, hadn't heated up, and it had been on for more than twenty minutes. It had finally crashed, and I knew I'd have to shut down the shop early, because my other ovens couldn't handle the workload.

“Do you want me to refrigerate this batter, Ms. Lynn?” Mariah asked.

“Yes,” I said sadly. I had a ton of things that should have been in the oven already, and my morning was already shot.

“I can start the apple fritters in this oven, ma'am,” she said.

“Yes, go ahead, Mariah. We just won't open until seven, instead of six.”

I headed to my office, sad, willing myself not to break out in tears. I went online to look for repair shops, but I knew there was no repairing Satan. I had named that oven Satan because it heated up like a good oven should, and I was not happy with it dying on me. “Lord, I have to get this place up to par,” I said aloud.

After a few sighs, I went out and helped Mariah and Al, and we opened at seven and closed at two, because the smaller ovens couldn't perform fast enough.

“So are we opening tomorrow?” Al asked.

“Nah. You two are going to have a couple of weeks off. I got to get a new oven, and while that's happening, I'll make some upgrades back here. I'm going to find someone to get us up and running again.”

“Two weeks,” Mariah sighed.

“Yes, but paid. I'd never do you two like that.”

“Aw, thanks, Ms. Lynn,” Mariah said.

I smiled. “Don't mention it.”

I headed home and walked in to find Chez's boxes. Dealing with the bakery, I had forgot that I had to make another drop-off. After loading the boxes in my SUV, I went upstairs and showered and changed. I figured I'd call my girlfriend Kenya and ask her to have a drink with me after I dropped off the boxes, so I put on makeup and threw a few curls in my hair. Yes, I had let myself go during my lonesome marriage with Chester, but I couldn't lose it all in one day, so I had to work with what I had. Satisfied with my maxi dress and sandals, I thought a few bangles and oversize earrings would dress up my outfit. I was aiming for a cocktail look, not a walk in the park look.

Pleased with my ensemble, I showered my mocha skin with body spray and headed out. When I got to Chez's building, I got out to unload the boxes. After my second trip, I took a quick break because I didn't want to sweat.

On my way back to get another bunch of boxes, a stranger asked, “Do you need any help?”

I was about to say, “No. I got this,” but I turned to see one of the sexiest men I'd ever seen in my life. I did a quick head-to-toe scan, and yes, he was by far the sexiest. “Sure. Thank you.” I smiled.

He followed me out and helped me unload the rest of the boxes.

“Thanks so much . . .” I said when the chore was completed. I paused, because I didn't know his name.

Smiling, he said, “William Daniels.” He extended his hand.

We shook. His grip was firm, and I immediately wondered,
Could he give a good massage?
I told my inner voice to keep quiet and then introduced myself.

“Lynniah Bryant.”

“Bryant, Bryant . . . Are you Chester's sister?”

I laughed. “No . . . I'm his wife.”

His smile faded. “Oh, I'm sorry. I thought he was moving in alone. Nice to meet you.”

“No, no, no. He
is
moving in alone. He and I are no longer together. We are getting a divorce. I was just helping him out. You know, clearing out his things from my home,” I said with the quickness. I wanted this man's number.

“Oh, oh, okay. Well, sorry to hear that. I know divorce is hard.”

“Not really.” I made a face, scrunching my nose. “This one is kind of a walk in the park. We both agree on parting ways.”

“I guess that does make it easier than average.”

“Yes, and I'd love to take you for a beer. I mean, I really do appreciate you helping me out.” My stomach was in knots. I'd never asked someone so beautiful out before, and he might not be into big girls. Damn! What was I thinking?

“I'd love to, but I'm on this tight deadline, and my day isn't done yet.”

“I see. Letting a big girl down easy,” I joked and then wanted to slap myself for saying something so stupid. The last thing I needed was for him to think I was insecure about the way I looked.

“No.” He smiled brightly. “I actually like what I see, all of it. It's just that duty calls. We are almost done here, and the sooner I'm done with this contract, the better.”

“So you're with the company that is doing all the work around here?” I needed a card pronto. My place was falling apart.

“Yes. I'm actually the owner.”

“Get out. And you're out in the field?”

“Yes, this is my baby, so I'm a hands-on type of guy.”

You can put your hands on me, all over me. Damn, baby. You can reconstruct my body if you like
, I thought. Unable to keep my tongue in my mouth, because he looked so delicious, I licked my glossed lips, bit down on the corner of my lip, and then said, “Wow. I'm in need of a hands-on type of man . . . I mean, contractor.” I hurried to correct myself. “I own a bakery, and I've put repairs off as long as I can. Do you have a card?”

“I do.” He went into his back pocket and retrieved his wallet. After taking a card out of his wallet, he handed it to me. “And if you're willing to take a rain check on that drink, I'll be done by seven.”

“Seven sounds great.” I glanced at the card. “Is this your cell on the card?”

“Yes, it is.” He gave me a look that made me think he wanted to say more about himself, but he said, “I must get back to it. The clock is ticking.”

“No problem, William. I'll call you around seven.”

“Great. And call me Will.”

“Only if you call me Lynn.” I smiled. Hell, I wanted him to call me baby, honey, sexy.
Hell . . . just call me.

“Lynn it is. I'll see you later, beautiful.”

I froze. I blinked ten times and snapped back. I hadn't had a compliment in so long, I had forgotten what that was like. “Later.” I smiled, and he was off.

I looked down at the card again and then locked Chester's door. I headed to my vehicle, and as soon as I got inside it, I called Kenya and told her about my change of plans. I updated her on the miracle that had just taken place, and she squealed with me during my entire ride home.

Once I was back home, I went inside and started from scratch. Yes, I changed my hair and makeup and put on something different.

Around five after seven, I made the call, and he picked up.

“Hi, Will. This is Lynn.”

“Hi, beautiful. I was just thinking of you. I was hoping you'd call.”

“I said I would.”

“You did.”

“So are you still up for that drink?”

“I am, but can we push it forward a little? I'm actually just leaving the site, and I'd like to shower and change.”

“Okay. That won't be a problem. I will text you my address. Just give me a heads-up when you're on your way.”

“Sounds great,” he said, and then we hung up.

I danced in place. I knew it was too soon to start naming our children, but I hoped he had potential. Hell, folks might think it was too soon, but I'd been lonely for years. Hadn't had sex in over a year. It was time.

I went for a glass of wine, then grabbed my Kindle to kill a little time. An hour later I got the alert that he was on his way. Twenty minutes after that, I was being helped into his Audi.

“Where to?” he asked.

“Wherever you wanna take me.”

He pulled out of my drive, and I sat back and enjoyed the ride.

Laughing and enjoying his company, I felt like a woman again. Will and I did some heavy flirting, and before long he was on my side of the round booth. He made it a point to caress my face, my arm. He seemed to be the affectionate type, the type I liked.

“Can I get you guys anything else?” our server interrupted.

Will looked at me. “Would you like another?”

“Yes. Only because you're driving.” I giggled like a teen.

“Another chardonnay for the lady and a coffee for me.”

“Yes, sir,” our server said.

I scrunched my nose. “Ewww, coffee.”

“What's wrong with coffee?” He raised a brow.

“Nothing.” I laughed and then said, “Coffee breath is not sexy.”

“Aw, coffee breath. Damn. So I should get my kiss now, then?” He leaned in.

Excited and a little surprised, I swallowed hard. I just looked at him, and then his lips gently touched mine. A couple of tender pecks and then a nice soft tongue, with the residue of his steak dinner and the cheesecake we'd shared for dessert.

The kiss was so good, so sensual, that I forgot where we were. I allowed him to devour my mouth until the server cleared her throat.

“Chardonnay for you, ma'am, and coffee for you, sir.”

“Should I send this back?” He smiled a sexy smile.

“Nah, baby. Enjoy your coffee. Coffee breath or not, you will be getting another kiss tonight,” I said in a raspy voice. He had taken my breath away.

“Anything else?” our server asked.

“No. Just the check please,” Will answered.

Gazing at him, I bit down on the corner of my lip again, because he was gorgeous. Deep, dark eyes, long lashes, and silky smooth chocolate skin. His beard was nicely trimmed, and it framed his masculine jawline perfectly. Nice low haircut, lined with a straight edge, one would think, because it was just that tight.

I sipped my drink and watched him add cream and sugar to his coffee.

He brought my eyes back to his luscious lips when he said, “So this bakery, how bad is it?”

“It's kinda bad. Kitchen needs an overhaul, and I need someone ASAP, because I don't want to be closed for too long.”

“Well, I'm, like, a week away from finishing this current project. We have another contract coming up at the end of this month, so if it's not too bad, I may be able to squeeze you in.”

You can squeeze all of me.
“That would be great. We can go by after, and you can take a look around.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

The server was back. “Here you are, sir. When you're ready, just give me a wave, and I'll be back.”

“Thanks,” I said and reached for the bill.

He placed a hand over my hand. “No. Don't even think of looking at that.”

“I will. This is on me. Remember, I invited you out to say thanks for lugging those boxes for me.”

“That was my pleasure, and you will not take care of this.” He tried to take the bill from me, but I refused to let go.

“Listen, Will, you'll have plenty of chances to treat me, but tonight it's my treat.”

“Wow. I made the second date list.”

“Oh, you did.” I smiled.

He stole another kiss. “That's good to know.”

We finished up and headed to my bakery. We did a walk-through. Then Will told me to hold tight, and he went out to his car. I ran to the bathroom to do a quick mirror check and freshen up my lips. When I came out, he was back, and he had a clipboard and a measuring tape.

“What's all this?” I asked.

“This is a clipboard, this is a tape measure, and this right here is a pencil,” he joked.

“Ha-ha. I know what those things are.” I chuckled. “I'd like to know what you're doing.”

“I want to take a few quick measurements, and when I go home tonight, I'll browse around and see what I can get delivered the fastest for you. I have a couple of guys who would love to get in some overtime hours, and I can have a night crew here, so you don't have to be shut down too long.”

“You'd do that for me?” I wasn't smiling at this point. I really wasn't used to a man being so nice to me.

“Yes.”

“But why? You don't know me, Will.”

“But I want to get to know you, and plus, I'm just a nice guy.”

I then smiled brightly. “Yes, you are.”

“Come on. Follow me. You can help me out.”

“Okay.”

I followed him into the kitchen and held the tape measure for him, and he jotted down numbers that made absolutely no sense to me. An hour later it was after midnight. I didn't have work the next morning, but I didn't want to keep him up all night. We took a seat at a table, and I sat quietly until he finished doing his thing.

“So, if I order your ovens, it may take a week, give or take a day, for them to arrive. In that time we can demo the kitchen, and I will sketch out a plan for you that may offer a better flow. The layout is just about perfect now, but I have some ideas that you may like that will make your process flow even better. I say if we start in the next couple of days, we can have you open in about three weeks, just before my next contract.”

“Will, that would be awesome, but the big question is, how much is all of that going to cost me?”

“Well, I'll get you some prices in a couple of days. I have a few connections where I can save you some expense, and as a guy who is digging you, I can give you that potentially mine rate.”

“Oh, how many women have you given that rate to?”

“None. Never had a woman who needed construction.”

“I see. Well, I hope we can come to a reasonable agreement.”

“I'm sure we will.”

We stared each other down. God, I wanted to kiss him, touch him, and ride him. Damn. I just wanted him.

Breaking the silence, I said, “It's late, Will. I don't want to keep you out too late.”

“You are good.” He stood. He moved closer to me and stood over me. “You are a beautiful woman, Lynn. Tell me the truth. Why didn't your husband want to keep you around?”

I swallowed hard. That was the last question I had thought he'd ask. “Well, Chester just couldn't handle a woman like me.”

Tracing my collarbone, he asked, “What type of woman are you?”

“I'm sexy, I'm sensual, affectionate, and I believe that love needs to be expressed in actions and in words. I was too hot for Chez. Too needy. Too much physical work.”

“Well, I want to see and get to know all of you. All these things you just said about yourself, I want to see her.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

He planted another one on me, and my nipples went stiff. I wanted him to be all over me. I wanted to spread my legs and let his hands travel up my thighs and stroke my clit. I pulled away.

“Will, we should go. I mean, this right here . . .” I gave him a slight push. “Baby, you are turning me on.”

“You don't want to be turned on?”

“I do. Trust me, I do, but not here, not like this.”

“You are right, beautiful. Let me get you home.”

I stood. I went to turn out the lights and set the alarm system, and then we headed back to my house. He held my hand the entire ride and got out to walk me to the door. We kissed, and I said good night. He headed to his car and then paused.

“Oh.” He turned back to me. “You and your crew should definitely get a few boxes and pack up your kitchen. We are going to need it to be empty to start.”

“Sure thing.”

We exchanged our final good nights, and then I stood in my foyer, with my back resting against the door, for a few moments, before I floated up to my bedroom. I had showered and was snuggling under my goose-down comforter when he texted me. I was naked and wished I could lure him back to my place to do things to me that I had dreamt Chez would do. As late as it was, we texted for a while and exchanged selfies. The next morning, bright and early, I sent another text.

Thirty minutes later I got another text.

I was dressed and ready to get to work, but before heading to my bakery with the boxes that were left over from Chez's move, I went by and surprised Will with coffee and a blueberry bagel. When I made it to Chez's complex, I asked a couple of uniformed workers for Will, and they pointed me in the right direction. I tapped on the trailer door and a baritone voice said, “Come in.” I walked in, and Will smiled.

“Good morning.” He stood, came around his desk, and then greeted me with a soft kiss.

“Good morning. I'm heading over to the bakery to get started on the packing. I just wanted to bring you some food since you missed breakfast.”

“I know, right? Thank God you texted when you did, because I'd probably still be sleeping.”

“Well, I'm glad I did.”

“Me too.”

I smiled as brightly as my cheeks would allow. “I'll let you get to work, and I'll see you later.”

“Yes. And tonight I'll grab some carryout. You come over to my place. We can take a look online at a few ovens and appliances, and I'll get the specs and the choices to my partner, and then we'll go from there.”

“Sounds good.”

“Great. I will text you my address a little later.”

“Okay, that will work.” I gave him a kiss and headed to the bakery.