Chapter 2

chapter two

ami

" Y ou found a great spot for the truck," I said to Caeli while placing one of the cases of red velvet cupcakes on the counter.

"Yeah, people like to act like they own the spaces. The contract clearly said, first come, first served," Caeli said.

She had mentioned her interaction with the owner of the barbecue truck. Apparently, he'd rubbed her the wrong way. If my sister couldn't do anything else well, she could definitely hold a grudge.

Caeli started, "Men always assume that because I'm a woman, I don't know what I'm talking about, or they know more than me. I mean, where does that thought process even come from? Thousands of studies show that women have superior intellect to men. I wish he would come over here today…"

Lee's rant became black noise and faded into the background as I started counting the cupcakes and fixing the displays to make them more appealing to the customers.

On the menu for the day, we had our three signature cupcakes: Lemon zest, red velvet and strawberry shortcake. I also added salted caramel crunch, blueberry maple pancake and raspberry lemonade.

Once we opened the truck at noon, we maintained a steady line of customers.

"That'll be twenty-six dollars," I said with a smile.

"Are you ladies new around here?" the customer asked while handing me her credit card.

"Not new in the Cove, but we are new to this area," I responded and handed her card back. "There was a competition among the food trucks in the area. The prize was a week here free of charge, and we won."

Lee and I had heard about the competition for the next great food truck in the Taste Divine magazine. Taste Divine was a national publication that highlighted small-town hidden gems.

I was hesitant to apply to be one of the contestants, but Caeli convinced me by hyping me up like she usually does, and this time, she was right.

The magazine sent around 'secret shoppers' to each of the food trucks to purchase food. We had no idea when they would visit or who they were. They judged us based on four categories: truck appearance, customer service, price point, and taste.

When Caeli and I received the letter that we'd won, we screamed because that's what girls do, and then we celebrated.

Our next goal was to be highlighted in Taste Divine as the Caramel Cove hidden gem. That national exposure would propel our business to the next level.

"Black Girl Magic!" the customer smiled and said.

"All day 'er day!"

We laughed.

"Well, congratulations. I hope y'all kill it here. I'm happy to have something good for dessert," the customer said with a smile.

"Thank you! I hope you enjoy your cupcakes and come back again. We change our flavors often."

B y the end of the day, we'd sold everything except a little over a dozen cupcakes, which I would drop off at the rec center on the way home. The kids loved getting the cupcakes for free, plus they would tell their parents about the truck, and we would get more business. McDonald's knew the key to a lifelong customer was attracting them as children. That was my plan, too.

In preparation to leave, I sprayed the counter down with the environmentally friendly cleaner. Then I looked up to see who Lee was talking to.

"Damn," I said when I saw the handsome guy smile while talking to Lee. I walked up just as he was finishing a statement about our sales.

"Who are you, and why would your taste have anything to do with our sales?" I asked.

"He's nobody, and they don't," Caeli responded.

I walked over and stood next to Lee, my curiosity getting the better of me. "You're definitely not a nobody," I replied after getting a closer look.

He was handsome, and I knew Lee thought he was too; otherwise, as tired as we both were, there would be no way she would be entertaining him. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't place him. "Wait, you look familiar. Do I know you?"

"No," he replied. "I never forget a face."

I didn't forget faces either, which was why I racked my brain trying to figure out who he was. I'd started back at elementary school trying to recall where I'd seen his face, and their conversation faded into the background until I heard him say, "We had a deal."

His cocky grin was the complete opposite of the scowl that was on Lee's face.

"What kind of deal?" I asked.

I wasn't sure what was going on because I'd missed most of the conversation. I didn't like for people to come for my sister, so I had to ask questions to figure out what my next move was. Were we fighting or flirting? I needed to know.

"We bet our sales would far exceed yours. Now, your stubborn ass sister owes me dinner," the cute guy replied.

"You made a bet on our business?" I seethed.

Why would she do that and not mention it to me? That's why she complained about the sales even though we had a great day.

I was in my head and missed something because he abruptly walked away and was replaced with another man who also looked familiar. And then it clicked.

Knocks.

Our eyes met, and I saw when he recognized me. I smiled.

"I'm headed to my car," Camilla mumbled while pushing past me.

"You can fill me in on all the details of your dumb deal in a little bit," I called behind her.

I wasn't letting her off the hook.

Smoked and Spiced was embroidered on his black polo shirt.

"Pretty lady with the rum," Knocks said.

"That's me," I replied.

I was sure my teeth were dry, and it would be hard to slide my top lip back over them, but my smile was stuck. I had thought about Knocks more than I cared to admit. I knew he had a girlfriend, but that didn't stop me from thinking about him.

"You work at the barbecue truck?" I asked.

"I own the barbecue truck. I'm Lennox, but everyone calls me Nox," he extended his hand.

"Oh, Nox. Like at the end of Lennox! That makes sense. I'm Ami with an I – well, Camilla. People call me both," I rambled.

His calloused hand firmly gripped mine and sent a zip of electricity through my body. Even though he smelled like burnt wood and charcoal, he still smelled good.

"You have soft hands like you're a baker," Nox commented.

"And you have the hands of a man who works for a living."

"I'll take that," Nox flashed a beautiful smile.

Fully taking in all his features, including his rich, dark brown skin, meticulously groomed beard, long eyelashes and thick eyebrows that framed his dark, piercing eyes, he was even more handsome than I remembered.

"And who was the guy here before you?"

"My cousin, Brayden. He owns the truck with me," Nox answered.

"How long have you had it?"

"We've had it for a little over a year. How long have you had the cupcake truck?"

"Six months. We were downtown before we came to Food Alley."

"Do you both bake?" Nox asked.

"We both can bake, but baking and recipe development is my lane. Sissy does all the business stuff."

"Oh, so that's why she made that bet against Bray," Nox said.

"Brayden just mentioned the bet to me. I had no idea. What was the bet exactly? Did you also wager against my business?"

Lennox put up his hands defensively. "No, I didn't wager against your business. All of that happened while I was helping you with rum at the liquor store. How did that recipe turn out, by the way."

"Naw, don't switch subjects. The bet. We were talking about the bet," I said.

Lennox chuckled. "There's a code in the streets, which includes the food truck streets. I can't speak on a conversation I wasn't a part of. You'll have to ask your sister…" Nox paused for her name.

"Caeli," I inserted.

"Caeli."

"So that's how things go around here?" I asked.

"Aye, I learned a long time ago to mind my own business. My grandpa used to say that minding your business is a full-time job, and everyone needs to stay employed."

I cackled. That response helped to release some of the anger I felt bubbling in my core. I reminded myself that life was too short to stress about details I didn't know. I decided to just be in the present and enjoy my conversation with Lennox.

"For true!" I said, still laughing. "So, does your girlfriend, the one who was at the store with you, help out with the truck?"

Nox smiled.

"You could've just asked if I had a girlfriend."

I shrugged. "I mean, that's basically what I said."

"That was my sister, Peaches, who was with me at the liquor store."

"That's a likely story," I said and pursed my lips.

That made Lennox laugh.

"That did sound a little suspect, but she is my sister."

"So…no girlfriend?"

"I wouldn't have flirted with you if I had a girl."

My Apple watch vibrated on my wrist. I saw it was a call from our neighbor, Ms. Anita.

"Excuse me for a second." I grabbed my phone and answered. "Hey, Ms. Anita."

"Hey, Ami. I was calling because I used that code that you gave me to the back door of your house. You know technology is something. I remember when we had keys for everything, and we had to keep up with them. If we lost them, we weren't getting in the house."

"Yes. Ma'am." I replied, trying to push the conversation along.

Ms. Anita had lived in the house next door to us her entire life. Her parents brought her home from the hospital to that house. She married her husband, and they purchased the house from her parents. She'd raised her children there and frequently had her grandchildren over.

She was a wonderful neighbor. We'd known her since we were little, since we spent a lot of time with Aunt Florence. She looked out for Lee and me just like my aunt did.

"After I used the code, the door just unlocked just like you said it would. I went into the kitchen to put the vegetables I picked from the community garden on the counter. You know Phyllis was over there talking about how wonderful of a gardener she is because the Roma tomatoes are growing so well. I said let me tell you something, Phyllis, this is a community effort. You ain't no better a gardener than anyone else!"

"I know that's right," I said.

Ms. Anita and Ms. Phyllis were frenemies. They always had some beef.

"She gets on my nerves. Anyway, I noticed that the bucket you put under the sink was overflowing. It was water all over the floor. I got it up, but that drip is more of a steady stream now," Ms. Anita finished.

"Oh wow. I hoped we would've found someone to fix that by now. We will be home soon to take care of it. Thank you, Ms. Anita. I appreciate you cleaning it up."

"My pleasure. I made sure the door was locked when I left," Ms. Anita finished.

"Yes, ma'am. I appreciate it, and I appreciate the produce."

"No problem, Baby. See you later."

"Yes, ma'am."

I blew out a breath after disconnecting the call.

"What's wrong," Nox asked.

"Our kitchen sink is leaking. We thought the leak was fixed, but it's getting progressively worse."

"Is it something in the walls, or…?" Lennox asked.

"No, it's the pipes under the sink. I think when we got the new sink installed, the guy who did it cut some corners. It's so hard to find reasonably priced contractors who are available to get the work done and who will actually do good work."

Again, I was explaining myself to this man like I knew him or like he cared.

"I know someone who knows something about kitchen sinks and plumbing. He may be able to help you," Nox said.

"Really? That would be wonderful."

"Give me your number, and I'll put him in contact with you."

"If you wanted my number, Lennox, all you had to do was ask."

Lennox laughed.

"In your words, that's basically what I said."

I smiled as he handed me his phone. I navigated to the contacts and added my name: Camilla (Ami) ??Webb. After entering my number, I saved it and handed him his phone.

He typed out a quick text, and my watch vibrated.

555-555-5555

This is Lennox Young – lock me in.

"Got it," I replied.

My watch vibrated again.

555-565-5656

The handyman's number.

"Wonderful. Nox, I really appreciate it. I'm going to give this number to Lee. She handles all that type of stuff."

"Yeah, just tell her to text him. He will let her know his availability," Nox replied.

"Okay. May I offer you a cupcake? It's on the house."

"Is it good?" Nox asked.

"It's the best cupcake you'll ever eat in your life. That's a guarantee."

"But you baked it. Can I trust your opinion?"

"I have great taste. I flirted with you, didn't I?"

"I can't argue with that," Nox agreed with a smile.

"Do you have any food allergies or lactose sensitivities?"

"Nope."

I quickly boxed up two cupcakes, a red velvet with chocolate ganache icing and a salted caramel crunch – one of my personal favorites. I placed them in a container and into one of our pink bags.

"There you go. I'm sure you'll enjoy them," I said after passing the bag through the window.

"I'm sure I will."

nox

So, the pretty lady at the liquor store's name was Ami. She was even cuter in her lil' cupcake truck. Ami's large, almond-shaped eyes were the most striking feature of her face, always on the verge of a laugh and perhaps a little trouble. Even when I didn't tell her all the details of the bet her sister made against Bray, Ami's full lips held on to a slight smirk as if to say that life is life, and it just wasn't that serious.

But it was her deep caramel skin, glowing from within, and her personality, warm and welcoming, that truly drew me in.

After my last relationship, I decided to take some time to build my business and take care of myself. I'd spent two years trying to make something work that probably was never supposed to work.

When I saw that pink hair and those big eyes, I should've run for the hills, but did I do that? No. My dumb ass stood there talking to her and even waited while she took a phone call. I wasn't sure what it was about her, but I was drawn to her, and no matter how much I didn't want to be, I was.

"Why do you have that dumb smile on your face?" Brayden asked.

"Damn, I can't just be happy?"

"Naw, it's something else. You must be smiling 'cause ol' girl with the pink hair winked at your corny ass."

I laughed.

"If I were a less mature man, I would deny that statement. Since I'm in my grown-man era, I can admit that I'm feeling Shorty. She's the one I mentioned that I met at the liquor store."

"That's her?" Bray asked.

"Crazy, right? I intentionally walked away from her at the liquor store only to find out you were back here starting fights with her sister."

"Aye, I didn't start anything. She was in our spot. Then when I politely asked her lil' annoying ass to move that big pink ass truck, she got smart with me. It would've been cute if she wasn't annoying as fuck," Brayed explained.

"You're mad because she stood up to your controlling ass."

"Bruh, there's a natural order of things! We've been out here in the same spot for a year… a year! They should've come in humble enough to know their role. She didn't understand that, so I had to let her know."

"You bet her that we would make more money than them?"

"No," Brayden clarified. "I surmised…"

I laughed, "Nigga, surmised?"

Brayden chuckled, "I wagered that they couldn't produce half of our profits."

"What did you win?"

"The Sugar Princess has to buy me dinner," Brayden answered.

"She must not be as annoying as you first mentioned if you're willing to go out with her."

"Aye, I ain't never say she wasn't sexy as hell. Two things can be true at the same time; she's annoying and sexy."

"It sounds like you just figured out a way to get her to go out with you. You knew they couldn't touch our profits. We have more products and charge more. We also have a loyal customer base."

"She accepted the bet, so…" Brayden shrugged.

I remembered the cupcakes that Ami gave me. I grabbed the bag from the counter and sat on the couch across from Brayden.

"You bought cupcakes from them?" Brayden asked.

"No, Ami gave these to me because I know how to talk to people."

"I ain't gone lie. They look fantastic," Bray said.

"They smell good too," I agreed. "Get a knife. Let's try them."

Brayden returned from my kitchen with a fork in hand. "We can do it like Grandpa used to make us do it."

"You cut I choose," I replied.

"Exactly."

Brayden cut both cupcakes in half. I chose my halves, and we both ate our half of the red velvet in one bite.

The explosions of flavors that hit my palate were like no cake I'd ever eaten. The moist texture layered on top of dark chocolate, cherry and something else I couldn't put my finger on made the cupcake exquisite.

"Damn," I said after finishing the half. "That was amazing."

"Fucking delectable," Brayden agreed. "Which one is the baker?"

"Ami said they both can bake, but Caeli runs the day-to-day, so Ami does the baking."

"Damn, that was good. Let's see if the other one is just as good. Anybody can make a red velvet taste good," Brayden said.

We both popped the salted caramel crunch cupcake into our mouths. Again, the smooth texture of the icing, along with the gradual build of the caramel flavor that was topped with a hint of saltiness to balance out the sweetness, was something I'd never experienced in a cupcake.

"Naw, she's good. That was great," I said.

"Shorty can bake. I can see why they kept a steady line," Brayden agreed. "Too bad you'll have to wait until their truck is open again to try another flavor."

"Actually, after you ran off to save the world, I got you an in with your girl while getting my girl's number at the same time."

"Word? How?" Brayden asked.

"They're having a problem with their kitchen sink leaking, and since you just installed your new kitchen sink and know a little about all of that stuff from Grandpa, I told her I may know someone who could handle it. Ami said she would give your number to Caeli, but she probably won't want to deal with you since you're making them move their truck."

"You obviously forgot who you're talking to," Brayden bragged.

"No, I haven't forgotten at all. That's why I said what I said. Don't mess this up for me. I don't know what kind of influence one sister has on the other."

"Whateva, I got this over here. You just handle your own business," Brayden said.