#5 Icing on the Cake Read Free Page B

me was her high-tooting behind. But theymade a deal right in front of me. Who was going to say no to helping the mayor-elect’s daughter? Ms. Pinky wasn’t. She saw an opportunity, and she was all over it. I wasn’t happy with it at all, and Paris could tell.
    â€œMy aunt can be a little brash,” Paris said.
    â€œYou think?” I said to him.
    â€œBut she means well.”
    â€œI’m sad I’m even here,” I uttered to the stranger.
    He put his hand on my hand and said, “But you look cute in your apron, your food tastes good, and you’re here. How many people can say they’ve got a business at your age? You’re what? Sixteen?”
    â€œI’m not sixteen yet.”
    â€œWell, don’t be so hard on yourself. My aunt is old. You’re just getting started. You’ll surpass what she’s doing in your lifetime. Learn from her. Learn the stuff she’s doing right and things she’s doing wrong. Be better than she is. But don’t beat yourself up about it. You’re young.”

CHAPTER TWO
YOKED
    â€œWasn’t the show great? Aren’t you so proud of Slade?” Sloan came over, shook me and said.
    My sister’s performance was amazing. The song “Be My Friend” was hot, and her singing partner, Charlotte, a cute blonde, could hold her own too. The rhythm and blues mixed with pop rock sound that the two of them had was electrifying.
    They looked cute, and I knew that’s because Shelby had hooked them up. Sloan was bragging that her magazine issue was going to be dope because of all the great pictures Ansli hadcaptured. Everybody was contributing, but me. Sloan was bummed with Slade for not making me the sole dessert person, but she quickly left me to be bummed out alone.
    Every time someone came from the crowded room to the back to get some refreshments, they didn’t come to my little area. I went over to Ms. Pinky, and I looked like a fool feeling sorry for myself. I guess my face showed my disappointment.
    Sloan put her arms around me and said, “After everything I just went through, this might not be an ideal situation for your cupcake business, going up against a guru in the dessert field. But nobody’s laughing at your effort like they laughed me out of school.”
    I shook my head. I knew my sister meant last month when she went through a terrible ordeal with a girl who was jealous because a boy she liked, liked my sister instead. But this wasn’t the same.
    â€œBut at least you were vindicated when it all came out. Nobody’s eating my cupcakes! I shouldn’t have even been here.”
    â€œYeah, but a naked picture of me is still floating around on somebody’s phone. I promise you. Since we put that heifer in jail, I doubt people will go around showing it, but they’re probably getting their little peeks on, and I’ll never be able to live that down. But you don’t see me wallowing in what I can’t change.”
    â€œDad wants me to work with the lady.”
    â€œWell great! If she’s on a level that you’re trying to get to, what’s so wrong with that?”
    â€œYeah, what’s wrong with that?” a male voice came from out of nowhere and said. Sloan looked at me and gave me a smirk.
    I turned around and said, “Okay, don’t get no ideas.”
    â€œLook at the way he’s devouring you with his eyes. Don’t dismiss the interest.”
    She was such a writer. There was no happy ending happening. I had no interest in the guy.
    â€œIt’s rude to eavesdrop,” I said to him.
    â€œI just came to get another cupcake, and I overheard the two of you guys.” Paris winked.
    â€œOh, Yolanda dear, come here,” Ms. Pinky said in an uppity tone.
    â€œIt’s Yuri!” I yelled out.
    â€œOkay,” she said in an uncaring voice. “Come here, dear.”
    Sloan and Paris stayed at my booth, not that I needed