Thandie's first Oppo date was a disaster. She realized her mistake. She naturally thought Cole and her would match because he was a black man, and their understanding of one another would surely be better.

Going on her date with him brought back memories of what she detested in her relationship with Moses.

The age difference wasn't the issue. What bothered Thandie was Coles's limited independence. Thandie didn't see herself mothering a grown man.

She wanted something other; she just didn't put a finger on her exact desire.

"Pick someone your age," Thiane urged.

Who was available, her age, and had stability?

The thought dragged along until Monday, and the scent of Callum's bread filled the street and reminded her of the man's existence.

Callum was slightly older. The two-year age gap made them the same age, in Thandie's opinion.

Regarding stability, Callum had the package or at least the finance. He wasn't a millionaire, but he made a good living.

Her kids relished his cakes, and Meia even seemed to appreciate him as a person.

Physically, his height scored a ten, and so did his eyes. Blue or grey, all Thandie knew was they were bright.

Those were the good points Thandie thought before enlisting the downers: He smoked. His lungs were probably tarmac. He had a dog, was terribly clumsy and shy, and fatefully, he had to be white.

Unlike his sister, Thandie believed Callum could never understand her even in a million years.

"What's a black way of living?" Thiane asked when she evoked her thoughts.

"We have our culture."

Thiane rolled her eyes before springing back, "Can't we share it? Can't you teach someone about African or Nigerian culture? If the guy is interested in you, he'll try to learn as much about you as possible, and you can learn about him."

"He's white, there's no culture there," Thandie retorted.

"Oh, please, Thandie, don't be so narrow-minded. He probably has origins. Great Britain has a history. And please don't bring out the slave trade and colonization train. We know, they know. And yes, if we were back then, things would be different, but we're now in another era where none have forgotten but wish to move forward."

Thandie drooped her lips and slid her head back, "Have you ever thought about doing politics? I'm moved. I am shaken."

"Tha, I'm serious."

"So am I. I've never dated one. It's daunting."

"You're plain scared. They're human, you know. He's human. Try Tha, try. It won't kill you."

"Can I remind you that he lives across the street?"

"Tha, one date."

One date, Thandie thought as she stared at the message Callum had sent. The man had been nothing but friendly from the beginning. They were intrigued by one another from the start, but Thandie still didn't want to admit it.

Can the coffee be a dinner? Thandie wrote.

A coffee was too short and a dinner too long, but at least it gave her time to learn more about someone.

The answer took longer than Thandie thought to arrive. Callum jumped on his phone almost two hours after Thandie sent her message.

Yes, dinner is perfect. How about Friday? Callum wrote and waited for a reply that never came.

Thandie had sighed, and she still sighed as she went down the street leading to the bakery the next day. Why didn't she follow up with an answer? Thandie didn't know. It was as though she just wished to confirm he still liked her.

As expected, Callum stood outside, but to her surprise, there was no cigarette. It seemed as though he waited for her.

Meia immediately left her mother's side and greeted him, "Good morning, sir. How are you today?" she said with a smile that gave Callum another dental update on her growing teeth.

"I'm good, young lady."

Thandie blinked in dismay. How in the hell did her child move so fast? She had no choice but to approach Callum's position too.

"Hello," Callum said. He didn't smile, but his stare displayed his delight.

"Hello," Thandie replied before looking down at Meia, who immediately said, "Mom, can I get a cinnamon roll? Callum said I could. He said we could all get a pastry of our choice."

Unbelievable, thought Thandie, suddenly wondering how long she blacked out for her child to negotiate free pastries.

"Can we, Mom, please?"

Thandie looked at callum.

"They can go in."

"I'm sorry for this," Thandie said.

"It's okay. You can go in, kids. The lady at the counter is called Liz. Tell her that Callum said it was okay."

"Come on, Royal," Meia chirped.

The boy looked at Callum and his mother and said, "Get me something," Royal ordered.

"We don't know what you want. Come and pick yourself," Kenya replied.

Royal glanced at the adults once more before following his sisters. Only when the children entered did callum stare straight at Thandie again.

"I'm sorry about this. Meia is really into your cakes. All of them are."

Callum swiped a hand behind his head, "Oh, wow, I'm flattered."

He's way too shy.

Callum blushed, and Thandie smiled.

"About Friday?"

"It's yes. I'm good for Friday. Let's say 7:30 PM." Thandie took the lead. She didn't want Callum to try to muster a surprise like Cole did.

"Okay, 7:30 is fine for me Callum said, stepping up to her.

"Da," Belle Ange yelled as if to say stay put. The infant was the only thing separating the man from Thandie.

Was it the end of the world?

Something had shifted somewhere in the universe for Callum and, to her surprise, for Thandie, who felt relieved to see Callum's reaction.

"Good, do you mind if we meet here?" Thandie asked. She didn't see herself stepping out of her house to meet Callum halfway under her children's gaze.

"When you say here, you mean at this address?"

Suddenly, Callum felt uneasy at the thought of his employees seeing him with Thandie. Guessing he had a crush on her was one thing. Having the confirmation was another. People talked a lot, and Callum didn't wish Thandie to be eaten up in the tea-time gossip.

"Yes, I know it-"

Thandie's words got engulfed in the noise of the opening door. A few customers came out, followed by Thandie's kids,

"Shut up, Meia," Royal threw and walked past his mother and Callum.

"Meia, what's going on?"

The little one opened her mouth but shut it when she saw the dark eye Royal threw.

Only Kenya came out smiling after thanking Liz and complimenting the staff. She was about to thank Callum when Thandie interrupted her, "We better get going." Thandie gave Callum an apologetic stare. The man understood their conversation was on pause till further notice.

Callum waited until Thandie disappeared before entering his bakery. Though curious, none of his staff dared ask a question as Callum joined them at the counter to serve. Only Liz gave Callum a knowing smile.

Thank goodness customers didn't stop coming. Callum was too occupied to think of Thandie. The next moment he had for himself was at noon. Callum sat at his desk and took out his phone.

His screen shone with a familiar red light. The color was contagious, as Callum's cheeks lit up with the same tint as he read the message.

I'm sorry about this morning. I didn't get time to finish. Can we meet in front of the bakery for our date?

Date.

D-A-T-E that she wrote, Callum thought.

Thandie wrote the word date, but Callum couldn't get over it. His random day got a glow-up with Thandie's words. Callum hurried to reply.

It's ok, see you on Friday.

The thought of the date ate up his anxiety about eventual gossip. All that mattered was that Thandie finally gave him a time and a day.

While Callum mentally did cartwheels, Thandie thought of her kids. None explained their outburst, so she had to wait to pick up Belle Ange and Meia to hear the reason.

"What happened between Royal and you this morning?" Thandie asked.

"I just said I liked Callum and thought he liked you. Royal hit me on the head and called me stupid. I didn't say you liked him. You have dad, right, mom?"