"Talk to him."

Thiane was crazy, thought Thandie as she passed the dull lip pencil on her lips.

Thandie paused and reflected a little more.

Why did Thiane believe Callum was a great match?

It wasn't because Callum gave her a few cakes that he deserved her attention. They were probably leftovers. Thandie shrugged and resumed applying her lipstick for perfect brown lips.

Of course, she had tasted none of the cakes and couldn't guess the heart that went into making them. The batch of pastries was unique, specially made for her and her children. However, her kids and Thiane, who tasted a few in the afternoon, praised Callum.

Thandie remained stoic to the delicate intent. She had sent a thank you message. It was more than enough.

"Mom, are you ready?" Kenya asked

For once, her children waited, wondering what had gotten into her. Royal observed Thandie as she grabbed her coat. Like a jealous husband, he wished to ask for whom she did herself up for.

If only her do-up were limited to lipstick and the BB cream, which was already too much for the boy who also noticed she wore perfume.

What Royal overheard the night before made him anxious. The sisters called it a truce and talked casually, thinking all the children were asleep.

"We're just talking for the moment. He hasn't asked me out, and I'm unsure I want to. It just feels good to talk to someone," Thandie said.

"See, I told you. Oppo is a worthwhile distraction."

Royal didn't catch all the words, but he understood his mom was chatting with somebody somewhere, and he presumed that someone was what made Thandie do herself up that morning.

Thandie didn't even think about taking a detour. Callum sat in the front row to watch Thandie arrive.

The cigarette he was about to light waited for its twin flame from the unsparked lighter while Callum stood mouth agape.

It wasn't the makeup that retained his attention but the shoes. How long had it been since Thandie had worn anything other than flats or sneakers?

The heels did wonders by lengthening Thandie's long legs. Callum was almost sure he wouldn't need to lower his head to stare into her eyes.

Thandie turned her gaze away, realizing she had broken her protocol by taking the street.

Why did the man always have to be there every time? When she thought of it, she had never walked by Callum's bakery without seeing him smoking outside. She never imagined they would connect in one way or another back then.

Thandie remembered how she had glanced at Callum while waiting for her children. It wasn't that she wanted to look at him, but she had nothing else to do. Callum's tortured look made one want to ask what was wrong, and Thandie almost did once or twice.

Like many, she felt drawn by the recluse and mysterious. Callum wasn't solitary; he had a business, and people appreciated him. Still, the impression he gave prompted one to take an interest in him. Thandie became curious about the man. Before she knew it, she sought to meet his gaze without ever admitting how intrigued she was.

Her curiosity met reciprocity, and she refused to admit that perhaps it was more than that. One thing was sure: it wasn't that morning Thandie planned to acknowledge anything. On the contrary, she prayed none of her kids would reclaim something and that they would walk past without stopping at Bakersfield.

"Mom."

Oh no, she had prayed, though!

"Mom, can we get something at the bakery?"

Thandie tilted her head to the side for her don't-you-think-you're-exaggerating glare, "weren't the cakes you ate this weekend enough? You have enough sugar in your blood to fuel a round trip to Lagos."

One could always trust a mother to extrapolate situations to the extreme.

"Please, Mom, we're not late today. We have plenty of time."

Meia's words made Royal realize their mother had woken them earlier than usual.

Thandie sighed and advanced with her troop. Calum wondered whether he should go inside or wait outdoors.

No, Thandie couldn't go in. It wouldn't make sense. Callum still held his unlit cigarette with his sorry-to-be-alive expression.

What was he to do?

Why was he panicking?

It wasn't like he would strike up a conversation, Callum thought, without thinking the discussion could come from elsewhere.

Thandie didn't even have time to react.

"Hello."

Callum looked down and immediately shoved his cigarette into his pocket, "Hello," he replied

"Thank you for the cakes. They were delicious."

Each child had their personality, and Kenya, who usually was discreet, showed one of her most noble traits. Of course, her sister followed in her lead.

"Yes, they were so-So-so tasty," Meia said, adding a smile that showed her missing lateral incisors.

"Thank you," Royal said with all the rustiness in him.

Callum slicked his hair back and hoped no one noticed his blush. He lifted his gaze. He was right. Thandie's eyes met his.

"Hi."

"Hello."

"Mom," Meia stretched out her hand, awaiting the money.

Thandie opened her purse. "Get two doughnuts to share."

Thandie expected Royal to follow his sister; instead, he stayed behind while Kenya accompanied Meia.

Men, no matter how nice they seemed, were Royal's enemies. Royal didn't want anyone near his mother.

In the present, as his gaze switched from Thandie to Callum, Royal wondered if Callum was the person she made efforts for.

"I know I already said it, but thank you for the cakes. My kids enjoyed them."

"How about you?" Callum asked. The baker dared, who doesn't ask, will never know, and Callum didn't wish to die ignorant.

"ㅡMe, ㅡhmm, I'm more of a salt and sour person than a sweet and sour."

Thandie set the tone and blasted Callum's mind into oblivion.

Royal watched with satisfaction. He didn't know what the baker was playing at, but whatever it was, his mother finished the fantastic adventure before it began.

"Salt and sour," Callum repeated.

Did such a cake exist in nature?

"But as I said, the kids loved them. Didn't you, Royal?"

Royal nodded while giving Callum a bug eye glare worthy of ranking among Samuel Jackson's greatest.

Thandie only saw smoke, while Callum wondered how someone could say they appreciated something with such an expression.

Callum shivered, Thandie's salt and sour answer threw in an air con climate, and Royal's stare sent a blizzard.

"Just a sec," Callum said.

He went back inside, and Thandie looked into the window.

There was a queue. It was almost the girl's turn, and Callum went behind the counter.

Thandie didn't see what he did, but the girls came out with a huge smile. Callum closed their steps.

"Look, Mom, Callum gave us his new sakura and chocolate twist rolls to taste and a doughnut each."

"You didn't have to," Thandie said with an avoidant gaze.

"I wanted to. I need testers; please let me know what you think, kids."

There was no doubt the man was on a seduction mission, and his first target was Thandie's kids.

"Thanks, we need to get going," Thandie urged.

"Thank you, yes, I will tell you how it tastes," Meia said, even though she had already done it inside.

"It's my pleasure," Callum replied, placing a hand on his chest.

Thandie advanced with her children. She waited to be far to glance back. Of course, Callum hadn't budged. The man didn't miss an inch of the action that made Thandie turn her head so fast she could have snapped it off.

How annoying, Thandie thought as she strutted away.

Each child shoved a pasty in their bag and ate the doughnut down the street leading to their school.

Royal gave his mother a slide glance. What was she doing? She usually left them at the crossroads. Kenya and he could go alone.

It was too late to ask; they arrived at their gate.

As usual, a teacher stood waiting. This time, it was Mr. Campbell, their PE teacher.

"Good morning, Royal, Kenya. You're lucky I was about to close." Cole turned and eyed Thandie uptown, "Ms. Olamide, good morning."

Royal cocked a brow until further notice his mother was a Chiroma.

How did this man, who had probably only seen his mother during school open days and meetings, know her maiden name?

Royal turned to stare at his mom; his heart dropped.

Why was she smiling as though their gran had just served her a plate of jollof rice, plantain, and oxtail?

"Good morning, Thandie said before saying bye to her kids.

Royal looked back at his mother with a pinch of relief as he saw she didn't stay. Thandie walked away. Their PE teacher was so focused on her that he didn't even note the names of the kids who were late.

Thandie waited to turn at the corner to sprint to Belle Ange's nursery.

She was late now but happy to have made the detour at Royal's school. Cole was even more handsome than in his photos. The best feature was his height, her shortbread days were over if ever she decided to take a plunge with Cole.

Wait a minute, what was she thinking?

Thandie didn't really want something with the PE teacher. She drew satisfaction from just knowing he was attracted to her. Thandie knew Cole just wished to flirt-easy, and even if she had difficulty coming to terms with her divorcee status, she remained a dreamer.

Like many lonely hearts, Thandie desired someone to make her forget how broken she was. She wanted someone caring, full of sweet and not sour intentions.

Someone...

No, Thandie yelled within as Callum made his guest appearance in her mind.