Coupled with that, Cherisse had apparently gotten a couple of offers for TV shows. One pitched a co-hosting segment with a popular local chef, Patrick Simmons, who had a weekly segment, and another was for some type of regional cooking contest. They’d both piqued her interest, especially the contest since the prize money was enough for her to put towards funding that project she’d been thinking about for a while—her own bakery. She didn’t plan to work out of her apartment indefinitely, but spaces were so expensive to rent. A loan was an option, but Cherisse preferred to exhaust all other avenues first. A small part of her also needed to redeem herself after Pastry Wars. But, putting herself out there again was scary too, so she’d told Reba she would think on it a bit.

While she’d been trying to play catch up, she also caught herself glancing down at her phone. Keiran hadn’t returned to check on her since the soup, but he’d been sending her ridiculous memes every day since then. He claimed they were to cheer her up, and she had found herself laughing at them while trying not to hack up a lung. Luckily, the damn cough mostly cleared up because her mother had come over to force-feed her some foul flu-be-gone concoction, which had turned into an interrogation about Jerome.

As they sat on the couch, her mother trying to pick her mouth about “the date,” her phone chimed, and just like all the days before, it was another meme. This time, it was one of those ‘What people think I do vs. what I really do’ ones for pastry chefs. She snorted because it was so accurate.

“Is that him?” her mother asked, scooting over to peer at her phone. “See how he has you smiling? A true sign of something good. If a man can’t make you laugh, then it’s no good. Your father is ridiculous most times, but I can’t help myself. I love that man.”

“Mummy, come on!” Cherisse protested, putting her phone face down so her mother couldn’t see the screen. As cute as that reveal about her father being able to still charm her mother was, she had no intention of letting on that her reaction had been to Keiran’s message and not anything Jerome had sent.

That wouldn’t go over too well, and she was in no mood for a lecture.

“Fine.” Her mother scooted back, giving her some space. “But you always tell me stay out of your business, but see? I chose well. You like him.”

“Let’s not get carried away, okay? Just because I laugh at one thing doesn’t mean it’s time for a wedding.”

Her mother sniffed. “Whatever. You never want to listen to me. But, just remember to tell my grandchildren I had a hand in their parents’ love story.”

Cherisse rolled her eyes. Nyla Gooding always knew how to lay it on thick, especially after the Sean fiasco. She’d definitely have a fit if she knew what Cherisse had been up to with Keiran. She’d been clear on her opinions, especially after seeing the fight video. Keiran King was trouble.