The intern in question was one of the students smiling at guests from behind the display tables, eagerly explaining the inspiration for and technicalities of their creations.

“Oh! I know you!” the short woman exclaimed when Devon introduced them. Kim Cole was bubbly with long box braids and a dimpled smile. “I was rooting for you on Pastry Wars! Someday I’ll make it on there.”

Kim’s excitement was catching, and Cherisse found herself grinning back at the younger woman, in spite of her awful memories of the show. “I’ve no doubt you’ll get on there and win. These are so amazing!”

“Aww, you’re sweet.” Kim said. “Anyway, boss man, you better go make the rounds, talk up the company. I’ll be over here holding it down.” Kim’s hand swept over some smaller versions of the bigger-sized chocolate cubes. “There are minis for sampling, so take as many as you like!”

Cherisse didn’t have to be told twice. The designs looked too pretty to eat, but damn if she wasn’t going to anyway. She was curious about the taste. Tyler didn’t look as excited.

“Not a fan of sweets,” he admitted when she asked what he was having, which wasn’t a strike against him because the way Cherisse saw it, she could take his share.

They took in the other desserts on display, while Cherisse sampled and snapped pics to tease Reba and Remi. She basically blew up their group chat with the tantalizing photos.

Reba: Ohhh myyyy gawwwsh. I want this in my face.

Remi: You are a cruel woman. How dare...

Cherisse: these are so good. If only you could taste them LOL

Reba: smuggle some downstairs in a napkin.

Remi: If I show up with my camera no one’ll know I’m not really scheduled to take pics at this event.

“You’re eating all of that? That’s a lot of sugar.”

Cherisse stiffened. And there was that strike. She hated people commenting on her food choices. She got enough of that from her mother and other family members. Who the hell did Tyler think he was?

“It’s why I’m so sweet,” she quipped, instead of handing Tyler his ass. He had the sugary treats to thank for making her so mellow. There was certainly not going to be a third date after this.

She was grateful for the moment Tyler ran into some “very important people he just had to catch up with” because she was quite fine on her own, roaming, admiring the backdrop of the expanse of glass that ran along the side of the cocktail area. The lights from the Waterfront down below illuminated the sea that surrounded the Hyatt.

With a plate of sweets in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, Cherisse ducked outside onto the balcony area, enjoying the feel of the cool night air against her skin. She plopped down onto the cushions of the wicker couch and balanced the plate of desserts on her knee carefully. Her tight white dress may not have been the best choice for tonight, considering she’d been surrounded by sticky treats, but she hadn’t had any accidents yet. Plus, she looked damned good in it. It was worth the risk.