“Hey. What’s going on here?” I asked.
“Oh, hey, Kenzo. Gramps and I were just talking about different ways to make truffles. These are chocolate-covered peanut butter pretzels. You wanna try?”
“Hell yeah. What’s up, Gramps?”
I leaned down to embrace him and kissed the top of his head. Malyah smiled as she watched our interaction.
“Just enjoying my new granddaughter. You’re a little late today. Something going on at the office I should know about?”
“Nah. I just lost track of time.”
I reached for one of the chocolate desserts, and they both swatted my hand away from the plate.
“Wash your hands,” Malyah fussed.
“Kiss your wife!” Gramps demanded.
I looked back and forth between them, then pressed a kiss on Malyah’s forehead before going to the kitchen sink to wash my hands. When I returned, I said, “Are you two satisfied?”
“You’re married now, Grandson, and I know there’s a learning curve, but never greet anyone before greeting your wife.”
“My bad, but I got it now.”
Malyah lifted the plate full of truffles and held it in front of me. The aroma of peanut butter and chocolate filled my nostrils. I chose one and slowly bit into it, closing my eyes when the flavor hit my tongue.
“Mmm. Three for three,” I said with my mouth full.
“What does that mean, or is that an inside joke?” Gramps asked, his voice filled with skepticism.
“This is the third dessert she’s made that tastes like the best thing I’ve ever had . . . Well, almost.”
My eyes grazed over Malyah’s body as I licked my lips. When they made it back up to her eyes, she blushed and looked away.
“Ahem!” My grandfather cleared his throat.
“Can’t a man admire his wife?”
“Of course, but I didn’t want you to forget I was in the room and devour her in front of me,” he teased.
“Oh my God,” Malyah commented, shaking her head and covering her face in embarrassment.
“What were you saying about her desserts?” Gramps questioned.
“Remember that cheesecake?” He nodded. “Malyah is the culprit.”
“You don’t say? Why the secrecy?” he asked her.
“I bring desserts I make to the staff all the time because I want honest opinions, but I didn’t know if I was overstepping.”
“I need to know your secret to the cheesecake. I only had a small piece, and it was delicious, but I didn’t have enough to pinpoint the ingredient that tickled my taste buds the most,” he continued.
She smiled. “You seem to be a nice guy, Gramps, but I don’t know you like that.”
We laughed at her comment.
“That’s fair, but I have a few secrets of my own I’m willing to trade with you.”
Her eyes brightened as she responded with, “If that’s the case, I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
