Hey there! Happy Sunday.

Today I present to you the final sample before the release of Game of Two Halves! I can’t even begin to explain how excited I am to bring you Nonso & Yinka’s story in this sports romance. If you’ve been a resident of the U.N Universe, you’ll remember I started talking about Viva City from Vows Fulfilled.

Alas, in exactly six days, I take you to Viva City, home of the Panthers. In this scene, Yinka, our FMC is talking to her best friend Cassie at a restaurant you will hear a lot about in this book; a new restaurant called Fusion Haven. It is also new to the U. N Universe. Enjoy and do not forget to preorder Game of Two Halves….today.

I turned my phone face down on the table, trying to ignore it as it continued to ring. “I hate you,” I grumbled.
“No, you don’t,” Cassie replied with a knowing smile. “You love me, but you hate when I’m right.”
And she had been right about Brandon. He was a disaster from the start. But on paper, he seemed perfect – good job, from a God-fearing family, perfect height to snuggle under. But after a year and a half together, the mask fell off and his true colors were anything but perfect.
“You’ve broken up with him for good, right?” Cassie asked, concern lacing her tone.
I nodded, feeling exhausted just thinking about all the times I had tried to end things with Brandon. “A hundred times. But he always comes up with some excuse. This time it’s blaming the London air for clouding my judgement.”
“What? You’ve been here for four years but just broke up with him when you went to Atlanta a few months ago. Right?”
“Yep. After I’d been telling him it was over for months over the phone.” My phone started ringing again, and I quickly silenced it. “I’m going to use the restroom. I’ll stop by the bar to check on our takeout order.”
“Thanks, girl. I need to answer some emails because once this is done, I’m done with work for the day.”
“You do realize that guys like Brandon need to see you with someone else before they understand it’s really over,” Cassie remarked.
“Well, he’s going to have to accept it regardless because there is no one else,” I replied.
“Oh, believe me, I know…”

Grabbing my phone and purse, I turned towards the double doors leading from the patio into the restaurant, quickly walking away before Cassie could start lecturing me about the men she’d tried to set me up with. A few minutes later, as I exited the restroom, I made a detour to the bar. My phone rang again, and I knew Brandon wouldn’t stop calling at this rate. After asking the bartender to check on our orders, I answered the Facetime call.
“Hey, baby, I’ve been trying to reach you,” Brandon said. He was dressed for the gym. He went every evening after work.
“Yeah, sorry about that. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.”
I braced myself for the guilt trip as he went through his usual routine of blaming me for derailing our relationship for continuing to pursue my dreams in another country. I was alone at the bar when we started our Facetime call. Brandon was starting to get loud. As he continued talking aggressively, my eyes wandered around the space. My eyes landed on the most stunning dark-skinned man I’d ever seen at the other end of the bar. My heart began to race as our eyes locked, and he winked at me.
Without thinking….

I can’t spoil all the fun now can I… LOL

As an added bonus, I’m including a restaurant review Tahra Slimani, our resident restaurant critic wrote about Fusion Haven on a recent visit.

Title: Fusion Haven: Culture and Flavor in the City
In the heart of Viva City, amidst a tapestry of cultures, lies the gem of Fusion Haven. With its unassuming exterior, this restaurant invites food enthusiasts to experience a fusion of flavors and traditions.
As I entered Fusion Haven, the blend of aromas immediately struck me. The décor, blending African and European influences, set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.
I began with Jollof Rice Arancini, offering a twist on a West African classic. The crispy outside gave way to flavors that transported me to Lagos with every bite. Next were Plantain Croquettes, perfectly combining sweet plantains and savory spices with a tangy mango salsa.
The star of the meal was Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers, inspired by Portuguese flavors with an African kick. The peri-peri marinated chicken was grilled to perfection, creating a tantalizing mix of flavors and textures.
Fusion Haven is more than just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of diversity and creativity in cuisine. Where flavors collide and new traditions are born. Whether you’re a foodie or seeking a unique dining experience, Fusion Haven will captivate your taste buds and leave you wanting more. –Tahra Slimani: Chief Restaurant Critic

That’s it folks, see you on Friday, release day!!! Preorder Game of Two Halves here

Peace & Blessings

Unoma