"Let's just say I wasn't born yesterday." He dipped his hand into the bag of chips. "You're the most focused person I know. When you're going MIA on me, it's either that you're in some kinda trouble or you have a woman on your mind."
I didn't confirm or deny his guess, but sat up and gave our business my attention. "So, let's talk about this facility you want to open. That's why you called me over here."
"I was doing exactly that before you went off on an adventure in your head." He crumpled the empty bag between his hands and got off the sofa. "You want anything to drink?"
I shook my head, and he went toward the kitchen. When he sat again, he had a can of Pepsi in his fist which he put to his head.
"How you stay fit I do not know."
"Life is for living," Kemar said, giving me a carefree grin. "I'm in good shape. Let me enjoy myself."
"Right, so about that business ... "
He chuckled and reached for the tablet on the table. After swiping the screen a few times, he pushed the electronic device toward me. "This is the place. Tell me what you think."
On the screen were several shots of the outside of a modern, two-story building. The interior needed repairs, which was partly what our meeting was about. After scanning the photos, I asked, "Is all this space available to you?"
"That depends on what you think I should do."
"If you want to have a therapy center along with a gym facility, plus yoga, and the services of a masseuse, it would be a good idea to use the entire building."
As Kemar considered my words, he nodded. "That makes sense."
I felt him watching me as I continued studying the space in which he wanted to start the center. As the silence lengthened, I anticipated the question he'd ask.
"Have you given any more thought to coming in with me?"
"I've been turning it over in my mind."
"Will you at least take the trip down to get the lay of the land?" He waited a bit before adding, "Even if you don't invest in the venture, it would be great to have your input on things." When I looked up, he laughed. "Plus, while you're there we can hook you up with a nice Jamaican girl."
"I've already got my own hook up, so thank you but no."
We laughed some, then got down to discussing the kind of equipment that would be best suited to a state-of-the-art fitness and treatment center such as the one he wanted to open.
The idea of going to Jamaica was growing more attractive by the minute. Seeing where Gina grew up and what life was like on an island would be a great experience. My pipedream was nice, but that's exactly what it was at this time.
I didn't know what was up with Gina, but she seemed reluctant to go home. Each time we talked about the island and her family, she grew silent for long periods and sighed as if she was carrying a burden. When I asked when she'd be going back for good, she stopped communicating.
Weird, considering the way she kept encouraging me to visit the country. Of course, I wasn't at the point where I could tell her that visiting Jamaica without her there didn't seem like an appealing option to me. My way-out thought almost made me laugh. I certainly could say that to Gina if I felt like it. I just didn't know what effect it would have on her. It was cute the way her skin colored when she got flustered.
"So there's a girl I should know about?"
"That is none of your business," I said, pointing to the tablet. "Let's get back to what we were doing."
"You're such a spoilsport. Your woman isn't doing you justice if she never told you all work and no play makes Kofi a dull boy."
"Can we get back to the floor plan?"
"This is how I know I'm on to something."
I raised both brows. "What are you talking about?"
He stared at me as if he thought I was hiding something. "You're keeping something from me. You're so obvious. Whenever you get secretive—"
"Which is all the time."
"And start trying to get me off the scent, it means you have something to hide."
