"We definitely agree on that."
For the rest of our meal, we chatted about mutual friends. When my phone rang and I looked at it, a smile spread over my face. Kofi had a way of bringing out that reaction.
"You're ready?" I asked.
"We're nearly finished, but take your time. We still have a few things to cover."
"I'll be there in twenty minutes."
Casey laughed when our eyes met. "You better hang on to that guy. I like him already and we haven't met. He makes you happy."
"Yeah, I gotta admit, he does."
We chatted some more and I promised to introduce her to Kofi. After we paid the bill and hugged each other, we parted company.
As I sat in the car on my way to pick up Kofi, contentment settled over me, as if I was going home. I wouldn't be first to hint at anything long-term with Kofi, but more and more it was something I craved. That had never happened with anyone before, but I didn't stress over it. Life had a way of working things out. If we were meant to be, then that's what would happen.
He was waiting when I got to him. The urge to jump out of the car and launch myself at him was overwhelming, so it was a good thing he got in before I could do anything as silly as that.
He laid his laptop in the back and kissed me before strapping himself into the seat. "Lunch was good?"
"Yes, I should have taken you with me to meet Casey, but next time I will." Glancing sideways at him, I asked, "Did you eat?"
"Yes, Kemar ordered in."
When we left the business district, the traffic lessened. I relaxed, amped up the radio a little and enjoyed the drive. Two minutes in, my mind was in Kofi's business. "What about breakfast and dinner? How are you going to manage those?"
"Kemar is staying next door and wanted me to eat with them, but you know what I like. I'd prefer not to put them to any trouble."
"D'you want to stop at a supermarket and pick up some things?"
"Yes, thanks."
Ten minutes later, I stopped at a superstore and we shopped for the items Kofi needed. While he got vegetables and other groceries, I selected snacks and drinks.
I caught him squinting at foodstuff in the cart that might have been unfamiliar to him, but he didn't say a word about my choices. At checkout, he pulled out a credit card and paid for everything.
The cottage was less than five minutes away from the store and when we got there, we unloaded the bags and sorted the groceries.
"What's for dinner?" I asked Kofi, who left me to crash before the television.
"Not sure what I want." His gaze left the screen for a moment. "You're going to fix me something?"
"I walked right into that one."
Throwing me a grin that would have been better suited to a playful teenage boy, he gave me a thumbs up signal. "Yeah, you did."
His gesture charmed me, and I would have done much more for him if he asked. "Don't worry. I'll fix you up."
I went into the bedroom where he left his things, and took one of his tee-shirts from the cupboard. Having changed my blouse, I moved to the kitchen to start dinner. Rooting through the fridge, I gathered everything I'd need for Chicken Chop Suey.
The repetitive action of chopping vegetables soothed me and I forgot my troubles.
When I was half-way through cooking, Kofi walked into the kitchen. "That smells good."
"I should hope so."
I put a small pot of Basmati Rice on the flame and then turned to link my arms around Kofi.
