“I’ve been there, so I understand.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
They went through the light, and Zack’s mind rolled back to the first major project Eli and Zack received when they started their company.The three of them worked during the day and all hours of the night to complete the website, build several apps, and fulfill coding requirements based on the customer’s changing requests.When the twins were out of the States on business, Shomari was on-site to troubleshoot and resolve the hardware issues with their server.
“In any case,” he said, “I still need to find a place, so you’re not rid of me yet.”
“You know that’s no problem.”He waited a beat before asking, “How are things with Lizette?”
Shomari wasn’t sure what he was asking, so his reply was cautious.“Work is good.I have no complaints.”
“I wasn’t asking about work.”
Shifting his legs, Shomari looked across at Zack.“I’m not trying to start anything.The whole thing with Christy left a bad taste in my mouth.Right now, I’m just chilling.”
“If you say so, but you two looked good together the other night.Couldn’t keep your eyes off each other.”
“Hmmm.Lizette is all right.”
“FYI, my sister is one heck of a woman.”
Raising both hands, Shomari said, “Agreed.”
The song on the radio was about a guy fooling himself, which made Shomari question the timing of it.Maybe, it was a sign.But there were Chelle’s comments, and now Zack,andthat kiss—the one that touched his soul in a way he couldn’t explain.
They rode in silence until they pulled into the parking lot at Wintertime.
“Thanks, man.”Shomari touched his fist to Zack’s raised one while the car idled.
“You’re welcome.”
When he sat sideways to get out, Zack stopped him with a hand to his shoulder.“Take it from someone who’s been on the road you’re traveling.Don’t throw away the good because of the bad.”
Slowly, Shomari nodded.“I hear you.Thanks again.”
He stood in the morning sun for a couple of minutes, thinking through the similarities of what Chelle and Zack had said.Turning to the building, he pulled his shoulders back and glanced at his watch.He was early, and Lizette’s van was in its regular parking spot.Now might be the best time to talk about that kiss and figure out whether she felt the same way he did.He wasn’t ready for what kissing her meant, but here they were.
His phone buzzed against his hip, and he pulled it out of his pocket.
Lizette had texted him.
We need to talk.
Chapter 15
“Iwasthinkingthesamething,” he said, following her into the office.
Facing Shomari, Lizette asked, “What d’you mean?”
He held up the phone.“That we needed to talk about yesterday.”
She scanned him from head to feet, noting that today he wore gray.Matching pants to pair with the polo she’d provided for him, even if it turned out he wouldn’t be with them for long.There was something to having the staffers being easily identifiable.In her head, she heard the twins teasing her about her OCD tendencies, but there was method to her madness.
“Well, that’s one thing we agree on.”She sat, realizing he still loomed over the desk.“You can sit.”
“I don’t feel comfortable discussing something this personal with a desk between us.”
Laughter took her by surprise and escaped before she said, “Don’t you think it might be safer, seeing as how …?”
