Hannah and Tonya had also called to offer their support, while Jasmine asked if she wanted Cameron to reserve a private charter to fly her to New Orleans. She thanked her friends and reassured them she was counting down the days to when the entire incident would become old news.
Nydia opened the door and smiled. Lamar had stopped halfway up the stairs, seemingly trying to catch his breath. Her heart rate quickened when his head popped up. She couldn’t see his eyes behind a pair of sunglasses, and he’d covered his head with a black New Orleans Pelicans’ cap. He hadn’t shaved, and the stubble appeared more gold than gray against his rich mahogany-brown face. And she liked seeing him casually dressed in a pair of black jeans, matching pullover and running shoes. His black attire made him appear taller and slimmer.
“Come on. You can make it,” she teased, as he slowly made his way up the staircase to the fifth-floor landing.
Lamar shook his head. “I can’t believe you do this every day.”
“I must confess it took me more than a month before I was able to come up without stopping on the third floor to catch my breath. Please come in and sit down before you fall down.”
Lamar dropped his carry-on and sat on the padded bench seat in the entryway and slipped out of his running shoes. He stood, removed his cap and glasses, and then lowered his head and kissed Nydia’s cheek. “Thank you.”
Her eyes lingered on the slight cleft in his chin. He was more handsome than she’d remembered. “You should’ve told me that you were my surprise.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“Oh, no,” Nydia said much too quickly. She grasped his free hand. “I’m glad you came, because I could use someone impartial other than my family to talk to. They’re like rabid dogs chomping at the bit to take Danny apart.”
“I’m notthatimpartial, Nydia. I’m certain if I would’ve been with you when that buffoon blindsided you I would’ve clotheslined him where he’d never sing again. Who proposes to a woman with whom you haven’t had a relationship in a year?”
Nydia laughed freely for the first time since Monday night. “I never thought you would resort to violence.”
He winked at her. “Nerds can get gangsta, too.”
She was still attempting to deal with Lamar flying up from New Orleans to be with her during what had become a stressful time in her life, and she was also amazed at the thrill she had felt when seeing his image on the video intercom.
Looping her arm through Lamar’s, she steered him in the direction of the kitchen. “I’m glad you’re here. How long are you staying?”
“I’m flying back tomorrow night.”
“I know they didn’t feed you on your flight, so I’m going to make breakfast for both of us.”
“I need to wash up first.”
Nydia released his arm. “I’ll take you to the bathroom.” She led him through the living room and dining area and down a hall. “Take your time. By the way, how do you like your eggs?”
“Over easy.”
* * *
Lamar entered the bathroom and closed the door. The instant he noticed the dark circles under Nydia’s large hazel eyes he knew she hadn’t been sleeping well. Even before boarding the flight departing New Orleans, Lamar had asked himself several times whether he was doing the right thing flying to New York. After all, Nydia had friends and family to support her, so was showing up at her place unannounced an exercise in futility? But seeing her smile when she opened the door had defused his apprehension.
He glanced around the bathroom as he washed his hands in the pedestal sink. There was a claw-foot tub, shower stall, and commode. The colors of seafoam green and pale yellow, along with potted plants on the window ledge, gave the space a tropical appearance. The shelf below a low table held a collection of towels in tropical colors of pink, green, yellow, and pale blue. Candles in the corresponding colors crowded the top of the table.
Lamar dried his hands, walked out, and peered into the bedroom only a few feet away from the bathroom. The entire space was decorated in white with varying shades of blue ranging from cornflower to robin’s egg, from the pale walls with a border embossed with tiny blue flower buds to the blue-and-white-striped linens and quilt. His gaze lingered on the off-white queen-size iron bed, double dresser, and matching bedside tables, and he wondered if Nydia’s ex had shared the bed with her.
He shook his head to rid it of the image of Nydia sleeping with a man. She’d openly admitted she wasn’t in a relationship, and he wondered what her ex had done for her to stop seeing him. Lamar had come to see Nydia to lend her emotional support, and also to get to know her better. He wanted to uncover why he was drawn to her when it hadn’t been that way since he had become a widower. He liked women—a lot—although he wasn’t drawn to a particular type.
Some men preferred women with a particular hair color or texture; others a certain height, weight, and body type. But when it came to a woman Lamar was a blind sculptor who couldn’t see, but could smell, touch, and hear. For him it was her feminine scent, the silkiness of her skin, and the timbre of her voice and laugh. Nydia Santiago had scored high where others had struck out, and when he factored in her intelligence, she was a perfect ten.
He reversed his steps and lingered in the living/dining area. The furnishings were reminiscent of an African hunting lodge. A zebra-print rug covered the glossy parquet floor and the off-white sofa and matching love seat cradled throw pillows covered in colorful animal prints. Nydia’s apartment was immaculate and meticulously decorated.
He stood at the entrance to the eat-in kitchen watching Nydia as she filled a saucepan with water. She appeared delicate, almost fragile, in a pair of black leggings, oversize tee, and black ankle socks. The hair flowing around her face and ending at her shoulders reminded him of long chocolate Twizzlers.
“Do you need my help?”
She looked up and smiled. “Do you cook?”
“Not very well,” he admitted sheepishly. “But I can set the table.”
