She turned and gave him a direct stare. “I’m moving to New Orleans. I’ve decided to invest in Hannah’s inn, so we’ll probably get to see each other in our travels about the city.”
Lamar stared at Nydia, speechless for what seemed an eternity when in reality it was seconds. When she told him about her former coworkers investing in the DuPont Inn he’d wanted to encourage her to join them, because there was no doubt they would be formidable partners in a city with too few women owning and running their own businesses. And he also had a selfish reason for wanting her to relocate: it meant he could see her again.
His outward calm belied his inner excitement knowing he and Nydia would live in the same city. “I’m certain we’ll run into each other. When do you plan to move?”
“I’m going to wait until after Christmas, that is if Tonya’s daughter doesn’t need the furniture in the apartment before that time. Samara was planning to move into a new apartment complex while attending grad school, but there was a delay in the construction. Right now she’s staying with her future in-laws. If I’d decided to stay here, I was going to rent furniture. Jasmine had promised to decorate for me, but that was before she got involved with Cameron.” She lowered the flame and placed a lid on the frying pan. “Do you know what I find strange?”
“What, Nydia?”
“Last May Jasmine, Tonya, and I decided to take the summer off after we were downsized. Hannah already had plans to return to New Orleans for her fortieth high school reunion. Meanwhile, months before, she’d begun the process of converting her ancestral home from a residence to a business, so the impact of her not having employment differed from the rest of us. We all came down for a visit in July, and during that time Tonya committed to opening a café and supper club in one of the guesthouses on the property. And that meant she was leaving the crew. Then Jasmine meets Cameron at Hannah’s wedding, and the rest is history. I was the last holdout, and even if I hadn’t committed to invest before the debacle with Danny, it would have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
“What do they say about best-laid plans?”
She smiled. “It’s apparent they were made to be broken.”
Lamar walked into the kitchen and put his arms around Nydia’s waist and eased her closer. “It’s karma. Or as some say it was predestined. People come and go into and out of our lives for a reason.”
Tilting her head, she stared up at him. “Are you saying that crazy shit between me and Danny was destined?”
Lamar nodded. “Yes. If it hadn’t happened then I wouldn’t be standing here with you. I would’ve had to wait for Christmas to see you again.”
She lowered her eyes. “Whydidyou come?”
“Once I saw your face when that reporter came out of nowhere, and after talking to you and hearing the pain in your voice, I knew I couldn’t stay away.”
“Why, Lamar?”
“For a very bright woman you have to ask me why?”
Her arms circled his waist, and she rested her head on his shoulder. “I asked because I’d like an answer.”
“Remember you telling me that Cameron took one look at Jasmine and he lost his natural-born mind? Well, it was the same with me. The day Jasmine brought you to the worksite to show you the loggia, I felt as if I’d lost more than my mind.” Lowering his head, he whispered in her ear the effect she’d had on him.
Nydia started to laugh and couldn’t stop as she sagged weakly against his chest. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “But I didn’t expect you to disclose that.”
Lamar frowned. “It’s not that funny, because I was in pain.”
She covered her mouth with her hand as she continued to laugh. “I had no idea you rushed off to get hard hats because you didn’t want us to see your hard-on.”
His expression was impassive. “At least I’m man enough to admit just looking at you was a turn-on.”
Nydia sobered. “And I am woman enough to say that although I was flattered when you stared at me, you also made me feel uncomfortable.”
“How so?” he asked.
“Because I’d never had a man look at me the way you did. I didn’t feel it was lust, but more like curiosity.”
Tightening his hold on her waist, Lamar molded her body to his. “It’ll never be about sex between us, because that’s something you can get from any man.”
“What is it you want from me?” she whispered against his sweater.
“Just you, Nydia, because you make me feel things I’d forgotten existed. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a woman’s company.”
“Are you saying you haven’t dated since losing your wife?”
“Not in the traditional sense.”
“Which means you sleep with women?” Nydia asked.
