Nydia shook his hand. “Deal. I’ll be meeting with Hannah, Tonya, and Jasmine on business while I’m here, so I’ll let you know when I’m free so we can coordinate our schedules.”
“I’ll tell once I get her home. By the way, how long do you intend to be here?”
“I have a ticket to return to New York the Monday before Thanksgiving.”
Lamar quickly calculated the weeks and smiled. Nydia offering to teach Kendra to cook meant he would get to see her at least once or twice a week. And the more he saw Nydia, the more he wanted to be with her. She was a free spirit he found exciting and intoxicating.
Their server returned, pad in hand. “I notice you have an empty place setting. Are you waiting for someone else?”
“Yes,” Jasmine said. “I’m not certain when he’s going to arrive, so you can take our orders.”
The young woman glanced around the table. “Would anyone like to order a beverage? Today’s brunch includes unlimited pop, fruit drinks, mimosas, Bellinis, and Bloody Marys.”
Evangeline pointed to the three girls. “The kids will have whatever fruit drinks you have available, while I’ll have a Bloody Mary.”
“I’ll have a virgin Bloody Mary,” Jasmine said. “Please make certain the bartender doesn’t put gin or vodka in it.”
The waitress nodded. “I’ll be sure to let him know.” Her gaze shifted to Nydia. “What can I get you?”
“I’ll take a mimosa.”
“And you, sir?”
Lamar paused, debating whether he wanted a cocktail with tomato juice, and quickly changed his mind. “I’ll also have a mimosa.”
* * *
Cameron finally joined them, taking turns kissing his sister, nieces, Kendra, and Nydia, before shaking hands with Lamar. The food and energy from those at the table offered Nydia a glimpse into why Jasmine had so easily adjusted to life in New Orleans. She watched the interaction between her best friend and Jasmine’s sister-in-law as they laughed with each other. At first Nydia thought the Singletons had welcomed Jasmine into the family because she was carrying Cameron’s child, but she dismissed that notion when the twins addressed Jasmine as Aunt Jazz.
The bond between Kendra, Taylor, and Morgan had been cemented when Evangeline had become godmother to Valerie’s daughter, and Valerie returned the honor when becoming godmother to Evangeline’s twin girls.
And once she moved to New Orleans Nydia knew she would also be drawn into the orbit of the Singleton family and friends when she became godmother to Cameron and Jasmine’s son or daughter. She found it strange and fascinating at the same time that sixteen months ago she, Jasmine, Tonya, and Hannah were coworkers who barely acknowledged one another when passing throughout the office building, yet now they were inextricably connected by a unique friendship and a new business venture.
“How are your eggs Benedict?” Lamar asked Nydia.
She touched her napkin to the corners of her mouth. “They’re delicious.” She had ordered the poached eggs atop English muffins with thick slices of Canadian bacon and covered with a warm Hollandaise sauce, with a side dish of crispy tater tots. “The sauce has a touch of heat from what I think is cayenne.”
Lamar smiled, drawing her gaze to linger on the attractive cleft in his strong chin. “If your palate is not ready for a little hot spice, then you’ve moved to the wrong city. Spicy is what we do best.”
“Do you want to join Kendra when I teach her to cook?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because there’s no need for me to cook when I pay someone to prepare my meals. And when Ramona is on vacation or takes a few days off, I eat out.”
“Why are you so opposed to learning to cook?” Nydia insisted. “You claim you have total recall, so it should be easy for you to remember exactly what to do.” She narrowed her eyes and gave him a long, penetrating stare. “Are you a throwback to men who believe a woman’s place is in the kitchen?”
Lamar gave her an incredulous look. “How can you ask me that when I have a daughter?”
“Having a daughter doesn’t change anything. No one is more macho than my father, and when he married my mother he couldn’t boil water to make a cup of tea. She taught him to cook and now he’s better than she is, and Mami is no slouch in the kitchen. You’ll see that for yourself when you join us for Christmas.”
“Why is it so important that I learn to cook, Nydia?”
“So your daughter can be proud of her father other than because he makes money to take care of her.”
“Damn woman! Are you trying to run a guilt trip on me?”
