Nydia’s expression feigned innocence. “Of course not. As a single metrosexual, if you add the ability to cook to your personal profile it definitely would enhance your image.”
A frown furrowed his forehead. “I don’t do dating sites.”
“I’m not saying you do, but perhaps in the future you will when Kendra is older and in college and you want to start dating again.”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
Nydia saw the quivering muscle in his jaw and knew he was annoyed with her. “Look, Lamar, I’m not trying to run your life but hopefully make it better. Young girls see their fathers as superheroes, and cooking with Kendra can only strengthen the bond you have with her.”
Lamar’s frown was replaced by a knowing smile that lit up his gold-flecked eyes. “You know you missed your calling.”
Her eyebrows lifted questioningly. “Why would you say that?”
“You should’ve become a therapist because you’re able to get into people’s heads.”
“That was never a thought. I liked numbers too well. They don’t talk or fight back.”
“What happens when you can’t get a balance sheet to add up?”
She smiled. “I put it aside for a few hours or sometimes even days, and when I look at it again it’s like starting over.”
“Are you a good accountant, Nydia?”
Nydia was slightly taken aback with his question. Was he testing her? And if he was, then for what reason? “My accounts believe I am.”
“That’s good.”
“Why did you ask? Is your company looking for an accountant?”
“Not at this time. The one we have is semi-retired, and there’s going to come a time when we’ll have to replace him.”
Nydia shook her head. “I doubt if I’ll be able to help you out, because I’m going to have my hands full with the DuPont Inn, my mother’s salon, and three New York City restaurants. There’s no way I’m going to spread myself that thin just because someone offers me more money.”
“What happened to your hustling spirit?” he teased.
“I stopped hustling once I graduated. At the time it was a means to an end. I’ve continued to do the books for the restaurants because sometimes accountants don’t devote the same time to small businesses that they would to larger companies. I’ve seen too many mom-and-pop stores close because their accountants or bookkeepers embezzled from them.”
“So, you’ve become the champion of the underdog?”
“There’s no need to sound so cynical, Lamar,” she countered sarcastically. “I gave a renowned international bank my blood, sweat, and sometimes tears, and they rewarded me with a pink slip and a banker’s box. And they sought to assuage their deceit with severance pay and paid health insurance for a year, but that still didn’t diminish the angst of attempting to secure future employment with commensurate salary and benefits. It’s taken me more than a year to come to the conclusion that it is more satisfying to work for myself than for someone else’s company.”
“Are you an equal partner with your friends?” Lamar lowered his head and his voice.
“Not in terms of ownership, but we all have an equal say when it comes to which direction we want to take the inn.” Nydia paused, wondering if Lamar was experiencing problems with his partners. “Do you and your partners share equally in your firm?”
“Yes, but there are times when we don’t see eye-to-eye on certain projects.”
“That’s to be expected, Lamar, because no one is the same.”
“True,” he agreed, “but my personal life sets me apart from them.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not here.”
Nydia saw the others at the table staring at her and Lamar. They were probably curious that they’d been so engaged in talking to each other that they had totally ignored everyone else. “Luego,” she said under her breath.
“Kendra is going home with Evie, so we’ll talk later.”
