“No. I’m not very proficient in the kitchen.”
“Who cooks for you?” she asked.
“I order in.”
With wide eyes, Jasmine rested a hand on her throat. There was no doubt she was taken aback by the revelation that he ordered his meals. “Why don’t you hire a cook?”
“I have a chef. I order what I want and have it delivered to me.”
“I know by the cut of your suit that you have a personal tailor. Do you also have a housekeeper and driver?”
Cameron saw a hint of laughter in her eyes. “I do admit I have a housekeeper and tailor, but I do draw the line with a driver. I like driving my own car.”
“Do you also live in the Garden District?”
“No. I have a place in the Central Business District, or as the locals call it the CBD.”
“I really haven’t seen that much of New Orleans. The exception is the Garden District, Tremé, and Faubourg Marigny.”
“So I wasn’t being presumptuous when offering to act as your tour guide when you come down?” Cameron asked.
“No, you weren’t,” she told him, smiling.
The conversation switched to sports and Cameron was mildly surprised to discover Jasmine was quite knowledgeable about her New York sports teams. She had admitted to attending Mets’ games at CitiField and braving the winter elements at MetLife Stadium to cheer on the New York Giants.
He could not remember a time he had ever enjoyed the company of a woman so much. Cameron had known within ten minutes of sitting down with Jasmine that she would never bore him. However, he did find it odd that she’d graduated college with a fine arts degree only to give it up to become a human resource specialist. He felt comfortable talking about anything with her, including the revelation that he’d never slept with a woman without using protection.
Cameron did not want Jasmine to believe he wanted her for sex. Although he had to admit to himself that he was physically drawn to her, because when he saw her for the first time it had been her face and figure that had garnered his immediate attention. And after he asked Hannah about Jasmine, he had made it known to his friend and client that he wanted to take Jasmine out, and not sleep with her. The attorney looked at him as if he had taken leave of his senses because apparently his reputation with women had preceded him. Most people, other than the women who were seen in public with him, didn’t know that many of his relationships were platonic. And those he’d slept with did not kiss and tell.
He peered under lowered lids over the rim of the flute. “Are you going to give me a hint where on Long Island we’re going?”
Jasmine flashed a mysterious smile. “No. It’s a surprise. The only thing I’m going to say is you should wear comfortable clothing and shoes. And don’t forget your sunblock, because the weather is predicted to be in the eighties. I don’t want you looking like a lobster while we’re eating lobster. Oh, I forgot to ask. Are you allergic to shellfish?”
“No.” Her mentioning sunblock and comfortable clothing piqued Cameron’s curiosity. “Are we going sailing?”
“No,” she repeated, smiling. “I wouldn’t invite you to go sailing when you’re taking me on a river cruise Saturday.”
Cameron lifted broad shoulders under his suit jacket. “I suppose I’ll have to wait and find out what the beautiful lady has planned for us.”
Jasmine lowered her eyes with the compliment, and he found himself transfixed by the demure expression. There was something about the woman sitting across from him that he found worldly and innocent at the same time. Worldly because she’d been married and was not an ingénue when it came to sleeping with a man, and chaste whenever she would lower her eyes and blush when complimented.
He wondered if her husband had been her only lover or aside from him if she hadn’t had much experience with the opposite sex. The questions tumbled over themselves in his head and Cameron knew if he didn’t stop ruminating about Jasmine’s past he would ruin his chances of possibly cultivating a friendship with her. He had to let things unfold naturally. Their conversation segued to the high number of movie sequels and Broadway revivals, and both agreed there was a dearth of new artistic talent in Hollywood and along the Great White Way.
Jasmine stared out the window. “I’m ashamed to admit although I live here I rarely attend a Broadway show or movie opening.”
“You don’t like live theater?” Cameron asked.
Jasmine rested an elbow on the table and cupped her chin in the heel of her hand. “Not as much as I enjoy old school music.”
“Like old school rap?”
“Some. But mostly R&B similar to Luther Vandross, Keith Sweat, Marvin Gaye, Joe, Dru Hill, and Maxwell. And I love the soundtracks toWaiting to Exhale,andSoul Food.In other words, I prefer to listen to music rather than go to see someone perform.”
“I like both,” he admitted. “When you asked me how many times I come to New York other than to meet with my frat brothers, the only other thing that would bring me here is a live play or concert. Last year I managed to seeHamilton.I flew up, saw it, and then took a redeye back to New Orleans the same night because I had a meeting at eleven the next morning with a new client.”
Jasmine’s smile spoke volumes. “Now, that’s one play I wanted to see, but sadly I couldn’t get a ticket.”
“If I’d known you then I would’ve asked you to come with me.”
