“Three times and I sent a text. It’s going straight to voicemail. I think it’s off.”
“Alright. Call PJ and see if he can come in. We’ve been busy with everybody getting their rides ready for this festival and it’s picking up. I’m sure he’ll take the hours.”
“He’s going to be on OT after one hour,” she says, reminding me about overtime.
“It is what it is. We need him.”
“Alright. I’m guessing you staying here for lunch?”
“Nah. I’m going to get a cut actually. ’Bout to leave now but I’ll be back. You need something?”
“Can you pick up my order from ShopSmart? Them vending machines stay empty.”
“Yeah, I got it,” I say and she nods.
When Trista walks out, I grab the phone. I see there are four new messages since the last time I checked but I ignore them. Once I met Adora in person, I couldn’t listen anymore. That shit just didn’t feel right.
I grab the phone and the charger and take them with me. I’m not sure what the fuck I’m about to do with it. I throw both in my glove box the minute I’m in my ride. Maybe having it here and not hidden away in my office will make it easier for me to tell her. We’re spending the entire weekend together.
When I get off at four, I’m heading to her crib. We are having dinner with the girls then dropping them off to her homegirl’s people. Then she’s finally coming to my spot. I don’t like that Kadean flaked and didn’t show for work, but I’m hoping wherever he is, he stays. I can’t have him fucking up my time with Adora.
Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling up to She’s Elite Cutz just in time for my appointment with my boy Dre. Like always, he gets me right and I’m back at the shop with the pickup order from ShopSmart by two. Kadean still hasn’t arrived, so I hit him up. I call and it goes straight to voicemail. I shoot him a text that goes unanswered. Since he’s been kicking it with Peaches all week, I shake it off and say fuck it. I’ll deal with him about his job after my weekend. PJ showed up so we are straight for the rest of the day.
After taking the order in for the machines, I walk out to the bays to check in. I thank PJ for coming in when I spot him. I stay out here for almost an hour and the moment I’m back in my office, I get a text from Adora. It’s a picture showing her beautiful face and braids.
Me: Beautiful.
Adora: Thanks My ass hurts though and I don’t feel like cooking. How’s nachos? That’s quick and simple.
Me: That’s still cooking. I’ll get Taco Express. Beef nachos and cheese quesadillas for Romi?
Adora: How you know that?
Me: I listen, pretty girl.
Adora: I see. Taco Express is perfect. Not too much though. I just want to give them a little something before we drop them off. There’ll be plenty of food at Celeste’s.
Adora: The nacho kid’s meal with mild green sauce and the kid’s quesadilla with mild red sauce.
Me: Bet. But what about you?
Adora: What do you want? We can share.
I smile at her text. Sharing food has never been my thing. Hell, until I hit the block and made money to buy food, I cherished any food I got. I couldn’t share because we barely had shit. It stuck with me and I’ve always been particular about that. My plate and my food is mine but she’s changed that. We’ve shared food since our first night together.She can have that.
Me: Birria tacos?
Adora: Yum. Get beef and chicken and an extra consommé. It’s so good.
Me: Got it. Off in 30. I’ll pick up the food and come straight there.
Adora: Thank you. See you soon.
I spend my last thirty minutes checking emails. The foreman managing the construction of the new location is supposed to be emailing two change orders for my approval. We are on schedule and I don’t want any delays.
Both emails arrive right before I leave and I approve both before placing a pickup order for the food. Taco Express has a drive-thru but it’s always wrapped around the building. I’m not trying to wait.
Trista is filling the vending machines when I leave so I just nod at her and dip. With traffic and a small wait at the restaurant, I don’t make it to Adora’s until almost five-thirty. Averi opens the door.
