“What can I say, I have a gift.”
“No doubt.”
8
The Date
Penelope wasn’t lying.Johnny Singh’s Caribbean Cook House isn’t much to look at. But judging by the number of framed reviews and accolades on the wood-paneled walls, it must be good eating.
Penelope studies the colorful, laminated menu. I take in my surroundings. A toy parrot hanging from the ceiling. A poster of an elephant-headed Hindu god curling up at the bottom. Plastic leishanging on the walls. The ambience of this place is exotic.
A waiter comes to our table. “Have you decided what you’d like to order?”
Penelope smiles like she knows something I don’t. “I’m having the goat curry.”
“And you, sir?”
“Uh . . .”
Penelope leans forward. “The jerk chicken is what this place is famous for. But it’s pretty spicy.”
“That sounds good. I’ll give it a go,” I say to the waiter.
Penelope raises her eyebrows. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I wanna try something new. How spicy can it be?”
Fifteen minutes after the waiter serves our food, sweat drips from my forehead, giving my dish a little extra salt. Penelope tires her best to hold in laughter. “You seem to be enjoying watching me suffer,” I say, reaching for my water cup for the zillionth time.
“Hey, I warned you fair and square. You could’ve gotten something else.”
“What, and not show off how much heat my palate can handle?”
“Is that what you’re demonstrating right now, because it looks like you’re showing off how well your sweat glands work. Do you want me to ask for more napkins?”
“Maybe check to see if he has any beach towels. That might work a little better.”
Penelope almost chokes on her food.
After I down another cup of water, a moment of silence ensues. Looking into each other’s eyes, I feel my cheeks getting hotter.
“I’m having a great time, Harper. I like our conversations. You’re so easy to talk to. Ugh, why do you have to be a fireman? Couldn’t you have picked a boring, safe job in a cubicle somewhere?”
“Something tells me if I did, you wouldn’t be nearly as interested in me.”
“Maybe,” she says, taking a contemplative sip water. “The things that attract us and the things that are good for us aren’t always the same.”
“I know you’re scared of losing someone. And I wouldn’t dare tell you how to live your life. But in my experience, the things we’re afraid of are never as bad as the fear itself. If you want something in life, you gotta go for it.”
“And what is it that you want most in life, Harper Matthews?”
“Let’s see. What I want . . . what I’m looking for, is someone who wants to be with me andKailee. I’ve dated women in the past, but once they realized that Kailee isn’t just a cute accessory but a big part of my life, they broke it off. I can’t say I blame them. A lot of responsibility comes with raising a kid.”
“Your daughter’s adorable.”
“Thanks. You were great with her at the hospital. She likes you, you know.”
“I’m glad. I like her too. So is there anything else you want?”
