“I’m on my way,” I say before placing the phone back on the base.
I take a few minutes to log in to my computer and bring up the programs I’ll be using, so that step is already complete when I return. Thanks to Adrian and two unplanned meetings, my workday moved at hyper speed. Adrian’s fruitless meetings made my lunch hour come quicker than I anticipated, so I’m now leaving the office with a sense of urgency. My limbs are jittery, and my steps are swift as I enter my vehicle and peel out of the spot like a bat out of hell.
“I’m coming, Ziya.”
Caziya and I confirmed our lunch plans, along with the restaurant of her choosing, during one of our phone conversations yesterday. Therefore, I set my sights and internal navigation toward one of the local eateries while popping a piece of gum in my mouth. The last thing I need to do is greet orconverse with Caziya with rank breath. The coffee I drank while Adrian and I sat through meeting after meeting was necessary. But the aftermath will not be the reason I miss a chance to enjoy Caziya’s lips again. A smile forms when I pull into the parking lot of my lunch destination. I’m walking into the front entrance less than ten minutes later as my eyes roam the room in search of my lady.
Yep, I already deemed her mine because the dew won’t settle on the trees tonight without me confirming Caziya’s place in my life.
“Welcome to Pizza My Pie. Are you dining alone, or will you be joining someone?”
“I see my party. Thank you,” I tell the smiling hostess, as my eyes land on where Caziya is patiently waiting.
Without another word from the hostess, I move further into the restaurant with my gaze on my target. Either the establishment is small, or my feet are moving faster than I realize, because I lean down, placing a gentle kiss on Caziya’s forehead in no time.
“Hello, Ziya. You are a sight for sore eyes.”
Caziya’s eyes flutter, and her lips upturn into an arresting smile that nearly stops my heart.Damn. Please marry me!
“Aren’t you a charmer. Hi, Zakai. How’s your day been? I hope this place was still good for you,” Caziya says, motioning around the room of her lunch pick for today.
Pizza My Pie is one of the local pizza restaurants that also features a bar, which opens for patrons who dine with them in the evening. During lunch, the bar is closed, and it provides a more intimate vibe that I can get with since Caziya is the only person I’m interested in keeping up with during our time here.
“It’s fine. Pizza is probably one of the lightest meal choices we can consume and still be required to return to work. How’s your day been?”
A waiter walks up, preventing Caziya from replying, as he quickly obtains our drink order while giving us a minute to decide on what we want to eat.
“I’m glad you’re here. That poor guy has been over here at least three times since I got here, trying to get my order,” Caziya leans in, whispering as a smirk plays on her lips.
“Can’t say that I blame him. I’m sure you’re the first beautiful woman he’s seen in here all day.”
“Aw, shucks. Thank you. To answer your question, my day has been pretty busy. I’ve been running like a chicken with its head cut off all day. For me, lunch couldn’t have come fast enough. Whew.”
A low chuckle escapes my mouth when Caziya’s eyes become animated, and she places her left hand on her chest like she’s exhausted.
“Well, I’m glad I could serve as the perfect balance to your trying day. What is it that you do?”
“I’m a public inquiries assistant, so I handle a lot of requests for information while ensuring my boss’s boss has whatever he needs to be great or pretend to be, in his case. I feel like I do my job, and he gets the credit.”
“Oh, for real. Do you need me to come kick his ass for you? I can make a detour to your office before returning to mine.”
Laughter escapes Caziya’s mouth, and her eyes twinkle with merriment as she shakes her head before answering.
“This is the second time you’ve offered to kick someone’s ass on my behalf. Let me find out you have an anger management issue, Mr. Zakai.”
“Not in the least. However, if you recall, in both instances, you were in distress, and for you, I’m willing to be your problem solver. All I need is an okay, and your boss won’t know what hit him. Pun intended.”
My breaths hitch, and my eyes stretch when Caziya’s hand lands on top of mine, and a jolt of electricity surges through my body. One touch from this woman and I lose my ability to think, breathe, or communicate.
Yes, I am definitely making her mine.
“I’ll let you know if I need you, but you should know that my actual boss is a woman, so hitting her could cause you to lose brownie points. How about we enjoy lunch? Thinking about my boss or the past is the last thing I want to do while spending time with you.” Caziya winks, and it takes me a second to catch up and formulate a response that won’t sound like begging or pleading for her to run off to Vegas to marry me.
I’ll be damned if my ass isn’t hearing wedding bells and envisioning Caziya in the most jaw-dropping and formfitting wedding dress while walking down the aisle toward me. Before I can process that vision, another one forms, and it causes me to choke uncontrollably.
“Oh, shoot. Are you okay?” Caziya says, jumping out of her seat before pounding my back with the strength of a giant.
“I-I-I’m good, back killer,” I squeak while trying to clear my throat as Caziya thankfully stops attempting to help me.
