Bella loved playing with Ms. Ramirez’s grandchildren, so I’d been letting her stay at her house for an hour or so while I spent time with Nicholas. He’d insisted that I bring her along, but I wasn’t ready to take that step just yet.I barely wanted her dad around her at this point, let alone a man I’d just met.
“Because I mean it. The chicken is good though. I’ve almost tried everything on the menu. They don’t miss.”
“Dang, you must eat here every day.”
“Every single meal.”
“What? Are you serious, Nicholas? When was the last time you had a home-cooked meal?”
“I’m never home, for one thing. I’m always here.”
“What about breakfast?” I asked.
“I don’t eat breakfast.”
“Oh Lord, I’m in the twilight zone. I love breakfast.”
He laughed as he leaned closer and put his elbows on the table. “It’s not so bad.”
“I’m gonna cook for you. I can’t have you eating restaurant food day in and day out. There’s no telling how much sodium is in this stuff.”
“You worried about me, Jameela?”
“I’m worried about your heart and your clogged up arteries.”
“You never did tell me what you do for a living. I’m starting to think you’re in the medical field.”
“No.” I laughed as I shook my head.
“What do you do?”
“I’m not doing anything right now. Or did you forget?”
Part of me wanted to tell Nicholas that I was a police officer, but in my experience, men were immediately intimidated when they found out that I was a cop. It wasn’t something I wanted to discuss right now. Things between us were so easy. I didn’t want to complicate things before I knew if it was worth it.
“I’m just glad you have free time to spend with me when I can’t get away. I’m starting to allow myself to have more downtime now that my daughter is getting older. She gives me a reason to take a break and live life. I feel like I have a new reason.”
I didn’t try to hide my smile. “Maybe you do.”
“Now back to this home-cooked meal.”
“No wonder you’re not answering the phone. I’m not used to you not being cooped up in your office. I got someone for you to meet,” a man said as he approached the table. I only gave him a second glance because he looked familiar. Neither he nor Nicholas seemed to notice my double take.
“Darius, this is my lady, Jameela. Give me a second and I’ll come holler at you,” Nicholas instructed, only giving the man his attention until he was done speaking.
“All right, I’ll be at the high rollers bar.”
After the man was out of earshot, Nicholas offered an explanation. “That’s my cousin Darius.He’s in charge ofnetworking and relationships. He’s always got somebody for me to meet.”
“No one’s used to you taking a lunch break, I see.”
Every time I joined him for lunch, there was some kind of interruption, no matter how brief.
“I’m starting to see that. We’re going to start leaving the building.”
8
Jameela
