“Yes. Can you come in for a minute, please?”
It takes Ms. Janie less than five minutes to appear at my door. A smile plays on my lips when she places her hand on her waist. She looks like a mother who has repeatedly told their child not to get dirty because they were going somewhere.
“What can I do for you?”
I chuckle before I go into my quick spiel about my need to take my woman dinner tonight and being unable to settle on anything. I want something that feels romantic, even in a home setting. After spending so much time alone with Sadia, I love the idea of not having to share with anyone. But damn if I’m drawing a blank on what I can buy that won’t end up tasting like cardboard once I get to her house.
“I got a ram in the bush for you. My niece Ramona recently earned her culinary license and needs more experience. I can call her to see if she’s available to cook for you.”
A deep frown forms at the thought of a brand-new chef executing my meal plans for Sadia. Fresh out of school doesn’t mean that Ramona can cook. Ms. Janie giggles as the crow’s feet around her eyes become more pronounced.
“I promise you she’s legit, no matter what you think at the moment. I’m going to call her and see if she’s available beforewe go any further with this discussion.” Ms. Janie leaves before I can reply as my mind reels.
How can a chick with such a weird name be able to throw down? Sadia and I are already on shaky ground after our last experiment. I don’t know if this is a good idea. Hell, I might lose Sadia altogether if this backfires on me. Damn. Maybe I should just go with a regular restaurant and hold off on trying to impress Sadia. I already have her as my woman, so maybe I just need to keep building. I’m not sure how long I’m in my silence before Ms. Janie returns, but I jump slightly when I hear her voice.
“Alright. You’re in luck. Ramona is free this evening. I told her I was going to give you her number so you can call her and work out the logistics.”
For a second, I ponder the information and weigh my options before nodding, as Ms. Janie steps forward and hands me a piece of paper with her niece’s contact details.
“I hope Ramona’s ass doesn’t cause me to lose my woman,” I grumble.
“My suggestion is for you to focus on not letting food dictate your future. If food can end something, then it wasn’t built on solid ground.” Ms. Janie shrugs and leaves my office as I nod, because the truth lies within the context of her words.
With a slight tremble in my hands, I pick up my desk phone and make the call to Ramona before I change my mind. The two of us go through formalities before we dive into planning a small yet intimate meal for Sadia and me. I didn’t want Ramona to meet me at Sadia’s apartment, so I arranged to pick up the food. I’m taking the risk that it won't be hot when I arrive, but I want all available time with Sadia to myself. We’ve been apart long enough; whether the food is prepared by a chef or not, I want my woman to myself.
Either time or my anxiety is on my side because, before long, my workday ends, and I’m leaving the office like somebody called in a bomb threat. It’s after five, so I rush home to take a quick shower and put on a pair of joggers and a T-shirt. Once I spray on my cologne, I send Sadia a message to give her a heads-up that I’m heading her way.
Me:
I’ll be to you within an hour.
I need to make a detour to Ramona’s spot to grab our food, and then I can be on my way. Ramona and Sadia are on opposite sides of town, so hopefully there will be no traffic to delay my estimated arrival. I grab my wallet and keys and leave my place with a smile. It takes me twenty minutes to reach Ramona, and I’m back on the road in ten minutes. From the heat and aroma coming from the containers the food is packed in, I might have to use Ramona again in the future.
Traffic is a breeze, so I reach Sadia’s place twenty-five minutes later. I gather everything and make my way to Sadia’s front door. I grimace when my knocks sound harder and louder than I intend a couple of seconds later. My body temperature shifts, and my heart rate increases when I hear the locks on the other side disengaging. Sadia’s bright face comes into view as my eyes roam over her from head to toe. Her hair is a loose ball on top of her head; she’s in a nightdress that stops above her knees, and her feet are covered in a fuzzy pair of neon orange socks. The grumble from Sadia’s stomach halts my gaze as I return to her eyes to see her sheepish expression.
“I haven’t eaten since you mentioned bringing dinner with you.”
I smile and lift the bag that has our food as she steps back so I can fully enter her place. It’s a small but cozy space, althoughmessy with evidence of Sadia’s study. Man, my woman deserves so much more, and I can’t wait to put her in a bigger place.
“Welcome to my home. Come on. We can eat in the living room so I can continue working between bites.”
I follow wordlessly behind Sadia, and my eyes are stuck on her plump ass.
Damn, my woman got ass for days.
The sound of Sadia’s stomach prevents me from any additional raunchy thoughts that will further sink my mind into the gutter.
“Let’s uh—eat now,” I say, desperate to focus on something other than the fatness of Sadia’s ass and the treasure that lies between her luscious thighs.
I move quickly to remove the containers from the insulated bag Ramona provided and place Sadia’s container on the tray. She smiles and proceeds to remove the lid as a hum of appreciation slips from her mouth. I take a seat beside her and set my container on my lap.
“This looks homemade. Did you cook?”
“Nah. But let me know how you like it so I can leave my review.”
Ramona made a loaded baked potato with shrimp, chicken, broccoli, and a homemade white cheese sauce. There are also mini cupcakes for dessert after dinner. From the potato’s appearance and smell, I already know this simple meal is going to be fire. Evidence of that happens a second later.
“Mm.” Sadia’s eyes flutter closed as she chews her first bite.
