“Everything after Peter.”
He repeated his name and watched her bite the inside of her cheek in the most endearing way. “Okay, Doctor Solo-man, Peter Chee-meh-nem Eh-phrah-eem Ahn-roo-chee, I presume.”
Solomon chuckled, impressed. “Do I sound like that?”
Kenya nodded, obviously pleased with another successful attempt. He assumed she was one who would never be satisfied with less.
“You sounded more Nigerian the more you spoke.” She smiled.
“And did it roll off your tongue the same way?”
Kenya nodded. “Like butter.”
She held his gaze, and to his surprise, he didn’t look away. Nigerians were often not the most enthusiastic about looking people in the eyes for an extended period of time. As he’d watched his relatives and immediate family members over the years, it always seemed like the best thoughts and words were found in the air, or out the window, ready to be gathered and declared in dramatic fashion for the most exuberant argument.
But something about her assessing gaze captured him, and he couldn’t break the hold.
“So.” She finally broke off contact, picking at invisible lint on her linen pants.
“So, about that day and then the wedding. I regret that—”
“You regret that you jumped to my rescue?” She peered at him.
“No, I—”
“You want to apologize for not returning my calls and making me feel like an idiot?”
“Um, I am sorry, but—”
“But you changed your mind about me coming here for care so that you don’t have to see me in the waiting room.”
“Kenya, wait.” He placed his hand on her shoulder, and she paused for him to speak. Her face held no insecurity, just challenge. Oh, what was he trying to get himself into?
“Is there an option for none of the above?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Not on this test.”
“Then let’s throw out another. What I’m trying to say quite unsuccessfully is that I want to date you ... kind of.”
10
KENYA SNAPPEDher mouth shut, disbelief locking her eyes with his. Her mother used to tell her opening her mouth so wide was like keeping the front door open. She’d let in all kinds of flies and nasties. And she sure didn’t need another sting from the man sitting next to her, who so sweetly nestled her aching foot in a bed of heavenly elevation.
Yet, she couldn’t deny that she was absolutely flabbergasted by what he’d just said.
“Explain what you mean by dating me ... kind of.”
She didn’t need to tell him how much his prior rejection had affected her. She had dared to hope that somehow all the things she did, all the people she knew and the connections she’d made, could measure up to someone as successful as he appeared to be. But when he never got back to her, she convinced herself that he’d seen something in her during their first date that he didn’t want to continue with. And now, all of a sudden, he’d galloped back into her life like some hero, being exactly what she didn’t want to need and acting like he’d had some kind of change of heart.
“To put it plainly, I am in need of a huge favor, but I think it could be mutually beneficial.”
“What kind of deal are you trying to make, Doctor?” Sheglanced around the room, the late-afternoon hour bringing just a couple clients through the doors. But at least there was staff around just in case this conversation got hairy.
Solomon’s gaze was assessing. “You look like you’re ready for a fight instead of an invitation.”
Kenya crossed her arms. “Tell me more and I’ll decide.”
He clapped his hands together, looking nervous. “My parents are in town for a couple months.”
