She turned to Kenya, hand on hip. “I’m making some tea because I needallthe tea. You are going to tell me what’s going on, starting from the beginning. Because from the way you look, girl, you’ve got something bad. And I’m here for it.”
18
AFTERKENYA SETTLEDinto a chair in the physical therapy office the next day, Solomon approached and handed her an iced coffee. It was a welcome treat after an intense PT session.
“Now that I have successfully been tortured for the day, let’s talk about your parents’ vow-renewal plans!”
Solomon chuckled and settled into the chair beside her.
“Hmm.” Kenya slurped the creamy coffee with more noise than her mother would approve of. The icy caramel concoction was the perfect temperature to soothe her dry throat after a tougher PT session. She just hoped it would also cool her cheeks.
Was bringing her favorite iced caramel and brown sugar latte a part of their ruse? Or was it a genuine gesture from the heart of a really kind man? Solomon didn’t say anything for a few minutes. Just drank his own warm drink in silence, his eyes roaming anywhere but toward her.
Was it indifference or intentional avoidance?
The lines were gettingrealblurry on their little deal.
She didn’t like her relationships to be like the way she read. She needed structure and space, clear separations, and a weightiness that didn’t allow the letters to move around.
She lifted the straw back to her mouth, sneaking a closer look at Solomon Anruchi. His tight curls looked like they’d been recently cut, along with his goatee. He seemed to like bouncing between glasses and contacts. Currently he wore a pair of Ray-Ban glasses, the brand name etched in the corner of one of the lenses. The reflection of his lenses highlighted the flecks of gold in his eyes. His eyes—
Solomon glanced at her.Oh no.Kenya jerked forward. She’d been caught. And she couldn’t play it off, so she laughed and glanced back at him again. His look was quizzical, and then he laughed too. He held the warm cup away from him as the sound poured out of his mouth. Rich honey soothing some parched place in her until it was too much. Her laughter died down before his did. She turned away, dabbing at the dampness in the corner of her eyes.
“Okay, renewal plans.”
Kenya cleared her throat, reached for her tote bag, and pulled out her tablet.
At the top of her notes page for the day was typed “S’s mom.” It was probably a crazy idea. She was making plans with the son, of course, but she wanted to get things more mapped out in her head. His mother seemed to be the epicenter of the focus. The information she needed to glean had to come firsthand and hands-on.
Plus, it couldn’t hurt to meet the woman who raised Dr. Anruchi.
“So, I was thinking...”
“Uh-oh.”
Kenya eyed Solomon. “What was that supposed to mean?”
Solomon had a way of saying things that were surprisingly serious, but his profile as he scribbled a few notes on a notepad from his pocket showed the hint of a laugh line, his dark eyes sparkling. He didn’t respond right away, but she didn’t hate the wait for his explanation because it gave her enough time to drink in his profile. She was being ridiculous but she didn’t care. She’d been waiting a long time to see that certain look on his face. Genuine enjoyment. Authentic kindness. Guard down and relaxed.
“It means that I better brace myself for those thoughts of yours. They may get me in trouble that I’m not ready for.”
He could say that again. Or maybe he wouldn’t when he heard the gist of them. “I was thinking that it would be fun to meet your mother.”
Solomon straightened. His casual demeanor quickly dissipated. “My mother.”
“Yes, doesn’t that sound wonderful?” Her grin did nothing to bring the pleasantness back into his face. Instead, he looked like he needed to undo the buttons at his neck and loosen a tie if he’d had one.
“I would love to get to know her, and maybe as we talk I can glean info from her that will confirm my renewal ideas.”
Solomon shook his head. “This sounds like definite trouble.”
“I think it sounds fun. From how you want to honor them, your parents seem like great people.”
Solomon swallowed. “The problem is that my mom wants to meet you too. Before she sees you at the wedding.”
“Yay! I’m so excited to meet her! By the end of this, we will probably be best friends.”
Solomon raised his hand. “Kenya, I don’t know what kind of personality you think my mom has, but I’m afraid that she has different reasons for wanting to meet you.”
