“They didn’t tell you about me? Girl, I love to read a little sumpin’ sumpin’.”
“Mm. So then you know that my assessment might not be that far-fetched.”
I smirked. “Meet me for coffee tomorrow morning at nine at The Roasted Sip.”
“Why would I do that?” she asked, crossing her arms and looking perturbed.
“So that you can determine how accurate your assessment might or might not be.”
“How about you tell me?”
“I will . . . over coffee,” I suggested.
“I’m standing here now. Besides, I don’t date people I just met, especially when they’re business owners, and we have shared interests in the businesses and community around us.”
“Who said anything about a date?” I countered.
“Then what is it?”
“Two people who are getting to know each other better. Maybe consider me the lead of the welcoming committee.”
She giggled, despite herself. “I don’t see a committee. There’s just you and me. Sounds suspiciously like a date to me, Harlem.”
I shrugged as I backed up toward the back door. “Call it what you want, just don’t call it off.” I winked, and she giggled again as I disappeared through the back door.
I jogged back across the street, hoping and praying that she would show up for the coffee date. I loved her energy, and I wanted to get to know her better, beyond just business.
5
TEGAN
COFFEE DATE – NEXT DAY
“What are you doing, meeting this man for coffee, Baby?” Palmer asked as she hitched her workout bag up her arm. She was heading to her job at River Oaks Retreat, a yoga and wellness studio located in the upscale community of River Oaks. She taught hot yoga and yoga retreat, and her dedicated practice showed in the lean frame and toned curves of her body.
I had stopped at her place before heading to the bakery, half-hoping she would talk me out of my decision, and half-hoping she would talk me into it. I was truly on the fence about meeting Harlem for coffee. After thinking about my past and all I had gone through with the last two important men in my life, one a mentor and the other my boyfriend, I didn’t want the added stress of being around men in any capacity other than work-related or familial.
I had never been good with having male friends. So, while I tried to convince myself that was all Harlem would be, I knew better. The truth was, I was attracted to the man, and I wasn’tcompletely convinced that I shouldn’t at least meet for coffee to see where that might lead.
“I don’t know. He’s the unofficial welcoming committee.”
“He’s the what?”
“The committee who welcomes new business owners to the business district.”
“Says who?”
“Says him.”
She shot me a judgmental glance from the corner of her eyes and bunched her lips in a little moue of disappointment. “You don’t have to go you know.”
“I know.” I grew silent and thought about that for a few seconds. The chiming sound Palmer made, mimickingJeopardy’s Think!countdown tune, filled the pregnant pause. “There’s just something about him that pulls me in,” I finally explained.
“I hope it’s not that bad-boy energy that got you in trouble the last time.”
I rolled my eyes. “Nobody was thinking about Carl. You had to go and ruin a perfectly good day.”
She grabbed her keys, and I followed her to the door.
