“Okay.” I smiled. “Dinner.”
We spent the rest of the evening enjoying our cocktails, our cigars, and each other. And I found myself looking forward to more—moretime,morekisses,morethan kisses,morehim.
Chapter 8
Are You Lonely For Me?
Lennox
When I left work early on Friday, I had definite plans for my day—basketball at the gym with Vaughn and Jace, haircut, dinner andafterdinner with Blake. What I hadn’t expected was the frantic call from my mother asking for help at the food pantry. It was the second week in a row where the church had fallen short on manpower. Instead of a relaxing afternoon, I was hauling boxes of vegetables, meat, fruit, and other items for the community.
“Can you start on the boxes over there, babe?” My mother pointed to the delivery from Dearborn Ham Company. “I’m so excited we can give the first forty people in line a ham. They’ll love it.” She waved at someone behind me, a huge smile on her face. “Hello, welcome!”
Turning around, I was surprised to see Blake standing near the door. Whether she was dressed to impress or simply wearing yoga pants and a hoodie, she captured all of my attention. “Hey.”
Blake grinned. “I figured you could use some help.” She gestured to the man standing next to her. “I brought my brother, Dexter, for reinforcements.”
“Lennox,” I said, giving Dexter dap.
My mother clapped with glee. “Thank you so much!” She eyed me. “Is this yourspecialfriend, honey?”
I laughed at my mother’s not-slick attempt to find out if I was dating Blake. “Ma, this is Blake. Blake, this is my mother, Paulette.”
“Hi, Mrs. Cole. Yes, I’m his special friend.” She winked at me before she hugged my mother. “I heard you needed a little help and I thought we’d come offer our assistance.”
Over the past week, we’d communicated often. While I’d rather have a conversation in person or over the phone, Blake preferred to text. Throughout the day, she often sent random texts about anything and everything.
“Oh, yes. We could definitely use your help,” my mother said. “Have either of you ever worked at a pantry?”
Blake shook her head. “No. But I’m a fast learner.”
“I have,” Dexter said. “In college.”
My mother gave them a quick tour of the room, letting them know about the history of the program. Along the way, she pointed out the various stations and introduced them to the workers onsite.
While my mother explained something about non-perishable foods, I pulled Blake aside.
Her mouth fell open. “Hey, I’m trying to listen to the tour.”
I raised a brow. “I’m sure you can figure out how to sort the rice from the pasta.”
She laughed. “But what about the beans? How will I know who gets lima beans or red beans?”
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I whispered, “Thanks for this, Blake.”
Shrugging, she said, “Well, Dexter and I were chillin’ at the office. Not doing anything. When I got your text, I figured what the hell?” She gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth. “Oh Lord, I’m in a church.”
Laughing, I told her, “Hell is in the Bible.”
She leaned her head against my chest. “I need to be delivert.”
Unable to stop myself, I barked out a laugh, drawing the attention of a few people near us—and my mother, who was watching me with a skeptical, yet hopeful look in her eyes.
“See!” Blake whisper-yelled. “Your mom probably thinks I’m a heathen.”
“Be quiet,” I murmured. “She didn’t even hear you.”
The tour continued to the room where the church kept non-food items, such as comforters, mattress protectors, light bulbs, and other items donated by local stores. The members of the community always left the church with plenty of food and other much-needed household items.
