Page 27 of Koda's Love

“You really like this shit, huh?” Koda asked as he looked around the store.

“I do. Sometimes I just go to different stores to see what I can find. I find a lot of good bargains, and some stores give me discounts because I shop there often. I’ve also referred other people to different stores. I just love being able to create and execute people’s visions. You wanna know a fun fact?” He nodded. “When I get into a creative space, I like to listen to classical music. I can’t explain it, but it really puts me into another headspace.”

“That’s dope. I would have never imagined. I can’t say I listened to classical music before either.”

We moved on to another part of the store and found some other things I could use in the future. I already ordered the personalized stuff that I wanted to get for the party and hoped they would come in time. The event was coming soon, but according to the email I received, the items should come a couple of days before it.

“You should try it one day, especially when you go to your secret hiding spot.”

“I may have to try that. You ready to go to another store, or you ready to grab something to eat?”

We hadn’t eaten since earlier in the day, and all that walking around had me hungry.

“I think we could get some food. I pretty much got everything I needed for the day anyway. I’m waiting on some deliveries for a few things, so hopefully, I’ll be good once it all comes.”

“Okay. Let’s go pay for this stuff.” He kissed my lips, then pushed the cart toward the front.

When we got to the front, Koda insisted on paying for everything even though some of the stuff wasn’t for him or the hotel. I told him he didn’t have to pay for it, because I used some of my client’s money for the things I got for them. Anything extra came out of my own money, but I knew how to budget, so I never went over what I intended. Every month, I figured out my bills and other household essentials, then I put money to the side for my business including buying things that I may need for the future, then I put some in some savings, and, lastly, kept some for myself. I lived comfortably because I didn’t buy things I didn’t need; at least not that often. I also got paid well from my clients.

“Thank you for paying,” I said as we walked out of the store.

“I already told you there is no need for you to pay for anything.”

“I know, but still.

Koda popped the trunk, and we worked together loading the stuff up inside.

“No, still. Where do you want to eat?”

I told him what I wanted as he closed the trunk. We walked around to the passenger side, and after Koda opened the door, I got inside.

A few seconds later, he climbed into the driver’s seat, and we headed to our destination.

The restaurant I wanted to go to was only a five-minute drive, and we were seated as soon as we walked in.

It didn’t take long for us to place our order either.

“How many sneakers do you think you have?” I asked Koda as we waited for our food.

“Shit, I don’t even know. I lost count at some point. That’s why I had to use a whole different room for some of them.”

“That’s crazy. I thought I had a lot, but you have me beat. Mine is more shoes, but I have a nice sneaker collection.”

“I’ll have to get you some to add to your collection.” He winked.

We talked more about how he even got into collecting sneakers. He told me he was the only one in his family that had as many as he did. The more Koda and I talked and spent time together, the more I realized how much we had in common. We both liked to try different places. I noticed he liked sharing the books he read with me, which I enjoyed. I liked that he liked sharing something special to him with me.

The waitress brought our food to us, and we didn’t waste any time praying over it and digging in. I had a taste for pasta, so we had gone to a factory type restaurant that made pasta on the premises, and I knew they made an eggless variation of different dishes. It was a pretty popular place, but since it was the middle of the week, it wasn’t that crowded.

“Your lasagna looks good,” I pointed out.

I had gotten the shrimp alfredo, while Koda got lasagna. I made sure to tell them to make sure it didn’t have eggs.

Koda scooped a little onto his fork, then held it up to my lips.

I leaned forward and opened my mouth.

“Wow, I thought I’d never see the day,” I heard from the side of me as I chewed the lasagna.