Chapter 8
It’s been years since a woman had me strutting like I’m President Obama.
But I’ll be damned if that’s not the case simply from multiple text exchanges and phone conversations with Caziya.
From the day I met her, my attention has been laser-focused on finding out more about the woman behind the sad eyes and goofy man who didn’t deserve a minute in her presence.
Caziya is like an onion, and with every conversation or message, I work to peel back the layers of who she is.
What has been most attractive about her is the fact that she hasn’t run for the hills at my situation.
I have run into a few women who couldn’t handle my inability to drop everything and come running whenever they called.
Sure, dropping dick is easy for me, but I’m more attracted to a woman whose outward appearance shines brighter when I’m able to see their inward appearance.
“Hello. Are you still there, Zakai?”
My dick twitches at the low yet sultry tone of Caziya’s voice coming through the receiver and effectively snaps me out of my thoughts.
“I am. Sorry about that. What did I miss?”
This has been a lazy Saturday where I let Kiki talk me into playing with her dolls most of the morning. Thankfully, she tired herself out and is now taking a nap, allowing me a temporary reprieve.
“I thought we were doing twenty-one questions. Did you fall asleep on me?” Caziya giggles, and my heart leaps in response.
Damn. Even the sound of her laughter is noteworthy.
“Nah. Just thinking, but ladies first. What’s your first question?”
“What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?”
Oh, we’re jumping right in. Okay, let’s go!
A smile forms when Caziya asks her first question, and I ask a follow-up so I know how we’re going to handle this game going forward.
“Are we talking in general or in relationships?”
“I’ll let you decide which because I’m more curious about the answer overall.”
Tilting my head to the side, I nod subtly when a response enters my mind.
“I’d have to say the time I sent a single rose to the lady I was seeing over the course of twenty-four days. It was completely on a whim and something I have never done with anyone else. The idea came out of the blue, and I ran with it.”
“Oh wow. That’s different. What was the occasion?”
“Just because I wanted her to know I was thinking about her.”
“Why twenty-four days?”
My smile deepens as I recall that instance from years ago, which, despite the relationship ending, still fills me with joy.
“I wanted her to have two dozen but didn’t want to give them to her at one time. With every rose, I attached a note that let her know what I liked about her.”
“Aw. That’s sweet and something I have never experienced before. Okay. It’s your turn.”
No worries, Ziya. I got you from here.
“What’s your biggest pet peeve?”
“Hm, let’s see. Broken promises, being ignored, and being neglected. I don’t necessarily want to be smothered, but I do want to be remembered.”
“Duly noted. You’re up. What’s next?”
“What’s the most important thing you look for in a woman you’re interested in?”
Alright, I see Caziya is about to challenge me all over the place because, thus far, her questions haven’t followed any kind of pattern.
“Emotional depth and authenticity. Trust also goes without saying for me, but it’s probably third in line with the first two.”
“Duly noted,” she says, and a low chuckle escapes my mouth at her using my words from a bit ago. “What?”
“Nothing. Let’s keep this train moving. What’s something that makes you unique?”
If I had to take a stab at how Caziya is going to answer this question, I would say her uniqueness lies in the depth of her soul, which I can see with a single gaze into her eyes. In Caziya’s eyes, I’m able to see mystery, longing, and passion that’s lying dormant.
“I would say the way I’m able to overcome anything that comes at me. I stay strong through tough situations and am able to empathize and forgive when necessary.”
Oh shit!
For a second, silence ensues as I process, analyze, and replay Caziya’s words that have caught me off guard.
This is part of Caziya’s onion that excites me to peel back as I get to know her.
It also fills me with a longing to see her in person, prompting me to take an unplanned detour that I hope she won’t reject.
“I feel like we need to continue this discussion in person, and I would love to see you. Will you come over for dinner tonight?”
A series of giggles sounds from the receiver, and I bite my lip because I’m not sure if Caziya is about to accept or turn me down, based on this reaction. My stomach tightens, and I hold my breath while waiting for her to respond.
“That was out of the blue. But are you sure you want me to come over?”
Air escapes my mouth, and my stomach settles, causing me to momentarily close my eyes and say a quick thank you to Big Homie.
“I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Do you have any food allergies or a meal request I can fulfill?”
“Nope. I’m also open to whatever you want to serve me. What time would you like me to—oh, wait. I need your address.”
“Okay. I’ll text you my address. You can come over at six, and I’ll have everything ready for you.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’m looking forward to breaking bread with you and finishing our discussion.”
“So am I. Let me run so I can get moving. See you soon, Ziya.”
When the call disconnects, I send Caziya my address in text to have that out of the way.
Me:
3536 Platter Pkwy
“Daddy, up! Up, Daddy!” Zakiyah’s loud voice comes through the monitor sitting on the table in front of me, and I know that she’s not only up from her nap but wants out of bed.
I get up from the couch and head to the second floor so I can get Zakiyah out of her bed while dialing Ma’s number to see if she and Dad are free for the evening to babysit.
“Hey, Son. I’m in the middle of something. Can I call you back later?” Ma says when the call connects a minute later.
“Uh, I was actually trying to see if you and Dad could keep Kiki tonight.”
“Sorry, Son. Your father and I already have plans. You’re actually gonna be out of luck because I talked with Asia earlier, and she was headed out of town until Tuesday or so.”
“Alright. Thanks anyway, Ma. I’ll let you go.”
Dang. Looks like it’s gonna be a threesome instead of the twosome I thought tonight would be.
Hopefully, Caziya won’t mind Kiki being a third wheel.
With my plan in place, I rush to get Zakiyah out of bed so the two of us can head to the store.
My mind sifts through many recipes I know how to cook before deciding on something that won’t be too time-consuming to prepare for dinner.
I want to impress Caziya with my cooking skills, but I also don’t want to overdo it, because I’m more interested in spending time with her than anything else.
I haven’t laid eyes on Caziya since our impromptu ice-cream date, and I’m desperate to see her again.
The house smells great as I put the final touches on dinner while Kiki sits in her booster chair, scribbling on a piece of paper.
Thankfully, she enjoys watching me cook, as I’ve been able to prepare the entire meal without much interruption from her.
I’ve also given her a light snack of apple slices and peanut butter, so she hasn’t complained about being hungry.
My hand freezes on the lid I just replaced on the meat when the doorbell echoes through the house, letting me know Caziya has arrived.
“I’m going to get the door, Kiki. Sit tight for me, and I’ll be right back.”
“Otay, Daddy,” Zakiyah says without lifting her head from the paper she’s coloring on.
My heart races with every step I take toward the front door from the kitchen as I mentally coach myself to keep it together.
Falling apart or fumbling at Caziya’s feet will be a horrible way for me to welcome her into my home for the first time.
Exhaling the air from my lungs when I reach the door a couple of minutes later, I unlock the lock and pull it open.
A warm smile slides into place when Caziya’s warm toffee face comes into view.
“Welcome to my crib. Please come in. I hope you’re hungry because I made enough to allow for seconds if you want them.”
“Ooh. It smells so good in here. I am definitely hungry,” Caziya says, cutting me off when she enters the foyer.
“Let’s hope it tastes as good as it smells.” Unable to resist, I take her hand, interlocking our fingers as I lead her toward the kitchen.
A jittery yet electrifying feeling courses through my body the longer our hands connect, forcing me to focus on the floor so I don’t stumble. The feeling is one I have never experienced before, making me appreciate this simple action.
“Well, hello, pretty girl,” Caziya says, instantly releasing my hand when we enter the kitchen and she sees Zakiyah.
I fight the frown, begging for clearance from the disconnect of our hands as I watch with rapt attention when Kiki waves excitedly upon seeing Caziya.
“Hi, Pwitty,” Zakiyah gushes.
Without prompting or permission from me, Caziya lifts Zakiyah out of her booster and hugs her body.
My chest damn near caves when Kiki’s little arms wrap about Caziya’s neck as the two embrace.
My eyes are frozen in place, and my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth while watching the display before me.
“So, what’s on the menu tonight?” Caziya asks, turning to look at me with Kiki still in her arms.
“I’m—uh, sorry. I didn’t have anyone to watch her, but I hope you don’t mind.”
“Oh, you don’t have to apologize or say anything else. You’re a father, so I totally get it, and I was hoping I’d get to see this cutie patootie. So again, what are you feeding us?”
Damn. Marry me, woman.
It takes me a second to catch up with what’s happening when my brain repeats the weakest proposal known to man that I have to fight to push through.
“Uh—I—um—I made creamy garlic chicken, broccoli, and loaded mashed potatoes. I also made some brownies that we can put over vanilla ice cream if you’re up for that,” I say once my brain is capable of communicating properly.
“Sounds good. How about this? Tell me where everything is, and I can make plates for the three of us. After all, you cooked, so the least I can do is that.”
Before she can finish her statement, I shake my head and frown because there is no way she’s going to do anything but enjoy being a guest in my home.
“See, this is where we need to establish some ground rules. Whenever you visit, I simply ask that you enjoy our company. If you can help Kiki wash her hands, I’ll get plates together, and we can eat. I have wine, juice, water, Tahitian Treat, or Pepsi. What would you like to drink?”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
“Completely. I got this. The bathroom is down the hall on your right, or you can wash y’all’s hands at the sink.”
“Okay. I’ll take Tahitian Treat.” Placing Kiki on her feet, she takes her hand and leaves the kitchen toward the half bath.
I walk to the cupboard and retrieve two plates and a small saucer for Kiki, then go through the process of putting food on each one.
Kiki gets a small portion of everything except the mashed potatoes, as she has never been a fan, so I’m not going to waste my time giving her any.
Twenty minutes later, dinner is moving along, and I’m enjoying the banter between Caziya and me.
“I want some, Pwitty,” Kiki says to Caziya while pointing to her mashed potatoes, causing my mouth to hang open from the expectancy of the request.
You’ve got to be shitting me. Kiki has never enjoyed mashed potatoes, let alone loaded ones, and now she’s asking to try some. What the entire hell is happening right now?
“Okay.” Caziya takes a small scoop of loaded mashed potatoes and puts it in Zakiyah’s mouth, and my eyes widen when my daughter not only eats the bite but also moans after consuming it.
“Alright, that’s it. You’re gonna have to come over for every dinnertime,” I say, causing Caziya to look at me with curious eyes.
“Why?”
“She doesn’t like those, but you must have some kind of powers that I don’t have because she ate and enjoyed them.”
My eyes bounce from Caziya to Zakiyah, who’s dancing in her seat, oblivious to the strife she’s causing within me.
“Hm. That’s interesting. Let’s see if she’ll eat some more.” Pulling her gaze from me, Caziya scoops another small bite of potatoes and offers it to Zakiyah, who heartily eats it without complaint.
Well, I’ll be damned. I guess Kiki no longer has an aversion to mashed potatoes.
“These mashed potatoes are good, so I say blame yourself because I don’t blame baby girl one bit.
You outdid yourself with this meal. My compliments to the chef, because most men in the past have never taken the time to be this considerate.
Takeout, drive-throughs, and things of that nature are more the speed of the men I foolishly allowed myself to entertain. ”
“Aht, aht. Let’s leave your past in the past and not do comparisons. You’re gonna find out that I’m a cut above all the rest, Ziya. Now, let’s get back to our questions from earlier. Whose turn was it?”
Wasting our time discussing the lame ones who came before me seems pointless because, if I have my way, Caziya will only have time to remember the things I do and say moving forward.
I know she just got out of a little situation, but I’m about to pursue her beautiful ass in such a way that she will only see or think about what I do and don’t do.
Every goofy before me is irrelevant and no longer necessary to Caziya’s future.