10. Marshawn
It had been two days since the boys had left, and as much as I missed their presence, I was relieved to work in peace again.
So far, we had gotten some superb shots.
I was proud of the work I had done making my first fantasy movie.
I couldn’t wait to see the finished product.
After forty-eight hours sitting in front of my computer screen, I was fiending for a break. I needed sustenance and a stiff drink.
It had been a few years since I’d been to New Orleans, but I had never forgotten the nightlife.
There was a restaurant that I wanted to visit, and I’d gotten a rental to navigate through the city to get there.
When I entered the address into my GPS, it was about a twenty-five-minute drive, so the rental had been a good idea.
After taking a shower and changing out of my daily uniform of sweats and a T-shirt, I headed down to my destination.
Since I loved the atmosphere on Frenchman Street, it was a no-brainer that I would return.
There was a restaurant that was consistently booked, and I hadn’t been able to get a table a few years ago when visiting.
This time, I knew to make a reservation.
I had to see what all the hype was about.
Once I finally found a parking spot, I took the short trek to reach my destination on foot. There was a small crowd gathered outside. I was about twenty minutes early, but I went inside to let the hostess know I had made it.
“Good afternoon. How may I help you?” the petite brunette asked me.
“I have a seven o’clock reservation under the name Sheppard.”
“OK, give us a second, and we’ll be right with you, Mr. Sheppard.”
To avoid standing in the way of incoming customers, I moved out of the space in front of the hostess desk.
As if there was a gravitational pull on me, my eyes swept over the crowd until they connected with Vonnie’s.
My heart went into overdrive as I took her in.
Those honey-sweet eyes beckoned me to walk the short distance down the sidewalk to get to her.
Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail in the center of her head and flowed down to her ears.
Light makeup only made her features more enticing.
I floated on air without giving my task of approaching her a second thought.
“Fancy meeting you here,” I greeted her once we were in earshot of each other.
“Oh wow, Marshawn! Look at you. I didn’t expect to see anyone I knew here.”
“I know, right? Same.”
“Surprise, surprise. I heard good things about this place, so I decided to bring myself down here and check it out.”
“I was actually here a couple of years ago, but the wait was so long that I ended up leaving and finding somewhere else to eat,” I explained.
“I hope I don’t have to wait too long tonight. My stomach is already eating itself.”
“What?” I chuckled.
“I know you hear it growling.”
“How long have you been out here?”
“Not very long… Maybe about twenty minutes. They told me there was about a thirty or forty-minute wait.”
“I hope I’m not being too forward, but I have a reservation. Not sure if you’d want to join me…” I offered.
“You sure? I don’t want to impose.”
“Absolutely. I mean… I don’t know if you were expecting someone else, but I was going to eat alone.”
“I damn sure don’t mind joining you. I’m hungry as hell!” she confessed.
“You and me both. I’ve been watching video footage all day long. This is the first time I’ve come up for air since breakfast.”
“Well, damn! Let me find out you’re a workaholic.”
“You don’t have to find out. I’ll admit it.” I shrugged. “You look nice, by the way.”
“Thank you. I felt like putting on clothes and getting cute for a change. I was actually thinking the same about you. I’m used to seeing you in sweats.”
“Sweats are pretty much my everyday attire. Jeans isn’t much of an upgrade, though.”
“I beg to differ. You look way more put together. Maybe it’s because you’re in all black.”
“Possibly.” I nodded in agreement. “Not that you don’t always look good, but a dress is definitely an upgrade from your casual work look, especially this one.”
“You like it?” she asked, smiling down at herself before putting those gorgeous, brown eyes back on me.
The dark green dress she wore was cut low in the front, completely exposing my second favorite feature of hers.
Jealousy filled me as I considered the fact that I likely wasn’t the only one out here ogling her big, round breasts.
I wanted to snatch off my shirt and use it to cover her up.
Vonnie was absolutely delectable with her curves on full display.
“Hell yeah, I love it,” I stated, not bothering to hide my enthusiasm.
“Thank you, Shawn,” she cooed, while my face warmed from hearing her call me Shawn.
Vonnie had religiously called me by my full name since the day we’d met. Even since she and Gia had been joining me on set, she still called me Marshawn. I didn’t mind it, but hearing the shortening of my name made me think that she was becoming more comfortable with me.
“Sheppard!” the hostess yelled, sticking her head out the door.
Holding up one finger to indicate I was coming, I linked my hand with Vonnie’s as I headed toward the door.
Her tiny hand fit into mine perfectly as we followed the young girl to our seats.
It was an instinct to grab her hand, but I didn’t want to make things awkward by letting it go before we made it to our seats.
Even as we made it to our table, I was reluctant to release Vonnie’s hand so she could take her seat.
I wanted her close. I craved her nearness even when she was only a couple of feet away from me.
“Enjoy.”
“Thank you,” Vonnie and I told the hostess simultaneously.
“You know what you’re going to order?” she asked, picking up her menu.
“There’s a baked fish entrée I was thinking about trying.”
“How adventurous!” She rolled her eyes, being sarcastic.
“What did you have in mind, Evil Knievel?”
“I looked over the menu before I came up here. I didn’t want to take all day trying to figure out what I wanted to eat. I was thinking about getting the boudin egg rolls for an appetizer and the stuffed pork chops and collard greens.”
“Oh, yeah… That does sound good. Have you ever tried boudin?”
“Not yet. I figured if I was going to try it, then this was the best place.”
“I can actually make boudin balls. The boys love them,” I revealed.
“Oh, well, I don’t have to order any. You can make some for me.”
“Well, you should try the real thing so you’ll have something to compare mine to.”
“You’re right. I need to make sure you know what you’re doing.”
The waitress showed up right on time and took our orders.
Along with Vonnie’s boudin egg rolls, we got gator tail bites and drunken halloumi.
I had never tried halloumi, but in the name of adventure, I decided there was no better time than the present.
Once we ordered our food and drinks, the waitress was on her way.
“I wish I would have worn flats. My feet have been killing me.”
“I mean, I do love seeing you in heels.”
“You might, but my dogs are howling.”
I laughed as the waitress placed our drinks in front of us. I took a swig of my Cognac, letting the cool liquid burn my throat as it went down. Picking up my glass of water, I watched as Vonnie enjoyed her margarita. I took a swig of my water before continuing the conversation.
“You work hard. It’s nice to get cute sometimes, as you said.”
“Hell yeah. You already know, as a makeup artist, I know the importance of self-care.”
“You sound like Marshae. She’s always telling me I need to practice self-care.”
“And she’s right.”
“What does that even mean? It sounds like something for women.”
“Self-care is for anyone. It’s not just about getting your hair and nails done.
It could be getting a massage, a facial, meditating, or spending time alone.
There aren’t any specifics other than doing something you like to do to help you unwind in your own way.
It’s really about just doing something for yourself. ”
“When am I supposed to find time to do that between raising the boys and being on location for filming?”
“You’re supposed to make time. You have time now.”
“Well, drinking a good Cognac is self-care for me.” I chuckled, holding my drink in the air before taking another swig.
“Really?” she asked with a grin.
“Am I not doing it right?”
“I’m pretty sure you are.” She nodded.
“See… I’m a fast learner.”
She giggled. “You are.”
Our waitress returned, balancing the array of appetizers. Everything looked and smelled delicious as she laid our food out before us.
“I don’t remember the last time I had gator tail,” I announced as I used my fork to spear a piece of the fried delicacy.
“I’ve never tried it, and I’m not going try it today, but look at you being adventurous.”
“Nah, we’re not doing that. You’re the one that was going on and on about being adventurous.”
“I was not going on and on.”
“I don’t want to hear that.” I shook my head as I used the fork in front of her to pick up another piece. “Open up.”
“What?” She bit back a smile.
“Open up, Vonnie. I’m not going to let you chicken out.”
“I’m not chicken. I’m just not about to sit here and eat alligator.”
“Let me find out you’re a fraidy cat.”
“You really gonna go there?”
“I think I have to.”
“No, you don’t have to. You’re choosing to.”
“You’re choosing to be chicken.” I teased her, enjoying seeing her squirm.
When she rolled those pretty brown eyes, I knew I had her. “Give it here.”
“Aht, open up,” I repeated, parting my lips in demonstration.