Chapter 2
“Zeke, can you bring back some milk? I don’t know how I forgot to get some.”
“Aunt Jocelyn, you know I will get harassed in a grocery store if someone recognizes me. Can’t Josie go to the store?”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I just forget that you’re a famous actor. You’ve always been Zeke to us. Let me call her right quick.”
She ended the call as I slowly shook my head and chuckled. Today was my mama’s birthday, and we were doing a small gathering among family. She would be totally surprised by the party next weekend. My aunt was baking desserts and left off a major ingredient of banana pudding. Like, how did you forget milk when running down the ingredients for banana pudding? I chuckled as I headed to the venue.
I was somewhat excited to meet the florist that I talked to the other day. Her voice had mesmerized me. The depth and richness of it said grown ass woman. If her looks matched her voice, she would have a hard time getting rid of me. Then she messed around and gave me her personal number. I was gon’ wear that shit out if I felt an attraction once I saw her. I was already attracted to her voice.
When I arrived at The Astorian, I scanned the parking lot to see if she had beat me here. I was slightly early, because I wanted to go inside and look around before she got here. My cousin had told me about the elegance of this place. Doing something extravagant for my mother had been in the works. My dad wanted to do it for their anniversary, but I told him that would make it about both of them, and I wanted to do something nice for her , not them.
My dad was a hard man. I was his only son, and he thought I should have had a more manly job. He was pissed when I took an interest in theater. My mother chose to nurture my talents. Once my father realized how good I was at it, he learned to accept it. He was supportive by the time I was in high school, but I found that I still held a little animosity toward him for trying to alter my dreams.
Had it not been for my mother, I would have probably ended up working a dead-end job like him. There was nothing wrong with working hard and earning an honest living. However, I saw more for myself, especially after watching Denzel Washington and many others grace the screen. The man was so talented and a very convincing actor. Nobody couldn’t tell me that he wasn’t Malcolm X. As a kid, for the longest, I really thought he was Malcolm X, no matter what other movies he was in.
So, I chose to honor my mother as much as possible. While I hadn’t reached the heights I was striving for just yet, I knew I wouldn’t have ever pursued this career had it not been for her encouragement and support during the early years. She deserved all the good things life had to offer.
As I made my way to the entrance, I saw a van pull into the parking lot. When it turned and I saw Happily Ever After Floral on the side, I knew it was her. Instead of going inside, I waited for her to emerge. I was anxious to see her. My life was full of women throwing themselves at me, but those were the ones I chose to ignore. I wanted to be the aggressor. If I allowed her to be the aggressor in that sense, I felt like it would give her permission to be the aggressor in every aspect of our lives.
I refused to be in a relationship where my input wasn’t valued, and allowing her to run shit was the beginning of that. I’d seen it too many times with couples in the industry. I stayed far away from women in the industry. When my agent tried to turn things personal, I dropped her as soon as our contract was done. Mixing business with pleasure was a no-no in my book.
Now, if we were in a relationship first, and she chose to pursue a career in the same business I was in, that would be a horse of a different color. I would be supportive, but I would also be sure our relationship dynamic was intact.
Once she parked, I could see her staring at me. She quickly grabbed something from the passenger seat and opened the door. When she got out and closed the door, my lips parted. I immediately licked them when I scanned all the thickness and curves her body offered. Damn. I made my way to her as she smiled. Her dimples winked at me and caused me to smile back. Her milk chocolate skin tone was mesmerizing, and her septum nose ring only enhanced her beauty. Those brown eyes were big and expressive.
As I approached her, I extended my hand. “Hi, Denishia. It’s nice to meet you.”
She smiled bigger as she stared up at me, her eyes narrowing to slits from her lifted cheeks. “Likewise, Mister Wheeler.”
I twisted my lips to the side and said, “Ezekiel.”
“Sorry,” she said as she blushed. “Shall we go inside?”
I nodded as I scanned her body. There was no way I would be hiding my attraction to this beautiful woman. We casually walked toward the entrance as I asked, “So how long have you been in business?”
“About ten years or so.”
“You don’t look old enough to have been in business that long.”
She gave me the side-eye. “Flattery won’t get you a cheaper rate.”
I chuckled. She was straightforward. I liked that. “I’m not looking for a cheaper rate. I’m just making conversation and stating my observations.”
“Mm-hmm. I’m thirty-five, so I’m old enough.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed that. I thought you were younger than me, and I’m thirty-two.”
She nodded as I opened the door. When she walked inside, she said, “Thank you.”
Her mouth opened slightly as she looked around, then began taking pictures with her phone. “This place is gorgeous.”
“Yeah, it is. My cousin did well picking this out,” I said, agreeing with her as I looked around.
I watched her walk around, taking pictures as she went, while the planner met me in the foyer area. “Hello, Mister Wheeler. I take it you find this venue suitable for the celebration.”
“I do. Thank you, Miss Mattison.”
“Umm… I’d inquired about services from another floral company. I didn’t realize you were doing that part yourself.”
I frowned slightly. “I told your assistant that I was hiring my own florist.”
“Wow. I guess she didn’t relay that.”
I watched her face redden, then I turned my attention back to Denishia’s fine ass. I loved a woman with meat on her bones, and Denishia’s body assured I would have all the protein I needed. Shit! I would definitely have to shoot my shot before she left. As she approached us, she smiled. “I have so many ideas. Once I get back to my office, I’m going to sketch out my ideas. Are there any particular flowers or colors you wanted?”
“Well, the color scheme is white, black, and gold,” the event planner responded.
I frowned slightly, because Denishia wasn’t speaking to her. She didn’t even know who she was. Denishia glanced at her with a frown on her face, before asking, “And you are?”
“I’m sorry. I’m Jackie Mattison, the event planner.”
She nodded. “I’m Denishia Boswell, owner of Happily Ever After Floral Shop.”
I could tell there was some tension with how Jackie interrupted our conversation, so I rudely stood in front of her and said, “My mama’s favorite color is red. So I think red and white flowers would be nice.”
The smirk that appeared on her lips almost made me laugh. She was about that foolishness, too, and I could tell it was a challenge for her to remain professional. “Okay. I should have a sketch by Friday morning. We can make changes as you see fit.”
“You’ll email the picture of it?”
“Yes. I’ll text you later to get your email address.”
I nodded, then grabbed her hand and shook it slightly. “Thank you for coming to see what I needed. You’re going to email me your invoice?”
“I don’t charge for consultations. I don’t charge anything until the job is locked in. If you like the sketch, I’ll give you a contract for the work.”
“But you drove all the way here.”
“I… don’t… charge… for… consultations, Mister Wheeler.”
I gave her a one-cheeked smile, then stepped from in front of Jackie. She was pissed, and I could see it not only in her facial expression, but in her demeanor. Her weight was shifted to one side, and I could have sworn she’d rolled her eyes. She quickly smiled and nodded as Denishia smiled at her.
“I’m gonna go.”
“Let me walk you out,” I said, then turned to Jackie. “I’ll be right back to discuss a few things with you.”
“Yes, sir.”
I followed Denishia out and quickly got in front of her to open the door. “I’m sorry about Jackie. I don’t know her, but I can guarantee we’re about to get real acquainted after you leave. I don’t play that disrespectful shit.”
“It’s okay. I can handle myself, but thank you for stepping up for me.”
I grabbed her hand, slowing her down somewhat. She frowned slightly, and she looked up at me. “Honestly, I’d like to be the one to step up for you all the time. You’re beautiful, Denishia.”
“Thank you. While I’m flattered, I can’t say that I’m single.”
“Damn. I should have known better.”
She looked away for a moment and swallowed hard. I could tell there was more that she wanted to say, but she settled on, “It was nice meeting you, Ezekiel. Talk to you soon.”
I nodded, then opened the door to her van and watched her ass in those tight ass blue jeans she wore as she got in. “Be careful,” I said, then closed the door as she smiled and nodded.
I took a couple of steps backward and watched her get situated. Once she did, she gave me a wave and pulled off. It was like I was stuck in wet cement until her van was out of view. Once it was, I made my way back inside, prepared to hand Jackie’s ass to her. The minute I walked in, she said, “I’m so sorry, Mister Wheeler. I was just caught off guard.”
She was smart. She didn’t get half of what I had for her. “Don’t let it happen again.”
“Yes, sir.”
She lowered her head for a moment. Lifting it, she said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I looked up her floral shop. She seems to be extremely talented. I’ve never seen bouquets quite like hers. She does designs with those flowers.”
I frowned slightly as she continued. “It’s just, I have a problem working with people I didn’t personally vet.”
I nodded. I could understand that. With her being the planner, people would assume she obtained the florist. If Denishia didn’t do the job she was paid to do, it could cast a bad light on her. “I understand. I apologize for not talking to you directly about that.”
She smiled big, then went on discussing plans. She talked about the caterer and the band she’d hired. I’d barely heard a word she said though, because my mind was preoccupied with how I would snatch Denishia from her man.