Chapter 8 #3
Giavanna had excelled in the sport of fighting back tears. It was just another item added to the list of things she had to accept. Brazil got in the car and pushed the button to start the engine. “Any place in particular that you want to go?”
“Um, Scrambled has pretty good food. And bottomless mimosas.”
“You good to drink?”
Turning her head to face him, Giavanna smiled. “Are you naturally this considerate and charming or is it something that you had to work toward?”
“What?” He laughed as he placed the gear in reverse. “I’m assuming it comes naturally because it’s not something I try to do. Maybe I was just raised right.”
“Indeed, you were. I’ll never argue with that.
I’m just saying, things like the chemo bag, caring that I was at chemo alone, asking if I’m good to drink.
It may come to you naturally, but not everyone is so thoughtful.
I’m not complaining,” she added with a chuckle.
“And to answer your question, I feel pretty good today, and I’m only on two daily medications, so hopefully, a few mimosas won’t hurt. ”
“Got it.” He bobbed his head.
Staring out of the window, Giavanna chewed lightly on the inside of her cheek.
She was capable of having male, platonic friends.
She was even capable of having handsome, male, platonic friends, but she didn’t like the way Brazil’s presence made her stomach do somersaults.
She didn’t like the way her body warmed when he did something nice for her.
Brazil was a line that couldn’t be crossed, and she didn’t even like the temptation of it.
However, he made her dark days just a little bit brighter.
Giavanna became so lost in her thoughts that she was surprised when Brazil arrived at the restaurant.
It literally seemed as though they’d only been in the car for a few minutes.
Giavanna removed her seatbelt and grabbed her purse. Patiently, she waited for Brazil to get Unique from the car and once her carrier was in hand, she led the way to the entrance, so she could hold the door for him.
“You better not touch that door,” he called from behind her.
Giavanna turned around with furrowed brows. “Dang, I can’t be nice and make life easier for you?” she jested.
“Hell no. If my father saw you holding a door open for me, he’d pop me upside my head. I have two hands. And one of them is still free.”
“Well, alrighty then.” Giavanna held her hands up as if she was facing law enforcement. Brazil breezed past her and opened the door.
The fact that she’d never come across a man even remotely close to Brazil’s character since she’d been dating was enough to piss her off. She couldn’t believe that Kera let a man like Brazil get away from her, only to end up losing her life at the hands of a toxic, controlling, abusive, fuck nigga.
They were seated and though she knew what she wanted, Giavanna busied herself with looking over the menu.
The hostess had commented on how adorable Unique was and complimented them both because she assumed they were the parents.
Brazil didn’t correct her, and she didn’t either.
It would have been a little weird for her to voice that Unique was actually her cousin’s baby, and Brazil was her cousin’s baby daddy. Yeah, awkward for sure.
The mimosa delivery was prompt and right on time. Giavanna’s first swallow almost when down the wrong way when Brazil spoke.
“I have a match in Diamond Cove next week. You should come.”
It made her feel weak to decline his invitation based on the fact that she was afraid if she kept being around him, she’d cross a line.
Brazil had never come close to flirting with her.
Nothing about his kindness was inappropriate or over the line.
She was the one that couldn’t contain her emotions.
“That would be nice, but I have my second round of chemo Friday. It will have to depend on how I feel. The last time, I was just super tired and a little queasy. I didn’t have much of an appetite for about four days and everything that I did eat or drink tasted disgusting.
” Giavanna sighed from the memory. She wasn’t looking forward to going through it again, but if chemo was going to give her more time on this earth, she’d bite the bullet and endure.
“No pressure. Prayerfully, you’ll feel up to it but if not, I completely understand. You have someone to go to chemo with you?”
“Yes, Brazil.” She smiled wide. “My best friend is coming with me. Although, it’s not like I’m having surgery or anything. It’s a routine visit that I’m going to have to get used to for a little while. I don’t expect to have company at every single chemo appointment.”
“What you expect doesn’t really matter. I can only speak for myself, but if I know you don’t have anyone that can go with you and I’m available, I’m there.”
Giavanna had been praying harder than she ever had since finding out she had cancer. She had something else to add to the list because only God would be able to help her control her feelings when it came to Mr. Brazil Thornton.