CHAPTER 15
I’m usually the first to arrive at brunch whenever we’re able to have it, but today, I walk in seeing Nykendy and Alyssa already here, sitting at the round table with the pretty white tablecloth. There are yellow tulips in a clear vase at the center of the table.
“Hey, Myra,” Alyssa says.
Nykendy also speaks.
“Hey, y’all. What’s up?”
“Nothing. We were just sitting here chatting until you got here.”
I sit down and place my purse in the chair next to me. The waitress comes over to ask me what I want to drink. I order the same drink Alyssa and Nykendy are sipping – a mimosa.
“So, what’s going on y’all?” I ask.
“Nothing much,” Alyssa says.
“I’m more interested in what’s going on with you, girl,” Nykendy says.
I try my best not to smile when I say, “Please don’t bring up Axel.”
“Why not?” Nykendy asks. “He’s handsome and I can tell he’s into you.”
“Wait—did you say Axel?” Alyssa asks.
“Yeah. Why?”
“I heard Zander on the phone talking about an Axel last night. Who is this person?”
“He’s—” I began, then paused. “You heard Zander talking to who about Axel?”
“I thought he was talking to Jeremiah, but I could be wrong.”
All I can do is shake my head. “Jeez. The men in this family…”
Alyssa says, “Somebody needs to fill me in.”
“I’ll do it,” Nykendy volunteers. “So, Axel came into the coffee bar the other day, and—”
“Okay—let me stop y’all right there before this goes any further,” I say. “Alyssa, Axel is a colleague of mine, and he’s hardly even that. He works maintenance at Atlantic Properties.”
“That’s it?” Nykendy asks.
“Yes,” I say, hiding a smirk. “That’s it.”
“Your face says otherwise,” Alyssa comments.
Just then, my phone vibrates. I check it real quick and see a message from Axel:
I need some time with you today.
I smile big and when I look up, I see two pairs of eyes holding me hostage.
“What?” I ask, all smiles.
“It’s him, isn’t it?” Alyssa asks with narrowed eyes.
“Okay…y’all are both tripping.”
“Yeah, and you’re not answering our questions.”
Thank God the waitress shows up with my mimosa. She also takes our orders. I get the chicken and waffles while Nykendy orders fruit and pancakes. Alyssa gets eggs, sausage, and grits.
I reply back to Axel:
Zimyra : Not happening today. I’m busy.
Axel : So am I, but I’m willing to sacrifice some time for you.
Zimyra : Sacrifice some time for me?
Axel : Yes.
Zimyra : Axel, we talked about this.
Axel : I know
Zimyra : I have a routine on Sundays. Hanging out with you will greatly disrupt that.
Axel : ain’t nothing wrong with shaking things up a bit.
I look up again and see both of my sisters smiling.
I say, “Y’all are something else.”
“No, honey,” Nykendy says. “ You are something else. All this time we thought you were out here living your best single life and you got this man after you.”
“Men are always after me.”
“Okay, so what makes this one so special?” Alyssa asks.
“Girl,” Nykendy says. “He’s as cute as a button. And he’s tall, he—”
“He is cute and tall, but I’m not interested in him and he’s not interested in me,” I break in to say. “We talked yesterday. I told him I was all about my work right now and he said the same. Plus, he’s not from here. He’s from Bridgeport, Connecticut. For all I know, he’ll end up back there at some point. And, besides all of that, there’s no way I would ever date somebody I work with. I’m his manager. Do you know how awkward it would be if we were a thing?”
“I feel you on that,” Alyssa says. “I don’t think I could do that either.”
When the waitress drops off our food, I dig right in and say, “I ran into Jeremiah at The Promenade. I told him we needed to get together as a family and have a barbecue or something. I suggested we do it at your house, Nykendy, so ask Zavier if it’s a possibility.”
“That would be nice,” she says. “I know it won’t be a problem. He loves it when all the family can get together and shower Kaden with love.”
“Aw. That’s so sweet. I love their bond so much,” I say.
“Me, too. I never thought I’d meet a man who would accept Kaden as his own, and Zavier accepted him with open arms.”
“That proves that there’s someone for everyone,” Alyssa says.
“Right,” I say. “I’m sure I’ll find my someone one day when I’m finally doing what I love and—”
“Wait—” Alyssa says. “You think you’re going to find love when your life is perfect?”
“Well, not necessarily perfect, but it at least has to make sense.”
“What about your life right now doesn’t make sense, Myra?” Nykendy asks.
“A lot of things. I’m twenty-eight years old. I feel like I should be more established than I am, if that makes sense. My life should be more together than it is. Like, I’m supposed to own a house by now.”
“In your twenties?” Nykendy asks.
“Yes. That’s always been a goal of mine.”
Nykendy says, “Zimyra, when I met Zavier, my life was in shambles.”
“And when I was obsessing over Zander, my life was crazy,” Alyssa adds.
“So, I’d say you’re on the right track,” Nykendy continues, “But I would suggest that you not hold back and just go with the flow no matter what the situation is. Dismissing Axel, or anyone because you think you’re not where you’re supposed to be in life, can have you missing out on the man of your dreams. Trust me, I know. I almost fumbled Zavier, thinking I wasn’t good enough. Do you know how many times I asked myself why a man like him would be interested in me?”
“I hear what you’re saying and all, but trust me—Axel is not the man of my dreams. He’s a man, and I’ll admit, he is dreamy, but he’s not boyfriend material. I know that for a fact. But, when the right man does come along, I will be sure to remember your words of wisdom.”
Axel : well?
Zimyra : Axel, you’re killing me
Axel : I’ll call you at five
Zimyra : why five?
Axel : why not five?
Zimyra : …
Axel : just say yes. I’m calling either way.
Zimyra : no
Axel : we’ll talk soon
“Anyway, ladies, I feel like I’m heading into a new season. I’m almost done with my interior design courses, and I’m excited about the future. I’m in a good place in my life—no man needed.”
“That’s awesome, Myra,” Alyssa says.
“It is,” Nykendy adds.
Our food arrives and we eat a little before I say, “I do have one thing I need to say about Axel, though.”
“Uh oh,” Alyssa says, all smiles. “What’s that?”
“So, we were out last night at The Promenade, and I noticed he was wearing a Patek Philippe watch.”
“And?” Alyssa says.
“Do you know how much those watches cost?” I ask.
“How much?” Nykendy asks.
“You can get a good used one for fifteen thousand.”
Nykendy almost chokes on her mimosa. “What!”
“Yes, and Axel was wearing one. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t used.”
“Maybe it was a gift,” Alyssa says.
“It could’ve been, but when he noticed I was looking at it, he tried to move his arm so I couldn’t see it. I thought it was suspicious.”
Nykendy says, “Or, maybe you’re telling yourself something is up so you can avoid him.”
“How can I avoid him, Kendy? He works for me, and he’s actively pursuing me.”
“He’s pursuing you?” Alyssa says, waggling her brows. “Nykendy, she didn’t tell us that earlier.”
“She sure didn’t. Now, we’re getting the real scoop.”
I can only shake my head. I level with them and say, “Well, he is. He claims he’s this carefree bachelor who doesn’t like to be tied down, so why is he wanting to spend so much time with me? That was him texting me, talking about he needed some time with me today. I can’t figure this guy out. What is his angle?”
Alyssa says, “Girl, men are hunters. He sees you as prey, obviously. But, listen—if he’s already telling you he ain’t no good, don’t even bother.”
“I second that,” Nykendy chimes in. “I had one of those—wish I hadn’t wasted my time.”
“Timeout—he didn’t exactly say he was no good.”
“Then what kind of vibe are you getting from him?” Alyssa questions.
“He’s a very confident man—very sure of himself. He goes for what he wants, but how does a man like that end up doing maintenance work for a living?”
They both shrug.
I laugh and say, “Y’all done got married and don’t understand anything I’m going through.”
“No, I get it,” Alyssa says. “My advice would be to just feel him out and see what he’s about. It can’t hurt to look, right?”
I consume the rest of my drink and think about it. Does a woman have to acquiesce when she knows she’s being pursued? Or should there be a constant undercurrent of power that she maintains before deciding to allow the man to get close without him getting shocked? I’m—I—I’m not prepared for any of this. It wasn’t in my plans. My life was fine the way it was and now – him . But I’m no fool. It takes more than charm and good looks to convince me of anything. I look for a man with substance. One who values family. One with ethics and morals. When it’s time for me to find said man, I’m still going to give him a hard time, too, because that’s what I do. I know my value, and I added tax a long time ago.