Chapter 14
Fourteen
Shyriq wasn’t sure what he’d gotten himself into with Nhuri, but he knew that leaving her office for the day and sticking to business wasn’t in the plans.
She’d checked him about his absence, and he had to make up for it.
Lunch was the perfect solution, or so he thought.
Watching Nhuri enter the lobby put him in a trance and had him wanting her to be on the menu instead.
She strutted his way with strides that enticingly swayed her hips. Shyriq knew she wasn’t trying to tease him, but it didn’t take much. Nhuri was effortlessly beautiful and possessed this sureness about herself when up against him.
“You ready?” Shyriq asked once she reached him.
Nhuri bobbed her head, and he led them out of the building to a sleek, black Suburban.
He opened the passenger door so she could climb inside before going to the driver’s seat.
Nhuri hated how her eyes fluttered at his smell surrounding the interior.
She was quiet for the quick drive and glad he had received a call.
“Yeah, I’ll be back in the office in about an hour,” he said.
An hour? Nhuri questioned herself.
Shyriq entered the parking lot of a small building tucked between two high-rises.
She didn’t know what to expect, but she definitely didn’t expect this.
She was sure he would’ve taken her to some high-end restaurant with an overpriced menu that served small portions.
They entered the place, and a woman greeted them whose face lit up.
She welcomed Shyriq by name, leading Nhuri to believe he was a frequent visitor.
“Shy, it’s always so good to see your face,” she smiled, leaning in for a hug.
“Yours too, Aunt Jackie. You have something open for us?”
“Of course. And who do we have with you today?”
Shyriq faced Nhuri. “This is my assistant, Nhuri. Nhuri, this is my aunt Jackie.”
She stepped Nhuri’s way and embraced her in a warm hug that she melted into. She hadn’t had a woman besides her mother hug her like that in quite some time. Feeling too much at once, Nhuri cleared her throat.
“Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You as well, sweetie. My goodness, you are pretty,” Jackie gushed.
Nhuri blushed. “Thank you.”
“You better take care of her,” Jackie said, patting Shyriq on his arm.
What the hell? Shyriq and Nhuri both thought, stealing a glance at each other.
Jackie grabbed two menus off the podium. “Let me get you all settled in. Follow me.”
The spot was quiet and laid-back, with a few customers occupying the tables. Nhuri’s stomach growled as they passed a man cutting into a crispy piece of fried chicken. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until the aromas from the food reminded her she hadn’t eaten.
“Thanks, Auntie,” Shyriq said once they were seated at a table near the back. The table provided some privacy but still gave a clear view of the establishment.
“You’re welcome. Tessa will be right over to get y’all orders.”
She walked off, and Nhuri immediately grabbed her menu.
The Spot was coined and named after so many described it as “You know, that spot right between the two high-rises? Yeah, that spot. The food is incredible.” Jackie owned the place, which had been passed down from her aunt years ago.
Knowing what he wanted, Shyriq didn’t bother looking over the menu.
Instead, he watched Nhuri. The way her lips tooted out as she read a new item or the way her eyebrows dipped reading over the sides made him smirk.
“You know, staring isn’t polite,” Nhuri said, still reading the menu.
Shyriq chuckled. “Even if it’s done politely?”
That got her to lift her head. “Politely . . . or intensely? The eyes can be misleading.”
“Both,” he answered, licking his lips. He didn’t want to mislead her in any way. He was letting it be known that he was staring for a reason.
Nhuri cleared her throat. “Everything sounds so good on here.”
Chuckling under his breath, Shyriq took the hint. She wasn’t trying to go there with him today. That was cool with him.
“Everything is good too,” he clarified.
“Is Ms. Jackie your real aunt?”
“Not by blood, no. She and my mom are best friends, practically sisters.”
Nhuri smiled. She loved seeing a close-knit bond between women as friends who become family. She felt the same about her relationship with Jazmyn.
“That’s so sweet. So, I’m assuming you get special treatment around here?” Nhuri asked.
He smirked. “I wouldn’t say all that.”
As soon as he said that, Tessa appeared to take their order. “Hey, Mr. Hendrix,” she greeted before speaking to Nhuri. “Hi. Welcome to The Spot. Is this your first time dining with us?”
“Hey, yes, it is. I was told everything on the menu is good, so I’m not quite ready to order yet. Still trying to decide.”
“That’s perfectly fine. I’ll get you all’s drinks started and come back. What can I get for you?”
Nhuri scanned the beverage section, and before she could make her decision, Shyriq intervened.
“Do you drink pop?” he asked.
“Yes,” Nhuri answered, nodding.
He faced Tessa. “We’ll take two Shirley Temples and some fried pickles to start us off.”
Tessa didn’t bother scribbling their request in her notepad. “Gotcha. We figured you’d be in today, so we have your favorite ready to go.”
“Y’all treat me so good around here,” Shyriq jested.
Tessa chuckled. “We treat everyone good. Ms. Jackie just loves on you a lil more. I’ll be right back.”
Nhuri stared at him and smirked.
“What?” Shyriq asked.
“No special treatment, huh?”
Shyriq’s head fell back, and a deep chuckle resounded around them. The sound made a chill creep up Nhuri’s back. The way his straight teeth peeked from behind those lips, and the way he filled the chair had her squirming in hers.
“A’ight. You got me,” he admitted.
“Exactly. What’s your favorite?” Nhuri asked.
“The braised oxtail grilled cheese sandwich.”
Nhuri’s eyes lit up, and her stomach rumbled. “That sounds so good. I was leaning toward the sweet heat chicken and waffles, but now I don’t know.”
The whine in her voice made Shyriq’s chest feel funny. It was adorable, and the kind of sound he knew would make him give her whatever she wanted without asking. He shook his head.
“Get both, or you can taste some of mine.”
Nhuri blinked slowly. She wasn’t expecting him to say that, but then again, every moment leading up to Shyriq had been unpredictable.
“Okay,” she mumbled as Tessa placed their drinks down.
The Shirley Temples were made with real cherry syrup and were highly requested by customers.
Ms. Jackie’s mix of soul food, American food, and unique dishes kept her doors open.
The menu was plentiful, the food was beyond delicious, and the warm hospitality customers received was why The Spot was rated one of the best in the city.
Sticking her straw inside the glass, Nhuri swirled the drink and sipped. “There’s no way this tastes this good.”
Shyriq chuckled. “Same thing I’ve been saying for years. It’s real cherry syrup.”
“I can tell,” she said before taking another generous gulp.
“How’d everything go with Michelle this morning?”
Pushing her drink aside, Nhuri cleared her throat. “Things went good. It was mainly busywork, but she taught me so much in a short time.”
“Yeah, she’s thorough,” he agreed. “You’ll get the hang of everything.”
Nhuri remained quiet for a second, taking in the building. Its warm lighting, exposed brick walls, and large windows gave the place a serene vibe. It felt homey and smelled it too.
“How long has she been your assistant?” Nhuri asked, wondering how much more pressure would come her way.
“For years, but I don’t want to talk about business, though.”
Her brow lifted slightly just as Tessa brought out the fried pickles. “You don’t?”
“Nah. Hold whatever thoughts you have real quick,” Shyriq said.
“You all ready to order?” Tessa asked.
Nhuri glanced at her and then Shyriq. He bobbed his head once, encouraging her to go ahead. “I’ll take the sweet heat chicken and waffles. Does it come with eggs?”
“It doesn’t, but we can add them as a side. Would you like to do that?”
“Yes.”
Tessa scribbled down her order. “Got it. And for you? Even though I’m sure what you’re going to say.”
Shyriq smirked. “You know I’m going with the braised oxtail sandwich. Honey mustard for the fries. What’s the dessert of the day?”
“Pineapple upside-down cake,” Tessa answered.
“I will definitely be taking a slice,” Nhuri said.
Shyriq laughed. “You don’t even know if it’s good.”
“I trust that it is. You wouldn’t have asked about it if it weren’t.”
Tessa smiled. “She has a point. Enjoy your fried pickles, and your lunch will be out shortly.”
Nhuri wasted no time dipping a pickle into the ranch before popping it into her mouth. She nodded her head in appreciation.
“Good?” Shyriq asked.
“Mhmm. I can tell this is a homemade ranch.”
“I believe it is,” he said, dipping one of his own and eating it.
They ate a few more in silence before Nhuri picked back up on their conversation. She wanted to know why he didn’t want to discuss business when that was the sole reason she was here.
“So, you don’t want to know how my day was so far?” Nhuri asked.
“I don’t mind hearing about your day, just not business right now. I’d rather know more about you. The Nhuri outside of work and not my assistant.”
Nhuri pursed her lips, amused. “Are you sure that’s appropriate? You know . . . as my boss and all.”
Shyriq smirked. “I’m sure there’s some things you’ll learn about me that aren’t work-related. You don’t have to share, though.”
“I don’t mind, but I’d rather get to know you better. So, you first. Why’d you bring me here?”