Chapter 12 Chanel #2
“We’re all pretty close. How many siblings do you have?”
“Just a sister who’s three years younger.” Steering the conversation away from her, she said, “You mentioned having brothers.
How many?”
She listened to him talk about his three brothers and their wives. Hearing about the deep love and affection Vincent had for
his family was unlike anything she’d ever experienced, except the bond with her sister. She wondered what it would feel like
to be part of a loving family.
“That’s the reason my mom called. Austin will be home in a couple of weeks, so we’ll be having a family dinner.” He continued
eating.
“Do you guys do that often—have family dinners?”
“All the time. My parents are big on us getting together, and my mother goes all out preparing a feast.”
“Sounds like a great time.” Chanel could recall only a handful of times when her family sat down to eat together when she
was a little girl. Most often it would be just her and Jada at the table while her mother walked around nibbling on whatever
she’d prepared. She picked up her tea and took a sip.
“It is.” Vincent paused with his sandwich in his hand. “Would you like to come with me? My mom won’t mind. In fact, she’ll
probably cheer,” he added with a chuckle.
She gasped and choked on the tea. Coughing, she tried to clear her throat.
“Are you okay?” He was up and around the table quickly, an expression of concern lining his features.
“Yeah, fine,” Chanel croaked, clearing her throat again. “You just caught me off guard, that’s all.” She waved him back to
his seat. “Finish your food. I’m good.” He reclaimed his seat but kept his gaze on her. “Really, Vincent, I’m fine.”
“You said I caught you off guard.”
“Well . . . yeah. I mean, we aren’t dating or anything, and you’re inviting me to meet your family.” Okay, she’d consider
him a friend of sorts—they always talked and laughed throughout the workday—but meeting the family took things to a whole
other level. “How would you even introduce me? And do you take every woman you date to meet your family?”
Vincent leaned back and smiled. “I beg to differ. This is a lunch date, and you’ve already agreed to dinner, so in my book, that hopefully means we’re going to be dating. No, I don’t take every
woman I date to meet my family. You’d be the first in a number of years. As a matter of fact, I haven’t gone out with a woman
in several months. As for how I’d introduce you, I’d simply say, this beautiful woman next to me is Chanel Reynolds. Any other
questions?”
He hasn’t taken a woman out in months? First woman he’s taken home in years? And he considers us already dating . . . after
one sort of lunch date? Chanel sat and tried to wrap her mind around his words. With his personality and good looks, she couldn’t imagine him having
any difficulties meeting women. At least four women who worked with them would be more than happy to end his dating drought.
Yet he’d asked her out. “I do have a couple of questions. What’s wrong with you that you haven’t had a date, and why me?”
He laughed and shrugged. “I’m sure I have plenty of faults, but my reasoning for not having a date has nothing to do with me being hard up for one.
The last couple of women I dated were into playing head games, and I don’t have time for drama.
I’m also in the middle of doing some advanced radiology certifications, and it’s intensive, so I’ve been focused on getting through the programs. As to why you, why not you?
You’re an intelligent and beautiful woman who goes out of her way to help others.
” Vincent leaned forward and unleashed a sexy smile.
“I also heard you don’t do drama, and I like that about you. ”
“Um . . . I’m flattered,” Chanel said with a nervous chuckle. She had no idea he’d been paying that much attention to her. Given her
family drama, she absolutely refused to allow someone else to bring it to her doorstep, which was why she’d walked away from
her last boyfriend without a backward glance. He’d started criticizing how she dressed, how she wore her hair, and sometimes
what she ate. After three months of dating, everything always had to be what he wanted, the way he wanted. Whenever she didn’t
agree, he’d rant about her not allowing him to be the man in the relationship and tried to make her feel guilty by saying
he was only trying to show her how much he loved her. She’d given him a pass the first time after he swore he wouldn’t behave
that way again, but his promise lasted only long enough for the words to leave his mouth. Chanel had dealt with toxicity in
her home growing up—she’d had no choice as a child—but she had no intention of carrying it into her adult life. Vincent’s
voice drew her out of her trip down memory lane.
“You should finish up. We only have about ten minutes before we need to head back.”
Chanel glanced down at her plate and realized that she’d been so busy with the conversation, she’d barely eaten half of her sandwich along with a few fries.
He, on the other hand, popped the last couple of fries in his mouth, then wiped his hands on another napkin.
She picked up the sandwich and ate a little more before excusing herself to get a to-go box.
After packing up, she said, “I’ll probably eat the rest on my afternoon break. ”
Vincent stood, came around the table, and helped her up. “What evening are you available for dinner this week?” he asked as
they exited the café.
“I’m free Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.”
“Let’s plan for Thursday. I’ll call you tonight, and we can figure out the details.”
“Sounds good.” He wasn’t wasting any time. As they walked toward the imaging center, she realized he still held her hand.
Part of her wanted to pull back because she didn’t want everybody in her business. The other part liked the feel of his strong,
sure grip and felt a little disappointed when he let go as they neared the building.
He smiled down at her. “The only reason I let go of your hand is because I don’t want everybody in our business while we’re
getting to know each other.”
She laughed. “Well, us walking in the door together probably won’t help.”
The curious expression on Freda’s face proved her point.
“Thanks for letting me tag along on your lunch,” Vincent said.
“No problem. That’s what friends do.”
“I’ll see you ladies later.”
As soon as he disappeared through the door leading to the back, Freda said, “I want all the details of this lunch.”
Chanel waved her off. “Girl, we both ended up at the café and decided to sit together. That’s all.
” She congratulated herself on telling that lie with a straight face.
Going through the same door Vincent just went through, she said, “Gotta get ready for my next patient.” She liked Freda, but the woman loved to gossip, and Chanel didn’t want to be next on the list. For all she knew, they might not make it past the first couple of dates, and the last thing she needed was everybody staring at her with looks of pity if it fell apart.
Not to mention how awkward it would be for both of them having to work together every day.
For now, she’d just keep everything to herself.
She still couldn’t believe he’d invited her to a family gathering. Even though she felt it was way too soon, a part of her
was intrigued to see how a seemingly normal family interacted. Chanel also wondered how they’d treat her, especially his sisters-in-law.
Rather than worry about it, she decided to go with the flow. A smile curved her lips. This would be her first date in almost
a year, and she couldn’t wait.