Chapter 1 | Jace | 33 years later
“I’m about to go into this meeting and work everything out once and for all. We have less than four months to get Embers off the ground, and I don’t have time for this shit,” I complained to my daughter, Jalisah, as I parallel parked my Hennessy Goliath Silverado truck behind a dark blue Tesla.
“Daddy, don’t go in there with your temper. Remember, your New Years resolution is to work on your patience, and it’s her restaurant, too,” reasoned my twenty-one-year-old. “Maybe she’s still not too keen on this cannabis idea. We are in Houston, and she might be a church girl.”
“She has no choice. She needed money to remain open and said she welcomed all ideas. Well, this is the idea we’re going with. No ifs, and, or buts. I’m here. I’ll call you once I leave.”
I opened the door to the spacious, closed restaurant, past the white linen-covered tables, and strode toward the kitchen, where music blasted and a woman sang loudly. Her throaty voice appealed, though she probably only sang in the comfort of her home and, at best, at some karaoke bar. Still, her alluring voice singing Free by Deniece Williams drew me to her.
Long, thick braids flowed down over her ample ass as she rolled her hips seductively to the music while she organized the large pantry. Her hands were crossed at the wrists in the air like the sexiest genie I’d ever seen, showing me a glimpse of the gold waist beads around her brown skin, and I had yet to see her face. I glanced around the kitchen, which needed repair from the cracking ceiling to the old counters before my gaze settled back on the woman who’d yet to notice me. I started dancing to the music while I moved closer to her.
She made a spin move and screamed the moment I reached her. I placed my hands up apologetically, “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
She placed her hand over her heart. “You move like a panther. I swear I didn’t hear you.”
“Naw. You were enjoying your music. All good.” I grinned flirtatiously. She had the kind of natural pretty that only grew prettier as she aged to match her sexy body. My new business partner. Although I knew who she was, I announced with a smirk, “I’m looking for Spirit Kimble.”
The edges of her mouth curved down, and the joy she’d just emanated dissipated, replaced by indifference. “That’s me.”
I frowned, wondering about the shift in her mood, and held out my hand. “I’m the...
“Legend. Used to play for the Texans. Yes, I know.” She ignored my hand and walked out of the kitchen, pulling down her tight t-shirt that barely covered her ass, hugged in black leggings. “What are you doing here? The restaurant is closed on Mondays.”
I followed behind her, admiring her thickness and the sway of her hips. “I wanted to stop by and actually see the place since I’m your new silent partner.”
She faltered in her step, and I bumped into her and immediately grabbed her shoulders. The honey scent of her hair wafted under my nose. We were still for a moment, and I almost pulled her back into me. The urge to wrap my arms around her was so strong that I closed my eyes to break the invisible hypnotic spell.
Spirit finally broke free of my grasp and continued walking. “I’m supposed to be excited about you from your tone. I would’ve dressed differently if I’d known you were coming today. I thought we were meeting tonight?”
“I wanted to see you before we met with everyone. Get to know each other a little better.” I didn’t move until she gestured to one of the white linen-covered tables, still trying to gather my thoughts after that brief heated moment. “Thought it might be better if we came to an understanding before meeting with the business group.”
Wearing a deep scowl, she plopped down and waited for me to sit across her. “What kind of understanding?”
I slowly sat down, already disliking her negative energy. “Hold up. Before we take a step further, you know my money keeps Embers afloat?”
Her forehead wrinkled prettily. “Embers?”
“The new name of this restaurant. I thought you got the memo.”
“I didn’t.” She crossed her arms. “You’ve changed the name too? I was told my investor would give me full control of my restaurant for more of the percentage. You’re already changing the menu, and now the name? Is this even my restaurant anymore?”
“My silence and control depended on the profitability of this restaurant. I looked at the numbers, and even with my financial help, you’ll be back in this sinking boat in two years...three years top.”
Her arms remained folded. “Well, my numbers say something different.”
“Since it’s my money, I only operate using my numbers.” I leaned forward with clasped hands on the table. “Listen, I want this place to still feel like yours, but we have to make drastic changes to get this business where it needs to be. Youve turned down everything I’ve suggested over the past three months.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Because I’m not making my dream a place for weed heads. Not happening. Ugh.”
I chuckled at her obvious disdain for marijuana. “Have you ever smoked?”
Her brown eyes flashed. “No.”
“Why not?” I smiled.
“I don’t use drugs,” she said proudly.
“Do you drink? Or are you a prude who only dances like a video vixen?” I tilted my chair on my two back legs, watching her, wanting to get under this pretty woman’s skin.
“Really? Name-calling? See, some things haven’t changed since high school.” She stood up suddenly, and I grabbed her wrist lightly.
“Snookie, sit down.” I grinned, using her old nickname that I knew she hated.
Her head jerked though she remained standing. “You remember me?”
I nodded. “We walked to school together for eight years. How could I forget the genius girl next door who loved to argue and walk with me? It’s the only reason I invested when your portfolio crossed my desk. Wanted to see you again. If I knew you turned out like this, I would’ve tried so much sooner to see you.”
Although her eyes blazed a fire, her round cheeks reddened. “I’m not that na?ve girl next door who would do anything for you anymore.”
I quirked a brow. “Naw...you’re grown. Been grown. You married?”
She retorted, “Not your business.”
“Okay, not married. Children?” I continued to rock on two legs of the chair.
“I’m not answering you. And please put the chair down on all four legs. You’re making me nervous. You’re a big man and might break the chair.”
“Thanks for noting my size.” I grinned. “Single with no children. The day is looking up more and more. I’m divorced with a grown daughter.”
“Not happening.” She placed her hands on her waist, making me want to span her waist with my hands.
“I’m simply catching up with an old neighbor. What’s not happening?” I asked, knowing damn well I knew the answer.
“It’s enough that I’m in bed with you for my business. I’m not getting in bed with you anywhere else, Jace,” She boldly stated.
“As if a bed is our only option for sex,” I drawled.
She tapped her foot impatiently. “If you’re only here to flirt or aggravate me, we can end the meeting right now.”
I placed my chair on all fours before I tugged her arms down. I gripped her wrist and pulled her to sit down again. “No...no...we need to talk. I’ll stop. The grand opening is April 20th, and we still have a lot of work to do. We need to buy the signage, but you won’t agree to the name.”
“And I never will.”
“Embers makes more sense than Café Kimble. Embers is sexier and classier. We want to attract the professional crowd, the upwardly mobile, singles, couples-only, and not the family. Contrary to popular belief, weed heads look like you and me, and we’re establishing a trend.”
She implored. “Then do what I asked when I sent my business proposal out. Give me the money to expand the restaurant to include a bar. My desire was for an upscale yet friendly restaurant full of home-cooked favs like your mama used to make. Like a soul food place for the up-and-coming. We won’t get the numbers with a cannabis-infused restaurant in a city like Houston.”
“That is exactly why we need to move forward with this idea. Houston is slowly coming around to the power of cannabis. Only one other place in the city is doing this, and we would be black-owned and on the cusp of greatness in this location.”
“You have the money. Why not open your own restaurant and let me have Café Kimble?”
I grew excited as I explained, “That’s the plan for the future. This site would be the flagship because you have a prime location in Midtown. I’m offering you an opportunity to be a franchise owner. Trust me, we will be just as crowded as the Breakfast Klub and Turkey Leg Hut. Simply adding a bar to this place won’t cut it when you need a new ceiling, simple repairs, fresh paint, and new furniture.”
“Even if we change the name and the menu...”
I cut her off while she tried to find the words to explain. “The menu can be the same with just some additions. Every dish won’t be cannabis or CBD oil infused. We still want to attract non-marijuana users, too. We just want to offer our patrons one-of-a-kind options.”
She rolled her eyes. “As I was saying, even If we change the name and the menu, when would we have time to make all the changes you proposed? And why April 20th?”
I propped my elbows on the table and tucked my clasped hands under my chin. “I hate when women roll their eyes.”
“What?” Spirit frowned deeply.
“You rolled your eyes like you were annoyed with me. I hate it.”
She narrowed her brown eyes and twisted her cupid bow lips. “What you hate or don’t hate about what I do is irrelevant.”
“Do it again in my presence, and I promise you won’t like it,” I warned, watching her reaction. I could tell Spirit had grown into a closed-off woman. Probably content being alone. Not even checking for a man which will make the chase that much more fun. Before all is said and done, we’ll be fucking on this very table.
Spirit quietly assessed me. “I’m supposed to be scared.”
“Just being honest about what I hate. Feel free to tell me what you hate about men.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “That implies you’re an option, and you’re most definitely not an option for me.”
“Back in the day, I was.” I reminded her.
“Emphasize, ‘back in the day,’ I’m so much wiser now.” Her mouth twitched in humor, and I bit back my smile.
“Oh...okay. Wiser now?” I inched closer. “Then roll your eyes again.”
Her forehead puckered. “Why?”
“If you’re not scared, then do it.”
“Can we get back on task?” Spirit drummed her knuckles on the table, although I noticed she didn’t quite look me in the eyes anymore. I spooked her, whether she’ll ever admit it.
“April 20th is a National Holiday for marijuana lovers. How perfect is that day to re-open? A lot of people still don’t know about that day, although it’s been happening for decades. Opening Embers on that day is a good way to capture those fully aware of that days significance and educate others who don’t know.”
“With the proposed changes, we can’t possibly be ready by then. We can’t even do work until the restaurant is closed, which is after hours and Mondays.”
“This is why we are closing down temporarily, revamping everything, and placing a sign for our grand opening on April 20.”
She shook her head. “I can’t afford to be closed for three months, and neither can any of my staff.”
“I can cover salaries for three months, including yours. Plus, we’ll need all hands-on deck to help with the renovations. They’ll still be working in some capacity.”
“That wasn’t a part of the plan. I’m sure they’ll love the paid vacation, but I don’t want you taking care of me.” She lamented. “I never wanted to ask for help because when money is involved, a voice follows. This is my restaurant. I gave up my job as an executive at a Fortune 500 company to buy this restaurant five years ago. I’ve worked damn hard to get here, and now you’re proposing that I not cook for three months?”
“Cook for me if you get restless or bored,” I suggested. “I could use a private chef.”
Spirit waved her hand and rolled her eyes to the heavens, and I curved my hands around her nape, reached across the table, and kissed her. She tasted like strawberries. I lifted my head to gaze into her stunned eyes and couldn’t resist pressing my lips against hers again. “That’s what’s going to happen when you roll your eyes in my presence.”
Dazed, Spirit stared back at me, and when I lowered my head to kiss her again, she slapped the shit out of me. “And that’s what’s going to happen if you ever fucking try to kiss me again.” She rose. “This meeting is done. I’ll see you tonight with everyone else. See yourself out.”
I held my stinging jaw. All that hit did was turn me on more. My desire for her still smoldered after all these years. Spirit struck me because she hated that she felt the same spark I did when our lips touched. That girl loved me since she was eight, staring out at me as I moved in next door. I even knew back then she was special. Too special for a bad boy like me. But now, we were two grown-ass people. Two people who wanted each other. I looked down at my erection and chuckled. “Yeah, we fucking.”