Chapter 14 #3
Although I was irritated when she called this morning, I had to admit spending time with her was needed.
Our friendship has gone through many iterations over the years.
No matter the tribulations, we came out stronger and closer.
I wasn’t sure how motherhood would impact us, but I was down for the ride.
As I entered the dining room of Brie & Bordeaux, my eyes widened at the litany of people.
Robyn and Opal were the focus as they posed in front of the mural Sadé painted.
I scanned the room, nodding at the people I knew.
A food stylist worked at the bar with Carmen and a few others.
The scene felt familiar as Ray’s had done a similar shoot a year ago.
Raven watched Robyn from a distance while taking pictures on her phone.
Next to her was Adrienne, texting with a smile on her face.
Heat flooded my bloodstream when my gaze landed on Joseph heading toward the tasting room.
With his phone to his ear, he glanced over his shoulder at Robyn.
My eyes moved to her, meeting her guilt-ridden eyes.
I inhaled slowly, clenching my hands, then releasing the breath.
I decided to hang out with Raven and Adrienne until I could get Robyn to myself.
“Hey Nadir,” Raven said, reaching for a hug. I accepted her embrace, then did the same to Adrienne.
“How’s the shoot going?” My pulse thumped at lightning speed.
Why is he here?
Adrienne responded, but I didn’t hear her.
I was too rapt by Robyn. An orange and teal scarf covered her hair and loose curls hung past her shoulders.
The colors looked good next to her cinnamon brown skin.
Her eyes were bright, filled with pride, and her smile radiant.
For a moment, I forgot how irritated I was with her.
My chest tightened and my dick throbbed.
Her eyes found mine and she bit her lip.
I raised an eyebrow, silently asking, “what the fuck is he doing here?”
“Are we ready to finish the food shots?” she asked the photographer.
I returned my attention to Adrienne and Raven. “Did y’all get her measurements?”
With her opening around the corner, I needed to get her gift ready. Adrienne suggested a custom chef coat, which I thought was a cool idea.
“I’m working on it,” Raven said.
“Cool,” I said, bracing myself for Robyn. She was a few steps from us with Joseph on her heels. Raven flashed Robyn a look that had her fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
“What are y’all over here talking about?” Robyn asked no one, but her gaze locked onto mine. My heart jolted and my nostrils flared.
“How cute you look,” Raven replied, twirling Robyn’s hair around her finger.
Robyn’s cheeks reddened. “Whatever.”
“Your hair looks good,” I noted. “Is that your granny’s scarf?”
“It is.” Her eyes were warm.
“I thought it looked familiar. You wore it the day we met,” Joseph added. The nostalgia in his voice reignited my annoyance from five minutes ago. My eyes narrowed at him.
Robyn nodded. “I did.”
“I’ve never seen a food stylist in action. Have you, Adrienne?” Before Adrienne could respond, Raven pulled her toward the bar, leaving Joseph with me and Robyn.
I looked at Robyn, interested in seeing how she handled this situation. My expression was deadpan, but inward, I seethed.
Joseph, oblivious to the tension, worsened it by saying, “It’s good to be here supporting Robyn. Seeing her vision come to fruition is inspiring.”
I rubbed my chin with my eyes fixed on her. “It is. She’s worked so hard and deserves every good thing that comes her way. I’m so proud of her.”
“Thanks, Nadir.” She looked away while licking her lips. My cheek lifted as my mouth curved into a half-smirk.
“I agree.” Joseph nodded while reaching into his blazer pocket. He looked at Robyn. “I have to take this, but I'll see you later?”
“Yup,” Robyn chirped.
The simmering tension from earlier returned, threatening to boil over. I clenched my jaw and took measured breaths.
Once he crossed the dining room toward the exit, Robyn pulled me toward the kitchen.
I held her hand firmly, inviting the warmth trailing up my arm.
After we reached her office, she closed the door and pressed her back against it.
Her office was small. Enough room for two, maybe three people, tops.
There was her desk that she kept neat and organized.
Behind her desk was a file cabinet and a small window above it.
On top of the cabinet were cookbooks and her recipe journals.
On the walls were her degrees and a few certifications.
I sat on the edge of her desk, bracing myself for this conversation.
She was two steps from me, but the distance felt like miles.
My conflicting feelings made it hard to approach her.
I wanted to express my annoyance, but also wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked.
I was itching to kiss her until her lips were swollen or until she realized how much time she was wasting entertaining him.
Neither scenario seemed appropriate. Besides, when she stood before me looking this good, why squander the chance to taste her?