Chapter 8 #2
“Buenos noches,” a man’s voice says, interrupting.
“I’m here to make your tableside, delicioso guacamole.
” As soon as he realizes he has our full attention, he gets to work.
Fast as hell, he grinds freshly sliced onions, jalapenos, cilantro, and salt inside of a stone bowl.
Then he adds avocados and tomatoes. “Please taste,” he says after placing the stone bowl and a plate of tortilla chips in front of us. “You like more spicy?” he asks.
Baby is right. This guacamole is good as hell just like this, but I’m half Nigerian. My Hausa half loves spicy foods; extra jalapenos won’t hurt.
“He likes it spicy,” Kyrah says. “Just a little more peppers and you can leave the seeds.”
“I like,” he says before grinding a whole pepper and adding it in. “Enjoy,” he adds before leaving.
“I told you,” she says when I dip another chip into the guacamole.
“Yeah, baby, this shit is fire. If everything else tastes like this, it’s gonna be a good ass night.”
Seconds later, our server returns with our drinks and takes our food orders. We decide on the shareable carne asada and chicken fajitas. I also order a side of grilled jalapenos. The minute our server walks off, Kyrah dabs her napkin on her mouth and places it on the table.
“I have to stop eating this guacamole if I’m gonna save any room for these fajitas.
They are so good. They actually marinate the meat in tequila and you know I love tequila.
” Unlike her, I keep eating, because I definitely only ate breakfast today and this guacamole shit is just really damn good.
She lets me enjoy it too. “Did Shuga come in today or did y’all finally find someone to replace her? ”
“Shuga was costing us too much damn money. She had to go,” I say half seriously.
Shuga is no stranger to working at the shop.
She used to do it back in the day with Asali.
So when she was helping out, she kept that area spotless as shit, coffee was always made, and she was the best with the customers.
The only issue is her big ass heart. It prevented her from charging people what they should be charged.
And don’t let a woman come in there with kids, she didn’t have to pay shit.
Shuga would comp her whole ass check. “We hired someone a few weeks ago.”
“Oh okay. That’s good.”
Before I can say anything else, a man carrying a large tray with our food steps toward the table and places the tray on the edge. “Combination fajitas with extra grilled veggies and jalapenos,” he says and we both nod.
Once all the plates and items are on the table, we say a quick prayer then eat.
I can’t lie. I can see why she loves this joint.
Everything is seasoned, fresh, and on point.
As we eat, she finally talks about her work week.
I don’t say shit else about Shuga’s replacement and she skates around her main issue.
Even when we leave and are back in her ride, she doesn’t bring it up.
When we reach her crib, there’s no question about me staying. I’m not going anywhere until I know what’s up with her. So when she asks, I just kill the engine and get out. The moment we are back in her house, she steps into my space then wraps her arms around my neck.
“Before my heels are behind my head and touching, let’s talk then shower.”
“Right here or upstairs?”
“Down here, then we can go up,” she says, then pecks my lips. She takes my hand and we walk to the living room.
When we reach the big ass sofa, I ease down then pull her onto my lap.
She starts removing her heels but I take over.
After our talk and shower, I’ll gladly put them back on, but for now, she wants them off.
The minute the last one lands on her plush rug, I take her legs and raise them onto the sofa.
She slides back a little then I start rubbing her feet.
“Are you okay, baby?”
“God, I am now,” she sighs. “Your hands; they feel so good. Mm.”
“Good. You can relax and let me know what’s up.”
I concentrate on one foot at a time, kneading my thumbs in her arches. Her eyes roll then her head falls back on the sofa.
“Mm. It’s just my momma,” she begins. “Since she called about Kym being pregnant, we haven’t really talked. She has been calling but I honestly don’t have it in me to talk to her. You know how I am feeling.”
“I do, baby. I know.”
“Well, shit got worse today. She called my office phone and said she needed to see me. I asked if it had anything to do with Kym and she told me no. So like a fool, I went over there during lunch. Once again, she proved to me that my feelings don’t fucking matter.
It was about Kym and my momma was actually trying to set us up to meet.
I just… I’m sick of her not acknowledging my fucking feelings.
She has two daughters, not one.” She sighs then her entire beautiful face frowns, causing the muscles in my chest to flex.
“I’m a grown ass woman with my shit seemingly together. Why does this shit bother me so bad?”
“Because hurt is hurt. It doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, or what the fuck you have. When someone you love hurts you, especially a parent, it’s natural to feel like you do,” I assure her. “Baby, your feelings are legit.”
“I’m just so fucked up. My sister is married to my ex-husband and my momma doesn’t see anything wrong with that.
Shit, I’m real fucked up. You need to run now before you get in too deep with me.
Apparently, I’m not lovable,” she has the nerve to say.
My hands stop massaging her feet and she raises up. “You’re done?”
“Nah but I need to make some shit clear,” I say, lifting her legs and easing to my knees.
We’re eye to eye so she can clearly see my face as I say my next words.
She sits all the way up and drops her feet to the floor.
After resting my hands on her thighs, I lean in a little closer.
“I’m not running no fucking where. If you are here, I’m here.
I’m with you, already deep as hell. If I’m being honest, I was deep the minute I saw you standing at the bar with Alex when I first walked into Quintus and Sis’s dinner.
You hadn’t even seen me but I saw you. I saw all of you and just knew…
you were mine and a nigga hadn’t even said a word to you.
I’m deep as fuck in this with you. You’re lovable, baby.
How do you think I fell so damn fast. So stop saying that shit. I love you and I’m not running.”
For a minute, she doesn’t say shit. She doesn’t blink either. Her beautiful eyes just stare into mine. I don’t interrupt nor say shit else. If she needs time to hear and clearly understand my words, I give it to her. It takes her a moment but she leans in and kisses me slowly and sensually as hell.
“Please promise me that you will never break my heart,” she says.
“Breaking yours would break mine. I promise, baby.”
She blesses me with her pretty ass smile then kisses me again. “I love you,” she finally says.
I knew she did.
“And you know I love you,” I tell her.