Rich & Decadent (Lunchtime Chronicles Season 7)

Chapter 1

one

“ F orty-five text messages. What the hell do you want?” Imani sighed and shook her head. She glanced around the first class cabin while waiting for the plane to arrive at the gate. The flight from Atlanta to San Francisco had been smooth and she’d been able to work on one of her presentations before she decided to grab a quick nap.

But whatever relaxation might have come with it was ruined immediately by waking up to that many messages waiting on her. She picked her phone up again and took in all of the attempts to get a hold of her and figured she would ignore them for now. The only one that captured her eye was from one of her closest friends, Mykeisha.

The plane finally arrived at the gate. The seatbelt sign wasn’t even off yet and people were already in the aisle reaching for their carry ons in the overhead compartments. She side-eyed the gentleman who had been sitting next to her. He was standing in the aisle holding his bag in his hand. Where was he going? The stewardess hadn’t even opened the door yet.

“These people,” Imani muttered under her breath. Everyone was going to get off the plane in a timely manner. Have they never flown before? The man in question glanced her way. She erased her frown and put on a phony smile.

“Do you have a bag up here?” He motioned to the overhead compartment.

Well at least he had manners.

If he was going to be a gentleman and get her heavy bag down, then she’d give him a pass.

“I do. It’s the cream one,” she replied as she sat forward in her chair. Her nap had been needed and she did feel a little more rested, but the time difference was going to be hard to manage. Atlanta was home, and she would have stayed there if she could, but being in San Francisco was important. The mini-conference included presentations and a black-tie event, and she was extremely pleased that her boss had chosen her to represent their office. But obviously it made sense. She was the most qualified to present the topic she had been assigned to discuss. Not only was Imani an expert in her area, but she was also the only Black woman in her department, and the youngest executive.

Apex Systems was a company she was proud to work for. It was a global IT services company that offered software solutions, infrastructure management and more. As a Senior Project Executive for the Atlanta office, she held a ton of responsibility overseeing a team of about one hundred people.

“Oh, this is a little heavy,” he exclaimed. He lowered her small suitcase to the floor and brought up the handle.

“I’m the worst when it comes to packing,” Imani admitted sheepishly. There were always things she wasn’t sure if she needed so she was the type to pack a ton of crap—just in case.

The flight attendants finally opened the door to the plane and were speaking with the ground crew. Imani grabbed her bag on the floor underneath the seat before her then stood. “Thanks.”

It wasn’t long before she was striding through the airport and heading to baggage claim. The airport massive, and was bustling with thousands of travelers rushing to their destinations.

Imani took her time.

She was a day early and wanted to check in to her hotel and be a tourist while she could. It had been a long time since she had visited San Francisco. There were just some things a tourist just had to do when visiting the city. Hopefully she’d have time to sneak away from the hotel in between the meetings.

Remembering the text from Mykeisha, she threw her wireless earpiece in her ear that connected to her phone and placed a call to her longtime friend.

“I was wondering if you’d call me,” Mykeisha’s voice came on the line. Imani grinned at the sound of her voice. She certainly missed her friend. They had met the first week of college and had been close ever since. Mykeisha and Carla were the first people she had met at The Ohio State University. Those women had been by her side through all of her ups and downs. She made a mental note to text Carla to let her know she’d made it to San Francisco safely.

“Of course I would. I saw your text,” Imani replied. She eyed a few of the store fronts in the airport corridor. The coffee shop definitely piqued her interest. She’d had taken a straight flight and had a few drinks, but coffee hadn’t been one of them. But then she remembered she had to grab the suitcase she had checked and it would be difficult to carry a cup while juggling two suitcases. Bypassing the coffee shop, she continued on her way. “Plus you have the connection I need.”

Mykeisha laughed. Ever since Mykeisha had reunited with Nash, her now husband, the woman had been all smiles.

Imani had flown to Ohio so she could attend the nuptials between the lovebirds. It had been a beautiful ceremony on Nash’s farm. There hadn't been a dry eye in the house when the two had exchanged their vows. Carla and Imani had stood in as bridesmaids while Mykeisha’s cousin Kizzy was her matron of honor.

Mykeisha and Nash were meant for each other.

Imani remembered how the two danced around each other back in college, but apparently that hadn’t been the time for them.

Imani loved their story and how years later they found each other again and had fallen madly in love with each other.

That was the type of love that Imani hoped she would find.

She was open to finding the one for her. She just hadn’t found him. Yet.

Where were all of the good men who could handle a strong woman?

She couldn’t even begin to count all of the men she had encountered who were intimidated by her. Just because she was beautiful, independent, had an amazing career, traveled, and had her own money didn’t mean she didn’t need a man.

That had been a common reason most of her dates didn’t go past day one.

Most of the dates ended with her being told exactly that.

She guessed they were wanting women who needed to depend on a man for everything and that was not Imani. She wanted a man to be her partner, her equal. Someone who would love her and share life experiences with her without judgement or jealousy.

“Kizzie said everything is a go from her end. Her brother-in-law doesn’t mind being your eye candy for the function,” Mykeisha said. Imani rolled her eyes at her friend’s snicker. Imani normally wasn’t one to allow herself to be set up on a blind date. The last time she had done that, it had gone horribly wrong.

The guy hadn’t been cute at all, but she was willing to get past looks. She wasn’t a vain person. But it was his attitude towards women, and wanting to be dominant over women. Imani had abruptly stood up in the middle of dinner and walked out.

“Eye candy?” Imani snorted.

When she found out about the black tie dinner, she hadn’t batted an eye. But then some of the comments being made in the office chats regarding who would be there led her to believe she should take a date.

There was nothing like being the only single person at a work event where everyone was bringing a plus one. She had mentioned it to Mykeisha who, in turn, had shared it with Kizzie.

The cousins had determined they would set her up with Kizzie’s brother-in-law. Imani had met Kizzie’s husband, Niko, and if his brother looked anything like him, then she wouldn’t have to worry about anything in the looks department.

Again, she wasn’t vain, but she needed someone to look just as good as she would be looking when she dressed up.

“He’s okay with putting on a tuxedo for the event?” Imani asked. From what she knew of Niko and his brother, they owned a motorcycle repair shop and she would imagine a tuxedo wasn’t something he wore often.

“According to Kizzie, he said he’s already got his ready. Everything’s going to be fine. Don’t worry,” Mykeisha said. Imani arrived at the baggage claim area and searched for her flight’s carousel. How did her friend sense her feelings? It was one thing being set up on a general date with someone, but this was for work.

“I’m not worried,” Imani muttered. She arrived at the carousel and noted it was still empty. She glanced around and recognized a few passengers from her flight. “I’m just making sure.”

“Well, I’ll text you his number. His name is Will and he’ll be expecting you to get in touch once you’re settled.”

“I really appreciate both of you for helping me out with this,” Imani said. She truly did have some great friends. Kizzie was just as cool as Mykeisha. Over the years she’d joined Mykeisha, Imani, and Carla when the girls were together. Imani made a mental note to try and make time to visit with Kizzie before she left. Hopefully Kizzie would have time. With a new baby, a husband, and helping run the family business, spare time was in short supply.

“It’s not a problem. What are friends for?”

Imani smiled and felt a little more confident in her blind date. The girls wouldn’t set her up with an asshole. If they thought Will would make a great date for her business function, then she would trust them.

The baggage carousel came to life and suitcases began to roll out. Imani quickly said her goodbyes to Mykeisha with the promise to keep her updated. She gathered her last bag once it came out and began making her way toward the exit. Thanks to her company, there should be a private driver and car waiting for her. She walked toward the exit and found a driver holding a tablet with her name on it.

“I’m Miss Bishop,” Imani announced, strolling up to the tall older gentleman. He confirmed her identity before escorting her to a dark luxury sedan parked outside the building. This was certainly the way to travel. First class flights, a private car waiting for her, and a cozy hotel room at the end of her journey. Thankfully this was all on her company’s dime. She had no problems arranging the same accommodations when she traveled for pleasure, but having someone else pay for it was always better.

It wasn’t long before she was safely tucked away in the back seat of the sedan while her driver, Milton, guided them to her hotel. Imani’s phone vibrated. She pulled it out of her bag and read the text Mykeisha had sent her. She stared down at Will’s phone number and experienced a fluttering in her belly.

Nerves? Why was she nervous?

It had been a long while since she’d felt nervous about a first date. But for some reason, this felt different than any other date she’d been on. She glanced down at his number again and blew out a deep breath. She’d check in to the hotel and get unpacked, then she would call Will.

Imani settled back in her seat and took in the scenery as it passed by.

Everything would be fine. There was nothing for her to worry about.

She was Imani Bishop, and this week in San Francisco was going to be an experience she would never forget.