Chapter Twenty-one - Kenya
Chapter Twenty-one
Kenya
T he wind blowing against Kenya’s face felt freeing, and the sounds of Earth, Wind at least that’s what she told herself. And so, with that, she decided to focus only on today and the handsome man behind the wheel of this beautiful sportscar.
She thought about how Gideon had rapped on her door early, causing Ralph to lose his mind. He barked until Kenya had time to wrap a silk robe around her body and peek through the blinds to see who was causing such a ruckus at her door at such an ungodly hour. Gideon stood on her porch, wearing a pair of designer jeans, sneakers, and a Yankees jersey. A baseball cap was turned backward on his head. In what universe did he think it was okay to pop up at someone’s home unannounced , and before she had a chance to toss her bonnet aside and freshen up? She loosened the lock and swung the door open. Ralph jumped around as if he was happy to see their visitor, as if Gideon was his best friend. Secretly, she was just as happy. Her heart had pitter-pattered beneath her robe.
He stroked Ralph’s golden mane but looked at her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She was lying, mostly to herself, but definitely to him.
“Get dressed. We’re going for a ride.”
Who did he think he was, ordering her around as if she belonged to him?
“I can’t. Now that Lu’s back, I need to focus on my case. I’m headed back to the office on Monday and I have a ton of work that I need to do today.”
“I knew you would say all of that, but I’m not taking no for an answer.” He was composed. Cool.
“You don’t understand, I . . .”
“Engine is running, and with gas prices the way they are now, I can’t let it run for long. So, whatever your routine is to spruce up or whatever you do, I’ll wait.”
Kenya looked past him to observe the car parked in front of her house, just to see if it was in fact running. All she heard was the birds chirping and the morning waves. She breathed deeply. Spruce up , she mused. This didn’t seem like a fight she’d win—or even wanted to. In a huff, she turned to walk away, hoping he wasn’t watching her. “Go turn off your stupid car. I need thirty minutes.”
With a victorious grin on his face, Gideon walked out the door, Ralph in tow. Once in her bedroom, Kenya stole a glance out the window and watched as he tossed a ball for Ralph to fetch. A smile crept into the corner of her mouth.
“Ralph, you’re so damn easy,” she whispered and giggled to herself, then went into the bathroom and started the shower.
* * *
Gideon hadn’t given her any details about the day’s events. He had just instructed her to dress casually and to bring a jacket in case it became a bit chilly later. Later . Meaning they would be gone most of the day. Although June in New Jersey was delightful—mildly cool, but with a gentle breeze—she’d brought a jacket along anyway.
* * *
“So, the wedding’s off,” he asserted sorrowfully.
“I knew she’d call it off.” Kenya stared out the window.
“Yet you told her anyway.” Gideon grinned at Kenya’s cattiness.
“You had to have been there. It was one of those moments where it . . . just . . . came out.”
“Just like that, hmm?”
“Zach should’ve told her long ago. This is not on me.” She looked over at him, determined to drive that point home.
“You’re right. It was on him to tell her. He should’ve taken care of it before even asking her to marry him.”
“That’s what I told him!”
“Though he’s pretty wounded right now. I hate to see him that way.”
Kenya was silent. She had nothing to offer. Her need to put Lu in her place had caused all of this. Suddenly, guilt set in. She’d single-handedly ruined her best friend’s wedding, and for what?
“We had this big blowup last night. I guess when I heard Natalia say what she said, and it seemed that Lu was taking her side—wasn’t taking my feelings into account—I couldn’t hold it in.”
“What did Natalia say?”
Kenya grew silent again and stared out the window.
“Well?” Gideon asked again. “What did she say?”
The thought of regurgitating what was said caused pain in her chest, but she spoke the words again. “She’d overheard a conversation between her husband and Glen, in which Glen revealed that he had stage four cancer. This took place the night before his death.”
“And you didn’t know that he was sick?”
“No clue. And she kept this from me all these years, even after he died. Now that’s shady. All these years I blamed myself for Glen’s death.”
Gideon reached for her hand again and gave it a squeeze. “I’m sorry. That must’ve been really hard for you to hear.”
“It was devastating. One, because I thought she was my friend. Then Lu was taking her side, making it seem like I was overreacting. She didn’t have my back, not like I have hers.”
“And so, because you were hurt and Lu wasn’t taking your side, you wanted Lu to hurt, too.”
“It sounds bad when you say it aloud. But yeah, something like that.”
“I understand how you must’ve felt.” She could tell that Gideon was choosing his words with great care. “Perhaps you all just need some time apart to sort things out.”
“Perhaps.”
She’d already decided she was never talking to either of them again.
* * *
Gideon found suitable parking on the street at the Asbury Park boardwalk. They’d talked nonstop during the hour-long drive from Cape May. He let the convertible top up, hopped out and rushed around to the passenger’s side. However, Kenya had already opened her door and had one foot on the pavement.
“Just forget about chivalry,” Gideon said sarcastically.
“Oh, were you coming to open my door? I’m so sorry.” Kenya grinned, stuck her foot back into the car, and shut the door.
Gideon shook his head, opened her door, and reached out his hand to her.
She rested her hand in his. “Thank you, sir.”
“Don’t mention it.” Gideon smiled, shutting her door, and hitting the locks with the remote.
The pair strolled down the boardwalk, her fingers intertwined with his. Her heart soared from his touch. His scent delighted her nose. She loved how he took control, led the way. She squeezed his hand at the thought. He gave her a gentle smile.
“This was a great choice. The boardwalk is one of my favorite places to visit. So much history here.”
“Really?”
“Yes. This is where Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny all found their muse. But after the race riots, Asbury Park became a ghost town. For decades, it was virtually abandoned.”
“This place?”
“Yeah, this place,” Kenya explained. “Then, all of a sudden, this multibillion-dollar company came in and turned the place around, returned all of its magic.”
“It’s charming.”
“Of course, it’s not the Hamptons by any means, and it’s certainly not Cape May, but it does have its charm.”
Gideon pointed at the restaurant ahead. “I thought we’d have brunch at this place.”
“Cardinal Provisions! Best chicken and waffles in Jersey,” Kenya raved. “ If we can snag a table.”
“I have a friend who knows a friend.” Gideon held the door as they stepped inside the crowded eatery. “We’ll get a table.”
They indeed got a table and enjoyed breakfast.
* * *
It was in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium that Kenya found herself completely in awe of Gideon. She thought his energy and whimsicality was infectious. He’d taken the time to pull together a full day of events—everything from brunch and tramping about at the Asbury Park boardwalk to driving all the way to Yankee Stadium to take in a baseball game, where they hooped and hollered for a Yankees’ win, ate hot dogs, and chugged cold brews together. The excitement of it all made her heart feel good. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun. Kenya couldn’t remember when she’d last attended a Yankees home game, yet here she was, unaware that a drive to the Bronx was even on the day’s itinerary. The thrill of Gideon’s inhibitions gave her a rush.
After the game, the moon glistened over the Jersey Shore as Kenya and Gideon made the drive back to Cape May. With permission, she propped her feet up on his dashboard and rested her head against the headrest in the vintage BMW. This time the drop top wasn’t dropped. Instead, the windows were rolled all the way up to block the chill from New Jersey’s night air. She struggled to keep her eyes from fluttering as sleep threatened to overtake her. She reflected on her day and the fun she’d had—how she’d almost completely forgotten about the fact that her two best friends were no longer friends at all. The memory of it stung. It saddened her.
As Luther Vandross sang “Here and Now,” Kenya’s eyes rested beneath his voice. Soon sleep found her. By the time she awakened, the BMW had pulled in front of her house. She sat straight up, attempted to gather herself.
“You had a nice nap,” Gideon teased, shutting off the engine.
“I did, didn’t I?”
He jumped out of the driver’s seat and made his way around to the passenger’s side of the car. This time, Kenya didn’t move. She awaited his arrival as he swung open her door.
“I remembered this time. That chivalry thing you do.” Kenya stepped out of the car.
While walking, she searched her purse for the house keys. Gideon followed close behind. Kenya stuck the key into the lock, opened the door, and stepped inside. Ralph sprinted toward them, jumping up and down. She ignored him and turned to face Gideon.
He moved a dangling braid from her face. “How did I do today? Did you have a good time?” Gideon asked beneath the door’s threshold.
“I can’t even begin to express how amazing today was.”
“I’m glad.” He moved in closer.
Before she had time to analyze whether he would kiss her or not or whether she wanted him to, for that matter , his nose had touched hers, then his lips followed. He grabbed her waist with both hands, pulled her closer, and completely sealed the space between them. He walked inside, still holding on to her waist, careful not to allow their lips or bodies to part. He shut the door with a free hand and then lifted her. She obliged by wrapping her legs around his waist. She inconspicuously glanced over at Ralph, who had stretched his body across the cool hardwood. As if watching a movie on Netflix, he gazed upon them as Gideon carried Kenya up the stairs and to her bedroom.