That love thing, p.11
That Love Thing, page 11
“Dessert,” I responded.
“We are looking for a dessert place. I heard of a place called Ted Drewes. Is that ice cream good?”
“It’s cool, but that’s more of a daytime thing. I have somewhere you can go for dessert that more low-key and relaxing,” Aaron answered. “It’s called The Chocolate Stranger.”
“How does that sound?” Leven asked.
“It sounds great.”
“Okay, let’s go there,” Leven answered.
I could sense Leven's eyes fixed on me, like a strong force drawing me nearer. In reaction, I extended my hand, lightly brushing against Leven's palm with my fingertips. The heat of his touch ignited a wave of energy within me, and our fingers effortlessly intertwined, forging an intimate bond between us. Our connection felt so natural, like it belonged. I felt at ease and safe in that moment.
“Tell me about this business you have here.”
“An old colleague, Xavier Belle…”
“That’s my attorney’s partner,” I interrupted.
“I found out Samuel was your attorney when I arrived at the theater for the play.”
“Samuel’s brother, Princeton, is the executive producer of the play,” I explained.
“I don’t know Samuel and his family as well as I know Xavier, but I know Samuel is good people so you’re in good hands.”
“Trust me when I say I researched the heck out of the man before I met with him. He’s been nothing but great, though. Daphne and Princeton are amazing as well.”
“It’s a small world. I’m so glad I was able to see the play and you,” Leven said.
“I am too,” I smiled.
“Xavier called me saying he needed me to speak at a meeting they’re having tomorrow and to sit on an interview panel. Apparently, the person who was supposed to do it had a family emergency. You were the first person I thought about. I figured I could see you and do some business.”
“You thought about me?”
“I always think about you.”
I smiled.
“You’re blushing again,” Leven observed.
“I am.”
“How long will you be in town?” I asked.
“How long will you be in town?” He repeated.
“I’m here for three more days. I wanted to go sightseeing. I’ve never been here, so I want to see the Arch and some other attractions. Neve always talked about how pretty it was here.”
“I have to work tomorrow, but if you’d like company to see the sights, I would love to accompany you.”
“I would love your company.”
Leven's smile illuminated his face as he pressed a tender kiss to my hand. Our gazes locked, instantly plunging me into a whirlwind of emotions. In that moment, I couldn't bear to sever the connection, and it seemed Leven felt the same way. Thoughts raced through my mind, contemplating the intensity with which I had fallen for a man I had only glimpsed from across a crowded room.
“This is crazy, right?” Leven asked as if he’d read my thoughts.
“It really is,” I confirmed.
“This is the Greenwood District,” Aaron announced. “Your restaurant is right up here on the left. I sent a message letting them know you were coming.”
“Mr. Chandler, send me a text when you’re ready to depart,” Aaron said.
“Any suggestions on what we should get?” I asked Aaron.
“Everything on the menu is delicious. You can’t go wrong,” Aaron reassured.
Aaron opened the door. Leven and I walked into the restaurant, holding hands.
LEVEN
As we stepped into the restaurant, we were greeted by the soft jazz music that filled the air. The scent of freshly cooked food wafted over to us as we walked past tables of people savoring their meals. The ambiance was sophisticated, with dim lighting that created a cozy atmosphere. As we were led to our table, I couldn’t help but notice the intricate details of the decor that added to the elegance of the space. The sound of cutlery clinking against plates and glasses chiming together created a harmonious melody that filled the room.
Giabella left me speechless with her undeniable beauty. I couldn't help but be captivated by how absolutely stunning she looked, even more so than I had remembered. The black sequin pantsuit clung to her curves in a way that accentuated her figure flawlessly. Her braids, elegantly styled, were pulled up on the top of her head, with loose tendrils cascading near her temples, framing her face perfectly. Her makeup was flawless, enhancing her already beautiful natural features.
“You look beautiful, Giabella.”
She smiled, “Thank you. You look great in your suit.”
“Thank you. The play was superb. The cast was amazing, but the story was top-notch. You did an amazing job.”
“I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I love the feedback from the audience.”
“Everyone from Valentine and Belle loved it,” I confirmed.
“It’s funny because when I sat down to write the book, I started and stopped so many times. I kept thinking, no one wants to hear your story. I mean, that played on repeat in my head. I had to push past all of that to get the book done. Now so many people talk about how much the book has helped them. They don’t feel alone or responsible for their childhood. All of those things make this journey worth it.”
“I bet it does. That’s the cool thing about gifts. We don’t always understand them but if we work them-no matter what they are- someone will benefit from it.”
“You said a mouthful. I totally agree. There is something so liberating about working those gifts too even if they’re frustrating sometimes.”
“Yeah, it is,” I agreed. “I’m so happy to be here with you.”
“I can’t believe you changed up your routine to be here.”
“You’re my reason so it wasn’t hard.”
I reached for her hand. She placed her hand in mine as we continued to talk.
“I can’t wait to smell my room when I walk in. I love the smell of fresh flowers. Thank you.”
“Joren told me you love roses.”
“I forgot you do have someone on the inside,” Bella chuckled.
“I do.”
“How are the kids enjoying their vacation?”
“They’re having a good time. They called to tell me about their plane ride and their Disney themed Airbnb. I usually talk to them right before they go to bed, but on vacation, I give them a break. I’m sure they’ll call tomorrow to tell me about Busch Gardens.”
“I hope you didn’t give them any advice on which coasters to ride,” Bella said with a smirk.
“Whatever. Don’t start that again. We both know who has the best list of coasters,” I said.
“We certainly do,” she agreed.
“Welcome to The Chocolate Stranger,” the waiter said. “Is this your first time?”
“Yes,” we both answered.
“Okay, so contrary to popular belief, we offer more than dessert, although we’re known for our extensive dessert menu.”
“Good, I’m hungry,” I said.
“We have a full bar. Any drink can come with a rim shot, which is a specialty sugar created by SHE iS, a local spice shoppe,” the waiter explained.
“What liquor do they go well with?”
“Anything, but we can do a flight with either light or dark liquor. You can try all the flavors on those shots.”
“What are the flavors?”
“We have Watermelon-lime, Cherry-habanero, Pomelo-cranberry, Lavender-Pop, which is Lavender and Cherry, and Orange Thrill, which is blood Orange and Chocolate, and Sunset-Sip, which is Coconut and pineapple.”
“Would you like to try the flight?” I asked Bella.
“Yes, I would. Dark liquor please. You don’t want to see me on white liquor.”
I chuckled.
“Alright, we’ll take two flights of dark…”
“No! Can we share? I won’t drink all of that. I’m a flyweight with alcohol. I’m not even a featherweight,” Bella explained.
“Okay, one flight, please.”
The waiter walked away.
“I guess we’ve never talked about drinking alcohol. You don’t drink?”
“My tolerance is so low. I have to be careful. It’s probably because I only drink occasionally. What about you?”
“In college, I could put ‘em back, but now I can’t drink like that. I still enjoy it just not like I did in college.”
“Did you have fun in college?”
“I had too much fun in college. I learned a little and partied a lot.”
“I sometimes think about going to college, but at this point, I don’t know what I would study. Maybe business,” Giabella said.
“Do you think you could write and go to school?”
“I don’t know. Probably not. That’s why I’ve been so hesitant.”
“Okay, here you go,” the waiter said while placing the colorful sugar rimmed shots in front of us.
“Would you like to order?” the waiter asked.
“Giabella, what would you like?”
She examined the menu.
“I’ll take the small charcuterie board. For dessert, I’ll have the lemon cheesecake mousse with poached peaches.”
“I’ll have the jalapeno popper deviled eggs, seared scallops with honey Dijon avocado sauce and the White Chocolate Panna Cotta. Can you also bring the check with the food?”
“Sure,” the waiter said and walked away.
“I always ask for the check with my food, so they won’t hold me hostage at the end of my meal,” I explained.
“That’s smart because sometimes it takes them forever to bring the check,” Bella said.
“How was your day?” I asked.
“It was a great day. I kept wondering why your responses to my text messages were short and delayed.”
“I was trying to surprise you. I didn’t want to tell you I was at the airport or on a plane.”
“I understand now. I thought for a moment that maybe you didn’t want to deal with me today.”
“That’s never the case. If I don’t respond to your messages or answer your call, it’s because I can’t. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“Which one of these do you want to try first?”
“Um,” she read the chart showing which drink was which. “Let’s try the watermelon-lime.”
She took a sip and passed it to me.
“You almost don’t taste the liquor,” Bella said.
“That’s the dangerous one.”
We tried two other flavors while continuing our conversation.
“You know I’m not supposed to like you, right?” Bella said.
“Why not?”
“Because,” she paused. “I’d decided after my last relationship ended that I was done with this whole thing.”
“You mentioned your previous relationship. Why was it so bad?”
The waiter placed our food on the table.
“Can I get you anything else?”
I looked at Bella to make sure she didn’t need anything else.
“I’m good,” Bella said.
“I’m good, as well.”
“And here’s your check. Pay whenever you’re ready.”
The waiter walked away.
“I told you about my guardian and how I lost her three years ago.”
“Yes.”
“When Neve got sick, she got to a point where she depended on people for help. I moved into her place, set up the dining room as her room, and made sure she was okay. We had nurses coming in every day to care for her, but she was my responsibility. I wanted the end of her life to be comfortable.”
“That’s understandable.”
“A sane person would say that, but not my ex. He felt the nurses were adequate. He couldn't comprehend why I had to move in and take care of her. It was either him or Neve, according to him. Neve was the one I chose.
He didn’t send a condolence, attend any of her services or even call to check on me. After it was all over, he said something about seeing the error of his ways and wanted to work on us.
The way I cursed him out was so un-ladylike. That’s what Neve used to say when I didn’t something I wasn’t supposed to do,” Bella chuckled.
“He sounds like a miserable person.”
“Yes. So, I don’t know what I’m doing here. I want to run away from you, but I can’t,” Bella said.
“I don’t understand all of this either. I certainly was not looking for anyone. I was fine with Avien and Eneko. Then I saw you at the book signing and I changed my mind. I don’t want to run. I want to walk with you; holding your hand to see where this goes.” I reached for her hand again. She placed her hand in mine. “What do you think?”
“I think I would like to walk with you.”
After finishing our drinks, food and desserts, we walked through the park across the street from the restaurant.
“Are your feet okay? Joren hates walking distances in heels.”
“These shoes are comfortable enough to get to those benches in front of that fountain,” Bella pointed.
I laughed, “Okay.”
We held hands and walked the short distance to the fountain. Water sprayed and danced gracefully from the fountain’s primary structure, reaching impressive heights that seem to touch the sky. Multiple tiers of cascading water flowed seamlessly down from the upper levels, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. The rhythmic sounds of the water falling and splashing created a soothing ambiance.
“It’s beautiful, huh?” Bella asked, pointing to the water fountain.
“It is, and so are you, Giabella.” I kissed her hand again. “The pride I felt tonight while watching the play was not just because I like you, but I was also proud because you’re doing the thing that seems to bring you joy. It is so wonderful to watch.”
“That means so much coming from you. Thank you and I like you too.”
We sat under the starry night sky and watched the mesmerizing water fountain. The gentle moonlight gave everything a soft and silvery glow. The soothing sound of trickling water serenaded our ears, harmonizing with the whispers of the night.
“What do you think their story is?” Bella motioned to a man and woman sitting on the other side of the fountain.
“He’s a dancer.”
“A stripper?” Bella asked.
“No, he’s a classical dancer. She works in an office doing some sort of clerical work. They’re talking about her leaving her mundane job and following her passion like he does.”
“I was with you up to the part about him trying to get her to follow her passion. I think they are talking about him getting a regular job to help with the bills.”
“You think they’re together?” I asked.
“You don’t?”
“No, when a man is with a woman that he likes, he makes sure there is always some point of contact. Whether he holds her hand, touches her leg or even their shoulders touch, he lets men around him know they’re together.”
“Really?” Bella asked.
“Absolutely. Women may not know what we’re doing, but other men know. He’s not with her.”
Just as I finished talking, another man approached the bench and hugged and kissed the other man.
“Dang. You’re good at this,” Bella said.
“I read people for a living.”
“Okay, what about them over there?” Bella tried to nod discreetly in the opposite direction.
“He digs her. You see how she has his undivided attention?”
“I see him looking at her like she’s a two piece from Popeye’s,” Bella said.
“I mean, he may just want to smash, but she’s got his attention right now.”
We laughed.
“If I were writing a story about them, I would name them Beena and Dios. He’s been chasing her for years and she’s finally giving him a chance. I would name it something like
His Patient Pursuit
or
The Chance He's Earned.
“You just came up with that?”
“Yeah, it’s a thing that I do.”
“You’re brilliant.”
“Thank you. I don’t want to keep you up all night and you have to work tomorrow,” Bella said.
“When did you start caring about me getting sleep?”
“Shut up!” She laughed.
I sent a text to Aaron informing him we were ready. After getting in the car, Bella and I talked until Aaron pulled up to her hotel.
I walked her into the lobby.
“Is your place far from here?” she asked.
“No, I don’t think it is. It’s downtown somewhere.”
“Okay, will you text me when you make it in?”
“I will.”
Giabella wrapped her arms around my neck. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer.
“I wish I could really tell you how much it means to me to have you here. This has been the best night of this tour,” Bella whispered.
“I’m happy I’m here.”
She quickly brushed her lips across mine. It was quick, but the intensity of my body's response to her made it feel timeless. I pulled her closer and pressed our lips together. The sensation of her soft lips against mine was electric and ignited a fire within me. It was an unforgettable moment, and our connection was truly intoxicating.
“Thank you for the flowers again,” she said after we separated.
“You’re welcome. Have a good night, Giabella.”
We stood there, locked in a tight embrace, our arms wrapped around each other as if we were afraid to let go. The sound of our beating hearts was the only thing that could be heard in the muted stillness of the moment. We remained there, unwilling to release each other from our grasp, savoring every second of the moment.
“Don’t forget to call me when you get in,” she said.
“I will.”
We quickly kissed again. I knew I had to let her go but the task felt almost impossible. Mustering all the strength I had, I finally released her.
“If you didn’t have to be up so early, I’d invite you up,” Bella said, her voice low and husky.
“If I didn’t have to be up so early, I’d accept your invitation,” I replied.
