Page 2 of Waiting for Friday Night

Halle knocked three times on the wooden table to neutralize any bad luck attached to Imani’s words. A superstition she’d inherited from her parents and kept going. “Or if I win the lottery and move to Tahiti,” she countered. She hated the hit by a bus analogy. She much preferred to think of a positive reason to suddenly be gone.

Imani knocked on the table as well. “The result is the same. Peachtree Cove Middle School has been there since two thousand and ten and it’ll be there long after you move on. You don’t owe the school everything.”

“Spoken like a reformed workaholic. Tell me again how you’ve mastered having it all. A wonderful career, loving relationship and time for yourself,” Halle asked with feigned awe. Though, in truth, she was in awe of Imani. She’d managed the transition of moving to Peachtree Cove while also planning her wedding with her fiancé, Cyril Dash. Imani’s life had been nothing but work before she’d come home to Peachtree Cove. Now her life was filled with spending time with her mom, her fiancé and her friends all while working.

Imani narrowed her eyes but grinned. “You’re trying to be funny.”

Halle shrugged innocently. “I’m just saying, Dr. Imani Kemp, please enlighten me. Oh wait, it was you who cut short the last ladies’ night, am I right?”

Imani pointed a finger. “I had a patient giving birth. That doesn’t count.”

“I’m just making my point. Schedule changes at the school are the equivalent of someone giving birth at my job. Kinda. So, our lunch will be shortened today so I can handle it.”

Imani sighed. “Point taken. Go on and check things out at the school. But you will set a date with Gregory.”

“I will. The next time I see him.”

“You said it, I didn’t.” Imani lifted a hand and waved. “Hey, Gregory, how are things getting settled?”

Halle gulped and spun around, hoping Imani was playing a prank on her. She was not. Gregory maneuvered through the tables as he made his way over to them. He was slightly under six feet tall, thick, with golden brown skin and kind, chocolate-brown eyes. Today he was dressed casually in a short-sleeved white three-button shirt and olive slacks.

“Hello, Dr. Kemp, Halle, good to see you.” He spoke in a smooth, cultured voice.

“Gregory...hey!” Her voice squeaked. She cleared her throat and tried again. “How are you doing?” She smoothed her suddenly sweaty palms over her black pants.

“I’m doing well. Just came in to pick up my lunch.” He held up a brown takeout bag.

“Oh, too bad you’re getting it to go. You could have joined us,” Imani said.

Halle blinked and kicked her friend’s foot underneath the table. Imani didn’t flinch as she smiled sweetly at Gregory.

“Oh, well, I’m not in a rush,” he replied and glanced at Halle.

Halle’s heart flipped. Did he want to join them? Was he saying he was willing to stay and have lunch with them?

“Unfortunately, Halle has to run,” Imani said with exaggerated regret.

Disappointment flashed in Gregory’s eyes. “You’re leaving?”

A part of her was ready to say forget the new schedule and water leak, then ask him to sit down. But a quick glance at her watch made her sense of responsibility kick in. “I do have to run. I’ve got to go by the school before picking Shania up from her first football practice.”

He frowned. “Football?”

She nodded. “Yep. She played in middle school and is also trying out for the high school team.” She waited for his reply. She understood girls playing football was still a new concept for some people. There were those in her own family who had snide comments about how Shania should be going out for the cheerleading squad instead of being on the field. She really hoped Gregory wasn’t one of those people.

His frown cleared up. “Good for her. What position does she play?”

“She’s played wide receiver in a recreational flag league and middle school. I think she wants to be the starting wide receiver.”

“That’s a big position. Especially in high school,” Gregory said, not sounding discouraging. If anything, he sounded impressed by Shania’s audacity. Further proof he was the man for her.

“Whatever she ends up doing I’ll support her.”

He nodded. “I hope she makes the team.”

If fireworks would have gone off at that moment, she didn’t think she could be any happier. Gregory was cute, smart and wanted her daughter to make the team. She’d been right to pick him out as the man to kick-start her dating life again. Maybe he’d turn out to be the perfect partner and father Shania needed.

“I’ll be sure to tell her that.”

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