Page 71 of My Broken Bodyguard 3: Catch & Bianca

His face lit up. “I’d love one.”

“I hope you like it. Partagás are one of my favorite Cuban cigars.” I placed one in his hand.

“Next time I’ll bring Montecristo cigars. The Partagás have different flavors,” I stated.

His eyes closed as he slid it under his nose and inhaled. “It smells like hazelnut, with a woodsy aroma.”

A light chuckle rumbled in my chest. “Yes, I love hazelnut.”

That was something I hadn’t told Bianca yet. Every day I tried to learn something different about her. I always paid attention to Bianca. Usually when she least expected it. I’d do a better job of sharing more about myself.

“I smoked a Cuban cigar for the first time with a good friend of mine who was leaving the plant we worked at together since we were eighteen. Five years ago, he started his own tech company. He and his family moved to Silicon Valley.”

The smile on his face was infectious. “He was a good guy. I miss him.”

“Do you ever talk to him?” I asked.

“From time to time.” His smile withered.

“He’s a busy man,” Mr. Landry stated. I could see how the loss of his friendship affected him.

“Would you like another drink?” he asked, changing the subject.

“Yes please,” I responded as I reached into my cargo pants pocket, retrieving the cigar cutter.

Mr. Landry placed his cigar on the desk and sauntered across the room.

“Figured since we’re smoking Cuban’s I’d give our cigars the Cuban cut.” I grinned like I was the happiest man on earth as I cut the cigars at an angle.

“Sounds good to me,” he replied.

After I placed the cigars back on the desk, I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and tapped play on Lupe Fiasco’s new album ‘Food and Liquor.’ I thought it would be nice to listen to a Chicago artist.

Her father and I were at odds fifteen minutes ago. A simple discussion brought forth clarity. He initially thought I was just some rich prick who used his money to control his woman. A simple discussion brought forth clarity. I understood my future wife. She didn’t like all the frills tons of money brought. Not yet anyway. Over time, she would. She’d embrace our wealth.

“What do you know about rap?” he asked as he placed my glass on the desk in front of me.

“My cousin Ritchie and I have loved rap music for a long time. Bianca loves this album. I’m a T.I. and Jay Z fan.” I grabbed the lighter out of my pocket.

He laughed. “You guys have good taste in music. Bianca listens to Lupe’s album all the time.”

“Yeah, I picked it up from her.” I pressed the button on the torch lighter.

Mr. Landry held the cigar near the flame, turning it until the cigar was evenly lit. He sank into his seat and puffed on the cigar. “This is good.”

I lit my cigar, then brought it to my lips.

“Have you ever dated a black woman, Catch?”

“No. Not going to lie. Her snarky attitude really did it for me. I courted her. Showed her how serious I was about her. Before Bianca, I hadn’t thought about being in a relationship. I love my nerdy girl.”

Her father smiled and raised his glass. “If you love her nerdy side, then I know you really get her. Not many men could come second to a laptop.”

I tapped my glass against his. “Mr. Landry, I wouldn’t say I come second to the computer. I just understand what makes her happy. The desktop computer and the new laptop I bought for her brought a smile to her face. Usually when she’s on her computer, she’s sitting next to me. There are times I put the computer away so that I can have her undivided attention.”

He sipped his whiskey. “I’d never seen her face light up like that. She loves you.”

My heart raced in my chest at the statement. Bombshell loved me.

---