Page 16 of Somebody Else Will

“I’m good now,” I said, then slowly licked my lips.

I couldn’t help myself. She looked tasty as fuck. If I thought she was down, I’d eat her for breakfast. Her cheeks heated up as I asked, “How about you?”

She gave me a small smile as I opened the door and allowed her to walk in first. When I stood to her side, she said, “I’m okay.”

I slid my hand to hers and gave her a tight smile. She wasn’t okay, but she was trying to be. I could see that plain as day through her sad eyes. Maybe she was still emotional from the breakup. They’d been together long enough for her to be somewhat attached or comfortable. She was heartbroken. Sliding my other hand atop hers, I gently rubbed it between mine as the hostess acknowledged us.

“Good morning! Wow. Hello, Mister Wheeler. It’s a pleasure to have you here! A table for two?”

I gave the hostess a one-sided smile and nodded. “Good morning. Yes, ma’am, please. Towards the back, if possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

She grabbed menus and silverware, then led us to the back of the restaurant. Denishia’s hand trembled in mine as we walked. She seemed so tormented. When we got to our table, I pulled her chair out and watched her take a seat. Her jeans were hugging one of her most valuable assets, and that shit had my mouth watering.

Once I sat across from her, she gave me a closed-mouth smile, her dimples winking at me. Her full cheeks made them even more visible. I smiled back and asked, “How was the drive? Why did you Uber here?”

“The drive was cool. I drove the van. I didn’t want to drive that here, so I requested an Uber.”

“I could have picked you up.”

“That would have been out of your way.”

“Well, I’ll be taking you back to your hotel.”

“Ezekiel—”

“Naw. It’s not up for debate.”

She lowered her head slightly and grabbed the menu, nearly covering her face with it. I reached across the table for her hand. She hesitantly slid it to mine as I asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?” she asked, then looked away, avoiding my gaze.

“Because you look like you want to cry. Is your ex giving you a hard time?”

“He called me on my way here, begging me to take him back.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, then continued. “He appealed to my sensitivity, so I’m a little flustered. Although the breakfast is innocent, I feel like it isn’t.”

She pulled her hand away from mine. A frown graced my face, showing my confusion. “It doesn’t feel innocent, because you feel something for me. Instead of fighting it, you should act on it. You know how I feel. I’ve told you a couple of times now. Are you contemplating taking him back?”

She swallowed hard but didn’t answer my question.Damn.How could she go back to the man I met last week? That man seemed deranged and unhinged. The way he was in her place of business, yelling at her, had struck a nerve. I wanted to be the man to take care of her, do all the things her man wouldn’t do. His actions were abusive, and she was on the verge of forgiving him for his fucked-up actions.

“Denishia, why won’t you give me a shot? I mean, I know you just got out of a relationship, but I can’t let this opportunity pass me by. If I do, I may not ever see you again. I surely don’t want to become a stalker, but I’m not beneath that shit either when it comes to something or someone I want.”

She trembled slightly. I could see the goosebumps that appeared on her arms. I grabbed her hand again and simply stared at her as the waitress approached us to take our order. She looked like she was just about to clue me in on what wasgoing on with her. After I ordered shrimp and grits and she ordered poached eggs, I brought my attention back to her.

“Denishia, I don’t really like repeating myself, especially when I know you heard and fully understood me the first time. Since you don’t know me well, I’ll make an exception this time. Let me soothe your doubts, fears, and heart, baby. Let me be the man to take away all the bullshit and replace it with respect, euphoria, and passion. I don’t just play romantic roles in movies. That’s really who I am, despite my aggressive nature.”

She cleared her throat and took a sip of her coffee. Her eyes were glossy, and it looked like a tear would drop any minute. She closed her eyes and said, “This is so hard, Ezekiel. I don’t know you. I’m willing to get to know you through phone conversation. I have no plans of taking my ex back. I was gone emotionally a long time ago. I think I told you that already. I’m just vulnerable right now.”

My confusion shown through my frown once again, trying to figure out what else could have her vulnerable. “Something else happen?”

“Yeah,” she nearly whispered. “My mom passed away.”

The tears she’d been restraining fell down her cheeks. My mouth opened slightly. That was the last thing I expected her to say. Her mother looked healthy and vibrant. I supposed appearances didn’t always tell the whole story. I prepared to stand from my seat until she lifted her hand. “Please don’t. I don’t want to call attention to us. I’m trying to put it to the back of my mind so I can focus on my job.”

“Denishia, the event planner could have executed your ideas. Why didn’t you call me?”

---