Page 24 of Caught off Guard

As we moved through the service, the aroma of the food, immaculate place settings, expensive wine, and romantic candlelight set the perfect mood as soft R&B music played through the speaker in the corner of the room.

“It’s rare for me to dine in a sophisticated setting with such an alluring house guest.” I grinned at Zora, who tugged at the sparkly single hoop on her left ear, after spooning a piece of cut asparagus in her mouth.

“I’m enjoying our time together too. This food is delicious, and so is the art. Are those Ernie Barnes’s works?”

I tore my eyes from Zora’s pouty red lips and glanced at the back of the room at a couple of autographed monographs of paintings from Ernie Barnes, a former football player-turned-painter. It pleased me that Zora appreciated Black art.

“Yes. They are limited-edition signed giclées. Mr. Barnes was a friend of my dad’s, so I had access to those from a high-end estate sale. I loved that he was more than an athlete and made a solid living as an artist too.” I cut my salmon with my knife and forked a piece in my mouth.

“I adore his vivid use of color and his emphasis on the elongation and movement of Black bodies. He first came to my attention from hisSugar Shackpiece on the opening credits ofGood Times.”

“Yes. He had a keen eye for the human form.” I lowered my eyes to Zora’s bountiful breasts.

An undeniable blush covered her cheeks.

“Do you ever stop flirting, Mr. Kinney?”

“Only if the object of my desire wants me to. Does she?”

Zora raised her head and smiled.

“She doesn’t…but getting back to our discussion of your art.” She pointed her fork in the direction of my favorite piece.

“Yes. That one reminds me of the possibilities of what could be. Maybe I could paint you one day.”

Zora’s mouth opened in surprise.

“Oh. You’re an artist too?”

“I know my way around an art studio. Some of my work is hanging in the hallway upstairs. There’s something to be said for the freedom that comes with interpreting an idea in a new way. It allows me to take something that is in a box and show that it cannot be contained. Like the piece I’d paint of you.”

“How flattering. Do you make a habit of painting women you’ve just met?”

Sarcasm oozed from Zora’s voice. I was a competitive and sometimes snarky guy, so I wasn’t going to let her get off asking slick questions so easily.

“It depends on who it is. You’re an attractive woman, so I predict that the one I would paint of you would only be appropriate to hang in my bedroom.”

Zora coughed on the carrots she chewed. I half rose from my seat to pat her on the back, but she shook her head, gesturing for me to sit down with her right hand. I did.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I pointed to Zora’s water glass, asking with the most serious face I could muster under the circumstances. “Do you need more water?”

Zora took a sip and held her hand over her chest, taking several deep breaths. She fanned her face with her hands and lifted her napkin to her lips before lowering it back to her lap.

“I’m not used to this. Please give me a moment. You are a lot to take in.”

“Oh…you’re setting up the jokes now. A lot to take in?”

Zora laughed and took a big breath to compose herself.

“Please stop, Cairo, with your mannish self. Seriously, is painting something you’d like to do when you leave the league?”

“Yes, but I want to continue my community work and philanthropy too. More than anything, I want to grow in new ways.”

“Does that include growing with newfriends? Is that why you invited me here?”

I thought several moments about Zora’s direct question. I adored her presence and how she brought new light to me and to my home when I had been so down about my anniversary a couple of days ago. With Zora, my heart felt something good that I couldn’t deny. I supposed it was this intimate, intellectual conversation. Zora’s beauty challenged the boundaries of what our friendship might look like.

“Yes, I am open to something new,” I admitted after processing Zora’s question.

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