“I’ll think about it,” I whispered.
He leaned in and kissed my forehead, then the tip of my nose. I smiled slightly. When I saw him staring at my lips, I licked them. His eyes lifted to mine, then he leaned in again and softly pecked my lips. My eyes remained closed as I relished the moment. I’d been trying to imagine what his lips would feel like against mine for the past couple of weeks. Now I knew. They were soft with passion. It was like I could feel his heart through that kiss, no matter how short it was.
When he pulled back, he grabbed my hand and kissed it again. “When do you go back to the doctor?”
“Friday next week. They will discuss treatment options,” I said, noticing my voice trying to come through.
“Can I take you?”
I nodded hesitantly. He said he wanted to be involved. I tried pushing him away already. Since he found a way to get to me, I had to believe his words. “How did you find me?”
“My uncle is extremely resourceful. He could have been a P.I. if he wanted to be. He also works for RJ but at the Palm Beach office. That’s where I transferred from. I think I told you all that already though, right?”
“Yeah. I had forgotten though. I umm, . . . I stopped talking to you because I didn’t think you deserved to go through this with me. This is going to be a hell of a journey. I don’t know how the treatment will affect me. It’s not somethingIeven want to go through.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re letting me in. I really like you. I know you said we would be friends, but I know you know I want way more than that.”
“I know, but I barely have anything to give to a friendship. I surely don’t have energy to put into a relationship.”
“You have plenty to give.” He kissed my hand. “Your heart and spirit are more than enough. Just being in your presence makes my heart light.”
I gave him a soft smile. “I have to admit, it feels good having you here, Chozen.”
He smiled. “So, I brought you something to eat, but your mom said your appetite has been nonexistent, just as you said a minute ago, so I left it in the kitchen. If you wanna try to eat some of it, though, I can go get it.”
“What did you bring?”
“Well, since you got a seafood pasta at a steakhouse, I had to believe that you really love seafood pasta. I went to Olive Garden and got a shrimp fettuccine alfredo. I hope that’s cool with you.”
“That’s more than cool with me. I’ll try a little bit.”
He smiled again and stood to go get it. He was only gone for a moment before he came back in. “Your mom said she would prepare it for you. She’s really nice.”
“Mm-hmm. When I told her I met Noah, she nearly had a fit. She’s a huge fan.”
“Oh really? Well next time he’s in town, we’ll have to arrange something. Don’t tell her though.”
“I won’t. She will lose her mind.”
Right after I said that, she walked in with the food and a tray. Chozen helped her get it situated over my lap after helping me sit up straight. She left out to get some water for the both of us. Chozen took the fork from me and began feeding me. After the first forkful, I giggled. “I am more than capable of feeding myself, Chozen.”
“I’m sure you are, but maybe I was chosen to do this at this very moment. Let me cater to you. Do you plan to go to your classes Monday?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Well, if you do, I don’t mind picking you up. I live about fifteen minutes from you. I go and work out anyway. So, it won’t be an inconvenience, if that’s what you’re thinking. I want to make things as easy as possible for you. You’re going to have enough to handle. I also have the notes for the classes you missed. I went to your first class and asked someone if they could make copies of their notes from Monday and Wednesday.”
I allowed a few tears to fall from my cheeks as I opened my mouth for more food like a little kid. It was so good. Chozen had to be right about being chosen. God had to have chosen him to help me through this, just as my mama had said as well. He was so perfect. I just hoped His placement of him in my life wasn’t temporary.
“So where’s your little prince?”
I smiled. “He’s with my dad, working on the house.”
I chuckled, and he did too. “So I guess I better get me a tool belt so I can be official when I meet him. I don’t think he’ll be impressed with knowing my actual role in architecture. I’ll be designing buildings and homes soon enough, but I’ll never be on the manual labor side of things.”
I smiled at him as he gave me another forkful of food. After swallowing, I said, “Thank you, Chozen. This is somewhat overwhelming. I’ve never had anyone to care so much about my well-being besides my parents.”
“Get used to it. If I’m here for you, I can promise you that you will have a whole family that will have your back. Whatever or whoever is important to me, is important to my family. You will want for nothing. Okay?”
