Page 24 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming
“Aimee!” Lyric chastises.
“What? He has that deep, husky voice. We can hear everything he’s saying,” Aimee argues.
Bridget nods.
Lyric puts him on speakerphone. She might as well, since they can hear everything.
“Hello. Aimee, is it?” Ranson asks.
“It is, and Bridget is here too. We’re Lyric’s best friends. Us and Suchi, you’ll meet her tonight, if you join us.”
“I’d be happy to. But only if I can make you ladies dinner,” Ranson replies.
Rich, handsome, and he cooks, too!If he is the guy Ukweli was talking about, then I hit the jackpot.
“I’ll send you my address. We typically have dinner at seven,” Lyric tells him.
“I’ll be there.”
Lyric ends the call and chuckles, as Aimee and Bridget’s silly asses grin at her like fools.
5
RANSON
Ranson pushes his shopping cart down the aisle, looking for polenta. He’s making the ladies osso bucco, which takes two hours, so he’s heading straight to Lyric’s after the store. When he told her what he was making, she joked about him doing too much. But in the words of Luther, it’s “never too much.” At least, when it comes to her. There’s something about this woman that makes Ranson want to give her the world. But for now, dinner will have to do.
Right after he gets all the ingredients in the cart, Patrick calls. He’s been expecting him to call all day. He’s a busy dad of Ranson’s twelve-year-old niece and goddaughter Courtney, so he’s not surprised to only hear from him now.
“Hey, bruh,” Ranson answers.
“‘Hey, bruh.’That’s all you have to say?”
“Obviously, I didn’t listen to your advice.”
“Not even a little bit.”
“I know, I know, but I’m drawn to her. C’mon, man, when have you ever heard me say that about a woman? Especially lately.”
“Never. And you’re right, you are in a bit of a dry spell.”
Ranson has always been the serial monogamist of his brothers. Kordell is the “date ’em for a few months and move on” type of guy, Lionel is the “I’m too busy to date, so sex will have to do” type of guy and Braxton is the “Date? Naw, I just want some pussy” type of guy. Ranson is the only one who goes from one serious relationship to the next, but lately, he’s been so busy with his investing that he hasn’t had time to date anyone. And Lord knows, no one has ever piqued his interest like Lyric.
“Fuck you,” Ranson jokes.
Patrick laughs. “Look, man, if this woman has got you this worked up that you’re kissing her in public while risking the wrath of your father, then go for it.”
“That’s what I plan to do. I’m heading to her spot now to cook her and her girls dinner.”
“Find out if any of them are my type. I’m in a bit of a dry spell myself.”
“That’s because you’re afraid Sheila will scare off any woman that comes near you. I’m telling you; you’ve got to get her ass out of your guest house,” Ranson tells him. “You can co-parent without her being on your property.”
“I know, and I’m working on it. I promised her I would buy her a house.”
“Fuck, if that doesn’t get her out, I don’t know what will.” Ranson chuckles.
“It’s costing me a pretty penny, so it had better work,” Patrick jokes.
