Page 33 of Voice to Raise
My mind stuttered.Is he right? Do I derive a power trip by having people in my office? That feels a little farfetched. But also perhaps true?“How do you know about the café?”
“The recording studio where I work is just a few blocks from here. When we’re not ordering cheap delivery pizza, we’re often ordering something completely healthy. The café food hits the spot.” He eyed me. “I can be an adult.”
“You take your samosas with a side of French fries.” Said somewhat dryly.
He barked out a laugh. “Yeah, Mama Murthi used to have the same opinion. I often include a side of steamed vegetables, so she’s willing to overlook the fries.”
We hit Hastings Street and headed east the half block until we arrived at the café.
Heavenly scents assailed me as I stepped inside. Again, because the store favored organics and natural flavors, the scents didn’t trigger me. Certainly if it’d been a risk, I wouldn’t have ventured near here. Other places around here were on a hardnolist. If I wanted something, I either had it delivered or had Bonnie run out—with me paying for her meal, of course.
“We can eat here, but it’s almost lunchtime. We might not want to make Bonnie wait.” Better than admitting that yes, I did feel more in control in my office.
“I vote for not making the lady wait.” He gestured for me to place my order first.
As I approached the counter, he pressed against my back. “My treat.”
A shiver ran up and down my spine. “I prefer—”
“Next time, you can pay.”
Which, of course, implied there would be a next time.
“What can I get for you?” A lovely woman with shining dark-brown eyes met my gaze.
“Uh…” Sheesh. I’d eaten here dozens of times. Did I feel adventurous or…? Nope. Better to go safe. “I’ll have the simple grilled cheese. To go. And a kale Caesar salad to go.” See? I could remember Bonnie’s order.
I advanced even as Malik kept his hand on my lower back. I didn’t need steadying…but I also didn’t try to move away.
“I’ll have the coconut curry bowl.”
“Great. Right away.” She rang up our order.
My companion entered a tip, then tapped his card.
“Malik, lovely to see you.” Together we turned to see a gentleman in a white shirt and crisp khaki pants.
We turned, and Malik offered a wide grin. “Hey Ty, how are you?”
“I’m doing well.” The men shook hands. “You don’t happen to have more of your CDs, do you? I think we’re down to our last one.”
“Oh, wow. Yeah, I have some in my SUV. I can drop them off in a couple of hours?”
“Great. I’ll e-transfer you the money for the ones we’ve sold. Almost as popular as Grindstone.” He winced. “I wasn’t supposed to say that, was I?”
I considered it a little rude, but Malik’s grin widened. “To have my name uttered in the same sentence as Grindstone is a big deal. Oh, Ty, this is Spencer.”
No explanation. Just…Spencer.
Ty held out his hand. “I’ve seen you here before. I wondered if you lived in the neighborhood.”
“My office is in a house on East Pender.”
“Spencer runs This Land is Ours.” Malik stood a little taller. “We’re discussing whether or not Razor Made will write an anthem for the group.”
Ty nodded, clearly approving of the idea.
Maybe you should let me have my say before you go announcing it to the world?Alas, I was learning that wasn’t how Malik operated. He spoke first and only later reflected on the potential consequences.
