Page 1 of Taste The Smoke
CHAPTER 1
Alonzo Bennett stared at his sister through the reflection of the mirror as she stood in his office doorway, an expression of concern lining her features. “What?”
Sonya Bennet opened her mouth, then closed it again. “I was just checking to see when you were leaving. Cologne, dress slacks and shirt…I guess I don’t have to ask. I’m taking off early to pick up a few things for the spa, so Jamie is going to close up.”
He finished buttoning his shirt, faced her and nodded. She’d come to him five years ago expressing a desire to leave corporate America and open a day spa that would focus on wellness, but also incorporate the benefits of using cannabis in massage therapy. At that time, he’d needed the distraction and, after listening to her business plan, hadn’t hesitated in investing and agreeing to handle the books. Sonya had tapped into a relatively new area of treatment, unlike many of the other day spas in the area. It had only taken eighteen months for Elite Oasis Spa & Retreat to start seeing a return. “Sounds good. I took care of the payroll and secured the vendor spot for the CannaBliss Sunset Cruise next month.” The day spa would be participating in one of the several cannabis events in Los Angeles.
A smile lit her face. “Great.” She snapped her fingers. “That reminds me, I’m running low on the CBD isolates and I’d like to have enough to make more products for the cruise. I don’t want to dip into the spa supply.”
Shaking his head, he said, “Is that your way of asking me to go get more?”
Sonya entered the office and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Andthisis why you’re my favorite big brother.”
Alonzo let out a short bark of laughter. “I’m your only brother, and sucking up doesn’t look good on you.” At thirty-two, Sonya was nine years his junior, and he’d spoiled her from the day she was born.
She gave him a look of disbelief and brought her hand to her chest. “What? Me sucking up to my wonderful, sweet, amazing big brother whoalwaystakes care of me? I can’t believe you would think something like that.”
Still chuckling, he picked up his duffle bag and keys. “Mmm hmm. Whatever. I’ll take care of it next week. Now, I’m out of here.” Her smile faded. “What’s on your mind, baby girl?”
Sonya sighed. “I know it’s none of my business really, but I just don’t get good vibes from Pamela and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
He lifted a brow. “This is only our second date, so it’s not like I’m ready to propose.”
“Thank goodness,” she muttered. “I know you’ve only gone out with her once, but she’s…she’s territorial already and acts like you can’t even speak to someone you know without her pulling out her claws.”
Alonzo and Pamela had run into Sonya and her friends as they left a local bar. Pamela had been more than a little irritated when Sonya had rushed over and gave him a quick hug. Once he’d made the introductions, Pamela had relaxed some, but in Sonya’s mind, the damage had been done. He slung his armaround her shoulders and placed a kiss on her temple. “I love you for being concerned, but like I said, it’s still early, so we’ll see how it goes.”
“Okay, but I’m telling you, she’s not the one for you. Oh, and if she hurts you, I’m kicking her butt,” she added pointedly.
“On that note, I’m out of here.” He gestured her forward, the locked the door behind them.
As they headed toward the front, she said, “Don’t forget about dinner tomorrow. You know Mom would have a fit if you didn’t show up.”
“Have you ever known me to forget about food, especially Mom’s?” After he and his sister had moved out, their mother made a practice of continuing Sunday dinners, only now they tended to be monthly instead of every week. Alonzo looked forward to great food and the huge amount of leftovers she’d always send home with him and his sister.
Sonya laughed. “You’re right. I forgot who I was talking to. See you later and have fun.”
Alonzo threw up a wave and exited the building located in Santa Monica. After tossing his duffle in the trunk, he slid behind the wheel of his Camaro and drove to Pamela’s Culver City condo. While driving, he thought about Sonya’s comments, and agreed that those few tense moments before he’d introduced Sonya as his sister, had given him slight pause. However, on the ride to take Pamela home, she’d been apologetic. So far he hadn’t seen anything else, but as he’d told his sister, they were still getting to know each other. He’d taken himself out of the dating game for a long time after his fiancée’s death and had finally waded back in three years ago. However, he hadn’t found the one woman who stirred his heart, mind and soul.
He pulled into a visitor’s parking spot when he arrived, then took the stairs to her second-story unit and rang the bell. Hisgreeting died on his lips when Pamela opened the door barefoot and wearing sweats. “Ah, what’s going on?”
“Hey, Alonzo. Come on in. I’m running a little late, but it’ll only take me a minute to change.”
He followed her inside and glanced down at his watch. “You remember our reservation is at seven, right? It’ll take about half an hour or more to get there with traffic.”
Pamela waved him off. “It’s only six, so we have plenty of time. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No. I’m fine.” He really wanted to tell her to get moving as she stood there like they didn’t have to be somewhere.I just don’t get good vibes from Pamela.Sonya’s words rang in his head.
“I’ll be right back,” she finally said.
Alonzo sat on the sofa and checked his emails, then his schedule for the upcoming week. He worked full-time as a physical therapist for a state of the art rehabilitation center where they often treated several high-profile professional athletes. After working there all day, he usually went by the spa two or three nights a week and put in a couple of hours. So engrossed in his task, it took him a minute to realize that almost twenty minutes had passed and no sign of Pamela. He sighed, stuck his phone in his pocket and stood. “Pamela, we need to leave in the next couple of minutes to make the reservation.” No reply. Alonzo waited another minute, then tentatively made his way down the hallway toward her bedroom.
As he got closer, he heard Pamela say, “Girl, he’s over forty and never been married, but said he wants to be.”
“Translation, he’s approaching that desperate age and will wait until hell freezes over for the right woman,” another voice replied.
“And Iamthe right woman,” she said with a laugh.
