Page 47 of Dawning and Resurgence

“I appreciate hearing that.

“And your children are beautiful.” She tensed and I added, “Ezekiel showed me pictures. He’s a proud uncle.”

She smiled softly. “He is. He loves them and I can tell he’s ready.” I frowned and her smile expanded. “For his own.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t know.”

“Mmmm…” She turned away, moved to a station in the back, and glanced over her shoulder. “All I have is water. Still and carbonated. Would you like some?”

“Sure, still is fine.”

She lifted two bottles and approached, handing me one. “Sorry they’re all room temperature. They know I don’t like to drink it cold.”

“That’s fine.”

“Do you want children?”

“Yes, someday.”

“Mmm….” She hummed and smiled again.

“I’m not sure what he told you but we’re not dating.”

“No, you’re not and he hasn’t told me anything other than you were coming tonight. You’re back here because I insisted and I get what I want from the Omari men. The alternative doesn’t really work in their favor.” She winked and opened her water. “You might not think it’s much but you’rehere. Ez is very protective of his family. Fiercely protective and he knows Elias is even more protective of me. He’s showing you pictures of my children. He invited you to come see me dance. On the surface those are simple, irrelevant things but to know him? I can promise you they are not. He doesn’t shareuswith people, yet here you are.”

“Oh…”

She smiled behind her water bottle. “It’s why I wanted to meet you. I needed to feel you out. To see ifyoushould be shared with us.”

“You’re judging me?” I rolled my shoulders back defensively and she grinned.

“No, I’m deciding if you fit and I think I like you. Can’t be completely sure yet but ten seconds with his ex-wife and I knew I hated her. I still tried, because she was his wife, but Sasha was a bitch and I’m glad he’s free of her. I’m also happy he can find someone who isn’t a bitch and whowantsto be married to him.”

“She didn’t?”

“No, their marriage was arranged but I’m sure you know that.”

“I didn’t.”

“Oh well, if you ask, he’ll give you the details. Not my story to tell but I will say this, she never loved him.”

“He told me.”

“Mmmm…” she hummed again, as if she knew something I did not. She knew a lot I didn’t.

“You keep doing that.”

“Sorry, just processing.”

“I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”

“Definitely not bad and I won’t hold you. I know you have a flight to catch. LA, right?”

“Yes,business.”

She flashed me a smile. “Yep, I heard. Thank you for coming. I just want to give you a small piece of advice, do with it what you want.”

“I’m listening.”

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