by Lisa Jackson
Chapter 11
“What is mer-an-goo?” Charlotte asked, peering over the tops of her glasses at the sign-up sheet Kaycee was posting on the wall.
Kaycee giggled, “That’s pronounced mer-an-gay, Charlotte, and it’s a form of Latin dancing.”
Charlotte frowned. “Okay, what does that have to do with Jireh?”
“It’s a new marketing strategy that Mr. Thompson and I came up with to draw different clientele.” She handed a poster to the older woman. “On the first Saturday of each month, we’re going to have Latin dance lessons. You should come, you’ll like it.”
Charlotte snorted. “I don’t know nothing about Latin anything, especially ’bout none of them dances.”
Kaycee smiled. “Don’t knock it till you try it, Charlotte. They say that Latin dancing is the body language of love, like speaking Spanish.” She swayed her hips to an imaginary beat.
“Who said that?” Charlotte grumbled with a suck of her teeth and a roll of her eyes. “Can’t nothing beat the Isley Brothers when it comes to the language of love.”
“I know that’s right!” Kaycee chimed in.
“What’s right?”
Both women turned around to find Otis standing there with a smirk on his face.
“Oh, nobody’s talking to you, Otis Sharpe, go on back in that kitchen!” Charlotte hollered.
“Cool off, woman,” he bellowed. “I heard somebody say something about the Isley Brothers and love.”
“And your point is?” Charlotte retorted with her hand on her hip.
“My point is that I know better than either one of you know about the Isley Brothers. I grew up with Ron Isley, you know.”
“Yeah, right,” Charlotte scoffed.
“I did,” he insisted, pressing an indignant thumb against his chest. “We used to run the block together.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Anyway, why don’t you run your little self back to that kitchen and get ready for lunch before the crowd gets in?”
Kaycee fell over in laughter watching the pair heckle each another like an old married couple. She couldn’t help but wonder if there was something between them.
Their bantering was interrupted when the door opened. On cue, all playing was set aside and replaced with professionalism. Otis immediately headed back to the kitchen while Charlotte took to wiping off the counter.
“Welcome to Café…” Her words trailed off as an exotic-looking man sauntered through the entrance. He was about six feet tall with a handsome face and a slim but well-built body. It wasn’t his curly Afro that caught Kaycee’s attention, but rather the striking green eyes contrasting with his caramel skin and wide, pearly-white smile.
“Welcome to Café Jireh, how can we help you?”
He smiled, flashing a dimple in one cheek. “Hello, ladies, I’m looking for Kaycee Jordan.”
“I’m Kaycee.”
He beamed harder and held out his hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Grant Craddock, Sidra’s friend.”
“Oh, hi, Grant,” she said, extending her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“I hope you don’t mind me coming by the place. I couldn’t resist the urge, especially after Sidra told me you work here.” He gazed around. “I’ve heard so many good things about it.”
Kaycee nodded. She didn’t know what to make of him coming to her job, but then, she knew when Sidra had something up her sleeve.
“Thank you, it’s a great place,” Kaycee said. The three of them stood there smiling awkwardly until Charlotte cleared her throat.
“Where are my manners?” Kaycee said, and quickly introduced the two.
“My, my, my, are those your eyes?” Charlotte blurted out as if she couldn’t wait to ask. She moved closer.
Grant blushed. “Yes ma’am. Got them from my daddy.”
“Are you that guy off the movie Barbershop?”
Grant laughed. He was used to the attention he received from people—especially ladies—over his resemblance to actor Michael Ealy. “No ma’am, I actually work in investments.”
“I’ll invest in it, whatever it is,” Charlotte said with a low whistle. She winked at Kaycee before reclaiming her post behind the counter.
“I’ll remember that.” He turned back to Kaycee. “I’m sorry, I should have called to see if it was okay to come.”
“No, no, no, you’re fine,” she assured him. “I can use a short break anyway.” She picked up a menu and two sets of flatware.
She led him toward the back of the dining room to a secluded booth by the window with a view of the back patio.
“Is this good?”
“Perfect,” he replied, sliding in while Kaycee sat opposite him.
Once they were settled in, Kaycee handed him the menu.
Grant opened it up, his eyes scanning the offerings. “Tell me what’s good.”
“Everything,” she replied. “And I’m not just saying that. Otis, the head chef, is an excellent cook.” She was glad that she had made up a fresh batch of desserts the night before. Kaycee waved for Charlotte to come over and take their order.
“You two ready to order?” Charlotte said and placed two glasses of water before them.
“Although everything looks tempting, I’m not very hungry, so I think I’ll just have a chai latte for now,” Grant announced.
“Sounds good to me,” Kaycee added. “I’ll have the same, Charlotte.”
Charlotte retrieved the menus and departed, leaving Kaycee and Grant sitting together with nervous smiles on their faces. It was Grant who broke the ice.
“You know, when Sidra said she had a friend for me to meet, I was hesitant, but I’m glad I set aside my reservations.”
“I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not.”
“Trust me, it is,” he quickly replied.
Kaycee was too preoccupied to be flattered by Grant’s compliment. Every once in a while she would peer over his shoulder for signs of Kendrick, even though he wasn’t scheduled to return for two hours.
She hoped to visit with Grant and have him out of the building way before Kendrick’s return, though she didn’t know why it mattered, since he had gone back to his ice-cold self after that night at her home.
While Grant talked, her thoughts strayed to Kendrick. He attracted her on many levels. He had charisma. He was generous and had a calmness about him that was infectious. She couldn’t deny that he was also fine!
But, there were so many odds against them even being together. For one, Kendrick was a man who hadn’t completely gotten over the loss of his beloved wife. He was old enough to be her father. He happened to have a daughter her age, and she clearly remembered his comment about not being interested in distractions.
“Tell me about yourself, Kaycee,” Grant said, interrupting her thoughts of Kendrick.
Kaycee quickly took a sip of water as she wondered where she should start. “There’s not much to tell. I’m from Atlanta, although people swear that I’m not because I don’t have a Southern accent.”
“An original Georgia peach?”
“That’s right,” she replied.
“Did you go to school here?”
She nodded, “University of Georgia.”
“Bulldog, huh?”
“All the way. From there I went straight into corporate America like every other ambitious graduate, only to learn it wasn’t for me.”
She paused when Charlotte arrived with their drinks.
Grant waited until Charlotte departed before speaking again. “Why wasn’t the corporate thing for you?”
“I felt like I was losing myself.”
“How so?” he asked, raising the mug to his lips.
“I didn’t like where I was in my life. The whole corporate thing wasn’t me. I felt I was living a facade that did not represent who I was inside. I always wanted to own my own business so I stepped out and started Soulicious Gourmet Desserts and Event Planning.”
“Just like that?”
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She snapped her fingers. “Just like that.”
“Impressive,” he said shaking his head. “How did you hook up with Jireh?”
Bringing Kendrick into their conversation made Kaycee very uneasy. For the first time since Grant’s arrival, she felt almost as if she were betraying him by entertaining another man on his premises.
“Actually, the owner is my neighbor. He’s a really nice guy,” she responded vaguely.
“Wow, talk about being in the right place at the right time.”
Kaycee nodded and took another sip of her drink. “What about you, Grant? Sidra said you’re an engineer.”
He nodded, “I build houses. I have some subdivisions I’m working on now.” He rattled off a few in nearby communities.
“Do you live in any of the houses you build?” she asked.
He sat back against the seat and sighed. “You know, I have plans for my dream home, but I’m holding off on them until I get married.”
“Why?” Kaycee asked. “If it’s your dream, why not live it now?”
He shrugged. “I guess I just want my wife to feel like it’s something we’re doing together as a couple.”
“How sweet,” Kaycee gushed.
Grant smiled with relief at her simple compliment.
They talked for a while longer, sharing their likes and dislikes, their travels and favorite pastimes until Grant looked at his watch. His eyes widened in surprise.
“You know, I’m enjoying this visit very much, but I really have to get back to the office.”
“I understand, I have to get back to work myself,” she replied, standing.
They walked to the entrance together.
“May I call you again? Maybe plan something later in the evening when we have more time?”
“Sure.” Kaycee decided that their conversation had been good. Grant seemed nice. She didn’t have the somersaulting feeling she had when Kendrick was near, but that was okay. Grant was easygoing and, for Kaycee, very safe.
“I will give you a call,” Grant said holding out his hand for her to shake.
Kaycee placed her hand in his and was surprised by its softness. The man definitely did not know hard labor. “Sounds good. Thanks for stopping by.”
He leaned down and placed a friendly kiss on Kaycee’s cheek. She was so completely thrown off guard by his action that she didn’t see Kendrick walking into the door.
Kendrick came to a quick halt right before the couple. His eyes went from Kaycee to Grant to his lips on her cheek and they narrowed. He cleared his throat loudly.
Kaycee jumped then groaned inwardly at the sight of Kendrick standing there. She immediately stepped back from Grant.
“Kendri—I mean, Mr. Thompson,” she stammered.
Kendrick’s brow raised at her formality, but he said nothing.
“Grant, allow me to introduce you to the owner of Café Jireh, Kendrick Thompson. Kendrick Thompson, Grant Craddock.” After making introductions, Kaycee stepped back, wishing that she could melt into the floor.
Grant held out his hand. “This man needs no introduction! Kendrick Thompson, safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a pleasure meeting you!”
When Kendrick failed to acknowledge him, he continued rambling. “Man, wait until I tell my boys, they won’t believe it. Hey, I really like what you’ve done to the place. It’s tight, man.” He whipped out a business card. “I’m on the board of the Black Business Network. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to throw some business your way.”
Kendrick muttered a quick thanks before turning his attention onto Kaycee. His eyes were full of accusation laced with disappointment.
“Ms. Jordan, when you are done fraternizing with the customers, I need to see you in my office.” He announced before turning and walking away.
Heat rose up her neck as she watched Kendrick stalk away without a care to how he made her look. “Grant, I’m sorry. Duty calls. I will talk with you later.”
“I hope I didn’t cause any trouble.”
Kaycee shook her head with a forced smile. “You’re fine.”
“I’ll call you,” he said before hurrying out the door.
Upon Grant’s exit, Kaycee frowned and slowly turned her head in the direction that Kendrick had headed. How dare he try to embarrass her like that! They were business associates, nothing more. She was not his employee nor was she his child, and she wasn’t about to be treated as such.
Ignoring the look of surprise on Charlotte’s face, she stomped back to Kendrick’s office.
Kendrick was sitting in his chair staring at the wall when Kaycee stormed into the office.
She slammed her palms on the desk in front of him. “What was that all about?” she cried.
“Ms. Jordan, please close the door,” he calmly replied.
Kaycee turned swiftly and slammed the door, causing the calendar on the back to swing back and forth like a pendulum. Her action made Kendrick sit up at full attention.
“Satisfied?” she curtly asked.
“Very,” he answered, easing back in his chair with his palms resting behind his head.
Kaycee rolled her eyes. “I’m glad one of us is.” She stood up and paced before his desk. “Kendrick, what is this all about?”
He didn’t answer her right away. His thoughts were consumed by her dark delicate image. Although her eyes flashed like lightning, he imagined himself calming the storm within with a gentle stroke of his hand. He hated that he had to get her attention in that manner, but it was all he could do short of knocking old pretty boy to the floor. He’d resolved the other night that his attraction to her was more than a fleeting passion, but fondness and kinship.
“I don’t like the way you were carrying on with the customer like that. It was unprofessional.”
Her brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
He half laughed with a shake of his head. “Come on, Kaycee, the kiss on the cheek.”
“I didn’t know he was going to do that!” she cried out.
“Well, I don’t want to see that kind of thing out there like that in front of our customers.” Or me, he added in his head.
“Kendrick, it wasn’t like I asked him to do it. You just happened to walk in. What was I supposed to do? Push him away?”
“That would have been a start,” he quickly replied, then turned away, hating himself for displaying his feelings about the situation. His words brought to light the truth of the matter.
A slight smile curved her lips as she recognized his behavior. “Well, excuse me, but I didn’t know you cared.”
“I—I don’t,” he stuttered nervously. He didn’t want Kaycee to read what he was truly feeling, so he began to shuffle through some papers on his desk. “I just thought it wasn’t appropriate.”
Kaycee threw her arms up in the air and plopped down in a nearby chair. “Kendrick, are you really that uptight?”
His head whipped in her direction. Was it showing?
“What? Me uptight? Please, I’m the most relaxed person you’ll ever know.”
“I don’t know,” she chided. “Since I’ve met you, it’s like being in a tornado. One minute you seem like you’re up, then the next minute, you’re down. I don’t know who I’m going to get on a given day. Don’t you know how to relax?”
When he was around Kaycee, there was hardly such a word as relax, especially not when all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms. He guessed that relaxation would come only after he’d had the opportunity to taste her luscious mouth. “Yes, I know how to relax.”
“I think you have the potential, but you’re—you’re too uptight.”
“I’m not uptight. Just because I don’t think it’s appropriate for a man to be all over a woman in public doesn’t mean I’m uptight.”
Kaycee giggled. “Okay, tell me, what do you do to relax then?” she challenged.
Kendrick turned away so she could not see his first choice reflected in his eyes. He forced his mind t
oward purer thoughts, such as the things that he really enjoyed doing. He was an outdoors man and appreciated fishing when he had the time.
“I like to fish.”
Kaycee’s eyes widened. “No, you don’t.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” he asked. “Fishing is a great stress reliever for me.”
“I love to fish, too,” she said in awe. He immediately wondered what was happening. First James Bond and now fishing. The idea of the two of them sharing another passion was making it hard for his body to agree with his head. Everything about Kaycee seemed so right for him.
“You? I have to see it to believe it!”
“Hey, I’m good,” Kaycee exclaimed with her chin poked out confidently.
His eyes narrowed with skepticism. “What’s your biggest catch?”
“A twenty-four-inch-long widemouth bass. I caught it on a fishing trip with my dad in south Georgia.”
“You fish with your father?”
She nodded. “All the time, although I haven’t lately. See, we have an annual father-daughter fishing trip, but I had to cancel last year.”
“Why’s that?”
“With the move and the new business, I couldn’t work it into my schedule,” she answered. She sighed in disappointment. “My dad and I have had some good times. He always made sure to make our trip special. He’d pack my sleeping bag and air mattress, books, magazines, radio and my favorite snacks—Pepsi, Doritos and peanut M&Ms—everything to make our trip perfect.”
“You’re a daddy’s girl?” Kendrick asked, engaged in her reminiscences.
She nodded. “I’m his only girl.”
Kendrick chuckled. “I don’t know if I can see you roughing it in the woods, especially with those high heels you wear.”
Kaycee rolled her eyes. “I’m always a lady, but I know when to fold ’em and when to hold ’em.”
“I’ve got to see this. I’m rolling out of here on Saturday morning at 3:00 a.m. Are you with me?”