Rituals for Love (9781476761893)

by Ray, Shamara

  “I don’t need to have this conversation. What I would like is to be able to continue to experiment with my recipes in peace and quiet.”

  “Are you throwing us out?” Milan asked, holding a fork halfway between her plate and her mouth.

  “Not if you stop talking about Omar,” I said, with saccharine sweetness.

  She looked at Bria. “I don’t have anything else to add.”

  “I have one more thing. When I called Ernest after I dropped you off last night, he said Omar thinks you’re the one. Maybe that’s okay with you, but it sounds like you need to set him straight.”

  I didn’t bother to remind Bria that we already discussed that Omar thinks I’m his ideal woman. That’s probably the same thing he told Ernest. That didn’t make me the one. If he found a woman with the same characteristics he felt I possessed, he would be just as content.

  “Thank you for the intervention. I can appreciate the gesture, but let’s not do it again.”

  CHAPTER FORTY

  JADE

  I closed the spreadsheet I was working on and opened the calendar. I stared at the screen and sighed. The next week was full of interviews and supplier meetings. It was difficult to be excited while inundated with minutiae. I saw a shadow from the corner of my eye and jerked my head toward the doorway. Those now familiar dimples greeted me and I returned the sentiment. He leaned against the doorframe and started typing on his phone. My phone vibrated on the desk. I laughed and then picked up my cell.

  Hello.

  You’re so crazy.

  Crazy for you. You look nice today.

  So do you. That’s a sharp suit.

  I had a meeting in the area and decided to drop in. Hope you don’t mind.

  I needed a distraction.

  Is that what I am? A distraction?

  A welcome one, yes.

  That made my visit worthwhile. What time are you leaving today?

  About an hour.

  Okay, I’ll see you later.

  He pushed away from the wall and left me staring at an empty doorway. I shook my head and laughed. This was the reason why I wasn’t concerned about Omar. He was funny, silly and harmless. His little visit took my mind off of the escalating stress I was feeling about the upcoming week. I closed the calendar and stopped stressing over it. I could only take one day at a time.

  I switched gears to the products we would be using in the spa. I had multiple options and was trying to narrow them down to the best two or three. Representatives had been sending samples, videos, and testimonials. A few wanted to come perform demonstrations with the products. It was a good idea. I planned to schedule the demos once the treatment rooms were completed, which would be any day now.

  I felt like I was being pulled in so many directions and there were loose strings everywhere. I was thankful for Hal and his teams. They were skilled and efficient. The headway they made since beginning the project was astounding. The kitchen was almost completed. Once the new chandelier was installed, only minor additions needed to be made in the dining room. The spa was on track to look every bit as luxurious as designed.

  There was a rap on the door. A delivery man entered with a bouquet of roses. My eyes lit up. I pulled out my wallet and handed him a tip. He wished me a nice weekend and left my flowers sitting on the desk. I walked around to the front of the bouquet and read the small card affixed to the arrangement.

  Enjoy!

  –Your Welcome Distraction

  What was I going to do with Omar? I could imagine what the girls would have to say about him sending me flowers. I could hear them saying flowers are more than innocent flirtation. Bria would probably liken it to a marriage proposal. She already said he wanted to get me in bed. They certainly wouldn’t understand him showing up at my office and not uttering a word. I wasn’t sure I understood. My first impression was that he was having fun. Who texts someone they’re standing right in front of? Those didn’t sound like the actions of a man that was taking himself too seriously. He was in the area and he stopped by. He didn’t go out of his way or make a special trip. And I was flattered by the thought. I could at least admit that much. He obviously saw something special in me. I could appreciate that and wouldn’t knock him for it. Maybe he missed doting on someone since he broke up with Damaris. He obviously had time on his hands. It wasn’t always easy to transition from being a couple to being a single person. There was an adjustment period. He may not have been with her very long, but he said he cared about her. There had to be things he missed about her.

  When he was with Damaris, he didn’t blatantly flirt with me. In fact, it was subtle—a compliment here or there and never anything sexual. His problem was probably that he needed to get laid. Everyone may have been looking good to him. There was no reason for me to believe that I was the only one he was flirting with.

  I grabbed my cell phone and snapped a picture of the flowers. I sent a copy to Omar with a message.

  Thank you. They’re beautiful.

  I wasn’t going to get much more done for the evening and it was Friday. I collected my laptop, files that I wanted to take home and left the office. I had a quick debrief with Hal on the upcoming week and told the guys that were still working to have a great weekend. I exited the building and a black car was at the curb.

  The window rolled down and Omar stuck his head out. “Get in.”

  I walked over to the curb and he pushed open the door. I slipped into the car, closed the door and the driver pulled off.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  CAIN

  I scrolled through page after page of invoices for Genesis. Hal’s secretary had scanned and emailed them along with a spreadsheet of the status report. The report outlined the level of completion for every facet of the project and the associated costs. I was pleased with the progress, but not so much with the invoices. The costs were trending higher than expected. There were a few changes in materials and specs for the treatment rooms that were driving the increases. If my projections were correct, the changes could add twenty percent to the budget and I wasn’t happy about it.

  I immediately wondered whether the changes were absolutely necessary. I didn’t like cost overruns or unnecessary modifications. I had explained that to Jade at the inception of the build-out. I picked up the phone to call in order to get to the root of the additional spend. I was about to dial, but I decided that should not be our first conversation since the argument. In fact, it could possibly lead to yet another one. I put the phone down. I’d wait until I got home to figure out what was going on with Genesis.

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  JADE

  There was room after room of furniture. Omar and I perused the showrooms of designer spa furniture and equipment. One of his clients owned the company and greeted us when we arrived. The showroom was closing soon, but he told us to take as long as we wanted. We were looking at different massage tables, guest seating, workstations, as well as, manicure and pedicure furniture. There was even a showroom for spa essentials—candles, diffusers, pillows, linens, robes and slippers. It was the ultimate destination for everything spa related.

  He wouldn’t tell me where we were going when I got in the car, only that it was someplace I needed to see. He was right. I ushered him into the next showroom and was overwhelmed by the lighting options. The room was filled with sconces, chandeliers, floor lamps, table lamps, even tables with lighting. I walked over to a section with partition lamps and marveled at the various shimmering designs.

  “I wish you would have brought me here sooner. I see so many things that would have been perfect for Genesis.”

  “It’s not too late, is it?”

  “I’ve ordered most of this stuff already. Especially the larger items like the massage tables, furniture for facials, manis and pedis. There isn’t much more that I need to order. However, I loved one of the massage tables we were looking at a moment ago. It actually would have been a better fit than the style I ordered for the treatment rooms.”
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  “Which one was that?”

  We headed back to the showroom with the massage tables. I pointed out the style that I was referring to. “This one has an electric pedestal that lifts and the mahogany cabinet storage drawers at the base. The tables I ordered had the drawers but not the cabinet.”

  “Is it too late to cancel the order?”

  “I honestly don’t know but, even if I could, the cost of these tables is a little too pricey.”

  “They’re all expensive, Jade.”

  “Yes, but these are six hundred more per table than I already paid. That’s an additional six thousand dollars over the twenty I already spent on the massage tables alone. The facial tables are almost as expensive, and I ordered five of those. As much I love these, I better not add any additional costs to the project.”

  Omar sat on one of the massage tables. “This is comfortable.” He lay down on his back. “Real comfortable. Why don’t you lie down here with me and try it out?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

  “Lie down and let me show you what a good massage feels like.”

  “Omar, would you be serious?”

  “I am. You haven’t had a massage unless you’ve felt my hands all over your body, touching and caressing in all the right places. Lie down and let me give you a preview.”

  “As appealing as that sounds, I’m going to decline.”

  He sat up. “Does that really sound appealing to you?”

  “Why wouldn’t it?”

  “Because you’re always so quick to tell me you’re in a relationship.”

  “That doesn’t mean I’m oblivious to what sounds appealing. You’re an attractive man, and I’m sure you’ve given some amazing massages in your day. If I let my mind wander, the thought could be very appealing.”

  “Let it wander,” he said, wearing a mischievous grin.

  I smiled and looked away.

  “Are you blushing again? You must like what I’m saying.”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “Actually, thanks to the picture you text me, I just got a little visual in my mind.”

  “You mean my eight-by-two?”

  “You know that’s exactly what I mean.”

  “I wasn’t sure because you said ‘little visual’ and we know what I’m working with is not little.”

  I chuckled. “No, I guess it isn’t.”

  “You liked what you saw, didn’t you?”

  “Whether I liked it or not, you know you shouldn’t have texted me a picture of your penis.”

  “Can we talk about what you texted me?”

  Omar’s client came over and interrupted. “Do you need any additional information about anything?”

  “No, I think we’re all set.” Omar got up and stood next to me. “My partner is impressed with your showroom.”

  I echoed Omar and thanked him for letting us stay after closing time on a Friday evening. He assured us it was fine and reiterated that we should to take our time. “Omar, you have a lovely partner,” he said, before leaving us to continue to explore his place of business.

  “He’s right. I do have a lovely partner.”

  “You’re supposed to be a silent partner, not sharing that information with your clients.”

  He waved his hand. “He doesn’t care about that. Have you taken care of the paperwork with your lawyer yet?

  “I haven’t had a chance to meet with him.”

  “When do you plan on doing that?

  “I’ll do it next week for sure.”

  “We have to get our arrangement finalized.”

  “I will, next week.”

  “All right, good.” We resumed walking through the showroom. “Are you going to order anything?”

  “I think I can probably order some table and partition lamps for the spa.”

  “And the massage tables are definitely not an option?”

  “They would be perfect, but I can’t justify the additional expense.”

  He nodded. “Then we should place the order for your lamps and let these folks get out of here for the night.”

  Omar called his client over. We walked through the lighting showroom and I told him how many of which style lamps I wanted to order. He checked his system and provided me with an estimated arrival date. They chatted for a few moments while he prepared my invoice. He handed me a copy and instructed me to call him directly if I had any questions.

  We stepped out into the muggy, night air. Omar’s car was waiting for us at the curb. “Do you want to come back to my place for a drink?”

  “No, I need to get back to Long Island.”

  “Is that the only reason why?”

  “Well, after the other night when I had too many drinks, I decided I’ll be abstaining from alcohol for a week or two.”

  “You were a little tipsy, but I would have made sure that you got home safely.”

  “I know you would have. That’s why I appreciate that we’re friends.”

  “You’re sure you don’t want to come by tonight?”

  “I’m sure. I just need your driver to take me back to Genesis so I can get my car.”

  • • •

  I WAS ON MY WAY home thinking about Omar’s client and his wonderful showroom. If I had known about it sooner, I certainly would have purchased some of the furniture for Genesis from him. The spa furniture and equipment I had already purchased was upscale and would look great, but some of what I saw in the showroom was a tad nicer.

  My phone rang. Cain’s name flashed on the dashboard display. I pressed the answer button on my steering wheel. “Hey.”

  “Hey to you.” His deep voice resounded through the car. “You sound like you’re driving.”

  “I’m on my way home from the city.”

  “How’s everything at Genesis?”

  “It’s fine.”

  “Fine? Do we have a problem?”

  “At Genesis? No.”

  “I meant do you and I have a problem.”

  I hesitated. “I’m too busy to have a problem.”

  “I’ve been busy this week, too. We haven’t had a chance to discuss anything about Genesis or what’s going on with Eden2.”

  I really wasn’t in the mood to discuss either of those things. If he wanted to talk, I’d listen. But that would be about as far as it would go. I didn’t want to rehash our disagreement at that moment and I figured we’d have to talk about it on Sunday when he returned from Atlanta.

  “You’re right. We haven’t connected.”

  “I left you a message two nights ago.”

  “And I called you back. Your phone went straight to voicemail.”

  “My reception tends to be spotty in Atlanta. Why didn’t you leave a message?”

  “No reason.”

  “Is that right?” he said. The doubt was apparent in his voice. “Did you only call me the one time?”

  “Maybe twice.” I realized how terrible that sounded once it left my lips.

  “Maybe…” There was a hush in the car. I looked at the dashboard to see if the call was still connected.

  “Are you still there?”

  “Yeah, I’m here.” The tone in his voice was one of annoyance. I knew it well. I had an identical one. Neither one of us was opening up about what we were really feeling.

  “Are you at the restaurant?”

  “I’m at the house. I’ve been in all evening, working. That’s all I’ve been doing since I’ve been here.”

  “Isn’t that what you went down there to do?”

  “In fact,” he continued as if he hadn’t heard my comment, “I have a function to attend tomorrow night on behalf of Eden2.”

  “What kind of function?” I inquired.

  “It’s a charity event one of my suppliers is hosting. He invited Riley and me to come.”

  “You and Riley?”

  “She is the executive chef at Eden2.”

  “I’m aware of that
. I didn’t realize that meant you would be attending dinners together.”

  “In this case that’s exactly what it means. It’s a great opportunity to gain some exposure for Eden2. We were both invited and we both plan to attend.”

  He was a little too matter-of-factly for my liking. I wasn’t sure if I expected him to ask if it were okay, but his delivery seemed off. It was almost as if he was taking a stand. I understood the event was business. What I didn’t like was the “Riley and me” part. All of a sudden there was an event that they both had to attend? She hadn’t even worked there for a week and was already receiving invites on behalf of the restaurant? I was pretty much over our conversation.

  “Well, enjoy the function.”

  “All right, Jade. I’ll see you on Sunday.”

  I ended the call. No goodbye or nothing. My blood was instantly boiling. It was Friday night and he says I’ll see you on Sunday? That meant he had no intention of calling me the next day. So, not only was he going to spend Saturday night at an event with an extremely attractive woman, he wasn’t thinking about speaking to me until he returned to New York.

  It nagged me as I drove. I went back and forth over whether or not I was making a big deal out of nothing. I kept telling myself it was business. That little voice inside asked me how could I have a problem with Cain going with Riley to a business event when I had been spending a lot time with Omar, including at the club that had nothing to do with business. In my mind, I rationalized the difference was that Omar had been a friend for over a year. I knew him and how to handle our friendship. Riley was new on the scene, working for Cain for less than a week. He didn’t know her and what she planned to serve up other than her cooking. I quickly silenced my inner cynic and continued to focus on the road and getting myself home.

  • • •

  I WAS SITTING ON THE chaise lounge in my bedroom and thinking about calling Cain back. The conversation we had during my drive did nothing but compound the tension between us—tension that both of us barely acknowledged but was very palpable. He had taken a stand when he decided that I wouldn’t hear from him until he returned to New York. If that’s how he was feeling, then so be it. My phone chimed from across the room alerting me that I had a new message. I went to grab the phone and then climbed onto my bed. I knew it was Omar.