by Nana Prah
His head jerked up. “A date?”
Esi crumbled herself into the car. “Yes. The guy Alice set me up with,” she said when he’d settled into the driver’s seat.
“Oh yes. The lost cause.”
She ignored his childish comment.
Pulling out of the parking lot to join the throng of Saturday traffic, he asked, “How old are you?”
“Old enough not to answer that question. Just like you’re old enough to know better than to ask it.”
“Early thirties?”
“Why do you care?”
“Don’t friends know the ages of their friends?”
This buddy system they had going on was getting old fast. “No.”
“I’ll be thirty-nine in two weeks.”
“Good for you. Happy birthday in advance.”
“Come on, Esi. How old are you?”
Telling people her age wasn’t a big deal. No one ever believed her when she did—they said she looked younger. Quarshie was up to something.
“I turned thirty-six in June.” She turned her head towards the window as she waited for his reaction.
“Why have you waited so long to get married?”
She sighed at the question most people asked when they found out she was single. In Ghana, people married in their twenties. For a woman to wait until she reached her thirties was akin to scandalous. Men became lecherous, while women guarded their husbands as if she’d snatch them at a moment’s notice. “I haven’t found the right guy.”
“I don’t believe that. You’re gorgeous. I won’t even get started on your body because you’ll get mad at me. I’m sure guys come up to you all the time trying to propose. Are you saying none of them had what you were looking for? I don’t buy it.” He shook his head. “What’s the real reason?”
She stared at him. He never ceased to amaze her. Quite an annoying trait. Most people were predictable, but not Adam. One minute he’s trying to use psychology to seduce her and the next he’s digging to find out something deep about her. So he can seduce me with that instead.
She had nothing to lose. “I’m not sure how to explain it.” She rested her head back on the seat and put her thoughts in order. “I’m looking for a man who can see who I am. I’m more than curves, as you put it. It doesn’t even register to most men that there’s anything more than the physical, so they expect nothing more.”
He nodded.
“Makes sense to you?”
“It explains a lot about you. You need someone to get to know you for who you are on the inside. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m guessing that’s why you have such a smart mouth. If he can get past that and your beauty to see how intelligent, sweet, and generous you are, then he may have a chance with you. If he’s strong enough to help you carry your baggage, then he’s the one for you. Right?” His gaze flickered to hers and then back to the road.
Shit. Where did this insight come from? He’s more than what he appears, too. “When are we going car shopping?”
“You’re not slick at changing the subject. But I’ll allow it for now. When are you off?”
“I’m working the night shift starting tomorrow. I’ll be free from Thursday to Sunday.”
“I like when you work nights, your competence allows me to get some sleep when I’m on call. I’m on from Sunday to Tuesday.”
“The other midwives bother you a lot at night?”
“More than they should. Calling me with a case they can contend with themselves, but aren’t even willing to look up on the protocol sheet is not the sign of a good midwife.”
“Maybe they want to hear your sexy sleep voice.” She snickered.
He shook his head. “Or, maybe they need a refresher course in midwifery.”
She sat up straight. “Hey, that’s not fair.”
He grunted. “But is it true?”
Of course it was. A couple of her colleagues were lazy and refused to think. Because of this, they’d lost some of the skills necessary for being an effective midwife. She’d never admit it to him, though. “Back to the car buying.”
He chuckled. “How about if I call a friend of mine who works at the port? There may be some cars available there. Sometimes the owners sell them at a lower price because they need money to clear their other goods.”
“Are they legitimate?”
“Most of them are. I know someone who bought a car from there, and he had no problems.”
As tired as she was, excitement bubbled up. Even though today had been a car buying bust, they’d try at a later date. Or is it the expectation of being with Adam that has me giddy? “Okay. Give me a call when you know.”
“Can you flash me your number?” he asked.
“We’ve never spoken on the phone? Weird.”
“Isn’t it? Flash me your number.” He rattled off his number.
She did as he instructed and called him so her number showed on his phone when it rang.
He craned his neck to see her number on the screen. “Save it for me.”
“What?” She stopped the ring tone by pressing end on his phone. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll erase all of your conquests’ numbers?”
“I honestly don’t think you care that much.”
She hid her disappointment that he didn’t know her better by ducking her head. What she wanted to do was go through his phone and erase the contact of the women he had listed. She hated that she felt that way. “How about if you do it yourself when you’re not driving?”
“Don’t trust yourself?” he taunted.
Thankfully they were at her house so she didn’t have to answer. He got out of the car when she did.
“Do friends hug good-bye?” he asked.
She unlocked the padlock. “Sometimes.”
“Can I hug you?”
“I don’t know Quarshie. After the game you tried to play today, maybe this should be a non-physical friendship.”
“I said I was sorry. And I didn’t try anything after that one time did I?”
He’d kept his word. Why did that make her feel a little neglected? She stepped forward, and he engulfed her in his arms. “Thank you for taking me car shopping today.” Their bodies molded together.
“It was my pleasure.” Her stomach flipped at the delectable rumble of his voice. She closed her eyes enjoying his captivating scent and the hard planes of his body. She sighed as he rubbed her back. His surgeon’s hands were softer than hers. Each glide of his touch along her exposed skin brought her a greater sense of pleasure. At the feel of his erection against her belly, she snapped her eyes open and jerked out of his arms. She cleared her throat. “I’ll be expecting your call.”
He looked adorable standing with his hands to his sides. His head tilted and a playful sparkle shone in his eyes. Like a lost little boy. “Yes. As soon as I get a hold of my port contact.”
“I’ll talk to you later, then.” They stayed rooted. The words “player” and “heartbreaker” ran through her mind.
She’d have to take hugging off of the list of things they could do as friends.
Chapter Fourteen
Esi’s date turned out to be more boring than listening to her father give a lecture about Marxism. It was no wonder Alice’s cousin had never married despite being a nice guy with decent looks and a well-kept body. Did the man know how to crack a smile? She’d given up trying to be entertaining when he hadn’t gotten any of her jokes. It had been the longest two hours of her life. Now all she wanted to do was end the date as fast as possible, but he’d mentioned going to a movie.
She was startled out of her catatonic state when her cell phone rang. Her date chastised her with a frown. She resisted sticking out her tongue as she answered the call. “Hello, Dr. Quarshie.”
“How come you sound happy to hear from me?”
She raised her voice to ensure her companion heard every word. “There’s an emergency surgery I need to come assist with?”
“What are you talking about?” Adam ask
ed.
“Isn’t there anyone else who could do it?” She glanced at her date.
She hated to lie to him but couldn’t waste any more time in his presence. “There isn’t? All of the other midwives are in the middle of deliveries and the case load is heavy? Hmm….” Perhaps she was overdoing it a little.
The click of his tongue came through the phone. “So your date is a bust. I told you.”
“I’ll charter a taxi. There’s no traffic, so I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”
Adam laughed. “What’s wrong with him? Is he a mama’s boy? Or is he crazy? No…let me guess. He’s ugly?”
“She suffers from narcolepsy?” She added a note of surprise to her tone.
“So he’s boring, and he’s putting you to sleep. Where are you? I’ll come get you.”
Esi ignored the look of displeasure on her date’s face. “Not necessary, Dr. Quarshie. I can leave right now.”
“You don’t want to spend another minute with him, huh? I’m on my way. Give me your location.”
The man was stubborn. “A chop bar near the military hospital.”
More of his hearty laughter irritated her. “He couldn’t bother to splurge on a restaurant? Are you sitting on a bench outside slapping at mosquitoes? I’m not far. I’ll be there in five minutes.”
She gritted her teeth. “Fine.”
“Mr. Dull as Dirt” stared at her when she cut off the call.
“I’m sorry. There’s an emergency at the hospital. The doctor said he’s not far so he’ll be picking me up.”
“I understand. Alice is always talking about how stressful her job is.” He paused. Esi would have climbed under the table to avoid his next words. “I was wondering if you would like to go on another date. Tomorrow?”
Why would she put herself through that sort of torture? She stood up so fast she almost knocked the chair down behind her. “I had a wonderful time.” God please don’t strike me dead for the lie. “I think I see the doctor’s car. Thank you for a wonderful dinner.” She figured it wouldn’t count as a second lie if she used the word wonderful again. Before he could say a word, she picked up her bag and dashed out of the chop bar.
Outside of the building, she turned left and speed walked around the corner. It pained her to reject nice guys. She went around the block and found herself in front a supermarket.
She went in and headed straight for the candy. She picked up two Snickers bars, and then hesitated for a minute then picked up one more. She might have to share with Adam. Happy with her selection, she went to the checkout. As the woman gave her the change, her phone rang.
“I’m outside of the military hospital. Where are you?” Adam asked.
She opened her Snickers as she walked out of the store. “Outside of Stop-n-Shop up the street.” The chocolate, peanuts, caramel, and nougat blended in her mouth, making her moan.
“What’s wrong?” His concern invaded her euphoric stupor.
“Chocolate.”
“What?”
“I’m eating chocolate, and it’s delicious. Please come get me.” She hung up and enjoyed her much deserved treat.
It didn’t take him long to pull up in front of her. She climbed in and offered him his chocolate bar.
“For me?”
“Yes.”
“I’d love to take it, but I have a peanut allergy. If you’d bought Twix, It would have been gone by now,” he said.
“Sorry.” It reminded her that she had no idea of what he liked, other than women. The twinge of need to find out the little things he enjoyed pulled at her. “I didn’t know. Let me go back in and buy you one.”
“That’s okay. I’ll enjoy the chocolate fumes from your mouth.” He leaned close and inhaled.
She giggled. “Thanks for coming to get me. You got here fast. Where were you?” She knew he lived in Tema—a good forty minutes away.
“I was headed out to meet with a few friends at Mirage. They have a live band on Saturdays.” His glance slid her way. “Do you want to hang out with us?”
“I’m sure your friends wouldn’t appreciate my intruding. I’ll go home if you don’t mind.”
“What are you doing after I drop you off?”
She sighed. “If you must know, I have a full night planned. I have two whole Snickers to eat.”
He chuckled. “Sounds like a good time, but I’m taking you with me.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“Yes, but I’m making it for you. You’ll have fun. What happened with your date?”
“He bored me half to death. Plus, like many Ghanaian men, he kept talking about marriage and how he loved me. It was ridiculous.” She’d never understand this warped phenomenon. “You can’t possibly know you love someone the same day you meet them.”
They stopped at the traffic light.
“It’s possible,” he said.
“No. Lust is possible. Love? I don’t think so.”
He shrugged.
A few minutes after saving her from the horrible date, Adam parked down the street from the bar. Mirage was owned by a medical doctor who also ran his own practice. She wasn’t surprised that he frequented the place. “Is Dr. Shadrick your friend?”
“No. I’ve only met him once. At his sendoff party when he resigned from the hospital.”
Omar Shadrick had been the one doctor she’d allowed herself to date. They’d been going hot and heavy for a while, but all of a sudden, he’d decided to dump her. Esi’s face burned in shame as she thought about how she had begged the man not to leave her. The experience had taught her a valuable lesson. She’d never stoop so low to make a man try to commit to her again. She’d let them go when they wanted to leave.
“I’ve heard he doesn’t come here often.” She hoped the rumor was true.
His side glanced told her she’d aroused his suspicions. “I don’t know. This is my first time.”
Please, please, please, dear Lord. Don’t let him be here today. Please.
Adam spotted his friends sitting in a booth.
Yoku stood and shook his hand, adding a finger snap. “Chale, don’t tell me you brought a date to our guys night?”
“You know me, Chale. I can’t stay away from the ladies.” He refrained from letting out a yelp as Esi’s heel come down hard on his foot. “This is my friend. Esi Darfour. Esi this is Yoku, Osei, and Ishak.”
The expression on each of their faces was picture worthy, but they were polite as they shook her hand and made room for them.
He slid in first so she’d end up at the edge of the booth, away from any of the guys.
“What are you drinking?” Osei asked Esi as he tried to signal the waiter.
“A mini Castle Milk Stout.”
Adam turned to her. “Why don’t you make it a Guinness?”
“I would if I wasn’t sitting with so many handsome, and by the looks of you, successful men. I need to keep my wits about me.” She winked at Osei.
Ishak laughed. “True.”
The waiter came and Osei gave the two new orders.
Adam slipped his arm across the booth—not touching her, but letting the guys know she was with him. “I thought there was a band playing tonight?”
Yoku pointed to the front of the bar. “They’re setting up now.”
People around their age sat clustered together at booths or tables—eating, drinking, and chatting. The relaxed atmosphere made for a cool hangout spot. He noted the place was bigger on the inside than it appeared to be on the outside. Omar had created the establishment for people who’d passed the clubbing stage, yet enjoyed getting together.
The conversation centered on work. Esi jumped in once in a while with an interesting comment or a question. Tonight, she was a different person from who he thought he knew. He’d caught a glimpse of this light and easygoing side of her when they’d travelled to the falls, but it was more pronounced now. Agitation flared as she flirted with his friends. Even in the dim lighting, her eyes gleamed as a broad,
open smile spread across her face. He didn’t like it. She should bring her claws back out. He hated that she could be so charming to everyone, but him.
The band started playing an ancient Ghanaian highlife song. A shout went up from all of the fellows as they carried the conversation down memory lane.
“You’re quiet,” Adam whispered into her ear.
“I’m observing. What’s up with Ishak?” She tilted her head towards the tallest member of their clique.
“What do you mean?”
“He’s cute. Why don’t you set us up?”
The thought of them together caused his stomach to clench. “No.”
“Why not?” She twisted to face him. “He seems like the marrying type.”
Women must have radar for that sort of thing. Ishak was looking for a wife. “Only if you’re willing to convert to Islam.” All he’d have to do was lean over a couple of inches to smooth her quirked eyebrow with a kiss
“Osei?” she asked.
Tilting the Guinness bottle back, he took a drink while regarding her. “Engaged,” he lied.
“What about Yoku?”
Adam had nothing on his longtime friend. He was an upstanding man with a good job as an electrical engineer. “I think he might be gay.”
Esi laughed. “If that man is gay, then I’m Chinese.”
Osei broke into their conversation. “What’s so funny?”
Before she could let out a word from her open mouth, Adam said, “Nothing.”
Yoku stood up. “If you aren’t going to share the joke, then how about a dance, Esi?”
“She doesn’t dance.” Adam had no idea why he’d said it. Hell, that wasn’t true. He didn’t want her anywhere near Yoku. If he were the matchmaking sort, he’d put them together and watch the commitment sparks fly. An unexpected, undesired stab of something dark and uncomfortable ricocheted through him.
She poked him in the ribs with her elbow. He’d have to remember not to agitate her when she was within striking distance next time. “I do so dance. I would love to.” She scooted out of the booth and walked with Yoku to the dance floor.
Three couples had found themselves in the large space in front of the band. Small, colored lights danced along with the patrons. A few of the couples held each other during the dance; the tempo also allowed singles to dance alone. Yoku chose not to touch Esi. Adam smiled, knowing once he’d staked his claim, unwarranted as it was, the others would leave her alone. He should’ve known she could dance. The seductive sway of her full hips kept his gaze glued to her.