Rituals for Love (9781476761893) (19 page)

I smiled. I appreciated her response. The past two chefs couldn't wait to revamp a menu that didn't need revamping. All it needed were a few Southern enhancements. Riley seemed to get it. She wanted to understand where opportunities resided within the menu.

“Thanks for chatting with me. I just wanted to hear your thoughts on your first day. Are you still glad you took the job?”

“Even more so than before.”

“Thanks for a great day. Why don't you take off for the night?”

“Are you leaving, too?”

“I'll be heading out in a few minutes.”

“Are you going out to enjoy Atlanta?”

“No, I'm going to head home.”

“I'm going to ask you that question every day while you're here. You're supposed to be spending quality time with Atlanta.”

“I have meeting prep to take care of tonight.”

“In between the meetings, find some enjoyment.”

“Sounds like you're recommending I run out of here and straight into some entertainment.”

“There's so much to do in our city. You should get out and live a bit.”

She was full of unsolicited advice. It was Monday night. The only living I planned to do was at my house, with my laptop and my meeting notes—maybe a beer or two.

“I will keep that in mind.”

“If you need any suggestions, let me know.”

“I'm no stranger to Atlanta, you know. I just don't have much time to do anything other than work.”

“And that's my point.” She stood to leave. “Live a little. You can't be all work, all the time.”

Riley wished me a good night and left me in the solitude of my office. I live plenty. To assume I didn't just because I didn't spend a lot of time in the hot spots of Atlanta was a major stretch. I wasn't completely receptive to what she said, but I did decide to pack up my laptop and head out for the evening.

•  •  •

I
GAVE
J
ADE THE RUNDOWN
of my day while I sat in the den with my feet propped up on the ottoman. I brought a container of food home with me from Eden2—one of the many perks of owning a restaurant. The half-eaten meal sat on the coffee table. “It feels like I've been here a week already, not a day. Between preparing for my meeting tomorrow and keeping a pulse on Eden2, I'm actually tired.”

“You should probably go to bed early. What time is your meeting in the morning?”

“Eight a.m. and in addition to the meeting, I have a site visit, too.”

“Do you have to go to the restaurant?”

“I'll probably be there every day this week at some point during the day.”

“You don't spend that much time in Eden here.”

“I spend even less time at Eden2. In New York, Eden is a well-run machine. Eden2 is still finding its way. Of course I'm going to maximize my time there while I'm in town.”

I started to think about my schedule for the week and what Riley said earlier. I was spending an obscene amount of time focused completely on work. It wasn't like Jade was with me and thereby providing me with a reason to actively go out and live a little. I was focused on work, work, work.

An idea crept into my mind. The one thing that had been missing in the past couple of months. “You know what, Jade? I think I want to host my annual barbecue.”

“Your barbecue? Really?”

“I know it's a few months late, but better late than never.” There was a palpable silence on the line. “Babe?”

“I'm here. I was thinking. Do you really think that's a good idea?”

“Absolutely. I can pull it together in two weeks.”

“I don't think that's a good idea. We have a lot going on and a lot to do within the next two weeks for Genesis. I don't know if throwing a party is the best use of our time or resources.”

“We can handle both. I've been doing this a long time.”

“Launching businesses?”

“Yes, but that's not what I meant.”

“Then what?”

“This was the first year that I haven't thrown my annual barbecue. You helped me last year, but this year you had a lot going on, I had a lot going on, and I let it slip because
we
had a lot going on.”

“Are you saying I had something to do with your decision not to have the barbecue?”

“I'm just saying that with all of the business matters I've been focused on lately, I might need to live a little.”

“Live a little? I guess I didn't realize you weren't
living
. I definitely didn't realize that you decided not to have your barbecue because of anything that had to do with me.”

“That's not what I said.”

“I heard what you said. Loud and clear.”

“You know before we started dating, my lifestyle was different. I spent more time with the fellas, was probably a little more spontaneous, and I did a considerable amount of traveling. Obviously, I made decisions about whether I wanted to host a barbecue or not on my own. It didn't require two.”

“Okay, well, why don't you go finish preparing for your meeting or living or whatever it is you need to do tonight. I also had a long day and I'm going to bed.”

Jade hung up the phone before I had a chance to wish her a good night. I picked up my tablet and reviewed my notes. I had another long day ahead of me and at that moment I couldn't afford to figure out what caused that conversation to go left.

I
turned around and looked at the line of people behind me. I faced forward and counted the heads in front of me. Thirteen. This was ridiculous. I agreed to meet for lunch, but I hadn't signed on for this. I had no idea what the situation was in the mobile kitchen parked at the corner.

“Thirteen people ahead of us and there are at least seventeen people back there. What could possibly be so good on this food truck?”

“Make that twelve. The guy in the cowboy hat just left the window.”

I tapped my foot impatiently. “Really, Omar. Lunch from a food truck? We could've been seated at a dozen restaurants by now.”

“This isn't your average lunch.”

“What are they making in there?”

“You'll see soon enough.”

I shook my head and waited along with everyone else. I kept hoping that someone would walk past with their food, so I could see what it was being served. Unfortunately, it was in a cardboard takeout box.

“You know, I don't typically eat from food trucks.”

“You don't know what you're missing.”

“I'm sure I could name a few things. All of them unpleasant.”

Omar wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “C'mon, you only live once.”

“That seems to be a recurring theme.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. You just reminded me of something Cain said last night.”

“Oh, Cain.” His arm fell from my shoulders.

I turned to face him. “Listen, Omar.”

“Nine more to go and then we're next.”

“Omar—”

“You don't have to go there. I know what time it is.”

“Okay,” I said, looking directly at him. “Because we're friends, right?”

“We're more than friends.”

“Omar.”

“As of yesterday, we're partners. Or have you forgotten already?”

I smiled. “I'm here to seal the deal. Wasn't that the premise for your invite?”

Out came the dimples. He truly was an attractive man. “It was. I didn't think you'd accept when I said let's seal the deal with something naughty.”

“Well, I'm curious by nature and I figured how naughty could lunch get.”

“You like spending time with me, don't you?”

“I'm not answering that.”

“Why not?”

“It feels like you're fishing?”

“Me? Fishing? That's not my style?”

“Maybe not, but I'm still not answering.”

“We're next.”

We stepped up to the window and I peered inside. The cook was lowering a basket in the fryer. “What are you guys making in here?”

“Rocky Mountain oysters,” the guy working the window replied.

My eyes widened. “Seriously? Are you guys really making bull calves' testicles? In a food truck?”

“Don't knock it until you try it,” Omar replied.

I frowned. “I think I'm going to pass.”

The cook came over to the window. “If my oysters aren't the best thing you've ever tasted, I'll not only give you a refund, I will give you a hundred dollars.”

Omar looked at me. “Don't insult the man. Try them.”

“This is what you had in mind for lunch?” My voice was an octave higher than usual.

“I promised you something naughty…”

“You said naughty, not nasty.” I turned to the cook. “No offense.”

“How many orders would you like?”

“Two,” Omar said.

“One,” I quickly countered.

Omar had to be out of his mind. I was not eating the testicles of any animal. What kind of food truck specialized in fried testicles? The cook took a batch out of the hot oil and shook them into the cardboard container. He sprinkled them with salt. “Hot sauce?”

Omar nodded. I turned and looked at all of the people waiting on line to sink their teeth into some testicles. “I can't believe this,” I mumbled.

Omar leaned over and whispered in my ear. “You know they're an aphrodisiac.”

I rolled my eyes. “I'm good in that department. Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Are you sure you don't want an order?”

“I think I lost my appetite.”

Omar paid for his food and made concessions to the guys on my behalf. We walked away from the food truck, and I looked at each and every person waiting in that line. It was silly, but I was trying to figure out what they could possibly enjoy about eating testicles. Maybe they were trying to boost their freak meters. We headed toward Madison Square Park.

“Here you are this big-time chef. I would have never thought that you would shy away from trying something exotic.”

“Exotic and food truck don't mix.”

“Food trucks have a come a long way. In fact, some of them are turning out really inventive stuff.”

“That may be so, but I'll take my meals in a restaurant.”

Ohh, so the chef is a bit of a snob.”

“Not at all. I'm not turning my nose up to those that want to dine off of a truck.
I
just prefer not to.”

We entered the park at the corner of Madison and Twenty Sixth Street. It was filled with a mix of people on lunch break—mothers and nannies with small children, students and a few homeless people. We strolled down a shaded path to an empty bench. Omar sat down and immediately opened his box of balls.

“You have to try at least one of these,” he said.

I shook my head. “No, thank you.”

He shrugged and took a bite. I watched him and my nose involuntarily scrunched up. He chewed his oyster and winked at me. I made a concerted effort to fix my face.

“I guess this means I have to find another way for us to seal the deal.”

“How about we stick to a more traditional method? I'll get the legal documents drawn up and we can sign them. That will work just fine.”

“I wanted to try a more creative approach.”

“Well, it backfired,” I said pointedly. “What do those things even taste like?”

“Chicken.”

“Somehow I knew you were going to say that.”

He dipped his fork into the box and retrieved an oyster. It looked like a fried, golden brown fritter speckled with hot sauce. He moved the fork near my mouth. “Try it.”

I shook my head. “Uh uh,” I mumbled, through closed lips.

“Try one bite.” Omar put the oyster directly in front of my lips.

I took a deep breath and then opened my mouth. I took a tiny bite and chewed quickly, swallowing it down before the texture and feel of the bull testicle could linger in my mouth. I grabbed the bottle of water from my purse and took a couple of gulps. Omar chuckled and ate the rest of the oyster on the fork.

“That did not taste like chicken.”

“What did it taste like?”

“I don't know. Liver maybe? And I don't care for liver.”

“I know what it tastes like,” he said, as if all of a sudden remembering.

“What?”

“Something naughty.” He started laughing before he could even get the words out.

I swatted his arm. “You need help.” After a moment, I found myself joining in his laughter.

His laughing turned into a lingering smile. “This feels right.”

I watched a squirrel dart across the path and onto the lawn carrying an acorn in its mouth.

“No comment?” he said.

“None.”

“That's all right. I know you love me.”

I chuckled. “About as much as I loved the taste of those oysters.”

“I bet I'd love the taste of you.”

“You just say any ol' thing these days, huh?” I probably should have been offended, but I wasn't. Omar was harmless. Since he broke up with Damaris, his flirting was on overdrive. It was a good thing I knew he had prospects and wasn't serious about me. He understood I wasn't available. “I hope you have a date tonight so she can reap the benefits of those Rocky Mountain oysters.”

“I've been chilling since the breakup. No dates and not even sex. I'm in a drought.”

“You make it sound like you've been single for a year. It's only a little over a month.”

“A month is a long time without sex.”

“You can't be serious.”

“Why not? I'm a healthy man with a healthy appetite for sex.”

“Who should probably lay off the aphrodisiacs.”

“No way. I'm going be ready when it's time to show and prove. I mean, don't get me wrong. I represent without any assistance.”