Rituals for Love (9781476761893) (25 page)

“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.

Are you up?

R U??

In more ways than one

That last text was accompanied by a picture of Omar's erect penis.

Enjoy your evening with all of that

I powered off my phone and reclined back against the pillows. Omar was tripping. As good as it may have looked, he didn't need to be sending me pictures of his johnson. I thought I had made that clear. Maybe he was right. If we had met at a different time, earlier, there could have been something between us. He was a great guy. I enjoyed spending time with him. I could imagine, with a dick like that, he could probably do some work in the bedroom. I turned my phone back on and looked at the picture he'd just texted. Yes, he was surely working with something. Long, straight, and smooth… I tossed the phone to the side. However, things happen the way they're supposed to, and I met Cain first.

I
straightened my cuff links and tugged on my suit jacket as I entered the hotel lobby. I followed the signs directing me to where the charity event was taking place. Sharply dressed men in tailored suits and women in sparkly designer dresses migrated through the lobby to the ballroom. Jazz music wafted down the corridor leading up to the room. I stepped inside. A jazz quintet played from the stage in front of the ballroom. A large dance floor was populated by swaying couples. There were at least a hundred round tables with ten chairs surrounding each one. I hadn't realized the event was going to be that substantial.

Servers scuttled to and fro with platters of hors d'oeuvres. A woman approached and asked my name. She referred to her list on a clipboard and let me know I was to be seated at table sixty-eight. I thanked her and made my way across the room. At least five different servers offered me an hors d'oeuvre to try. I finally accepted from the last one just to hold in my hand to keep the others at bay. I approached my table and saw Riley sitting with three others. I greeted everyone and introduced myself. Two were also restaurateurs and the other a marketing executive from a supermarket chain.

I slipped into the seat next to Riley, noting her attire. A silver beaded dress, thin straps, and a plunging neckline. I leaned in close. “You look very nice tonight,” I said.

She smiled. “Thank you. So do you.”

“This is some affair.”

“I thought the same thing when I came in.”

“Have you been here long?”

“Only about thirty minutes. I saw Zaire when I arrived. He thanked me profusely for coming. I told him that you would be here, as well, and he said he would sure to catch up with you before the night was over.”

I could respect a man that made it his mission to give back and help others. If everyone in attendance had contributed to the cause, I could only imagine the amount of money that had been raised for the charity. I had only pledged ten thousand. There had to be patrons that were contributing a sizable amount more and had been doing so year after year. If I could do a small part to help feed the homeless in Atlanta, I would.

I scanned the table and noticed the others had half-filled glasses in front of them. “I'm going to get a drink from the bar. Would you like something?”

“I'll go with you.”

I stood and pulled out Riley's chair for her. I got a glimpse of the rest of her dress. It was short and very flattering. The dress stopped mid-thigh, exposing her toned legs. Her long bob had a natural swing as she got up and she tucked one side behind her ear. I motioned for her to walk ahead of me through the tables until we reached the side aisle. I couldn't help but notice she had nice, round assets. I noticed and I looked away. She stopped and waited for me to emerge from the cluster of tables.