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“Hey, lady.” Nicole gave her a hug. “We were wondering when you would get here.”
“You know how O’Hare airport is,” Kyra said. “If you can make it out of Chicago without any delays, then it’s a pure miracle.”
“Yeah, we get delayed every time we fly out of Chicago,” Aaliyah said. “But we figured you were delayed because of that guy you’re seeing. When Winter called the Miami office a couple weeks ago, she mentioned that he’d begged you to stay in Chicago and not manage the LA pop-up.”
“Oh, he did throw a tantrum,” Kyra said. “I told him he was being ridiculous because I’d only be gone for six weeks, and Nicole is only contracted for four weeks to work on the commercials and documentary, right?”
“Right,” Nicole agreed.
“So, I told him that after four weeks, I could fly back for a visit before finishing the six weeks.”
“What did he say?” Nicole asked.
Kyra rolled her eyes. “That jerk said he didn’t think he could be with someone who wouldn’t consult him before moving to another state. So, I kindly reminded him that he wasn’t important enough to factor into my decision.”
“Kyra,” Aaliyah said. “Weren’t y’all together for eight months?”
“We were. But in that eight months we were only exclusive for three. If he thought three months was enough to trap me, he’s sadly mistaken. Anyway,” she said with a shrug. “I told him the sex wasn’t that good and kicked him out of my apartment.”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Nicole said, high-fiving Kyra. “Let him know who’s boss. These men think women are fine with settling for bad sex when there is good sex waiting to be had.”
Aaliyah gave them a blank stare. “How in the world did this turn into a conversation about bad versus good sex?”
Nicole placed a hand on Aaliyah’s shoulder. “Girl, you can have all the great conversations in the world, but if he’s bad in bed, all bets are off.”
“Anyway,” Aaliyah said, shaking her head. “Let’s try and finish setting up at least half the boutique today since we open in two days, but won’t have Nicole’s help starting tomorrow.”
“That’s right,” Kyra said. “Miss Big Shot hits the television set tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear all about the cute men on set. I heard LA has some good-looking men if you know where to look.”
“Didn’t you hear?” Aaliyah asked. “Nicole already met an attractive man who spent part of the night at the bar drooling over her.”
“He wasn’t drooling over me,” Nicole said. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Oh, really?” Aaliyah crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell that to all the women at the bar looking at you with envy and the crushed look on Romeo’s face when he saw you talking to KD.”
“Is KD the cute guy?” Kyra asked.
Nicole nodded. “Yes.”
“And who’s Romeo?”
“No one worth mentioning,” Nicole said. “And even though KD has my number, I doubt he’ll use it. Men like him don’t usually call women back.”
Kyra squinted in confusion. “Men like what?”
“You know the type.” Nicole lifted her hands to demonstrate. “Men who look as good as KD have a flock of women waiting for them to shoot attention their way. Hence, he meets a woman and asks for her number because he enjoys the flirtation and wants a bit of a challenge. Once he’s done amusing himself, he goes home, calls one of the many in his herd, and you become the cute woman he met that one night who kept his interest for an hour or two.”
“Wow,” Kyra said. “You got all that from one bar meeting?”
“Sure did. Knowing what type of man he is from the beginning helps ease the disappointment when he doesn’t call. It’s easy for men to ask for your number. The difficult part is actually putting forth the effort to pick up your cell and call the number you worked so hard to get the night before.”
Kyra and Aaliyah shared a look before Aaliyah spoke up. “I told Nicole that she shouldn’t count KD out. Who knows, she may see him again while she’s here.”
“I highly doubt it.” Nicole clasped her hands together. “Come on, let’s finish unloading a few more boxes.”
Just as Nicole went to lift a box, her phone vibrated in her back pocket. When she glanced at the text message, her mouth dropped open. “You’re shitting me.”
Kyra and Aaliyah glanced over her shoulder at the message.
“Is that the guy from last night?” Kyra asked. “The one you just said wouldn’t be contacting you?”
“It is. He wants to know if I’m free for dinner tonight.”
“Say yes,” Aaliyah said. “You know you want to.”
I do want to. That’s the problem. “I’m supposed to be helping you guys set up the shop.”
“We can handle it,” Kyra said. “Tell him yes.”
While she was still contemplating her response, her phone rang. “Oh, my God, he’s calling.”
“Answer it!” Aaliyah said.
“And put him on speaker,” Kyra said. “You’re a terrible flirt, so we’ll coach you.”
Taking a deep breath, Nicole answered and put the call on speaker. “Hello?”
“Hey, Bianca, it’s KD.” Why is his voice so sexy? Nicole giggled when Aaliyah raised an eyebrow and mouthed Bianca.
“Hey, KD. What’s up?” Aaliyah quickly put the phone on mute to tell her friends that she gave KD her middle name as opposed to her first name.
“Nothing much,” he said. “I sent you a message, but then remembered that I told you I’d call you last night before I left the bar. I was hoping I could take you to dinner tonight.”
Nicole bit her bottom lip as Aaliyah and Kyra mouthed the word yes. She unmuted her phone.
“It’s kinda last minute,” she said, ignoring their eye rolls.
“I know,” he replied. “I have a busy week ahead, but I really wanted to take you out on a date. I enjoyed meeting you last night, but our conversation was cut short. I’d love the chance to get to know you more. I could pick you up, as well.”
Nicole smiled when she glanced at Aaliyah, who was making a swoon face. You should just say yes. What’s the harm in one date? “How do I know this is really KD?”
“Seriously,” Aaliyah whispered. “What kind of question is that?”
Now it was time for Nicole to roll her eyes at herself. Oh, how I love that I wasn’t blessed with the art of flirting, she thought sarcastically.
“It’s definitely me, Bianca,” he said in a deep voice. “And I would love to go out with you.”
Okay, enough stalling. “Yeah, I’ll go out with you tonight, but there’s no need to pick me up. Just let me know where we’re having dinner and I’ll meet you there.”
KD rattled off an address, and she jotted it down in the notes section of her phone.
“I look forward to seeing you tonight,” KD said.
“Me, too.” She went to end the call and heard him mention her name. “Yes?” she asked.
“I’m sure you assumed I was just like all these other cats out here asking for a beautiful woman’s number with no intention of using it, but that’s not me,” KD said. “This may be too forward, but if there’s something I want, I typically go after it.”
Nicole swallowed. What am I supposed to say to that? “I understand.”
“Good.” He cleared his throat. “See you tonight.”
Nicole disconnected the call and looked at the big smiles on Kyra’s and Aaliyah’s faces.
“That was almost painful to listen to, but I’m glad you said yes,” Aaliyah said.
Kyra nodded. “I agree.”
“Even though I’m going on this date with KD, I still refuse to get distracted by a man. It’s just one date before I start the journey I came here for. That’s it.”
“I don’t know, Nicole,” Kyra said with a smile. “You definitely have to focus on this television opportunity, but KD sounds like the best type of distraction.”
Nicole sighed. “He does, right?”
“Yup,” Aaliyah said. “But now, we really have to get a lot done before you have to get ready for your date. And no worries, you don’t have to tell me that I was right about you seeing him again.”
“Whatever,” she said with a laugh as she got to work.
* * *
Kendrick Burrstone glanced around the semideserted Santa Monica restaurant as he tried to spot Bianca from where he sat at a table on the outside patio.
While most people preferred the hustle and bustle of LA, Kendrick preferred coastal city living. Santa Monica was less than an hour from LA, but they might as well be different worlds.
“Are you ready to order or are you waiting for someone else?”
Kendrick glanced at the waitress. “I’m waiting on someone.”
“I’m here,” a voice said. Kendrick looked past the waitress to see Bianca walking up in jeans and a sexy black lace crop top. She looks even better than she did at the bar. Her curly hair was pulled atop her head in a high bun and she wore little makeup, showcasing the natural beauty of her velvety chocolate complexion. There were so many things about the way she looked that caught his attention, but what really made him adjust himself in his seat were the heeled boots she was wearing.
Kendrick was a sucker for a lady in some sexy shoes, and the strappy heeled boots Bianca was wearing caused his imagination to run wild.
“You look beautiful,” he said when she approached. He then stood up and leaned in for a hug.
“Thank you,” Bianca said, returning his hug. “You look nice, too.” The temperature was a little chillier than what he was used to in California, so he’d chosen to wear a dark gray sweater and jeans.
“Thank you.” Remembering that the waitress was at the table, they took a seat and ordered drinks.
“I know Sunday night is a weird time for a date, but I appreciate you accepting.”
“It’s no biggie,” she said. “I needed something to keep my mind off my big day tomorrow.”
Kendrick took a sip of his water. “Big presentation?”
“I wish,” she said with a laugh. “It’s my first day at a new job, and I’m a little nervous.”
“Don’t be,” Kendrick said, shaking his head. “I know we just met, but I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
“Thanks.” The waitress returned with their drinks, and they placed their order for dinner.
“So, let me ask you something,” she said. “Was that guy, I believe his name was Bryant, really your cousin?”
“Yeah, he is.” Kendrick smiled. “He’s not too much of a people person, so myself and some of our friends are often apologizing for things that he says.”
She took a sip of her drink, causing Kendrick to advert his eyes from hers to stare at her lips. She was wearing a bright burgundy-colored lipstick, and the color immediately reminded him of red velvet cake.
“What’s that look for?” she asked.
He met her eyes. “What look?”
“The one you’re giving my mouth right now.”
Kendrick laughed harder than he meant to. “Do you always say whatever you’re thinking?”
“Pretty much,” she said with a smile. “My grandmother always tells me that I don’t have a filter. It probably annoys her at times, but it’s just how I am.”
“I think it’s refreshing,” Kendrick said. “I appreciate honesty. For me, I’d rather someone keep it real than lie to make me feel better.”
“Exactly, but I’m a work in progress,” she said. “It’s more difficult to be honest depending on the person. For example, I can be honest with some of my friends, but then I have other friendships that I can’t be as honest with. And relationships are the worst, but I’m sure this isn’t a topic I should bring up on a first date.”
“You can bring up whatever you want around me. There aren’t too many topics that I’m not willing to talk about.”
“Oh, really.” She smiled.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
He glanced down at her necklace. “Does your necklace have any meaning behind it?”
“It’s actually a crystal.” She gently ran her fingers across the stone. “The onyx is good for protection and healing.”
“That’s interesting,” he said. “My mom likes wearing crystals and stones, as well. Did you choose to wear it tonight because it went with your outfit or because you needed to feel the energy from it?”
She opened her mouth to respond just as their food arrived. For a few moments, they ate in comfortable silence.
“A little bit of both.”
Kendrick swallowed his food before responding. “What do you mean?”
