Page 31 of Zimyra

“Yeah. He said you told him about my coffee bar—thank you, by the way.”

“Nykendy—listen to me closely. That man has worked my nerves since the day he walked into my office, almost demanding that I give him a job.”

“Well, you suggested my coffee bar to him, so y’all must have built some kind of rapport.”

“Not so much…”

She grins.

“What are you laughing at?”

“The way you sound right now reminds me of what he said about you.”

“He talked about me?”

“Sort of. I told him you were sweet. His response was, ‘I must not know you as a boss’.”

My eyes move to slants as if Axel is in my line of sight when I respond, “He would say something like that.”

“Sounds like you have your hands full.”

“Trust me—I do, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. How are you, Kaden, and that big head brother of mine?”

“We’re doing just fine. Oh, by the way, me and Zavier got an errand to run Saturday morning—was wondering if you could keep Kaden for a few hours?”

“Of course! You don’t even have to ask. Shoot, I can keep him for the entire weekend if you want me to.”

“Nah. I gotta pick up my baby, and Zavier couldn’t handle that. One of his favorite things to do is wake up and have breakfast with Kaden. It’s their main bonding time.”

“Aw. That’s sweet.”

“It is. I get to sleep in and sometimes I get up early to see him sitting at the table with Kaden watching TV or just talking to him about life, and teaching him how to write his name. That’s what they’re working on now that Kaden has mastered all of his colors and the alphabet.”

“That’s Zavier. Kaden is in good hands.”

“He is. I’m proud of his progress.”

“As you should be….but, yes, bring him by. I’ll be glad to spend the day with my lil’ nephew.”

“Okay, girl. I’ll let Zavier know.”

At the endof the day, after I’ve finished all of my closing duties, Mauricio comes inside with the report which catches me by surprise because Axel is the one who usually brings it in.

I take the report, look it over, and discover that all tasks are checked off. I’m grateful. It means my tenants are getting the service they need and just the feeling of knowing they’re satisfied greatly pleases me.

“Gracias,” I tell Mauricio and give him the thumbs up.

“De nada,” he replies.

I stand up and follow him to the door, at which time I notice Axel’s car is not in the parking lot. I can’t ask Mauricio where he went, not that I’m concerned enough to even try. It’s just curiosity. Maybe he had somewhere to be – an appointment or something.

Fine by me. At least I don’t have to worry about any awkward stare-downs before I leave to go home.

CHAPTER 11

I’m at my new favoriterestaurant again, eating the same meal I had the last time I was here. I sit alone and gaze out the window at the people walking by, wondering how their lives are, where they’re headed and what they do for work. I feel fortunate to be able to do what I love. Most people don’t have that opportunity.

And that has me thinking about Zimyra. She’s good at her position, but is it really something she loves doing? Is it her passion? Does she aspire for more, or has she settled for what she has? I know life down here is a lot slower than it is up North. That much I could tell as soon as I rolled into town. There is no bustling nightlife. No parties. No poppin’ social scene. It’s bland – something I’m not accustomed to. I’m used to company galas, business lunches, and day parties. Here, I’m a loner. I don’t have anyone to kick it with, not that I need that, but it would be nice to grab a drink and talk sports at least. Perhaps I haven’t been in town long enough to form those kinds of connections. I should probably venture out more.

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