Page 90 of Zimyra

I’m trying to spend as much time as I can with her and she’s sending me packing.

She takes her purse, reaches for the door handle and asks, “Are you headed home, or—?”

“Should I be?”

She flashes a semblance of a smile and says, “You tell me, Axel. I can cook enough food for both of us.”

“So, you’re asking me to stay?”

“Something like that.”

“Then ask me.”

She smiles and says, “Axel, will you stay and have dinner with me?”

“Dang! What took you so long? Got a brother over here fighting for my life trying to figure out a way to spend more time with you.”

She giggles.

I get out of the car and follow her to the stairs. She removes her shoes after she steps inside her place, so I do the same. While she gets settled, I step into the living room area and turn on the TV.

She’s in the back, in her bedroom with the door closed, but I can hear her talking to someone on the phone. She returns to the living room looking flustered.

“Is everything alright?” I inquire.

“Yeah. My brother is just getting on my nerves.”

“Must be Zander.”

“Yep. Zavier told him he ran into us at the park and he’s freaking out.”

“Why? He doesn’t think you’re capable of making your own decisions?”

“Of course not. To him, I’m hislittlesister—not a grown woman. But, I’m not concerned about that. Have you ever had butter chicken?”

“I’ve had buttermilkfriedchicken.”

“Okay. What I’m cooking is not that.”

“I don’t care what you cook, Sunflower. I’m eating it.”

I flip through channels while she moves about in the kitchen. I get a text from Peter:

I’m out with your mom…thought I’d shoot you a quick text. I had all of your requests taken care of. Can you confirm that on your end?

I reply:

Will do. Thanks.

I’ve been so distracted with taking care of Zimyra that I haven’t had much time to focus on what I came down here for in the first place. Casually, I lean back on the sofa and close my eyes while holding the remote. It’s cozy up in here. The aroma of the spices from the kitchen tells me Zimyra knows what she’s doing. The smell alone is making me hungry.

“Ax, would you like something to drink?”

My eyes spring open. I look in the direction of the kitchen to find her eyes on me. “Did you just call meAx?”

“I did.”

A smile grows on my face.

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