Page 104 of Business Casual

“I like the way you think,” she cheered. “Call me when you leave and me know what happens.”

I finished getting ready, grabbing a lightweight black sweater for coverage and then I headed to Tre’s.

“Wow,” I breathed as I pulled up to a gorgeous house with a perfectly manicured lawn and a fenced in backyard.

Getting out the car, I turned around, marveling at my surroundings. It wasn’t like I’d never been to that neighborhood before. But I’d never been inside any of the homes.

Taking a deep breath, I braced myself as I knocked on the door. I decided to play it cool. I wasn’t going to bring up what happened last night until he brought it up. He said he wanted to talk so I was going to follow his lead.

Tre swung the door open, his eyes widened as he took me in. “Hey, come on in.”

I’d never seen him in casual wear, but I think it was my favorite.

“Hey.” My eyes swept up and down his grey sweatpants and white t-shirt covered body. “Wow.” I met his gaze again as I stepped inside. “Um, you have a beautiful home.”

I wasn’t sure if the fluttering in my belly was because I was excited to see him or nervous about what we needed to discuss.

Inhaling deeply, I turned to him just in time to catch him checking me out. I fought a smile. “It smells great in here.”

“Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “Let me give you a tour.”

He showed me the living room, the dining room, the den, and then we ended in the kitchen. Although I wanted to check out the state-of-the-art appliances, I zeroed in on the heap of bacon in the center of the table.

“You didn’t eat, did you?” he asked, bringing over a plate of pancakes and eggs.

I shifted from one foot to the other. “No, I didn’t.”

“Good. Do you want orange juice, apple juice, or water?”

“Water, please.”

Why am I so nervous?

“Can I use your bathroom to wash my hands?” I asked.

“Yeah, of course.” He pointed down the hall. “Do you remember where it is?”

Nodding, I placed my handbag on the counter. “Yes. Thank you.”

As soon as I locked myself in the bathroom, I took a deep breath and grabbed the edges of the sink. Staring at my reflection, I tried to calm myself down, but the more I thought about it, the more my stomach twisted in knots.

Is this a breakup breakfast? Is this man that’s technically not my man about to break up with me?

I washed my hands and then returned to the kitchen.

Each step across the tile floor felt like I was walking toward the end. The delicious spread before me looked like my final meal. The subject he had to talk to me about was the means in which I would be killed. And the man with the light brown eyes who watched me cross the room was my executioner.

“This looks good,” I said, my voice trembling a bit as I took a seat across from him.

“Thank you.” His eyes pierced me. “Let me make you a plate.”

He put the eggs, bacon, and pancakes on a plate for me and then he did the same for himself.

“Let’s eat,” he continued. “I don’t want your food to get cold.”

Bowing my head, I said a quick prayer over my food and then I picked up a piece of bacon. I chomped down as I watched him stuff a fork full of pancake in his mouth. The way he was chewing and nodding made me cut into my pancakes next. That first taste was heavenly—and it only got better with each bite.

“What did you put in these?” I wondered after most of the stack was gone. “I don’t think I’ve ever eaten pancakes this fast.”

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