Page 33 of Business Casual

He licked his lips. “It’s getting there.”

“Is it hard working with your dad?”

With a slow smile, he picked up his milkshake. “It’s… different.” He let out a little chuckle. “Don’t get me wrong, my father is a great man. I love him. I love what he’s built. I love what we do. But his expectations have always been high so there are some… challenges that come with that.”

Searching his face, I recognized the struggle of someone who didn’t want to disappoint. I nodded sympathetically. “I can imagine.”

“What about you and your dad? You said you built your car with him. How was that?”

“It came with some challenges.” I laughed to myself. “But overall, it was a great time. I couldn’t do it full-time though, so I respect that you are doing it and doing so well.”

“I don’t mean to pry but I notice you keep saying youworkedwith your dad—past tense,” he observed with a kindness in his tone.

I exhaled, taking my time chewing my food before answering. “Yeah, I um… He—”

“How are things over here?” the waitress asked, interrupting the conversation. She pulled out her little notepad. “Do you need anything?”

“Imani, you need anything?”

Something about the way he said my name spread warmth throughout my entire body.

“I’m good, thank you,” I told him softly.

“We’re good. Thank you, ma’am.” He leaned down and picked up something from the floor. “Don’t lose your stuff.”

“Oh wow, thank you!” she exclaimed, stuffing the twenty-dollar bill back into her apron. “I don’t even know how that fell out.”

“No need to thank me. I’m just glad I saw it fall.”

She put her hands to her chest and gave him the biggest smile. “Thank you,” she repeated.

“You’re welcome,” he replied.

I watched on in awe.

When she walked away, Tre eyed me warily for a moment. “What?”

I shook my head. “Nothing. You just have an effect on people and it’s fascinating to witness.”

“What do you mean?”

“You light people up.” I grabbed a fry and pointed it at him. “I noticed it before the interview… and with Josephine… with Bryce and with the bartender… with your dad, with the other executives… and now with the waitress.” I bit the fry and chewed. “You just light people up.”

His eyes pinged my face and a soft smile played on his lips. “I’ve never heard that before. Thank you.”

“I’ve known you for less than two days and I see it clear as day. That’s your vibe.”

“Well do you know what vibe I get from you?” he countered.

Licking my lips, I waited. “What?”

“Peaceful.”

“Peaceful,” I repeated softly as inexplicable butterflies lightly fluttered in my belly.

He nodded. “When I first saw you, it was in the way you were staring out into the courtyard. But when I first looked into your eyes, I felt peace. I was in the kind of meeting that fucks up your day if you let it. And then I saw you…”

“And it turned your whole day around?” I guessed jokingly.

---