Page 23 of Tempted to Love You
“Hello.”
“Oh my God! You’ll never guess what just happened to me, Rakai.” The elation in Latia’s tone causes me to stop typing so I can give her my undivided attention.
“What happened, mama?”
“I got an offer for an anchor position in San Diego. The HR representative for the local station there reached out to me with an offer to double my salary, cover my relocation expenses, and assist me with finding a place to live. I can’t believe it. I love being in the background here, but a chance at anchoring would shift my career.”
My breaths slow, and my heartbeat becomes irregular as I process the news from Latia that could change not only her career but our future. How the hell did I go from picking Latia’s brain subtly about ring designs to losing her in a matter of days? Although interrupted briefly by Tiana, our mall adventure was a success because I have begun taking steps to ensure our future.
“Oh. That’s great. What did you tell them?” My voice is foreign to my ears as I attempt to force an excited tone I don’t feel. The thought of losing Latia has my stomach souring and my chest pinching.
“I haven’t yet. I was too stunned to give an answer. I asked them to give me a week to decide, and I would get back to them with my answer. I’m stoked, though this would be huge for me. Wow, I—hold on a second,” Latia tells me before her background becomes muffled, like she’s holding the phone against her chest.
Heaviness surges through my limbs, and my breathing becomes slower as I wait for Latia to return to the line. My lips are pursed slightly, and my eyebrows close together as thoughts of Latia leaving me and moving out of town dampen my mood.
“I’m sorry. I have to run,” Latia says, returning to the call.
“Alright. Let’s discuss it further over dinner tonight.”
“Okay. Text me the details, please.”
With that, Latia disconnects the call, and air leaves my mouth as pain radiates across my chest. Hanging my head, I close my eyes, fighting the urge to pound my fists against the desk or throw something against the wall. The option for Latia to get a job offer and leave me didn’t penetrate my mind while planning to lock her down despite her career.
“What’s got you sulking, man?” Grant’s voice forces me to lift my head to see him leaning against the doorjamb of my office.
My eyes start burning as I mentally threaten my tear ducts about releasing the water gathering in front of my friend and boss.
“Aye. You got a minute? I need to get some shit off my chest.”
Nodding, Grant fully enters the office, closes the door, walks to the empty chair in front of my desk, and takes a seat.
“Is everything alright? You look like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Which one of these people is stressing youout?” Grant’s serious expression causes a low sigh to escape my mouth.
“How much time do you think I’ll get if I kidnap my woman and keep her hostage until the San Diego news station scouting her loses interest?”
“Somewhere between being ensnared by your lady’s pearl and now, you forgot that Pops threatened to put you down like a rabid dog if he sees you on his side of the metal bars,” Grant tells me with a deadpan expression.
“Damn. Help me come up with a few ideas then. I can’t lose her, man.”
“Next time, lead with that.”
The idea of facing Mr. Bryan because love sent me back to lockup has me reconsidering allowing myself to fall over the ledge.
“I’ve been a journalist for years and love what I do, but becoming an anchor would be amazing. I have no idea how I even got on their radar. Man, this is wild but so dang on exhilarating.” The wide grin and twinkling glee in Latia’s eyes makes it challenging for me not to join in her excitement.
The problem is my heart is crying, and my chest is pinching the longer I stare at Latia as the urge to cry wallops me. Latia has been rambling for the last ten minutes, and with each word, the chambers of my heart fracture a bit more.
“Don’t sit here pretending like you’re not that woman. That station would be better with you than without you. Of course, they want you on their team. You deserve this.”
Against my bleeding heart, I pump Latia’s head, although doing so deflates my appetite.
“Aww. Thank you, Rakai. I appreciate that.” Latia wipes the corners of her mouth with the napkin from her lap before continuing to eat.
The sirloin steak on my plate could easily be roadkill because my stomach twists with the bite I put in my mouth. Despite the special garlic butter dollop on top of the beef intended to enhance the flavor, I chewed the meat without appreciating its effect.
“No thanks needed. How’s your pasta?” Picking up my glass of water, I coat my dry mouth while attempting to change the subject.
My racing heartbeat and tightness in my chest make the shift necessary, so I can try to regroup and collect my bearings.
