Page 9 of His Noble Heart
“Can you believe this?” Yazmeen asked as soon as I entered the building.
“Girl, I don’t even wanna talk about it. I would’ve rather they brought us in a day earlier than have us here in the middle of July.”
“Same. This better be important. Bronx had a whole fit when I told him we had a mandatory last-minute meeting.”
Yazmeen was cool. She was my work bestie, and we hung out occasionally outside of work. Her husband was Bronx Ravens, who played for the world champion basketball team, the Onyx City Blazers. Raine was also her hairstylist.
“He’s gon’ make you quit this job sooner rather than later.”
“I know. He says it all the time. Thank God his mother moved in with us to help with the kids, or he would’ve made me quit after baby number three.”
“Listen, if me and my imaginary man were millionaires, I’d put in my resignation so damn fast.”
We laughed, but I spoke the truth.
“Don’t say anything, but this is probably my last year.”
“For real? Damn, I’m gon’ miss you.”
“No, you won’t. We’ll still see each other.”
We walked down the hall to the largest conference room in the building. A few people were already seated, including Kenai. When he saw me, he frowned before returning his attention to his phone.
“Umm, what was that about?” Yazmeen asked in a whisper.
“He’s in his feelings, I guess. I’ll tell you during our break.”
We sat on the opposite side of the table from Kenai, and I didn't realize it was a mistake until it was too late. He glared at me almost from the moment I sat down. It would be a miracle if he’d heard anything the principal said because he was too busy staring a hole in my head.
The school provided lunch for us, but we had a full hour, so Yazmeen and I opted to go to a deli about a block away. Weplaced our order when we arrived and sat at one of the empty tables.
“Now, tell me why Kenai gave you that stank face and has been giving you the glare of death all morning,” Yazmeen said.
I rolled my eyes. “A few weeks ago, I ran into him when I went to switch out my laptop. He was all gas, and I had to tell him to pump the brakes.”
“I thought you already told him you weren’t interested.”
“I told him I was taking a break from dating, but that was months ago. He thought it had been a long enough break, but I had to tell him he wasn’t my type because he wouldn’t back off.”
We laughed.
“Girl, if looks could kill, you’d be a goner. He looked at you like you were shit on the bottom of his shoe.”
I shrugged. “I can’t do anything about his lil hurt feelings. He’s a handsome man, but something ain’t right about him.”
“I told you that when you told me he asked you out the first time. Girl, steer clear of him and don’t do or say anything that will make him think he stands a chance.”
We were alerted that our food was ready. After picking it up from the counter, we returned to our seats and caught up while we ate. Yazmeen was married to a millionaire, professional basketball player and lived in a mansion but was one of the most down-to-earth people I’d ever met.
“Let’s get back to this school before they start talking shit. If two people are liable not to come back, it would be us, and they know it.”
The rest of the afternoon dragged, and I was glad when it came to an end. Having to sit through a useless professional development during my break would definitely make me appreciate the rest of my time off even more.
“Let’s plan a spa day with all the ladies before we go back,” Yazmeen suggested.
“Okay. I’ll talk to my sisters and the other ladies and get their availability. You talk to Jahzara.”
Jahzara was her older sister and was married to Bronx’s teammate, Dakari Bentley.
