AN HOUR LATER, KAYLA EMERGED inside the kitchen to offer Leslie some help with the dishes while Richmond and the others took the children outside to play. Sliding her hands in the back pockets of her jeans, she walked up to Leslie as she stood at the sink doing the dishes. “Is there anything I can help you with?” Kayla asked, having thoroughly enjoyed her dinner at Leslie’s. The lady had said she could cook, and she hadn’t been lying. Fried and baked chicken, dressing, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, squash, and green beans, Leslie had prepared a feast. Had thrown down in the kitchen today.
“Thanks for offering to help, Kayla. But I don’t like my guests pitching in and helping. When you come to my house, I want you to enjoy yourself, relax, and make yourself at home.”
Momentarily awkwardness formed inside Kayla. “Thanks for dinner. Everything was delicious.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Anytime you’re in the mood for some good food, just know my doors are always open. I cook a big meal like this every Sunday.”
Kayla’s heart beamed when she’d given her a regular invite to her home on Sundays. “Every Sunday? That’s a lot of preparation, and a whole lot of food.”
Kayla thought she detected sincerity in Leslie’s eyes. “Yes, it is. But I don’t mind cooking for my family. Now that they’re all adults, I don’t get to see them that often, so I look forward to them coming over on Sundays. By the way, pay Russell and me no mind. The two of us have a love-hate thing going on. Although he gets on my last cotton picking nerve, he’s the father of my children, so I put up with him.”
Easing her hands from her pockets, Kayla let loose a light chuckle. “The two of you are so funny. You remind me of my grandparents when they were alive.”
“Oh yeah? What were your grandparents’ names?”
“Leroy and Priscilla Van Buren.”
Leslie’s mouth dropped wide open. “Get out! I knew Leroy. Oh. Leroy was a good, good man. Whenever I got sick and didn’t feel like going to the doctor, Leroy would come by here in a hurry. Using natural herbs for medicine, he always managed to nurse me back to good health. I used to swear by his rituals in lieu of medicine.”
Jesus Christ! Her grandfather was extremely close to this family, and probably even closer to Salina. Praying that her grandfather didn’t poison Salina, Kayla’s happy mood sloped downward. “Yes, people said he was great at natural healing.”
“Now your grandmother, Priscilla. I never got the chance to meet her. But from what the folks around here say, she was just as pretty as you. They said she had the kind of figure that made men stop in their tracks and drool.” Leslie’s eyes rolled over Kayla’s body. “I guess you got your figure from your grandmother, and that’s why my son is so taken by you. Other than his deceased wife, he’s never brought a woman here to visit.”
“He probably wouldn’t have brought me either if you hadn’t invited me.” Kayla shrugged matter of factly.
Leslie wrung out the washcloth, draped it over the nozzle of the faucet, then took a step forward. Glancing around the kitchen, ensuring the coast was clear, she whispered, “I knew my son was interested in you before I even met you.”
Kayla’s insides clapped with joy. “Really?”
Leslie continued whispering. “Yes. I saw it on his face yesterday while at that child’s birthday party at the stables.” She patted Kayla’s shoulder. “I don’t know what you’re doing to him, but by all means, please keep doing it. He hasn’t looked that good since Salina died.”
Kayla’s heart sang with delight. “I’ll try my hardest to make him happy.”
“He can be a bit stubborn at times. So sometimes you—”
“What are you two in here whispering about?” Richmond emerged inside the kitchen with a big smile on his handsome face.
Leslie twirled her wrist in the air. “Oh, nothing. Just having girl talk, that’s all.”
“Mom, I need to run to the outlet mall real quick. Do you mind watching Isabelle for me for a little while?”
Kayla offered, “I’ll watch her for you. She can go home with me if you want her to.”
Richmond replied, “Well, I was going to ask you and CJ to come with me. I need to pick her up a present for her upcoming birthday, and I don’t want her to see it.”
Leslie came up with a wonderful idea. “How about this…I’ll keep both her and CJ while the two of you go out and have yourselves a good time. It’s such a pretty day out, I’m sure you can find something to do after you leave the mall.”
Kayla had to think hard about Leslie’s kind offer. “Are you sure you don’t mind watching CJ? He can be a handful sometimes.”
Leslie cocked her head. “Raising three boys all at once, I’m sure CJ won’t be any trouble for me. I’m used to it.”
Kayla was glad to hear her say she’d have no problem watching CJ. “Thank you so much, Leslie. For everything.”
Leslie nodded. “You’re quite welcome. And thank you for coming to dinner.”
“It was my pleasure.” Depending on how things worked out between her and Richmond, hopefully this wouldn’t be her last time coming to eat dinner with Leslie and her nice and very entertaining family.
Kayla and Richmond said goodbye to everyone, then headed for the Tanger Outlet Mall on Highway 278. Approximately twenty minutes away from his mother’s house, they’d gotten there before she knew it. Looking revitalized from the very first time she’d showed up on his doorstep, he pulled into the parking lot of the mall and parked.
Wanting to broach the question about them dating, Kayla twisted her hands in her lap. She didn’t want to seem too pushy or anything, but now that he’d told his family they were dating, she wanted to know if he was kidding or if he’d meant it. They’d only known each other for a few weeks, so of course he had to be teasing them. Of course, he’d only said it because he’d been put on the spot.
Removing the key from the ignition, Richmond shifted in his seat to look at her. “I hope I didn’t offend you earlier.”
She felt elated about the possibility that he may have been serious. “Offend me how?”
“When I up and told my family you and I were dating. I love saying things to get them hyped.” He chortled.
Saying something he didn’t mean wasn’t at all funny to Kayla. So the only reason he’d said they were dating was to get his family and friends excited? Playing with her emotions, who in the hell did he think he was? Frowning, she crumpled her nose. “To be honest, Richmond, I am offended.”
Bewilderment settled on his face. “Huh?”
Unnerved by his teasing, her heart grappled in her chest. “You shouldn’t have said we were dating if you didn’t mean it.”
“Look, Kay.” Kay? When had he started calling her Kay? Kay sounded so sweet coming from his mouth. Like it had a special meaning. Richmond continued. “If there’s one thing I want you to know about me, it’s this—I don’t lie.” Truth rounded his eyes as he hooked his gaze on hers. “Forgive me if I overstepped my boundaries when I said we were dating. But because I don’t have a habit of running around and sleeping with different women, I have no clue how to define what we’re doing. Do I like you? Yes. Do I want a serious relationship with you? I don’t know. Only time will tell. I do know that I enjoy spending time with you. Making love to you. And kissing you until your lips swell. Let’s just take it one day at a time and enjoy each other in the process.”
She was both excited and aggravated by what he’d just said. “So this is just sex, then?”
“No. It’s not just sex.” His eyes were full of half-promises.
“Then what is it?”
Richmond’s sigh sounded like one of obstruction. “I already told you, I don’t know. Why does what we share need a title?”
“It doesn’t,” Kayla huffed. Frustrated, she pushed open the door to the SUV, clambered down, and started walking ahead of him toward the mall. Disappointment turned over and over inside her as she crossed the parking lot. If we’re not dating, then why am I sleeping w
ith him? I’m so stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
“Kay! Wait up!” Jogging, he fell in stride beside her. He clutched her shoulders, stopping her fast-paced walk.
“Don’t call me that.”
“What?”
She jutted her chin. “Kay.”
“Kay.”
Folding her arms beneath her breasts, she stomped her foot. “I’m serious, Richmond. Don’t call me Kay.”
“Why not?” His eyes clung to hers, analyzing her reaction.
“Because it sounds so sweet and sensual. Like it has deep meaning. Like you care about me.”
His eyes darting back and forth, he grasped her shoulders. “I do care about you, Kay. Look, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings or upset you. If you really need to give our relationship a title, that’s fine. My main concern is that you’re happy. Okay?”
Whatever. I’m not begging a man to call me his girlfriend. Unh-uh. “How about this name for a title? Friend.”
His left brow rose. “Friend. Why, Kay, I think I like it.”
Uuugh! Friends didn’t make love the way they had. “Me, too,” she outright lied.