my realtor course as well.” He nods at me. “Her brother-in-law, James, has been mentoring me. Well, he was before the plague hit,” he jokes, flashing another smile.
Shawnee meets his smile and adds a little eyelash batting.
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” I say, completely uncomfortable witnessing this but if I leave, I’ll be cockblocking. As a wingwoman it’s my responsibility to stand here and keep the conversation going.
“James is the best,” Shawnee says.
“He really is. So cool and amazing at real estate but humble. Even though I think he might be one of the most successful in the city.”
“Oh, he is,” Shawnee confirms. “He’s a platinum realtor. Top five in the city.”
“Wow,” Anthony adds, as if he didn’t already know that. “And what do you do?”
“Photography. It’s more of a hobby.” She sets me up for the brag. God help me.
“Don’t listen to her. She’s one of the most sought-after photographers on the East Coast. Google her, Shawnee Kimathi. Her work is amazing.”
“Kimathi?” His brow knits and it becomes real. “No way. Is your dad Dr. Adamu Kimathi?”
“Oh my God, yes. How do you know him?” Her eyes widen and I take a step back.
“I sat in on a lecture of his, a couple of years back. He was doing a series on success in business and the connection it has with athletes. It was fascinating. He’s a genius.” Anthony doesn’t know this, but he has done the very thing that will endear him to Shawnee for the rest of her life. “His life story is captivating too. Being born in Kenya but adopted into a Canadian family and ending up here. His adopted parents’ family has roots to the underground railroad.”
“My great-great-great-grandpa helped get people across the border into Canada,” Shawnee adds.
I take another step back.
This scenario started as a possible hookup, maybe one-night stand considering there is an eight-year age gap, but now I’m seeing so much more than a casual encounter. They are clicking.
The Deep‘n Delicious cake calls to me from the bag in her hand. I contemplate her need for sex and my need for cake and make a weak choice. I’m a bad friend.
“I have to run upstairs. Let me just grab these.” I hurry over, interrupting but they’re so enthralled they don’t notice me.
When I step into the elevator, my heart swells.
I just watched a perfect meet-cute.
Even in the time of plague, death, and chaos, people can fall in love.
There is hope for the world.
And maybe hope for me.
But until I’m ready for that, I have cake and a cat.
I’m luckier than a lot of people.
And today is one of the days I can see that.
Chapter 26
April 30
It’s been almost four weeks since the placenta previa and Rod incident.
Four weeks since Sam last spoke to me. His ability to avoid running into me is remarkable. No more mail in the wrong box or random elevator meetings.
I’m just glad I never told Liz or Shawnee about accidentally having sex with him, or we’d be discussing the situation nonstop.
“Can you get me some water, Lil?” Liz asks. She’s back at my place because she needs the elevator. We’ve spent two weeks together, with James coming and going. It’s been nice. Like being kids again without needing to be told to go to bed.
“Of course,” I pause the show on the new big screen TV on the wall of my bedroom and hurry to the kitchen. I get us both a water as Romeo meows at my feet, circling and purring. “Do you need food?” I ask, but instead of going for his bowl, he runs for the door.
He stands on his back legs and scratches at the wooden door.
“What are you doing?” I ask and walk to him. “Do you want to go in the hall?” I open the door for him, a bit confused on what he thinks he will find out there.
Sam’s door opens at exactly that moment. Our eyes meet but the attention is quickly diverted to the cat sprinting in his direction. “Why hello, little man.” He scoops Romeo up and scratches his head. “Letting him roam the halls now?” he asks, not meeting my gaze.
“No, it was weird. He started scratching at the door. I’ve never seen him do that before.” My voice is small and my stomach flutters with nerves.
“Maybe he missed me.” He nuzzles his face into Romeo’s fur.
“I miss you,” I admit. It’s a big thing for me. “I’m sorry I never told you,” I blurt, not