The Single Life with Zola Patterson Part 2 - Danielle Allen Page 0,44

people know stuff that they don’t.”

“Zola!” Heaven exclaimed with a huge grin. “I have your print out right here.”

My brows furrowed as she jogged over with the box. “You have my print out?”

“Yes,” she exhaled, slightly winded. “I’ll walk you out.” She looked at her sister. “Angel, grab your stuff.”

I allowed Heaven to rush me out of the studio and once the door closed behind us, she made a face. “I’m sorry! I was on the phone taking down info for a huge piece I’m being commissioned to do!”

“That’s great! Congratulations!”

“Sorry to keep you waiting, though.”

“No problem,” I assured her, waving it off. “It was nice to meet Angel.”

“Did you tell her anything? About what you were picking up?”

I shook my head. “No…”

She let out a sigh of relief. “Thank God! We love Angel, but she is a blabbermouth. She can’t keep a secret to save her life. We tell her stuff after the fact and since you wouldn’t even tell me why you asked me to get this for you, it’s probably a surprise.”

I laughed lightly. “I didn’t tell her anything. And good thing because it’s definitely a surprise.” I opened the manilla envelope and smiled. “This is such a cute picture of him! I will get this back to you on Friday. I promise.”

We said our goodbyes and I drove to the other side of town to Tempest Lounge. I glanced in the passenger seat. The envelope I’d just picked up from Heaven was on one side and the copy of my dad’s favorite book was on the other. Because I had to stop for gas and then I had to make a deposit at the bank, I bought myself twenty extra minutes to solidify my decision. I took a deep breath and turned the music in the car up louder.

I’m making the right decision, I assured myself as I stepped on the gas.

“Hey, Miranda,” I greeted my agent as soon as she picked up the phone. “Thank you so much.”

“It’s not a problem at all,” she assured me. “But in order to get it done by Friday morning, I’ll need to get everything to them by eight. Are you close?”

“I’m pulling up now.” I turned toward the entrance and scanned the area for her car. “Are you wearing a pink pantsuit?”

“Yes. I’m standing in front of the Tempest Lounge sign.” She lifted her hand and waved. “Oh! I see your car!”

I pulled up to her and she walked around to the driver’s side window. “Thank you so much,” I gushed, grabbing her hand. “I appreciate you.”

“You are so welcome.” She looked around. “And actually, I’ve been in Richland for two years and I’ve never even heard of this place. Looks nice. I’ll have to check it out.”

“You should. They have these potato things that are amazing.” Handing her the manilla envelope, I smiled. “Thank you for this.”

“They said they can have it done by Friday at noon if I get it there tonight. I’ll text you with the information.”

“I owe you!”

She backed away with the package. “If you find me a date, we’ll be even.”

“I got you!” I waved as she got into her car and then I hunted for a parking space.

Five minutes later, I was twenty minutes late for my date with Jordan. There were far fewer people at Tempest Lounge on a Wednesday night versus on the weekend, so I spotted Jordan instantly. The maître d’ escorted me to him. I was almost there when I realized Jordan was sitting at the same table we shared on our first date.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” I apologized as I took a seat. “Have you been here long?”

“No, you’re fine,” he assured me. Looking over to our waiter, he lifted his hand and signaled. “I ordered some wine for us. It’s on its way now.”

“That’s good.”

Seconds later, wine was being poured into our glasses.

“Do you know what you want?” the waiter asked, looking between us.

“Zola, do you need a minute?” he asked.

I nodded. “Uh, yeah,” I answered nervously.

Once we were left alone again, my nerves twisted my gut.

“You look incredible,” he told me, taking a sip and looking at me flirtatiously. “I’m a lucky man.”

We stared at each other for a moment.

“You’re an amazing man,” I told him, tapping my fingers against the table. “That’s what you are.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that.” He reached over and clasped my hand between his. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

I opened my mouth to answer