Page 49 of Love Delayed
The two glasses I had already consumed weren’t enough to trick my mind into believing I was enjoying this date.
“Absolutely. And you, sir?” he asked Jayden.
“I’m good, partner. I have to drive,” he said and gave me a look of disapproval. “So, do you always drink this much?” he asked, taking a baby sip of his wine.
“Well, Jayden, it depends,” I told him, past the point of annoyance with this jerk.
“On?” he asked as if my answer would determine whether he stayed or stand to leave.
“It depends on my mood, the company I’m with, and where I am,” I replied and thanked Nick for my refill.
“Can you clarify what that actually means?” he asked.
Before I could reply, I heard a deep male voice call my name. I looked up, and when I saw him standing there, I couldn’t contain myself. I jumped up from my seat and grabbed him into a tight hug.
“Are you okay? I got your messages. We’ll talk as soon as I’m done eating,” I told Marcus. Then, remembering I was there with Mr. Egotistical, I pulled Marcus by the hand closer to the table. “Jayden, this is my good friend, Marcus, who owns this place. Marcus, this is Jayden.”
“Nice to meet you,” Marcus said, extending his hand.
Instead of shaking hands with Marcus, Jayden sat there shaking his head.
“You know what, I’m gonna go,” he said and stood.
“Wait. Why are you leaving?” I asked, puzzled by his reaction.
“You know why,” Jayden answered with a half-smile. “Y’all should work y’all shit out,” he told me before walking away.
Instead of trying to convince him to stay, I let his ass leave.Asshole didn’t even bother to paythe bill before leaving,I thought to myself. As Marcus and I stood there, I fell into a fit of laughter. Marcus looked at me like I was crazy.
“What the hell is so funny, Zee?” he asked three or four times before we sat.
It took me a minute to regain my composure.
“Zamora, you have to tell me what was so funny.”
Just then, Nick came over to the table carrying the food Jayden and I had ordered. When he saw Marcus in Jayden’s seat, his facial expression turned to a look of confusion.
“Mr. Coleman, what a surprise.”
“Hey, Nick. Box it all up and comp it. I’ll take care of your tip,” Marcus told him.
Needing no further instructions from the boss, Nick took the plates and returned to the kitchen.
“You are such a sight for sore eyes,” he said, his eyes glossed over.
I could see the pain etched on his face.
“You have the key. Go head up. I’ll wait for the food. Whatever it is, I’m here. We can talk all night if that’s what you need.”
He wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, and with a nod, he stood up and headed to the elevator. I knew that look of pain on his face. I remember so well because that was the look he had when he told me goodbye.
After Nick returned with the boxed food, I went upstairs. Marcus was on the sofa with his head tilted back and his forearm draped across his forehead. I placed the food on the island and went over to sit next to him.
“You look so beautiful,” he complimented.
I smiled. “Thank you. Now tell me what’s wrong, Marc. What happened?”
He stood and went for the liquor, and I removed my earrings and shoes to get comfortable. He threw back a shot and poured another before rejoining me on the sofa.