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The day went surprisingly well. I wasn’t surprised. Ezekiel was charming, intriguing, and so damn delightful. I had experienced every single one of his attributes but to see them delivered to others, men and women, was downright torture. I didn’t like the way he openly flirted with mothers, aunts, and grandmothers. There were a few greats tossed in there as well because the man didn’t discriminate with regard to who he charmed. As little as they trusted him, after being introduced they were still under his spell and he used that to his advantage.
They might not have been entirely on board with all the promises he made but they loved him. Couldn’t get enough and neither could I. I was angry with myself for wanting more. Angry for longing to fill a place in me that wouldn’t experience him again. I tried to ignore that neediness and failed miserably.
“I want gardens. Community gardens. We used to have them but the dealers started hiding their stuff in them and you know what kind ofstuffI mean.”
“I do and I assure you, you’ll have your gardens. It’s a small amendment and one that won’t cost much. I can even make sure there’s a community shed that will house everything you’ll need to tend to your gardens.”
The confidence in his delivery, the way he held their gazes to assert he meant what he’d said. Fuck, it was so endearing.
“And what about when they decide they want to mess with my gardens?”
“There won't be athey. I’m working on cleaning up the areas but for added assurance, how about we put the gardens behind locked gates with limited access?”
“You’d do that?”
“I will.”
“And how can I be sure you’ll keep your promise?”
“Do you have a pen…” Ezekiel’s eyes swept the tiny living room and Gwendolyn, who he’d been talking with, reached to a small shelf beside her and lifted a plastic box. She removed a pen and handed it to Ezekiel who already had a business card in hand. He had been doing this all day so I knew what was coming.
As I’d seen him do about twenty or so times already today, he scribbled his number on the back and handed the card over. Gwendolyn flipped it in her fingers.
“What’s this?”
“Your guarantee that I won’t disappear on you. My promises will be delivered and a way for you to reach me in the event that I don’t. This is my personal number.”
“You’re giving me your personal number?”
Ezekiel smiled in that confidently sexy way, another thing he had been doing all day.
“I am as long as you promise to be respectful with the offering. No late-night calls for pillow talk.” He winked at Gwendolyn who blushed, deservingly so. Having this man’s attention made you blush.
“I don’t know if I want to make that promise or not.” She smiled in a cheesy way. “And this is your number. Not your office or your assistant?”
“My personal cell number. You can test it now if you don’t trust me.”
She stared his way harshly for a moment then smiled. “I trust you. Probably shouldn’t but I do.”
“Good to know.”
I stood and brushed my hands over the side of my thighs. “We should get going. We’ve taken up enough of your time.”
“Yes, we should but I thank you for offering that time.” He stood and moved next to me.
“You did your part and made the effort. Least I could do was hear you out,” Gwendolyn stated then added, “I’m glad I did, but you’d better not let me down, Omari.”
“I don’t plan to. All a man has of value is his word and I’m giving you mine.”
We left and started toward my building. I walked beside him, in my head until he forced me out of it.
“What’s on your mind?”
“What makes you think something’s on my mind?”
“You’re quiet but your thoughts feel weighted.”
“You can’t feel my thoughts.”
