Page 4 of Objection

Serenity

I couldn’t stop smiling when we pulled up to my favorite barbecue joint in Rose Valley Hills.

It reminded me of Green Street Smoked Meats in Chicago because of the layout, but it tasted like Memphis barbecue.

Rico’s Ribs had a coffee shop in the underground first level, a bar and buffet with family style seating on the second level, and rooftop seating on the third.

On the second level, there were TVs on the walls, low music playing, and a small arcade area that was hardly ever free.

When I heard Kaos laughing, I looked over at him. Though he’d told me to call him Kaos, especially afterhours, I couldn’t, so I called him by his last name. I was a firm believer in the power of words, and Kaos had always filled me with everything but chaos.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“The fact that I could have taken you literally anywhere, but I knew you wouldn’t be as excited as you would be to come here.”

“Hey, what can I say? Ain’t nothing better than a good plate of barbecue.”

Raquel opened the door for Kaos, then he came to open mine.

I put my hand in his and stepped out of the car, ignoring how good the warmth radiating from his large hand felt against mine.

Ignoring the way his eyes traveled my frame, I adjusted my dress and waited for Kaos to close the door so we could go inside.

While he ordered our drinks at the bar, I took a moment to acknowledge how good he looked today.

The blue suit looked delectable against his cinnamon brown skin.

He was tall and wide with a muscular build.

There were tattoos on his chest, arms, and hands.

He had dark, shiny eyes, naturally arched brows, and skin colored, juicy lips that looked like the softest pillows.

His beard was black and thick, and so was his tapered fade, but it had a few streaks a gray in the front that added age and wisdom to the forty year old who looked as young as thirty-five.

When he turned to face me, I quickly shifted my gaze, though his smile made it clear he caught me looking.

“Where would you like to sit, Serenity?”

Looking around the room, I decided on the long table in the back that was empty.

He led the way and set our drinks down before confirming what I wanted.

When he left to get our food, I checked my notifications.

The calls and text messages from my ex made me block him.

I hadn’t planned to, but I didn’t like how it felt to see that he’d reached out to me.

It felt invasive. He chose to downplay my place in his life and not give me the priority and attention I deserved.

Since he didn’t value my place in his life, I left.

I don’t think Mario expected me to actually break up with him, so he was shocked when I did.

Now, he was calling and texting and applying the pressure he should have had to keep me instead of using it to try and get me back.

Shortly after, Kaos returned with two trays of food.

I offered to help him grab our sauces, but he declined.

I figured with everything I did to help him around the office, he liked to return the favor on the rare occasions where we went out after work.

Or, he was naturally the kind of man who took care of everything.

I’d gotten into the habit of serving most men as long as they returned the gesture, but I hardly ever had the chance with Kaos unless we were at work.

That’s why I loved doing anything I could to make his days easier—even if it was something as simple as making sure his coffee and breakfast pastry or sandwich were available as soon as he walked through the door.

When we first started eating, there was no conversation between us.

Not only was I hungry because I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, but I was also deep in my thoughts.

Though I didn’t regret breaking up with Mario, I was disappointed that I had to start dating all over again.

When I was in a committed relationship, I cut the rest of the men I was talking to off, and I hated having to start all over again.

When I spooned a bite of elote corn into my mouth, I moaned and danced in my seat. The gesture led to Kaos breaking the silence.

“Good?”

“The best. Far better than what I had back home.”

“Let me taste,” he requested, already shoving his spoon into my corn. I didn’t mind sharing with him, especially since he’d paid for it. “Mm, that is good.”

“Told you.”

“When was the last time you went home? You’ve been working for me for what… two years now? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you mention going back.”

I wiped my mouth and released a shaky breath. “It’s been a while,” I confessed. “I went back maybe three times when I first moved here before I stopped going.”

“Why?”

Shrugging, I lifted my strawberry lemon drop, though I knew the exact reason I’d stopped going to Jasper Lane. “Never really felt good,” I confessed.

“Why not?”

“My daddy is still upset over me leaving so that makes things weird. And my sister won’t say it, but I think she resents me for it too.

She says she loves it in Jasper Lane, but I don’t think she does.

Or maybe she does, but she doesn’t like the responsibility she has at the restaurant and grocery store.

Now that I’m gone, she’s there twice as much. ”

That last part filled me with guilt, but I’d shake it once the conversation passed.

I had to always remind myself it wasn’t my fault that my sister had to work more.

She could have easily said no and gotten my parents to hire someone else.

Not doing so was her choice, and I couldn’t allow guilt to make me feel bad for that.

I did what was best for me, and she would have to as well.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Kaos’s voice was sincere as he covered my hand on top of the wooden table.

“For what it’s worth, I’m glad you came.

My world at work was hectic before you came in and provided structure, help, and peace.

I hope you know whatever you left behind was worth the transition, and I can’t apologize for how selfish that sounds. ”

His words made me grin as they released some of the sadness that temporarily settled on my heart.

“Thank you, Montgomery. I know it was worth it. I really do love my job and the connections I’ve built here.”

“You just wish your family was happy for you too.”

I nodded. “Exactly.”

“Well… you can’t control how people receive and perceive your actions and the choices you make for your life. As long as you had good intentions, that’s all that matters.”

That made me chuckle. “You sound like my mom. She said something very similar the day before I left.”

“Maybe that’s God’s way of reminding you of that truth.”

Our eyes remained locked for a few seconds before I mumbled, “Maybe,” with a smile.

“You wanna go back?”

As I shrugged, we both returned our attention to our food. “I do, but I’m not sure when I will.”

“Well when you go, I’d love to go with you.”

At first, I thought he was joking, but when I looked at him and saw his serious expression, I realized that wasn’t the case.

“That wouldn’t be weird at all,” I replied sarcastically, making him chuckle.

“Why would it be weird?”

“Have you accompanied any of your other employees back home?”

“No.”

“That’s why. It would look like we were dating.”

“Who cares what it would look like? We know the truth. Besides . . . there are worse things in the world than being attached to me, Serenity.” His tone lowered when he added, “In fact, there are few things that are better.”

Clenching my thighs, I licked my lips as my mouth dried.

Swallowing didn’t help. Looking away didn’t help either.

Surrendering to what his rebuttal made me feel, I returned my eyes to his.

I was sure what Kaos said was true, and a part of me wished I could experience more of him.

Unfortunately, regardless of how insanely attracted to this man I was, I loved my job too much to risk it.

The random flirting we did would have to do.