Page 58 of The Best Man: Unfinished Business

Chapter Thirty-five

Robyn

Kwesi and Robyn had settled into a booth at NsuomNam.

Robyn was intimately familiar with this fine dining establishment whose name translated into “food of the sea.” She loved to sample the dishes from other creators—Accra’s culinary scene was exploding with creativity and perspective.

It was inspiring. But Robyn was on edge and already two glasses of prosecco in before they were brought their starter of kelewele, roasted sweet plantain with ginger, pepper, and a touch of nutmeg.

The overdue rent for her own restaurant, her daughter’s preteen rebellious stage, her ex-husband’s unwarranted and unwanted presence, and her current beau leaving town tomorrow, it was a lot—enough to drive her to drink.

But if she could manage to relax, this would make for an ideal evening.

The setting was beautiful, alive and boisterous with happy well-dressed patrons in their “Friday wear” African print—Ghanaians would proudly display their colors, designs, and style that were completely their own, not influenced by Western fashion.

Robyn and Kwesi were about to experience a curated menu, and she was trying her best to enjoy it without being preoccupied by the confluence of stressful circumstances working her nerves.

Hence the prosecco. As usual Kwesi was attentive, if not a bit intrusive.

Robyn was working hard to distinguish between the two.

Maybe the second glass of bubbly would do what the first hadn’t managed in mellowing out her insides. Kwesi rubbed her outer thigh.

“You doing okay?”

“Yes. Why do you keep asking me that?” Robyn asked, trying to dampen the edge in her voice.

“Well, because your actions are betraying your words,” Kwesi responded.

“What do you want me to say, Kwesi?”

Kwesi placed his hand over hers on the table. His hand was massive, firm, warm, and soft. His touch offered a modicum of calm.

“I want you to tell me what’s on your mind. What’s going on in there?” He pointed with his other hand to her head.

“I don’t want to ruin the evening.” Robyn shifted in her seat.

“Well, we’re not exactly off to a roaring start.” Kwesi smiled.

“And what does that mean?”

“Come on now, luv. There’s tension here. And it makes no sense to keep it inside.” Kwesi’s brow furrowed. “Tell me, should I be worried about your ex?”

“My ex is at least my ex, ” Robyn retorted sharply.

“Robyn…” Kwesi’s face looked disappointed. “I told you…we are not together.”

Robyn wasn’t trying to pick a fight with Kwesi.

But the complexity of his circumstances was much harder to accept when her own life felt so acutely unsettled.

“No, you just look like you’re together.

For the ‘sake of the kids.’?” Robyn pulled her hand away from his to make air quotes and then tried to sip her already drained champagne flute.

Kwesi took a deep breath. “I don’t mean to bring more stress to your life. I want to be a stress reliever, not make it complicated.” His face showed sincere concern.

Robyn closed her eyes to reset for a moment, trying to muster her usual disposition.

Relax, Robyn, she told herself, then replied, “Well, it’s complicated for me.

All of it is.” With that, she signaled the waitstaff for a refill.

“You go on holiday with your wife. Should I be concerned about that? You’re not even divorced.

How am I supposed to take that?” She turned to Kwesi, eyes pleading for an answer she could accept.

He took a deep breath and leaned forward toward her.

“For one it’s cheaper,” he began, seeming to consider his words.

“Divorce is expensive, and we wanted our family unit together. We do some holidays together. Mainly, we do separate things…but it took a while. For the kids, they’ve known there’s been a change, but they rolled with it.

They see us. So, it’s kind of ‘divorce light’?

I don’t know what I’d call it, but for now it’s working.

She’s free to see who she wants as am I.

It all works somehow. We’re probably the most honest we’ve been with one another since we’ve known each other.

” The freedom of “honesty” resonated with Robyn.

Kwesi continued, “That’s important. If you’re honest with Harper and vice versa everything should be okay. Unless he’s an arsehole.”

Harper, an ‘arsehole’? Robyn laughed. “He’s not that bad.

We’ve had a better relationship since we broke up.

At least…more mature.” Kwesi seemed to relax as Robyn continued.

“And as far as Harper is concerned, I did not tell him to come here and play house.” Robyn looked at Kwesi to meet his eyes. “That was Mia’s doing.”

Kwesi nodded. “She misses her dad. I get it. But I want you to know I’m not intimidated by the situation.

” The tone of his reply was confident and sincere.

He added, “I guess it’s partially because I understand complexity.

But I know what it is and how I feel about you.

It’s not easy, but we’re honest. Robyn…I want this. ”

“Why?” Robyn wondered aloud. “It’s so…messy.” Kwesi studied her for a moment before replying, his eyes moving across her face in the dim illumination at their intimate table for two.

“I see a beautiful woman who is intelligent, resilient, nurturing, and makes some of the most delicious inventive dishes I’ve ever tasted.

It would definitely make me fat if I wasn’t careful.

” Robyn smiled. Kwesi continued, “I mean who cooks with cocoa butter?” Robyn laughed and blushed a little.

“You’re a selfless individual. You deserve to get back what you put out in the world. ”

Briefly interrupting, the waitress brought their second course of the braised oxtail and Swahili coconut fish. The complex aromas filled the air at the table.

“I know who I am and who you are,” Kwesi continued.

“You think you know me?”

Kwesi nodded. “I think so. And I’m not trying to replace Mia’s father.

Harper is Mia’s father, but I do want to be your man.

” Kwesi smiled at her. Robyn’s insides warmed.

She wasn’t sure if the prosecco was kicking in or if it was Kwesi’s words, his dark eyes, and tantalizing lips that were making her feel this way. But it really didn’t matter.

At the end of their courses, Kwesi spoon-fed Robyn their hibiscus sorbet dessert.

“Robyn, I want you to believe in us,” he said.

“I don’t care how complicated it gets. I’m not going anywhere.

” Kwesi caressed the side of her face with his smooth, soft hand.

Robyn leaned into his warmth. “I’m asking you to take a leap of faith with us.

” Ironically, Robyn had said those very words to Harper several times during their marriage—a leap of faith on them, a leap of faith on her, a leap of faith on the future of Robyn’s Nest. Harper couldn’t do it.

He wouldn’t. She’d doubted herself, doubted her instincts following his lead.

She didn’t want to be led. Now she wanted to lead.

Despite the tension she’d been feeling all night, Kwesi had succeeded in making her understand more about him as a man.

He was very thoughtful, smart, ambitious, driven too—much like Harper—but also attentive, protective, empowering.

She felt safe with him. And their sex? Mmmm…

yes. She was planning on getting some for sure tonight, before he left on his trip.

Thinking of the work he’d be putting in to make her remember him turned her on.

Is that selfish? she wondered. Yes. And it was about time.