I ambled into the living room, carrying a bag with my surfing gear in one arm, and flowers from the local florist in the other. Charcoal and spices tickled my nose as I searched for the culprit behind the delicious aroma. It wasn’t long before I spotted him. Elijah was in the backyard, grilling while rapping along to Ogun’s latest single.
My eyes raked over him from head to toe. He was so fine with his low-cut fade, cinnamon brown skin, and expressive oval-shaped eyes. He wore the same coveralls from yesterday with fresh paint stains on them, remnants of today’s session. The tattoos on his arm, back and side were visible as he tied the sleeves around his waist. I noticed the new ink on his back and heaved a sigh.
Why wasn’t he wearing a damn shirt?
Probably because he was cooking, and it was nearly eight degrees outside. I pushed out a breath and made a beeline for the bedroom. After washing off the day, I slipped on a sundress, pulled my hair in a topknot, then met Elijah outside. He was seated in one of the lounge chairs, eating a hamburger and grilled vegetables while tapping away on his phone.
“Hey.”
He looked up, a smirk played on his lips. “Hey. Where you been all day?”
The simple question ignited tingles all over my body.
“Why? You missed me?” I bit my lip, enamored with the view of him sprawled out while eating.
Elijah shrugged. “Maybe.” Humor danced in his eyes, earning a chuckle from me. “I made enough food for the both of us,” he told me moments later, nodding at the pan on the table, next to the grill.
“Since when do you know how to make anything other than toast?”
I was relieved when he laughed. It meant he remembered the terrible food he made me once. Elijah tried to surprise me with breakfast in bed. The sound of the smoke detector resounding throughout his and Chris’s apartment ruined the surprise. I ended up making us food to eat.
“Haha, funny. I took a cooking class about a year ago. I learned enough to keep me alive.”
I walked over to the table, marveling at the burgers, assortment of toppings, and grilled vegetables.
“What did you do today?” he asked between bites.
Peeking over my shoulder, I caught his gaze. “I went to breakfast at a coffee shop not too far from here. Then, I had a surfing lesson at the beach, and after that, I rode a bike along the boardwalk. When I woke up, you were already in the studio. I didn’t want to interrupt you. So, I snuck out of here.”
The only reason I did so much today was to avoid seeing Elijah. After the conversation last night, I wasn’t sure what I’d wake up to in the morning. Elijah woke up before me and went right to the studio. I knew he was deep in his zone when I heard Mecca’s music blasting from the room as I left out.
After I finished making my plate, I sat in the lounge chair next to him. Between us was a small table, on it were two glasses and a pitcher of lemonade. I met his pensive eyes, then asked, “You made lemonade, too?”
“Nah. That’s from Mrs. Kimble. She lives across the street. She saw me meeting the Instameal driver for my grocery order and brought it over. I told her I’d be here for a while. So expect random desserts and muffins from her.”
I nodded. “Ah, so that’s who was looking at me all weird when I was unpacking my car.”
I recalled seeing a petite brown skinned woman when I arrived yesterday morning. She watched from her mailbox with curious eyes. After a beat, she waved politely when I didn’t back down from our stare down.
“Yeah, but she’s sweet as pie. When Chris and I are away, she checks on the house. You’d love her.”
“Chris said he had some friends in the neighborhood who’d look out for me. I hope to meet her soon.”
“If you stick around, you will.”
I smirked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” he replied, grinning. “You have plans tomorrow?”
“Not yet.” But don’t worry, I’ll think of something… “How’s the painting coming along?”
He sighed. “Great, actually. I need to add more highlights and touch up a few spots, but she’s beautiful. I’ll show you once it’s finished.”
“Can’t wait to see,” I beamed.
We ate in silence for a moment. I fixed my gaze on the beach in the distance. There were trees obstructing the view, but if I listened hard enough, I heard the waves crashing on the shore.
“What are you doing for the rest of the night?”
I shrugged. “Nothing, really. I might cuddle up and watch a movie.”
“Or you could go out with me. There’s a jazz club not too far from here that has live music. I was gonna go there to unwind, and maybe get inspiration.”
Staying out of his way was easier said than done because I didn’t hesitate when I answered, “I’m down.”
Elijah smiled while nodding. “We’ll leave in an hour.”
“Okay,” I chirped, then continued eating.
* * *
“Follow me,” the hostess said before leading us to our table. I smiled and did as she requested. Elijah walked a few paces behind us. My heart raced at the possibilities of tonight. Elijah and I knew how to have a good time together. Our instant chemistry got us in a lot of trouble once upon a time. Although tonight was slated to be a chill night out, there was no telling where’d we end up afterward.
I scanned the space, impressed by the decor. The lights were low and intimate. Small cylinder shaped lamps illuminated each table. Table sizes varied in the center of the room, and booths occupied each wall. The platform stage was at the far end of the club. A DJ entertained us while the next performers set up their instruments.
“Here you go.” The hostess motioned to her right. I eyed the small square table and nodded.
“Thanks,” I replied, then reached for my chair. Elijah’s hand covered mine as he pulled out my seat. I met his gaze while sliding my hand from underneath his hand.
“Nothing has changed.” He pointed his head, silently asking for me to sit, so I did. After he settled in his seat, he looked over the cocktail menu. “What made you choose Encinitas?”
I rubbed my lips together. “Umm. I wanted to go somewhere I hadn’t been in a while, and Chris has the house out here, so.” I shrugged, then laughed. “What about you?”
Elijah sat back and placed his arm around my chair. The action was absentminded; I was certain. However, that didn't stop me from moving closer to him. I kept my attention on the menu in front of me.
Elijah did the same as he replied, “I used to come here every few months to check on the place for Chris. I hadn’t been since Deanna started the renovations. It’s calm out here, a nice change of pace from crowded ass L.A. With my deadline approaching, I needed to unplug from everything.”
“You still in the city?”
He shook his head. “Nah. I got a spot in the valley now. People are moving out there to get away from the city. Soon, I’ma have to move out here to get away from it all.”
I rolled my eyes. “Please, you love your city too much to leave.”
“I guess we’ll just have to see, huh?” His heated gaze was on me now. My heart fluttered in response.
Licking my lips, I replied, “I guess so.”
He chuckled throatily, then resumed looking over the menu. Moments later, our waiter took our drink orders. Elijah’s phone vibrated on the table, and I shifted in my seat. His arm tightened around my shoulder while he responded to a text message. I finished up with the waiter, then busied myself on my phone.
Alexis had been texting me all day with the office gossip. She hadn’t told me anything interesting aside from Samuel spending more time in Devin’s office now that I was gone. It was funny since Devin had been texting me all day. I responded dryly as I was wholly disinterested in his two-faced, lying ass. When I returned home, I was going to end things with him.
I glanced at Elijah. His jaw clenched and nostrils flared while looking at his phone. He was too busy typing away to notice me staring. The energy between us shifted, and I assumed it was his girlfriend texting him. When he pushed out an aggravated groan, my suspicions were confirmed. I wiggled from his hold and leaned away from him.
“My bad, Mani.”
“It’s fine,” I lied.
I had no business being cuddled up with him, anyway. He had a girlfriend who he obviously wasn’t breaking up with anytime soon. Part of me was envious of her for being able to have him. The three months we spent together couldn’t compare to the year he’d been with her. They could’ve been together longer, I wouldn’t have known. The realization that Elijah was practically a stranger saddened me.
“I want us to be cool again, and me ignoring you to argue with my ex isn’t a good look.”
Reluctantly, I met his gaze. Air filled my lungs as I sucked in a slow, deep inhale.
“We don’t have to pretend like anything will last outside of this trip.”
What happened to staying out of each other’s way?
Less than a day later, and we’re already going out like two old friends.
Elijah's eyebrows met, and eyes narrowed. He looked away after a moment, shaking his head while replying, “You know as well as I do that isn’t true.”
“Can we just enjoy this night out and not make it about the past or future?” I questioned. “Let’s just accept this for what it is.”
“And what is it?”
“We’re two people sharing a beach house because Chris’s assistant is unorganized.”
Elijah laughed, earning a confused look from me. “You’re making it seem like we’re strangers or something. It was a simple mistake. We stayed, knowing there’s a complicated history between us. So accepting ‘what it is’ means recognizing there’s still something here. We have to talk about what happened.”
He was right, but I would never admit it. Instead, I brought up the obvious reason we shouldn’t get close.
“You’re in a relationship, kind-of. Yeah, she broke up with you, but that could change when you get back. I will not be your rebound or hall pass chick.”
“Come on. You know I respect you too much to make you a rebound. Me and Harlow, we’re done for good. She was texting me to let me know that she’s getting her stuff from my place.”
The interruption from our waiter gave me the opportunity to recover. I hadn’t expected him to be so honest, so soon. But then again, transparency had always been one of his strong suits. His ability to be open and honest was refreshing, since I’d been dealing with sneaky, conniving Devin. I brought my glass to my mouth, sipping my strawberry mojito.
“I’m kind of seeing someone right now,” I told him moments later. “It’s nothing serious, but it is very, very complicated. So, I want you to keep that in mind.”
Elijah nodded. “Noted. But I’m not worried about that.”
“Why not?”
“If your situation meant something to you, you wouldn’t be spending two weeks with me.”
“I’m not spending two weeks with you. You just happened to be visiting at the same time as me.”
Elijah’s chuckle ignited a fire in my center. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
I took another sip of my drink, willing my heart to stop racing. The lights lowered, and the audience cheered. Reluctantly, I turned my attention to the stage as the spotlight illuminated the band. Elijah’s arm found its way back to my chair. His cologne wafted around me when he moved his chair closer to mine. I nestled by his side, deciding to follow my advice and enjoy the present.
“Feeling inspired yet?” I asked as we strolled down the sidewalk. After the band ended their set, we left the club. The cool spring night kissed my skin, leaving behind goosebumps on my shoulders and arms.
“I do. When we get back to the crib, I’m going to work on my painting.”
“You’re ready to go back now? The night is still young.”
Elijah laughed. “I can’t get caught up with you tonight.”
“Okay fine. Let’s have one more drink, then go home. This place looks fun.”
We stopped at the next place, a hole in the wall bar with music blasting so loud it could be heard a block away. The song was an old Keak Da Sneak track my aunt used to play at cookouts back in the day.
Elijah studied me for a moment. Those penetrating eyes pinned me in place as we stood outside the bustling bar.
“We can have a nightcap at home. I’m not in the mood for a packed bar.”
I nodded, understanding that he was here to create. He didn’t look it, but Elijah was a moody creator like the rest of them. He’d been that way since I met him. My cousin Chris and Elijah met at a performing arts school when they were teens. Chris had his idiosyncrasies with acting, too.
“Another time,” I replied with hopeful eyes. Elijah’s arm was back around my shoulder as we walked to his car.
“You're still a bartender at heart, right?”
I grinned. “I am. Why do you remember that?”
During my senior year of college, I worked as a bartender to earn extra money. When I visited Chris the following summer, I was the designated bartender at all his house parties. Even on the nights when it was just me, Chris, and Elijah, I was to make the drinks.
“Because you’re the blame for the shit that went down at me and Chris’s parties. Everyone was faded.”
“And they had the time of their lives, even you.”
I nudged his side, smirking when his smile broadened. “I always have a good time when you’re around.”
Butterflies danced in my stomach at his admission. I ignored the feeling, reminding myself that this was temporary. Despite how good it felt with him, I couldn’t get wrapped up in him, or how good he made me feel.