“Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.” H. Brown, Jr.
“So you down with helping me out or nah?” Khalil flashed a how-can-I-say-no smile Eliana’s way.
“I’m telling you, I’m not the decorator type. I like simple, down-to-earth kinda stuff.”
“Sooo, what you’re saying is I’m materialistic, flashy, and uhh, a poser, huh?” He laughed again.
“Uh, I wouldn’t exactly say you like simple. Didn’t you tell me a few days ago that you were going to that Tesla dealership up in Brentwood? I mean those cars are not exactly simple, you know. And the car you had, that red Lexus Coupe wasn’t exactly comparable to my beat up Honda Accord,” Eliana said, with a bright smile of her own that made Khalil want to get next to her even more.
“Okay, you got me there. But hey, I can’t help that I like the finer things life offers.”
“And you’re saying I don’t?” Eliana looked at Khalil, folded her arms inside each other, and gave him a cute little smirk.
Khalil laughed. “I wasn’t saying that. Come on, let’s go inside this store and pick out some things for my new crib.”
He invited her to come along with him and give him advice on picking out some pieces for his house as an excuse to spend time with her outside of Holy Rock, feel her out, and get to know her a little bit more. So far since she became his full time administrative assistant, she kept their relationship on a strictly professional basis. He basically did the same thing. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to get to know her but so much was going on in his personal life because of the actions of his father. His mom and brother having to up and move at a moment’s notice and his dad filing for divorce weighed heavily on Khalil’s mind and heart. He felt bad for his mom; she loved Hezekiah and Khalil could see the strong front she was trying to put up. Now that she was in her own space, he hoped she would start to concentrate on rebuilding a life without Hezekiah McCoy, get some friends, and enjoy the blessings of God. He didn’t know if that would happen. This would be the first time since meeting and marrying Hezekiah that she would be living alone. With Xavier having his own spot, it was either going to be a good thing for their mother or she was going to spiral downward into a depression. He prayed that it wasn’t the latter.
“Your closing is coming up soon isn’t it?” Eliana said, as Khalil opened the door to the store.
“Yeah, in less than a week.”
“Seems like the whole family is making moves into new homes. God is really blessing,” Eliana said.
“Yeah, He is. Xavier just moved into his own spot in the same complex where you live. My mother found a new home, and I’m happy for her. And me, God has blessed me to buy my first home, too. His favor is in the air. It’s spreading all over us, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Khalil and Eliana walked through the large space filled with all types of furniture.
“You like this?” Eliana asked, pointing to a posh chair that turned out to be a recliner.
“Yeah, I do. I can see myself laid back in this chair in my man cave, watching television, the playoffs, or Netflix. Yeah, this is nice. Looks like I brought the right person along,” he said jokingly.
Eliana smiled, hoping her secret affection for Khalil wasn’t too obvious. When he asked her if she would accompany him to look for furniture and appliances, she couldn’t have been more excited, but she tried to play it off and act nonchalant about his invitation. She walked next to him, imagining things were far different than they were. Her brother seemed to be hitting it off with Xavier. What was the hold up with her and Khalil? She chalked it up to being that her and Khalil’s relationship was different because she was Khalil’s employee and in his position, it would be frowned upon, she was sure, by many at Holy Rock. Like Sista Mavis. Sista Mavis would have a raging fit if she thought Eliana and Khalil had something going on. It wasn’t that she cared what others thought of her, but then again, she wanted to maintain a stellar reputation for being a young, faithful, and committed employee and woman of God. She couldn’t do that if she started messing around with the senior pastor. There were enough girls who pranced themselves in front of Khalil already. She didn’t want to be one of those.
“I like this, too,” Khalil said pointing to a classy, high end, sofa.
They continued walking, looking at furniture when the both of them saw Xavier and Ian walking up.
“Hey, what are you two doing?” Eliana asked as they approached.
“I could be asking you the same thing, sis,” Ian said, embracing his sister and then stepping back and extending his hand toward Khalil’s. “Hello, Pastor Khalil.”
Khalil didn’t extend his hand. He pretended that he didn’t notice Ian’s gesture.
“What’s up, bruh?” Xavier said. “Hi, Eliana.” He hugged her in the same manner as Ian.
“You doing some shopping, too, huh?” Khalil said without saying a word to Ian. He couldn’t shake it. He hated that his li’l bro was gay. It rubbed him the wrong way and seeing him and Ian together made him even more irritable. It wasn’t right. It didn’t feel right; look right; and in God’s eyesight it wasn’t right. It was totally unnatural and he couldn’t shake that feeling. He didn’t want to come off as being judgmental, but it was how he felt and so there it was.
“Yeah, I found some things. What about you?” He looked at his brother and then over at Eliana. “I see you brought some help along, too.” He smiled again at Eliana and she did the same in return.
“Yeah, I asked her to come help a brother out. I didn’t want to bother Mom. I know she has a lot going on with trying to get things set up for her own space. You talk to her today?”
“Yeah, for a few minutes this morning,” Xavier responded.
“Cool. Well, look, I’ll talk to you later. I want to find a few pieces and then get out of here. I don’t want to spend my whole Friday in a furniture store. Know what I mean?”
“Yeah, I feel ya.” Xavier looked over at Ian, and fist bumped him on the side of his shoulder. “You ready?”
Ian rolled his eyes at Khalil. He felt the coldness Xavier’s brother gave him. He could tell Khalil wasn’t feeling the friendship he and Xavier had, but Ian didn’t care. He had long since stopped worrying or being concerned about what others thought about his lifestyle.
“Yes, I’m ready. Suddenly, I’m cold. I feel a chill up in here,” he said.
Khalil picked up on the snide remark. He started to say something to him but decided against it. If he stood a chance, any chance, of getting Eliana to warm up to him and give him a chance, then he needed to maintain control of his ill feelings toward her brother.
Eliana swiftly glanced at Khalil. She noticed the looks her brother gave Khalil and the biting look he gave Ian in return. She didn’t like that the two men were already at odds without either of them taking time to know each other. Eliana loved her brother deeply. It didn’t matter to her one way or the other what his life choice was, as long as he was happy. She hoped Khalil could feel the same way about his brother. Xavier seemed like a really nice guy and she was genuinely praying that he and Ian would become good friends if nothing more. It seemed like that prayer was being answered as she said goodbye to the two guys and watched them walk away laughing and talking.
“They seem like they really like each other,” Eliana said when her brother and Xavier walked out of earshot.
“Whatever floats their boats,” Khalil said.
“I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“Feel what way?” Khalil said. “To each his own. I just don’t know how a dude—or a female—can get off on laying up next to someone of the same sex. It doesn’t make sense. Anyway, if they good with it, then I’m good with it. It’s just that I’d prefer laying up against a soft, sweet smelling, beautiful woman,” he flirted.
Eliana blushed but didn’t say anything in response.
Khalil noticed her quietness but he also noticed her turn a shade darker when he said what he said. She was either embarrassed or feeling him. He preferred to think that she was feeling him. He would keep playing his cards slow and easy before he went for the kill and swooped her off her feet.