“But smart enough to go to school with the rich and privileged.”
“Yes, and at times that was most unfortunate. I watched girls who had everything become jealous of one who had nothing.”
He sat back, observing her keenly. “That’s not true. You’ve got a lot.”
“Yes, well, there’s that.”
“I’m not talking about your physical generosities...”
“Ha!”
“I’m talking about you.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“But you make a brother want to know you. And that’s what I’m talking about.”
“Looks like you’re a brother who knows everybody, and who everybody knows.”
“It’s one of the downsides of living in a small town. And one of the reasons I don’t eat here often even though the town’s dining options are limited. Everybody thinks they know you well enough to get all up in your business, even uninvited.”
“Most women who act like that have a reason for doing so.”
“She doesn’t.”
Aliyah shrugged. “Not my monkey, not my circus.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning whatever is between you two is not my concern. I just hope this place serves a good burger.”
“It’s not the best one in town but you won’t be disappointed.”
As if on cue, the server came over to take their orders.
Conversation halted as Aliyah perused the menu. Terrell watched. She noticed. “Clearly you’ve already decided what you want to order.”
“Absolutely,” he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I already know exactly what I want.”
She rolled her eyes. He didn’t know, but the action matched the roiling of her stomach as she took in the curly long lashes that framed chocolate-brown orbs, his cleanly shaven angular face and cushy lips. He smiled when she ordered the Cove Classic: double-patty cheeseburger, coleslaw and fries.
“Make that two,” he told the server, letting her walk away before he refocused his attention on Aliyah. “I love it. A woman with a healthy appetite and not afraid to show it.”
She fixed him with a sultry look of her own. “Oh, yes. I have a very healthy appetite.”
Check, and checkmate.
“So tell me about yourself, Aliyah Robinson.”
“What would you like to know?”
“Since you live in Davis, how’d you learn about our center here in Paradise Cove?”
“A good friend recommended it. Her youngest son is enrolled there. She watches Kyle for me. So it works out.”
“What’s her name?”
“Lauren Hensley. Do you know her?”
“No. But I’m only there three days a week, tutoring and mentoring teenaged boys between thirteen and sixteen years old. A buddy of mine named Luther works with your son’s age group.”
“I wouldn’t have pegged you as a guy who tutored teens.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. You just don’t look the type.”
“What type do I look like?”
Like the type of man I need to take home. Tonight. “Let me think about that.” The honest answer remained unspoken, but a hint of it showed in her eyes.
“Is UC what brought you to Davis?” She nodded. “With all of the great schools on the east coast, why that school?”
“The residency program.”
His brow rose in surprise. “You’re a doctor?”
“Not for at least another two and half years. I’m in residency as an anesthesiologist.”
“Impressive. Fine, smart...and you wonder why those girls were jealous.”
“Things look much differently when you’re fourteen.”
“Indeed.”
The server brought their drinks. Aliyah took a sip of her frothy root beer. Terrell had opted for real beer, and took a healthy swig from the bottle.
“Ever been to New York?”
“I’ve spent a little time there. My younger brother is going to NYU.”
“What’s he studying?”
“He’s getting his doctorate in psychology.”
“Oh, so you’ll have a doctor in your family as well.”
“We already do. My cousin’s wife is a doctor in San Diego. But yes, Julian, hands down, is the brains in my family.”
“Are you the brawn?”
He smiled. “Is that your answer for my type?”
“No, but if forced to fight I think you could hold your own.”
“Ha! Thanks, I think. My family owns a realty and consulting company. I handle sales.”
He was being humble. Due to her internet sleuthing, Aliyah knew he was a director in what appeared to be a very profitable company, heading up the sale of corporate and commercial properties throughout the state. A rich, successful, confident man who was also unassuming? Maybe he could scratch her itch after all.
“Is that how you ended up in Paradise Cove?”
“My grandfather settled here after leaving the military, went in with a partner and bought up a lot of land at a time when it was a buyer’s market. After college, my dad correctly predicted that metropolitan expansion would push the population this way. So he acquired more land in this area, got his real estate license and partnered with a contractor to build homes. Thirty years ago, where we sit now was nothing but farmland. Now, we’ve got Paradise Cove and, next to it, Paradise Valley, where my brother Warren now manages and co-owns that initial land my grandfather purchased.”
“Not many people of color can claim such historical ties and land ownership. You must be proud of what your grandfather and father have done.”
“I’m proud of my entire family.”
Conversation continued. The flow was easy. The food was good, the flirtations continuous. She told him a little more about Kyle,
