“He dropped off Carson’s doughnuts,” Maya announced as she rose from her chair. “And I’m about to get some before the other girls smell them and eat them all.” She disappeared down the corridor.
Xavier silently blessed Maya for giving him a moment alone with Imani. “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”
She tucked the clipboard under her arm. “Since you brought the doughnuts, I’ll let it slide.” She winked.
Feeling relieved that she didn’t seem too annoyed with the interruption to her day, he smiled. “I was hoping you’d join me for appetizers and drinks tonight.”
She looked somewhat skeptical. “Is this a date?”
He shook his head. “No way. It’s super casual.”
“Oh really? How casual is it?”
“This is about as casual at it gets, Imani. I mean, I usually do this with Tyrone, and I’m definitely not trying to get with him.”
She giggled. “That’s good to know.”
“Since he got married, he’s always busy with Georgia.” He stuck out his bottom lip in a mock pout. “So will you come with me to Salinger’s, so I don’t have to go all by my lonesome?”
Her giggle swelled into a full-on laugh. “Sure, Xavier. I’ll be Tyrone’s replacement so you don’t have to sit there and look pitiful.”
Letting the smile return to his face, he clapped his hands together. “Great. Wanna meet me there around seven thirty?”
She nodded. “Seven thirty sounds fine.”
“Nice.” He straightened. “See how casual I can be? I’m not even offering to pick you up because that might drift over into the dating zone.” He winked.
She shook her head, directing a soft smile his way. “Shoo, Xavier. I’ve got patients to see.”
He backed away from the reception desk. “As you wish. Until tonight, my lady.”
She pursed her lips at him.
“I’m just kidding. See you at Salinger’s.” And with that said, he opened the door and strode out.
As he drove to his office, Xavier felt cheerful. He’d been honest and straightforward with Imani, and she’d been receptive to his offer. It was true that he and Tyrone had been spending less and less time together in the weeks since Tyrone and Georgia’s marriage. Xavier didn’t begrudge his best friend his happiness, but he did miss hanging out with his boy. Being with Imani would present a whole different dynamic, and Xavier knew that. Still, he looked forward to talking with her, and catching up more on what had been going on in her life during the years they’d spent apart.
He parked his car outside his office building, then entered his suite. Rita, his secretary, was already seated at her post in the outer office. “Morning, Mr. Whitted.”
“Morning, Rita.” He approached her desk and took the stack of message slips she handed him.
“You have three company reps coming in for audits today.”
Audits weren’t his favorite thing to do, but in his work, they couldn’t be avoided. “Thank you.” He strolled by her desk and slipped into his inner office. There, he flipped through his message slips, apprising himself of the calls he’d missed and which ones needed to be followed up on right away versus which ones could wait.
Shrugging out of his sport coat, he sat down behind his desk and reached for the handset of his desk phone, intent on returning some of the more pressing calls. Before he could pick up the phone, it rang. Lifting the receiver, he answered, “Xavier Whitted, CPA, speaking.”
“Xavier! It’s me, Tyrone.”
Curious about the excitement he detected in his friend’s voice, he asked, “What’s up, Ty?”
“I just wanted to let you know we got the Weathers endorsement.”
Xavier smiled, now sharing in Tyrone’s excitement. “That’s great! When did this happen?”
“Word just came in about an hour ago. I had the interns contact his people to confirm it, and it’s true. Man, this is gonna be great for your poll numbers.”
“You’re right. Thanks for letting me know.” Xavier fist pumped behind his desk, anticipating the immense positive effect on his campaign. Grover Weathers had served three terms in the North Carolina state senate and was extremely popular in his district, which included parts of Wake County.
“That’s all I wanted, man. I’ll let you get back to your number crunching. Later.”
“Later, Ty. And thanks again.”
“No sweat, man.” He disconnected the call.
Replacing the receiver in the cradle, Xavier tucked his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair, taking a few moments to let the good news soak in.
So far, his week was off to an excellent start.
* * *
Pulling her peacoat tighter around her to ward off the coolness hanging in the air, Imani walked up the sidewalk leading to the entrance of Salinger’s. She’d briefly gone home after leaving the practice but hadn’t had time to change. Still clad in the blue sheath she’d worn to work, she regretted that. The thin nylon of her panty hose did little to protect her legs from the chilly breeze. Hastening her steps, she thanked a man who held the door open for her and slipped inside the sports bar.
It was easily fifteen or twenty degrees warmer inside Salinger’s, and she sighed as the heated air touched her frigid skin. Weaving through the thick after-work crowd gathered around the hostess stand, she peered over the shoulders of some of the people around her, to see if Xavier was already there.
Finally she spotted him, sitting at a tall pub table adjacent to the bar.
Apparently he’d had a less busy evening than she had, because he no longer wore the suit she’d seen him in that morning. He’d changed into a black turtleneck and black jeans, along with a pair of black loafers. The turtleneck clung to the hard lines of his muscled upper body quite nicely, and she had to admit she liked what she saw.
He glanced in her direction and waved her over with a smile.
Weaving her way past the throng, she made it to the table and climbed up into the empty chair. “Hey, Xavier.”
“Hey, Imani. Glad you could make it.” He took a drink from a glass of iced water. “I haven’t ordered anything yet, so take a look at the bar menu.” He gestured toward the long, rectangular menu lying in the center of the table.
“Cool.” She picked it up, perused it for a few moments. “Why don’t we just get a sampler?” She spoke louder than she usually would, due to the volume of the conversations around them, as well as the televisions blaring various sporting events.
“I’m good with that.” Xavier raised one muscled arm to flag down a waiter.
The motion made the scent of his cologne waft up and touch her nose. She closed her eyes as she inhaled the clean, masculine aroma of him.
God, he smells good. Before she could stop it, a sigh slipped from her lips.
He turned his gaze to her. “You okay, Imani?”
She blinked a few times as panic set in, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry. It’s been a really long day.” To complete the illusion, she faked a yawn behind her hand.
He chuckled. “It’s okay. I feel you. Adulting all day is hard work.”
She countered with her own laugh. “Right.”
The waiter approached to take their order, and she felt relieved to have the distraction. What was going on with her? She didn’t know, but she vowed to get herself together. Keeping this thing with Xavier casual had been her idea, and she didn’t want to screw things up.
“What will you have to drink, ma’am?” The waiter’s question broke through her thoughts.
“I’ll have a glass of merlot and an ice water, please.”
The waiter disappeared into the kitchen, and she turned her attention back to Xavier, only to find him watching her. With a nervous giggle, she asked, “Do you stare at Tyrone like that when you come here with
him?”
He shook his head. “No, although Tyrone isn’t as attractive as you are.”
She wagged a finger at him. “Xavier.”
He winked. “I know, I know. Casual. So what do you want to talk about?”
She shrugged. “Why don’t you tell me about some of the community work you do? My mom is always bringing it up, but I’ve never heard it straight from you.”
He rested his elbows on the table and tented his hands. “I’m glad you asked me that. I never get tired of talking about the kids.”
Sensing the hum of excitement rolling off of him, she settled into the springy cushion of her seat. “Tell me about them, about what you do with them.”
“We started the center several years ago, in the old Sunnybrook Middle School building. I’m all about taking kids off the streets and giving them something productive to do when they’re not in school.”
She nodded. “What ages are the kids you work with?”
“They’re between the ages of seven and eighteen. A lot of them come from pretty rough neighborhoods. I just want them to be aware of what’s available to them.”
“I’ve never been to your center. What services do you provide for the kids?”
He smiled. “Healthy snacks, homework help, and people skills. They learn how to work well with others.”
The waiter appeared again, setting their drinks on the table. After promising to return soon with their appetizer, he left.
She turned her attention back to her handsome companion. “This all sounds wonderful but very expensive. How is the center funded?”
He unclasped his hands, scraped his fingertips over his chin. “We get some money from the state, some from private donors. Most of it comes from our creative fund-raising efforts, though.”
“That’s a lot of work, especially when you’re not getting paid.”
He shrugged. “I don’t do it alone. I have four other part-time volunteers that help. Plus, I’d argue that I do get paid for my work there. Instead of money, my dividends are paid in the success of my mentees.”
“Wow, Xavier.” She couldn’t help smiling. His passion for his community work was contagious. “That’s really amazing.”
His smile broadened. “I’m glad you approve. You should come by the center and visit with the kids. We’re always looking for volunteer mentors.”
Hoping her surprise didn’t show on her face, she said, “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Great.” He reached across the table to fist bump her. “We always say the kids can’t be what they can’t see.”
She was still turning his words over in her mind when the waiter returned to deposit the steaming-hot tray of appetizers on their table, along with two small ceramic plates.
“Enjoy,” the waiter announced before slipping away again.
She inhaled, grateful to have something on the table that would both quell her hunger and dampen the heady, masculine scent Xavier exuded. Picking up her plate, she helped herself to a few mozzarella sticks, spring rolls, and fried mushrooms.
Across from her, Xavier followed suit, loading up his own plate. “So what had Ma Alma told you about my work?”
“Just that you were doing something very positive for the community and that she was proud of you.”
He popped a mushroom into his mouth and grinned. “I’m glad to hear it. I consider that high praise.”
Nibbling on a mozzarella stick, she couldn’t help drawing a parallel between Xavier and her late father. Before he’d opened his hardware store, Richard Grant had spent more than fifteen years as a high school shop teacher. His love of young people had been a hallmark of his life, evident in almost everything he did.
“You got quiet. What’s on your mind?” Xavier asked the question between bites.
She could feel the smile stretching her lips. “I’m just thinking how much Dad loved ‘the youngsters,’ as he called them. The work you’re doing and the way you speak about your mentees just reminds me of him.”
Xavier swallowed, his expression changing. His dark eyes held a quality of emotion she hadn’t seen displayed there before. His voice was soft when he spoke again. “Wow. I’m honored that you would say that, Imani.”
“It’s true. I know he’d be really proud of the work you’re doing.” She blinked a few times, determined not to let the tears welling in her eyes fall.
As if he sensed her sadness, Xavier reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “I hope one day I can live up to the man your father was.”
A few moments passed in silence, as they both courted their own memories of the man Richard Grant had been. Drawing a deep breath, Imani brushed away the single tear that escaped.
When she looked up at Xavier again, she saw him smiling. “What?”
“I’m just thinking. Tyrone never cried when I brought him here.” He paused. “No, I’m lying. There was that one time when Carolina lost to Pittsburgh.”
She snorted. “Xavier!”
Between chuckles, he continued. “No, I’m serious. You should have seen him. Bawled like a baby after the last play.”
Peals of laughter erupted from her mouth as tears filled her eyes, only this time, they were the happy tears brought on by imagining Tyrone crying over a football game.
Xavier laughed just as hard as she did, slapping the tabletop with his large, open palm.
When she recovered from her laughing fit, she looked across the table at him. Still smiling, she asked, “Was that true? Or did you just say it to cheer me up?”
He straightened up in his chair, locked eyes with her. “It worked, didn’t it?”
Shaking her head, she leaned over and playfully punched him in the shoulder. “It did. Thank you.”
“What are friends for?”
Feeling calm and at ease, she picked up a spring roll. She was starting to see the benefits of having Xavier back in her life. It was nice to know that even with their new relationship dynamic, he still knew how to draw her out of a funk and back into the light again.
* * *
A few days later, Xavier tugged the Windsor knot of his blue paisley tie, nestling it snugly against the collar of his shirt. He stood in the men’s room at the Pine View Senior Center, making final adjustments to his appearance before what was to be a very important campaign speech.
Tyrone stood next to him, running a brush over his hair. “You ready to go out there and crush this speech, X-man?”
Brushing a bit of fluff off the lapel of his gray sport coat, Xavier nodded. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
Pocketing his hairbrush, Tyrone turned to face him. “Ok. Remember what we talked about.”
“I know. Stick to the talking points. Eviscerate Givens but keep it classy. Point out why I’m the better candidate.” He rattled off the three edicts that had been drilled into his brain over the past several days.
“Good.” Tyrone slapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s do this.” He strode to the swinging door of the men’s room and held it open.
Feeling confident and ready, Xavier marched through the door and headed down the hallway toward the center’s main room, where he was to give his speech. Tyrone stayed close behind him the whole way.
When Tyrone opened the door to the room and Xavier stepped inside, he was met with a rousing ovation. The crowd, consisting of seventy-five or so senior citizens from the Pine View neighborhood and surrounding areas of the city, was very welcoming. Xavier smiled as he crossed the front of the room, moving to the podium that had been set up for him.
He stood back for a few moments, with Tyrone by his side, as the director of the senior center gave a brief introduction. When the woman stepped away, he approached the podium.
Xavier looked out at the men and women in the room. Reaching into the inner pocket of his sport coat, he pulled out the index card that contained
his notes. While he didn’t believe in reading prewritten speeches, he always kept a card with him that was filled with phrases to help kick-start his memory on his most important points.
Taking a deep breath, he began. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your warm welcome. I’m honored and humbled that you’ve taken time out of your schedules to hear me speak today.”
“Make us proud, young man!” an elderly brown-skinned woman near the back called out.
He smiled in her direction. “I’ll do my best, ma’am. I want to talk to you today about choices. About how the choices you make at the polls and, in turn, the choices made by your elected officials, affect your everyday life.”
He paused, letting a few moments pass in silence so the elders could consider his words. “First, let’s talk about our current councilman, Aaron Givens.”
A few boos and jeers sounded in the room, echoing off the tile floor and the cinder-block walls.
Xavier put up his hand. “Now, now. I’m not here to bash Mr. Givens. I’m just going to run through his record really quick. In the last five years, Mr. Givens has, on three separate occasions, advocated against funding the expansion of this very senior center.”
The booing returned, louder this time.
Xavier continued. “Beyond that, Mr. Givens routinely accepts money from pharmaceutical companies known to price their drugs in a predatory manner. And if that isn’t bad enough, he routinely speaks out against the expansion of medical care and services for seniors.”
“Givens is a greedy jackwagon.” An older man, seated up front, made the comment with anger flashing in his blue eyes.
Behind him, Xavier heard Tyrone chuckle, then try to cover it with a fake cough.
Stifling his own amusement at the comment, Xavier cleared his throat. “I won’t speak on Mr. Givens’s character. After what I just told you, I’m sure you all can judge for yourselves. What I’m really here to do is let you know why I want to be your city councilman. Rest assured, though, this campaign isn’t about me. It’s about you, the citizens.”
Applause met the declaration, and Xavier showed his most winning smile until it died down.
“When I look out at you, the seasoned constituents of this city, I see a proud heritage. I see my grandparents, family friends. I see the people who helped to make Raleigh what it is today. And that’s why, as your councilman, I’m going to work to make your lives better. I’ve run fund-raising campaigns in the past to expand this center, as well as build new senior centers. I’ll continue that important work. You’ll also be glad to know that I have taken zero dollars from the pharmaceutical industry, and that I will work tirelessly to see that healthcare is expanded for seniors and the economically disadvantaged.”
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