“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, and about the teacher/mentor-turned-friend, Lauren, who’d encouraged Aliyah to choose UC Davis for her residency. She also let him know that while her body was in California, her heart still bled Brooklyn. She was a New York Jets fan for life. Aliyah ascertained that Terrell’s extended family was a close-knit one, that he was a member of the Raider Nation, but—that glaring offense aside—there was substance behind the sexiness. It was clear that neither wanted the night to end. But for Aliyah, it had to. She had a son to pick up and an early surgery to assist with in the morning.
She placed her napkin on the plate. “Thanks for dinner. The food was delicious.”
“What about the company?”
She shrugged, reached for her glass. “It was all right.”
“Ha! Just all right, huh?”
“Yep.” She finished the last of her soda. “Just all right.”
“You’re something else, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told a time or two.”
“Well, hopefully I made a better first impression the second time around.”
She blessed him with a smile. “You did.”
“Enough for you to go out with me again?”
She reached for her purse. “Maybe. But tonight’s good time has come to an end. I have to be up early in the morning.”
Terrell reached into his wallet and tossed a couple bills on the table. They stood and together walked out of the restaurant. He passed his shiny sports convertible and continued to her car.
“So, what kinds of things do you like to do?”
“I’m pretty adventurous and open to new things. There’s probably not many things I wouldn’t try at least once.”
Her quick once-over suggested he was included in this statement.
“Is that so?” They reached her car. He opened the door. Before she could get in, he cut her off and pressed her against the metal. “What about Friday night?”
She didn’t back down. She pressed back. “I have to work this Saturday. I’m off on Sunday, though.”
“Then what about Saturday night?” He ran a strong, large hand down her arm, before resting it lightly on her hip.
“Highly likely, if I can arrange a sitter. But not here, in your town. I’m not up to watching you fend off women all night and if insulted again, I might not act as civilly as I did tonight.” She pressed a hand against his shirt, and met a chest as solid as steel. “You work out.”
“I do. As tight as your body is, looks like you do, too.” Their bodies were close, their faces, too, so much so that their breaths mingled.
“Can’t say much for crunches and treadmills—” she slid a finger down the side of his face “—but there are certain ways I like to exercise.” She gently pushed him away and got into the car.
“Keep Saturday night open.”
“Don’t keep me waiting. Make a date.”
“All right then. Saturday, seven o’clock. I’ll text the details later.”
“See you then.”
She closed the door, started the engine and left the parking lot without looking back. Thoughts of Terrell accompanied her home, though.
Saturday night couldn’t come soon enough.
The days flew. By the time Saturday arrived Aliyah had almost changed her mind again about her date with Terrell. Though this was a woman’s prerogative, she was usually more decisive. But he’d been on her mind more than was comfortable, took up more mental space than a potential casual should occupy. Trying to finish a three-year residency in two and a half was the only type of serious she could handle right now and something—okay, keen intuition and a heart that skipped a pitter when his face came to mind—told her that keeping things easy breezy and detached might not be possible. That scared her. So did the potency of her attraction. Yes, he was good-looking and yes, he was rich. She’d dated her share of handsome men and Kyle’s father’s family was part of the east coast’s Black bourgeoisie. Her ex’s family had doubted the truth of Kyle’s paternity and shattered her self-esteem. She didn’t want to go through that kind of scrutiny and judgment again, which is why a friend with benefits was all she wanted Terrell to be. But what if her heart felt otherwise? Did she want to chance a hot, sexual fling blazing into a relationship? Or worse, an inferno?
When she’d pulled up stakes and left the east coast, falling for an obvious heartthrob within a month of arriving hadn’t been in her plans. It still wasn’t. At least through this year, the only