“Hey, KD. What’s up?” Aaliyah quickly put the phone on mute to tell her friends that she gave KD her middle name as opposed to her first name.
“Nothing much,” he said. “I sent you a message, but then remembered that I told you I’d call you last night before I left the bar. I was hoping I could take you to dinner tonight.”
Nicole bit her bottom lip as Aaliyah and Kyra mouthed the word yes. She unmuted her phone.
“It’s kinda last minute,” she said, ignoring their eye rolls.
“I know,” he replied. “I have a busy week ahead, but I really wanted to take you out on a date. I enjoyed meeting you last night, but our conversation was cut short. I’d love the chance to get to know you more. I could pick you up, as well.”
Nicole smiled when she glanced at Aaliyah, who was making a swoon face. You should just say yes. What’s the harm in one date? “How do I know this is really KD?”
“Seriously,” Aaliyah whispered. “What kind of question is that?”
Now it was time for Nicole to roll her eyes at herself. Oh, how I love that I wasn’t blessed with the art of flirting, she thought sarcastically.
“It’s definitely me, Bianca,” he said in a deep voice. “And I would love to go out with you.”
Okay, enough stalling. “Yeah, I’ll go out with you tonight, but there’s no need to pick me up. Just let me know where we’re having dinner and I’ll meet you there.”
KD rattled off an address, and she jotted it down in the notes section of her phone.
“I look forward to seeing you tonight,” KD said.
“Me, too.” She went to end the call and heard him mention her name. “Yes?” she asked.
“I’m sure you assumed I was just like all these other cats out here asking for a beautiful woman’s number with no intention of using it, but that’s not me,” KD said. “This may be too forward, but if there’s something I want, I typically go after it.”
Nicole swallowed. What am I supposed to say to that? “I understand.”
“Good.” He cleared his throat. “See you tonight.”
Nicole disconnected the call and looked at the big smiles on Kyra’s and Aaliyah’s faces.
“That was almost painful to listen to, but I’m glad you said yes,” Aaliyah said.
Kyra nodded. “I agree.”
“Even though I’m going on this date with KD, I still refuse to get distracted by a man. It’s just one date before I start the journey I came here for. That’s it.”
“I don’t know, Nicole,” Kyra said with a smile. “You definitely have to focus on this television opportunity, but KD sounds like the best type of distraction.”
Nicole sighed. “He does, right?”
“Yup,” Aaliyah said. “But now, we really have to get a lot done before you have to get ready for your date. And no worries, you don’t have to tell me that I was right about you seeing him again.”
“Whatever,” she said with a laugh as she got to work.
* * *
Kendrick Burrstone glanced around the semideserted Santa Monica restaurant as he tried to spot Bianca from where he sat at a table on the outside patio.
While most people preferred the hustle and bustle of LA, Kendrick preferred coastal city living. Santa Monica was less than an hour from LA, but they might as well be different worlds.
“Are you ready to order or are you waiting for someone else?”
Kendrick glanced at the waitress. “I’m waiting on someone.”
“I’m here,” a voice said. Kendrick looked past the waitress to see Bianca walking up in jeans and a sexy black lace crop top. She looks even better than she did at the bar. Her curly hair was pulled atop her head in a high bun and she wore little makeup, showcasing the natural beauty of her velvety chocolate complexion. There were so many things about the way she looked that caught his attention, but what really made him adjust himself in his seat were the heeled boots she was wearing.
Kendrick was a sucker for a lady in some sexy shoes, and the strappy heeled boots Bianca was wearing caused his imagination to run wild.
“You look beautiful,” he said when she approached. He then stood up and leaned in for a hug.
“Thank you,” Bianca said, returning his hug. “You look nice, too.” The temperature was a little chillier than what he was used to in California, so he’d chosen to wear a dark gray sweater and jeans.
“Thank you.” Remembering that the waitress was at the table, they took a seat and ordered drinks.
“I know Sunday night is a weird time for a date, but I appreciate you accepting.”
“It’s no biggie,” she said. “I needed something to keep my mind off my big day tomorrow.”
Kendrick took a sip of his water. “Big presentation?”
“I wish,” she said with a laugh. “It’s my first day at a new job, and I’m a little nervous.”
“Don’t be,” Kendrick said, shaking his head. “I know we just met, but I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
“Thanks.” The waitress returned with their drinks, and they placed their order for dinner.
“So, let me ask you something,” she said. “Was that guy, I believe his name was Bryant, really your cousin?”
“Yeah, he is.” Kendrick smiled. “He’s not too much of a people person, so myself and some of our friends are often apologizing for things that he says.”
She took a sip of her drink, causing Kendrick to advert his eyes from hers to stare at her lips. She was wearing a bright burgundy-colored lipstick, and the color immediately reminded him of red velvet cake.
“What’s that look for?” she asked.
He met her eyes. “What look?”
“The one you’re giving my mouth right now.”
Kendrick laughed harder than he meant to. “Do you always say whatever you’re thinking?”
“Pretty much,” she said with a smile. “My grandmother always tells me that I don’t have a filter. It probably annoys her at times, but it’s just how I am.”
“I think it’s refreshing,” Kendrick said. “I appreciate honesty. For me, I’d rather someone keep it real than lie to make me feel better.”
“Exactly, but I’m a work in progress,” she said. “It’s more difficult to be honest depending on the person. For example, I can be honest with some of my friends, but then I have other friendships that I can’t be as honest with. And relationships are the worst, but I’m sure this isn’t a topic I should bring up on a first date.”
“You can bring up whatever you want around me. There aren’t too many topics that I’m not willing to talk about.”
“Oh, really.” She smiled.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
He glanced down at her necklace. “Does your necklace have any meaning behind it?”
“It’s actually a crystal.” She gently ran her fingers across the stone. “The onyx is good for protection and healing.”
“That’s interesting,” he said. “My mom likes wearing crystals and stones, as well. Did you choose to wear it