Chestnut Brown And Cinnamon Happiness Page 2

  He put a plate in front of her. He cooked eggs, ham, bacon, and homemade bread. Loren doesn’t eat meat in the morning, but there she was eating. She told herself the reason why she was eating meat was because she didn’t want to let him down after he cooked all of that food. It would have just been rude of her to not show her appreciation.

  Normally he doesn’t eat this much food, he would have was a bagel and a cup of coffee. He knew that she didn’t eat meat in the morning, but he went a little overboard when he was buying some food. He was very shock when she started to eat the food that he brought her. It made him feel special because Maria didn’t want to eat something that he cooked or brought for her she would throw it in the trash and didn’t care how it hurt him. He knew that Loren care for him.

  “I wanted to do something for you before I leave to a hotel. You’ve been really sweet.”

  “You can stay here for another night if you want and I promise you I will be wearing clothes. There is an extra key by the door.” What the hell was she thinking? She can’t believe she just said that. What is wrong with her?

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to be no trouble.”

  “Trust me you won’t.” Before he could say another word that she put her dishes away and grab his. Loren started to wash the dishes and he stopped her. He said that he would do it. Loren went back in her room and started to run the water in her bathroom that was connected to her bedroom.

  Normally when he sees her, her hair is down, but today she was going to wear it in a ponytail. She doesn’t like wearing her contacts when she off of work plus all it would do is making her nervous like she was trying to impress him. So she puts on her black rim glasses and put on her pink t-shirt, blue jeans and her white tennis shoes.

  Loren came out of the room to see Roberto in dark blue jeans and a black fitted t-shirt. She didn’t realize how built he was. He turned around and smile when he saw her.

  “I didn’t know you wore glasses. You look different. This looks like more you.” Roberto said.

  “Well, I don’t wear contacts when I am off. It is too much work. Plus I like glasses better anyway. I am going to be leaving for a couple of hours. I might as well tell you now. I promise I would take Maria to the airport tomorrow. Roberto I want you to be ok with that because she is my friend too. Ok.”

  “She told me before I left the house. Do you know why am call Roberto instead of Robert? Her family didn’t like me. They thought I was too white for their taste. My family isn’t like that. I have dated girls from all kinds of races and my mother and father didn’t care. When her parents died two years ago I thought I would go back to being Robert, but two years later and I am still Roberto. Call me my name from now on Robert. I like that so much better anyway.” He looked at her seriously.

  “Ok. Robert. Well, are you still staying here tonight? If I wasn’t so sleepy I would have given you one of my guess rooms. Pick out one and put your stuff in it. You have an extra key. So use it. Please don’t loss it. I got to go. Bye Robert.” She waved him good-bye while he gave her a smile.

  Walking down the stairs of the apartment an emotion came over her. He wanted her to call him Robert and after his wife told her it was time for him to go back to his real name. Loren went over to Roberto and Maria’s house. Maria’s opened the door when she arrived there. She really needs to stop doing that. Their house is beautiful it looked like someone just step into another world when inside of their house. There is nothing of Robert that she came to know over the four years. It looked like all of Maria’s style.

  “Loren we are selling this house. Robert doesn’t want this house without me. I need you to help Robert sell the house. This house has nothing in it for him. Do you know he like more of African art than Mexican. I want you to promise that you come and visit me in London. I know Robert came over your apartment last night. You are his best friend. You would be first on his list.”

  “Wasn’t going to let him stay, but he told me that he had no where else that he could go. He came at my place around three o’clock this morning. I was half way sleep. Forgive me. Please. I told him that he could stay tonight if he wanted to. If you don’t think that is a good choice then I can make him stay at a hotel.” Loren said only because she realize why she wanted him to stay another night. She has always liked him. Now she started to see what she was doing was wrong.

  “I want him to stay at your house. I met your family and I know you wouldn’t do anything to a married man. Or at least I pray you wouldn’t. I do get it. Look I am dying and you are my best friend believe it or not. Let’s talk about something else.”

  “Do you want to see the new Natalie Portman’s film?” Loren said trying to do what she asked trying to change the subject.

  “Ok. Can we leave in like an hour my favorite show is about to come on?” Maria said.

  “Ok.”

  They watch her show and the new movie and it was fun. Loren didn’t realize how late it was when she arrived at home. It was five o’clock. Loren only hung out with Robert when he was with Maria or her other guy friends so she hoped he is not one of those guys who like to make a big mess. Ok just go in there and don’t be surprise if the house was dirty she said to herself as she counted to three. Her mouth was wide open. She had never seen my place this clean. She thought she was mistaken so she came into her apartment and looked around. She can tell that he fixed some things as well.

  “Oh, I’m glad you are here. I just finish cooking dinner. I hope you don’t mind using some of your food. Go ahead and change into something more comfortable like a jogging suit or something like that.” Robert said.

  She did what she was told. Loren liked the way he said “go ahead and change” in his manly voice. Most of the guys she had ever dated always asking her what she want which she thought it sounded like they were waning. She became a little turned on by that. Plus this was the second meal he cooked for her in a twenty-four hour span. She knew that they are in the same cooking class, but she never learned how to cook the way he did. Loren decided to take her time changing. She went into her bathroom and the picture that she painted that she never framed was framed. She told herself that she would buy a frame when she moves into the house she just brought. So when she finish changing into her exercise gear she went out to find the table was already set. This time the food was on the table.

  “You know are soiling me. I am not use to having someone cook for me. Don’t you make me get use to this and then you go.” He smiled a sexy smile full of mystery as she said that.

  “Forgive me. I never got to cook at my house. When I married Maria, she wanted to cook all the time. I would offer, but she wouldn’t even let me BBQ. I guess what I am really doing is showing my independence.” He said not really let her know that he wanted to do something for her. Anything.

  “I notice you fix some of the things around here. You really didn’t need to trouble yourself. I am moving in a month anyway.” Loren said while she sat down as he pulls out the chair for her.

  “You are moving? When? Are you moving in with somebody? Or are you moving by yourself.” He asked seriously.

  “I am moving by myself. Hey, thank you for cooking for me. I know I didn’t say it this morning, but I really appreciate it. Everything looks good. I know we arrive at the class around the same time, but where did you learn how to cook like this?” Loren said after taking a bite of the food.

  “I’d always known how to cook, but when I met Maria I pretended like I couldn’t even cook a gill cheese sandwich. When we moved here she suggested that I take a cooking class so she could trust me in the kitchen. Do you trust me in your kitchen?” She started to blush because her mind went straight dirty on that question. She cleared her throat as she was clearing out the thought out of her head.

  “Yes, I trust you. Why else would I give you a key to my apartment and let you stay here?” Loren said very
polite, but she looked into his eyes to make sure that he knew that she was serious.

  “You trust me? How do you like the food?”

  “It is very good. Maybe you could come over all the time and cook for me? I am just semi joking.” She told herself to stop playing like that. But was she playing?

  They sat in silence until the meal was over. He put on a pot of coffee on and he put on a movie. She could tell it was a usual and like a Sundance film. She sat on the floor while he hands her cup of coffee. He went back into the kitchen to get some cookies. The men that she dated always asked why she like sitting on the floor when she was at their houses. Robert didn’t ask he just thought that is the way she is.

  He could help it he didn’t realize how good she smelled until she sat on the floor. He always had loved women with glasses. All through the movie he thought to himself of a way that he could stay. He knew that he was acting this way because Maria didn’t want him anymore. But somehow he knew that wasn’t true. Was it? He was just drawn to her he had to move closer and closer to her. He didn’t realize how close until he could feel the heat from her body.

  The movie was really touching. She didn’t realize how close they were sitting until halfway during she looked at Robert. It felt like a kissing moment so she got up to move, but Robert grab her hand and gentle pull her back to the spot. He knew why she was moving. When she came back into the spot that she was and her eyes got heavy and she started to fall asleep.

  Robert notice that Loren was looking tired and maybe that’s why she wanted to leave, but couldn’t let her go yet. He turned on the television and started to watch sports programs that were on. He picks her up and put her on the couch. He puts the cover over her. After an hour he started to get sleepy. He decided not to take her into her bedroom to her own bed, but let her stay on the couch. He sat next to her and lend to the other side of the couch, but before he knew it she was laying against him under the covers. He didn’t realize that he was holding her until she got up. She almost forgot where she was. She removed his arm around her. She didn’t know how she got on the couch. When she was all the way up from the couch Robert woke up.

  “Thanks for the movie and again for dinner. I am going to bed. Ok.” Loren said starting to walk to her room.

  “Wait. Never - mind.” He said not looking at her.

  Loren went to her bedroom and set the alarm for five o’clock because she has to be at Roberto and Maria’s house at five – thirty in the morning. It wasn’t hard for her to fall back to sleep, but she was scared that she wasn’t going to get up on time. Loren’s alarm went off and dragged herself out of the bed. She put back on her bra that she took off when she went to her bedroom and she got her keys and went to her car. She stopped at the gas station and got a cup of coffee. Normally getting up so early it wouldn’t be enough coffee to sustain her, but it was enough to get to Maria’s house.

  Chapter Three

  Loren went to go pick up Maria and was waiting for her. In her hand she had two cups of coffee and some pastries for both Maria and Loren. Loren was happy Maria thought of her because she really didn’t want to stop and get her a cup of coffee any where.

  On the way to the airport she told Loren how Robert gave up working in the city newspaper to move here. Loren didn’t really know why she kept telling her things about Robert. In the back of her mind she knew it would be much harder to say good – bye to him when he leaves her apartment.

  As she watches Maria plane take off she thought about the promise that she would visit her when she in London. Loren knew that her job would be sending her down there right after she was to move into her house for four months. She knew that she would have tell Robert sooner or later. Loren would be staying at her apartment for a month before she moves into her house. Robert doesn’t know anything about her moving to house either. Loren told herself that it would be best if she didn’t tell him until she was about to go. He is not going to care anyway. When she arrived to her apartment it was eight o’clock in the morning. Loren tried to sneak into her apartment when she realized that he is in a guess room, but when she went by the den he was on the couch. He was reading one of his books that were in the den.

  “Good you are home.” What did he mean by that? “I went by the store to get some more juice. I figured knowing Maria she is going to give you some coffee. So I thought you might be all coffee out. Just sit down and I will bring you some.”

  “Why are doing this?” Loren keeps telling herself that he was showing kindness towards her because he was a nice person

  “Doing what? What bringing you some juice?” He replied not knowing what she was really talking about. Or at least hoping that she wasn’t talking about what he thought she was talking about.

  “Doing this. You need to stop being like this. I am going to my room. I don’t want any juice. I am a little tried plus, it is Sunday I have to go to church in a minute.” She left him standing looking confused.

  Loren closed her door. Damn, she thought now she wanted some juice. Why is he doing all these things for her anyway? She doesn’t want to get use to it. She wanted to shut him out because she afraid she was going to get hurt when he leaves. In that moment she realize that she didn’t want him to leave. That’s the problem. She heard a knock on my door. She opens it and it was Robert with the damn juice.

  “What is wrong with me being nice to you? We are friends aren’t we? I am just being nice because you let me stay here. Plus, I wanted to ask you could you help me sell our house? And can I stay here for at least a week until we get all things settle.” He said while he hands her the juice.

  When she puts the juice to her mouth it was her favorite combination apple juice mix with pineapple juice with a bit of lime. “How did you know I like my juice like this?”

  “Come on we been friends for four years. I remember you did that the first time I hung out with you. So what do you say can I stay here for another week? And can you help me sell my house?”

  “Ok. But, I really need to get ready for church. We will talk about this after church.”

  “Can I go to church with you? I was born into a Southern Baptist , but end up going to church with Maria. She is Catholic and going to her church isn’t the same. It wasn’t the same. Although it doesn’t look like, but it I miss hearing choirs singing and clapping. I miss hearing a preacher preach. All they do over her church is talk. Please can I go? It would remind me of home.” Hoping she would say yes.

  “You are southern Baptist. Good. Don’t worry about a suit or anything. You can wear a t-shirt and pants. The service I go to is at ten o’clock and ends at twelve thirty. We have started getting dress if we want to make it on time.”

  “I was raised old school when you go to church you wear a suit. It is a good thing I ate breakfast already. I happen to bring a suit. I was planning on asking you about going to your church anyway today.”

  “Ok.”

  How does he do that? Really? She had the intention of kicking he out of her apartment because she didn’t want to start having feelings for him. But somehow he is going to church and staying for another week. How does he do that? Stop it Loren. Just stop it she told herself. She ran mostly cold water in her bath just to ensure that I keep the Sabbath day holy. She took out her favorite peach dress the one that hugs her curves and also the one that he never seen me wear. She curled her hair and put her high heels. And she thanked her lucky stars that she had two bathrooms. When she came into the den he was ready. He had on a navy blue suit and baby blue shirt with a gray tie. She didn’t think that combination would look good together, but it does. He looked like one of the models in the magazine. She couldn’t help herself and took out her camera that she always carry in her purse and took a picture. She took three pictures and he smiled in everyone.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I just had to. Plus I don’t have any pictures of just you. By the
way you look very nice. I have an extra bible if you want it?” I said.

  “I have a bible. I am not use to having anybody make a fuss out me. You look amazing, but I think I am the one that should be taking the picture. You look like should be in magazines.” With that comment they both laugh.

  When Loren was a little girl she dreamed of going to church with a handsome man that would sit on the right side of him. When they went church started to sit down she was on his right side. Lord, what are you doing to me she said underneath her breathe. All through church the preacher was talking marriage and couples. Pastor Green also talk about love happen in it season and that we shouldn’t break up what God put together. After service Loren remembered that she was supposed to have dinner at her parent’s house. Now she was regretting that they took one car.

  “Hi, angel. Who’s your friend? I am Danny Crawford, Loren’s father. And who are you?” Loren’s father said when he saw Robert.

  “Hello, sir I am Robert Martin. It is very nice to meet you.” Robert replied as he shook her father’s hand.

  “Angel, I am guessing you are coming to the house with your friend. Right?”

  “Yes, daddy he is coming.” Loren answered for Robert. She hoped he is ok with it. If he doesn’t come with her she would have to hear about it for a month from her father if she doesn’t show up with him.

  “Good, the game starts in hour. You do like football, Robert? It’s America’s favorite pass time.”

  “Yes, sir I love it. I use to play football when I was in high school.” Loren looked at her father and then looked at Robert and she could tell he like him already.