You're All I Need

Three

1996

After leaving the mechanic, Kai took Sydney to a soul food restaurant called Amy Ruth's in Harlem. He promised her that the 30 minute ride z there would be well worth it. The second Sydney stepped in, she could smell that the drive was worth it. Kai had called ahead on his car phone so they didn't have to wait when they arrived.

"I've been comin' here for years. Everything is good." Kai told her as she looked over the menu. He didn't even bother picking his up because he already knew what he wanted.

The second Sydney saw the Ruby Dee meal which included fried catfish, her stomach growled. She chose her two sides of cheesy grits and fried okra. Fried catfish and fried okra was her grandfather Bubby's favorite thing to cook. In the middle of her order, Kai remembered Bubby cooking the same thing for him years ago.

"And for you Mr. Evans?" The waitress asked politely, having know Kai from his frequent visits. "The usual?"

Kai smirked as he shook his head. "I was but actually, gimme the same thing she gettin'."

The waitress smiled, "Sure thing." She collected their menus and left them be.

"Their catfish ain't better than Bubby's but it's close." Kai said, breaking the silence between them.

This made Sydney smile and giggle at the fact that they were both thinking about him. A small but noticeable smile appeared on his face. Unbeknownst to her, at first, her cheeks rosed up in color. Then she began to feel it in her cheeks. It was totally obvious to Kai what was going on with her but Kai was a man who needed the words too. He could pick up on body language and could tell that it wasn't just his popularity that made Sydney nervous around him. He knew that she founded him attractive and maybe even had a small crush on him. Her blushing, shy behavior, and her reaction to Max's comments earlier before they left the house, told him that.

Sydney took a sip of her water. " Only Max can make hers just like him. You gotta have hers one day."

Kai nodded, "Just tell me when. I'll be there."

Sydney briefly glanced around the restaurant. "Is this the place you said you had your eye on?"

Kai shook his head. "Nah. I thought about becoming a silent partner which they actually offered me, but instead I just wrote them a check."

Sydney's eyes widened a bit. "They offered you a deal to invest and earn money with them and you just gave them a check?" He nodded his head slowly. "Why?"

"They asked for my investment because they needed the money. They had to fix some repairs after their place for broken into and vandalized. I ain't wanna get into the business side of this restaurant plus I already got my eye on something, so I just gave them a check to fix they shit."

"Aww that was sweet of you."

He snickered at her. He found the way she talked so opposite of the people around her, even Max sometimes, funny but cute at the same time. "If you say so."

Sydney playfully sucked her teeth before laughing. "Why do you and Antwan laugh at the way I talk?"

"It ain't nun' against you. I think it's funny an' cute. He just think its funny. But this nigga talk Ebonics everywhere. I know how to switch my shit up."