The Flaked Life Of Lotanna

34

══✿══╡°˖✧LOTANNA✧˖°╞══✿══

"We have nothing to talk about, Collin. Please leave," I told him, even though I didn't want him to leave. I wanted to hug him and thank him, but I wondered where such a guy like him had been all my life. Why was he overly sweet and generous? And here I was, pushing him away.

My mum held me on my shoulders. I had forgotten she was there. "Let the young man in, at least have dinner with us. He's been nice and generous," she said, giving me a sly look.

Collin just stood there with both hands extended and palms up. "I am innocent, and it is the least you could do, I think."

"Hm." I let out a sigh. "Okay, I guess you can come in, but we do not need to talk," I reminded him, even though something about his openly pleased expression put a smile on my face.

We walked into the house as Christa and Grace set up the table. Christa stayed over because she also had issues with her landlord. "Hello, handsome!" She winked at me as I stood beside her, trying to pinch her to stop the silliness.

Collin smiled at her, obviously trying to be the gentleman that he was. "Nice to meet you, Christa."

The smirk on her face vanished. How did he know her name?

"I made it my duty to know the names of friends and family of my employees," he added, as if he had read my mind. He took a deep breath with a smile plastered on his face. "It smells great. Can I help with setting up the table? I am already salivating."

"Sure, why not," Christa answered him as they both walked to the dining area.

I strolled behind them, watching Collin closely, as he was feeling comfortable enough to set up my dining table. I thought he wanted us to talk? When everything was finally set on the table, Mum sat at the end, with Collin and me on one side and Christa on the other.

"Why don't we say grace?" Collin uttered, surprisingly, to us all.

Mum smiled at him and nodded. I knew she loved him already for this.

As we bowed our heads, he prayed. "Thank you, Lord, for this food, for making it possible for me to be among these beautiful ladies. And, most of all, for us to be alive. Amen."

Christa and I giggled. It was short and sweet. He didn't seem uncomfortable praying — what was he thinking, feeling at home after his own family embarrassed me?

As we ate, I watched Collin eat as if he was on death row. He praised the egusi soup, accompanied by pounded yam, and marveled at the chicken and goat meat in tomato peppered sauce. He saved his chicken for the last, like it was a dessert.

I observed him, ignoring my plate of food. He sunk his sharp white teeth into the chicken and closed his eyes blissfully. "There is God," he said obscurely.

I met Christa's sparkling eyes. "Lotanna made the chicken and goat meat in tomato peppered sauce. You know she is outstanding in the kitchen."

"I believe you, Christa, but were you always a chef or something?" He asked, looking at me with those astonishing eyes as he put the chicken in his mouth.

"Well, I have never been a chef. I love being in the kitchen and cooking. The secret is in the seasoning, though."

"Teach me then. I bet I could learn to make it."

I could not help but smile as I pictured his tall and muscled body suited in an apron, as the last time.

"She also made the egusi soup," Christa said helpfully.