What We Want From Love

Chapter 12

I've been on my feet all day, running in every direction going over layout and design for each room. It's officially the end of a long week and I long for a nice hot bubble bath. I exhaled a sign of relief as I removed my heels and replaced them with slippers. I was nearly out the door, when I heard shuffle movements in the kitchen. I walked towards the kitchen, where I found Trey scattering measurement cups, ingredients and other utensils onto the counter. It's been weeks since my last encounter with Trey and I think he was starting to get the message and the only time we ever cross paths is if it has to do with his house, just the way I want it.

"I thought you had people who do these things for you," I asked when I realized he was attempting to cook.

"I do," He said, flipping the pages to a book.

"What are you cooking?" I said, dropping my keys and purse onto the island.

"Pancakes,"

"Really? Pancakes? And you gather all of these,"I pointed to the items, "For some pancakes,"

He smiled and said, "Yea, its my grandmother's famous recipe and it's been in my family for generations,"

"Oh wow," I said impressively, "Can I take a look?" I walked over to his side and examined the steps on the page, "Oh yea...see right there.. it says you need vanilla extract,"

"Exact?"

"No, not exact, extract," I corrected him and walked over to the cabinet, "This right here," I said, holding up the small container.

"Ahh ok," He stood confused. "Step aside, let me help you," I insisted. I began making my way around the kitchen, ordering Trey around and also explaining what each step of the cookbook required.

"Who taught you how to cook," He asks as he watches me pour the batter onto the oil.

"My mother,"I said, flipping the pancake on its sides. "I've been in the kitchen since I was 12....why are you cooking breakfast at 7 pm in the evening ?"

"I was taught that when you're having a bad day, have breakfast and start the day over," He chuckled and I tagged along, "What ?!... that's hilarious...so did you have a bad day?" I inquired. "It wasn't horrible but wasn't good either.. I spent all day with my label execs then my team about my next tour dates,"

"Ahh, sounds like a lot,"I said,

"That's just the half," He sighed, "Thank you for helping me out here,"

"Noo, it's the least I could do for the effort you attempted to put in," I chuckled. "That's not funny,"He shot back, which only made me burst into laughter. I continue to stack the pancakes onto the plate before I sighed, "All done,"

"You wanna stay and eat some,"

"Nah, I can't," I said, wiping my hands on a towel, "I gotta a lot of paperwork to do back at home—-

"C'mon it Friday night,"Trey insisted, "You've been here since morning.. the least you could do is at least taste them." I contemplated for a minute before I carve in and grabbed a plate. There, he also went by the cabinet and fostered a bottle of champagne while simultaneously grabbing the carton of OJ from the fridge.

"I can't believe we are having brunch at 8 o'clock in the night," I shook my head, pouring another glass of mimosas.

"Yea, welcome to my world," Trey smiled before continuing, "So, what got you into interior designing,"

"I've always been in love with house decor for as long as I can remember,"I paused to take a sip of my drink before continuing, "So when I got to Spelman—-

"What you went to Spelman ?

"Yes sir, the real HU," I shouted cheerful. "But anyways, when I got to Spelman, I could only major in architecture so while I was there I network and interned at various firms. Then, after I graduated, I landed at the interior design firm I am currently working at."

"That's dope... Have you ever thought about opening your own interior firm?"He asked, I was quiet, thinking, before I responded, "I've always wanted to but—

"But what?" His brow furrowed, "From what I seen you are great at what you do and we definitely need more black-owned firms especially in the sector you're in."I stood taken back by what he said and the observation he made, "You right,"I nodded my head in approval, "I guess...I never really actually sat down and thought of it like that, thank you,"

"Yea, no doubt, let me know if you need help with anything when you are ready," He nodded, I smiled at his generosity and couldn't help but blush. We've talked about his day and how much he was ready to get from underneath the label he was a part of and do his own thing. Listening to him really made me look at him in a different light, I thought celebrities like him were arrogant and full of themselves, but hearing his perspective of record labels and the entertainment industry as a whole, kinda drew me to him even more, this time beyond the physical attraction. It was almost midnight, I yawned, deciding it was really time to hit the sheets.

"I'm gonna get going," I stood up to stretch. "This was really nice, thank you Trey,"

"You wanna do this again sometime, maybe grab something to eat," He ask, gathering the silverwares and placing them in the sink.

"Trey, I already told you this--."

"Strictly professional."He said, cutting me off." I know... you made that cleared already, but a little dinner never hurt anyone,"

"I'm sorry,"I shook my head, "We can't.."I grabbed my car keys and purse. "Thanks again,"

"It's cool, see you around,"He offered a slight smile.

I flipped the key into the ignition and back out of the driveway. I cruised down highway 45, till I reached my house. "Finally,"I sighed as I entered the bathroom, immediately turning on the faucet in the process. While undressing, I allowed the water to fill up the tub and add a droplet of bubble bath soup.