“Right.” She tried to hide a smile. “Well, can’t be too careful nowadays.”
“Why serial killers? Why not, I don’t know clowns.”
Imani shrugged. “I don’t know. It started around when I was ten. I saw one of those shows on television about them and have had a weird fascination with them ever since.”
The awkward silence reappeared.
It was stupid. There was no real reason for it, so Imani decided to treat Garrett the way she would any of Maddon’s friends and just talk to him. “I apologize on behalf of the entire Jones family.”
“For what?”
“Sometimes we can be way over the top, and today at breakfast was one of those days.”
“Honestly, it was refreshing. No one pretending about anything. It was therapeutic.”
Imani was surprised. “Really? I wouldn’t think you would want strangers in your business.”
“True. I don’t. But, I didn’t really feel like a stranger in there. More than anything, I would just prefer to have a different set of problems.”
Her eyes softened. “I’m sorry . . .” Imani wanted to find the right words. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Loyalty is everything to me. You said he was two and a half?”
His lopsided grin was half-hearted as he nodded. “He’s the reason I get up and work so hard every morning. I’d do anything for him.”
“Do you have a picture?”
Like any proud father, Garrett pulled out his phone and started showing her photos.
“My god. That’s a handsome little guy!” Imani’s smile spread across her entire face. “You’ve got a real winner there.”
Garrett responded. “I am proud of him.” His eyes lingered on the photo for an extra moment before turning toward Imani.
Eyes full of compassion locked with his. Her heart raced. Imani stuttered. “I-I . . .” She closed her mouth and took a breath then reminded herself that Garrett was just a man. A drop dead gorgeous GQ kind of man but she wasn’t about to let that slide past her lips. He put his pants on like anyone else. The difference was he mesmerized her, and she couldn’t look away. “Everything will work out with your little boy.”
“Thank you.”
Imani exhaled. “It kind of makes my problems seem so insignificant.”
“That’s crazy. You lost a job you love. That’s a big deal.”
The wistfulness in her voice was unmistakable. “I did love it. Losing it set me back a few years of my five-year life plan. I’m not quite sure how to adjust so that I can stay on track.”
“Interesting. Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Imani burst out laughing. “My god. That sounds like a question someone would ask during an interview, not in real life.”
Garrett let out a chuckle too. “It did. But, I am curious. I’m a pretty driven guy but not sure I have my life mapped all the way out. So, is there an answer to the question? Where do you see yourself?”
“Considering I’m in year three of my five-year plan, I would have liked to have seen myself starting my own interior design company and maybe a family.”
“Why don’t you start early? No better time than being in-between jobs to start a business.”
Imani huffed. “Easier said than done. Interior design is a business where you really must have connections or a big client that would give you a bit of notoriety. Decor Interiors was where I was hoping to build some healthy relationships.”
Garrett was somewhat surprised but relieved to know she had absolutely no idea who he was. “Notorious huh? What else is on the list?”
“I wanted to be married and start my own family in the next couple of years. I love children. I want a house full.”
“Having a career and kids is hard.”
“True, but I’d be willing to slow down a bit and delegate to my team. The one I don’t have.” She laughed. “It’s the only way to create work-life balance.”
“Are you in a relationship with anyone?” He asked casually but was surprised at how interested he was in her answer.
Imani pressed her lips together before responding. Then, she remembered her father had already put her dating record on blast, no point in being coy. “Not really.”
“Ahhh . . . Not really? That usually means there is someone. I figured it would be highly unlikely there wouldn’t be a special man in your life.”
Her head tilted. “Why would you say that?”
Garrett hunched his shoulders. “You’re smart, beautiful, and driven. Women like you don’t stay on the market for long.”
She blushed. Garrett thought she was beautiful. Imani was flattered. “Honestly, there isn’t anyone special or otherwise. The men I’ve met say they are attracted to a woman with goals, but once in a relationship with one, they quickly realize they’ve lied to themselves. The way everything is going for me lately, I’m fairly confident the goal of a husband and children no longer fits into my current timeline.”
“You’ll adjust.”
Imani sighed. “That’s why I’m home. I just needed a minute to gather myself. To figure out what the hell I’m doing. I look at Aaliyah, and I envy her. She’s never planned anything in her life, but she has the career that she’s always wanted and a baby on the way. I can assure you; she’s never done anything with a list. I can’t seem to do anything without one. Maybe things aren’t working out because of me? I don’t know.”
Garrett reached out and touched her hand. The warmth of his large hand covering hers was not only comforting, but it caused heat to go straight
