“Thank you for your service Pharrell,” Savvy responded.
“Tell us more about this security camera business.” Olivia focused her attention on Durbin. “Zoriyah told us you installed their system here. What exactly do you do? I may need to invest in cameras as my kids get closer to the dating age.”
The four of them laughed. “Every parent needs a good system to monitor their kids sneaking out.” Durbin appeared confident in discussing cameras.
“I ain’t even gonna lie. I snuck out plenty of times back in the day. The only alarm in our house was a loose floorboard. The only security camera was our nosey neighbor, Ms. Jenkins,” Olivia admitted.
“No question. We had it good back in the day.” Savvy chuckled and munched on a piece of gouda cheese.
Durbin pushed his eyeglasses higher on the bridge of his nose with his index finger. “What I do is create, develop, install, and monitor home security systems. I’ve acquired a decent number of businesses and residents as clients since I relocated to San Antonio about a month ago.”
“Oh wow. You create the systems? You must be pretty tech-savvy.” Olivia became intrigued.
“I’m a computer science major and a geek when it comes to technology.”
“Not exactly my forte. I always have to call someone for help with anything involving a computer,” Olivia replied.
“I’ll help you. It gives me an adrenaline high to work on complicated problems,” Durbin offered.
Olivia raised her left eyebrow and checked Durbin out. Her man radar gave her an alert. “I hope you aren’t referring to me as being a complicated problem. You don’t even know me. I’m assuming you’re talking about computers.”
Savvy glared at her with a mortified expression before releasing a guffaw of a laugh. “Girl. You are too funny. Of course, he’s talking about computers. Right, Durbin?”
Durbin shifted in his seat and appeared uncomfortable. “Uh. Yeah. I was talking about computers. Sorry if I wasn’t clear.”
“What do the two of you do?” Pharrell asked as he scooped food onto his fork.
“I work in the marketing department of a biotechnology company. Olivia is a doctor.” Savvy gave Olivia a slight look of uncertainty.
Olivia clued in on the fact Savvy wasn’t sure how much to tell them about her being a psychologist. Pharrell and Durbin may have heard about her trial.
“A doctor, huh? What’s your specialty?” Durbin asked.
“I don’t like discussing my work when I’m at Happy Hour. I don’t care to be drilled with questions about my job. But, since you asked, I’m a clinical psychologist.” Olivia studied their faces to determine if they recognized her. When they didn’t appear alarmed, she remembered they were both new to San Antonio.
“Nice. People need a lot of help when it comes to mental health. I see a lot of post-traumatic stress disorders among my military colleagues. You probably see some of everything in your field,” Pharrell stated.
“Yes. I do. I hope I’m making a difference in the lives of other people,” Olivia said in a reflective way and attempted to fix her attitude.
“I’m sure you are.” Durbin flashed a smile and adjusted his glasses again. Olivia noticed how his hazel eyes lingered on her a few beats longer than necessary.
Without warning, Olivia grew uncomfortable with the way Durbin’s eyes darted back and forth across her face almost as if he were studying a computer glitch. Olivia needed a breath of fresh air, away from Durbin.
Olivia faked a yawn. “Umm. Savvy and gentlemen. Thank you for your company. I hate to break up our wonderful conversation. I have a long day tomorrow and must go home to get some much-needed rest. Nice meeting both of you.” Olivia stood in haste, gulped the last of the wine in her glass, and grabbed her purse, scarf, and coat. “Savvy, don’t leave now. I’ll call you later.”
Savvy scrunched her eyebrows together, perplexed at Olivia’s sudden announcement to leave. They still had a bottle and a half of wine to finish.
Durbin stood and handed his business card to her. “I’m sorry you have to leave already. Here’s my card. Call me if you think you’re interested in discussing the security system. May I escort you out?” Olivia hesitated to accept his card. She figured she could always throw it away later. She fumbled with it before crumpling it into her purse.
“No. I’m good. It’s still light outside. Y’all keep enjoying the evening.” Olivia began scurrying away from the group.
She overheard Savvy. “Excuse me, guys. I’ll be back.” Savvy’s heels clicked across the stained concrete floor toward the exit. “Olivia. Hold up. What’s wrong with you? A double date is supposed to be with four people, not three.”
Olivia exited through the entrance of the establishment and pivoted toward Savvy. “Girl, you didn’t have to get up. I’m sorry to destroy your plans. I had a sudden urge to leave after Durbin stared at me. I think he recognized me from a newspaper article or something.”
“You’re being paranoid, Olivia. They haven’t been in San Antonio long enough to be aware of your situation.” Savvy shivered and folded her arms to block the chilled air. She bounced from one foot to the other to warm herself. “Relax and come back to the table.”
“I need to go.” Olivia adjusted the collar on her coat. “Do you feel safe with me leaving you here with them?”
“Yes, I’m fine. If I have any problems, I’ll let Zoriyah and Amir know. Why are you trippin’? We were having a good time. I know you ain’t tired.”
“Dealing with this Malcolm crap is consuming me. I’m overwhelmed about going to his place tomorrow to have the conversation with the kids about them moving to Miami. I need some time to myself to get my head together.”
“I understand. It’s going to all work out. Hang in there, Sis.” Savvy studied Olivia. “I shouldn’t have sprung this double date on you today.”
“You owe me in a big way. In the meantime, Pharrell can’t keep his eyes off you.
