I closed my eyes while wearing a smile. "What have you been up to?" I inquired.
"Too much, honestly. I know you've been super busy yourself," he said.
"Oh, I have so much to catch you up on," I informed him.
A.B. said, "Same here, but I know it's late so I'm not going to keep you up. I just wanted to tell you over the phone that I'll be flying out to L.A. tomorrow morning."
I gasped, "Really?"
A.B. chuckled, "Yeah. I'm meeting with a client who wants to finalize our contract. I don't know if I told you about it, but the property is located next to East Grove College."
"I think you told me, but wow! How crazy is it that you have a client in L.A.? How long are you staying here?"
He replied, "Not long. My plane leaves Sunday at 6:35 p.m."
I pouted, "One day? Can you stay a little longer?"
"I wish I could, but... my uncle had a stroke last week. He's currently in the hospital."
I grew concerned as I sat all the way up. "What? Mr. Dave had a stroke? And what about Music Bravos?"
"I've been running the store as best as I can, but I had to post on Indeed and put an ad in the paper for a full-time manager."
This hurt to hear. "Is Mr. Dave not going to be able to run the store anymore?"
A.B. answered, "Unfortunately, he's paralyzed on one side of his body."
I dropped my head into the palm of my hand. "That's terrible, A.B. I wish I could go back home to see him."
"I know. I've been praying to God for his healing and recovery and to help my aunt since she's alone at home until my uncle is clear to leave the hospital."
I slowly shook my head. "I am so sorry, A.B. For now on, we have to talk more often. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help."
"No, Jamie. I couldn't burden you. You have a life to live."
A.B. may not voice it, but I know he's hurt.
He continued, "My meeting is tomorrow morning, but I'm free after that. What does your schedule look like?"
I took a deep breath. "The reverse. I have the morning off, and I have a meeting at 1:30 p.m., another at 3 p.m., and the last one is at 6:15 p.m. I should be free by 8 o'clock."
A.B. said, "Perfect. I'll pick you up at nine or do you want to meet me?"
"I can meet you. Are you staying at a hotel?"
"Airbnb. I'll text you the address. We can probably go out to eat or get a late night snack."
"That sounds great," I told him.
A.B. said, "I'll see you tomorrow, Jamie."
"See you tomorrow. Have a safe flight."
"Thanks. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, A.B."
We ended the call, and I happily fell asleep. Then, I woke up two hours before my alarm went off. I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn't. I threw the covers off my body, and I got out of bed. After getting ready for the day, I headed downstairs to the kitchen and caught Bridgette leaving.
"I thought you were already gone. Are you hungry?" She asked me.
"Am I?" She should know food is my catharsis.
Bridgette chuckled, "I can cook you something or you can have Zeke's plate that he asked for and never came to get."
I told her, "I'll take it since it's already cooked."
"It's still warm. It's under the silver dome by the stove," she directed me.
"Thank you, Bridgette!" I ran in the kitchen.
When I uncovered the plate to see two beautiful omelets, I felt a movement in my shoulders. Uh-oh, it's eating time!
I took a sip of my orange juice before putting it down on the small table. I sat outside in the checkered decorated chair, enjoying the view of the garden and the cool breeze in the air as I ate. I could definitely use more days like this. It felt so relaxing. Once I completed my meal, I headed back inside the house to return my empty plate and cup to the kitchen.
I glanced at my phone to see that I still had several hours before my first meeting. I have to find something to do in the meantime. As I made my way to the foyer, I saw a man walk inside the half bathroom by the staircase. There's no way that was Zack from the back. Warren was in the garage for sure, and Zeke wasn't home.
The worst came into my mind as I thought about all the kidnapping movies I've watched over the years. If I didn't make a run to the door, I'd get caught. What if there's more people outside the front door waiting for me? Then to, I could go out the side door that leads to the pool. Oh, Jamie, make a decision and quick!
I started to tip toe to the front door. Somebody please ask me why I was tiptoeing on a marble floor?
"Jamie?"
I ran to the front door, turning the knob. Then, I stopped. How did he know my name? I slowly turned around to see A.B. I smiled in disbelief as I walked towards him.
He shook his head as he smiled at me. "I can't believe I forgot you were staying at Zeke's house."
I was at a loss for words as A.B. gave me a bear hug, lifting me off my feet for a couple seconds before putting me back down.
I looked at him. "What? How? When?" I couldn't get my words together. "Why are you here?"
"Zeke picked me up from my Airbnb and asked if I was okay with having the meeting at his house."
Still confused, I asked, "Why didn't you tell me you knew Zeke?"
"I didn't know he would be who he is. This whole time I've been talking to his representatives. If I'd known my future business partner was Zeke Rivers, you would've been the first to know. When he came to pick me up, I thought he had the wrong person."
This had to be a sign. Right? Whatever the case, I got to see my ma--friend!
"I'm so happy to see you!" I exclaimed.
A.B. said, "If I was thinking, I would've called or texted you when I arrived in L.A."
"That makes two of us," I pointed between us. "Is your meeting over with?"
A.B. pointed at the room that I learned about when I had my meeting with Zeke and his Aunt Shell. "We're about to wrap it up. Will you be free in about 15 minutes?" He glanced at his watch.
"Yes, but I'm going to run upstairs and put on my shoes. I'll be right back!" I took off like a track star.
I changed into different clothes - an oversized white Nike shirt that I tied into side knot, light jeans and a matching denim jacket. I put my hair in a high bun before putting on my shoes. With duffle bag in hand, I jogged to the grand staircase with my lips glossified and my lashes mascara applied, dancing like no one was watching.
Zeke was talking with A.B., and whatever he was saying, he didn't finish as he looked at me questionably.
I smiled as I hopped from the second step to floor.
A.B. turned around and looked at me.
"Hey, sirs!" I stood next to A.B.
Zeke asked, "Off to RiSe Tower?"
"No, Mr. Zeke Rivers," I glanced at A.B. "Me and him are hanging out today."
Zeke arched his brow.
A.B. explained, "Jamie and I know each other. We met at her old job in East Grove."
"East Grove, baby!" I shouted in a deep voice.
A.B. and Zeke laughed at me. I didn't care, because I was about to hang out with one of my favorite people. "I'm ready when you are."
Zeke said, "A.B., I can't wait to break ground with you. This property is going to be a game changer."
"Most definitely!" The two men shook hands.
Zeke started to walk away. "Ay, Enjoy L.A., man. Jae, call me if you need anything."
"Yes, Dad!" I joked as he disappeared down the hall.
"Where do you want to go?" A.B. asked me.
"Anywhere with you. Do you mind being my bodyguard for the day?" I looked at him with a Stevie J from Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta smile - that's a new one. I am cracking myself up.
This is going to be an amazing day. If anyone would have told me that A.B. would spend the entire day with me, I'd say that's only possible in East Grove and Yellow Sand Beach. Now, I can add L.A. to that list.
"I don't mind, but first we have to catch an Uber or Lyft to get my rental car."
I shook my head, "No, sir. My personal driver Maximo will take us to get your rental car." I led A.B. to the front door. He followed me.
Within twenty minutes, we were inside the rental car.
"Where to first?" A.B. asked me.
I thought before answering, "Just so we're on the same page, you'll be with me the rest of the day, right?"
A.B. nodded his head. "Yes."
I clasped my hands together. "Perfect!" I turned in the passenger's seat to face him. "My first meeting is in three hours, but it's short. I have to finish some vocals on a new song I wrote. My 3 o'clock is two hours long. That's my vocal training class. You can come to that, too. My 6 o'clock meeting is with Aja Frost and our team. You might have to stay in the car, but it shouldn't be more than an hour."
"Jamie, I'm really impressed by how quickly you've immersed yourself into this industry."
"Thank you. It wouldn't have happened without your encouraging words," I admitted.
He shook his head. "That wasn't me. You made the decision."
True, but my man deserves some credit. I need to stop before I slip up, and he catches me say something off-guard... again. Although, I wouldn't mind him catching me - literally.
"Have you heard of The Last Bookstore?" I asked him.