Page 39 of The Need to Know

“You’re in for a treat, I hope.”

Really, there was so much food, and I wanted to eat each and every bit of it. There was a cold bottle of water stowed away in the basket as well, and Ezekiel was quick to take it out and set it aside.

“The strawberries add flavor to the champagne,” Ezekiel told me as he uncorked the bottle with ease. He didn’t even flinch at the pop!

It was then that I decided he was full of shit. He said he wasn’t into romance, but this was a pretty big setup, champagne included.

“Oh my God.” I gushed at the scene before me. “Ezekiel… This…this is beautiful.”

A proud smile washed across his face. “Glad you like it.”

“Can I…take a picture? It’s just so pretty.”

My Instagram account was dry compared to others’. I never had much to post or share, but this was healthy content. I wouldn’t post it to my feed, but to my story, so that those who actually took the time to watch would notice.

Ezekiel studied his spread and then me. “How about I take your picture so you’re in it?”

Even better.

I leaned back against a pillow, lifting the flute of champagne he’d just poured me and posed with a big smile on my face as he snapped away. Wind blew briefly in my hair and a warm breeze melted away those nervous goose bumps that sprinkled across my golden-brown skin.

This wasn’t even a date and he was treating me to something so thoughtful and intimate.

“Pretty,” Ezekiel mused as he handed me my phone back.

He poured his own glass of champagne and set it down before focusing on preparing plates. I liked watching him work, so serious and yet relaxed. He radiated such grown-man energy and I was buzzing off of it.

“Thank you,” I spoke up. “Not just for this, for last week at the club.”

Curious, he peeked my way. “What about it?”

“For protecting me and keeping me away from my ex. You and Cesar were good about it,” I said.

Ezekiel shrugged it off. “It’s nothing.”

It was more than nothing. There were a lot of men who would’ve minded their own business and not have cared.

I took a sip of my champagne, not a total fan but a bite out of a strawberry did help. “You must have a close relationship with your sister or something.”

Ezekiel paused in his work, giving me his attention. “I’m an only child. And to be honest, this kinda reminds me of a pet peeve of mine.”

“Which is?” I probed.

“Ever notice how when men have their first daughter or watch their shorty give birth they start talking about ‘how they view women different now’?” He made a face, deadpanning at the idea of it. “That shit only lasts three to five business days before they start treating women foul again.” He placed his hand to his chest. “Now, I’m not no saint, but I firmly believe that a man shouldn’t have to know or be close to a single woman to treat her with respect. I love my mother, I do, but I don’t need a sister or cousin to know that you needed to be somewhere where you could be comfortable that night.”

Something deep in my gut quivered and I bit my lip.

Strike three.

And we hadn’t even had our entrée yet.

“Just a little of everything to get you started,” Ezekiel said as he handed over a plate.

I snapped a quick picture before digging in, instantly moaning at the first taste. I’d never had a niçoise salad before, and clearly I’d been missing out. The light vinaigrette dressing mixed with the juices from the cucumbers and tomatoes made everything delicious. The smoked salmon was an added bonus as I loved salmon.

“You made this by scratch?” I had to know.

Ezekiel bobbed his head as he settled down across from me. “Some people use tuna in their recipes, but I like salmon.”