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Niko gave him a small salute and turned back to the counter where his bottle and glass sat. He reached for the glass and pulled it toward him. A presence arrived at his side. He glanced over and found the small woman standing with an ice pack in her hand.
“Here. This is for you,” she said softly. She closed the gap between them and took his hand in hers. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“He had it coming,” Niko said.
He didn’t know why, but he allowed her to take his hand and rest the ice on it. Her soft hand was gentle as she held the cold bag to his knuckles. Her big brown eyes flicked up to his. His breath was taken away by how gorgeous she was. Niko wasn’t one to be stunned by women, but there was something about her.
“He did. He was close to getting kicked in the balls.” She smiled. She hopped up on the stool next to him, elevating her to his height. “Kizzie.”
“Huh?”
“My name is Kizzie. Kizzie McCall. I might as well introduce myself to the person who saved me.” She giggled.
Kizzie tenderly held the ice on his hand while shifting to face him. She stared at him for a moment before he realized she was waiting on him.
“Niko.” He cleared his throat. He glanced around the bar and didn’t see anyone who appeared to be waiting on Kizzie. He turned his attention back to her. “Why are you here alone?”
Kizzie’s eyes lowered in what he assumed was embarrassment. She shrugged and blew out a deep breath.
“I was stood up. I had met this guy online, and we were supposed to meet here, but he didn’t show.”
What kind of man would stand up a woman like Kizzie? She was beautiful, and Niko could tell she had a heart of gold. He had never had anyone, much less a stranger, try to take care of him. She could have easily just left during the altercation, but instead she’d gone and got an icepack for his hand.
“Whoever the fucker is don’t deserve you.” Niko reached over with his free hand and removed the ice pack. He’d had worse injuries before, and this was nothing. “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do.” She glanced down at her watch, a smile playing on her lips. She hopped down from the stool and snagged her small purse from the counter. “It’s getting late. I better go. I should have never agreed to meet him. I had a feeling he wouldn’t show.”
“I’ll walk you to your car,” Niko said.
He didn’t know what had gotten into him. A strange sense came over him at the thought of her walking to her car at this time of night. There was no telling who was lingering out in the parking lot. Niko tossed a few bills on the counter. He didn’t know where his brother had disappeared to. He’d cuss him out in the morning for abandoning him when they were supposed to be celebrating.
“You don’t have to. I’ll be fine.”
“Nonsense. I’m leaving now anyway.” He cupped her elbow and guided her through the crowd and out the door.
That night, his life changed forever.
* * *
Niko’s stomach growled at the aroma of meat smoking floating through the air. He stalked toward the door of McCall’s Barbecue. The restaurant’s parking lot was packed with cars. If the food was as good as it smelled, he could see why there were no parking spots available.
He pulled open the door, and the scent of food accosted him even harder than it had outside. He inhaled, and his stomach gave another warning growl. He hadn’t bothered to eat before he’d caught his flight, nor had he eaten on the plane. His stomach was now reminding him that he needed sustenance.
The decor of the restaurant was simple and casual. Upbeat R&B music flowed through the speakers, colorful artwork was showcased along the wall, and there was plenty of laughter going around, giving the place a down-home feel. It gave Niko the same feeling he had experienced when Kizzie had taken him to her sorority sister’s cookout. He’d had a good time that day, and the few minutes of being in her family’s restaurant reminded him of it.
The line that went to the door was moving fast. Two women stood at the registers, taking the customers’ orders. Niko’s gaze zeroed in on the woman with her perfect brown skin, Coke-bottle-frame figure dressed in jeans and a shirt.
It had been six months since he had seen Kizzie in person, and she still took is breath away. Her warm smile always relaxed him and melted away any stressors. At the moment her attention was on an elderly couple who were placing their order.
“Will you be dining in with us? Or taking your food home to go?” Kizzie asked.
She always had a way with people. There was something about her that drew everyone to her. Even the likes of him. He wasn’t the easiest person to get along with, but for Kizzie, it was like a walk in the park.
Today her dark hair was pulled up into a ponytail with a few wayward wisps hanging around her face. She had little bags underneath her eyes, but her smile was still bright. Kizzie always put everyone before herself. She was tired and probably wasn’t taking good care of herself. Niko didn’t have to ask how much she was working. He was sure she was putting in long hours. It was an honorable thing for her to leave the city she had grown to love, her job, and friends to move back home to help her family.
She hadn’t noticed him yet. It was no secret that he was coming to visit. Niko had the opportunity to take an earlier flight. He would have to admit that he was anxious to see Kizzie. They spoke on the phone regularly, and she had even convinced him to use the video call option on their phones.
But nothing was the same as having her near him, forcing her hugs on him or having the scent of her perfume on his clothes or in his home. He truly did miss having her around. That was why he had traveled across the country.
