“Hey, Amina. How are you doing, baby?”
I was at a loss for words. The little girl gave me a big wave and smiled brightly at me. I couldn’t return the wave because I was still at a loss for words.
“Amina, are you okay?” Gloria asked.
“Um, yeah. I just didn’t expect you to have guests today.”
She clapped her hands together. “Yes, this is my grandbaby, JaBria, and this is my son, Jabari.”
The wordsonwas on repeat in my head. I couldn’t believe the man I was checking out in the lobby was Gloria’s son. Gloria would always throw in how handsome her son was, but I figured she only said that because no parent would call their child ugly. In my opinion, she’d sold him short because he was beyond handsome. Jabari was breathtaking. To avoid drooling over him, I maintained eye contact to remain professional in my work environment.
“I actually ran into them in the elevator,” I disclosed.
I glanced over at Jabari, and, to my surprise, he was staring at me. I watched as he scanned me from head to toe. A chill shot up my spine when he winked at me. I quickly diverted my attention back to Gloria.
“It’s nice of you to have company today. I’m just going to start on your vitals, and then we’ll go from there.”
Gloria smiled and nodded. Gloria rambled as I got the blood pressure cuff out of the drawer.
“Amina, did I tell you Jabari is my only child? He’s always so busy, especially now since he is opening his restaurant. He’s an amazing cook! He didn’t get that from me. He got that from his grandma, my mama. He would stay home with her while I worked. She taught him everything he knows. I tell people all the time, he could season chicken before he could walk.”
“Mama,” Jabari interjected. “Please don’t start.”
I tried to avoid the tingle that ran through my back from his vibrato.
“What, son? I can’t brag on you?” Gloria asked.
“Mama, let her take your blood pressure, please.”
Gloria huffed and rolled her eyes. “He tries to be so humble, but he knows he’s successful, and his food is delicious. He needs to act like it,” she whispered.
I continued to take her blood pressure, and once I was done, I removed the cuff and placed it on the table. I returned to check her heart rate when she placed her hand on mine, causing me to stop. She leaned in, whispering in my ear. “He’s handsome, ain’t he?”
“Gloria, he’s right there.”
“Even better. Ask him for his number.”
“I’m not about to ask him for his number. It’s not the time nor the place.”
“Why ain’t it?” she asked.
“Because I’m working, and it’s not professional of me to ask for my patient’s son’s number.”
Before Gloria could respond, Jabari came up behind us.
“Excuse me?”
“Yes?”
“Can I speak with you for a second in the hallway?”
I looked back at Gloria, and she had a silly grin on her face. I shook my head at her antics but agreed.
“Sure.”
“Mama, I’m stepping out for a second. JaBria, listen to your granny.”
We stepped outside, and he closed the door behind us. I tried my best to hide the anxious feeling I had. I needed to make sure I played it cool, so he didn’t notice how he had made me feel just from being in his presence.
