The Billionaire’s Over 40 Love

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked, polite but curious.

“I was flirting with you, or trying to and I didn’t want you to think I was some cheating douchebag who flirts with women while his daughter is around and his wife is away so I came here to tell you that and to convince you to have dinner with me—tonight, if you’re available.” He wanted to say more to try to argue his case but he forced himself to stay quiet and wait for her reply.

“You’re asking me out?” She believed his niece story but thought it was strange that he didn’t mention the angry female from yesterday at the taco truck.

“Yes, I am.” She thought for a second while watching him. His smile was so genuine, and he was so damn sexy. His blonde hair was in a perfect wave across his head making, him look a lot like Captain America. And he was wearing another well-fitting suit that she couldn’t help but want to rip off.

She was going to say no and explain to him that she didn’t have the time or the strength to date right now but something inside her told her not to do that. She thought, if anything, here was a handsome man that she could spend a few nights with to relieve the impossible tension that had taken up residence inside her. A second thought crossed her mind, one that she hadn’t thought of in the last two days—she’d never been with a white man.

It didn’t bother her, she’d always found men of all races to be attractive but this was different. She’d never had to experience the public humiliation and judgment that often came with interracial romances, especially those where the woman was black. This would be new territory for her regardless of whether or not it lasted more than a night.

Everything inside her told her to say no. Except here was a man, who had shown up to her work first thing in the morning just to get the chance to ask her out. A man she’d had an undeniable connection with days earlier.

“Okay, sure. Sounds fun.” She didn’t sound too enthusiastic but she had a pleasant smile on her face, one that he returned.

“Okay, great. Well, I’ll pick you up here at 7:30?”

She nodded her head. “Yeah, that’ll be great.”

They said their goodbyes and he promptly left the store. She stayed seated for a moment, considering her options with this strange man.

He could be full of sh*t. She considered the possibility this Casanova was wooing all the eligible females in Atlanta, knocking them up and leaving them out to dry. This seemed unlikely, but then again she’d met her fair share of master manipulators and professional actors. It was a possibility.

He could just be oblivious. Faydra felt like most men would explain whether or not the child they were buying clothes for was theirs if they were intent on flirting with you while in their presence. So maybe he was an idiot, or so distracted that he hadn’t thought about it.. Either way—that didn’t bode well for a future.

Or, he could be an honest, good guy who likes buying his niece clothes and—the girl at the taco truck? Could there be another logical explanation for her defensive behavior? He hadn’t yet mentioned her and she couldn’t tell if that was a strategy or not.

“I can smell your brain overheating from here!” yelled Candace from behind one of the display shelves she was restocking. Faydra rolled her eyes and stood up from her chair, walking over to help Candace with her task.

“Not overheating, I’m just trying to figure out what to do about this guy.”

“You mean Cal? The super-hot, business owner that you drooled about yesterday. You didn’t mention he was the most beautiful man alive.”

“He’s not the most beautiful…” she tried to think who was. Idris Elba, maybe? The disapproving look on Candace’s face told her she was wrong. “Regardless. I mean, he’s a nice guy, or he seems to be. There are a few inconsistencies that are a little weird so I don’t want to get my hopes up. But also, you know how I feel about men who blow that much money at once.”

These feelings had spurred from her last relationship. Kevin had started buying her things: jewelry, trips and even a car. And as he did she started noticing inconsistencies with him as well. Shortly after that she found out he was cheating on her. After that, she’d vowed to take notice of when men did that and why.

“Fay, why don’t you just go out and enjoy yourself. Hell, maybe even get laid. And after that, then you can analyze everything he’s said to try to figure out if he’s playing you. Just enjoy one night, and try not to fall in love with him.”

“I’m definitely not going to do that. I’ll go and have a good time, and see where it leads. Definitely not getting attached.” Famous last words. She felt like she was reading Candace’s mind, knowing the woman wanted to say the exact words but wouldn’t.

Faydra spent the rest of the day working intermittently while thinking about Cal and their date that night. She hoped for the best, but it had been so long since she’d been on a date that she could hardly fathom how it would end.

*****

Calvin had reserved a table at one of his favorite restaurants, Eche, a small Italian place owned and operated by an Italian family. He picked Faydra up at 7:30 outside of the shop, where he stood waiting to open her car door. She smiled at this gesture and allowed him to help her into the car.

“Do you like Italian food?” he asked.

She chuckled. “I mean, what’s not to love about garlic bread and pasta and wine?”

“That’s true!”

The restaurant was located on the edge of the city in a quiet and seemingly rundown area of town. He hoped he’d made a good choice and that she wouldn’t be put off by the atmosphere or the fact that he’d driven her so far from her store.

“So, tell me a little bit about yourself, you successfully run a media company and you have a niece—that’s all I know,” she said. He liked that she was interested in his story.

“There’s not much to tell. I started the company out of college.”

“You majored in business?” she asked.