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seen you at a game,” she said, playing off her curiosity.
    “Wait a minute. You were a cheerleader, right?”
    “How did you know that?”
    “I had a hobby of always picking out the prettiest cheerleaders. I thought when I first saw you last week that you looked vaguely familiar. I couldn’t remember where I had seen you before. I’ve been thinking about you all week. And just when you mentioned sports, it came to me where I had seen you. You haven’t changed a bit, still pretty as ever.”
    “You saw me here last week?” she asked, flattered.
    “Yes, I did.”
    She thought it best not to ask why he didn’t speak to her then. Eboni was coming.
    “Hello, I’m Eboni,” she said, introducing herself to him while extending her hand for him to shake.
    “Hello, Eboni,” he said, shaking her hand as he got up.
    “Oh, and I’m Zakia Wilkes,” Zakia said, extending her hand.
    “Jay Carter. It’s been a pleasure,” he said as he gently kissed the back of her hand, sending tingles through her body. He handed her one of his business cards. “Give me a call. Maybe we can do lunch.”
    She took the card and read it:
Jay Carter, Chief Financial Officer, NuTech Computers
. He worked for one of her firm’s clients.

Chapter Six
    A ll day Saturday Zakia thought about how Mr. Jay Carter had charmed her. Eboni called Saturday night to give her some advice.
    “You call that man first thing Monday, girl,” Eboni said.
    “And look desperate?”
    “No. Interested, not desperate. Just call him. Use reverse psychology. He won’t be expecting you to call Monday because you won’t want to seem desperate, but when you call all bold and confident, not desperate, he won’t know what to think.”
    Zakia was holding her head, shaking it with her eyes closed, listening to Eboni explain her theory.
    “Eli’s the philosopher and you’re the psychologist. Why aren’t you two married?” Zakia asked. Eli and Eboni lived together and had a six-year-old daughter named Essence.
    “Just call him Monday.”
    By the time she got to work on Monday, Zakia still didn’t know if she was ready for dating. Should she wait or call him? How did it work nowadays? She called.
    “Hello, Jay Carter’s office,” said a pleasant female voice.
    “This is Zakia Wilkes. Is Mr. Carter available?”
    “One moment, please.”
    After a few seconds, she heard a very enthusiastic “Well, good morning, Ms. Wilkes.”
    “Good morning, Mr. Carter. How are you?” she responded with just as much enthusiasm.
    “Just wonderful all of a sudden. How are you?”
    “Fine, thank you. Did you have a good weekend?” Zakia asked.
    “Actually, I worked in the yard, since the weather was nice. I was thinking about our conversation the whole time. I really enjoyed talking to you.”
    “Yes, it was nice.”
    After a brief pause, Jay said, “Do you have a busy day today?”
    “Not particularly.”
    “Are you available for lunch?”
    “I have no plans.”
    “Where are you located?”
    “In the King Tower.”
    “Right up the street. How convenient. Would you like to meet me at the restaurant next door to your building?” Jay asked.
    “Sure. What time?”
    “What’s good for you?”
    “How about high noon?”
    “See you then.”
    Zakia felt a rush she hadn’t felt in a very long time, and panic began to set in.
Am I ready for this? I got my peace back. I work like a dog, but my peace is worth it. Ezekiel is four years old, surrounded and smothered in love, Malik is history, and I have family and friends who love and support me and I them. Why complicate things? I can always find an escort for my corporate functions whenever I need one. I finally got my life back on track with nothing missing and nothing broken. Sex really is overrated. I would much rather have my peace.
    She called Jay back and was put through.
    “Hello, Jay. I’m sorry. I don’t think it will be a good idea to meet for lunch.”
    “Why not?” Jay asked.
    “I just don’t,”