Dominique looked over her reading glasses at Reggie’s sincere face. In the time that he’d been her assistant, their relationship had definitely gone from strictly professional to professional and personal. The lines had begun to blur during his second year at Capricious, when she’d broken up with Kevin Patterson. Reggie had been an excellent listener and had often provided the comic relief that this time in her life sorely needed. Her executive position and busy schedule were more conducive to associates than friends, so aside from her mother, Anita, and her sister, Faith, there weren’t many people whom she felt comfortable confiding in. But her love life, or lack thereof, wasn’t a topic she wanted to share with her mother, and with Faith having just experienced a painful miscarriage, she didn’t want to burden her sister either. Still, Dominique needed another opinion and, right now, Reggie was her only other choice.

“I met someone, too,” she began in a casual tone.

“When?”

“Yesterday.”

Reggie became even giddier than his impromptu romp in the hay had left him. He slapped her arm before sitting back with a big smile on his face. “Do tell.”

“I met him at Justin’s football game.”

“One of the parents? You met a single father?”

Dominique shook her head. “The coach.”

Reggie whirled around in his chair. “All right now. You go girl. I like those athletic types myself. Quinn plays tennis.”

“Quinn?”

“My new man!”

“Well, help me keep it straight, Reggie. You never mentioned his name.”

“Girl, trust and believe, his name wasn’t the least bit important last night.”

“Ha! You’re a skank.”

Reggie laughed. “Thank you, darlin’. I appreciate that compliment. But we’re talking about you right now.” After a few seconds of silence, he continued. “So, spill the beanie wienies!”

“His name is Jake, and he’s an ex-NFL player.”

“Ooh, a manly man. Those are the best.”

“If you say so.”

“I definitely do. What does he look like?”

“He’s... attractive. Tall... dark, handsome...”

“How tall?”

“At least six foot four, maybe five.”

“Girl,” Reggie responded, drawing out the word. “That’s a guaranteed extra long all-beef frank, hold the ketchup and the mustard, okay?”

“Speaking of condiments,” Dominique said with dry sarcasm, “he’s also a good cook.”

“Hm... to know that then, he’d have had to be in your kitchen or you would have been in his. Do tell some more.”

“It was nothing, really. After Justin’s game he invited us over for chicken tacos that he made from scratch using fresh ingredients, a salad, and this spicy rice that was really delish.”

“Shut the front door! You mean he can fix your meal and then you can be his meal? That’s what I’m talking about!”