“EJ Archibald?”
The high points of Ebony’s cheekbones reddened.
“I see,” Maggie responded with an amused turn of her lips. EJ stayed away from the pageant world. That was about as much as Maggie had gathered from the man.
A sizzle hissed through the air. Ebony placed a few more slices of bacon in a cast-iron skillet and then went to lift the top of a pot to stir a serving of creamy grits. A bowl of four cracked eggs sat to the right of Ebony’s arm on the marbled countertop. The sight of the countertop brought Maggie’s thoughts to hers in her apartment. Heat now sizzled up her neck. Ebony must have noticed but maybe thought the sweat at Maggie’s brow came from the sun through the window overlooking the river. Diamond crystals of light danced across the seam where air met water.
“Where are my manners? You must be thirsty after that bacon.” After washing her hands in the deep sink at the motion-sensor faucet, Ebony moved to the high-end refrigerator.
“Water, thanks.”
The oversize appliance had to be custom made to fit into the wall like it did. The fridge was a side by side but with a wine rack in the center. Of course Caden had a wine rack—probably a wine cellar, too, for all the party hosting he did.
Last night, at the Archibalds’ gathering, Maggie had heard the retelling from Kofi of Caden’s most recent party here in his home. A bachelor party for a frat brother. Of course he was a frat guy, Maggie thought. He was arrogant and cocky, and, as she nodded her head in agreement with her thoughts, he had every right to be. From what Maggie had learned about this party he threw, it was almost as if he wanted to show his fraternity brothers what kind of lifestyle they’d be missing once they tied the knot. Kofi told the table about the art party Caden had hosted, which was code for naked models. Maggie wasn’t new to how that game was played. Usually a single man hosted a painting party for his friends to sit back, paint and drink beer. The models were nude, and the events were a mockery of the wine and paint parties she attended.
She hated the fact she looked forward to him coming down the stairs. Caden was her adversary...or at least he would be once they knocked out everyone else’s ideas. She had no intention of sharing a victory with him.
Thinking of ideas, she and Caden needed to get started on their plan. “Is the boss man around now?”
“He didn’t stay at this house,” Ebony answered, pouring a bottled water into a stemmed crystal glass.
Maggie’s mind went into irritation mode. So Caden had the nerve to surprise her with his engagement announcement, had her phone blowing up with missed calls from her brother and sister, so he could go off and explain this situation with some other woman?
Shrugging, she lifted another crispy slice of heaven to her mouth. “At least there’s bacon.”
“I like you,” Ebony chuckled. “I can see why Caden is going out for you.”
“Dare I even ask what that means?”
Ebony motioned toward the bar stools at the kitchen’s island and poured coffee from a silver French coffeepot, then cream from its claw-foot mate with a helmet-shaped pot. Maggie had spotted a similar pair at Christie’s a year ago, back when she had money to spend.
“I would just like the record to show that Caden has never called me and begged me to find out the top restaurants in Southwood and get the names of the chefs.”
Maggie lifted her cup to
her lips. “I don’t understand. Southwood has like two really nice restaurants.”
“I know, Valencia’s and DuVernay’s,” said Ebony. “Did you find it odd that you guys got in without a reservation?”
“I thought we took someone’s table. Every place was packed. There was no way he knew if we could get a table anywhere.”
Ebony laughed. “That boy is smooth. Not only did he call me up to get a favor from my friends who work there, but he also reserved a table.”
“No.” Maggie shook her head back and forth. “He had no idea where we’d eat.”
“He reserved a table everywhere and prepaid as well.”
“Oh dear God.” Maggie touched her heart. “I had it on my radar to go back to DuVernays and pay for our meal somehow.”
Again Ebony laughed. “This is how I know you’re special.”
“There is absolutely way too much laughter going on in here.”
Both women glanced up and found Caden standing at the archway of the kitchen. He filled the room before even stepping into it. He wore a pair of tan slacks and a solid green polo.
“Well, damn,” Ebony said. “You can find a shirt to put on before noon.”
Maggie pressed her lips to keep from grinning too hard. He had stepped out of her shower wearing just a pair of shorts.