Free Rituals for Love (9781476761893) by Shamara Ray

can’t wait to try it.”
    I signaled one of my servers over to the table and placed our orders.
    â€œDid you imagine when we met we’d end up being friends?” I asked.
    â€œI imagined some things, but it had nothing to do with friendship.”
    I swatted at his hand. “What has gotten into you?”
    â€œI always test the waters when I see you. Cain still hanging in there?”
    â€œYes, he is.”
    â€œLet me know when you cut him loose.” He laughed. “Hopefully I’ll be available, but I’m warning you I can’t wait forever.”
    â€œI’m going to have your dinner brought out in a to-go box.”
    â€œDon’t do me like that. Seriously, it’s nice seeing you.”
    â€œWhat’s going on with you and D—”
    â€œDamaris and I are no more.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œWe broke up about a month ago.”
    â€œNo wonder you’re cutting up. What happened?”
    â€œDamaris had a lot going on in her life. When we first started dating, she was newly divorced.”
    â€œI remember.”
    â€œShe has some unresolved issues. She needs to work them out on her own, not while in a relationship.”
    â€œI’m sorry to hear that.”
    â€œI gave it seven months. Now I’m just going to wait on you.”
    â€œDon’t wait on me. I’m happy in my current situation.”
    â€œThink about it. If I had met you a month earlier, you would be mine right now.”
    â€œIs that so?”
    â€œI think so. The night we met there was definitely chemistry between us.”
    A burst of laughter escaped me. “We met at the club. We had nice conversation, a couple of drinks, and a few dances. That’s what people do at clubs.”
    â€œSee, you’re all in love now so you forgot what a magical night it was.”
    I enjoyed Omar. He kept me amused. “I recall when we met.”
    â€œThen you have to admit if our timing was better we could be a couple.”
    â€œDid you stop to think that maybe we’re meant to be friends and that’s why we met when we did?”
    â€œNope and you can’t change my mind.”
    We shared a laugh. I remember the night I met Omar very well. We were partying at Ernest’s club. I genuinely had a nice night with him, but Cain and I had just started dating, and I wasn’t even considering any other men. Omar had a great job, good looks, was funny as hell and a good dancer. At the end of the night, he said he’d like to come dine at Rituals, and I let him know he was welcome. However, the reason I invited him to dinner tonight stemmed from something else we discussed—his investment savvy. A portfolio manager at an investment firm, I wanted Omar’s advice.
    Our drinks arrived and I raised my glass to him. “To friends.”
    â€œFriends.”
    We each tasted our drinks and placed them on the table. I tented my fingers. “I have news to share with you, and I wanted your advice on something.”
    â€œI hope I can help.”
    â€œCain and I have decided to go into business together. We’re opening a spa and eatery in the city.”
    â€œThat’s big news.”
    â€œWe’re in the preliminary stages now. We have the building. We’re filing the necessary paperwork and we’ll be meeting with the contractor soon.”
    â€œYou must be excited. You’ll not only have one successful business but two on your hands.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m hoping.”
    â€œWell how can I help?”
    â€œI’m interested in finding out about alternative financing or investor information.”
    â€œYou already have the building, the contractor’s coming, yet you don’t have financing?”
    â€œI’m exploring additional opportunities.”
    â€œHow much do you need?”
    â€œI’m not quite sure yet.”
    â€œHow much do you have? What percentage of the