Driving Heat by Zuri Day Read Free Book Online Page B

nonsense.” Dynah sounded equally annoyed, before her tone changed. “Cynthia, I do have a concern.”
    Coming from the mother hen of the group, Cynthia wasn’t surprised.
    “Is it okay for you to go out with this guy since he’s part of your client’s family?” Dynah asked.
    “Before this year, the answer would have been an unequivocal yes. But this year, for the very first time, the American Counselor Association has added a section to the code of ethics expressly prohibiting personal relationships with a client, of course, or their family, which the H.E.L.P. Agency defines as immediate family members.”
    Having similar restraints in the field of education, Dynah pressed the issue. “How can the definition be left up to interpretation?”
    “A lot of counselors are asking the same thing and so far there is no one, right answer. But again, this is dinner, not a date.”
    “At least you’re going out,” Dynah finished, obviously placated for the moment. “Besides Gayle, did anyone else have a date this weekend?”
    “I did.”
    “Not a booty call, Lisa, and not a club pickup. A date, when the man comes to your house, opens the car door, pays the bill, and kisses you good night.”
    “He came to my house and kissed me, in a few places. Does that count as a half date?”
    The women laughed.
    “Why are y’all trying to make so much out of this? I’m going to a casual dinner with someone whose conversation I enjoy. End of story.”
    “Tell us more about him.” Mother Dynah, always the voice of reason. “He isn’t a professional, but does he have the other required qualifications?”
    “He went to college.”
    “Did he graduate?”
    “Not everyone can be summa cum laude, Gayle.”
    “Or even praise de Lawd,” Lisa mumbled.
    Dynah snickered.
    “Lisa?”
    “Yes, Cynthia?”
    “Stop drinking.” Even Gayle laughed at this. “He went to school on a partial football scholarship, but got injured in his junior year. Without the scholarship money, he couldn’t finish. So he took a job with LA’s Metro system. He’s worked there ten years and is a homeowner.”
    “That’s good,” Dynah said.
    “You have to have good credit to get a home loan,” Lisa added.
    “In a desirable neighborhood?”
    “Gayle, calm down.” Lisa was one of the few who could get Gayle to actually do this.
    “Okay, fine. He’s got a mortgage. But he’s not a college graduate or business professional. Are you willing to settle for one out of three?” Gayle asked.
    Cynthia bristled at the overall tone of the conversation. When hearing these required standards used against Byron, they didn’t sound good. And if I tell them he’s a single father . . . There was no need to get into that. It wasn’t like their sharing a meal would become a regular event. “Listen, I have touted the notion of DHOP or die single as fervently as any of you. A degreed, home-owning professional is still my ideal. You guys are reacting as if he and I are shopping for rings.”
    “Cynthia Eileen Hall, don’t even try it.” Lisa’s use of her full name showed she was serious. “If it was one of us, you’d be talking the same way.”
    “Maybe so, but the point is I’m not dating Byron. We’re meeting for dinner, as friends, nothing more. I enjoyed his company yesterday, more than I thought I would. The hours I put in at work and caring for Jayden have left very little time for making friends here or developing a social network. The company felt nice. Yes, he is a blue-collar brother. But one who’s intelligent, funny, interesting, considerate—”
    “Are you attracted to him?” Asked in a way that showed Gayle was not only incredulous, but clearly not on board.
    “He is totally not my type.”
    “That’s not what she asked,” Lisa said. “Are you going to give him some? That’s what we really want to know.” No immediate answer. “I would. He could be shorter than Kevin Hart and look like Flavor Flav. But if my dictation drought