πŸ” Chapter Sixteen πŸ”

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JAMES' POV

"James do you have any glasses in this house?"Ruth asked rummaging through all the drawers looking very frustrated.

"You're asking as if it's your first time here."I chuckled as I grabbed two beers from the fridge for me and Mark.

"You might want to upgrade now seeing as you've set your eyes on Lulu, which means she might want to spend time here. You can't have her drinking water straight from the tap like an animal now can you?"She asked hands on her waist.

"I have cups."I mumbled a little intimidated.

I loved Ruth but she could be scary sometimes. How did Mark handle her everyday? No wonder she was a teacher.

"Plastic ones, what are we? Five?"

I opened my mouth to answer until I realized it was a rhetorical question so I justly quickly left the kitchen before she found something else to prod me about. I walked into the living room where Mark was watching rugby and handed him a beer. He nodded gratefully and took a sip, his eyes still trained on the TV.

As agreed upon we were all hanging out at my house. Lulu hadn't arrived yet but she'd texted saying she was still coming. Ruth and Mark were at my place all the time but this time it felt different, maybe because Lulu was going to be there. Actually not maybe, it was definitely because she was coming. I had no idea why I was freaking out. It's not like it was her first time coming to my place. She'd dropped me off a few times and even came in once and there was also the night of our date. I just hoped the ending to this night would not be as tragic as our date night.

"Stop thinking so hard about it man and relax, you're ruining the game."Mark whined next to me and I chuckled nervously wiping my sweaty palms of my jeans.

"Sorry."I muttered taking a huge gulp of my beer before leaning back on the seat.

Lulu was right and it was best for us to try and be friends first so that I could be more comfortable around her. I should have been excited that she was coming over to hang out with my friends but I was more nervous than ever and that didn't sit well with me. I felt like we took four steps forward then ten steps back and it was all my fault. I needed to get myself in check before Lulu decided I wasn't worth the wait.

"Mark help me with this please."Ruth yelled from the kitchen and like the obedient fiance that he was, he left his game and joined her in the kitchen.

I wanted what they had but how could Lulu and I get there if I was busy second guessing myself at every turn. I'd never behaved the way I did with Lulu around other women before. It wasn't entirely a bad thing because it meant that she was special. It was just bumming me out that I spent half my time around her a nervous wreck and the other half just hanging onto her every word like a lost puppy. I prayed to God for help because at the rate I was going, Lulu and I would get stuck at being friends.

The front door opened jarring me from my thoughts. Lulu walked in dressed in a grey checked pant suit, white sneakers and a bag in hand.

"Sorry I'm late, I had a meeting with the county council today about my permits and those power hungry bastards wanted to keep me there asking for bribes."She ranted out taking off her shoes.

She was so just so beautiful it was hard not to stare. See what I meant by love sick puppy.

"Oh hi, James. Sorry for my rambling. I'm just upset."She apologized.

"It's okay and you're not late, Ruth is just finishing up on dinner."I explained.

"Okay good. I brought some wine but I left it in the car, can you please get it?"She asked tossing me the keys to her jeep.

"Yeah of course."

"Thanks and where is your bathroom. I need to freshen up change into something more comfortable. I feel dirty and disgusting in these clothes and most of it is from the dirt and corrupt people I came in contact with."She rambled on.

"The only one that has water is the one in my bedroom."

"You don't mind me using it do you?"She asked and I shook my head.

"Not at all, last door down the hall to your left."I volunteered and she smiled gratefully before skipping off.

So far so good I guess. As long as I didn't overthink about Lulu being naked in my room, I'd be okay. Too bad that ship sailed the minute she mentioned freshening up.

"Did I hear Lulu talking?"Ruth asked walking into the living room.

"Yeah she just went to change."I replied and walked away to get the wine from her car.

It was definitely for her and Ruth seeing as Mark and I would not be caught dead drinking it. I got the two bottles of wine before walking back into the house. It was great that I had great reflexes seeing as I almost dropped the bottles once I saw what Lulu had changed into. She was wearing baggy brown sweatpants and a cropped brown tank top that ended above her belly button. She had the waist beads I'd gotten her accentuating her toned stomach all the more. I was behaving like a teenager who had never seen a woman's skin before. Lord have mercy, I'd definitely need it to get through the night.

"I'll take those." Ruth declared taking the bottles from me.

"James are you okay?"Lulu asked looking at me concerned probably because I was staring at her like a creep.

"Yeah I'm fine."I replied my voice cracking a little bit.

She was about to ask me something else when Mark walked nudging her to say hello since his hands were full with the tray he was carrying.

"Looks good Mark."Lulu complimented.

"Thanks, I can't take all the credit though, my wife helped a lot." He joked looking proud of himself.

Ruth had just come back into the room and she hit the back of his head.

"She won't get to be your wife you smartass if you keep up with those jokes."Ruth scolded.

"Sorry wifey."He apologized pouting and she melted right in front of us.

Love sick fools is what they were. Ruth recovered pretty quickly rubbing her palms together excitedly.

"I already lit the fire, we're going to eat outside so let's go."She declared.

"Then why did you have me bring this in here?"Mark whined lifting the trey but Ruth just ignored him leading the way outside.

"Are they always like this?"Lulu asked chuckling.

"It was worse when they were younger. Now it's mellowed out since she fell for him, he's always loved her though."I explained.

Lulu smiled before replying"She's always loved him too."

"Did she tell you that?"I asked.

"Not in so many words but anyone can see it. A love like theirs doesn't grow overnight. Now let's join them, I'm starving."Lulu said walking out and I followed her.

Our love didn't grow overnight too so I hoped it would be as long lasting as the one my friends had. Hopefully less cheesy but with Lulu, I'd get cheesy for her anytime she wanted.

We found the two love birds outside with the food laid out in front of them. There was a lot of it but between all four of us, I'm sure we could finish it. Lulu had a big appetite, which I'd experienced first hand a few times and I liked it. I didn't like those girls who pretended to be prim and proper by denying themselves food just to look good. There were chapatis, rice, beans, wet fried meat and chicken dipped in fresh tomato paste. Then there was the wine for the ladies and the beer for us men all arranged in a beautiful spread.

"Ruth this looks amazing, I'm drooling just looking at it."Lulu complimented taking the words right out of my mouth.

"I love cooking, someone has to anyway since this one here doesn't know how to cook let alone boil milk."Ruth replied jabbing at Mark.

"Not fair babe."Mark whined sitting down next to Ruth.

There was another sofa opposite them that Lulu was seating on so I just joined her as it was the only logical place for me to sit.

"I like to cook too and can do it well. I've come across so many cuisines across the world and I've picked up a few things in my travels."Lulu replied.

"Now we know who is cooking next time."Ruth declared and Lulu chuckled.

"It'll be an honor to cook for you guys."Lulu replied.

"Okay enough chitchat, it can wait till after we eat. Let's bow our heads for prayer and get this show on the road."Mark declared earning himself a glare from Ruth but we all still humbled ourselves before God for a short prayer for the day and the food before us.

Ruth served herself first and dug in since she was the hostess and the rest of us followed her cue.

"Are you okay?"Lulu whispered next to me after we settled down to eat.

"Yeah I'm fine why?"I asked noticing just how close we were.

Close enough that her scent invaded my body washing over all my senses. Her scent was enough to drive me crazy.

"You've been quiet all night yet you're supposed to be our host."Lulu asked.

"I'm okay, I promise."I reassured her but she didn't look convinced. "You look good by the way. I'm happy you like the beads."I complimented hoping to divert her attention and thankfully it worked.

"Like them? I love them. I always have them on, unless I'm showering. I'm afraid the water will corrupt them or something."She chuckled and I basked at how melodious she sounded when she laughed.

"I can always make you another one."I offered.

"I would appreciate it but it would not be the same. This was the first gift you ever gave me, I'm treasuring it for as long as I can."She assured me and if my heart had the ability, it would have grown twice its size after hearing her say that.

My mother had taught me the art of beadwork since I was always stuck to her side but I'd never really gotten much into it. During our first date, I couldn't exactly give her flowers or chocolates so I'd settled for the jewelry. It had a personal touch to it that I now realized she loved. Lulu deserved the world and even though I was just a simple man, I would do my best to give it to her. I couldn't give her expensive gifts since I didn't have that ability and she also wasn't that type of girl so I'd settle for the next best thing, making her happy and with Lulu that seemed simple enough since she was not a materialistic person.

We ate the rest of dinner with lighter talk amongst the four of us, since it was the whole point of the dinner in the first place. It was nice having my friends and my girl in one place, sharing a meal and getting along. She wasn't officially my girl but she would be soon. Later Mark helped Ruth clear the table after we were done eating. We agreed to wait a little while before we had dessert, my mom's yogurt, since we were very full.

Ruth cuddled to Marks side legs propped up on the sofa as she sipped her wine. Lulu sat next to me with her legs tucked under her drinking her wine. I wanted to touch her even if it was just her curly hair that'd I'd always been curious about but I was too scared. Another reason as to why I needed to man up. Any other guy would have already pulled her to his side but not me. I was holding back and I needed to get over that block and fast.

"Lulu you've mentioned travelling around the world a few times. Tell us about a few places you've been."Mark requested and Ruth nodded in agreement.

"Are you sure? I don't want to dominate the conversation."Lulu asked.

"Are you kidding? You will he saving me from the boring talk of sports that this two always have."Ruth assured her.

"Okay if you're certain."Lulu gave in and we all settled down to listen to her narrate her travels.

We hang onto every word practically reliving those moments with her. It was amazing how many places she had been, what she had learnt and seen. I knew it had not been her intention but the more she spoke, the more inadequate I felt. How could I complete with all that? She had already experienced the world, what could I give her that she already had experienced.

"You know for someone who had been literally everywhere, you've travelled the least in your own country."Mark added when Lulu took a break to refresh.

"That's true but I always figured I could always travel Kenya later since its my home."Lulu replied.

"You can start with right here. James can take you to Samburu National Park. He has privileges seeing as he is one of their veterinarians."Ruth suggested and Lulu looked at me hopefully.

"A personal tour huh? Are you up for it?"She asked.

"Yeah sure, just name the time and day."I replied sounding way more confident than I was.

"It's a date then."Lulu replied smiling and my heart skipped a beat.

I smiled back before turning to glare at Ruth who just stared back at me unapologetically.

"Okay time for dessert."Ruth exclaimed getting up and rushing back into the house with Mark on her tail, saying something about emptying his bladder.

Lulu and I were left alone and I had no idea what to say to her. Thankfully she took charge and spoke first.

"You don't have to take me if you don't want to."She assured me referring to our previous conversation.

I thought I had been successful hiding my discomfort from her but it seems like I had failed. It's not that I didn't want to take her, I was just afraid of another one of our dates failing.

"I do want to take you." I reassured her.

"Then why the sour face?"She wished.

"Our last date didn't go so well."I replied being honest with her.

"Then don't think of it as a date. It will just be two friends going to see some wild animals and taking great pictures."She said with a cheeky smile that I couldn't help but laugh.

I thought about at she said and realized it was easier for me if I didn't think of it as a date.

"Okay it's a done deal."I gave in feeling so much more relaxed about the whole situation.

I liked how she had the ability to calm my racing heart without even trying. She was quickly finding herself into my heart and there was nothing I could do to stop her. I didn't even want to stop her. I took a second to observe her as she refilled her glass. I realized just how beautiful she was and how lucky I was that she was even giving me the time of day to be in her presence. I just had to try my best to earn my position by her side.

"Dessert is served."Ruth declared handing us jars with my mom's delicious yoghurt in them.

"I have ten of these in my fridge at the resort and I'll never tire of eating this. I feel for the people who are lactose intolerant. They are missing out on so much."Lulu said scooping some up and shoving it into her mouthy moaning at the taste.

That sound travelled all the way to my pants and I knew it was time to change the conversation before I did something I'd regret. Like kiss her in front of our friends, that's not how I wanted our first kiss to be.

"Slow down before you choke."Ruth warned and Lulu actually listened and savored each taste.

I ended giving her my jar too, which I was only too happy to oblige when I noticed her giving me the puppy eyes. The smile I got in thanks made me want to give her all the yogurt in my freezer.

"Okay back to story time by Lulu."Mark declared in a presenter voice and we all laughed.

"Due to public demand we're back on air."Lulu mimicked back making us laugh harder.

Once we settled back down she continued her stories and this time I tried to enjoy them so I could understand Lulu as a person through her stories. It would definitely help me in future when it came to relating to her better. And that's how we spent the rest of the night, sharing stories and reliving our best adventures. It was a night we would all remember as the one that solidified our friendship.

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I'm not lactose intolerant but I don't like milk. If I drink it, I'll just puke but for for some reason I can drink yoghurt, only flavored ones though. Like blackcurrant flavored yoghurt is my favorite.

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