Catt Chasing by Shana Burton

delicious!” said Catt, tossing her festive mix of oranges, spinach, and avocado in her pork tenderloin salad. Jamal frowned. “What?” she asked, looking up at him.
    â€œNothing, I just don’t eat pork, that’s all—beef, pork, none of that stuff that’s going to clog my heart in a few years.”
    â€œYou’re a vegan?”
    â€œNo, I do eat seafood, sometimes chicken. I just try to lay off the red meat.”
    â€œI didn’t know you were so health-conscious.”
    â€œAdd that to the growing list of things you don’t know about me.”
    Catt bit into her salad. “I understand your wanting to protect your heart, but believe me—some things are worth having a heart attack! This is one of them.” She took a moment to savor the taste and gestured her head toward his plate. “Of course, you’re not faring too much better over there with all of that cheese and mushroom sauce smothered across your polenta.”
    She swallowed her food. “So was it Meka?” goaded Catt.
    â€œWas who Meka?”
    â€œThe woman who broke your heart.”
    â€œI thought that we weren’t going to talk about that,” he reminded her while slicing his food.
    â€œYou thought wrong.”
    Jamal sighed and set down his fork and knife. “Dang, you’re getting all up in my business today, aren’t you?”
    â€œYou’re the one who said that we needed to have a get-to-know-you session, so this is all a part of my getting to know you. Now, back to my question, if it wasn’t Meka, then who was it that broke your heart?”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about that right now. Next question, please.”
    Catt thought for a moment. “Are you happy?”
    Jamal looked down at his plate. “I don’t know.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œHappiness is one of those metaphysical things. There’s no one answer. Am I happy right now? Yeah, for the most part, but that could change five minutes from now. There’s no set answer.”
    â€œI think there is,” asserted Catt. “You’re right; happiness can be fleeting. Joy, the kind that comes from the Lord, is always present.”
    â€œI have yet to experience that. Then again, I’m positive I’ve gone through some things that you have yet to experience.”
    â€œAre you about to reveal one of your many secrets?” inquired Catt.
    â€œI don’t have secrets, I have skeletons. In fact, my skeletons have skeletons!”
    â€œNow I’m really intrigued.” At that moment, the waitress came over and asked if they wanted anything else. They both declined.
    â€œAre you sure that you don’t want anything else?” asked Jamal after she left.
    â€œI do have a figure to watch. I’ve got to admit, though, a little of that chocolate hazelnut tart would hit the spot right about now.”
    â€œWhy don’t you order one? If you feel guilty about the calories, you can work it off later. There’s a gym inside the hotel.”
    â€œIt’s tempting, but I can’t. Chocolate always goes right to one place on me,” she said, balling up her napkin.
    â€œWhere’s that?” he asked, smiling.
    â€œI’m sitting on it.”
    He tilted his head to the side. “Well, from what I’ve seen, the chocolate has been doing its job.”
    â€œI thought you didn’t find big girls attractive.”
    â€œI don’t, and I never said that the chocolate was doing a good job.” He drew his hands up in mock defense. “I’m teasing, okay? Don’t shoot me!”
    â€œContrary to what you think, I can take a joke, Jamal.” She bit her lip. “Besides, I look in the mirror. I know I need to lose some weight.”
    â€œI think you need to be healthy, but lose the weight—don’t lose yourself in the process.”
    â€œBut I guess a man like you goes for the skinny-minny