Chapter 3 Jamaican Patties and Shared Roots

The aroma of ackee and saltfish, a comforting and familiar scent that spoke of home and shared moments, hung subtly in the air of Maya's office long after Naomi had bid her goodnight and left. Maya leaned back in her chair, the soft leather creaking beneath her, the city lights outside blurring slightly as her thoughts replayed the unexpected and intimate shared meal. Naomi's easy laughter, a bright, melodic sound that still echoed in the quiet room, the warmth in her honey-colored eyes as they had met across the desk – it had all felt... different.

More personal, more intimate than a simple gesture of kindness between colleagues. It had felt like a shared secret, a silent acknowledgment of something shifting between them.

The next morning, the usual office bustle of Sterling & Stern seemed amplified, the incessant ringing of phones and the hurried footsteps echoing through the hallways a stark contrast to the quiet, almost sacred connection she'd felt with Naomi the night before. Maya found herself, with a frequency she tried to dismiss as mere professional courtesy, glancing towards Naomi's small workstation in the bustling paralegal pool, her eyes scanning the area for the familiar auburn twists. Each time their gazes inadvertently met across the crowded space, there was a fleeting flicker of recognition, a shared secret hanging between them like an invisible thread, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken possibilities.

During their lunch break, a time Maya usually dedicated to catching up on emails or grabbing a quick, solitary salad, she found herself inexplicably drawn to the small, unassuming Jamaican patty shop a few blocks from the office – a place she usually frequented with Aisha, their laughter often echoing within its brightly painted walls. As she waited in line, the savory aroma of spices filling the air, for her usual spicy beef patty, she heard a familiar voice, a warm, melodic cadence that made her heart skip a beat.

"One chicken patty and a coco bread, please."

Maya turned, her movements almost involuntary, to see Naomi standing behind her, her smile radiating as bright and welcoming as the midday Jamaican sun. "Fancy meeting you here," Naomi said, her eyes sparkling with genuine surprise and perhaps a hint of something more.

"You too," Maya replied, a warmth spreading through her chest that had nothing to do with the humid Kingston air. "This place has the best patties outside of Kingston. Aisha and I swear by them."

"Agreed," Naomi chuckled softly, a sound that always seemed to soothe Maya's frayed nerves. "It's my little taste of home away from home. Nothing beats a good patty."

"You're from Jamaica?" Maya asked, a pleasant surprise washing over her. She knew Naomi had a slight, melodic accent, a subtle lilt to her speech, but hadn't specifically placed its origin.

"Born and raised," Naomi confirmed, her voice softening with a hint of nostalgia. "Savanna-la-Mar, to be exact. The West Coast. What about you, Ms. Sterling?"

"Please, call me Maya," Maya corrected gently, a subtle invitation for a more personal interaction. "Kingston. Born and bred right here in the city." A sense of camaraderie, a shared heritage, began to blossom between them, bridging the professional gap that usually separated them. They spent the rest of their lunch break chatting easily about their favorite childhood memories of Jamaica, the best spots for authentic jerk chicken, and the sheer, breathtaking beauty of the island's landscapes, from the rolling hills to the pristine beaches. It felt easy, natural, like catching up with an old friend, a comfortable familiarity that surprised Maya.

As they walked back to the office together, the humid air clinging to their skin, Naomi's hand, swinging slightly at her side, casually brushed against Maya's. This time, it lingered for a moment longer, a deliberate, almost hesitant touch. Maya's heart skipped a beat, a sudden flutter of anticipation. The casual contact felt charged with unspoken possibilities, a silent question hanging in the air between them.

"Maybe... maybe we could grab dinner sometime?" Naomi suggested, her gaze direct and open, her honey eyes holding a hint of vulnerability. "There's this little Ital spot downtown that reminds me of my grandmother's cooking. Really authentic, no frills, just good food."

Maya's mind raced, the professional walls she had so carefully constructed beginning to crumble. Dinner? Outside of the formal confines of the office? This felt like a clear invitation, a significant step beyond their strictly professional boundaries. A thrill coursed through her, a potent mixture of excitement and a healthy dose of caution, the ingrained professional boundaries warring with the undeniable pull she felt towards Naomi.

"I... I would like that very much, Naomi," Maya finally said, her voice a soft, slightly breathless whisper that betrayed her inner turmoil.

Naomi's smile widened, a radiant expression that illuminated her entire face, making Maya's heart do another unexpected little flip. "Great. How about Friday?"

"Friday sounds perfect," Maya confirmed, a sense of anticipation, a nervous excitement, bubbling within her. As they walked the remaining block back to the imposing Sterling & Stern building, the air between them crackled with a newfound energy, a palpable shift in their dynamic. Could this be the start of something real, something beyond stolen glances and fleeting touches? And was Maya, with her carefully guarded heart and her commitment to her career, truly ready to take that uncertain, exhilarating leap?