Chapter Fifteen: Mixed Signals & Midnight Secrets
The way he sometimes held her gaze like he was seeing through her soul, and then other times looked right past her like she wasn't even there—it was getting exhausting.
One minute, Jeremy was the type of man who pulled her close in the kitchen, laughing as she tried to flip plantain without burning it. The next minute, he was stone-faced in a meeting, barely acknowledging her presence. And tonight? He'd been both. Somehow. In the same damn hour.
They were hosting a quiet dinner with Zion and Wale. Just the four of them and a ridiculous amount of grilled turkey wings, spicy jollof, and chilled chapman.
Zion was talking about some business deal in Abuja when Jeremy suddenly got up, his tone clipped. "Guys, excuse me." Just like that, cold. She stared at his retreating back, heat prickling her chest.
Wale gave her a knowing look, the kind you'd give someone watching their crush act out of pocket. "Don't mind him. CEO moods. He'll unfreeze later."
"I'm not even cold," she muttered under her breath, stabbing her turkey like it owed her rent.
"Hmmm?" Wale grinned.
"Nothing." She smiled sweetly, but her fork betrayed her and jabbed again. Zion choked on his drink.
---
Later that night, after everyone left and the dishes were cleared, Tammy sat on the balcony alone, phone in hand, earpiece plugged in. She scrolled through her playlist and let "Infinity" by Omah Lay ft. Olamide play low in the background. The breeze was soft, Lagos was humming, and she was thinking—about everything and nothing.
Jeremy joined her quietly, sitting across from her with a drink in his hand. His eyes were dark, unreadable.
"You've been quiet," she said, trying to keep her tone light.
He shrugged. "I've had a lot on my mind."
"No kidding." She leaned back, staring up at the stars. "Wanna talk about it or just sit here and pretend we're strangers again?"
A pause. Then he chuckled softly. "You don't stop, do you?"
"Nope. Annoyingly persistent. That's me."
Another pause. He set his drink down and leaned forward. "It's not you, Tammy."
She looked at him. "Then what is it?"
Jeremy exhaled. "You confuse me."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
He ran a hand over his hair, his expression frustrated. "You're different. You challenge me. You don't act differently with me like everyone else does. You don't need me to function. And I... I don't know how to handle that."
Tammy's heart thudded. She swallowed the knot in her throat. "You think I'm trying to confuse you?"
"No. I think I'm confused because for the first time in years, I actually give a damn. And that's dangerous—for someone like me."
The silence stretched. The city didn't stop for them. Neither did the music, now playing Tems' "Me n U." Somehow fitting.
Tammy stood up slowly, walking toward the balcony railing. "Maybe the problem isn't me confusing you. Maybe you're just scared of feeling something real."
Jeremy didn't respond. He stood, walked over, and stood beside her.
Their arms touched.
He didn't move away.
Neither did she.
---
The next morning, Rita barged in with two boxes of boli and groundnut like she was the Queen of Mushin. "I come bearing gifts!" she announced, lifting them in the air like a trophy.
Tammy shrieked, running to her. "You bought boli? I love you!"
"I know," Rita winked. "Saw the girl frying it by the roadside, and I was like, 'This is for Tammy and her confused husband.'"
Jeremy walked in just then, shirtless, a towel hanging around his neck. He paused at the sight of Rita. "You're here early."
"And you're still fine as hell," Rita said without missing a beat, throwing him a sly look. "If your face was a currency, I'd invest."
Jeremy raised an eyebrow, smirk playing on his lips. "Thanks. I think. Tammy you should learn how to compliment me like that."
Tammy just shot him a dangerous glare and laughed, head falling against Rita's shoulder.
Rita leaned in and whispered, "I see why you didn't annul, girl. That man is built like bad decisions."
Tammy burst out laughing, nearly dropping her boli.
The rest of the time they just laughed. Rita and Jeremy teasing her about him. More and more stuff like that.
---
That evening, Tammy sat cross-legged on the rug in the living room, laptop open as she tweaked the logo of her new tech site. The one she was building in secret. Rita was helping with some copywriting, and Jeremy walked in to find the two of them arguing over font styles.
"Bold or italic?" Tammy asked.
"Bold," Jeremy said, tossing his phone on the couch.
Tammy turned to him. "You even know what we're talking about?"
"No, but I'm CEO. I get to make final decisions."
Rita chuckled. "Na real oga."
He joined them on the floor, and for a while, the three worked together, the vibe light. Safe. Like nothing outside this house mattered.
But later, when Tammy looked up and caught Jeremy staring at her—like he was trying to memorize her—her heart did that annoying thing again.
The same heart that should know better than to fall for a man who couldn't even decide if he wanted her close or gone.
Still, she smiled at him.
And this time, he didn't look away.
The stares got too intense so she got up and left the place.