This was the first time he ever noticed how attention could feel.

This attention was overwhelming but needed after the past month he adjusted to Jamila’s increasing work schedule. If you stripped away the odd haircut and outfit, Mandy was a voluptuous woman, eyeballing the younger man.

Henry had women hitting and flirting with him constantly. He knew what Mandy’s attention meant but he could see the wedding ring on her finger. He shut down a bit, weary of responding to Mandy. He knew turning her down could be worse than flirting back. It wasn’t as if every person knew how to face rejection easily. He was studying her as she studied him.

“Come on, don’t be scared. I don’t bite hard.” Mandy joked as if Jamila wasn’t standing there, finally acknowledging Jamila with a pat on the butt. “Oh, I’m sorry. I hope you’re not insecure, Jamiler.”

“He’s just a quiet guy,” Jamila speaks up to Mandy, noticing how uncomfortable Henry already felt about the whole thing. “He enjoys spending his time alone.”

“Oops, oopsies, haha, well, we’re mistaken here because I was talking to your husband, not you. Do you understand?” Mandy confirmed with piercing eye contact.

“Bitch… what? You better say my name right.” Jamila couldn’t control her mouth, cocking her head at Mandy.

“Is that right?” Mandy matched Jamila’s intensity with a bright, warm smile, disarming Jamila and making the younger woman second-guess her first impression.

“I apologize. We’re guests in your home. Let’s just… we need to get some food in us. It was a long drive.” Henry put Jamila behind him.

“It’s her, not me!” Jamila accused.

“Yes, yes indeed. The therapist is the problem.” Mandy crossed her arms behind her back. “So, what are your names so I can check you in?”

“You were just using our names!” Jamila pointed out.

“Henry Evers and Jamila King.” Henry answered.

“Hank is such a strong name,” Mandy put her hand under her chin, staring dreamily at Henry.

“You’re… staring at me a lot.” Henry looked at Jamila for support.

“You look so handsome. Were you an athlete or something?” Mandy bit her wedding ring as if trying to get it off her finger. “Henry Evers… Henry Evers… Mandy Evers… oops, haha, my bad.”

“Jamila is a very beautiful name as well.” Henry compliments his woman, wondering why she asked if she already knew his name. “Her family is very well-known back home. The Kings are a staple in our city. You two could get along great honestly.”

“It’s a very creative name but Hank, good strong American muscle. We need a Hank around this place.” Mandy reassured him.

“He was a professional fighter, he stopped a couple years ago after we had a son together. He has a woman and kids.”

“Yes! Yes! Heavy-Hand Evers. You were supposed to be a champion. Now, you’re the perfect trophy husband.” Mandy licked her lips like a lioness seeing wounded prey.

Henry felt an odd sense of belonging. He found the remark weird, but he was so unfamiliar with the feminine attention since having a son. Mandy’s sudden interest in him made him blush as he tried to hide how warmly she made him feel. Henry chalked it up to being a good host. He felt like maybe he was broken in ways that made Mandy’s warmth seem odd. Maybe he was just the problem. But he felt he needed to separate the two.

“So, how long have you two been married?” Mandy asked.

“Well, we’ve been dating for five years now,” Jamila asked.

“Hank, how long have you two been married?” Mandy repeated her question as if she couldn’t hear anything Jamila had to say.

“We technically aren’t married, but we’ve known each other for seven years. We’ve been together for five years and have a son together.” Henry repeated what Jamila said.

“Oh, you have a son. I love kids! Is he yours or hers?” Mandy asked.

“Um, our son, but I stay at home to watch him,” Henry looked at Jamila for confirmation that what he was saying was okay.

“Oh! Oh my god, you are the sweetest man ever. I barely know men who change diapers, let alone stay with their kids. You must have a heart of gold.” Mandy showered Henry with praise.

“I- uh- gee… thanks.” He had no idea how to respond to her kindness.

Jamila crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Henry as if he was doing something wrong. A woman looking at Henry was far different than whatever Mandy was doing. Henry shrugged, gesturing with his head at Mandy, assuring Jamila it was not him. It was this new woman.

“Do you appreciate him?” Mandy asked Jamila, the smile was gone, replaced with scrutiny.

Mandy’s blue eyes were staring through Jamila, asking her as if it weren’t a rhetorical question.

“Well, I- I guess I do. Does he appreciate me?” Jamila rolled her eyes. “I pay all his bills, food, activities, and weed. I pay for everything! Does he appreciate that?”

“Hmm… well, I can see why you two aren’t married.” Mandy laughed and clapped her hands together with a brighter, sunnier smile as if making a joke.

Jamila felt scorned to her core, hurt deeply by Mandy’s disrespect. She felt unliked by her and targeted immediately. Jamila had no idea what she did. She couldn’t identify anything she had done to be treated in such a way. If this woman is married, why is she flirting with her boyfriend? Was she flirting… or was she really this nice?

Jamila struggled to continue paying attention, feeling self-conscious about the amount of attention Mandy gave her boyfriend right before her. As if Mandy expressing herself right in front of Jamila made it all better. Jamila felt like if she called Mandy out for showing such an attraction to her man, she would deny it. And she knew if she confronted Henry, he would get offended and deny it. He was doing his best to brush Mandy off and move forward with his day. But Mandy acted as if Jamila didn’t exist. Her eyes were only on Henry. Not now… now, Mandy’s eyes were fixated on Jamila.

“Is your man happy?” Mandy asked.

Jamila pursed her lips, looking down at her feet. “Most people would ask if I am happy.”

“Well, I asked if Hank is happy,” Mandy repeated.

Henry bounced foot to foot. Looking for an exit and trying to avoid Mandy’s direct eye contact. Regardless, Mandy didn’t turn her attention off the tall man.

“So, where is our room?” Henry asked.

“Oh, there will be plenty of time for that tonight. First is circle time and a light lunch. Speaking of, I need to get the girls started cooking!” Mandy clapped her hands.

“You do the cooking too?”

“Well, I have chefs. We are dedicated to helping couples rekindle their love and strengthen their bonds. So, people who choose to stay do much of the repairs, maintenance, housekeeping, and cooking. This first day is all about you two, alright? So, feel free to explore, meet the other guests, and please, stay in the common areas and off the second floor, okay?” Mandy brushed her hand along Henry’s arm.

Henry bit his lip watching Mandy walking away. If she offered, he wasn’t sure he would turn Mandy down.

Jamila scowled at Mandy, but Mandy’s bright smile was so disarming. It made everything she did seem harmless. Jamila was in her head, questioning her instincts and reactions. Unable to trust her own thinking right now. Jamila did not know the boundaries between her own bad habits and blatant disrespect. Henry tugged Jamila along, wanting to get out of earshot before Jamila explored.

“Can you believe her?” Jamila asked in a hushed whisper, feeling as if Mandy could still hear them as they walked away.

“Come on now, we just met her, she seemed nice enough.” Henry shrugged it all off.

“Yeah, you would say that she only cared about you. It’s like I didn’t exist or she wanted you for herself almost.” Jamila scoffed.

“I doubt it’s even like that. She’s just being nice. Some women are feminine.” Henry brushed it off.

“I’m not feminine!?” Jamila stomped.

“That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying she’s probably just being herself. Look, baby, we just got here. Let’s not fight.” Henry kissed Jamila’s cheek. “Let’s go check out the beach.”

Jamila jumped back putting up her fighting stance as Mandy appeared behind them.

“You two are a lively bunch. Here’s an activities chart of all the amenities available to you. And a reminder. Please stay in the permitted zones, or there will be severe disciplinary actions.” Mandy’s smile intensified, making direct, unblinking eye contact with Jamila.

Jamila took it as a sign of aggression and dominance, but Henry was barely paying attention, reaching for the activities sheet.

“Man, all these things for free?” Henry smacked the list. “Check this out babe.”

“It’s nice when not everything is about money, right? Everyone finds their own way to give back. I simply ask that you have a great time. You give back how you can, Hank. It was nice to meet you, Jameela.”

“Ja-mi-la.” Jamila corrects her slowly, sounding out her name.

“That’s why I said, Jemmela. Ha, you have such a hard name. It’s not like Hank. Enjoy yourselves in my home. Welcome to the Sunshine and Smiles Estate.” Mandy giggled, leaving the two entirely to attend to her duties.