I chuckle, I’ll be there in twenty.
I grab my keys. Darius Grant is one of my closest friends. We met overseas and bonded as Americans traveling abroad. We’ve stayed in contact while he’s built his company. He’s the one who told me about S&J.
I walk through my house, zig-zagging through the unpacked boxes. Most of them hold my clothes and the taller ones against the walls are more of my paintings. I glance around. I’m still not sure if I’ll stay in Austin or head back to California. But I might as well set up my home.
I lock the door behind me as I get in my car. I try to tell myself my decision to set up my house has nothing to do with Taylor. It’s a lie. It wasn’t just sex with her. But I’m a firm believer in what is meant to be, will be.
I drive to the warehouse district and park. The music greets me as I walk to the hostess. I hear Darius’ boisterous voice and glance up. He pulls me into a brotherly hug patting my back.
“Man, how’s it going?” he asks, guiding me to a table.
“When did you get into town?”
“Last night. My lady had a meeting with her business partners. You want to grab food first?” He points to the courtyard.
“Yeah, I’m starving. I’ve been working on the last details of my proposal all day.” I scan the room with military precision. She’s not here. Then I stop at seeing a cluster of beautiful women walking in our direction.
“Did you finish it?” He turns around and smiles at seeing the ladies. “Let me introduce you to my lady.” He bends a finger beckoning a woman over from the group.
The grin on his face is one I haven’t seen on him before. Curious, I turn to see “his lady.” A brown skinned woman steps from the pack. It's as if time stops as she crosses the room, heads turn watching her until she stops in front of Darius. But with all of her beauty, it's the look in her eyes that tell it all. She loves him.
I’ve never had someone look at me like that. Not even my ex-wife.
“Zach, man, this is my lady, Charlee Raine.” His voice drops, and he kisses her neck. Her girly giggle makes me smile too.
“Stop, boy.” She slaps at his chest, not pulling away. They quickly kiss then she extends a hand to me. “It’s Charlee. Don’t listen to this crazy man.”
Darius throws back his head and laughs. It’s like I’m meeting my friend for the first time. I watch them throw words around like confetti.
“We have a guy SOS.” She throws her head a little towards the ladies waiting for her.
“All right. Holler if you need me.” He kisses her.
She’s good for him. He’s always been focused and intense, but this Darius seems relaxed and in love.
“Always.” She rubs at the lipstick on his lips. Then turns her sparkling gaze to me. “It was nice meeting you.”
“Same to you.”
“All right, babe. I’m out.”
Darius doesn’t stop watching until she disappears. And suddenly I realize I’m ready for a lady, for someone special. I’ve traveled and lived a full life. I don’t have to marry again, but it would be nice to have someone look at me the way Charlee looks at Darius.
“That must be nice.”
“What’s that?” Darius starts for the courtyard, and I follow.
“Having a lady like that in your life.” I look around at the trucks. “Man, you were right about this place. They need to build one in San Francisco.”
“Nah, I’d gain a million pounds.” He laughs, heading for the barbecue truck. I shrug and go with him. We wait in line. “Charlee and I used to date in college. Then I left to travel and train.”
“Were you together?”
He shakes his head. “She wasn’t interested in traveling or having a long-distance relationship.”
“But you’re back together now.”
“Yeah, but I had to pull out all the stops. My lady ain’t no joke.” He laughs. “Man, what you want I got you.”
“I’ll have whatever you’re ordering. I haven’t eaten barbecue in years.”
“Get ready to have sauce up to your elbows.” I laugh covering my mouth because Darius has an understated sense of humor. He keeps me on my toes, and he’s a people magnet. A quality I wish I had.
We get our food and sit outside. “How’d you get her back?”
“Man, I had to get my shit together.” He stops glancing out over the crowd rubbing his hands on a napkin. “I was a kid when I fell in love with her. But I was broke, didn’t have shit. And she had it all.”
“That’s hard on a man.”
“Yeah, but that’s her and her guys. So, I had to prove myself. Not for her, but for me.”
“I bet you took her on the jet.” I glance over.
“Man…” We laugh. “You know I had to flex a little.”
I nod. “I’d flex too.”
We eat, and I think about Taylor. “I think I met someone.”
“Word? And?”
“Nothing really. It was a one-night situation, but she made an impression.”
He stops, scanning me. “And you didn’t pursue it.”
“I didn’t, and now I’m hoping I don’t regret it.”
“Do I know her?”
I shrug. “I don’t know, but she was in a situation. So, it could be for the best.”
“What about you? I haven’t seen you get serious with a woman since Amanda.”
“After that, I didn’t want to get serious about anyone.” I push the tray away. Amanda made me lose all faith in love.
“All love ain’t like that.”
“So, are we talking from experience?” I lean back, teasing him a little.
“No doubt. I’ve always loved Charlee. I doubt that will ever change. What about you? Are you done being a rich bachelor? I could see if Charlee can hook you up with one of her friends.”
“I’m good for now. I’ll let you know if that changes.” A part of me hopes I’ll see Taylor. I’d ask her out and see if we could continue what we started.
“So, tell me about this proposal.” He leans forward taking a drink from his cup. “Is it a solo bid?”
We talk about my business proposal for the next hour. Darius has a candy company but a business mind. I get his input about pitching as a small business to a large brand. I’m a coding specialist. The company put out a call for contractors. I got a personal introduction to the CEO from my commanding officer, and now here I am.
“Are you relocating to Austin?” I ask him later as we stand to leave.
“I hope so. But I have so much to clear up at home. So, I expect we’ll bounce back and forth since Charlee’s company is here and mine is in San Francisco. What about you?”
“I’m open. I’m setting up my place, but this bid will make the final determination. They have locations around the states.”
“Well, holler at me when you get back to California.”
“You know it.” We hug and say our goodbyes.
I watch him leave and turn back to S&J. I’m more confident in my proposal thanks to Darius’ input. I head to my car. I have my meeting to present tomorrow. I scan the area once more, just in case, then I drive home enjoying the scenery in Austin.
My thoughts float back to my ex-wife Amanda. Divorce felt like the worst kind of death. It was the death of more than our vows but our friendship too. At the time, Amanda wanted marriage, and I didn’t. But I asked because I thought it would make her happy. It did for a while, but eventually, she began to want more. A house. New cars. It was when we approached the topic of kids that our lives went from bad to awful.
She wanted a house full, and I didn’t. Having kids with Amanda would have been a leash, and I can’t see myself as a father. I wouldn’t have the slightest idea where to begin. It was always my mother and I since she never remarried or dated much.
I pull into my garage, killing the engine. Maybe it’s best to remain single and build my business. But an inner yearning is not ready to push the thought of Taylor aside.
Chapter 5
Taylor
I pack a suitcase ready to leave Austin. I toss clothes across the room, moving with haste. Against my better judgment and the advice of my guys, I gave in to Les’ requests to hang out as friends. He kept coming by until I folded. He came to me saying Jovonta was lying about the pregnancy. But the fact that there is a possibility that the child is his is reason enough to leave him for good.
Over the summer we had a few dinner outings, and we went to a couple of concerts. I saw a glimpse of the Les I fell in love with, but every time he tried to kiss me, I had thoughts of Zach.
“Are you going to tell me what this is about?” Charlee is on speaker phone.
I stop throwing clothes. “I can’t stop thinking about Zach.”
“Zach…Zach…”
“My one-night stand.”
“Ohhh… It was that good.” I hear the tone of her voice and roll my eyes.
It was, but I can’t tell her that because she’ll squeal and dance. “It’s not that. He was different,” I tell her.
“How much do you think the sex had to do with it?”
“It had something, of course. But we talked and no matter how much I try to push Zach out of my mind, I can’t.”
“Do you want to?”
I face the phone. “Want to what?”
“Let him go.”
I sit on the bed, holding a shirt to my chest. It’s crazy to still think about a guy that has probably moved on. I tried chalking it up to the oral sex for the first time, then riding him, another first. I feel a connection that I didn’t have with Les, and to me, that’s saying a lot. It’s a constant yearning that won’t let me be.
“You still there?”
“Yes. Charlee, how do you know when it’s time to move on?”
“I wish I could tell you. All I can say is trust yourself. Some relationships are only for a season, but we don’t know it until we embark on the journey.”
“That was deep, Charlee.”
She laughs. “Shut up. Real talk. I thought I wasn’t ready for Darius. But he came when I needed him. If it had been a minute sooner, or a minute later, who knows what would have been. What about Les?”
“That’s over. We’ll always have a friendship. But as far as being a couple, I’m done with that chapter of my life. Tell me about San Francisco.”
Charlee talks. She moved out there to help Darius. They fly back and forth.
“While you’re here I can introduce you to Darius’ best friend. Hey, his name is Zach too.”
“It’s not the name. But whatever. I’m game.”
“Whaaaat!” She has an annoying way of singing when she’s excited, like now.
“Change the subject crazy lady. I’m excited about my trip.”
I’m thankful for their generous invitation to come for a visit. I’m almost done with the Platinum Prestige database, but I need to get away to focus on finishing it. And maybe I’ll consider dating again. It’s time for a new direction.
My phone beeps and I glance at the display. It’s my mother.
“Charlee, I’ll call you when I land. Love you, girl!”
“Love you back.”
“Hey, Mom. Are you back in LA?” I start folding the clothes and placing them inside my suitcase.
“I am for a few days then I’m heading out to New York to meet with some distributors. How are you?”
“I’m better. I’m packing to visit Charlee in San Francisco. It would be cool to stop through and see you.”
“I’d love to see you, baby. So, catch me up.”
We settle in talking. My mother is the closest person to me. I can tell her anything, but she’s more like a friend than a mother.
Tyesha Rose Wallace is a black hair care mogul. She’s all things hair—weave, styling tools, products, accessories. She started a neighborhood beauty supply store to support us. But she didn’t settle for getting her supplies locally, she saved fifty thousand dollars and flew to China. She now supplies other stores across the country through her supply chain.
She’s a self-made millionaire and thanks to her efforts I’m free to live as I choose. But her aspirations came at a cost, I missed so much growing up. She jet-setted from coast to coast closing deals, and I stayed at home with a live-in nanny. And all the while I missed my mother and my deadbeat father.
“You’re visiting distributors in New York?”
“I am, some of my Chinese suppliers are building stateside distribution centers.”
“That’s amazing. I bet you’ll save time and money.”
“Yes, I’ll celebrate if I can cut my Beijing trips down to a couple times a year. Did you get your database working?”
“Yes and no. I have the program almost ready to add actual data. But it crashes when I’m trying it import csv or spreadsheet data.”
“Does the crash wipe out the data or just kick you out?”
“Unfortunately, both.” I smile. My mother has a knack for absorbing information and using it to interact with people. It’s a skill I need to learn. “How do you do that, Ma?”
“What, baby?” I can hear the smile in her voice, and I miss her. I hope we get together while I’m in California.
“How do you use what I’ve told you in a conversation?” I sit again now that my bag is packed.
“Active listening. People usually say a fraction of what they mean. I use it all, body language, context clues, past conversations. All of it gives me a full view of who I’m dealing with.”
“I’m going to work on that.” I sit up straighter.
“You already are, baby girl. Keep doing what you’re doing. And if I haven’t told you, I’m proud of you. You guys are doing the damn thing!”
I laugh. “We are. Thank you, Mom, I have an amazing example.”
“Do you really believe that?”
“What do you mean? That you’re an amazing example?”
“Yes. I always feel a disconnect between us concerning your professional pursuits.”
I pause thinking about her statement. “It’s hard to tell my strong mother that I have no desire to work full time. I couldn’t find a way to say it and not offend you or belittle your accomplishments.”
“Why do you fight it?”
“I feel like I missed out on my childhood with you because you traveled building your business. For many years I was jealous, not of your boyfriends but of the business.”
“Wow. I didn’t know that. What about now?”
“Platinum Prestige is changing my perspective. I see how hard we’re working. I’m working on coding daily. I’m testing and revising. I can only imagine how much Hunter is working to prepare for the babies or how the other guys are traveling to make this company succeed.”
I stand walking the length of my bedroom. “But, Mom, I appreciate all you’ve done. Parts of me want to join the family business, but other parts want to live my dream. I want to get married and have a family.”
“Baby, you can do both. Yes, I was extreme. But I was building something out of nothing. I’m assuming Les is officially out of the picture.”
“Your assumption is right. I had another encounter with his daughter’s mother.”
“That boy must think I’m playing. I don’t play about my only child.” I hear her moving around on the other end.
“Mom, I’m okay. I see the relationship for what it is. I spent too much time hoping and praying for him to change. It is time for me to do the changing.”
“Who brought this on?”
“A friend.” I smile.
“Do I know this friend? Because whoever he is, I owe him a drink.” She laughs.
“You don’t know him, and I’ll pass the message.” I see Zach’s face, and my body tingles with awareness. I’m going to find him. I have his full name and with Facebook, Google, and friends. Someone must know him.
“I’ll let you get for your flight. I’ll make sure I’m around. I can always fly up to San Francisco. I haven’t seen Charlee Raine in year
s. How long will you be there?”
“I’m thinking a week or so. I’ll work out there. Darius, her boyfriend, wants to meet with me about building a similar database for his company.”
“See, Taylor, this is the best of both worlds. You have friends and options. I had no connections, no money, no guys. Now you can see how staying with your guys or coming this way is truly possible. I just want you happy.”
My eyes water. “I love you.”
“I love you more. You’re my heart, Taylor. I’m looking forward to seeing how your life evolves. Because I think you can have it all.”
I think I can too. I have to keep pushing and trusting myself. I hang up the phone, ready to leave for the airport and to find Zach.
Chapter 6
Zach
The smell of rich coffee beans surrounds me the moment I step foot into the small cafe. The contrast between the light wood floors and the cherry red walls clash as much as it blends. I went over to Darius' place, but he and Charlee are stuck in a meeting. He suggested this place since it's up the hill from their place.
I figure I'll work until they call me. So, I walked the short distance, and now I'm looking for a place to work near a power outlet. The middle of the cafe has long-running light wood tables with power strips and tulips running between them.
The small round tables lining the perimeter are more appealing because I can work alone. I see an empty table near the window. I walk over, dropping my bag and go to the counter to order my coffee.
I moved from Austin after accepting the contract with Tech Secure. They needed my presence at their headquarters here in San Francisco. Thankfully I still have my house. I order my black drip coffee squeezing through the chairs and tables. I sit and take a drink of the blonde roast, taking a moment to appreciate the oversized bay window.
The transition has been difficult. The facility manager wasn't too keen on having an outside programmer working on the program extension. But the CEO wanted my expertise with high-level security, and when I complete this project, he foresees more in the future.
Chosen Love: A BWWM Romance (Blazin' Love Book 4) Page 3
