by Emery, Lynn
“Orin is really jumpy these days.” Hargrove watched the older man.” He worries me even more than the Thomas woman.”
Dawson sat down in the soft leather chair behind the huge desk. “Orin will calm down once the money rolls in. I’ll keep an eye on him. I’ll let you deal with Ms. Thomas.
“With pleasure,” Hargrove said with a smile.
Chapter 3
“Daddy, we want another ice cream.” Tia gave him her prettiest smile.
“Yeah, more chocolate nut mint. Those were small scoops anyway,” Nia said. She squinted at the counter man as though accusing him of being stingy.
Alex took a napkin and wiped Nia’s face causing her to squirm.” No, you’ve had more than enough.”
“Please?”Tia batted long thick black eyelashes at him.
“Ah, c’mon, Daddy. Thought this was supposed to be a treat!”Nia crossed her arms.
What a difference between the two. Nia and Tia were identical twins yet their temperaments did not match. Both were determined to get what they want, but Tia preferred luring her victims with honey. Nia had no time for such tactics. She presented her list of demands then prepared for an extended pitched battle of wills. At eight years old they could wear down the toughest adults. Still, weekends and holidays spent as a single parent had given Alex a crash course in handling them both.
”Tia, honey, you know mommy and I don’t approve of too many sweets. Goodness you girls are sweet enough.” Alex winked at her. Tia giggled while Nia rolled her eyes.
“Really, Daddy. We’re getting too old for that.” Nia saw straight through his strategy.
“You’ll never outgrow being my lovely princesses. Now come here.”
Alex gathered them in both arms. He covered them with kisses and tickled them at the same time. Nia abandoned her grown-up cool demeanor and squealed with delight right along with her sister. With the finesse of an experience dad, Alex led them out of the ice cream parlor and to his Montero Sport. When Shauntelle had asked him to pick them up from the Happy Time Day Camp, he’d been delighted to agree. Seeing those cute faces at the end of a long day was something he truly missed. A pang of guilt pricked him. Once again he tried to search for any sign that the divorce had left scars on the children. The girls seemed relaxed and genuinely carefree. They sang along with the compact disc of traditional African-American children’s songs he’d inserted. At least this was one thing he and Shauntelle had done right together. Despite arguments about everything else, they never made the children part of their fights.
Alex drove them home, the house that used to be home for them all. He parked in the double garage just as he’d done so many times before. Shauntelle had made it home. She stood in the front door. Her crepe green pantsuit was cut to fit her curvy figure just right. A taupe silk blouse provided an attractive contrast. Shauntelle was one of those rare women that always looked pulled together.
“Hi, Mommy. We made lots of funny hats with faces on them today.” Nia began to talk around her mother’s kisses.
“And Nia did a dance around the class wearing hers.” Tia giggled at the daring of her sister.
“When do I get to see them?”Shauntelle beamed at them with pride.
“The end of the week,” the girls said in unison. It was something they did often.
Tia continued. “Ms. Lewis said—“
“We’ll bring home our creations then,” Nia finished on cue. They waved and headed for their room. It was as though they were on their own synchronized wavelength.
“They’re growing up fast.” Alex watched them disappear down the hall.
“I think we have time before they’re off to college,” Shauntelle said with good humor.” Stay a while for a glass of iced tea.” She tugged him toward the kitchen.
”No, really. I should get home. Work.” Alex let himself be led despite his words.
“Don’t panic. I’m not up to something.” Shauntelle threw a glance back at him before she went to the refrigerator.
Alex chose not to respond to that one. Shauntelle was a wonderful mother and nice person in a lot of ways. She just did not understand that the world was not created to do her bidding. The twins had inherited her will to rule.
“Uh-huh. I can only stay a few minutes. That state project has me working like crazy.” Alex accepted a glass of fresh brewed tea.
Shauntelle sank down onto a chair at the breakfast table.” At least sit down for goodness sakes. I’ll have to crane my neck to keep looking up at you.”
“So what’s up?”Alex sat down and stretched out his long legs. He sipped the tea and savored the fruity taste. It was one of Shauntelle’s favorite concoctions.
“I just thought we could chat about things. Like work, the kids…” Shauntelle lifted a shoulder. “Dating.”
Alex he choked on the tea.” Say what?” he blurted between coughs.
Shauntelle glared at him.” How flattering. I didn’t mean to scare you with a fate worse than death!” She banged down her glass on the table.
“It’s not that. Look, we’re happily divorced. Let’s not spoil a good thing.” Alex knew instantly his candor had been the wrong move.” I mean—”
She waved a hand in the air.” I understand. Take a deep breath and relax. I’m not talking about us.”
“Oh.” Alex tried to be gallant enough not to groan with relief.
“I mean me and someone else.”
“But you’ve dated in the last year or so, right?”Alex looked at her. Shauntelle was surprisingly conservative, even prudish.
“Nine months.” Shauntelle cleared her throat.” I think maybe I’ve found someone special. But I’m not sure.”
“Umm, well that’s great.” Alex felt weird having this discussion with his ex-wife.” These things take time.” That sounded like good neutral advice. In fact, it sounded like his grandmother.
“I don’t want to rush into anything.” Shauntelle looked at him.” How long did it take you to feel… comfortable. You know.”
”Maybe you should talk to your friend Dori about this. Or your sister.” Alex looked for an escape route.
“In a lot of ways, I feel close to you. When did you feel right letting someone get close?”
Alex rubbed his short curly cut hair.” Well…”
“You and Karin seem to be a solid couple.” Shauntelle propped both elbows on the table. Her expression showed she was genuinely looking for advice.
“We do have a lot in common; share a lot of the same interests.” Alex stared into his tea.
“So how did you know it was right?”Shauntelle cocked her head to the side. She gazed at him the way their daughters did when waiting for grown-up wisdom.
A realization hit him like a sharp rap across the shoulders. He did not know it was right, not since seeing Lanessa. Maybe he needed a support group for people who were driven to self-destructive relationships. What did they call it? Co-dependency. Or maybe there was a new psychobabble word for it. The woman stood with a drink in her hand and a wealthy looking brother at her side. She had not changed despite what he’d heard. Still daydreams about the good times they had shared kept coming to him at odd moments. Alex mentally slammed that door shut once again. He sat stiff.
”Karin and I aren’t on a timetable. We learned to be friends first.”
“How exciting,” Shauntelle said in a dryly.” Sounds one step from saying she’s just like a sister to you.”
“What are you talking about?”Alex got up. He grabbed a bowl of nuts, crackers and other treats Shauntelle kept on the counter.
“Face the truth, Alex.” Shauntelle brushed back her long auburn hair.” You never got over Lanessa Thomas.”
“We’re talking about you and—who is this guy anyway?”
“Charles Auguste Metoyer, IV.” Shauntelle shrugged at the look he gave her.” We met at a charity luncheon two months ago.”
Alex let out a whistle. “They’re bigger snobs than my family. And that’s saying something.”
/>
“He is not. Charles is a very kind man,” Shauntelle countered.
“He’s got a reputation.” Alex shook his head.” Be careful, Shaun.”
“Charles treats me with nothing but respect. He took me on a romantic dinner cruise last weekend.”
”I see.” Alex knew that meant Shauntelle’s every whim was catered to.
“He knows how to treat a woman, unlike most men.” Shauntelle brushed back a long tendril of hair.
Alex was unaffected by her implication. “Uh-huh. Let me guess, he took you to Lac Des Allemands.”
“How did you know that?”
“The Metoyers own beaucoup land in St. James Parish, cher. Everybody knows that. He’s got a nice boat they say.”
“He’s hosted quite a few very elegant parties there,” Shauntelle said with a superior note in her voice.
“I hear those parties didn’t stay so elegant in the wee hours.” Alex gazed at her.” Be sure you don’t get in too deep with the brother, and I don’t mean water.”
“That’s just nasty gossip from a few people jealous because they didn’t get invitations,” Shauntelle said, her dark eyes flashing anger.” I’m surprised you’d pay attention to it.”
“Okay, we’re cool. I won’t say another word about the man.”
Shauntelle gave him a dark look.” And anyway, don’t change the subject. We’re talking about you and Lanessa Thomas.”
”There is no me and Lanessa Thomas. Our relationship ended a long time ago,” Alex said with force. He picked up a paper napkin then threw it down on the counter again.” The woman hasn’t changed one bit. Still on the town and on the prowl.”
“I hear she went through treatment and pulled herself together. Even some who thought it wouldn’t happen say she’s new person.” Shauntelle got up to pour them both more tea.
“Well she’s got them fooled. Something Lanessa is very good at,” Alex said.
“So you’ve must have seen her recently.” Shauntelle let the inflection in her voice go up.
“In New Orleans doing what she does best, partying.” Alex felt a surge of anger.
“Was the man anyone we know?”Shauntelle leaned against the counter.
She held out the glass but Alex did not see it. What he saw was a dark bronze man with gleaming white teeth grinning.” No.” Suddenly he noticed the way Shauntelle was gazing at him.” Not that I care.”
“Sure you don’t,” she murmured.” When we got married you tried hard. We both did.”
“I didn’t leave because of Lanessa—” Alex burst out.
”You’ve been in love with her since you met in college. Or was it high school?”Shauntelle shook her head.” She’s still in your system, babe.”
“No way.”
Alex turned away from her. He gazed out at gathering dusk. He did not want to hear more. It cut too close to something he wanted to keep buried. A long silence followed before Shauntelle spoke.
“Sorry I touched such a tender spot. One last thing, such a strong reaction means it’s not over.”
“I moved on a long time ago, Shaun. Believe me.” Alex faced her with a firm set to his jaw.
“Okay. Then you should be able to see her with the same ease you see me.” Shauntelle tilted her head back to gaze at him.” Right?”
“If it happens, but there’s no reason to see her.” Alex tossed out the response in blasé manner.” Now I really have to go.”
He made his way out stopping only for one last kiss from the girls. Alex felt as though he were coming up for air after being submerged. Once outside in his car, he took a deep breath. He had to get a grip on this stupid backlash of seeing Lanessa. The last thing he wanted was to feel anything for the woman. Turning up his car radio, he tried to think of text commands and pathways.
Chapter 4
“Did you hear me? I asked if you wanted another glass of wine.” Karin stood waiting for an answer. She held a cut glass wine carafe in one hand. “Alex?”
He glanced at her as though she’d appeared in a cloud of smoke.” Excuse me?”
“More wine?”Karin studied him with her head titled.
“Uh, no. I’ve got an early day tomorrow.”
Alex tried to focus on where he was not where he’d been three years ago. The other two couples, guests at Karin’s dinner party, were preparing to leave. He joined her telling everyone goodbye. After ten minutes Karin and Alex were alone. Alex helped her load the dishwasher and straighten up a bit. It only took another half-hour before they were back in her spacious living room. The soft blue, gray and mauve colors that decorated it were soothing. Muted lighting made the room a perfect romantic setting. Karin sat close to him on the sofa.
“I’m glad Alicia and Percy could come. They’re a nice couple.” Karin sipped from a glass of white wine. “Yes, they are.”
”I think he just might use your company to help him set up the network, or whatever you two were jabbering about,” Karin said with a soft laugh.
“It’s called a LAN, local area network. It means the computers in one location, in this instance his office, are linked.”
“Right, anyway including them was a good idea. They’re fun. And I suspected he’d be a possible client from listening to Alicia talk.” Karin smiled at him. She seemed to be waiting for his approval.
“You were right again. These once a month dinner parties of yours are always a hit,” Alex said smiling back.
“I’m sorry Evan and his new lady couldn’t make it.” Karin leaned her head back against the sofa cushion. She took her hand in his.” But this is nice, too.”
Alex gazed at her. Her creamy skin the color of cinnamon was flawless. Soft jet-black curls framed her perfect oval face. Her dark eyes were wide and lovely. With good food, wine and soft blues playing on the compact disc this evening should be just right. Yet he felt nothing. No, that was not quite right. He was… restless. What was wrong with him? “You’ve been distracted most of the night. You’re putting in too many long hours.” Karin patted his hand.
“Yeah, well the state contract should be through in another month or so.”
“Going smooth for you?”She kept her hand on his.
“Just fine. No major kinks so far, knock on wood,” Alex replied.
“So if it isn’t work, what is it?”She gazed at him steadily.
Alex felt a stab of guilt and anxiety.” Nothing is wrong,” he said.” Not exactly.”
“You seem more than just distracted to tell the truth. There’s a distance between us.” Karin was suddenly quite somber.” Have I done something wrong?”
“No.” He hesitated as he groped for some way to express his feelings.
“Is it something I haven’t done?”
“No, it’s not you.” Alex stopped short of uttering the cliché that it was him. Still it was true.
“I care a lot about you. You know that.” Karin leaned closer to him.
“And I care for you, too.” Alex looked down into eyes glowing with affection. He felt like a blue ribbon jerk.
Karin pulled back from him.” But we’re not going to get past being good friends, are we?”
“You’re a wonderful woman, Karin.” Alex knew this was a lame response. He just could think of nothing better to say under the circumstances.
“I thought giving you space would lead to… Obviously I was wrong.” Karin wore a taut expression. Anger bubbled just beneath her tone.
“I never meant to lead you on.” Alex still felt as though he had, despite the talks they’d had about not getting serious. Clearly she wanted more, and he had been blind to it.
“Sure. We’ve both dated other people off and on.” Karin got up suddenly.” But didn’t you notice I never strayed far before I came back?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think…” Alex stopped short. What an understatement, brother!
“Who is she?”
“It’s not what you think.” Alex combed his fingers through his hair.
“Your e
x-wife? Not after all these years surely.” Karin crossed her arms.
“No way. She’s got a new man in her life.”
“The last few months I really thought we’d crossed some threshold.” Karin shook her head.
“Karin, listen, it’s nobody’s fault. It’s just I have some issues to work out before I can get serious with anyone.”
Karin whirled to face him. “Issues? I’d hoped you could at least be honest.”
“I’m being as honest as I can.” Alex hated seeing the wounded look in her eyes.
“Alex, I saw Lanessa at the theater when we were in New Orleans two weeks ago. I watched your face when you saw her.” Karin’s voice was low.
“Okay. But that’s not—”
“So I know what ‘issues’ you’re talking about,” she cut him off.” You’re seeing Lanessa again, admit it.”
“We never talked about taking our relationship to a different level.”
“So you’re seeing Lanessa?”Karin seemed not to have heard anything else he’d said.
“We’re going to have lunch.” Alex moved away from her. He went to the picture window that faced onto a lake across from Karin’s house.” Just to talk. I think she wants to make amends for the past.”
Karin walked over to stand next to him.” She wants more than one lunch. You’ve got to see through her.”
“See through what? Look, let’s just drop it.” Alex continued to stare into the night. There was no way to make this conversation go better.
“So that’s it then,” Karin murmured.
“I can’t say for sure what I feel for Lanessa,” Alex blurted out. He owed it to Karin to tell her as much of the truth as he knew it.” A lot went down between us. Most of it bad.”
“You go to her. But I’ll be here when she lets you down again.” Karin placed her cheek against his arm.
He could feel pressure of her touch. Alex suddenly felt closed in.” It’s late so I’d better go.” Goodnight.” It was the thing only left to say.
“I’ll be seeing you.” Karin’s eyes were over-bright.
