by Donna Hill
“Long way from your new home in DC. Preston here, too?”
“He should be soon.”
Justin frowned. “Everything okay?”
“Actually, everything’s great. Desi and Dominique are going to come by also.”
“Desi and Dom? Okay, spill it. What’s really going on?” He leaned against the island counter.
LeeAnn drew in a breath. “Well, I wanted everyone here so that we’d only have to say it once, but I guess I can tell you if you swear you won’t say anything until the rest of the family gets here.”
He ran his finger across his lips in a zipper motion.
But before LeeAnn could say a word they heard the front door and the near identical voices of Desiree and Dominique in animated conversation.
“Hello, good people,” Dominique greeted as she entered the archway. She kissed her brother and sister.
“What’s all the secrecy, sis?” Desiree asked. She placed her purse on the counter and hugged LeeAnn then Justin.
“Yeah, spill the tea, girl,” Dominique said.
LeeAnn grinned. “Can we wait for my husband to get here?”
“Well, I don’t know about y’all, but I’m starving,” Dominique groused. She headed to the fridge and pulled the door open then plucked out an apple. “Are you at least fixing dinner, Lee, since you got us all over here?”
LeeAnn had always been the great cook of the family, and they’d all come to expect her to whip up one of her special dishes whenever she was home. Being the eldest girl, she’d all but taken over caring for her siblings after they’d lost their mother, Louisa, and they all still looked to her for all the things that a mother would do.
“I hadn’t planned to, but I suppose I could put something together.”
Justin checked his watch. Jasmine was expecting him in an hour. The evening was going to be tough enough. He didn’t want to add being late to the mix. But, family first. Jasmine would have to understand. “I need to make a call.” He excused himself and walked into the front room. He pulled out his phone and called Jasmine.
The phone barely rang before Jasmine picked up.
“Hello, Justin,” she said.
“Hi. Listen, something came up here at the house. I’m going to be late getting to you.”
Silence.
“Jazz?”
“Fine. What’s late?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll call you when I’m done here.”
“We have reservations,” she whined.
Justin’s jaw tightened. “I know that.”
He heard her blow an exasperated breath into the phone. “Well, we can cancel, and you can come here.”
That was the last thing he wanted to do, but he also had no intention of dragging out the inevitable. “Sure. I’ll see you as soon as I can.”
“I’ll make it worth your while,” she cooed.
“See you later.” He disconnected the call, stuck his phone back into his pocket and returned to the family gathered in the kitchen.
“Everything okay?” Dominique quietly asked while she sipped on a glass of wine.
“Yeah.” He reached for the bottle of wine and filled his own glass. Of his three sisters, it was Dominique that could always read him. There was a closeness between them that often rivaled the relationship between her and her twin, Desiree. Dominique was the wild one, or so most people thought. But underneath her diva exterior, she was insightful, caring and wise beyond her years. Meanwhile, it was Desi that had a passion for the dangerous world of race-car driving. When that little tidbit of information got to their father, he nearly imploded.
LeeAnn and Desiree were busy catching up and preparing dinner for the clan. Dominique slid her arm around her brother’s waist and peeked up at him above the rim of her glass. “What’s really going on?”
“With LeeAnn? I know what you know. Nada.” He gave a half grin.
“You know that’s not what I mean.” She gently nudged him in the side with her elbow. “What’s going on with you? I know that look.”
“You mean my strong jaw and charismatic smile.” He chuckled lightly and stroked his smooth chin.
“Don’t play with me.”
He blew out a breath. “Making some moves, that’s all.”
She arched a questioning brow. “That’s your final answer?”
He angled his body away from LeeAnn and Desiree to face Dominique. “Working out some things with Jasmine. She needs to understand where we stand.”
“How is that going to affect things at the office?”
He gave a half shrug. “We’ll see.”
“If it helps, I think you’re making the right decision. Jasmine is a woman for someone else. She’s all about Jasmine and getting ahead and latching on to name and money.” She clasped his upper biceps. “You have a vision, ambition and a commitment to society. I can’t see Jasmine ever being a part of that.”
Justin slowly nodded. “I agree. Don’t get me wrong. I care about her. Beneath all of the shine of her exterior, she’s trying to find her way. But she has been so spoiled by the life her parents have provided for her that she has no empathy for anyone who she believes has less than her. That’s a big problem for me. I tried to ignore it and hoped that it was just a facade, but it’s at the heart of who she is.” He slowly shook his head. “I know I’m not the one for her.”
“It’ll be fine. Was that who you were calling?”
“Yeah. We had reservations for dinner. I’d planned to talk to her at the restaurant. Unfortunately, I didn’t anticipate this...” He gave a slight tilt of his head toward his sisters.
“Hmm. So what are you going to do?”
“Meet at her place when we’re done here.”
“You know I got you covered if you need a ride-along,” she teased.
Justin chuckled. “Thanks, but no need. I’m good.”
“Well, I’m just a cell phone call away.” She winked and sauntered over to her sisters just as the doorbell rang.
LeeAnn wiped her hands on a paper towel. “That should be Preston.” She walked out and went to the front door.
“I hope so. Then we can get this party started,” Dominique said and refilled her glass of wine.
Moments later LeeAnn and Preston walked in arm in arm, with LeeAnn beaming at her husband like the day she married him.
“The gang’s all here,” Preston greeted, kissing the cheeks of his sisters-in-law and shaking Justin’s hand.
“Everyone but Rafe,” Desiree added.
“I’d hoped that he would be able to make it, but he has a gig in South Beach tonight at the Versace mansion,” LeeAnn said.
“He does get around,” Preston said with an air of admiration.
“All this small talk is nice, but will somebody please tell me what the hell is going on so we can eat?” Dominique said.
LeeAnn looked up at her husband, and he shared a “go ahead” nod.
“Well...we have news on a couple of fronts.” She drew in a breath and pushed out what they were waiting to hear. “We’re pregnant.”
“I knew it!” Desiree screeched.
“Congratulations, y’all,” Dominique added.
“Congrats, sis and you, too, Preston,” Justin joked.
They all shared hugs and kisses, and when the excitement died down to murmurs of happiness for the couple, LeeAnn took Preston’s hand. “There’s more.”
The room quieted.
“I was offered a position with the Department of State as Deputy Director of Environmental Policy Implementation,” Preston said.
A chorus of congratulations filled the air.
“Thanks. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, and serving in the Senate on the environmental committee paved the way.
” He paused. “The position is in Kenya.”
“Kenya...as in Africa, Kenya?” Desiree asked, her voice rising in pitch.
“We leave in three weeks,” LeeAnn added.
Dominique put down her glass. “What? You’re moving to Kenya?”
“That’s a big move, brah,” Justin said. “You both ready for that?” He looked from one to the other.
“We are,” LeeAnn said.
“Hey, you have to do what you can to make a difference, and I know you will,” Justin said. He stepped to his brother-in-law and gave him a hearty hug. “Proud of you, man.”
“Thanks.”
“How long will you be gone?” Desiree asked, her voice cracking.
“At least a year. It could be extended. But for now, it’s a year.”
“What about the baby? You’re going to have the baby in Kenya?” Dominique asked, her dismay finally kicking in.
LeeAnn offered a tight smile. “Looks that way.”
“Dad is going to have a natural fit,” Desiree said.
“That’s why we wanted to tell you all first, get your support,” LeeAnn said. “You know Dad. He wants things his way, and he has Preston’s entire career mapped out.”
“You don’t really think that Dad doesn’t know, do you?” Justin said. “Nothing gets past him, and he’s right there in the mix in DC.”
“True. I’m sure he’s heard the rumors, but he hasn’t approached me, and I didn’t want to say anything until LeeAnn and I had thoroughly talked about it. It’s what we both want.”
“You have my support,” Justin said.
Desiree and Dominique added their words of support, as well, albeit a bit halfhearted.
“Damn, how in the world am I going to arrange a baby shower way the hell in Kenya?” Dominique said, and whatever thread of tension that was in the air was broken.
“I say this calls for a Lawson family toast,” Desiree said then made sure everyone had a glass of wine except for LeeAnn, who had iced tea.
“To LeeAnn and Preston and the safe arrival of the newest Lawson-Graham,” Justin said and raised his glass.
LeeAnn turned to Preston. “Think we should tell them the rest?”
“You do the honors, babe.”
“Make that two little Lawson-Grahams. Doctor said it’s twins.” LeeAnn’s eyes gleamed with joy.
Squeals and deep rumbles of shock and happy congratulations rippled through the expansive kitchen.
* * *
Justin was still smiling when he pulled out of the driveway en route to Jasmine’s home on the far end of the parish. It takes real courage to make a major move like that, especially being a relative newlywed and expecting twins, he thought. Toss Branford Lawson into the mix, and it could be a real mess. None of that was stopping Preston from pushing ahead in the direction that he needed to go, and LeeAnn was right there by his side. At a time when most women would need to be around their family and close friends, his sister was willing to forgo all of that to support her husband. That was love.
He was more determined than ever to pursue his own dream, and if he could be as lucky as Preston was in finding a treasure like his sister LeeAnn, the dream would be that much sweeter.
Twenty minutes later he pulled up in front of Jasmine’s two-story home. He parked in the driveway behind Jasmine’s candy-apple-red Porsche and stepped out into the twinkling twilight of the late-spring evening. Hopefully, Jasmine wouldn’t make this any more difficult than it had to be. He walked up the short lane that was braced on either side by emerald-green hedges, stopped at the front door and rang the bell.
Jasmine opened the door moments later. There was no denying that Jasmine DuBois was a stunning woman. Wherever she went, heads turned, with men wanting to know her and women wishing they were her. There was a small corner of Justin’s ego that enjoyed the fact that she was on his arm. But as the old saying goes, beauty is only skin deep. What Jasmine exuded on the outside ended there. In the months of their dating, it had become more and more apparent how shallow and self-absorbed she really was.
“Hey, sweetie.” She extended her slender hand and led him inside.
“Hey.”
Justin closed the door behind him and before he could barely turn, Jasmine had wrapped herself around him, enveloped him in her kiss, pressed the curves of her body against his. It was clear what she wanted.
Justin clasped her upper arms and pulled away, holding her in place. Her eyes flashed. Her chest heaved.
“What’s wrong? What is it?”
“You know what’s wrong, Jazz. Us.”
She tugged away as if she’d been slapped. “What are you talking about?”
Justin crossed the space into the front room and turned to face her. “We want two different things, Jasmine. The life you want to lead is not my life. There’s so much more than the next social event, and island hopping and new clothes and cars. There are people out there hurting.”
“And that’s my fault,” she cried incredulously. “Simply because I’ve been fortunate enough to have the things I want, I should what...turn it all over to some, some bum on the street! Devote my time to those less fortunate,” she said in nasty singsong. She threw her hands up in the air.
“No. That’s not it, and you know it. You’d be content with me working for your father or practicing a form of law that I hate in order to keep up the front of prestige and power and privilege. That’s not who I am.”
Her fine-boned features hardened, and hazel eyes glinted with fury. “That’s what you think,” she said with a tone of superiority in her voice. “You pretend to be holier than thou, but you’re just like me. We were cut from the same cloth. You think that hiding behind a veil of the do-gooder makes you better.” She laughed. “It doesn’t, and it never will. Your name, where you came from, is who you are and who you’ll always be. A Lawson!” She tossed her head.
Justin shook his head sadly. “That’s exactly why we can never be together, Jasmine. Because I am more than a name and the weight that comes with it. What I intend to do with the weight that comes with the Lawson name is something you’ll never be able to understand.”
“Fine! Get out. Go save the world.” Hot tears rolled down her cheeks. “You’ll regret it. I swear to God, you will.”
“No, I don’t think so.” He turned and walked out, shutting the door softly behind him and the sound of breaking glass hitting the door.
Chapter 6
Bailey had all but given up on seeing Justin again. With each day that passed, she put him further in the back of her mind. Her stomach didn’t do that twirly thing every time the door to the Mercury Lounge opened—at least not as much as it once had, and she didn’t imagine that she saw him in every other handsome face that she passed in the streets of Baton Rouge. She had all but moved on when Justin walked through the door.
Whatever lie she’d been telling herself—that she’d put all thoughts and budding feelings about him behind her—fell by the wayside when his searching eyes found her, and his smile lit a fire in her soul.
He moved through the crowd, and to Bailey it felt like slow motion. Her pulse began its rapid ascent while a tingling sensation rippled through her limbs as he came closer.
“Hey.”
The pounding in her chest nearly drowned out his greeting. She swallowed and glanced away, focusing on the bar top. “Hi. What can I get you?”
“You could start by looking at me.”
Her throat tightened. Her lashes rose, and her gaze connected with his. Big mistake. She sank into the depths of his dark eyes and was swept away.
He reached out his long, slender finger and touched her cheek. “That’s better,” he crooned. “I want to see those eyes.”
Her cheek flamed beneath the tip of his finger.
“How have you been?”
“Fine.” She took a step back. “And you?”
“Better now.”
“Your regular?” she asked, trying to regain some clarity.
“Sure.” She felt his eyes on her when she walked away. Bailey returned with his shot of bourbon.
“Thanks.” He lifted his glass and took a sip without taking his eyes off her. “I was hoping that we could get together on your next night off.”
Her heart thumped. “Get together?”
“Yes. Away from here. Just me and you.”
She glanced away. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t go out with my customers.”
“Cardinal rule?”
“Something like that.”
“Hmm.” He tossed back the rest of his drink, pulled out his wallet and passed her his credit card.
“Is that all you’re having?”
“Yep.” He set his glass down and stared at her.
She drew in a breath, snatched up his card and walked to the register. Her hands shook as she processed the payment. Was that it? Was he simply going to walk out? She didn’t give him much of a chance. Fine. Go.
Bailey returned with his receipt and his card. She placed them in front of him.
“Thanks.” He tucked both away and slowly stood. “You take care.”
“You, too,” she managed to eek out.
Justin strode away, and Bailey’s heart sank to the pit of her stomach.
* * *
For the rest of her shift she worked like an automaton. She handed out drinks, took orders and managed the bar all by rote. If anyone asked her what her night was like, she wouldn’t have been able to tell them. The hours dragged by, and all she wanted to do was have her night end so that she could go home and crawl into bed. Thankfully, it was a weeknight, and they closed at eleven.
“You okay?” Mellie asked as they tallied up the night’s receipts.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Why?”
“You seem a little out of it, that’s all.”
