Paige had grown numb to her mother’s musings, until today. For some reason, the black jeans and brown sweater didn’t suffice. Maybe she should consider adding more style to her life, she thought. But why? she asked herself. Due to her past mistake, no viable suitors were on the horizon. More than likely her mother’s prediction would come to pass—she’d die an old maid.
“No, I’m not going there today,” she mumbled as she turned into the food bank’s parking lot. “It’s a beautiful day, and I will enjoy it, even if I am miserable.” She started singing as she climbed out of her car and mechanically set out to perform her Christian duty.
“Good morning, Paige.”
Her Nikes hadn’t touched the pavement three times before the stimulating, and yet irritating, voice interrupted her singing. Sergio-Xavier. She hadn’t seen him since the morning she took him on as a client, but they had an appointment for Tuesday afternoon. At that moment, she didn’t want to see him, but she also didn’t want to lose a client. With a manufactured smile, she turned in the direction of his voice.
“Hello . . .” She let the rest of the greeting hang while studying his physique, which she tried unsuccessfully to ignore. Sergio-Xavier was over six feet tall, and his body was well proportioned and toned. Although he wore a polo shirt and black jeans, she had visions of the biceps and quadriceps underneath.
“Too holy to speak this morning, are we?”
His cocky response snapped her from the trance. “I didn’t expect to see you out here,” she said, referring to him unloading the supply truck. “Actually, I didn’t expect to see you at all today.”
“Why not?”
She thought it was a rhetorical question until he set the box on the ground and folded his arms, as if waiting for an answer.
“Well, at the risk of saying something stupid, as you put it . . .” He arched an eyebrow but didn’t rebut the dig. “I didn’t think unloading an eighteen-wheeler was something a lead neurologist would have the time to do.”
“I see you have thrown our last meeting here into the sea of forgetfulness.” He bent down and retrieved the box. “You better alert the staff that I could be stealing this food.” He chuckled and went to place the box on the conveyor belt.
“I thought we called a truce?” she said when he returned.
“We did,” he answered and then flashed what she considered a deceitful smile. “But I couldn’t help it. You’re too predictable. I bet all kinds of ridiculous thoughts about why I chose to spend my time at the local food bank when I could be out on the golf course are running through your pretty little head.”
“Predictable?” Paige started to argue the point but then figured, Why? The man had told the truth. She did want to know why he would spend his Saturday morning among common folks. He walked back to the truck, and she followed. “Well, are you going to tell me why you’re here? I know it’s not because you enjoy my company.”
“Of course not,” he smirked en route to the conveyor belt, carrying another box. “I get better conversation from the people in line. They’re more genuine.”
Paige shot daggers at him and stomped the pavement to keep from punching him in the face. How dare he make a comment like that?
After placing the box on the conveyor belt, he stood in front of her. She didn’t like that he was standing so far into her personal space, but he smelled good.
“Let me explain before both your head and neck start rolling and your finger starts pointing,” he said, as if dealing with angry African American women was something he did on a regular basis.
She huffed and puffed but didn’t give him the tongue-lashing and animation he deserved.
“You want to know why I’m here not because you’re concerned, but because you’re nosy. You can’t figure me out, because I don’t fit into any of your preconceived notions of what someone on my level does. The problem is, you don’t know what level I’m on. You only have assumptions based on outward appearance. Similar to how you embrace salvation.”
“How dare you—”
He threw his hands up and cut her off. “Hold on. Let me finish, and then you can tell me off.”
Her fists relaxed and tightened, but she bit her lip to keep from yelling.
“My family’s nonprofit foundation is a major contributor to all five local food banks. We not only provide financial assistance, but also give of our time by serving the community. We rotate among the different sites, which is probably why we didn’t meet before now, but I’m sure you’ve seen my family members around, doing everything from unloading trucks to handing out food. You just didn’t know you were in the company of millionaires.” He leaned in even closer, as if trying to get his point across. “So, the food you accused me of stealing is actually food I help provide.”
Paige felt her jaw dropping, but she was too stunned to stop it.
“As for conversation, the people in line are real. They are here because they’re in need. They’re not too prideful to admit they need help. What I like most about the crowd is no one judges anyone. Out here I’m just another guy helping out, not Dr. Simone. You have the working and the unemployed, the young and the old in every color of the rainbow, but status means nothing here. They respect one another and share the common goal of survival. I’m simply humbled God has given me the means to help them. I meet fascinating people every time I serve. And for me, it’s not an obligation, but an honor.”
If it were possible, Paige would have become liquefied and flowed down the drainage pipe. Ashamed didn’t begin to describe how low she felt for misjudging him, but the jealousy surprised her. Sergio-Xavier possessed the inner fulfillment she yearned for. If nothing else, Sergio-Xavier had been consistent in his attitude and insults since the day they met. He knew his mind and wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion. He was rooted and grounded in his convictions.
The smug smile he wore made her almost hate him for the mere fact that he’d discovered his own identity and charted his own course. Paige, on the other hand, had no idea why she showed up at the food bank every Saturday, other than it was part of her Christian duty. She did have compassion for the needy, but giving of her time was one way she achieved atonement for her past sin. For Paige, serving was an obligation.
Paige blinked back the tears this realization had caused and prayed that her voice wouldn’t betray her. “I don’t know what to say. You’re certainly not who I thought you were. Again, I’m sorry.” She expected him to gloat, but he didn’t. “I have to get inside,” she said and then turned and walked away when she could no longer stand his intense stare.
“Paige, wait.”
The feel of his hand on her body made her stop, but she didn’t turn around. The warmth against her shoulder amazed her since he was wearing work gloves, and she a sweater.
“I hope you’re not upset. I really wasn’t trying to pick another fight.”
She hoped the smile she pasted on before turning would be enough to convince Sergio-Xavier his words hadn’t cut her to the core. “Sure you weren’t, but it’s all right. I deserved that.” The self-preservation tactic worked. Those full lips parted into that deceiving smile.
“I assume you’re working a two-hour shift today?”
She nodded.
“I’m free until evening. How about grabbing a bite to eat afterward?”
Paige shook her head as to clear it. Did he just slap me with the pitiful reality of what my life has become, and then ask me out? she thought. “Are you asking me out?”
“Of course not,” he smirked. “I wouldn’t date a nosy woman like you, but I would share a meal with a pretty face.”
“Really?” Her pasted smile turned genuine at his compliment. “You must really think I’m pretty. You’ve said so twice in less than ten minutes.”
His hand jerked away, as if he had just realized he was stilling touching her. “No, I don’t.” He let the rest of the sentence hang and abruptly turned away.
Paige remained glued in place, watching h
im stomp away, only to return and intrude into her personal space once again.
“You’re much more than pretty,” he said in a much softer tone than she had expected. “To me, you’re drop-dead gorgeous. Any man, including myself, would be proud to be seen with you. That is, until you open your mouth.”
His words soothed her earlier wounds, and the laughter that followed released the tension. “Is it possible for you to give a compliment without an insult?”
“It’s about as possible as you going twenty-four hours without misjudging someone. Believe it or not, that happens only with you.”
Paige playfully slapped his arm. “I’ll work on my slight problem if you work on yours. And yes, I’ll make you look good by sharing a meal with you. We can discuss the properties I selected for you.”
He started back toward the truck. “Good. I’ll see you at one o’clock. Now go inside and perform your saintly duty.”
“Whatever,” she said, rolling her eyes as she turned away. She went halfway down the walkway leading into the building and then retraced her steps. She couldn’t have lunch with him. “I’m sorry, but I can’t go. I forgot that I already have plans,” she said as he moved from the truck to the conveyor belt. “But we’re still on for Tuesday.”
“No problem,” he said after setting the box down. “Have fun.”
“It’s not a date.” For some reason Paige felt the need to explain. “I have a special session scheduled with my young entrepreneur group at my office.”
Her statement appeared to surprise him. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” she answered proudly. He wasn’t the only one with a heart to give back. While working at the food bank was her duty, Paige had a passion for mentoring. “I mentor a group of high school girls on Monday evenings.”
“I have to see this for myself,” he teased. “Would you mind if I came along and watched you in action?”
Maybe to gloat or maybe to prove she wasn’t a bad person, Paige welcomed the idea of Dr. Sergio-Xavier Simone observing her and the girls. DWAP was her pride and joy, one of the few things she’d done right. “Sure. I’ll meet you at my office.”
“I’ll see you later, Sergeant.” Sergio-Xavier offered a salute and then resumed working.
Chapter 11
“What the heck was I thinking?” Sergio-Xavier banged the steering wheel of his Chrysler 300 for the third time and still didn’t have a logical answer to why he was parked outside of Paige’s office with a picnic basket.
He hadn’t meant to invite her to lunch, but the pain etched on her face had touched him in a place in which he didn’t desire to be touched, at least not by her. True, he’d wanted her to eat crow for calling him a thief, but he hadn’t expected the tears. She’d attempted to camouflage them, but he’d seen them. In an instant the hard exterior had crumbled, and what remained had shaken him to the core. Beneath the misguided religious fanatic shell rested a wounded soul crying out for help.
He looked upward. “Okay, Lord, I get it.” He appreciated his spiritual gift of discernment, but this was one time when Sergio-Xavier wished he could turn the gift off. “Father, please show me quickly why our paths have crossed. I know it’s much deeper than buying property.” After the prayer, he sat there a while longer, waiting for an answer. When one didn’t come, he collected the picnic basket and exited the vehicle. All the way to Paige’s office building, he hoped she’d be pleased with his lunch selection.
Instead of greeting him, Paige pointed to the picnic basket and said,” What’s that?” when she opened the door. Since she was in the office alone, she waited for him in the receptionist area.
To keep the peace, Sergio-Xavier simply answered, “Lunch. I thought we’d have enough time to eat before your class.” He noticed that she hesitated before stepping aside to allow him entrance. “Don’t worry. I’m a doctor, remember? I took an oath not to murder anyone.”
“Whatever. I’m not going to let you ruin my day twice.” He expected the eye rolling, but the feel of her fingertips against his hand as she pulled him down the hall and into her office surprised him. “I didn’t know you were picking up food, so I stopped at Subway.”
“I see,” he said, looking at the unwrapped sandwich on her desk. “I should have called. I’ll just save this for dinner.” He turned, intending to take the basket back to the car, but her hand moved up his bicep.
“No, you will not. I can eat Subway any day of the week, but I will not pass up a chance to enjoy a real meal at your expense.”
Before he could devise with a comeback, Paige snatched the basket and in record speed unloaded the contents onto her desk. “What’s in here? It smells delicious.” She gasped. “How did you know I love soul food?” she asked and then bit into a piece of fried catfish before he could answer. “Kevin must have told you.”
“Uh, actually, I haven’t talked with Kevin in a couple of days.”
She attacked the catfish again.
“Had I known you like catfish so much, I would have gotten you some.”
She stopped chewing. “Huh?”
“The catfish was for me,” he explained. “I got the fried chicken for you.”
He watched Paige’s eyes almost double in size. “There’s fried chicken too?” she said, opening the remaining containers. “I don’t eat like this often, because it’s fattening, but I love fried chicken and catfish.”
As he leaned against the wall, uncontrollable laughter poured out of Sergio-Xavier. This Paige was hilarious and quite adorable with a chicken leg in one hand and a forkful of collard greens in the other. She didn’t even bother using the plates.
“I’ve got to get a picture of this,” he said and pulled out his cell phone. “I never thought I’d see you on the verge of gluttony. Just don’t choke. I can’t perform the Heimlich and snap a picture at the same time.”
The stoic Paige returned, but only for a brief moment. “I am not a glutton,” she snarled, then dug into the yams. “If you want some, you better come on.” She smiled and offered him a fork.
After snapping several pictures, Sergio-Xavier joined her at the desk and ate, all the while wondering what was happening to him. Paige’s pleasure in the meal he had selected pleased him more than it should have, and he couldn’t stop thinking about the feel of her hand on his body. How was it possible to dislike someone and enjoy being in their presence at the same time? When he looked up at the contentment resting on her ebony face, Sergio-Xavier knew the answer to that question was a long way off.
“Ms. McDaniels, I am truly impressed. You’re awesome with those young ladies. DWAP can’t help but be successful.”
Paige didn’t bother hiding the huge smile before turning around and acknowledging Sergio-Xavier’s compliment. “Thank you,” she answered humbly, but she felt like screaming. For two hours she had taught and mediated between eight high-strung teenagers. For once Seniyah had arrived on time, and Jasmine had kept the insults to a minimum and hadn’t taken over the class, but the tension had remained. By the time they had finished the team-building activities and had redefined DWAP’s goals and mission, the group was motivated to work harder and work together. Jasmine and Seniyah had even called a truce by shaking hands.
“I wish I could take all the credit for today’s session, but I can’t. I had a little help.” She nodded at him. “Thank you for assisting me.”
“What did I do?”
Paige thought the twisted facial expression was cute, and she said as much, in her own way. “Those young ladies are a handful, but with a handsome man in the room watching them, they were on their best behavior. I even caught some of them gawking at you. If it wasn’t too much to ask, I’d invite you to every session.”
“I doubt if my presence made a difference at all. Those young ladies are smart. With proper guidance, I can see them going far in the business world.” He paused, as if he had remembered something. “Do you really think I’m handsome?”
Giggles Paige hadn’t heard since she was
a teenager poured from her. Without giving thought to her actions, Paige pinched his cheek and said, “You’re more than handsome. You are fine, which is why I don’t like you.” His sudden move backward from her touch sobered her. “I totally agree with you. Those young ladies will go far, especially Seniyah,” Paige added to save face.
“Seniyah?” he questioned, still beyond her reach.
“Yes. Seniyah is remarkable.” Paige started collecting the used paper for the recycling bin to hide her embarrassment. “Oh, did I mention she has a full scholarship to Stanford and she’s graduating at the top of her class?”
He walked around the table, straightening the chairs. “I was under the impression that your star student is Jasmine, the one with the blue hair.”
Paige thought the idea absurd. “No way! Jasmine is ambitious, and with a lot of help she may actually leave the hood one day. She’d need to learn proper English first and settle on a normal hair color.”
“True,” he agreed. “But that’s why she has you to teach her.”
Satisfied the conference room was clean and ready for Monday morning, Paige turned out the light and started for her office. “I’ll teach her what I can about business, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Jasmine never left the hood. It’s part of who she is.” Paige stopped abruptly and turned around, causing him to walk into her. “Did I mention her brother is a street pharmacist and she plans to attend community college to collect financial aid? Isn’t that crazy?”
He chuckled. “Crazy, but not unheard of. People do it every day. For some, it’s taking advantage. For others, it’s called survival.”
She continued the trek to her office. “Call it what you want. At least Seniyah earned the money that will be given to her.”
He entered her office but didn’t sit down. “Seniyah, that’s the one who sat on the end, in the black wool coat, right? The one who kept her head down and participated only when you directly asked her a question?”
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