Marco sighed heavily. “I tried that.”
Gerald took the phone from his ear and covered his mouth so Marco would not hear his laughter. “She refused you?”
“Let’s just say she’s got a really big case coming up and…”
“She blew you off for a case. Now it’s becoming a lot clearer. This is priceless.”
“Ha!” Adrienne shouted loud enough for Marco to hear her. “She blew him off. Now that’s a first!”
“Calling you was a big mistake! What was I thinking?”
“Okay…okay…if you can’t support a best friend when a woman rejects him, then what kind of friend would I be, huh, buddy?”
“Very funny,” Marco mumbled. He knew Gerald loved every minute of this. “Listen, I called because you worked with the woman for several months, so I figured you of all people could give me some advice on how to get…”
“Laid?” Gerald retorted.
Adrienne laughed hysterically in the background. “She’s going to be a hard nut to crack even for the irresistible Marco Grimaldi!” she yelled.
“Tell Adrienne when I want her opinion, I’ll be sure to call when she’s in labor,” Marco jabbed back.
“Now, there’s no need to be nasty,” Gerald said, protectively.
“I just need to know what kind of vibe you got from her when she was working on your case.” Marco sounded so helpless.
“She is strictly business. Perhaps too much. That’s why we won. I don’t know how she does it, but she made me feel as if I was her number one priority. I know she had several other big cases she was handling. She’s so driven. But, she moves very slowly, very carefully and then BAM! She has a surprise waiting for you. She’s talented. Man, she’s mesmerizing, but intimidating as hell in that courtroom! But, like I said, I didn’t get one glimpse of her personal side. Pam kept that all to herself.”
“Hmmm. So that’s what she likes—catching people totally by surprise?” Marco quipped.
“She does the surprise element thing in the courtroom well. I mean, she must have had some compelling evidence about Highway Hathaway’s ass. Before the case was over, she had the guy thinking about suing Porsche instead of suing me for his accident,” Gerald answered reflectively.
Marco laughed. Pam looked as if she could bite the head right off of a cobra without batting an eye, but his instincts told him there was more to her than just a high-priced suit and a keen legal mind. Marco intended to uncover her stoic persona and get to know every inch of the real woman.
“Well, Marco, my friend, if there was a man who could open up a heart of stone and make it bleed, it’s you. The question is: why her?”
“Why not?”
“It’s obvious she’s not going to give you the time of day or else you wouldn’t be calling me. With all of the women I’ve seen you bring through here, I don’t understand why you would go through the hassle when you’ve had someone like Sha—”
“Don’t say her name, please!” Marco begged.
“All right,” Gerald said.
“I was lucky to escape that one. She was crazy and only interested in my money anyway—you know that!”
“No, you like to think that, but she really loved you. Adrienne and I both saw how she felt when she caught you with that long-legged bimbo. Marco, what was her name?”
“It was Clarissa. And she’s not a bimbo!”
“She is in comparison to Sha—”
“I warned you, Gerald! Don’t say that woman’s name or I’m hanging up!”
“Well, she was devastated when she caught you with Clarissa, ” Gerald scolded.
“And still is!” Adrienne chimed in again.
“Listen, I didn’t call you to dredge up my past relationship with my ex-fiancée. I’ve moved on. Let’s just say that it’s been a while since I met a woman who’s as spirited as Pam.”
“And who’s independent, makes shitloads of money, and doesn’t want to give you the time of day. Hey, that’s it! She’s the equivalent of a female Marco!” Gerald shouted. “That’s it, isn’t it? She reminds you of you! And who do you love more than anyone else in this world?”
“HIMSELF!” Adrienne joined in.
“All right…all right, who made you a psychiatrist?”
“Well, I’ve learned from the best,” Gerald chided.
“Whatever, Gerald. As always, it’s been a pleasure talking with you and Adrienne. When can I come by for more insults?”
Gerald laughed. “Hey Adrienne, Marco wants to know when he can come by for some more insults?”
“Tell him to be here for dinner tonight at 8:00 sharp. I’ll have Edward whip up his favorite ziti and meatballs with a delicious sorbet for dessert.”
“May I bring a guest?”
“You’re not thinking about bringing Pam, are you?”
“Why not?”
“Now that could turn out to be an interesting evening,” Gerald said.
“Glad you think so. So call her and invite her. You owe me anyway! I’ll see you at 8:00.” He hung up the phone and chuckled at the thought of Gerald listening to a dial tone.
Close Connection
Dee opened her eyes with care, looking and remembering her night. She stretched her arms, pulling the blanket and causing Chris to stir. His long eyelashes fluttered against the nape of her neck. One of his legs was draped across hers while his large, hardened penis rested insistently on the back of her buttocks as she lay on her side.
“Good morning,” Dee whispered into Chris’s ear. Her stomach rumbled faintly.
“You hungry for more, baby?” Chris teased, poking her with his erection.
Dee turned to face him, firmly grabbing his cock as she nibbled on his ear lobe. “Actually, I’m still hungry for that French food you were supposed to order us last night.”
He thrust his growing organ into her hand and moved back and forth. “All right, now, don’t start something you can’t finish.” Dee’s stomach growled louder as she laughed at him. “I can’t believe you’re waking up this early—hungry—especially since I filled you up with enough lovin’ that should have tied you over at least until breakfast!”
“Oh, you’ve filled me up, all right,” she mused. “But I’d feel a lot better if I could order up some eggs and sausage with a side of pancakes.”
“Aight, aight, a brotha can take a hint. I’ll call room service.” Chris turned to pick up the phone. “Oh, hell, naw!” Please don’t tell me…” he groaned as he glanced at the clock on top of the nightstand.
“What’s wrong?”
“Where’s my watch?” Chris asked brusquely.
“Over there, on the dresser, but…” She watched Chris run in panic to the dresser and glance at the clock.
“Shit! It’s 10:00!” Chris yelled.
“It’s 10:00!” Dee dashed out of bed and grabbed her robe. Her crew pick-up was in thirty minutes, and she had to get this man out of her room, put on her flight attendant uniform, and get her behind in that lobby so she could catch her flight. How was she going to do all of that without blowing her cover?
“How in the world did this happen?”
“It’s called not setting your alarm clock before you get your sex on,” Chris scoffed as he hastily buttoned his shirt and zipped his pants. “Now where are my socks and shoes?”
“You didn’t wear socks, and your loafers are over there by the fireplace,” Dee said rushing over to retrieve them and tossing them to him while he hurried to fastened his belt and put his shoes on.
“Thanks, baby. Listen, I hate to run out like this, but I’ve got a meeting with my coach at eleven, and he will have my ass if I’m late again!”
She grabbed his hand and rushed him to the door. “Hey, don’t worry about it. I’ve got to get out of here myself.”
He looked at her apologetically. “When will you be back in Miami?”
“In two weeks. For The National Conference of Black Lawyer’s,” she responded, knowing that her schedule would bring
her back to Miami at least four times that month.
“I’ll see you in two weeks, then.” Chris pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick thrust of his tongue.
Yes, you most definitely will!
Chris grabbed his keys from the fireplace mantel and ran out the door as Dee scrambled to get ready for her flight. Fifteen minutes had passed when Dee’s cell phone rang.
“Auntie Dee? It’s me, Tracey!”
“Hey, darlin’! How are you?” Dee said, detecting a little anxiety in Tracey’s voice.
“I’m cool. Did you get my text last night?”
“Ah…no. I’ve had my cell phone off. Is everything all right? ”
“I really nee—”
“Tracey,” Dee interrupted. “Hold on a sec, I’ve got another call coming in.” It was Chris. She hoped he didn’t forget something. Dee seemed to be doing a bizarre dance as she tried to dress and juggle calls.
“Desiree, sorry to bother you, baby, I know you’re probably on your way out. But I forgot to ask you something. I need a favor.”
“I’m getting ready to walk out now. I hope you didn’t forget something.”
“No, I didn’t. I’m not calling for me; it’s for one of my team members. He needs a lawyer.”
Dee almost dropped the phone. “What does he need a lawyer for?”
“I think one of his one-night stands is trying to pin him on a paternity suit.”
“Oh, I see. Yes, he would need an attorney but…”
“Desiree, can you just talk to him? I didn’t make him any promises, but I told him about you.”
“Ah…yeah…okay. I’ll talk with him.” She suddenly felt the need to take the phone and hit herself upside the head with it.
“Okay, I’ll bring him to meet you in the next couple of weeks.”
“Okay, see you then—gotta run! Bye, Chris!” Dee hurriedly clicked back over to Tracey.
“Tracey, are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m here. Is this a good time? You sound a little rushed.”
Dee looked at the clock as she closed her suitcase and gave herself a once over in the mirror. She knew she needed to rush to the lobby, but Tracey sounded like she really needed to talk.
“I’m going to put you on speaker, okay? I don’t have my earpiece, and I still need to brush my hair and teeth. But, I’m listening. Go ahead.”
“This is kind of personal, Aunt Dee. Is anyone in the room with you where they can hear me?”
“Nope, just me,” Dee answered as she took a comb to her hair and then grabbed a toothbrush. While they were still on the phone, Dee gathered her suitcase and room key, then scurried out of the door while still trying to maneuver the phone to her ear. “Tracey, I’m about to get on an elevator, so I may loo…Tracey, hello?” she said while stepping into the elevator. The doors opened before she could dial Tracey back.
“Hey Dee, we’re headed to the van,” Birdie announced with a wave.
“Okay, I’ll be right there,” Dee waved back as she walked over to the checkout desk to turn in her key. Her phone rang.
“Hi Tracey, I’m sorry about that. I figured we would get cut off as soon as that elevator door closed.”
Tracey laughed. “Can you talk now?”
“I feel terrible about this because I can tell by your tone that this is a conversation that we need to have in private.”
Tracey sighed deeply. “And you can’t talk now, either, right?”
Dee shook her head and looked at her watch. She could see the crew loading their bags on the van as she neared the glass doorway. “I’m so sorry darlin’, but I’m headed to the crew van and I won’t be able to talk now.”
“When will you be back in Atlanta?”
“I’m actually on my way back now and I’ll call you when I get there.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, I promise.”
Stand By
Surprised to find Tracey at his front door, he said, “Hey, what are you doing here?” “I had to see you.”
“Does your mama know you’re out this late?” He knew Tracey’s answer immediately when he saw her staring at the floorboards. “C’mon, Tracey, you know better than to be out this late at night. Your mama will be worried sick about you.”
“Please, just a few minutes. I just had to see you.”
“No, Tracey, you’ve got to go home,” he said, escorting her to the door.
“Please? You said on the phone you had something you wanted to show me.”
“I know, but I didn’t mean tonight! Besides, it can wait. I’ll show you some other ti—”
“No! I don’t want to wait!”
“Tracey, I’m not going to stand here and argue with you. You can get into a lot of trouble for sneaking out like this. Shoot! We both can! How’d you get here, anyway?”
“A friend of mine dropped me off.”
“Who?”
Tracey shook her head, and her eyes pleaded with him not to make her tell. “Listen, I’m going to get this for you and then I want you to go back home. Or I’ll take you myself.” He quickly went in the bedroom and returned with a beautifully wrapped green and gold box.
“Oh, this is wrapped so pretty! How did you know my school colors?”
He smiled at her enthusiasm. “A green and yellow bird told me. Go ahead and open it.”
Tracey carefully unwrapped the gift then took out the black velvet box inside and caressed it. She finally opened it. She gasped.
“You like it?”
“I don’t know what to say,” she whispered. “It’s gorgeous, such a beautiful necklace.”
“Now, that’s your birthstone in the middle,” he said, pointing to the large stone. “Your mama’s is on the right, and mine is on the left. Now you can keep the two of us close to you when you go away to college.”
Tracey’s eyes began to fill with tears. “Here, put it on me,” she said, pulling up her hair.
“Tracey, I just can’t tell you enough how proud I am of you—I know your mama is too,” he said, working his hands to fasten the gold chain around her neck.
Tracey was silent for a moment as she twirled the precious stones in her hands. She hated that she had to sneak out like this. But that was how it had to be for now.
“Hey, there. Earth to Tracey,” he whispered in her ear. His gentle voice made her smile.
“I’m sorry. I just was a million miles from here.”
“I see that,” he said as he touched the side of her cheek.
She placed her hand on top of his and held it. “It’s just hard to believe I’m sitting here with you and we are finally together.”
He looked at Tracey, lifted her hand and clasped it in his. “I already told you that it hasn’t been because I didn’t want to be with you. Or even try for that matter.”
“And you can’t explain all of the returned letters?”
“I already told you. I never got them. Now, sweetheart, you’ve got to get back home before your mama finds out you’re gone. That’s if she hasn’t already.”
Tracey had so many questions. Now was just not the time to ask. She squeezed his hand, and then placed it close to her heart.
In less than two hours she would be celebrating the end of her high school era. Now she was starting a new one. Going away to college, and getting to know her father.
Excess Baggage
Greg buttoned his leather trench coat and checked the time on his cell phone for the second time in ten minutes. He was early as usual. Here he was, sitting on a park bench while a crisp and cool September breeze blew through his hair. If Pam came, she would show up on time…as usual. He looked at his watch again and it was 8:00 a.m. on the nose.
Pam’s heart pounded double-time the closer she got to him. Her instincts told her to run in the opposite direction.
“Hey, there. Thanks for showing up,” he said as he stood up.
Pam nodded and gave him a brief smile.
“It’s a little nippy today for th
is time of year.” Greg raised his coat collar. “You want to walk or sit?”
Pam shrugged her shoulders and tightened the belt around her all-weather coat.
“Okay, let’s walk then,” he said.
Pam kept her distance between them. She looked like a miniature doll next to his 6‘4” frame. His fair skin looked a little pale, considering. And he still kept his dark brown curls cut close enough that she could hardly tell that he had them.
His dreamy light gray eyes pierced through her, invoking an uncomfortable familiarity. She felt herself purposefully ignoring his gaze.
“It’s really good to see you,” he said, trying to make eye contact. Pam gave a weak smile as she continued walking.
“Man, nature is so beautiful, you know? Wow! Look at those deer over there running!” He pointed and inhaled deeply as if it was the first time he had smelled fresh air.
“Everything just looks so different to me, now,” he said as he looked at her sadly. Pam nodded and her heart softened for a moment as they stood in silence and watched the deer.
“I never thought I’d see this again. Or you for that matter.” Greg turned to her, touching her hair, then stammered, “I messed up.”
Pam thought she could handle meeting with him, but she suddenly felt weak in the knees. She walked toward the duck pond and sat on the bench. Greg followed her and sat down next to her.
“When I was locked up, all I could do was think about you and what happened,” he said, barely able to look Pam in the eyes.
Pam took deep breaths, praying her tears would not come. She tried to refocus by shaking her head slowly and massaging her temples.
“Hey, I know that look. You’re in that zone again, aren’t you? Do you still keep that home office of yours like a temple to meditate in, like you did when we were back in Chicago?”
Pam found it sobering that he even remembered her idiosyncrasy. Nevertheless, she was not here to talk to him about Atlanta vs. Chicago. She tried to speak as calmly as she could. “Greg, what do you want? Why in the hell did you call me?”
“Baby…”
Pam raised her hand to Greg’s face and her voice became louder. “Please…don’t call me that. I never want to hear that word come from you again. Do you hear me?”
“Pam, I’m so sorry.”
Destination D Page 9
