The entire team of volunteers scoured the fair for petition signatures. Their fearless leader, Marcus Kent, split the ragtag operation of teens and adults into two groups. Regina led one while Simon led the other, which meant that there wasn’t a chance for them to talk. She could only watch him take directions from Marcus and then walk away with his crew. He barely acknowledged that I was even there. It’s not like I don’t kind of deserve it. I was pretty awful to his mother, which she completely deserved. She tripped as Toni whisked her away from the others. “Wait a minute, girl.”
“Sorry. We’ve done our duty, now I want to do some shopping. I saw this cute lingerie shop down the street.”
“For real, Toni?” Regina passed her tongue across drips of brown sweetness sliding down her cone. “I’m not in the mood for that. Let’s just go find Marcus.” And Simon. She’d almost crashed into a few people thinking about and combing the fair for him while trying to get signatures.
“I am thinking of Marcus. I plan on making his tired eyes pop out of his head tonight. You might want to consider picking up something yourself.” Toni crushed a napkin in Regina’s hand and pointed to a garbage can. She defiantly shoved the rest of her cone in her mouth and cringed at the pain shooting through her head. “How lady like.” Toni dragged her into the shop with scantily-dressed mannequins posed in the window. They immediately began browsing the racks. “Aren’t you meeting Simon after?”
“I’m not sure. We haven’t spoken since I called his mother a racist and left his apartment. It was terrible. She kept making sarcastic remarks, and not only did I rake him over the coals for it, I was rude to her before I stormed out.”
“Whitney Houston?”
“Angela Bassett.”
Toni held a gown against Regina’s chest and leaned back. “So, you definitely want something to make him forget all of that.”
“I don’t think a gown will cut it, Toni. Besides, I don’t even know when I’m seeing him again. He was pretty mad when I left. We both were. I accused him of being afraid to tell his mother about his Black girlfriend.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Simon I know.” Toni lifted a ruby-tipped finger. “Excuse me.” The clerk who had been hovering around them approached. “We want to try some stuff on.”
Regina followed salesperson and best friend.
“So,” Toni’s voice drifted between the dressing rooms a few minutes later, “you were right there tussling right along with Simon’s mother. You kinda left him in the middle.”
“I know.” Regina grunted and let the satin fall over her hips. “I could’ve handled things better. I should’ve left it to Simon to put his mother in check.” They stepped out of their dressing rooms and gave each other approving glances.
“Nice. Trust me, Gina, Simon will be coming around as soon as possible and is most likely just as anxious as you to resolve things. Just be a woman about it, and apologize.” Toni placed her hand on her chin. “Do it wearing that, and he’ll be especially inclined to accept.” Toni turned her back to the mirror. “I think we’ll have to cancel dinner for tonight.”
“All right.” Regina examined her image in the mirror. The peach satin complemented her brown skin and accentuated her hips. Better to play it safe and get it. They tried on a few more outfits then left the store with their seductive purchases.
The fair crowd had thinned, and vendors struggled to pack their remaining wares against a breeze carrying a cornucopia of aromas from the food trucks. Regina’s phone beeped followed by Toni’s. “I bet that’s my taskmaster husband trying to track us down.”
Regina slumped her shoulders. The text message on the screen was not from who she’d hoped. Instead, her big brother was ordering her back to the rendezvous point with her partner-in-crime. She and Toni dashed through the horde of fairgoers with their bags jostling behind them.
Marcus spotted and shot them a disapproving glare while continuing to talk to those surrounding him. “Everyone did a great job today. The advisory committee will review the information at the next meeting. I’d like to thank our board members Regina and Simon for joining us today.” Marcus smiled in Regina’s direction.
“Anytime, Marcus.” Simon appeared at her side, so close that his body barely touched hers. She tugged at the bottom of her top to keep from throwing her arms around him and fixated on his profile while he continued to talk. “This work is important, and all the volunteers were fantastic. It’s really motivating to see so many of our youth working hard for their community. Wouldn’t you agree, Gina?”
Regina’s heart jumped at the sound of her nickname and beat at top speed when he touched her shoulder and flashed a brilliant smile that seemed like it was just for her. “Yeah,” was the only thing she could get out of her mouth before looking down, attempting to hide the obvious affect him being so close had on her. He may have been trying to be platonic, but her body flushed and trembled as if he was being anything but.
“Okay.” Marcus’s face grew pensive. He bit his lip but then offered his wife a muscular arm. “How about we all enjoy the rest of the fair? Thanks again, guys.” Toni’s head barely reached the top of the shoulder she leaned on as they walked away.
A thrill of excitement surged down Regina’s spine when Simon’s fingertips traversed downward from her shoulder and pressed the sensitive spot at the small of her back that only he knew made her quiver. Still looking in Marcus’s direction, he leaned until his bottom lip grazed her ear. “I’ll meet you at the station.” Her brother turned his head just when Simon walked away.
Marcus stopped and watched Simon’s back with a suspicious gaze then shifted it to her. She grinned and waved a little too brightly than the situation called for. “Yeah, he’s totally catching onto us.” She walked in the direction opposite from Simon and collided into a tall, slender torso.
***
“Regina, wait up.”
She stepped off the last step onto the subway platform, releasing a loud huff of air and groan from between her lips. There was no shaking Jeremy. She looked back. His head bobbed above everyone else’s descending the stairs. Not able to resist his endearing smile, she put a hand on her hip and waited for him to reach her.
“I told you that you didn’t have to come with me, Jeremy.” She swept her gaze up the stairs for Simon. He must be keeping out of sight because of Jeremy. As nice as this kid is, I need him gone.
“It’s no problem, really.” Jeremy shoved his hands in his pocket and heaved in big gulps of air. “I wanted your advice on a few things.” He dipped his head and tilted it to one side. “If you don’t mind. I wouldn’t want to bother you.”
Just say no and find Simon. “Wouldn’t you prefer to talk to Marcus?” She put the back of her hand to her yawning mouth. “I’m really beat, and he’d probably give you better advice anyway.”
The corners of Jeremy’s mouth dropped. “Marcus told me earlier that he and Toni were goin’ out right after we finished at the street fair. You know what?” He raised a hand and backed towards the stairs. “You’re right. It can wait until I get to talk to him. I’m sorry to bother you.” He bobbed and weaved through the people and disappeared into the sunlit street.
“Great, Now I’m a bitch,” Regina mumbled and turned on her aching feet. Simon still hadn’t showed up and there weren’t any notifications. “Seriously, Young?” She dialed and pressed her phone to her ear.
“Hello?”
“I thought you wanted to meet at the station. Where are you?”
“Why don’t you turn around?”
The tension in Simon’s shoulder blades eased at the sight of Regina’s radiant round cheeks and eyes. Her brilliant smile confirmed that her anger had waned since yesterday’s drama with his mother. He dangled her key to his apartment from his finger. “You forgot this.”
Regina’s eyes lit up. “Thanks.” She dropped it in her purse and took his hand. “I was afraid you might’ve bailed on me.”
He closed the space between them. �
��Sorry, but I was waiting for your lost puppy to go frolicking off.”
“He’s sweet. He just could really use some friends.”
“I agree. Then he can stop hanging around you.”
She glanced sideways at him with a smug smile. “Are you jealous, Young? You really have nothin’ to worry about.”
Simon caught his bottom lip between his teeth and squinted in the direction where Jeremy disappeared. “You know what, let’s forget about him.” He wrapped his arms around Regina’s shoulders. “Come here.” His heart raced as she snuggled against him. He let out a big sigh and twitched his nose at her coils tickling it. They swayed back in forth in silence. It was so nice when it felt like it was just them. “I hate when we fight.”
“Mmm, me too.” Regina rubbed her nose against his neck. “I’m sorry that I barged off yesterday, but I was really embarrassed.” He held her tighter. “I guess the whole time we’ve been together, I never thought about how your people would react.”
Simon sighed. “I know, Gina. My mother was rude, and I spoke to her about her behavior.”
She raised her head. “Thank you, but it’s more than that. Yesterday reminded me that what we have is not just between us. We have family and friends. They’re gonna react, and we’ll respond. It might not be all positive.” She stepped back and stroked the back of his neck.
“I have a friend from college, Elliott. He fell for his now wife, Bree. I mean really hard. He’d talk about her all the time and try to be wherever she was. It was so obvious that he was deeply in love with her. They dated; then he introduced her to his family, and they seemed to like her too—until Elliott asked Bree to marry him. As soon as they saw that ring, his parents, siblings and relatives went ballistic.”
“You see, they’re the kind of White people, who are perfectly fine with havin’ People of Color over for dinner, and could even tolerate Elliott sleepin’ with a Black woman, but no way in hell were they gonna let one climb their family tree. They’d say stuff like, ‘Do you know how hard things are going to be for the two of you?’ and ‘What about your kids? They’ll grow up confused.’ It was terrible.”
Now, Bree’s family wasn’t thrilled about Elliott either. They asked her why she was trying so hard to lighten their family blood. Fortunately for her, they came around once they got to know Elliott and realized how much the two of them were in love.
Elliott’s family never accepted Bree and nearly destroyed their relationship. His mother told him not to bring ‘that woman’ to family gatherings and refused to go to their wedding. The only person that would even talk to Bree after they got married was his little sister. Elliott split from everyone but her.
Last year, they had their first baby, and she was the only one to see that beautiful little boy. Elliott’s parents won’t even acknowledge their own grandson’s existence. Elliot lashes out and says things like ‘screw ‘em,’ but when he talks to me sometimes, I can hear the pain in his voice. He really misses them.”
Simon kissed her and drew her back into his arms. “It’s not like that with us, Gina. Please try to understand. My mother spent years planning my life, trying to make sure I’m as successful as possible. She’s imagined the career and family she thinks I should have. You’re not what she pictured—not because you’re Black. In her mind, my wife ought to be a socialite of some kind that’ll help me ascend the ladder of success—a woman more interested in social climbing than social justice. Basically, you don’t fit her equation for my life.” He lifted her chin and gazed intently into her eyes. “You fit mine, though. You’re actually the only person that really has.”
Regina’s hand smoothed across his jaw. “You’ve come to mean so much to me, Simon, but I can’t become a person that you have to choose over your mother. I couldn’t live with coming between the two of you.”
“You won’t, Gina. We just need to be truthful with everyone about us.”
She opened her mouth but then closed it. Her eyes narrowed at something behind him. “It’s not that easy,” she said taut-lipped. “People can be pretty damn ignorant and cruel.” Simon peered over his shoulder. A frowning woman ogled them as she walked pass.
He tilted his head. “I always assumed you didn’t care what people thought?”
“Usually, I don’t, but I have my blog and employee. I’ve gotta consider her. Havin’ a bunch of people trollin’ and discrediting me can affect my traffic and revenue. They won’t like the idea of a me not bein’ with a Black man and will want to rake me over the coals.”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “I don’t wanna ask you to risk everything you’ve built. How about we just tell our families? I’m tired of hiding it from them, especially Marcus.” He raised his head and squinted at the approaching train lights. “I’ve been feeling guilty about keeping our relationship from him. Our friendship is usually open and honest. It’s time that it is again.”
“You’re right.” Regina pressed her mouth to his ear as the roar of the train filled the station. “I’ll text him and see if he and Toni are available for dinner tomorrow. We can talk to him together.” She leaned back and looked at him. Her hopeful smile filled his heart with the same.
Simon gently squeezed Regina’s hand as he guided her through the jolting subway car. He had no clue how to ease any of her fears about how the world was going to react to them, or his either. That came along with interracial dating. No matter how two people feel about each other, almost everyone around them has an opinion about why they shouldn’t be together. Since most of his past relationships didn’t go further than the third date, none of that really bothered him before, but Regina and her happiness was now an imperative. They had a connection that meant what scared her, concerned him.
They found seats. Regina rolled her head from side to side. Simon instinctively reached out and kneaded at the tension in her muscles. "You okay, babe?”
She let out a soft moan. “Yes, I just can’t wait to lay down.” He kept his naughty retort to himself. Motivated by the feeling of being watched, he scanned the train. His gaze fell on a pair of eyes staring at him. An Asian man was seated directly across from them. He held an opened newspaper but apparently found Simon and Regina more interesting. The man blinked furiously over his glasses and wavered his gaze between them. He then held Simon’s gaze with an accusatory glare, making his displeasure crystal clear.
Simon briefly broke eye contact to look at Regina, who was busy tapping at her phone. “There, I texted Marcus. I hope you’re ready for this, Young.”
He put his arm over her shoulders and slid her closer. “More than ready.” He pressed his lips to hers and explored his love’s mouth. The sweetness of ice cream lingered on her silken tongue and increased his hunger for her. The world fell away. She was all he wanted, and his mind buzzed with ways to tell her how much he loved her for the rest of their lives.
She broke the kiss and panted. “Wow.” She raised the brows over her dilated pupils. “You realize we’re on a crowded subway?”
He glanced sideways for a moment. “I do.”
Understanding flashed in her eyes after she gazed at the old man across from them. “You alright?”
Simon covered her hand with his and put it to his lips. “Fine, babe.” He slid down in the subway seat and pecked her forehead as he laid her head on his shoulder. He pulled up one corner of his mouth and looked down his nose at the Asian man. “Just fine.
Chapter 20
Instagram
Simon lumbered into the apartment and tossed his keys on the counter.Man, it’s gonna be nice to spend the evening alone with my woman.”
“Agreed, and I can’t wait to hit the shower.” Regina arched her back. Her shoes fell from her feet in a small thud on the floor.
He climbed a stool and stretched at different angles. “Do you want me to order somethin’ for dinner?” He held Regina’s hands. “How about I cook? I don’t want you caught up in the kitchen.”
Regina’s thighs grazed his and the
shopping bag hanging from the crook of her arm swung against his side. “I don’t want you in the kitchen either. Not tonight.” She leaned her body against his and reached over his shoulder to get a stack of menus from the mail organizer. “So, takeout it is.”
“Anything in particular?”
“Surprise me.” She disappeared behind the bathroom door.
White noise from the running shower filtered into the room. Simon undid the buttons of his Henley shirt and flipped his fingers through the restaurant trifolds. “Chinese is good.” After ordering their meal, he opened the music app on his phone and selected the playlist he constructed for their first weekend at his place.
He noticed Regina coming out of the bathroom and stiffened—everywhere. Her hair was pulled into a small bun that spanned across the back of her head. A head chain spread a garland of tiny pearls from the center of her forehead. A small pearl hung from a white gold chain and settled at the beginning of her cleavage. Peach satin waved open, revealing glistening brown thighs. “I thought you said you wanted to relax?”
Regina smiled and averted her gaze. “I do.”
He scanned her full body again and shook his head. “Not looking like that. Those aren’t your usual comfortable clothes.”
“Shall I change?”
“Hell no. No one’s taking that gown off of you but me. I just don’t understand how you expect to relax looking so sexy.”
Regina held up a finger. “Control yourself, Young.”
“Do you really want me to?” He pushed play. Sexy bass and trumpet sounds drifted from the speakers.
Regina began to swing her shoulders . “This is nice.”
“I was hoping you’d like it.”
“I do.” Torso and hips soon joined the arms in obeying the musical spell.
Simon fixated on the shimmering gown against Regina’s breasts and along her rotating hips. One leg peaked out from the slit in front and peach swished around her ankles and bare feet. He couldn’t imagine anything more beautiful. He danced towards her and touched her waist.
My Way to You (Brothers in Law Book 1) Page 14
