It's Only You

by Sheryl Lister

  Good thing because there was no way she could be up and dressed in the next few minutes. Her body was stiff from the intense workout they’d had. She smiled contentedly.

  “What are you smiling about?”

  She sat up. “How did you know I was smiling?”

  “I could feel it.”

  “I was just thinking about earlier.”

  “Woman, I’m going to have to ban you from my office,” he said, shaking his head. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to get any work done because after tonight, every time I step foot in here, I’ll be thinking about you and these shoes.” He lifted her foot.

  “Actually, this is the first time I’ve worn the dress and the shoes. A friend of mine back home talked me into buying them, but I never got up the nerve to wear them.”

  “Until tonight.”

  “Until tonight,” she echoed. Simona debated whether to bring up what he had said before he fell asleep. What if he hadn’t really meant to say it? She wanted to ask the question badly, but held back because she wasn’t ready to confess her own feelings or get her hopes up for something that might not last.

  “Now, as much as I would love to lie here all night with you, this little couch isn’t made for extended comfort.”

  She laughed. “I need to go home anyway. Yasmine is probably still up looking for me.”

  “You’re right, I’m sure. So let’s get moving.” He quickly dressed, then excused himself to go to the bathroom.

  As she dressed, she thought about Donovan’s words. The way he treated her and Yasmine was nothing short of amazing. And he did confess to loving her. Could she really let go? Hope sprang in her chest. Maybe...

  She went to retrieve her purse from his desk, and the cover of an entertainment magazine caught her eye. Sheila Martin was on the cover. Simona turned to the page, and her heart nearly stopped. Someone had taken a photograph of her and Donovan at the backstage party. The picture was of another fan in attendance with Simona and Donovan in the background.

  Although her back was to the camera and the shot not clear, it was all she needed to confirm that this relationship couldn’t work. It would be a matter of time before she was in the headlines again. She replaced the magazine just before he returned. She had to get out of here.

  “Simona, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she answered quickly. “It’s late. I’d better get going.” She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Hold on a minute, baby. Let me walk you out.”

  “No.” At his confused stare, she said, “You don’t need to do that. I’m parked right next to the elevator. Go ahead and finish up your work so you’re not here all night.”

  He folded his arms across his chest and continued to scrutinize her. “What’s going on? You seem a little... I don’t know.”

  “Nothing’s going on. Just a little tired.” Donovan’s expression said he didn’t believe her for a minute, but she was thankful he didn’t question her further. “Good night.”

  Donovan grabbed her by the hand and said, “Let’s go.”

  * * *

  Donovan sat in his office after Simona left, puzzled by the change in her demeanor. One minute she was all smiles, and the next it seemed as if she had regrets.

  He called her when he got home to make sure she was all right, and she all but rushed him off the phone. For some reason she was pulling away, and he wanted to know why. Something had happened between the time he had gone to the bathroom and the time he’d returned, and he intended to find out what.

  The first part of his week kept him so busy, including an overnight trip, that he and Simona talked for only a few minutes on Tuesday. Two days later, he found himself on her doorstep after work.

  “Donovan. Hey. What are you doing here?” Simona asked, clearly surprised.

  “I just came to check on you. Can I come in?”

  She hesitated for a split second then stepped back. He followed her to the living room.

  “Yasmine in bed already?”

  “Yes.”

  Usually, she sat next to him on the sofa, but tonight she chose one of the chairs. “Simona, did I do or say something wrong?”

  “No. Why?”

  “You’ve been acting strange.”

  “I’m fine. Things at work have been a little more stressful lately, that’s all.”

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  She shook her head. “I’m sure it’ll calm down soon.”

  He nodded. She wasn’t telling him the truth. In the back of his mind, he wondered if she was hiding something else. Donovan stood and pulled Simona to her feet. He wrapped an arm around her waist and tilted her chin. “You’d tell me if there was a problem, wouldn’t you?”

  “There’s no problem, Donovan. You don’t need to worry.” She gave him a quick kiss. “I have to go in early tomorrow, so...”

  “So do I. How about I take you to the airport on Saturday?”

  “Oh, no. That’s okay. Eve already said she’d take me. You don’t have to come all the way over here.”

  His brow lifted in suspicion. “It’s no trouble.”

  “I know. I’ll just see you when I get back.”

  Their eyes held for a long moment, then he nodded. Lowering his head, he slanted his mouth over hers in a gentle, reassuring kiss. “Call me when you get there.”

  “Okay.”

  He kissed her once more and slipped out the door. Simona kept insisting there was nothing wrong, but she’d refused his offer to take her to the airport and was quiet...almost distant.

  Later, after showering, he pulled out his laptop and searched flights to Oakland. She mentioned leaving late morning, so he booked an earlier flight.

  He was going after her.

  Chapter 17

  Simona arrived in Oakland after noon the following Saturday. She deplaned and stopped short, shocked to see Donovan waiting. A wave of panic bubbled up inside her. What was he doing here? And how long had he been waiting? She had spent the past week trying to distance herself from him, and now he had followed her. Of course, Yasmine was happy to see him and nearly jumped out of Simona’s arms trying to get to him.

  Donovan placed a soft kiss on Simona’s lips, took Yasmine and kissed her forehead. “I know something is wrong. Whatever it is, we can work it out.” Donovan collected Simona’s suitcase, and Yasmine’s stroller and car seat from the baggage carousel. “I need to pick up my car from the rental center.”

  “My grandmother is picking me up. I told her I’d call when I got here,” she told him, trying to buy a little more time.

  “There’s no need for her drive here when I’m already here. So you can call her and tell her you have a ride.”

  She started to argue, but the look on his face left no room for negotiation. She called her grandmother and gave her a hasty explanation. Simona walked next to Donovan while pushing the stroller. She glanced down at Yasmine banging on the toy affixed to the front of it. She had done surprisingly well, considering it was her first flight.

  Once they were secured in the Cadillac SRX crossover, he plugged her grandmother’s address into the GPS and pulled out of the lot. As they drove, Simona couldn’t help but remember her last months of living in Oakland, which added to her list of worries. She closed her eyes to shut out the unwanted memories. As if sensing her unease, Donovan rested his hand on top of hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” Changing the subject, she said, “I should probably warn you that my grandmother can be a little blunt and overprotective, especially where men are concerned.”

  “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

  “I don’t know.”

  Donovan cut her a look. “Please,
your grandmother’s going to love me.”

  Despite the tension between them, he always knew how to make her smile. Simona rolled her eyes. “Here we go again with the big head.”

  “What? You don’t think I’m a loveable guy?”

  “No comment,” she said, trying to hide her smile.

  “Uh-huh, that’s what I thought. Don’t you think I’m loveable, Yasmine?” he said, glancing in the rearview mirror.

  As if she recognized that someone was talking to her, Yasmine started babbling.

  Donovan laughed. “Tell her, baby girl.”

  Simona whipped around in her seat and was met with a big grin. She turned back and punched Donovan in the shoulder.

  He laughed harder.

  She folded her arms, stared out the window and bit her lip to keep from laughing, too. When they pulled up in front of her grandmother’s house, Frances Walker was out of the house and striding down the sidewalk with a speed that belied her age. Simona jumped out of the car and met her halfway. Nana engulfed Simona in a tight hug, rocking her side to side.

  “I’m so glad to see you, baby. I’ve missed you so much,” she said emotionally.

  “I missed you, too, Nana.”

  She released Simona and palmed her face. “Let me look at you. You look good.” She brought Simona in for another crushing hug. “Where’s my great-grandbaby?”

  By this time, Donovan had taken Yasmine out of her seat and was coming toward them.

  “Ooh, you were right. He’s really good-looking. Nice body, too,” Nana whispered with a giggle.

  Great. One more female who can’t resist this man. “Nana, this is Donovan Wright. Donovan, this is my grandmother, Frances Walker.”

  “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Walker. Simona has told me nothing but good things about you.”

  She waved him off. “Oh, you can call me Nana.”

  Donovan unleashed his full smile, dimple and all. “Nana it is.” He bent and kissed her cheek.

  Simona’s jaw dropped when Nana blushed like a schoolgirl. Donovan winked at her, and she scowled at him.

  “You all come on in.” Nana reached for Yasmine, and the little girl clung to Donovan.

  “Well, I’ll be,” Nana said.

  “Welcome to my world,” Simona muttered.

  Donovan handed Yasmine to Nana. “Go talk to Nana. I have to get the bags, okay?”

  “Hey, sweet pea. Ooh-wee, Nana’s gonna spoil you rotten over the next two days,” she said as she carried Yasmine into the house.

  Simona shook her head and followed Donovan to the car.

  “I like Nana,” Donovan said as Simona approached.

  “Apparently the feeling is mutual,” she groused.

  “Don’t hate. I told you...I got it like that.” He placed a quick kiss on her lips.

  “Shut up and come on.”

  He roared with laughter.

  Inside, she directed him to the bedroom she always used when she stayed over and he set down her luggage. “Um, Nana said you should stay here at the house.”

  “I planned to stay at a hotel.”

  “She kind of insisted. I think she wants to check you out. Let me show you to your room.” Simona walked farther down the hall to a room that held another queen-size bed.

  “I’ll get my bag in a few minutes.” He glanced around. “This is nice. Who are those people in the pictures?”

  She looked up and pointed. “These two are my grandfather, and this one is my uncle. My grandfather died nine years ago, and my uncle lives in Boston. Let’s go see what Nana’s giving Yasmine that she shouldn’t have.”

  Simona spent the afternoon catching up with Nana and observing how she interacted with Donovan. So far, she seemed to like him. Every now and then Simona would catch him scrutinizing her. She knew she would have to tell him about seeing the picture.

  “Don’t you two want to go out or something?” Nana asked later.

  “Nana, I don’t want to leave you here with Yasmine. She can be a handful.” And she didn’t want to be alone with Donovan.

  “And so were you at this age. We’ll be just fine. She’s already had dinner, so we’re just going to entertain ourselves until bedtime.” She divided a speculative look between Simona and Donovan. “Besides, you should show Donovan around.”

  “Are you sure, Nana?” She chanced a glance in his direction and found him smiling. Of course.

  “Sure I am. Donovan, don’t you want to do some sightseeing? Y’all can go over to Jack London Square or something.”

  The mention of Jack London Square made Simona think about Everett and Jones Barbeque. Truthfully, she could go for some of those ribs.

  “Whatever Simona wants to do is fine with me,” Donovan answered.

  “I’ve got a taste for some barbecue from Everett and Jones,” Simona said.

  “Then that’s what we’ll do,” he said.

  They had to park a block away and wait half an hour, but the first bite of her ribs made it all worth it.

  When they were settled, Donovan asked, “What happened, Simona? Why are you pulling away?”

  She set her jar of lemonade down and blew out a long breath. “I saw the picture of us from Sheila’s concert. I can’t do this.”

  He reached across the table for her hand. “Sweetheart, why didn’t you tell me? No one could recognize you in that picture. And even if they could, didn’t I tell you I’d protect you? You’re going to have to trust me. I need you to trust me.”

  “I hear you, Donovan, and I’m trying. I just don’t think—”

  “Let’s just take it as it comes,” he interrupted. “Can we do that?” He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

  “I’ll try.”

  “That’s all I’m asking, baby.”

  * * *

  Donovan observed Simona all through dinner and as they walked around Jack London Square. She seemed to have relaxed somewhat after talking, but he still sensed her hesitancy. He was so in love with this woman he couldn’t see straight, and he allowed himself a moment to imagine what it would be like to come home to her—and Yasmine—every night. He chuckled inwardly, thinking about how fast the little girl had managed to wiggle herself deep within his heart. Simona’s voice reclaimed his attention.

  “Have you been to Oakland before?”

  “A few times. Last time was two years ago when Terrence performed here and in San Francisco. That’s where he met Janae.” They stopped to stare out over the water.

  “I remember Janae mentioning that. They seem really happy.”

  “They are. Terrence loves Janae and Nadia so much that he would do anything for them,” he said, holding her eyes. Simona didn’t reply, but he could tell she was thinking about what he said. He slung his arm around her shoulders, and they continued their walk.

  “Simona? Is that you?” someone called out from nearby.

  Donovan felt Simona stiffen in his arms.

  Simona turned. “Amber.”

  “Hey. Um...I thought that was you. How’ve you been?”

  “Fine. How’s the acting going?”

  Amber’s gaze darted between him and Simona. “It’s going good,” she answered with a nervous chuckle. “I’ve done a few commercials, and I just landed a small part in a new television series. And I’ll be going to New York next month.” Amber paused. “So, um, are you back?”

  “No. I’m just visiting my grandmother,” Simona answered.

  “Oh.” Amber stuck her hand out to Donovan. “Hi, I’m Amber Rayne.”

  Donovan shook her hand. “Donovan Wright. Nice to meet you.”

  “Same here. Well, I’d better go.” She gestured over her shoulder. “My friends are waiting. It was really good to see you, Simona. Maybe...maybe we
can talk sometime. My number is the same.”

  Simona nodded.

  Amber stood there a moment longer as if she wanted to say something else, but in the end turned and hurried off.

  “What was that all about?” Donovan asked.

  “Amber was my best friend and the one who introduced me to Travis. She was also one of the few who knew the truth about how and why we parted, and yet, when she was interviewed about our breakup, she lied so it wouldn’t interfere with her career.”

  He brought her into the circle of his arms and kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry, baby. You don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

  “I know. It’s just that we had been friends since elementary school.”

  Donovan nodded understandingly. “You ready to head back?”

  “Yeah.”

  As soon as they arrived, Simona got Yasmine ready for bed. She came back to the family room where Donovan sat with Nana watching television and announced that she was going to take her shower. His gaze followed her until she was out of sight. She had been quiet since seeing Amber, and all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms.

  “Did you two have a fight?” Nana asked.

  Donovan turned and met her challenging stare. “No, ma’am. She saw her friend, Amber, and I think it brought up some bad memories.”

  She eyed him for a moment. “Simona told you about that fiasco.”

  “Yes.”

  She pointed a finger his way. “My granddaughter went through a lot with that mess, and I won’t stand for it again.” She then proceeded to ask him about his job, what he thought about children and what his intentions were toward Simona.

  So, this must be the overprotectiveness Simona warned me about. He answered her rapid-fire questions easily. “Nana, I love your granddaughter. I can assure you I will never hurt Simona or Yasmine,” he said fiercely.

  Nana leaned back in her chair, narrowed her eyes and scrutinized him with an intensity that would have made a lesser man turn tail and run. But Donovan’s gaze didn’t waver. He wanted her to see the truth in his words.

  Finally, a slow smile spread across her lips. “I do believe my Simona has found herself a champion. All right, Donovan. You have my blessing.”