by Nia Arthurs
“Hm,” was my only reply.
Archie continued to rock the swing.
“Peyton and Mia’s anniversary dinner is next weekend. Mia designed me a dress. It’s really cool to have a fashion designer as a friend.” I mused.
“I’m sure it is.” Archie said distractedly.
I quieted. It was not a night for speech. Suddenly, my cell phone rang, breaking the peace. I picked up my phone and noticed a California area code. Curious to see who’d been calling my cell, I leaned away from Archie and answered it.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Ms. Susan Bevans?”
“Yes?” I did not recognize the voice.
“This is Nigel Tracey from the Virgin Media press in Australia. We’d like your permission to use “The Ejector” meme as a part of an international campaign for our client Proletics, which is a company that…”
“They sell pills for nausea.”
“That’s correct.”
“I’m not getting the point here sir.”
Nigel cleared his throat, “In essence, we’ll be printing billboards of the meme with a message briefly listing the benefits of Proletics’ use.”
My eyes bugged, “You want to humiliate me internationally? No thanks.”
“Wait, Ms. Bevans. Before you hang up I’d like to inform you that you will be compensated.” The man listed a number that had me hacking like a dog.
“Babe, are you okay?” Archie asked with concern. I held a hand up to him and mutely asked for silence.
“Have you spoken to the other man in the video, the one getting puked on?” I winced.
Archie’s expression would have been comical but I was too busy trying not to choke on my own spit.
“Mr. Delhan says he’s moved on from that time but feels that it is your decision. What do you say, Ms. Bevans.”
I glanced at Archie. The man offered a lot of money. I could use it to do more good, maybe build a ton more houses for underprivileged single mothers who were trying to make it on their own. But at what cost? Though I found my vomiting clip on YouTube to be excruciatingly humiliating, I couldn’t imagine how demeaning it must be for Brian.
Resolutely, I turned down the offer, “Thank you, but no. I’ll just wait for the buzz to die down. It always does.”
“Okay, Ms. Bevans,” Nigel sighed, “Thank you for your time.
“You too.”
Whew that was odd.
“What was that about?” Archie asked.
I looked at him and grinned, “I need to show you something. It’s kind of embarrassing.”
His concerned expression turned to one of confusion. In the next three minutes, those handsome features would change again. I pulled out my cell phone, logged on to YouTube and showed him my embarrassing vomit video.
”Brian?” Archie inquired when he saw the dark-haired man get down on one knee.
I nodded. When the screen revealed my upchucking, Archie started to laugh. He laughed so hard that tears ran down his cheeks. The video ended and he was still chuckling so violently, the chains holding up the swings were shaking.
“Really?” I frowned, folding my arms together and giving him the stink eye.
“Will I receive the same treatment when it’s my turn?”
“That depends. Are you promising a proposal?”
He sobered and brought me closer to him, dragging me to his side with his hands to my hips, “That depends. Do you promise not to hurl on me when I do.”
I pretended to think about it. “Okay,” I agreed.
“Good. Now sit back and let me rock you.”
I laughed, “That was so cheesy.”
Archie shrugged. “I prefer the term romantic.” I shook my head and settled into his side, enjoying the night.
Archie snickered, “I’m totally making that meme my computer background.”
I hit him in the arm.
“You suck.”
“I love you too, Vegan.”
He rocked the swing to the sound of the night.
EPILOGUE
ARCHIE’S P.O.V.
I’ve grown up in Belize all my life, but I’ve always had a foot in California since I usually spend vacations with my mom. The video of Susan’s ex-fiancé last week got me to thinking about how and when I want to propose to her. I know that she has dreams of pursuing her Masters degree. If she says yes, and I have a good feeling that she will, we’ll probably have to move to the States while she studies and I won’t be licensed to practice law over there. I’m still trying to figure out how I’ll provide for her if that’s the route we choose. It’s one of the primary reasons why I haven’t popped the question yet. Well, that and I’m also waiting for Melody to pop out her baby. I wouldn’t want to steal my little adoptive niece or nephew’s shine.
“Babe, we’re going to be late,” I tap the heel of my shiny oxford shoes and adjust the cuff on this ridiculous monkey suit. I last wore this black tuxedo for my mother’s wedding three years ago. It’s as cumbersome as I remember.
“I’m coming!” she yells back, as feisty as ever and I cannot help but grin. My honey and I argue like an old married couple already. Love has not changed either of our personalities or strong opinions. The thing is I know that the passion and firmness with which Susan defends her stance is the way that she upholds our relationship. I love that woman with every fiber in my body and I must admit sometimes I argue with her just for the heck of it.
She emerges from her bedroom and my heart beat picks up at such an alarming rate I fear I’ll experience a heart attack on her apartment floor. Her dress is a white, one-shouldered number – striking against her light brown skin – that drapes her body. The gown has me beating down thoughts I should probably only be thinking after we’re married. Her beautiful honey brown hair is swept up in an elaborately braided bun at the back of her head but already her rebellious curls are popping out above that beautiful forehead. A silver necklace glistens at her neck and gloss glistens on her lips. I narrow my gaze on her mouth. I plan to taste those lips. Hopefully, she chose a lip balm without flavor. Susan’s taste is the only one I need. She waltzes toward me with that look in her eyes, the one that says she knows how deeply she’s affecting me. I groan silently. I am 100% out of Susan Bevans’s league.
“I’m ready.” She says in that sultry voice and it’s all I can do not to grab her in my arms and show her just how much I love her. Instead, I fist my hands and say,
“Let’s go.”
As we drive to the dinner party, Susan stays silent. To distract myself from how much I want to park this car and kiss her all night, I turn on the radio. A bluesy tune plays and it heightens my awareness of my woman. On the floor to my right, red toes start tapping to the music.
Keep your eyes on the road, buster.
I wrestle my eyes away from the appealing sight and focus on getting us there in one piece.
The sweet smell of her perfume, it’s jasmine I think, wafts around the cab.
Keep watching that road.
White fabric rustles softly against the leather chair as Susan adjusts in her seat.
Mind the road.
Even the sound of her breathing captures my attention and I crank the radio up higher.
“Hey,” she states, completely unaware of my struggle, “It’s too loud.”
I nod as her delicate hand darts out and turns the knob. A silver bracelet dangles on her wrist. Her fingernails match the color of her toes. I’m deeply affected by how attractive that is. Quickly, I wind down my window, allowing the Caribbean breeze to distract me. I need air.
“Babe,” she says holding down her curls, “you’re messing up my hair.”
“Sorry,” I call and wind up the window again.
“Are you okay?” She asks.
I don’t know what to say. As a female, Susan probably won’t understand what I’m going through right now. Instead of freaking her out with the truth, I shake my head.
“I’m fine.”
S
he says nothing else and I get us safely to the hotel by keeping my eyes directly on the traffic in front of me. When we arrive, the hall is already alive with the sound of light jazz and milling people dressed to the nines. We move to Peyton and Mia who greet some friends in the center of the room.
“Hey.” I bump fists with Peyton and kiss Mia on the cheek. Mia is gorgeous with flawless, dark skin and almond eyes. Peyton’s a lucky man. Not as lucky as me, but he didn’t do too bad either.
I kiss Mia on the cheek, “I blame you.” I say quietly as Susan and Peyton launch into a conversation.
Her eyes widen, “For what?”
I nod at Susan and the beauty that radiates from her, “Making it hard to keep my hands to myself.”
Mia laughs and that grabs her husband’s attention.
“What’s so funny, babe?” Peyton asks.
“Oh nothing. Archie just really likes my designs.”
Peyton gives me a funny look and I shrug.
“There’s Melody!” Susan cries and waves goodbye to our two love birds as she crosses the floor to greet her pregnant friend.
“What are you doing here?” Susan questions Melody who is looking quite hot and uncomfortable in a sequined gray dress.
“I wanted to be here for Mia.”
“But you’re past your due date.” Susan pointed out.
“That’s what I told her.” Spencer chimed in.
“Oh, I’ll be fine. I just really need to go pee.” Melody added.
Susan volunteered to go with her and they lumbered across the hall to the restrooms. I nodded at Spencer, “Hey, could I ask you a question?”
“Shoot.” The older man sipped at his drink.
“I’m guessing you were crazy attracted to Melody when you first saw her.”
Spencer chuckled, “I turned slightly stalkerish, yes.”
“Well, when you got together… how did you uh-”
“Keep things on the up and up?” Spencer guessed. I smoothed down my beard and nodded.
Spencer sighed, “It was hard, man. The woman had no idea what she did to me.”
I could relate.
Spencer continued, “It helps when you go out with a group of friends instead of always being alone. Maybe let her know how you feel when she does certain things or cut back on the making out.” Spencer shrugged, “It’s tough, man. I’m not gonna lie, but it’s possible, especially if you both are on the same page.”
I internalize his words and stick my hands in my pockets as I listen to the jazz music and wonder where my girl is. Susan and Mia are taking a while in the bathroom. As though conjured by my thoughts, Susan rounds the corner and heads straight for us. When she’s directly before us she pants,
“Her water broke,”
Spencer’s eyes widen and he sets down his drink. Walking authoritatively toward the bathroom he asks, “How far apart are the contractions.”
“I’m not sure yet, but they’re not close.” Susan says as we reach the female restrooms. Susan hugs me tight as we enter and I notice Melody holding her big stomach which looks like she shoved a beach ball under her dress. Her eyes light up when they rest on Spencer. He supports her with his arms and brushes back her hair from her forehead.
“We’re having a baby,” She says to her husband and they smile so bright, I have to shade my eyes. The party pretty much comes to a stop as the main couple rushes behind us while Spencer carries his wife to their car. Melody is apologizing profusely for ruining their night, as if she could control when her water would break. Mia only cries and tells the pregnant lady to ‘shut up’. Minutes before the twelve o’clock hour, little Alexis Grace Braden is born. My honey forks over five bucks to Mia, who laughingly accepts the paper.
I hold her close to me as we look on the squirming little baby. Susan holds my hand and for a moment, I forget about degrees, law practices, and living arrangements, everything is so clear. I just want to be with her. Wherever we go and whatever I end up doing, with Susan by my side, it will all be worth it.
THE END
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Other books by this author
Available on Amazon…
The Taming Series
Taming Mr. Jerkface
Taming Mr. Charming
Taming Mr. Know-it-all
Taming Mr. Darcy
The Seven Realms Series
Genesis
Revelations
The Tree of Knowledge (coming soon)
Out of Control Series
Scarlet
Love & Reggae
Amid the Noise
Count Me In
Buffalo Soldier
Confessions of A Church Girl
Glass Houses
Fitting In
Standing Out
Standalone Novels
Whiter Than Snow
Married By Science
Read on for an excerpt from the fourth book in the Taming Series:
TAMING MR. DARCY
CHAPTER ONE
My fingers flew over the keyboard. Numbers and prompts and codes rushed before my eyes like millions of tiny soldiers scurrying to do my bidding. My phone rang in the distance but I ignored it. I’m in the zone and I’d hate to pull out of my rhythm now. The chiming stopped and I enjoyed the stillness, returning my full attention to the computer screen. I soaked in the silence the way a potato soaks in the rain.
Do potatoes soak in rain? I should do some research on that.
As my living room/office once again righted itself in the sweet sound of quiet, the phone vibrated against the grain of the bookshelf crying in a loud obnoxious tone:
“I’m… too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my shirt, too sexy it huuurts.”
My palms froze and I glanced over to my shelf where my smart phone was dancing along to the annoying rhythm.
You have got to be kidding me.
I groaned and got up from my comfortable swivel chair to swipe the phone from the wood. My sister’s beautiful face beamed up at me from the screen.
Melody.
I should have known.
I swiped across the surface to open the phone and yelled,
“Really? Really, Mel!”
Melody giggled on the other end. Marriage and motherhood had done nothing to curb my older sister’s supreme weirdness. I had no idea how Spence put up with her.
“I thought I’d try something new to get you to answer your phone the first time I call.” She scolded lightly.
I rolled my eyes.
Of the three Reyes sisters, Melody and Eryn got all the charisma. My eldest and youngest sisters were like supernovas. They were brilliant and energetic and sociable. Melody was adored by her friends and everywhere that she went, she made new ones. Eryn was only fifteen but she attracted boys the way blood attracts sharks. My parents are having a field day warding off all of her admirers.
As the middle sister, I was completely ignored when God was giving out the social genes.
“Melody, I’m working. Not all of us have rich, husbands so that we can quit our jobs you know.” I teased.
Nearly seven years ago, Melody met her husband on a job assignment to the States. They literally bumped into each other when she got off the elevator. Spencer claims he fell in love with her from that first moment. I believe him. Melody has broken many hearts and she has absolutely no idea. The brilliant owner of a fancy technology patenting company was lucky enough to keep his heart intact and get the girl.
“Hey!” Melody protested, “I’m working too. I’m writing an epic novel.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I waved my hand dismissively
though she could not see me. I returned to my swivel chair and stuck my phone between my chin and my shoulder to keep it near my ears. I talked to Melody with one side of my brain while the other focused on the programming software that I was decoding.
“I don’t like your tone, Lexi. I’m still your older sister and I can still kick your butt.”
I grinned. Both Eryn and I have far surpassed Melody’s petite height. My older sister hit her first growth spurt when she was twelve and then her body gave up and decided to stop trying.
“I’d like to see you try.” I taunted.
Little Alexis let out a strangled cry in the background and Melody shushed her lightly.
“See,” I cooed to my niece, “Baby Alexis doesn’t like it when you threaten her favorite aunty.”
Alexis Grace Braden was born three years ago. She has been consequently spoiled by her daddy, her grandparents, her blood and adopted aunts and uncles. The kid is going to become a monster of a brat if we don’t let up.
“Actually,” I heard something brush against the phone and Alexis quit her wailing, “She pronounced Eryn’s name properly last week.”
I gasped. Ever since Alexis started talking, she’s been butchering the pronunciation of everybody’s names. It’s adorable and hilarious.
I sniff and snottily defended myself, “Pepsi is her pet name for me, which proves that my niece loves me the best.”
Melody laughed, “Anyway, I didn’t call about that. I’m calling to remind you about Archie and Susan’s homecoming party.”
Crapperdoodles. I’d completely forgotten.
Archie Hamilton danced into the Reyes home seven years ago. He wore a full beard and had colorful tattoos running up and down his arms and chest. He looked like the kind of guy my dad would rather die than let us bring home. But Archie Hamilton was so much more than his outer appearance. Though he was introduced to our family because of Melody, he was adopted into our family because he’s just so darn awesome. Archie was the son my father never had.
Earlier on in our acquaintance, I’d had the biggest crush on Archie Hamilton. I wasn’t as open about my feelings as Eryn and Melody would be; however, I’d dropped little hints and even wrote him a Valentine’s Day card. Unfortunately, Archie never acknowledged my affection and considered me his sister no matter what I did. That crush died a quiet, unassuming death. It was a good thing too. Archie has been dating Susan for nearly three years and finally got married to her this summer right before Susan graduated with a Masters in Law.
