He stripped and got into the shower, hoping the hot water would clear the cobwebs. It helped, some. But his head hurt like hell. Afterward, he wrapped a towel around his waist and put on a pot of coffee.
The first sip of the hot liquid scalded his tongue and throat as it traveled down to his stomach. He didn’t care that it hurt. The pain was penance for his stupidity. He took another sip, more cautiously now, and let the black gold warm him inside and ease the thumping in his head. He took his coffee and stumbled over to the breakfast nook and sat down. He lowered the cup with still shaking hands and turning his jumbled thoughts inward, he began to take silent inventory of his life.
At thirty-five, he was still single. It was by choice, not by fate. He enjoyed his life the way it was: free and uncomplicated. He wasn’t afraid to settle down, but dammit, he wasn’t ready yet. He’d watched as most of his friends took the plunge either into committed relationships or matrimony, David being the most recent to fall. So far he’d managed to sidestep the trap and keep his distance, but it seemed that everywhere he looked, love was in the air. Like some kind of virus. And he had a sinking feeling that he was about to be infected. Because no matter how hard he tried to fight it, he knew with every fiber of his being that Candace Brown was every bit the threat he’d first perceived.
Chapter 9
“Doctor Jeffers’s office, how may I help you?”
“Hi, Candace, it’s Brice. How are you doing today?”
“Hello, Brice. This is a surprise.” There was a slightly puzzled note in her voice. “Isn’t it customary to give a potential client a couple of days to review the proposal?” Her teasing lyrical lilt poured through his veins.
“Yeah, I know it’s ridiculously early to be calling, but I guess I’m feeling a bit anxious. What did your boss think of my proposal?” He was stalling. For the first time in his life, he didn’t know what to say to a woman.
“To be honest, I haven’t brought it to her yet. She’s been busy. But I promise I’ll get with her today, even if I have to tie her to her chair.”
“Yeah, okay. That’s great, Candace.” He paused and took a big breath. Get to the point, you idiot, before you lose your nerve. “But I think I should come clean about the real reason I called.”
“There’s another reason?”
“Yeah, there is. To be honest, I didn’t call to ask about the proposal at all.”
“You didn’t?”
“No. I called to ask if you’d have dinner with me.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m inviting you to have dinner with me.”
“Yes, I’m sorry. Of course you are.” She sounded confused. “I heard you the first time. You just took me by surprise, that’s all. Why are you asking me out to dinner? You don’t even know me.”
“That’s why I’m asking you out. I want to get to know you.” He contemplated all of ten seconds before making up his mind. He’d gone this far; he might as well take the plunge. “Look, Candace, I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve been trying to avoid this very thing since the first time I saw you, and I don’t mean yesterday. We both know we were in the same place at the same time four days ago. I was attracted to you then and it grew even more after our meeting. And, at the risk of blowing the possibility of your saying yes to my out of left field invitation, I may as well confess that I engineered the entire security meeting just to meet you face-to-face. And before you get the wrong idea, I’m not a stalker or a psycho, because believe me, I really tried to ignore the attraction. But I figured the best way to get you out of my system was to ask you out, and try to find something about you that I couldn’t possibly like.”
• • •
Although taken completely by surprise, Candace found his self-proclaimed predicament endearing and she couldn’t help but interject a bit of humor into the moment. “I’m sorry to hear I’ve been the source of such irritation. I can’t help but feel that I’m an innocent party in this, um, situation. However, I’d like to point out that we have a pending contract proposal between our two businesses. Now, in my mind, that presents a problem that falls somewhere between personal influence and professional ethics. For all I know, you may be trying to wine and dine me for the sake of a signature on a contract.”
“No problem, I’ll withdraw the proposal. Consider it null and void, and you can shred it.”
“Wait a minute.” She laughed. “I like the proposal, and my boss needs what you have to offer.”
“Then make up your mind, woman,” he teased. “What’ll it be? Are you going to let a small thing like ‘ethics’ stand between doing the right thing and saving a man’s reputation?”
“Reputation? What sort of reputation are we talking about?”
“I’ll tell you all about it over dinner when you say yes.”
“How about I let you know later? I need time to think this over.”
“Sure, Candace, no problem. But to give you some peace of mind, we can meet anywhere you want, and I’ll leave you with all my personal info. I don’t want you to feel pressured or uncomfortable. I want you to feel safe.”
She smiled at his thoughtfulness. She’d been on plenty of dates, but never with a guy who’d ever been so concerned about her state of mind. That alone was pushing the odds in his favor. “Okay, Brice, I’ll take your invitation into consideration and get back to you later today.” After taking down his personal information, they talked for a little while longer. He cracked jokes as he plead his case and had her laughing out loud.
She was still glowing over the call when Joyce arrived at the office.
“Good morning,” Joyce delivered her normal cheerful greeting, then immediately became suspicious upon seeing the look on Candace’s face. “Okay, spill it, right now. What’s put that ear-to-ear grin on your face this early in the day? Because whatever it is, I want some of it.”
“Oh Joyce, you’ll never guess what happened,” she said, excited. “But I think I need your advice.”
“All right.” Joyce quickly put her things down and came around to lean against the edge of her desk. “Ask away. I can’t wait to hear what has you so giddy.”
“Mr. Coleman called and asked me out to dinner.” Candace recounted Brice’s confession about how he’d engineered the whole affair, ending the story with a question in her eyes. “So, what do you think? Should I or shouldn’t I?”
“He certainly is resourceful, I’ll give him that. And at least he was honest enough to fess up. But I think that the real question is, do you want to go out with the man or not?”
“Yes. But I don’t want to feel like it’s a crazy thing to do. Considering he practically admitted to stalking me.”
“Do you have his phone number?”
“Yes.”
“Give it to me.”
Candace warily handed over the number and watched Joyce punch it into the phone. Joyce was a consummate professional and an expert at handling tense circumstances, knowing exactly how to defuse a situation. But there were also times like now, when she could be brash and unpredictable. There was no telling what was about to come out of her mouth.
“May I speak with Mr. Brice Coleman, please? Mr. Coleman? Hi, this is Dr. Joyce Jeffers, Candace’s boss. Yes, hello. I’m fine, thank you. No, I’m not calling about the proposal; it’s about another matter entirely. Candace tells me you’ve asked her out on a date, but she has concerns, considering the circumstances behind your invitation. So here’s what’s going to happen. I will retain possession of your personal information. I will expect a call when she arrives for the date and another when it’s over. I’m her backup plan, just in case you turn out to be some kind of psycho nut job who wines and dines and abducts his dates. If I do not hear from her at those designated intervals, I will call the authorities to report a kidnapping. And believe me, one call is all it will take. Do I make myself clear? Good. Now, here’s Candace. You two can hash out the details. Enjoy your date.”
Joyce grinned and winked at Candace
as she handed over the phone and then picked up her things and went into her office, closing the door behind her.
Candace stared after Joyce in shock as she put the phone to her ear. “Brice. I’m so sorry. I had no idea she’d say those things. It’s okay if you’ve changed your mind; I’ll understand completely.” To her surprise, on the other end of the phone was loud, irrepressible laughter.
“Wow,” he said when he’d finally caught his breath. “That is one cool lady. I like her.”
“You mean you’re not upset?”
“Of course not. She’s just looking out for you. I can’t fault her for that. You’re lucky to have someone who cares that much. Just give her everything she needs, and I’ll be sure that you make those calls. I want to go out with you, Candace, but I don’t want to end up in jail.”
They made dinner plans for Saturday evening, and Brice was still chuckling when he said goodbye.
Chapter 10
They agreed to meet on Saturday evening at a popular restaurant in the downtown district. Brice made reservations for seven o’clock and was now standing in the lobby waiting impatiently for her arrival. He couldn’t believe how anxious he was to see her again. When at last he saw her walking toward him, beautiful and serene, all the feelings of anxiety and impatience miraculously melted away. She smiled and held out her hand to greet him, which he raised to brush against his lips and then placed in the crook of his arm.
They followed the maître d’ to a table in the middle of the large room and were seated amid the quiet din of laughter and conversation. The room was dimly lit with recessed lighting in the ceiling and along the walls, and flickering tea lights were placed inside crystal sconces on every table. Soft music playing quietly from an unknown source provided a romantic ambiance. When the waiter arrived, they ordered drinks and settled back to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
“So, Brice, I’m dying to hear why you orchestrated such an elaborate scheme to find me. I’m flattered, but I can’t imagine what it must have taken to pull it off, especially since we’d never even spoken to one another.”
“It wasn’t as difficult as you might think. After all, it’s my business to know how people and corporations tick. I search for their vulnerabilities and exploit them in order to make them safe against an attack. I simply applied the same skills to find you. In other words, I lied my ass off.”
She chuckled. “But why did you do it?”
“Because,” he responded without hesitation, “I couldn’t get you out of my head. You were a puzzle, and you presented a challenge with way too many questions. I needed answers.” He paused and gave her a direct, meaningful look. “I need to know if you’re as dangerous as I think you are.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means,” he said as he leaned forward and put his elbows on the table, “that I’d like to get to know you better. You fascinate me, Candace, and I’m not easily fascinated by women.” Her eyebrows rose, and she crossed her arms and cocked her head to the side.
“I know that sounds a bit pompous,” he chuckled and held his hand up, “but let me explain. What I mean is that my usual experience with women, from start to finish, is average. There are no sparks or fireworks. And I’m okay with that. I like average. It’s safe. But I don’t feel safe around you. Instead of tucking tail and running like I know I should, I want to know why.”
“Well, you just put it all out there. No hesitation or beating around the bush. Don’t you keep anything to yourself?” Her arms were still crossed.
“Sure I do. But as a rule, I don’t like secrets. Secrets create drama, and I don’t like drama. Life is complicated enough. I want to be honest with you, Candace. I don’t know where this date is headed or if it will lead to something more, but I’d like to have all the facts before taking that next step.”
Candace picked up her wine glass and gazed at the contents before lifting her eyes to meet his. “I appreciate your honesty and your methodical approach to the ‘problem.’ But I have to tell you I’m beginning to feel like some kind of science project or something. You’re not the only one who’ll be affected by this little experiment of yours, Brice. I’m a living, breathing person with thoughts and feelings. And contrary to your aversion to ‘sparks and fireworks,’ I thrive on them. For me, there’s nothing more satisfying than the rush of dancing on the edge or playing with fire. Granted, the fireworks might explode in my face, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take just for the adventure.” She took a sip of wine and stared into his eyes.
Brice smiled. “That’s precisely what fascinates me and makes me careful. I think you’d make me reckless and throw caution to the wind, and that would disrupt my otherwise well-ordered and meticulous life. I’m happy with my life as is.” I wish I were as sure now as I was four days ago.
“So, is this the ‘reputation’ you alluded to? That’s it? That you’re a cautious, no-frills, no-fireworks kind of guy?”
“Yep, I’m afraid so. There are no deep dark secrets here; I’m just an average guy trying to maintain my average life.”
“Yeah, right.” She snorted into her glass. “I’ll believe that when I see it. I think you should know, I Googled you, and there’s nothing ‘average’ about you. You’re all over social media, and your parents are high-profile too, with ties to the White House.”
“That was a long time ago. My father retired from the embassy when the last president left office. He and my mother are tourists now, traveling to places they’ve never been, and returning to see others from a different perspective. As a matter of fact they’re currently away on a yearlong trip to explore Europe, Asia, and South Africa. They’ll probably spend most of their time volunteering, though. They’re a couple of diehard activist types.”
“That sounds exciting. Did you travel with them when you were younger? Do you have any siblings?”
“Yes, I did. And, no, I’m an only child. But I never really felt like an only child because wherever we lived, my mother practically adopted every kid in the neighborhood. She welcomed everyone into our home, especially other consulate members and their families. We Americans tend to stick together like family. You could say that I was practically raised abroad, because we didn’t actually settle in the U.S. until I was in my late teens. Other than English, I speak three languages fluently.”
“How did you end up here in Atlanta?”
“My mother is originally from here. She and my father met in college. He was a political science major and she was prelaw. They married young, and Dad worked for the Department of State and the Foreign Services for years, moving up the ranks. I was eight years old when Dad got his first foreign assignment as a consulate general.”
“Wow. It must have been exciting growing up in so many different places. My dad traveled for his job a lot when I was young, but we never went with him.”
“What did he do?”
“He was, and still is, a community investment consultant for global banking. Don’t ask me what that means; I’ve never understood it. It has something to do with money and numbers and the global economy. I know enough to balance my checking account and pay my bills, and that’s good enough for me.”
He chuckled. “And your mom, what does she do? Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“My parents met on the job. My mother was also working in the field of global banking and economy. So it was natural they’d hit it off. I’m sure you’ve already guessed that I’m biracial. My mother is Caucasian and my father is African American. So, I guess you could say,” she gave him a slight smile, “I’ve grown up with my own version of cultural diversity.”
Being the product of two different worlds, Candace had always been caught in between, never completely at home or accepted in either. She was too white to be black and too black to be white, and was never made to feel good enough for either race. No matter how self-assured and independent she was in nearly every aspect of her life, she still harbored deep-seated doubts about where she tr
uly belonged. Even with changing views on interracial relationships and fewer raised eyebrows, in the end, ingrained traditions and beliefs often stifled the intrusive voice of diversity.
“Here’s to cultural diversity, and may we continue to learn and explore whatever life has to offer.” Brice, interrupting her thoughts, raised his glass for a toast.
“Here, here,” she chimed in as she touched her glass to his. “And I have one older brother, whom I adore. He’s my personal superhero and self-appointed protector.”
She smiled inwardly at the thought. Her brother wasn’t the only one who looked after her. Her entire family was overprotective. It didn’t matter that she was nearly thirty years old; everyone still thought of her as the baby. But some things even her family couldn’t protect her from, like her notoriously bad relationship decisions that often led to disastrous results.
• • •
They finished their meals, and as the waiter left to get their dessert order, Brice saw a familiar figure across the room. Blaine Stanford, an old friend he hadn’t seen in at least eight months, was standing and talking with another man. Brice informed Candace about his friend and excitedly excused himself to go over and say hi. Blaine was the dictionary definition of tall, dark, and handsome, with dark, coffee-brown skin, gleaming white teeth, and short cropped hair. He was the perfect picture of success in his crisp dark-gray suit, black shirt, and tie.
“Blaine! Man, when did you get back in town? I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Brice. Well if it isn’t my blue-eyed soul brother.” He chuckled in a deep baritone voice as they shook hands and briefly embraced. “I should have known I’d run into you since this place is so close to your stomping grounds. How are you? And where’s David?” He gave a sweeping search of the room. “Aren’t you two usually joined at the hip?”
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