“Good evening, Mrs. Lancaster,” Brian said with a wide smile. “Thank you for the invitation.”
Mrs. Lancaster, the wife of Judge Gary Lancaster, who was draped in an emerald dress, grinned up at him with a twinkle of mischief in her hazel eyes. “With your busy schedule, I’m so glad that you could join us.”
“As if we had a choice,” Aiden mumbled, eliciting the side-eye of his mother.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Brian’s mother quipped, giving an almost imperceptible nod to Rita then to Mrs. Lancaster, whose lips twitched with mirth.
They swept into an adjacent parlor as Mrs. Lancaster chatted away, showing off the latest upgrades to her already-immaculate mansion. But what jumped out to him and Aiden were the bachelorettes grouped right next to the punch bowl. All were focused on the two men. Brian chanced a look at Aiden and whispered, “I feel like a prize stud bull.”
Aiden offered his best fake smile. “Thanks a lot, Mom.”
Brian was totally in agreement.
Their mothers were determined to see them married off. A commitment each had labored tirelessly on since Brian and Aiden completed Basic Training. Those attempts always came up short because of Brian’s military relocations and Aiden’s zest in the pursuit of female variety.
The dance floor was filled with festive people performing the latest dance moves—some were awesome, others should have stayed on the sidelines. Aiden gave Brian’s shoulder a hearty pat. “Later, man. Set up or not, I’m going to make this work for me,” Aiden announced and walked off in the direction of a woman with auburn curls who beckoned for him.
He shrugged and accepted that Aiden was always on the hunt. The last thing Brian needed was a woman distracting him right now. He’d soon be heading back to Virginia to prepare for his next deployment. Most women weren’t able to deal with his long stretches at sea, a fact he was more familiar with than he cared to admit. Too many times in the past, his heart had been broken along with the promises. A long term relationship was not on his ‘things-to-do’ list at the moment.
Brian threaded his way through the corridor and past the band in an attempt to make his way to the wicked spread on the buffet table. Right before he reached his desired destination, he collided with a woman so beautiful and surreal, his lungs stopped working.
She had smooth golden skin, a slim waistline, and hips that rounded to perfection. Her smile lit up her heart-shaped face, causing her eyes to slant in the most adorable way.
“I’m sorry, Miss,” he said, holding her arms so she didn’t become acquainted with the floor. The minute their eyes connected, his heart did a little flip, and his lungs fired up again.
The corners of her mouth turned up even more and her smile was pure radiance.
“Are you going to hold me like this all night, or …?”
“Oh, sorry,” he said, releasing her arms. “It’s just that you have the most amazing smile, the most beautiful eyes.”
“Starting with flattery? Way to go,” she teased.
“Just stating the truth,” he countered and her smile widened.
Brian escorted her to a chair near the white marble fireplace and she reached down to adjust the strap of her shoe.
“Let me help you with that.”
The startled look coming from her eyes stirred him. Hesitantly, she lifted her leg, causing the split of her blue Jovani evening gown to fall open, showing a tease of golden thigh. Brian kneeled before her, instantly lending assistance.
When he touched her foot, their eyes locked again. He took a quick look at her left hand. Single. Beautiful. Warm. Throw in a cup of intelligence and a pot of common interests like faithful, supportive, and patient and she was the winning lottery ticket.
“Thank you,” her husky voice purred in his ear.
“I should really watch where I’m going,” he said, helping her to her feet. “I’m Brian King.”
“I’m Keri,” Her soft brown eyes locked with his. “Keri James.”
“The minister’s daughter who put whoopee cushions in the deacon’s seats?”
“Is that the only way people know me these days?” she groaned, causing him to laugh.
No, Keri. The last thing you resemble is a little girl in a Sunday dress playing tricks at church. Right now … you’re the most sophisticated creature I’ve ever seen.
“Everyone grab a partner and claim your spot on the dance floor!” the DJ announced.
“Well, let’s hope I can get to learn more about you,” Brian teased, extending his hand to her. “May I have this dance, Ms. Keri?”
“I … I don’t think so,” she stammered, her focus shifting from him.
Brian followed her line of sight to … Shane McCoy. He would recognize the Dallas Cowboys’ star running back anywhere.
The gripping tension in Keri’s limbs forced his attention back to her. She turned to leave. Brian gently arrested her retreat and whispered, “Don’t think—just dance.”
Keri hesitated, then relaxed and conceded to his request.
Once on the dance floor, Keri’s eyes drifted over to a woman. With a chuckle she said, “Looks like Celeste has found someone to keep her company.”
Celeste’s form-fitting red dress left nothing to the imagination.
“You know her?” Brian asked.
“She’s my friend. We were supposed to hang out tonight. But it looks like my girl’s found something else to hang onto.” Then her eyebrow lifted as she added, “Or should I say someone.”
“That’s my boy, Aiden. She’s in good hands,” he said, then thought about that for a minute. “Well, she’s in … something.”
For the next five minutes the partygoers painted the dance floor to “Baby I Need Your Loving,” a tune his parents once grooved to when they first started dating.
“I had no idea that I’d meet such a beautiful woman on this trip home,” he said, swirling her past their friends.
“Where’d you come from?” Keri asked.
“I live in Norfolk, Virginia,” he answered, whirling her to another area of the dance floor. “I’m a Senior Chief onboard the USS Harry S. Truman, so I travel a lot.”
“That’s so awesome,” she said, beaming. “Thank you for your service to our country.”
He tipped an imaginary hat and drawled, “Yes ma’am, the pleasure’s all mine.”
And there it was again, that heart-thumping smile.
When the song ended, he escorted her out to the courtyard overlooking the garden. The two became so immersed in conversation about their faith, the military, and her career as a Nurse Practitioner that he hardly realized the time. When Brian looked over his shoulder and into the house, he noticed that the guests had thinned out to a bare minimum.
“It’s late and I should go,” Keri said in a low voice.
“I’ve really enjoyed your company,” he said, entwining her arms with his to escort her into the gallery. “I’d love to see you again before I leave.”
“That would be nice,” Keri admitted.
“Do you like movies?” Brian asked, hoping she enjoyed his favorite pastime.
“That new movie with Morris Chestnut as a football star has gotten great reviews.”
“The Best Man Holiday?”
Keri nodded.
“I’ll check the show times.” Brian whipped out his phone and tapped the navigation information keys. “How about the seven-thirty show tomorrow night? We can start about five so we can grab a bite to eat. How’s that sound?”
“Perfect,” she replied, taking his phone and dialing a number. Once it vibrated her phone, she ended the call. “Give me a call if anything changes. If not, I’ll expect you at five.”
Keri returned his phone with another mega-watt smile. Her skin was silky smooth, but her eyes …
Brian escorted her to the BMW parked at the end of the circular drive.
“Take care, Officer Clumsy,” she teased.
“Take care, Ms. Troublemaker,” he said, pressing
a kiss to her delicate hand before she took off. Her tinkling laughter echoed behind her and warmed his heart.
Chapter 3
Shane McCoy needed food like a dead man needed a casket. He pulled his weary self off the bed and stretched. Muscles stiff and heart heavy, not to mention the fact he was annoyed by the hunger pains that ripped through his body like a tornado wreaking havoc on a small town, but that paled by comparison to the reason he’d had a horrible night’s sleep. The sight of Keri James in the arms of another guy had caused him no small amount of frustration. He had let their estrangement go on long enough without trying to bridge the gap again.
He showered and slipped into a heather gray Ralph Lauren Polo shirt, denim jeans, and the latest Jordan sneakers.
His Cadillac Escalade remotely started as he approached, hopped into the driver’s seat, and cruised toward Copeland’s Restaurant for a hearty brunch.
“Daddy, look! It’s Shane McCoy!” a young boy said while tugging on his dad’s arm.
“Nice to meet you, sport.” Shane shook the young man’s hand after signing an autograph. He never tired of his fans’ enthusiasm. He played football for the love of the game, the adoration of the fans—and the lucrative income wasn’t half bad, either.
“Right this way, Mr. McCoy.” The hostess escorted him to a seat while throwing in some extra hip-swaying for good measure. Shane settled in with every intention of enjoying bacon, cheese grits, biscuits, and drowning his Keri-filled sorrows in warm maple syrup.
“Shane!” Tanya Lancaster cried. “Hey, baby! How are you?” She spotted him as she was heading to her booth.
His fake smile must have tipped her off. She’d been his mother’s best friend since he was a kid.
“What’s the matter, sweetheart? And don’t tell me nothing because I know you better than that.”
She signaled to her husband that she’d be a minute, then slipped her handbag on the chair, sat next to him and told the waitress, “I’ll have whatever he’s having, but I’ll take it in my booth after this little chat.”
“I can’t seem to shake this need to reunite with Keri,” Shane confessed, scanning the menu.
“Ah, I see,” she said with a slight grimace. “Have you spoken with her?”
“No, ma’am. I tried for two years but she rejected every single time. I came to the party last night hoping to catch her alone but she was all caught up with some dude.”
Tanya’s raised eyebrow hinted she was accessing her memory banks. Shane should’ve known she would.
“Did you expect her not to be with anyone?” she asked in a gentle tone. “It’s been five years since you two broke up. Am I correct?”
“Yes, but—”
“But what?”
Shane leveled his eyes directly to Tanya. “She didn’t give me a chance to explain. What she saw wasn’t what she thought it was. I would never cheat on Keri.” His voice wavered, still angered that the girl who had showed up at his place unannounced could have caused so much damage. “I love her.”
Tanya caressed his face. “Still?”
“Still.” Shane let the single word hover between them.
Tanya was silent, scanning the people in the booths around them, before focusing on Shane again. “Then you must fight for her. Go to her—tell her what you just told me.”
“After all this time, she won’t believe me, Ms. Tanya.”
She wrapped her delicate hands around his strong ones.
“Make her believe you, son. Tell her the truth.”
The waitress brought his breakfast and slid it on the table before them.
“I have to go,” Tanya finished. “Now, remember what I said.” She placed her handbag on her arm and sauntered to her husband.
The next hour moved swiftly between the enjoyment of his breakfast feast, photo ops, and signing autographs. Finally, he joined his trainer, Aubrey for their daily session.
As Aubrey moved him through their routine, Shane’s mind solidified on an idea. Mrs. Lancaster was right; he had to see Keri James today.
Chapter 4
Keri couldn’t stop smiling as she prepared for her date with Brian. She was constantly thinking about the wonderful time they’d enjoyed last night. Those few hours had whizzed by and she’d forgotten all about seeing Shane McCoy walk in and the people who flocked to him.
Brian King’s chiseled features were accented with a neatly trimmed goatee. The way he filled out that tuxedo gave Keri an idea that his body was beach ready and something a woman could hold on to. But it was his drive, determination, and belief in a Higher Power that made him every kind of sexy.
It had been ages since Keri and the word ‘date’ were in the same sentence together. The clock clicked to half-past four as she applied a light touch of makeup, dressed in an ivory cashmere sweater and Palazzo pants, then glided down the stairs. She shifted toward her home office, aiming to create next month’s schedule before taking in a chapter or two of the novel she’d been reading for the past two days.
When the doorbell rang, Keri placed the book aside.
She checked her appearance and opened the door with a warm smile. “Heeey, Bri—Shane!!”
Shane appeared with his piercing eyes, golden brown skin and muscles that threatened to break free from his hoodie were a sight to behold.
Words were bottlenecked in her throat. But somehow, “What are you doing here?” pushed past her vocal cords.
“May I come in?” The deep base of his voice still sent shivers down her spine.
A lot of things might have changed about him. But one thing hadn’t changed … her broken heart. Keri stepped aside and allowed him access to the foyer. Falling into habit he headed toward the living room.
“Whoa, playboy!” she said, trying to keep up with his long strides. “Just where do you think you’re going? Say whatever you came to say and leave!” Her voice sounded a lot stronger than she felt. Then the image of him with his lips on another woman fueled her resolve.
“Keri, you never gave me a chance to explain.” He pulled the hoodie back from his head.
“Explain what?” she snapped. “How you were examining Michelle Thomas’ tonsils with your tongue? I didn’t realize that you’d changed plans and decided to become a doctor.”
Shane stood still as if to absorb the accusation. “It wasn’t what you thought. She grabbed me—kissed me. There was nothing going on with her. You didn’t even give me the benefit of the doubt!” His voice raised an octave but not enough to sound demanding.
“Why would I have wasted time with her when I’d already committed to you?” he continued, scowling. “Your family was my family. My family was all ready for us to jump the broom and sweep back in from the honeymoon with a dozen grandkids on the way.”
To that she smiled and Shane moved closer.
“Why would I mess that up when I loved you more than anyone I’ve ever loved?” His voice lowered to a whisper as he continued with, “Then you left town and no one would tell me where you were.” He squared his shoulders and crossed the last few feet between them. “But I’m home now, and I hope you’ve grown up enough to listen, because you certainly weren’t grown enough to show you loved and trusted me.”
A world of pain came through in those words.
All this time, she had thought she was the only one really hurt by their break-up.
His eyes reminded her too much of her own—haunted with such loss and pain. She’d jumped the gun, doubted his love, and threw away their trust. Shane had painstakingly tried to find her, tried to explain, but she had refused all contact with him. Evidently, Keri had reached the wrong conclusion and it had cost them both five years of their lives.
“Why, Shane?” she whispered. “Why’d you come back now?”
Shane ran his strong thumb along her chin. “I have everything money can buy. But I don’t have the one woman who’s worth more than everything.” He leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her cheek. “I’m here to make it right—to make us r
ight.”
The doorbell rang and Keri jumped. “That’s … my … umm … my date,” she said. Keri was torn. Brian was worth getting to know but Shane deserved his shot, too. Maybe.
“Keri, I—”
“You have to go, Shane.” She stepped back. “I can’t do this right now.”
Shane closed the gap. Soon soft kisses greeted her forehead, the tip of her nose and ended with a soft featherlike peck on her lips. Keri fought valiantly to ignore the family of butterflies that fluttered in the pit of her stomach.
“I’ll leave now, but trust me—I. Will. Be. Back.”
Shane opened the door and eased smoothly by Brian.
Keri held her breath as the two men strategically sized up the other. Then Shane gave Brian a head nod and sauntered to his truck.
Chapter 5
Brian hesitated a few moments before entering the foyer. “Did I come at a bad time?”
She recovered from thoughts of Shane and snapped to life. “No. Your timing is perfect.”
He wasn’t slow on the uptake by any means. The glazed look in her eyes whispered that she was a little unsettled. A quick scan of the living room prompted Brian to study Keri with keener interest. He made a mental note to investigate the connection between Shane McCoy and Keri at a later time. For the moment he would drink in her charm and beauty and enjoy his outing.
“Are you ready to go?” he prodded softly. “I’m starved!”
Keri grabbed a bright yellow handbag from the cream leather sofa and he followed her out the front door.
Cheddar’s, a quaint neighborhood restaurant adjacent to Tinseltown Movie Theater, was as festive as the Lancaster home had been, without the additional square footage, and minus the expensive decorations.
“I’m really glad we got to see each other today,” he said, offering a broad smile in hopes that she would return it. She’d been silent on the drive.
“Me, too.” Keri’s smile didn’t quite reach her dark brown eyes.
“It’s been fourteen years since The Best Man debut,” he said, his gaze narrowing on her vacant expression. “I was really excited when I heard about this movie.”
Signed, Sealed, Delivered ... I'm Yours Page 9
