“Yes, it should be good.”
Brian didn’t miss the dip in her enthusiasm or the fact that she’d practically played field hockey with her meal by pushing it from one side of the plate to the other.
“You’ve hardly touched your dinner,” he noticed.
“My appetite isn’t what it should be,” Keri said, then she stood and placed the napkin on the table. “Excuse me, please.”
Brian stood as well. “I’ll settle the check and meet you out front. We still have time to get to the theater and score great seats.”
Keri nodded but never looked back.
* * *
At least the movie came and went without incident. The sparks they shared last night were low burning embers today. Still, even the minimal flirting she did was enough to make the evening enjoyable. Brian couldn’t ignore the evidence, however. Her body was with him but it was clear her mind was completely somewhere else.
“I had a great time, Keri,” he said as he escorted Keri up the winding pathway to her door.
“Celeste is going to make me watch it again but it won’t be the same as it was with you,” she said, her eyes twinkling as she looked up at him.
Finally, whatever it was that had held her hostage tonight had released her enough to say something that gave him hope that moving forward was something he should give a try. He didn’t normally take the background approach, but that nod and sly smile that Shane had given him on the way out the door spoke volumes. Somehow that man had a claim on this woman’s heart. Not enough for her to blow off the date, but it was there none-the-less.
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to the exposed curve of her shoulder, savoring the luscious, enticing scent. She smelled of sweet berries warmed with creamy vanilla. Soft, yet intriguing.
Brian teased her lips with his tongue and her breathy moan was like warmed sugar. Just before he could take the kiss deeper, Keri backed away.
“Good night, Brian.”
“Good night, Keri,” he replied. “Sweet dreams.”
The minute she stepped over the threshold, he walked away refusing to look into her haunted eyes another minute.
Keri was attracted to him but hesitant to pursue that attraction. He glanced over his shoulder and she closed her door. Sad. Very sad, when he knew they were so right for each other.
* * *
“Brian, you scared me,” Brenda said, placing a hand on her chest. Then she righted the items in her arm and flipped on the lights. “Why are you sitting in the dark?”
“I’m thinking about some things.”
His mother’s expression bloomed with compassion. “Those things wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with Minister James’ daughter, would it?”
Brian’s head whipped to her. “What makes you say that? I didn’t tell you who…”
She grinned around a spoonful of her favorite ice cream. “Ohhhh, a little something like that dance at the Lancaster’s party.” She shrugged. “Or maybe it was how you two disappeared in the garden and we couldn’t even find you when it was time to leave.”
Brian lowered his gaze to the table. His mother knew him too well. She dived into her late-night dessert and allowed him a brief reprieve. When she washed out the dishes she asked, “So, how was your date tonight?”
“It was nice.”
She shut off the water, “Nice …” and slid into the seat across from her son. “Why was it just nice?”
Brenda would squeeze, prod, and hound until he relented—a tactic she’d used since he was a teen.
“I’ve seen that sad face twice before,” she whispered. “Once when things didn’t work out with you and Sheryl; and again when you found out Renee had taken up with someone else while you were deployed. What happened today?”
“Nothing.”
Brian couldn’t ease a good poker face past his mom ever. He stood and tried to escape.
“Hold it,” Brenda ordered. “Bring those long legs of yours back over here and sit.”
Brian’s shoulders sagged and he did an about face and complied.
“A moment ago you were sitting in the dark, drinking coffee. At night.” She crossed her arms over her chest and pinned him with a firm gaze. “You’ve forgotten who you’re talking to.”
She was right. The only time he drank coffee was when he was vexed and wanted to stay awake to think. Definitely didn’t make him a Starbucks regular.
Brenda clasped her hand over his. “What’s going on, Brian?”
“Keri and I had a great time at the party,” he replied. “We really hit it off well. I was under the impression that she was single. But today, Shane McCoy was leaving her place when I came through to pick her up.”
“Do you mean the Shane McCoy? Who plays for the Cowboys?” Brenda asked with more enthusiasm than he cared to hear.
“The one and only,” Brian grumbled.
“Did she explain his presence?”
Brian scrubbed his face, reliving the first moments then the rest of tonight. “No. Through the whole date, it felt off, like she was there but not there.” He looked at his mom. “You know what I mean?”
His mother frowned and leaned back in her chair. He could practically see the wheels turning behind her eyes.
“There’s this saying, ‘When you’re single, nobody wants you. But the minute you find someone you’re interested in, people come out of the woodwork.’” She crossed one pajama-clad leg over the other. “I’ve dealt with this firsthand. Oddly enough, with your father.”
Brian sat straight up, giving his mother his undivided attention.
“When I dated Melvin, Robert Sanderson was also pursuing me.” She sighed and a smile crept across her lips. “One day, your father and I were walking home. Robert was waiting for me with a bouquet of roses. The two of them came to blows and the flowers were scattered everywhere. Whew,” Brenda laughed, shaking her head. “I can see it as if it were yesterday. The only thing that stopped them was the sound of your grandfather’s rifle. Robert ran so fast he left his car in our yard.”
Brian shook with laughter as he asked, “So did dad run?”
“No, baby,” she replied with a toothy grin. “Your daddy looked at me and said ‘I love you, Brenda, but it’s either him or me.’ He apologized to your grandfather and left. Do you get where I’m coming from?”
“Kind of.”
“Sometimes you have to make your intentions clear then walk away. Let the lady make up her mind.” She gave his arm a gentle pat and went to the threshold. “Trust me, women know a good man when they see one.” She winked, then continued her way out but said over her shoulder, “I certainly did.”
Brian smiled as he rose from the table and left the kitchen. His mother’s wisdom and the example set by his father reached into his heart and gave him comfort.
If I want you, Keri, then it’s time I said so.
Chapter 6
Five days later, sadness covered Keri like a blanket of snow the day Brian prepared to board his flight back to Norfolk. Christmas had come and gone, and they’d talked every day. The whole time, he had made his feelings known. But so had Shane. Her ex had become more determined than ever.
How had she gone from a woman with no prospects on the horizon, to a woman with too many choices to make when it came to her heart?
She stood on the tips of her toes and looked into Brian’s dark brown eyes, her hand inside his massive one. Brian King was everything a woman could want and then some. But Shane McCoy enticed her heart to feel alive and wishful again.
“This week went by too fast,” Brian said, pulling her from those private thoughts.
“I hate to see you go,” Keri said, shocking herself, because it was true.
Her time with him had been fun, easy, and light because he was such a great listener and had some wonderful thoughts on what relationships should be about.
“Last call for Flight 336 to Norfolk,” a female voice announced through the overhead speaker.
“I�
�ll write you while I’m gone.” His finger hooked under her chin and he planted a deep, soul-stirring kiss on her lips that dazed her.
Keri stumbled a bit as he released her and walked away. Sadness slashed through her heart like a two-edged sword as he waved good-bye before entering the terminal to board the plane. Then he was gone.
His physical absence hurt. She missed him already and that wasn’t something she had expected. Keri’s phone rang, the ringtone dedicated for only one person.
“What’s up, chica?” Celeste said in a cheery voice. “You’ve been MIA since the party. What have you and that Navy man been up to?”
Keri sighed, picking up the pace on her way to the parking lot. “Just hanging out and getting to know each other. But Shane is causing all kinds of problems. The man is back with a vengeance.”
“Make sure he hooks me up with one of those good-looking, rugged team mates of his,” Celeste teased. “A sister’s love life could use a little push in the right direction.”
Keri laughed, “I don’t know about all that, but one thing I know for sure is both men are easy on the eyes and then some.”
They shared a laugh.
“I should be asking you about Mr. Aiden,” Keri said.
“Honey, that brother put the S in sexy and we had a great time. When he comes back, I might let him go a little further than just a kiss.”
“Might?” Keri asked, navigating the throngs of people coming in from the chilly December morning weather. “What do you mean, might?”
“Well … we didn’t.”
“What?!” Keri stopped in her tracks, causing the man behind her to spill his coffee on his shirt.
“Oh! I’m sooo sorry,” she said.
He rattled off a string of profanity mixed in with something about her owing him money for dry cleaning.
“Well, you didn’t have to curse at me,” she said to the red haired man, who now stood before her with an empty coffee cup in his left hand while holding his right hand out toward Keri. She quickly handed him a twenty-dollar bill. “This should cover the coffee and the shirt. I am truly sorry.”
He snatched the bill and hurried away.
“What a jerk!” she muttered to his retreating back, then to Celeste she said, “What did you just say?”
“We didn’t have sex.”
Keri couldn’t find a quick comeback for that. “Is something wrong with him?”
“No.” Celeste defended.
“Are you … sick or something?” Keri inquired.
Celeste chuckled.
“Am I talking to Celeste Denise Waters?”
“It’s time I took a page from your book,” she explained, her chuckle escalating into a full-blown laugh. “You’ve been keeping things under wrap and now you have two good men panting after you. There has to be something to that.”
“Looks like our little Celeste is growing up,” Keri teased.
“Forget you!”
“Talk to you later.” Keri ended the call, but laughed all the way to her car.
Chapter 7
Shane sported a tailored-black Burberry suit, stark white shirt, and custom-made Italian leather shoes. Today was a full day of appointments and meetings with the Director of Nursing and the president of his alma mater, ULM. After he was drafted three years ago, Shane established a scholarship in his mother’s maiden name and made sure that the school steered the first one toward Keri. He didn’t want her to worry about anything when it came to her education; but he also didn’t want her to know his involvement. He was immensely proud of Keri’s accomplishments and had secretly followed her endeavors. Though she had steered clear of him the past five years he never wavered to honor her or the place where they had met.
“I have a two o’clock meeting with President Bruno,” Shane announced to the overly attentive male receptionist.
“Right this way, sir,” he said with a southern drawl. Shane caught a full blast of the receptionist’s batting eyelashes. Fans came in all shapes, sizes, colors and evidently orientations.
“That’ll be all,” Director Doughty ordered to her clearly distracted assistant.
They exchanged a few pleasantries, then he offered his normal check which would cover expenses for one lucky student’s tuition and fees for a year. Shane opted out of doing any publicity and left the office feeling good that he was blessed to be able to give back.
With his first errand completed, Shane formulated his next move to reconnect with Keri James, but most importantly—find a way back into her heart. Once in his vehicle, he made steady tracks to the Pecanland Mall.
Shane hurried into Dillard’s, aiming to get a gift that would remind Keri that no one knew her like he did. In the past, her love of watches was a sight to behold, but Keri had evolved in the last five years. Thanks to a little help from Mrs. Lancaster, he knew that Keri’s current passion was designer purses. He headed over to the ladies’ handbag section rubbing his hands in anticipation.
“Michael Kors, here I come.”
* * *
The ship had been out to sea for five of the scheduled seven months and Brian had kept in touch with Keri on a regular basis—until recently. It gave him pause and made him unsure of where they stood.
Reaching the limits of his patience, he went to the Chief’s lounge and sent her an email.
Keri,
I hope this letter finds you well. It’s been a month since I’ve heard from you and I’ll be honest and say that you’re very important to me. I can see a future with you but you have to be honest with me. Is there something going on between you and Shane that may prevent that? I know seven months is a long time and you said you’d wait. I have eight more years of service before I retire and I have to know, can you really handle this life?
As Brian hit send, Aiden walked up and flopped down in one of the oversized chairs. The room was decked out in modern black and white furniture. The sixty-inch flat-screen replayed the morning episode of ESPN’s Sports Center.
“What’s up with that scowl? The Spurs didn’t beat the Heat that bad,” Aiden said.
Brian’s focus shifted from the screen to his friend. Aiden’s wide smile disappeared.
“For real, man,” Aiden said, frowning. “Is everything alright?”
“I’m just not sure what to think,” Brian replied, adjusting on the chair.
“Think about what?”
“Keri,” he replied. “I’m just not sure what’s going on with her.” He gestured to the pictures of Keri that he had pulled from his wallet—ones that they had taken at the mall in the picture booth. “We were communicating all the time but I haven’t heard from her in like … a month. I bet it has something to do with …”
“Do with who?”
“Shane McCoy.”
“That’s right!” Aiden hissed. “You did say he was at her house that day.”
Brian nodded, shifting in his swivel chair. “When we talk, she says all the right things but her subtle pauses make me wonder if she really means any of it.”
“Hey man, hold on. Don’t automatically assume the worse because of what Sheryl and Renee did,” Aiden warned. “That’s not fair to Keri.”
Brian was surprised at how much sense Aiden was making, especially since long-term relationships were definitely not his thing. “Look at you, thinking all logically, dang.”
“I know, right?” Aiden said, scratching his head. “It’s hard work, too!”
Brian roared with laughter.
“See, that’s why I’m not into the whole ‘relationship thing’,” Aiden said, crooking his fingers as quotes. “I don’t have time to be sitting around looking miserable. I meet one, have a good time and—” Aiden finished snapping his fingers and singing, “‘I keep on truckin’, baby.’”
“Come on, Aiden, think about it.” Brian slid to the edge of his seat. “How much longer do you really want to be alone?”
“That’s where you and I differ,” Aiden scoffed. “I’ll never be alone so long as
I’m happy and she’s happy and we both have an understanding. If the right woman comes along—great, but until then, I’m going to keep it moving,” Aiden said as he laughed.
Brian had a totally different take on relationships. With everything going around these days—STDs, stalkers, and baby mama drama—Brian saw being in a monogamous relationship as one of the safest bets going.
Aiden shook his head and it pulled Brian from his musings. “I can come and go as I please. No one’s looking for me or questioning my whereabouts. And I can keep all my money.”
“That may work for you, but I’m wired differently,” Brian admitted. “I want someone to settle down with and start a family.” His gaze shifted to the computer hoping for a reply from Keri. “You know my mom is screaming for grandbabies.” He shot up from his chair. “I’m thinking it’s time.”
“Well you like it, I love it,” Aiden quipped, giving Brian an encouraging pat on the shoulder. “You need a break because all this relationship talk is making me feel old.” Aiden shuddered. “We have another sixty days out here and I’m not letting you spend it in misery.”
“I’m not miserable,” Brian shot back. “I’ve got my career on track and I just think finding a good woman is very important.”
“I say, we agree to disagree,” Aiden added. “But there is one thing we can agree on.”
Brian lifted an eyebrow.
“Hoops.”
“No argument there,” Brian said, following his friend from the room. “I always feel better once I’ve beaten the hell out of you.”
“Not happening today, partner,” Aiden defended.
“Yeah, right,” Brian shot back as they headed up to the deck.
Chapter 8
“Thanks for giving me a ride home,” Keri said to Celeste as her friend pulled up to her place. Her car was in the shop getting new brakes. It was taking a little longer than planned because they also found that an oil change and tire rotation was needed.
“No problem, girl,” Celeste said as she came to a stop and Keri got out.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered ... I'm Yours Page 10
