The Wrong Shade of Lipstick

by B. M. Hardin

  I listened to her ramble for another half hour or so.

  Simply listening to her caused me to become angry.

  Not only was I angry with myself for my contributions to Charlotte’s pain but I was also heated with fury toward Zack. He was to blame for this whole mess. He should have never gone there with my sister in the first place!

  Who does that?

  Becoming consumed with Charlotte’s frustration, as well as my own, I told her that I was going to see Zack myself and demand some answers on her behalf.

  At first, Charlotte refused, begging me to simply let things go and let sleeping dogs lie; but as the conversation carried on, her curiosity eventually got the best of her.

  Assuming that maybe from a should’ve been sister-in-law perspective that I may have gotten some answers out of him about his sudden change of heart, Charlotte finally agreed to let me go talk to him. She figured that maybe he would give me more answers than he would give her.

  Really, Skilar, what are you thinking?

  I questioned myself the whole way over to the huge almost a mansion---house, that Zack and my sister once shared. Lord knows I tried to talk myself out of going a hundred times but the car continued to drive until it accidentally turned onto his street. I knew it wasn’t the smartest or the brightest idea, but still yet Charlotte deserved answers and in some strange way… so did I.

  Wait a minute, why was I taking the time to lie to myself?

  I already knew why Zack hadn’t married Charlotte; so I guess my visit was more of a personal one.

  I wanted answers.

  Why her? She was my sister for God sakes!

  Everyone knew that some boundaries and some lines just weren’t supposed to be crossed.

  And Zack had definitely crossed the line!

  For all of about twenty minutes, I sat in the car simply staring at his front door. My heart and my mind just couldn’t seem to get on one accord. I was as nervous as a married man being caught with his wife…by his mistress. Sweat began to pour out of my pores and drench the back of my dress; giving me more than enough motivation to make a move. I hated to sweat!

  Why I decided to get out of the car and beat on Zack’s front door like I was the woman that he had left hanging; was just as much a mystery to me as it was to anybody else.

  There was a doorbell, of course but I felt that beating on the door might express my rage in a way that words just could not.

  Zack opened the door in a hurry, anxious---yet he still looked like a million bucks.

  Although he was casually dressed, he looked as though he had just stepped out of a magazine. The fragrance of his skin harassed my nose and tickled my fancy causing me to almost become aroused.

  I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

  I was as panicky as a felon with a gun in his pocket and blue lights in his rear view mirror.

  I thought carefully about what I wanted to say but for some reason, I was unsure if I was supposed to start off by telling him how wrong he was for hurting Charlotte or if I should start with how wrong he was for hurting me.

  The reality was and no matter how hard I tried and wanted to deny it; Zack had hurt me---deeply.

  In my eyes Zack had always been the Man.

  He was the ideal of what I thought every man should be. Never did I think that he would throw such a low blow.

  Collecting my thoughts, I attempted to speak again but still not one single word escaped from my lips.

  I was speechless; and let me tell you---that was something that just didn’t happen too often. I had a fiancé that would testify to that.

  Fiancé; right, I had a fiancé. I had no business here.

  At the sudden thoughts of my future husband, I tried to force my feet to turn me around and walk away or better yet run away from Zack, but they just wouldn’t cooperate.

  So, I just stood there; looking at him, face to face.

  Some of our fondest memories began to play over and over again in my head. I could remember how much he used to make me laugh. I remembered how good he used to make me feel.

  I allowed myself to become consumed by my memories for a moment too long and before I could catch it, my lips curled into a tiny smile.

  Coming to, I noticed that Zack was smiling back at me.

  I quickly cleared my face of the smirk and eyed Zack suspiciously as he began to inch closer and closer in my direction. Only inches away, knowing that it was now or never, I mustard up just enough courage to attempt to set him straight once and for all.

  “Zack, I don’t know what to say. I mean, how could you do that to her? She's my sister. Hell, really, why would you do that to me? Why would you even take it that far? Was it to get back at me for leaving you all those years ago?” I said in a hurry.

  Zack continued to approach me and said nothing.

  He was so close that I could taste the mint from the chewing gum that was in his mouth. I started to back away but he grabbed me by my waist. I fought effortlessly to get away from him but almost immediately gave up.

  Zack kissed me and…I kissed him back.

  **********

  *~Life is so short. Time waits for no one. So, in other words…you better hurry up!~*

  ~*Anonymous

  Chapter Three

  “Wake up sleepy head,” Levi whispered in my ear.

  I couldn’t help but smile.

  Boy, did I love me some Levi, no middle name, Lopez! Italian and Black… and just the way I liked them.

  He was just my type---just right.

  Levi and I were best friends, and had been for quite some time. We worked together at the same advertising company for years, and never crossed that line.

  Though secretly, I had always had a thang for him, I wouldn’t have dared admitted it.

  I mean after all, he was my boss.

  Thankfully, finally, Levi made the first move.

  Levi was already at the top of the corporate ladder but he had been offered a new position elsewhere, and after working with him for four years, he announced that he would be leaving the company.

  But that wasn’t the only announcement that he had made that day. Levi told me that he was in love with me and what can I say except that the feelings were mutual.

  I had fallen for him the very first time I saw him; sitting across from me at his desk, looking over my résumé.

  He was wearing a black Stacy Adams suit with a gray, black and white bow tie. I loved a man with style.

  Though you could tell that he was mixed with something, his African American genes were the more dominate ones. Aside from his hair, and when he spoke, he could have passed for a light skinned brotha’ any day.

  Now, usually light skinned men weren’t my favorite; but technically Levi didn’t apply to that category or stipulation because he was a… other. I’d had a taste of all kinds of men and throughout my taste testing; I had discovered that I loved Latino, Italian, or any man that was around that neighborhood, the most. It was just something about them. It was definitely something about Levi.

  His smile was very flirtatious and consisted of pearly white teeth and juicy, tanned lips. His facial hair was tamed and neatly groomed; trimmed to perfection. Levi's curly, black hair stood maybe an inch or two from his scalp and reminded me of a small, black toy poodle.

  That day, Levi talked on and on about the position but honestly I hadn’t heard a word that he had said. I was too busy concentrating on not jumping across the desk and straddling him like the stallion that he was.

  It was just something about a well educated man, in a suit, in a high position; a man of a certain status.

  A status man would have a bitch misbehaving; and that was nothing but the truth.

  No, I wasn’t a gold digger; I made my own money and plenty of it. I was just a sucker for intelligence and suave… a total turn on.

  Long story short, I got the job and somewhere along the line we became more than just coworkers, we became friends. Eventually we be
came lovers and now we were engaged to be married.

  Levi was the best thing that had ever happened to me; and I meant that from the bottom of my heart; Levi was a keeper. Outside of his looks, Levi knew how to please a woman on every level; in every area.

  He was what every man needed to be whether it was physically, emotionally, financially…and yes, even sexually.

  And did I mention he was all mine?

  I just wanted to make sure that was clear.

  Talk about a woman who wore her three carat engagement ring with pride and a smile. I grinned like a small child on Christmas morning as I thought about my 28th birthday last year…

  To start, let’s just say I wasn’t in one of the best of moods. I must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed or something; but for whatever reason, Levi and I just couldn’t seem to get along. We had argued all that morning like cats and dogs. Not the best way to begin a birthday.

  I remembered coming home early from work that day.

  I worked only half a day since it was my birthday.

  It was a little after noon and I had just as I reached for my phone when there was a knock at the door.

  At the time, I lived in a rather small one level house.

  Though Levi and I had been seeing each other for quite some time, we still had two separate living spaces; though we pretty much stayed at one house---most of the time, we stayed at mine.

  I opened the door to see the mail man standing there, holding a rather large envelope.

  Curious, I signed the form and accepted the Priority Mail.

  I figured it was something from my parents for my birthday but when I opened it this is what I read:

  Skilar, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. You are the definition of a superwoman. You are always there when I need you and even when I don’t. You are just so amazing. I just want to be the one that you wake up to for the rest of your life well…eventually. For right, now I will just take being the one that you wake up to here…turn over…

  Levi had taped two first class tickets to Maui on the back of the letter.

  Maui! Hell yeah, I was going to Hawaii!

  By far the best birthday gift I had ever received!

  Levi had always said that he wanted to show me to see the world…what a hell of a way to start!

  With a smile on my face as big as the sun, again, I reached for my phone, but there was another knock at the door.

  Aggravated by the disruption, I opened the door briskly only to see that it was the UPS man.

  What was Levi up to?

  The UPS fellow was carrying a rather large box. I smiled as I hurriedly signed for it; grabbing the box from his hands.

  I kicked the door shut and immediately started to unravel the package.

  I opened the box to see an exquisitely designed blue and silver dress; the same exact dress that I had planned to order online.

  Levi knew simply from our previously overly close friendship, that I had a thing for fashion.

  When I was younger, I actually wanted to be a famous designer, you know the ones that designed for models and runway shows. To date, I continued to sketch and probably had over a hundred original sketches that weren’t half bad. But how had he known that I had taken a look at this dress? He must have seen the picture in my photo gallery on my phone. That was the only logical explanation that I could come up with; but I didn’t really care how he had known. All I knew was that I absolutely adored him!

  Yes, it was my birthday; but he was going to get himself a damn good present later on that night; and you could take that to the bank.

  Before I could pull myself together from that gift, there was another knock at the door.

  This time I opened it cheerfully; hoping it was another gift.

  It was. This time it was a FedEx man who stood holding a box, that was twice the size of the other one; but it was so light.

  After closing the door, again, I opened the box only to find a smaller box inside. I opened the next box and there was another box; and then another…and then another.

  Finally, I reached a smaller box and when I opened, I reached in and pulled out a red and velvet, ring box.

  I covered my mouth with my left hand for only a second.

  I started to tremble as I opened it. I couldn’t believe this was happening…again. But I knew that this time it would be right; it would be wonderful.

  Levi was the one and there was no doubt about that. Together we were perfect; a match made in heaven.

  But to my surprise, upon opening the box; my dream was deferred as I noticed it didn’t have a ring but only a slip of paper.

  I frowned and read the slip of paper aloud which said: “One day, I will make you my wife. And on that day I will be the happiest man in the world. ONE DAY…”

  Though I was disappointed, I couldn’t help but beam at the thought. And at all of Levi’s efforts to make sure that this was the best birthday of my life.

  Never had I felt so special or so lucky; not even in my past.

  Still somewhat in my feelings, and still entertaining my thoughts, there was another pound at the door.

  Another surprise… Lord, when will this man stop?

  Not that I was complaining or anything.

  But Levi had started a war and he didn’t even know it…his birthday wasn’t that far away.

  I opened the door expecting another delivery surprise and boy did I get one!

  Levi was on his knees holding the missing diamond ring. His family and a host of our friends were all standing behind him.

  I covered my mouth with my hands, dropped my head and started to whimper.

  “I know I said one day…but what better day then today? Skilar Marie Parks…will you marry me?”

  And of course we all know the answer to that question.

  That day was the happiest day of my life; one I would never forget. After all, how could I ever forget something so amazing? And it was all just for me.

  Still smiling, I let go of my memories and came back to my reality. I finally turned to face Levi who had been waiting patiently for me to respond to him.

  There was nothing like having a best friend for a soul mate. If you don't have it or if you have never had it, you wouldn't understand. But if you ever found it, I'm here to tell you, that you sure as hell wouldn't let it go. You'll hold on to it with your life… or die trying.

  It just didn't get any better than that.

  And for me… it just didn’t get any better than him; Levi.

  “What do you want, huh?” I asked him playfully, as if I didn’t already know.

  Levi hadn't been able to come along with me to my sister’s wedding---minus the marriage, due to having meetings at work that he just couldn't get out of.

  I was in North Carolina for a little over a week and when I had gotten in the night before, thankfully, he was already asleep. So, I was sure that he was well overdue; and besides, his morning hard on was making it my last statement more than obvious.

  Levi smiled and kissed my nose. His hands began to trace the curves of my chocolate, naked body. I shivered just from his touch. We were so sexually in synced that it was almost scary. Our sex life was the bomb!

  Sex with Levi never got old; it never got boring.

  He was the best; and he knew it too.

  Levi rolled me onto my back with one quick motion and then weight conscious, he positioned himself on top of me.

  Sweeping my out of place hair away from face and behind my ears, he smiled at me.

  “I love you Ski. And I missed you.”

  “Dido,” I said with a giggle just before he devoured my lips.

  The way Levi kissed me always made me feel some kind of way. It was always so full of passion, love and fire; which instantly caused my faucet of pleasure to leak unstopping, soaking my inner thighs.

  As an adult, Levi was the only man that had ever truly satisfied me. Well, that was before…

  Yesterday, before heading to t
he airport, and after talking to Charlotte, I had gone over to Zack’s house.

  I was only supposed to talk to him for Charlotte…or for me…but something unexpected happened.

  I knew going to talk with him was a bad idea but never did I expect that things would go so far…too far.

  In broad daylight, right on the front porch, Zack kissed me and though I tried my best not to, I kissed him back.

  Zack’s kiss sent me into a trance, a daze…simply lost, for what seemed like forever.

  We must’ve kissed for about five minutes before I had managed to find the strength to pull myself away from him. But as I pulled away, Zack grabbed my hand, pulling me from the porch to the inside.

  He kicked the door closed behind me as his lips began the route back to my face. This time, I threw my hand up just in time to stop him.

  “Zack. Stop. This isn’t right. I’m engaged. And you are....well--- I came over here to talk about Charlotte,” I said speedily.

  Zack stopped abruptly and looked into my eyes.

  I could tell that he still had love for me and that it had never truly gone away.

  “Ski, what is there to say? We both know why I didn’t go through with it. I just couldn't. I didn’t realize how much I still loved you until I saw you again for the first time. All those years I tried to tell myself that we were just a fling but the truth was, I had lied to myself. Apparently you meant more to me than I thought you did. I had tried to hate you for years, but no matter how hard I tried…I couldn’t. And when I saw you last Christmas, all of those feelings that I had for you in the past, came rushing back. After seeing you, I tried and tried to break it off with Charlotte, but she was so happy. I knew that I should never have gone there in the first place but she was the closest thing that I would ever have to you. And for a while, that was enough. I never got over you Ski. I know it wasn't right and that it sounds bad but it's the truth,” Zack paused for just a moment to catch his breath. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, he continued.

  “After the wedding ceremony, I was sure that I would see things for what they were; in a different light and that my heart would allow me to start my life with Charlotte, but I guess my heart had other plans for me. Letting her go was the right thing---the best thing to do. You and I both know that. And I’m sure that Charlotte feels the same way too. The feelings I have for you never truly went away and now that were all grown up, I'm not sure if I want them to.