Gina excused herself to freshen up; Michael eyed Keith watching her go. He was glad for the brief respite so that he could get his brother’s opinion. He waited until Keith turned to face him. Keith did not utter a word. He just looked at him, and then gave him a big, thumbs-up sign.
Michael felt a smile lift from his heart and extend to his face. His grin became a full-fledged laugh. Keith joined in and lifted his right hand for a high five.
Gina entered her home that night, smiling. Standing against the door, she reveled in the fact that for the last three hours, she had been entertained by two of the most charming men that she had ever met! Michael was so attentive, and Keith, well, he was something else. She placed her hand over her chest. Michael hadn’t prepared her adequately to meet him.
Keith was hotness to the tenth power.
On the drive to her house, Michael had told her that Keith had given her a thumbs-up sign while she’d been in the bathroom. Gina moved her head from side to side, with attitude, and snapped her fingers. “You know it.”
She slipped out of her stilettos and headed for her living room. It was her favorite spot in the house. She had decorated it with light yellows and browns, giving the room a real airy and soothing effect. She chose to hang paintings that were relaxing to give the room more impact. After dealing with the rough kids of NYC, Gina needed somewhere that would calm her nerves.
She snapped her fingers. She’d almost forgotten the paperwork. She reached over to pick up the large brown envelope hanging over the edge of her nightstand. Carefully, she undid the clasp and took out the contents. There was a request for a character reference from the law firm of Bohlander & Associates on behalf of one of her former coworkers, Payton Marshall.
Gina would gladly comply with the request. Payton had been her mentor, and an excellent teacher. Picturing her blond curls and soft blue eyes, she couldn’t imagine Payton as the murderer the press made her out to be. Payton had been convicted of brutally slaughtering her husband due to the continuous abuse he inflicted upon her. Gina shook her head. Payton had covered her plight well, because the entire school had been shocked.
Goes to show that one just never knows what a battered wife looked like, because Payton had been the epitome of poise and gentleness. She seemed like she had it together, but she’d never said a word. Gathering her notepad and paper, Gina composed a rough draft that she would edit and type to send to the law firm. She hoped they would be able to help her friend.
Chapter Four
“Super Sabbath? What’s that?”
“It’s a big to-do, where we invite family and friends to come out to church. It’s the first weekend in October, and we’re having a catered luncheon,” Colleen explained. Clad in her silk camisole, she propped her feet on the bed to paint her toes. Her neck cricked from holding the cordless phone between her shoulder and ear, but she wanted to be ready when Terence came in. She’d found a bright red shade that she wanted to test out.
“I’ll try to make it, if I’m not going to see Payton,” Gina added.
Colleen rolled her eyes. “Gina, Payton did the crime. She needs to do the time. Why can’t you accept that?” This was a sore topic between them. At first, Colleen supported Gina’s dogged efforts, but it was time to let that go.
“I just know there’s more to it than that, Collie. Her husband beat her, and no woman should endure that. She was battered, and kudos to her for taking a stand,” Gina interjected.
Colleen huffed. “Yes, but she killed him—she didn’t tell anyone, she didn’t fight back. She killed him.”
Gina sideswiped the issue. “I’ll try to make it. I promise.”
“I know you’re trying to change the subject, Gina, but I’m your friend. I just don’t want you getting disappointed if things don’t work out.”
“Why don’t you pray for her, Colleen? Isn’t that the Christian thing to do?”
Gina’s mocking statement rankled her. She knew Gina wasn’t preaching at her—the same Gina who refused week-by-week to come to church. The Holy Spirit held her tongue. “I’ll pray for her. But, there is such a thing as praying amiss.”
“Take that off your toes this instant!”
Startled, Colleen almost dropped the tiny bottle of glitter red nail polish on the carpet. Her quick reflexes kicked in, and she saved the beige plush carpet from a nasty stain. She did, however, drop the phone.
“Is that Terence?” Gina’s voice pealed through the line.
Ignoring Terence, Colleen grabbed the phone. Terence had shoved his hands in his grey sweat-suit pockets. He eyed her toes and demanded, “I said take that devilish color off your toes.”
Embarrassed, Colleen whispered into the handset, “Gina, let me call you back.”
“Colleen, what’s going on? Colleen—”
She disconnected the line. Of course, Gina redialed. Colleen ignored the shrill ring to scuttle after Terence. He had some major explaining to do.
“Who were you talking to?” Terence inquired.
“Just Gina. I was inviting her to our Super Sabbath when you so rudely demanded I change my toes.”
Terence looked down at her toes with curled lips. He snarled, “That’s right. I don’t want you wearing that.” Just as abruptly, he changed the subject and shrugged out of his sweatpants. “I ran five miles today. You need to get on that treadmill as well.”
Was he calling her fat now? She was a size six and the five pounds she’d gained on her honeymoon hadn’t done any damage. But, no, she wouldn’t take the bait. She would be the better person. “Forgive me if I’m more concerned about Gina’s soul than some measly pounds.”
Terence winced at the barb. “Just be patient, Colleen. God has a path mapped out, and Gina has to find God on her own and in her own time.”
Colleen steered into a safer topic. “Well, He used you to bring me into the light, or should I say, return to Him.”
Terence smiled. He looked really handsome, so handsome that she was eager to help him out of his shirt. She kissed his cheek and massaged his temples. The sandalwood scent of the cologne he’d applied earlier in the day still held the warm, masculine fragrance she’d come to appreciate on him. Her agile fingers worked their magic, and she felt his body tense. She lifted her eyes to his and read his unspoken request. Colleen pressed on his shoulders until he sat in the chair by her vanity and proceeded to give him a light massage.
“You know just what I need,” Terence moaned in between words.
Colleen smiled at the sheer pleasure on his face. She pressed harder, knowing that his muscles were taut with stress. Soon, she felt them loosen under her ministrations and stilled her hands. She stepped away, intending to undress and take it to another level.
“No, wait, I have to talk to you.” Terence grasped her hand and gave her a light tug. Pliant, she fell into his arms and sat on his lap. Terence hugged her from behind. Colleen’s body heated. Whirls of desire built within her. She wanted her husband and pressed her body closer to him. She reached behind her to rub his head.
“Remember what we tried the other day? I want to do that again,” she purred. She trailed her fingers down his body and in one brash move, flipped around to straddle him. Colleen bent and blew tender kisses on his ear and neck. Her hands developed a life of their own.
Terence, however, had another idea. He stilled her hands. “I have a great suggestion for Super Sabbath. I think that would be a good time for you to get rebaptized.”
“Rebaptized?” Of all the things she’d thought he would say, that was the furthest from her mind. Her ardor cooled. Colleen pulled out of his arms and crisscrossed her arms in defiance. Terence ignored her and brought up an inconsequential matter. “I’m out of body wash.”
“There’s a spare bottle under the bathroom sink.” Colleen flailed her arms. Terence tore his T-shirt over his head and went to get the wash. She intended to follow him but noticed the red nail polish on the bed and picked it up. She placed it on her night stand, then confro
nted him though he’d entered the shower.
“What do you mean, rebaptized? I already rededicated my life to the Lord, isn’t that enough?”
Five minutes. She fumed in silence for five minutes while she waited for him to get out of the shower and walk into the closet.
“Yes, but your rebaptism would leave no doubt about your renewed commitment to God. Plus, it would put a stamp on my ministry, as I led you back to Christ, so to speak,” Terence addressed her, still inside the closet.
“Isn’t it about my relationship with God? Isn’t it about God getting the glory?”
Terence walked out, dressed in a crisp white undershirt and plaid pajama bottoms. He made Colleen feel naked in her silk camisole and underwear, so she reached for her robe and slid it on.
“I am not trying to steal God’s thunder,” Terence replied. “I am trying to be seriously considered for ministry. I think you should do it.”
Something about his tone sent off a warning bell. Was he saying she had to do it? “Terence, I can’t believe you feel I should do this. Well, I am not going to do it. I did the whole repentance thing already—you know, you were there.”
“Yes, but the others do not know. The single women need to see you do it openly as an example to them.”
Quizzical, Colleen held up her hands. “You are not making sense.”
Terrence’s voice took on a different quality. “Are you calling me stupid?”
“No, but I think—”
“Seems to me you’ve done enough thinking.” Terence rested his hands on his waist. “I’m the head of this family and you will get rebaptized two weeks from now. I don’t want to discuss it again.”
Colleen knew that for him the subject matter was closed. Her heart raced, and the hair on her neck raised. She couldn’t believe he had just used the whole “head of the family” line. God made man the head, but she was not the tail. She squeezed her eyes shut and willed herself to keep from making a fuss.
“It’ll solve two problems.” Terrence approached her and pulled her body toward him. “I’ll get what I need for the ministry, and Gina will surely come for an event like that.”
His last statement gave Colleen pause, but she said, “That’s true. I just don’t think—”
“Don’t think, baby. Just do. Do it for me.” Terence kissed her.
Colleen melted under his touch. She should be doing it for God, not for him. But her heart complied, because she loved her husband and wanted to please him. “Okay.” That one word fell off her lips like a thousand-pound boulder.
“You don’t know how happy that makes me.” Relief peppered his words. “I can’t wait to tell my mother.” He released her, climbed into bed, and pulled back the blankets.
Her hands flew to her hips. Had she just heard him right? “Your mother?”
“Yes, she suggested it.”
Colleen should have known. His mother was like a thorn in her side. When Terence purchased their home in Valley Stream, she’d been overjoyed . . . until she realized Francine lived seven minutes away. Francine was always showing up when she felt like it, to point out something she wasn’t doing right.
Yup. Colleen punched her pillows to release some tension. She had no doubt that the entire rebaptism idea wasn’t altruistic, but it was a jab at her. She knew it, but she couldn’t prove it. She got into her bed with a heavy heart.
“What’s the matter?” Terence asked.
You’re a mama’s boy, that’s what’s the matter, she thought, but said, “Nothing.” God, give me strength.
“Well, I am pleading for the pillows,” Terence joked.
Colleen didn’t laugh. From her side of the bed, a tear fell. She discreetly wiped it. She wasn’t even sure why she felt the need to cry, but she knew a voice inside her was asking, “Who’s going to plead for me?”
Chapter Five
Had he heard right?
Gina Price? Keith straightened. He sat around the burgundy oblong table with the other partners in the firm, where they gathered to discuss pressing cases. He raised his finger and piped up, “I’ll take it.”
“Huh?”
Keith knew he’d taken Carolyn Usher by surprise. “The Marshall case—I said I’ll take it.”
“But, there is nothing substantial here. All we have is a recalcitrant witness and the character recommendation of a schoolteacher. In fact, I was going to suggest that we drop this pro-bono case and research another that we have a newsworthy chance of winning.”
He was a senior partner and didn’t have to explain himself. “I said I’ll take it.” Keith extended his hand, arched an eyebrow, and pierced her with an imperial stare.
Displeased, she handed him the manila folder. Keith perused the contents and held back a grimace. He didn’t stand a chance of winning this one. Maybe he’d spoken up too soon. Keith flipped through the paltry contents and read Gina’s letter.
Her earnestness tugged at him. Without making his excuses, Keith abruptly left the semiannual pro-bono case meeting. He had a phone call to make.
He called Gina and asked her to meet him. Of course, she wanted to know why. “I’d rather discuss it with you in person. I’ll be there at one. Don’t be late.” He covered his demand with a light chuckle.
From inside his BMW, Keith watched her approach. Gina looked like a little doll with dangerous curves in her floral dress and wedges. A slight wind ruffled the ends of her dress, and he caught a glimpse of her legs. He released an involuntary, guttural groan. The wind swayed the dress, giving him a brief outline of her body. Michael has found himself a diamond, Keith thought. No doubt about it.
Gina bent over through the window, unknowingly giving him a generous view of her chest had she leaned over. Just a little more to the left, he thought. Keith crooked his finger and directed, with a friendly and neutral tone, “Get in.”
When Gina opened the door and slid into the seat, her dress pulled up and gave him another view of her legs. He watched as she adjusted herself. It was a good thing that he was taller than she was, or she would have thought he was a creep for ogling his brother’s woman. This is not going to be easy. He’d better watch himself, or he’d be in big trouble.
Keith pulled his mind back from precarious waters and pulled the vehicle away from the curb. He kept her engaged in small talk for the short ride while he navigated the busy Queens Boulevard. He honked his horn to another driver and slid into a parking space.
He touched the small of her back as he led her into the Mesa Grille. Within minutes, they were seated for lunch.
The waitress commented on how well he and Gina looked together and what a beautiful couple they made. Keith waved her off, realizing that she was fishing for a confirmation while shamelessly flirting. He thought that was tacky, but he was used to it.
Gina opened her mouth, but before she could correct the misperception, Keith piped up, “Thank you so much for the compliment.”
Gina said nothing, but once she left, he saw the question in her eyes.
“I didn’t want her to think I was available. Women are always flirting with me,” Keith stated.
She laughed, revealing beautiful teeth. “So you used me to fool an innocent woman and possibly broke her heart.”
“Yeah,” he said, without any remorse. Yeah, right. Admit it to yourself, at least. You like that people think you two are an item.
The waitress arrived quickly with their order, and the two settled down to eat.
“So,” Gina began while taking a bite of her salad, “what’s up?”
“I saw your letter.”
Gina wrinkled her nose and tilted her head. “What letter?”
“I’m a senior partner at Bohlander & Associates.” Keith waited.
Gina’s eyes widened and a broad smile stretched across her face. “You’re the attorney on Payton’s case?” Her face brightened the room like the sun after a rainstorm.
Keith looked at her sparkling eyes and felt a stirring within him. Her joy washed over
him, chipping at the shell around his heart. His heart flip-flopped. “I just took over the case today.” Gina moved to bombard him with questions. He raised his hand and chuckled at her enthusiasm. “I’ll need to review her case so I’ll know how to proceed.” Keith’s voice dropped. “So, you and I may need to confer in case you have to testify on the stand. But I’m hoping it won’t come to that. This case is difficult, but that’s my specialty.”
Gina nodded and bounced in her chair. “Oh, gladly, whenever you’re ready. I’m just happy to help in any way I can.”
Ready—apt word. Keith cleared his throat and maintained his cool. “I’ll let you know.”
Gina shook her head. “Wow. What are the odds that you would be the one on Payton’s case? Small world.” She bent her head to take another bite of her meal. Her hair swept across her face, and Keith yearned to reach over and touch it. Her skin looked smooth and soft. What would it feel like against his hand?
Keith dropped his fork on the table. “Gina.” He said her name lightly, like a whisper.
Gina’s fork stilled in midair, and she leaned forward at the mention of her name. Slowly, she put the utensil down on the table and gave him her full attention.
Awareness built and the atmosphere tightened. Keith savored the way her name rolled off his tongue, so he said it again.
“Whatever it is, Keith, just go ahead and say it. Because you’re making me nervous.” She waved a hand. “All sorts of things are running through my mind right now.”
Keith hesitated. This was difficult for him to say, but he knew it was now or never. He took a deep breath. “When I finally met you the other night, I must confess, I was ready to meet yet another floozy that Michael had found somewhere. I wasn’t prepared to encounter such a beautiful and poised woman. I was especially not prepared to react the way I did once I saw you.”
Walk a Straight Line Page 3
