Tender Touch

by Emery, Lynn

  “I never start anything without knowing exactly what I’m doing, brother.” Tavis stood up. “Someone I know will make sure the press finds out about the old man Knight’s sweet deals.”

  Bill looked satisfied. “Just make sure the article is published in the next few days.”

  * * *

  “Impressive, Rachelle.” Damon looked at the colorful sketches in the presentation folder. “And with our expansion, we really do need to update our marketing strategy.” He had barely touched the plate of broiled fish in front of him.

  “Of course, sugar. Knight and Sons has to establish its own niche in the marketplace. These figures show just where your customers are and how we can best appeal to them.” Rachelle moved closer to him. “Look on page eleven.”

  “Yes, that sounds like a great idea.” Damon’s thoughts raced ahead to the wider implications. “Bereniece Howard could do interior decorating consultations. I’ve done a little work with her before.”

  “The number of upper-class folks, especially African-American, is on the increase in Baton Rouge. They have disposable income to spend on their homes. Especially all those aspiring society women who host club meetings in their homes.” Rachelle winked at him.

  Damon put down the proposal and started on his lunch. “Rachelle, I have a confession. I didn’t take you seriously about doing market research and a plan for Knight and Sons.”

  “I’m always serious about making money, sugar. Always.” Rachelle took a sip of diet cola.

  “No need to remind me. I went through a divorce settlement with you, remember?” Damon said, one dark eyebrow raised.

  “Now, now. Let’s not go there.” Rachelle chuckled. “Truth is, my uncle saw the possibilities, but he was afraid to approach you.”

  “I don’t have any reason to be angry at him.”

  “Exactly what I told him. Anyway, I’m going to start on the campaign right away.” Rachelle lifted her hands in the air.

  “Perfect. This lunch didn’t turn out at all the way I expected.” Damon looked at her with an amused gleam in his eye. “This has been a surprising afternoon.”

  Rachelle dabbed the comers of her mouth with a cloth napkin. Her lips were painted with a creamy red lipstick that perfectly matched her outfit. “You have no idea how surprising, sugar. No idea.”

  * * *

  “Jade, sweetheart.” Nick tried to kiss her cheek. He beamed a forgiving smile when Jade put a restraining hand on his chest.

  “Make this fast, Nick.” Jade sat down at the table. The lunchtime crowd in LeBlanc’s downtown was thick as usual. She’d agreed to see Nick only because the restaurant was near her office, he’d said something about needing her signature on some papers. “What about the duplex apartments?”

  “Well, you know my lawyer says after sorting through the tangle... By the way your lady lawyer is one clever legal detective.” Nick did not seem at all angry.

  “I’ll tell her of your deep admiration,” Jade retorted. . She gave him a sour look. “Why couldn’t I just sign the papers at Bevry’s office? We didn’t need to meet.”

  “I asked Kevin not to mail them.” Nick stopped while they ordered lunch from the young waitress. “I wanted to see you.”

  “I can’t imagine why, Nick.” Jade was on guard. “If you think I’m going to take less money for the sale—”

  “No, no. I have no intention of fighting you on money.” Nick smiled at her again.

  “Then why are we here?”

  Nick grew serious. “Seeing you the other night made me realize how much I’ve missed you.”

  Jade’s sharp laugh cut him off. She crossed her arms. “You’ve got to be kidding. After all this time, you can’t really believe your boyish charm will work on me. You haven’t exactly been lonesome from what I could see.”

  “Sure, I’ve been dating, but nothing serious. Not since you.” Nick assumed a sincere look.

  Jade picked up her purse from the empty chair next to her. “I’m going to do you one last favor. I’m not going to let you waste your valuable time on a lost cause.”

  He rested a hand on her arm. “Wait, don’t go. We’ve known each other since we were little kids. We were best pals long before we got married. We could be again.”

  “How long have you been having these hallucinations, dear?” Jade used two fingers to lift his hand from her arm.

  “Look, I made a terrible mistake, but do you really hate me so much?” Nick started to touch her again then thought better of it after the look she gave him.

  “Nick, I don’t hate you. Matter of fact I’m not even angry anymore. I was as much at fault. I jumped into marrying you as a way to feel good about myself. You only let me believe the fantasy I wanted to believe.”

  Jade knew it was true. Nick was there to give her all the attention she’d missed at home. He said what she needed to hear. Because of her hunger for affection, she had closed her eyes to his true nature.

  “I guess we’ve both grown over the years. To tell you the truth, I’m burned out on all those empty relationships. A warm body next to me isn’t enough anymore.”

  “What bolt of lightning completely changed your personality?” Jade shot him a cynical look.

  “My mother’s death last year changed me.” Nick stared off with a thoughtful expression.

  “I was really sorry about Miss Telma. She was a sweet lady.” Jade now felt like a heel for being so flip with him. Though she thought Nick walked on water, his mother had always been kind to Jade. Jade had gone to the wake services but stayed in the background. “

  “She really liked you, too.” Nick gazed at her with fondness. “So can’t we let all that old history go and learn how to be buddies again?” Nick put a hand on the back of her chair. “Come on.”

  Jade did find that Nick seemed different somehow. Losing his mother could well have forced him to look at his life. But still his treatment of her could not be so easily forgotten.

  “Nick, I have no animosity toward you, but we can’t go back.”

  “That’s a given, Jade. Time has changed us both. But we can be friends on a whole new basis of mutual respect for who we are now.”

  “I guess so.” Jade could see no reason not to be cordial to him.

  “Well, just think about it.” Nick seemed relaxed already in his new role as friend. “Besides, we’ll see each other again.”

  “Uh, don’t jump to conclusions.” Jade scowled at him.

  “We’ll be business partners so to speak. We could make a good deal of money on the sale of this property to an industrial complex.” Nick took an envelope out of this inside pocket.

  “I’ll get my check and that will be the end of it, Nick. No more business.” Jade was curious despite her distrust of Nick’s motives.

  “My uncle and I want to lease part of the property at a greater profit. And we can have an interest in the other businesses who want to locate on it.”

  Nick launched into a description of the possibilities. Jade listened carefully, interrupting often to ask questions. She was definitely more impressed with the proposition.

  “Okay, get the legal documents to Bevry, and I’ll get back to you after talking to her.” Jade took a final bite of her shrimp remoulade.

  “Good.” Nick watched her for a few seconds, a smile on his face. “Unfortunately I’ve got to leave for a charity committee meeting... Say, isn’t there’s your friend Damon Knight with his ex-wife Rachelle. She’s still a knockout.”

  Jade followed his gaze to see Damon throw back his head to laugh at something Rachelle said. “Yes, she is.”

  Rachelle was dressed in a brick red power suit trimmed in navy and a crisp white shirt underneath. Her brown hair was twisted up in a French roll. Jade compared herself to the elegant woman standing next to Damon. If Rachelle was back in Damon’s life, Jade would be no match for her. That little green- eyed monster called jealousy pounced at the sight of his arm on Rachelle’s.

  “They were a hot couple at one
time. Man, he was crazy about her.” Nick cleared his throat. He put just a touch of doubt in his tone as he darted a glance at Jade then back at the laughing pair. They’d paused to talk to a group of businessmen eating lunch. “Aren’t you seeing him... socially?”

  “Yes, I am.” Jade tried to sound casual. “He’s probably just being nice. I mean, you and I are having lunch.”

  “I’m sure you’re right. Gossip doesn’t mean a thing. What’s that old saying? ‘Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.’” Nick went back to eating his pasta with crabmeat.

  “What gossip?” Jade said sharply.

  “Well, they’ve been seen together a couple of times. People are saying maybe they plan to reconcile. Now I know better since you two are still together, right?” Nick shrugged. “Obviously my sister and her friends are dead wrong.”

  “Obviously.”

  Jade’s lunch seemed to be congealing in the pit of her stomach. She struggled to conceal her shock at seeing Damon with Rachelle. Nick’s comment about the gossip was too perfectly timed. Yet even as she felt sure Nick was manipulating the situation to his advantage, Jade could not help but wonder how much was true.

  “I don’t mean to sound sexist, but women talk too much. Felicia said—”

  Jade stood up. She did not care to hear what his sister had to say. “I’ve need to get back to the office.”

  “Sure, babe. I’ll get the check. You go on.” Nick took his napkin from his lap then stood also. “Let’s get together again. I enjoyed myself very much.”

  “Thank you, Nick. Goodbye.” Jade left without meeting his gaze.

  “Goodbye, Jade. I’ll be seeing you.” Nick sat back down with a smug expression. “Real soon.”

  Chapter 13

  “Hey, what’s the emergency?” Shaena hurried inside Jade’s apartment and looked around. “You sick?”

  “No emergency. I’ve got some herbal tea brewing.” Jade went into the kitchen.

  “Say what? You called in the middle of one of my favorite Girlfriends reruns, say you really need to talk, and then offer me a cup of herbal tea.” Shaena put both hands on her hips. “Girl, please. I’m going to have to hurt you.”

  “And I baked some angel food cake muffins. A perfect low-fat, low-calorie treat.” Jade did not seem to hear her. She was too busy darting around gathering cups, saucers and napkins. “Go sit down.”

  “Oh-oh, you’ve been baking. This is an emergency. Who died?” Shaena said in a hushed voice.

  “Nobody has died. I just wanted to talk.”

  Shaena snatched a stack of napkins Jade was about to stuff into a holder on her counter. She sat down on one of her breakfast stools and pulled Jade down on the one next to her. “Quit stalling and give it up.”

  “Our tea is getting cold.” Jade reached for the steaming cups.

  “No, it’s not.” Shaena slapped her hand. “Start talking.”

  “Damon’s leaving me,” Jade blurted out. “It’s over.”

  “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. When did he tell you?” Shaena shoved a muffin in front of Jade then patted her back.

  “Well, he hasn’t. Not directly.” Jade drew in a ragged breath.

  “Damon is leaving you,” Shaena said.

  “Yes.” Jade bit her lip.

  “But he hasn’t told you yet.”

  “Right.”

  “I’m missing something here.” Shaena blinked rapidly. “Let’s start again.”

  “I saw Damon with his ex-wife. They were having lunch. More than that, they were having a good time.” Jade could see Damon’s hand on Rachelle’s back. “A real good time.”

  “Well, that might not mean a thing. Maybe they had some kind of business,” Shaena offered.

  “The thing is, now I’m beginning to think I’ve seen only what I wanted to see in him. No man has made me feel as special as Damon.” Jade knew this was an understatement. Damon touched her like no one else.

  “Damon made you glow all over, honey. See? Just staying his name has you lit up.”

  “Maybe he’s just a better class of player than the rest.”

  Shaena propped an elbow on the countertop. “I can think of a dozen completely innocent reasons for them to have been together. Did you speak to them?”

  “No. Nick was with me, and I didn’t want to give him any more satisfaction. He was gloating enough as it was.” Jade groaned. “He pointed them out to me.”

  “So you were with your ex-husband, but of course you’re above suspicion.” Shaena crossed her arms.

  “You didn’t see the look of pain in Damon’s eyes when he talked about Rachelle. Or the way he smiled at her when I saw them today.” Jade felt a hollow sadness. “Everybody talks about how in love they were. Even Damon said so.”

  “Even ‘solid as a rock’ love affairs end. Look, you don’t need to talk to me. You should be talking to Damon.” Shaena pointed to the cordless telephone. “Call him.”

  “And say what?”

  “Hello is a nice start.” Shaena got up.

  “That’s your wise advice? Shaena, you’ve got to help me think of what to say. Why do you think I got you over here?” Jade pleaded.

  “Oh, no.” Shaena shook her head.

  “Don’t you dare walk out on me, Shaena Greene.” Jade advanced to block her exit.

  “Look, when it comes to men suspected of lying, I go a little nuts. I have these awful flashbacks, of every bad break-up. Somehow I always end up with a blunt object in my hand.” Shaena backed away from her. “Just let me know how it turns out.”

  “Thanks a lot.” Jade looked forlorn.

  Shaena put both hands on her shoulders. “Jade, if you want this to work then be up front with him. Don’t stew about it. If he’s lying, you’ll find out. We’ve both been there before.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of, Shaena—that I’ll hear the familiar false note in his denial. The ‘Oh, come on, baby, you know I wouldn’t do that’ line.”

  “Damon doesn’t impress me as the type to put on such a sleazy act,” Shaena said.

  “We’ve both been wrong before. Spectacularly wrong,” Jade said with a grimace.

  “You’re judging him based on your experience with Nick. Don’t make up your mind before you talk to him. Otherwise, it won’t be a conversation but an inquisition.” Shaena spoke in a logical tone.

  Jade raked her hair with her fingers. “This is the reason I didn’t want to fall in love. You’re always one step away from misery.”

  “And a heartbeat from heaven. Love brings a lot of happiness, too,” Shaena said in a soft, sympathetic voice.

  “I know,” Jade murmured.

  “I meant what I said. You call me anytime.” Shaena gave her a hug.

  “Thanks, Shaena.” Jade held her tight for a second before letting her go. “Even if you are deserting me in my time of need.”

  “Don’t give me that bull, call him.” Shaena pointed to the telephone. “Goodbye.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Call him.” Jade stared at the phone as though it were a coiled snake she was afraid to touch.

  * * *

  Damon sat drumming his fingers on the dark green tablecloth. As usual, Ethel’s was packed. The unassuming little soul food restaurant was an institution in the city. Strong, delectable smells of jambalaya, com bread and fried chicken filled the air. A strong contingent of Southern University students and professors, here for the good prices as well as the good food, made up a large portion of the chattering crowd. But Damon did not notice the enticing scents. He waved at friends with a distracted smile.

  “Well, this place brings back memories.” Bill shook his hand and sat down. “How are you? Whew, food still looks good.” He waved to the tall, stately owner, Ethel’s granddaughter, behind the counter. “Hey, Rose, you looking good, cher.”

  Rose beamed at them as she approached. “Well, how you doin’, Mr. Big? Damon, I love how my new tile looks. Your workers did a fine job. You boys keeping outta trouble, I hope.” Sh
e winked at them.

  “Yes, indeed.” Bill winked back. “Haven’t we always?”

  Rose threw back her head to laugh out loud. “You devil, ain’t changed one bit.” She called out to a young waitress to take their orders before she went back to work.

  Bill took a long drink of iced tea. “So I hope things at the center are going well. That grant should help a lot.”

  “Yes, it does. In fact that’s the reason I wanted to talk to you.” Damon sat forward.

  “Away from the office and prying eyes? What is this about, Damon?” Bill did not seem upset, merely curious. He also had the demeanor of a man humoring an old acquaintance.

  “I know you’re very busy,” was Damon’s only reply by way of an apology. “About the hearing coming up, what’s the real story?”

  “Nothing to worry about. With the new administration, every project or program is under scrutiny. We’ll give them the information they want, and that will be the end of it.”

  “But Dumaine is asking all kinds of questions.”

  “Which were answered to his satisfaction. Listen, if that’s your only concern we can have a pleasant lunch.”

  “Bill, there are persistent rumors about impropriety in the way certain programs and funds are being administered. Now if Dumaine is satisfied, why am I going to a Senate hearing before the Health and Welfare Committee?”

  “Oh, that. You hearings are routine in preparation for the legislative session.” Bill maintained his relaxed posture. He toyed with his dinner fork.

  “Except that these whispers won’t go away. Level with me.” Damon struggled to hold on to his temper. This condescending attitude was wearing his patience thin. His brown eyes bored into Bill.

  Bill heaved a sigh as though indulging him. “All right. There have been a few questions on how we’ve administered funds.” He returned Damon’s gaze with a slight smile. “But Jade and I worked hard to prepare evidence to show otherwise.”

  “So you have a paper trail.” Damon stiffened at the mention of Jade but chose to ignore Bill’s reference to their late nights. “And you use the word evidence like you expect to go on trial.”