by Leanne Tyler
“That’s it?”
Sue nodded.
“Boy you do lead a hum drum life.”
“Gee thanks.”
“I was hoping you’d say he at least kissed you good night when he took you home. He did take you home last night, didn’t he?”
“Yes. He did. I was home by midnight. He walked me to the door and made sure I got inside before he left, but there was no kiss.”
Kimberly sighed. “Well. It’s a start.”
“No one said we had to rush it. We’re getting to know one another. We have a real easy going camaraderie and I like that. There is nothing worse than feeling awkward around a guy. With Alex I feel almost as if I’ve known him forever, yet we talk about the things people getting to know each other do.”
“Oh…that sounds so sweet. Maybe he’s the one, Sue. Wouldn’t that be great?”
“Yeah, but I’m not getting my hopes up or even thinking along those lines. It’s too soon.”
Her sister sighed again. “Well don’t play it too cool with him because you don’t want to lose him. He’s a hottie.”
“Kimberly! I’m going to tell Phil.”
“No you won’t. If you do I’ll tell Alex you think he’s gorgeous.”
Sue glared at her and it wasn’t long before giggling erupted from the driver’s seat. She joined in and couldn’t remember when she’d felt so giddy about the prospects of what could happen.
The gris-gris warmed around her neck and she closed her eyes, remembering how it had done the same as she danced slowly with Alex last night. When he held her in his arms it had made everything feel right in the world. He even knew a few moves that had surprised her and his ability to waltz was really good. But he said he’d never had a professional dance lesson in his life, whereas, she’d taken tap and ballet for a few years as a young girl.
“You got quiet. What are you thinking about?”
“Dancing. Have you and Phil picked out the song you’ll dance to at the reception?”
“We’ve narrowed it down to three possibilities, but you know Phil isn’t much for dancing. He has agreed to one dance so I have to make it the best song for us.”
Kimberly pulled up in front of the dress shop and they got out. “I can’t wait to see each of you in your dresses today. Just one more reminder that the wedding is getting closer and closer. And there is still so much to do.” She touched Sue’s arm. “I know you are already doing my shower and personal shower, but I could really use your help getting a few of the details taken care of in the next few weeks. Do you think you’ll have the time?”
“Yes. Whatever you need. I’m at your disposal within reason.”
Her sister smiled and hugged her tight. “Thank you! I promise to stay within reason.”
The pristine coolness of the store always shocked Sue whenever she entered the dress shop. For the first time since her sister got engaged she didn’t dread being there. In fact, her eyes darted to the many racks of beaded and sequined white gowns that she had found so daunting when they’d began looking for Kimberly’s perfect dress last year. Now she found that these same racks were drawing her to them instead of repelling her. Yet she wouldn’t give in to the temptation to look through them. No. She was there to try on the cerulean blue gown that her sister picked out for the bridesmaids to wear. Nothing more.
The other bridesmaids were already there waiting on them to arrive. And they squealed when they saw Kimberly. She hurried to their little huddle and shared a group hug with them.
Sue held back, letting her sister bask in the glory of being the bride. These were her friends and this was her big day that approached. And if she played her cards right maybe one day very soon she’d be in the spotlight.
Alex stared at his reflection in the mirror, trying to decide if he liked what he saw or not. He hadn’t had on a formal tux since his senior prom. The many banquets and occasional dinner party he’d attended since had required a dinner jacket or expensive suit.
“What’s taking so long in there?” Brandon called, knocking on the dressing room door.
Reluctantly, Alex opened for him to see. He fiddled with the odd-colored blue cummerbund. “Is this right?”
When he looked up, he saw his pal looked exactly the same as he did. “I guess that answers my question.”
Brandon laughed. “They don’t call these monkey suits for nothing, but if I grab the attention of a hot babe while wearing this I’m all for it.”
Alex grinned and shook his head. “You never change, do you?”
“It’s all about the ladies, Alex. You could learn a thing or two from me.”
“I think I’m doing just fine on my own.”
“Now gentleman, let’s have a look at you,” the clerk said, coming into the dressing area with a cloth measuring tape hanging around his neck. He adjusted the jacket on Alex and smoothed the shoulders, checked the length of the sleeves, the inseam and length of the slacks. “I think it’s a perfect fit for you. How does the shirt fit?”
“Fine.”
“Excellent.” The clerk turned to Brandon and did the same to him before deciding they needed a different jacket size because the sleeves were a little short. “A long instead of a regular will do for you. I’ll be right back with it.”
Brandon took the jacket off. “You never said, but did you and Kimberly’s sister have a good time last night?”
Alex nodded. “We did.”
“You going to ask her out again?”
“I didn’t really ask her out, we just left the restaurant. But yeah, I think I’m going to ask her out for real.”
“Why not tonight? Since we can’t go hiking, you might as well enjoy yourself. I hope Keely doesn’t have the same feeling next week because I really want to go hiking before all the leaves change and fall off the trees.”
“True, but I don’t have her number.”
“I’m sure Phil must. Give him a call.”
Alex grabbed for his cellphone from the dressing room and was about to dial their friend when the clerk returned.
The man made the adjustment to Brandon’s attire and once he was satisfied, instructed them that they could change back into their street clothes. “I’ll have these ready for pick up the day before the wedding. If you should need anything between now and then please do not hesitate to call.”
“Good. I’m ready to get out of here.” Brandon headed into his dressing room and Alex did the same. He finished his call to Phil and got Sue’s number. He hurried and changed before he could think of reasons not to call her.
Getting into his truck he made the call and it rang several times. He was about to hang up when she finally answered.
“Hello?”
“Sue.”
“Yes.”
“It’s Alex. I got your number from Phil. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Hi. No. I don’t mind. What’s up?”
“I had a great time last night and was wondering if you didn’t already have plans if you’d want to do something tonight? I know it’s last minute…”
“I enjoyed last night too. No, I don’t have plans tonight. What did you have in mind?”
“Dinner? Maybe a movie?”
“I’d like that.”
“Great. I can call for you at five. I need to go see Keely. The doctor put her on bed rest for the day.”
“Oh no. I hope she’s okay.”
“Her ankles were swollen so she was to stay off her feet and eat more protein today. I’ll let you know how she’s doing when I come for you.”
“That sounds good. I’ll see you later.”
He ended the call and headed to his sister’s, feeling good about seeing Sue again.
Chapter Seven
After leaving Keely’s, Alex swung by his place to feed Duke, shave and change before he went to pick up Sue for their date. He walked up the flight of stairs at the apartment complex to her floor and knocked at her door. She answered, looking surprised he was there.
“Hi,” she said, holding a few pieces of paper in her hand.
She looked adorable standing there barefoot and downright sexy in the faded t-shirt and shorts she wore. He doubted she was ready for their date, but the sight of her dressed like this caused his body to tense, his throat to go dry. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her and he found his reaction unnerving.
“I-Is this a bad time?”
“No. No. Come on in. I told Kimberly I’d help her with a few wedding details today and she brought this long list over. I’ve been trying to figure out how I am going to manage it all in the next several weeks. I guess I let time slip away from me. Can you give me fifteen minutes to change?”
“Sure. Take your time.”
“Would you like something to drink while you wait?” she asked closing the door behind him.
“I’m fine.”
“Okay. Go on into the living room and have a seat.”
He went into the room, but he didn’t sit. He liked the open floor plan and the white crown molding that encased the gas fireplace.
“How was Keely?” she asked, putting the papers on the small antique secretary desk in the corner.
“Better. She was napping when I got there. Darren said she’d been sleeping off and on all day and her ankles weren’t as swollen. She woke right before I left and assured me she was fine and would be back to work on Monday.”
“That’s good.” Sue handed him the television remote. “Watch whatever you like. I won’t be long.”
“Okay.” He reached for the remote but grasped her hand instead. He pulled her to him. “If you’d rather not go out we can stay in.”
A flush crept up her cheeks. “And do what?”
He shrugged. “I’m sure we could come up with something.”
She looked up at him through thick lashes and licked her tempting lips.
He cupped her cheek with his hand and ran the pad of his thumb across her lips before he lowered his head and brushed his against hers. She snaked her arms around his neck and smiled, rising up on her tiptoes to meet his next kiss. He held her close, enjoying the feel of her against him as he slipped his tongue into her mouth and tangled it slowly with hers.
Heart pounding, Sue broke the kiss as alarm bells went off in her head. What were they doing? This was too much, too soon, especially after their intimate dancing last night. She swallowed hard and pushed the remote toward him again. “I better go change.”
He nodded, took the remote, and turned toward the couch.
Like a silly schoolgirl, she hurried from the room to the safety of her bedroom and closed the door. She leaned against it while her mind raced ahead to where that kiss could have gone. Heat and tingles of awareness flooded over her from head to toe and she knew she was in big trouble. It didn’t help that the gris-gris burned hot against her chest. She swallowed hard, taking several deep breaths until her heart stopped racing.
When she finally felt more in control, she slowly pushed away from the door, discarding her t-shirt and shorts as she went to her closet to select something to wear. The only problem was everything she pulled out made her afraid it would look too sexy on and he’d want to kiss her again. If that happened, they’d never leave.
“Get a grip, girl.”
Finally, she settled on a peasant style gauzy top in teal and tan khaki pants. She matched it with coral earrings and a lightweight sweater in the same color for when it got cooler later. Slipping on a pair of canvas walkers, she hurried into the bathroom to check her hair and touch up her make up. She brushed her teeth and applied lip gloss.
Satisfied, she emerged from her bedroom to rejoin Alex, but the grim expression on his face as he stared at his cellphone told her something was wrong. When he didn’t glance her way she made her presence known. “I’m ready. Sorry you had to wait.”
He held his cellphone up for her to see. “I—I have to go. I’m sorry, but we can’t go out after all.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
“Darren just sent me a text. They’re headed to the hospital. Keely’s water broke. The baby is coming.”
“B-but, she isn’t due for another couple of months. Are you sure you read the message right?”
He tossed her his phone, looking like he wanted to bolt for the door instead of explain things to her. She read the display and sure enough Darren had wrote: Her water broke. On the way to the hospital. Babys coming.
“This doesn’t make sense. You said Keely was fine when you saw her earlier today.”
“Yes. She was and now this. How could her water break at this point in the pregnancy?”
“Women go into premature labor all the time. I’m sure the doctors will know what to do.”
He took a few steps toward the door, but stopped and turned around. “Which hospital? I—I haven’t a clue where Darren is taking her.”
Sue thought a minute trying to recall the name of Keely’s doctor. “Tennova. He’ll take her to the Women’s Pavilion. She and Jama see the same group of doctors.”
“I should have known that.” He clutched his hand to his chest. The color had drained from his face and he looked green around the mouth.
“Do you want me to come with you?”
He nodded, bending over at the waist. He took several deep breaths as if he were having difficulty breathing. “Would you? I don’t think I can drive. What if she loses the baby? Or worse yet, what if we lose her? She’s all the family I have left.”
The desperation in his voice sent her feet to moving. She grabbed her purse and car keys off the kitchen counter. “We’ll take my car. Come on.” She placed her arm around him for reassurance. “There’s no time to panic right now. We’ll go to the hospital and find out what is happening. It could be a false alarm.”
He took a few shallow breaths and stood up straight. “But her water broke. I don’t think that could be a false alarm.”
“There are many reasons for there to be fluids leaking besides that. She could have had a bladder spasm. Remember, Darren is going to be a first time father. He could be panicking just like you.”
Alex stopped walking and glared at her. “You think I’m overreacting.”
“If the shoe fits.”
He glared at her for a full five seconds and then he began to laugh at himself. She was totally right. He was acting like…well he wasn’t sure what, but if Phil or Brandon were here witnessing his meltdown they’d never let him live it down. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize. She’s your sister. You love her. I get that. Now let’s go.” She opened the apartment door for him to exit.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“No sassing me, mister.” Her stern tone, but smirky grin told him she was trying to lighten the mood.
“I wasn’t—”
She held up a finger and it stopped him from saying more. The ‘don’t mess with me’ look on her pretty face had him feeling warm all over again like he had from their earlier kiss. Even the small bottle he carried in his pocket heated. He shoved his hand in there and grasped the smooth surface surprised that it really was warm. Had his body heat caused it?
Punching the key fob, she unlocked the doors and he climbed into her car. Within seconds they were on their way to the hospital. He tried to stay calm as Sue drove the back roads, but he couldn’t stop thinking about what might happen to Keely and the baby. It really was too early for her to deliver.
Luckily they had no trouble parking. They found a spot at a meter along the street near the hospital and were able to hurry into the building. They took the elevator up to the second floor and stopped at the nurses’ station to check the board for which room she was in.
“I don’t see her name.”
“Me either.”
“Can I help you folks?” a nurse asked looking up from the chart she was working in.
“Keely Jones. Has she been admitted yet?” he asked.
“She may have been admitted as Keely Wright,” Sue added.
The nurse scanne
d a print out and shook her head. “Sorry. The only Wright we have is Jama Wright Landers.”
Sue began to laugh.
“What’s so funny?” He frowned and glanced at her.
“Don’t you get it?” She lightly hit him on the shoulder with the back of her hand. “That text wasn’t about Keely, but Jama. Keely’s not in labor, but Darren’s sister Jama. The twins are coming.”
“Then why would Darren text me?”
Sue shrugged. “Who knows.”
“The family is waiting in the sitting area at the end of the hall if you wish to join them,” the nurse offered.
“Thank you.” Sue smiled and slipped her arm around his. She looked up at him. “Do you want to go see for yourself?”
He nodded and they started down the hall to the waiting area when the elevator doors opened and Keely and Darren stepped off. They both looked surprised to see them there.
“What are you two doing here?” Keely asked.
“I got Darren’s text and I thought it was about you.”
“What text?” Keely looked at her husband. “Darren?”
He winced. “Sorry bro. I got a little excited when Kyle called. I’ve set up a group in my phone so when Keely goes into labor I can reach all of the family at once. I wasn’t thinking and I used it to let them know about Jama.”
“But you didn’t say Jama.” Alex pulled out his phone and showed him the text message he got. “And after Keely was put on bed rest today I—I thought the worst. It’s way too soon for her to go into labor.”
“I thought he was going to hyperventilate,” Sue said.
“Oh, Alex.” Keely hugged him. “I’m sorry.”
“I am too.” Darren patted him on his back. “Can you forgive me?”
He nodded and set his sister away from him. “Keels, shouldn’t you be off your feet?”
“Yeah. I need to get to the waiting area and sit down. My doctor will not be happy with me if he sees I’m here instead of at home following his orders.”
Darren wrapped a protective arm around Keely’s waist. “I tried to get her a wheelchair at admitting downstairs, but she wouldn’t hear of it.”
