Grayson stood up, his face a thundercloud. “Yes, same age as I am. I think it’s time for you to go home, Ted.”
“But I—”
“Good night.”
Nola snorted, and Ted headed toward the door. Letreece looked at Roman and also stood. “I guess I’ll get going. Ted, you want to give me a ride?”
Tonya pushed herself upright. “Are you sure, Letreece?”
She sucked her teeth. “I’m fine. Call you tomorrow. Later.”
Tonya must have responded, but then she thought she’d fallen asleep. The next time she opened her eyes, Roman snored at her side, and no one else was around. The house sat quiet, and most of the lights were turned off. She shoved at Roman.
“We should go upstairs.”
He snorted and scratched his side, but didn’t budge. She gave him another shove and then put a hand to her head, which spun like a top. This was why she didn’t drink much. She needed to go to the bathroom bad, but when she stood, the floor came rushing up to meet her face. The carpet muffled her small cry, but the next instant, strong hands curved around her waist and hoisted her to her feet.
She blinked and looked into Grayson’s eyes. “I fell,” she said stupidly.
He grinned. “I noticed. Come on. I’ll help you to bed.”
“No, that’s okay. I have to get Roman.”
“I’ll get him after I get you settled.”
She protested some more, but he ignored her and held her tight to his side. Clinging to his shirt, she cursed herself for being in this position. The last person she needed to see her this way was Grayson. Even if he was Roman’s friend, he was also her soon to be boss. When she stubbed her toe halfway to the bedroom he had assigned her, he made an inpatient noise in his throat and whipped her into his arms.
“Put me down, Gray. I can walk.”
“Apparently not.”
“So embarrassing. I’m just a little dizzy.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
She peeked up from his chest into his face. His gaze focused forward as he climbed the stairs, and he showed nothing of what he thought of her drunkenness, but she had the impression he didn’t think much of her. After all, it was just as Ted had said. Being fresh out of college and eight years his and Roman’s junior, she must seem like an opportunist, someone after Roman because of his prospects. Grayson had never said so, but she did wonder.
When he kicked the bedroom door open and dumped her on the bed, she looked again into his face. He turned away. “Gray?”
He stopped, his back still to her.
“Thank you. I…” How did she tell him what Roman meant to her and that she promised to do all she could to make him as happy as he had made her? “Um, nothing. Just thanks for looking out for us. Is Aunt Linn okay? She spent the night, right?”
He still didn’t turn around. “No, I took her home earlier in the night before things got rowdy.”
“I didn’t see her.”
“She said she would see you tomorrow.” He strode to the door and started pulling it closed. “Good night, Tonya.”
“What about Roman?”
“I’ll take care of him.”
She let him shut the door then and flopped back on the bed. Only after she’d started to drift off did she remember she needed to go to the bathroom but probably wouldn’t make it. As sleep claimed her, she dreamed of strong arms and a warm chest—comforting and protective. She tucked a hand beneath her chin and yawned. “Mm, Roman.”
Chapter Three
Tonya ended the call and rolled over in her bed. She folded her hands under her chin and stared at nothing. Beside her, the warm body of her puppy wriggled as he burrowed beneath the covers. She reached over and dug him out then scratched behind his ears. Was she making the right decision? This was serious business, and once she’d been involved, there was no going back. Her wedding just days away, she couldn’t believe she was considering something like this of all things. She reached for her cell again and pulled Roman’s number up on the screen. Her finger hovered over the spot to connect, but she hesitated. On impulse, she pressed the back button and brought up Grayson’s number instead. A sharp stab of pain tightened the muscles of her stomach. No way could she call him.
Sighing, she slid from her bed and strode through the apartment to the dining room. Pookie, the puppy, followed her after navigating the pet stairs she had set against the foot of the bed. On a hook that once held a potted plant she’d killed in the first week of owning it, her wedding dress hung. The sheer volume of the dress with its train and the veil made it too big to fit in her tiny closet, which had never held all of her regular clothes very well. Now that she had less furniture in the apartment in preparation of moving in with Roman, the dining room was the perfect place for the dress. She spent all of her time at Roman’s condo anyway, so he had little chance of catching sight of the dress here.
“Good decisions and bad decisions,” she said. Maybe she shouldn’t. She chewed her lip, thinking some more. Her cell rang, and she realized she clutched it like a vise in her hand. The display read Aunt Linn, and she groaned. Most of the time, she enjoyed talking to the older woman, but not right now. Waiting until the last possible moment, she clicked connect. “Hello?”
“Good morning, Tonya, my darling. How are you?”
“Aunt Linn, morning. I’m okay. How are you feeling? The migraine gone?”
“Oh, yes, thank goodness. I can’t party like I used to.”
Tonya laughed. Aunt Linn had hardly “partied” at all, and Grayson’s gathering had been three days ago. Despite that, Roman’s great aunt had been down with a migraine ever since. Tonya felt sorry for her. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. What’s on the schedule for today?”
“How about you and I go shopping?” Aunt Linn suggested. “We haven’t spent time together in awhile, and you’re about to steal my baby.”
Tonya’s mouth fell open, and she searched for words to say.
Aunt Linn laughed. “I didn’t mean it like that, sweetheart. You know I love you, Tonya, like the daughter I never had.”
Tonya wrinkled her nose. “I…” she began, but really didn’t have a clue how to respond.
“I apologize, sweetie. That comment was in poor taste. The truth is, I’ve always loved Roman as my own. When his parents left him on my doorstep, I was angry with them, but I already loved him. I started thinking of him as my son, especially since I couldn’t have children. When a man marries, he leaves his old relationship with his mother behind and bonds with his wife. Nothing’s ever the same.”
Tonya’s heart softened “Of course. I understand, and I’m not taking him away. We’ll both be at your place more than you’ll want us there, enjoying your great cooking.”
A pleased chuckle escaped the woman. “Oh yes, I can always lure you two with my chicken pot pie. Anyway, my dear, I know you will make Roman the happiest man on earth, and I will be there to wish you both the most wonderful of lives together.”
Tonya dipped her head and picked at a spot on the dining room tablecloth. She shifted from one foot to the other and glanced again at her dress. “Thank you, Aunt Linn. Um, about shopping, I’d love to go, but I have something to do today. Some errands. Can I get a rain check?”
“Of course. Call me when you’re ready.”
“Thanks. I will.”
Soon after, Tonya ended the call and returned to her room to shower. She stood in front of her closet and sorted through the dresses there. At first, she had decided to pack away the few she owned because she preferred a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Casual was the name of the game for her, especially during her days of cram sessions, eating pizza, and drinking soda. Those times were behind her, and the college twenty she had gained had melted off with discipline over the summer. After all, she had needed to look hot for her wedding.
Standing before the full-length mirror on her closet door, she checked out her figure. Longish legs, round hips, and a semi-flat belly. The skin wasn�
�t as tight as she would have liked, but then the twenty had to hang somewhere, and that had been around her middle. No matter, she looked pretty damn good, and she was still young enough for her skin to get it together. Roman had seen her naked, and he loved her.
She sighed and pushed the closet door wide. Just any dress, she decided. After shutting her eyes, she reached out and felt around. What her fingers landed on, she tugged out and looked down. The leopard print. Nice. Why was she stressing?
Just go and…do it. You already decided.
When she was dressed, she picked up her purse and walked to the front door. Pookie yipped, and she bent down to tickle his belly when he rolled over. “No, you can’t go, Pookie.”
She left the whining puppy and crossed the hall to Letreece’s apartment. Her friend took her time answering, and Tonya groaned in impatience. Don’t let her ask me any questions, please.
Letreece opened the door. “Ain’t you cute this morning?” She gestured with her hand, taking in Tonya’s form from head to toe. “Loving the whole leopard thing. Of course, I already have—”
“Letreece,” Tonya interrupted. “I’m sorry, girl. I’m in a hurry, but could you please do me a favor and take Pookie for a walk in a couple hours? I’m going to be awhile.”
Her friend’s brows went up. “What you doing, girl? Why I feel like you’re up to something?”
Tonya sucked her teeth and put her hand on her hip. “Because you’re always up to something, everybody else has to be?” She forced a laugh, and after a flash of annoyance in Letreece’s gaze, she laughed too.
“Whatever. Yeah, sure, I’ll take the rag mop out, but I’m not calling him Pookie in public.”
This time, Tonya’s laugh was genuine. “Come on. You know you love that name.”
“Yeah, no.”
Tonya stuck out her tongue. “Well, I do. I named him for my pookie Roman, who gave him to me, so that’s his name. I’ll see you later, okay? Call me if you have any problems with him. I’ll get back as soon as I can. Thanks.”
Tonya walked out of the apartment building and started down the street. She strolled two blocks in the opposite direction to the one she usually took and stopped to wait. Checking her phone every so often for a text, she battled second thoughts. Maybe she shouldn’t go. If Roman or Grayson called, then what? On second thought, Grayson never called unless they were planning an outing.
She chewed the inside of her lip and checked the time. Ten minutes had passed since she arrived. Cars zipped up and down the busy street with fewer pedestrians walking by. No stores were located around in the area, and the bus stop wasn’t on this route. She strode to the curb and scanned left and right. Just when she decided to go back home, a small, black vehicle zipped around the corner and pulled to a stop in front of her. The sound of the automatic lock grated on her nerves, but she opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. The car shifted into gear, and they were off roaring down the road.
* * * *
Tonya sat in the chair outside the restaurant and slid her feet out of her shoes. She had been walking for hours, her mind filled will doubts and fears—most of all guilt. Mistake didn’t begin to cover what she had done that day. Worst, she had gone against her principles. They were what made her who she was just like anyone else.
“Will there be anything else, miss?” the waiter offered.
She bit her lip and checked her empty glass. “Another one, please.” He nodded and zipped the glass away. She really shouldn’t drink any more. That made nothing better. Nor did it help her to forget. She ran her fingers through her hair and shut her eyes. Day after tomorrow, she had a mani-pedi set up, and after that, an appointment with her hairdresser. Letreece would go. She sighed and dug her phone from her purse. The display read three missed calls from Roman. Her mouth dried, and she considered what she would say to him.
“Here you are, miss.”
Tonya received the drink with thanks and took a huge sip. The alcohol burned a bit going down, and her head swam a little. No more after this no matter what kind of courage she hoped it would give.
She checked the time—eight p.m.—and then dialed Roman’s number. After four rings, the phone went to voicemail. A second time gained the same results, and she frowned. He should be home. Even when he worked, he got in before seven-thirty. Maybe he was in the shower. That could be a possibility. The best move at this point was for her to come clean. He might be angry, but he would move past it. Honesty was the best policy, and starting off their marriage with lies was not.
She stood. Just making the new decision took a huge weight off her shoulders, and she flexed them. A smile curled her lips at the thought of what was to come after she talked to Roman and the next few days. Yes, she had to keep that in mind—being Mrs. Roman Thomas, the most important decision in her life.
A little while later, she stepped from a taxi outside Roman’s condo. She recognized Grayson’s car, and her heart sank. Just what she needed, to deal with them both at the same time. She needed to be alone with Roman and talk to him one on one. Oh well, the sooner they put this day behind them, the better.
She let herself in with her key, and called out. “Roman? You around?”
No answer. She walked down the short hallway, a flash of memory coming to her of when she’d hid in the closet with Grayson to surprise Roman. The door stood firmly shut, but somehow, she didn’t think he laid in wait. In the living room, Grayson sat on the couch leaning forward with his elbows on his thighs and hands folded together. Roman stood facing the fireplace, his back to her. The stiff set to his shoulders and the opened bottle of Jack next to him on the mantle told her something was up. He poured what was obviously not his first drink over the ice in his glass and knocked it back before turning.
“Tonya.” The name hung ragged from his lips, and he pressed them together as if he didn’t want her to know the extent of his emotions. She rushed to him and rested her palms on his chest.
“What’s wrong, baby? Did something happen?”
He set the glass down and almost missed the mantle. A shock of pain and confusion belted her in the gut when he reached up and removed her hands from his chest and then dropped them. Her eyes burned. That one move hurt more than she could say, but it had to be some mistake. Roman had never been mean, even when she pissed him off. He raised his voice, but he had never cursed her out. The same couldn’t be said on her part because she’d called him more than a few choice names.
She swung in Grayson’s direction. Maybe he could provide some answers. “W-What’s going on, Gray?”
He flinched like she had slapped him, but he didn’t say a word. Tonya studied his face and noted the strain around his mouth and the slope to his shoulders. He too had been drinking, and if possible, he seemed cooler than usual. When he glanced up, his gaze cut through her, an expression of sheer malice. Bile rose in Tonya’s throat, and she stumbled back away from him. Did he hate her all of a sudden? Why?
Then she remembered where she had been that day. They couldn’t possibly know about that, could they? How? Had someone told them, and so quickly? She considered pulling her phone out and checking for a warning text, but thought better of it. Instead, she stood there waiting, vulnerable—dreading when someone explained.
“Where were you today, Tonya?” Roman said at last.
Her chest constricted. “I—” She looked at Grayson, but he had lowered his gaze back to his glass. Unlike Roman, his was still semi-full. Grayson didn’t drink a lot. He seemed to prefer to take care of his friends when they over imbibed. Tonya had always admired that in him, but at the same time had always wished he would cut loose and have uninhibited fun.
“No, you don’t have to tell me. I already heard everything.”
She blinked at him and then looked at Grayson. “Did you?”
The sorrow she’d sensed in him a moment ago turned to irritation, and he walked over to her. She’d never seen Roman so angry. His eyes were narrowed and his nostrils flared, and
he seemed to have trouble forming words. “You… I can’t believe you! So close to our wedding day. Or was it going on all along? You played me for a fool.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb, Tonya,” he shouted.
Now her anger rose, and she put her hands on her hips, lifting her chin. “Maybe you should come right out with what you’re accusing me of because I don’t appreciate the attitude.”
“You don’t appreciate the attitude?” He laughed, a humorless sound. “Who was he?”
She frowned. “What?”
“Who was the guy you were fucking at that hotel?”
Fucking. Roman had never once used that kind of language with her. The word took her by such surprise, for a moment she could say nothing. Her mouth fell open, and she widened her eyes. The look of triumph on his face threw her even further for a loop.
“Yeah, you were seen.”
When she spoke, her voice came out a hoarse whisper. She tried clearing her throat, but it made no difference. “I—”
“You what? Wasn’t you?” The sneer hurt her to her core. “I always had my doubts about you. Why would a beautiful black woman like you want a white man like me? Why wouldn’t you marry your own kind?”
She stared. “My…own…kind? Are you for real? I’ve shown you how much I love you, all this time. I know you’re not questioning me about skin color. Yeah, you’re the first white guy I’ve ever been with, but that doesn’t mean anything to me, and I thought it didn’t mean anything to you.”
He raised a hand slowly to her face, and a tremor went through her. All she wanted was to throw herself into his arms and declare her love over and over. She knew he had insecurities, sure, but they had been together since she was nineteen. No one thought they would last because of the difference in their ages, but she had stayed by him and had no problem demonstrating her love for him in front of anyone. Why now, just before their wedding? Was it the usual jitters?
“You’re not addressing the truth,” he said, his voice cold.
“What truth? You said—” She stopped. His accusatory words came through to her muddled brain. “I can’t believe you think I cheated on you! I love you.”
Mistaken Identities Page 2
