Be My Valentine: The McClendon Holiday Series, Book 3

by Sean D. Young

  “Jacques, are you sitting down?” he heard John say loudly.

  “Yeah, what the hell is it?” Jacques hoped his attorney wasn’t calling to tell him that they wanted to question him again.

  “Nothing bad, Jacques. Take it easy.”

  Jacques hadn’t realized that he was holding his breath until John completed his sentence. “Talk to me John.”

  “I am happy to inform you that you are a free man.”

  “Free? A free man?” Jacques repeated, shocked as to the sudden change of events.

  “That’s right. You have been cleared of all pending charges.”

  “John, this isn’t a joke, is it?”

  “No, it is not a joke. It was never a joking matter. Due to the hard work of my investigators and some luck we were able to track down the culprits.”

  “What the hell happened?”

  “It was Harlan.”

  “Harlan. What?” Jacques said, thinking that maybe he was having a problem with his cell phone. He was confused and wanted John to be wrong about the identity of the guilty party.

  “That’s right. Harlan Lowe has been arrested and charged in federal court with theft of trade secrets.”

  “After all I tried to do for him,” Jacques said, shaking his head as he thought about what he’d just heard. “How did he get caught?”

  “Someone from Spearman blew the whistle.”

  Jacques interrupted him. “Wait. Are you talking about Fairchild’s direct competitor Spearman?”

  “Exactly. The whistleblower was an employee over at Spearman who was about to be charged with the violation of trade secrets. He got cold feet and blew the whistle on his colleague. That person gave up Harlan to the police, telling them that Harlan had given him Fairchild’s proprietary and confidential information.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” Jacques exclaimed. “What about the formula?” Jacques wondered if the police had retrieved it.

  “All of that has to be worked out. My interest was purely regarding you.”

  Jacques dragged his hand over his hair. “Yes, yes. Thank you, my friend. Enjoy the rest of your day,” Jacques said, though his thoughts were still on the whereabouts of the formula.

  “I’ll catch you later,” John said, ending the call.

  Jacques stared at the phone for a couple of seconds, watching the call end. He pushed back from the table and stood with a broad smile on his face. He slipped through the crowd and headed back to the boutique. Standing outside the coffee shop, he flipped the collar of his coat up because he’d forgotten his scarf. His steps were lighter than they had been in a long time. Then it hit him, causing him to stop in his tracks.

  Those bastards were going to charge me with that crime. And that damn Harlan was going to let me take the fall. To hell with him. His schemes could have ruined me. The rotten, lowdown, ungrateful, self-centered son of cocksucker.

  As he continued down the street, a guy approached him. “Let me holla at ’cha.”

  Jacques’s head snapped in the direction of the voice and before he could tell the man that he didn’t have time, the guy flashed a hand full of Bulls tickets.

  “What is it?” Jacques asked, knowing all the time that the guy was a ticket scalper. He’d come in contact with them all the time back in New York.

  Taking Patrice to a game would be a great change of pace for them, so Jacques would check out what the guy had to offer.

  “I got some Bulls tickets,” the hooded man said, flashing them again. “Some up high, some in the middle,” he said. Pointing at Jacques he continued his spiel. “You look like you’d want the two on the floor.”

  Now you’re talking man. “What do you want for the floor tickets?”

  “Three hundred,” he said, leaning closer to Jacques, holding them between the two of them.

  Jacques examined the tickets and they all seemed to be printed on authentic paper and the bar codes hadn’t been duplicated. Those were all good signs that they were the real thing, and besides, he couldn’t get them from Ticketmaster because tonight’s game had been sold out. This was a great opportunity.

  “They’re on the real, boss,” the guy said, trying to reassure him. “They’re on the real,” he quickly said again.

  Jacques ignored the man’s statement and continued to examine them once more. Looking around, he said, “Step over here, out of the way.” They stood in the doorway of a building close by and Jacques removed the money from his front pants pocket.

  When Jacques was younger, he had been mugged for his wallet containing his whole paycheck. Since that time, he carried no money in his wallet. He handed the man several bills at the same time as the guy handed him the tickets.

  Jacques counted crossing paths with the scalper as luck and after the few weeks he’d had, he needed it. He adjusted his coat and walked briskly back to the boutique. After all this mess he could finally tell Patrice everything that had happened to him before he arrived in Chicago.

  Whistling in the air, he was glad to put that foolishness behind him. He had a great project going, but most of all he had a beautiful, smart and talented woman that he was determined to get to know. Now, he had great courtside tickets to see the Bulls, even though he’d be secretly cheering for the opponent because the Bulls were playing his beloved New York Knicks.

  * * * * *

  Opening the door, Jacques noticed that the store was quite crowded, so he continued on through to the lab. He passed Patrice’s door and saw her sitting behind her desk. He knocked on the door.

  “Babe, I’ve got some tickets,” he said excitedly.

  Patrice looked up from her laptop. “Tickets? For what?”

  “To see the Bulls play the Knicks.”

  “For when?”

  “Tonight.”

  “Tonight? When were you going to tell me that you wanted to go to a basketball game?”

  “I’m telling you now,” Jacques said.

  “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  Jacques hadn’t realized how hard it was going to be just to take Patrice out. Everything he’d said, she repeated or questioned. If she wanted to play that game, he would go along with her, so he answered her. “I didn’t have them before.”

  Moving closer to where she was sitting, Jacques needed to end the back and forth banter. “Listen, Patrice, it was spontaneous. I ran into a guy on the street. I saw an opportunity, so I thought we would do something other than eat dinner.” He pulled the tickets from his pocket.

  Patrice leaned forward. “You bought them off the street. How do you know they’re real?”

  Jacques gave her an under-eyed look. “I’m from New York, sweetheart. I’m bullshit proof.”

  He could tell that he’d shocked Patrice with his statement. “Baby, the tickets are as real as you, so come on let’s have a good time.”

  Patrice blushed. “So you’re asking me out on a date?”

  “Patrice, stop playing. We just had a seven-minute conversation about how I got the tickets and you didn’t think that I was asking you out on a date.” Jacques shook his head while he watched Patrice throw her head back and laugh.

  Patrice got up from the chair and attempted to walk past him but he blocked the area.

  “Come on, Jacques, move out of the way,” Patrice asked. Every time she would try to go around him, he would step right in her path. He could tell that he was aggravating her a bit, but it was all done in clean fun.

  “I need to go and talk to Nikki,” Patrice said.

  “Not until you give me a kiss,” he said, continuing to block her.

  Patrice rested her hands on her hips, pushing out her right foot, patting it on the floor. “Must we act like we’re in second grade?” she said, her eyes sparkling with playful humor.

  Jacques didn’t think it was funny but he promised himself that
he would remind her of the smart remark later. He stepped aside to allow her to pass but when she turned around to say something, he gently grabbed her, pulling her to him.

  Her eyes were big, so he knew he’d startled her. He kissed her then rubbed her back to soothe her. “See, all that wasn’t necessary, if you only had given me what I wanted.”

  “I’m going to give you something alright,” Patrice said, stepping out of his inner circle. “Are you going to work in the lab today?”

  “Yes, I am, boss lady,” he responded.

  “I’ll see you later then,” Patrice said, walking to the door.

  “Patrice,” Jacques called back. “You forgot to give me your address. How am I going to pick you up tonight if I don’t know where I’m going?”

  Taking several steps back, Patrice picked up a colorful Post-It note and scribbled her address on it. “You haven’t lost my phone number already, right?”

  “It’s programed in my phone,” Jacques replied.

  Patrice handed the slip of paper to him. “See you later, Jacques.”

  He opened his arms, inviting her, hoping that she would walk into them and she did.

  Holding her close, feeling her breasts against his chest, Jacques wished he could do more. He imagined himself peeling off the cowl necked sweater and releasing the floor-length suede skirt she was wearing. But they hadn’t gotten to that point in their relationship yet and he didn’t want to scare her away. Plus, the building was filled with staff and guests. He’d get his chance to be intimate with her. He truly believed in his heart that Patrice was the one for him.

  After placing a kiss on the side of her neck, he released her and she turned to walk away. Jacques was mesmerized as he watched the sway of her hips. Without thinking, he licked his lips as he studied the way the suede fabric hugged her body. A woman like that shouldn’t be so fine.

  * * * * *

  Patrice walked down the hall toward the front of the shop, trying to think of what she was going to say to Nikki. It had been two days since she hadn’t shown up for her appointment. Patrice never had to deal with a domestic violence situation, but had heard all of the statistics. Though frightening, she hoped that she could help Nikki not to become one. Patrice needed to show her that she had Patrice’s full support and whatever she needed to do, she would do it.

  By the time she reached the front, she’d come up with the idea to take Nikki to lunch. Hopefully, in a more relaxed atmosphere she would open up to her and give her some insight on how she was dealing with her situation.

  Several customers came into the shop, so she went behind the counter on the opposite side of the room from Fantasia and Nikki to see if she could help out. Twenty minutes later there were only a few stragglers, so she thought now was a good time, so she walked over.

  “We worked through that crowd pretty quickly, Patrice,” Fantasia said, placing a product back into the display case.

  “Yes, we did and everybody left the store with a bag,” Patrice commented.

  Her gazed shifted to Nikki who was continuing to work with her head bowed.

  “Nikki,” she called out.

  Nikki’s head popped up.

  “I’d like to take you to lunch,” Patrice suggested.

  Nikki’s eyebrows went up. “Yeah, okay,” she said quietly. “I need to talk to you as well.”

  “Let’s go now, so that Fantasia won’t have to be alone up here too long,” Patrice said before giving her attention to Fantasia. “Tasia, you can handle this, right?”

  “Yes, I’m sure I can. I’ll see you guys when you get back.”

  Patrice watched the slight frown that appeared on Fantasia’s face. The way her body language expressed her feelings, Patrice knew that she was probably upset because she didn’t invite her. She wished that she could tell Fantasia why, but she couldn’t.

  “It’s almost lunch time, so let’s go down the street to Panera Bread. I’ll get my coat.”

  Patrice rushed to retrieve her coat and slipped it on right before she approached the front door. “We shall return,” she said to Fantasia.

  The women stepped outside and Patrice realized that the wind had picked up quite a bit. She made sure that all the buttons on her heavy coat were fastened and wrapped the knitted scarf more securely around her neck. She and Nikki walked briskly down the street, trying to hurry and escape the chill of the air.

  Patrice kept glancing over at Nikki who only had on a down jacket that ended at her hips and no hat. “Girl, it is cold out here,” Patrice said, shivering. She looked Nikki up and down once again. “I don’t see how you survive with just that jacket on.”

  “I’m warm enough,” Nikki replied.

  Patrice was tempted to continue her small talk but thought better since they had almost reached their destination.

  Fortunately, the line was short inside the eatery, so they both ordered half-a-sandwich and soup then found a seat.

  Patrice watched Nikki’s bowed head and it occurred to her that she must be ashamed or afraid and that was why she continued to keep her head lowered. She didn’t want Nikki to feel that way. Placing her spoon in her bowl, Nikki finally looked up at Patrice.

  “I am very sorry for missing the appointment the other day.”

  “I’m sorry too. What happened?” Patrice asked.

  “Terrance and I had a long talk and he is so hurt, so sorry for the way he has behaved. He promised me that he’d never do it again.”

  “You think he’s telling the truth?”

  “I really believe him this time. I want my baby to be with her father and not feel abandoned like I did.”

  Watching Nikki fidget and play in her soup, trying to keep her emotions in check was tough for Patrice. She couldn’t imagine the pain that she endured and how frightened she must be knowing that at any moment her man could explode in anger, right in front of her daughter. Patrice wanted to tell her that she needed to be very careful and that Terrance was an abuser. She hoped the man didn’t kill her. She had too much going for herself for her life to end at the hands of her lover.

  Patrice wanted to scream but she left it alone, only keeping the thought in her mind and not voicing it aloud. She shook her head as she watched the tears roll down Nikki’s cheeks. “I love my baby and she is crazy about her daddy. I don’t want to take that away from her, even though I never experienced that kind of love from my father,” she said.

  Patrice shook her head and leaned closer. “Listen, just remember this. I am here for you.”

  Nikki looked up and their eyes connected. Patrice saw the tears seep from Nikki’s eyes. Her heart broke for her employee and why she had to live in fear. Patrice had to do everything she could not to let a tear drop, although they were welling up like a dam ready to crack. When Patrice saw that she was about to lose that battle, she looked away.

  “Thank you,” Nikki said, lifting her napkin and dabbing the corner of her eyes.

  “So, we’re going to be very busy for several weeks. We’ve got a big project coming up.”

  “I think it’s fantastic,” Nikki said as she pushed her bowl with her half-eaten soup toward the middle of the table.

  “I wish I could give you more details, but I don’t have any.”

  “Fantasia told me that Angela Simpson came into the shop the other day. I didn’t know you two were friends.”

  Patrice hadn’t intended to go into any details, she was only trying to shift the conversation. “We’ve known each other since we were in grammar school.”

  “You must be excited,” Nikki said.

  “Yes and we will see what happens. Are you done with your lunch?”

  “I don’t think I can eat anymore.”

  Patrice checked the time. “Let’s get back to the shop, so Fantasia can take a break.”

  They left the restaurant and walked back to the
shop. As Patrice went by Nikki, she saw her mouth the words, “Thank you.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Even though Patrice had sat down and had a very emotional conversation with Nikki, she still didn’t feel good about the situation. She hated when her spirit wasn’t settled about a situation. The sad thing was this didn’t have anything to do with her or any of her family members, yet she still felt the same as if it had been one of them.

  Patrice didn’t think Nikki realized the potential danger she and her child were in. If there was a bright spot in the entire situation it was that Terrance had never tried to harm their three-year-old daughter Katrina. That fact did give Patrice some relief but it didn’t diminish her fear for the toddler’s mother.

  Heading to her office, she walked past it moving toward the lab so she could check on Jacques but changed her mind. She didn’t think she needed to be in his face every minute of every day. If they were going to get the fragrance done by the deadline, they needed to focus on work and not each other. She’d never mixed business with pleasure before and she wouldn’t call them going out a few times and sharing a few kisses a relationship. But she couldn’t deny the fact that she really was attracted to him.

  Turning around, she went back to her office and instantly saw the blinking red light on her phone. Anxious to find out who the messenger was, she quickly dialed into the system and punched in her password. A bright smile shined on her face when she heard her attorney’s voice. She pressed the button to disconnect from voicemail and immediately dialed his number.

  Patrice trusted Garrison Bingham would make sure that all the terms of the contracts were correct, so she didn’t worry about that part of the deal. He helped her mother when she decided to take her business from the garage to the building where Good Scents resided. He always looked out for their best interest and she couldn’t have a better person in her corner.

  “Bingham and Associates, how may I help you,” the receptionist said.

  “Patrice McClendon calling for Mr. Bingham,” Patrice spoke trying to use her proper voice.