by Candace Shaw
“It’s gorgeous,” Yasmine continued as she stared in complete awe. “The landscaping is beautiful.”
“Mother did a lot of the planting of the flowers and shrubs along with a horticulturist at the botanical gardens,” Cannon said. “You know my mom doesn’t mind getting dirty.”
“I remember. Can’t wait to see her.”
“She can’t wait to see you, either.”
Moments later they walked into the house and could see straight through the two-story foyer to the veranda. Justin was at the grill in the outdoor kitchen, along with Shelbi. They were cooking all of the meats. Everyone else was asked to bring a side dish.
“Let’s see where Shelbi wants the pasta salad.”
“Okay,” Yasmine answered. She was a little nervous. She hadn’t seen the Arrington family in years except for Shelbi. She’d always gotten along with them, but she didn’t want anyone to jump to the conclusion that her and Cannon were officially back together. They were still taking things one day at a time.
“Is that my girl?” a woman’s voice asked.
Yasmine felt a pinch on her arm and turned around to see Dr. Darla Arrington, Cannon’s mother. She didn’t seem to have aged one bit, except her reddish-brown natural curls that Raven had inherited were almost all gray. She still had the glowing, smooth cocoa skin that Bria and Sean also had and the charming, witty smile that Shelbi and Cannon possessed.
Yasmine had been very close to his mother and had kept in contact for a few years after the breakup, but after a while it became hard because Dr. Darla would always mention his name, and Yasmine didn’t want to hear about anything he was doing.
“Hello, Dr. Darla.” The ladies hugged. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Missed you, but I’m so glad you and Cannon are back together.” Dr. Darla squeezed her tight and kissed her cheek. “My son was a wreck over you for years. Now maybe he’ll give me some grandbabies.”
Cannon glanced at Yasmine. “We’re taking things one day at a time; however, I’m never letting her get away from me again.”
Dr. Darla took Yasmine’s hand and led her outside. “When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.” She smiled and squeezed Yasmine’s fingers.
Moments later, Yasmine found herself at a table by the pool with Shelbi and Dr. Darla. Cannon was the designated bartender and was in the outdoor bar area making strawberry rum daiquiris for the ladies.
“So glad you decided to have a cookout, Mother,” Shelbi said. “It’s finally a warm day in Memphis.”
“It’s almost May, so expect plenty more.” Dr. Darla looked toward the veranda. “And as long as my children cook and I supply the house, you can come every weekend. Oh, there’s Bria and Rasheed, but what’s that dish she’s holding?”
Shelbi turned around in her chair to investigate, and then back to face her mother with a look of terror on her face. “Mother, I promise I told her to bring the paper goods, no food.”
“Bria,” Dr. Darla called out with a wave. “What did you bring, sweetheart?”
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked in Bria’s direction. Justin had tongs midair with a rib in it, Cannon stopped the blender, and Dr. Darla’s hand was over her heart.
“Paper goods and a salad,” Bria answered, setting everything on the food table under the veranda.
“A … salad?” Shelbi asked nervously. “What kind of salad?”
“Relax people,” Rasheed stated. “She didn’t cook anything. It’s just spinach leaves, feta cheese, pecans, and strawberries with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. The chef helped.”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and went back to what they were doing.
“She can’t cook that well,” Shelbi whispered to Yasmine as Bria walked over to the table. Bria was just as Yasmine remembered. Long, dark brown hair, a clear cocoa complexion and besides the baby bump protruding from her like a basketball, she was still a bean pole.
Bria pulled Shelbi’s ponytail. “I heard you,” she said laughing, and gave Yasmine a hug. “Good to see you again. It’s about time you and my brother reconnected.”
“Good to see you, too. Congrats on the marriage and the baby.” Yasmine wanted to rub Bria’s cute baby bump, but she knew some women didn’t care for that. “Your salad sounds delish. I make a similar one with blueberries and almonds.”
Bria kissed her mother’s forehead and sat across from her. “It’s one of things I’ve been craving lately, so that’s why I brought it. Next week, it will be something else. Where’s Raven and Sean?”
Cannon came over with a pitcher of the daiquiri and three red plastic cups. “I’ll be back with a virgin one for you, sis.” He kissed Bria’s forehead before walking away.
Dr. Darla poured the frozen mixture as she answered Bria’s question. “Raven is at the hospital. One of her patients is having an emergency C-section but will come later, and Sean is running late.”
Moments later, Sherika and Doug arrived. Yasmine was glad to see her best friend. Even though they talked, texted, Skyped, and emailed almost every day, she hadn’t seen her in person since Thanksgiving. After they ate, the two friends decided to take a walk in the gardens in the backyard. The tulips were in bloom and the Knock Out roses were beginning to bloom beautifully. Dr. Darla’s garden reminded Yasmine of the botanicals gardens with the walking trails, flower beds that actually had miniature signs with the names of the plants, and different colored solar lights along the border.
“So how was the meeting with the coordinator?” Yasmine asked.
“It went well,” Sherika said, sitting on the bench and taking a sip of the strawberry margarita Cannon made for her. “You know, I think Cannon was a bartender in his other life. This is good,” she said as a deep smile crossed her toffee face, showcasing her cute dimples.
“I know.” Yasmine laughed. “He’s a keeper. So is there anything else you need us to do?”
“Everything is pretty much done thanks to you and Cannon. Now I have to wait six more weeks, and I’ll be Mrs. Douglas Winters.” She smiled and let out a sigh.
“I’m so excited for you and Doug. But wait … you’re moving to Spain. I’ll miss you,” Yasmine said with a slight pout. In all of the excitement of planning the wedding and being back with Cannon, it just hit her that her best friend was moving out of the country.
“I’ll miss you, too. But we’ll come to the states to visit, and you and Cannon can come to Spain.”
“Ha. I don’t know about me and Cannon coming at the same time, but I’ll definitely be there.”
“What do you mean by that? You’re back together or at least working on it.”
“I’m moving back to Atlanta after your wedding. I’m teaching two classes in the summer session that starts in July. I’m enjoying my time with Cannon right now, but I don’t know what’s going to happen down the road, so that’s why we’re just taking it day by day and getting to know each other again.”
“And how’s that going?”
“Perfect. I don’t want to go back to Atlanta, but I don’t want to rush anything either.”
“Has he said anything about you leaving?”
“No, not really. He got kind of quiet when I told him I had classes this summer and then asked me how I liked teaching college students.”
“Well, would you move back to Memphis if he asked?
“In a heartbeat.”
“Good. And who knows, Doug and I may be flying back to the states for your wedding sooner than you coming to see us.”
“After planning your wedding, I think I’d rather elope.” Yasmine laughed as she got off of the bench, and they made their way back to the pool and veranda area.
When they walked up, Yasmine spotted Cannon leaning on one of the brick columns on the veranda drinking a beer and talking to Sean and Doug.
Cannon flashed his charming smile as she approached and Yasmine’s heart melted. The thought of moving back to Atlanta weighed heavy on her mind. The idea of being away from h
im again was too much to bear. Since they’d made love a few weeks ago, she’d spent every night with him, wrapped liked a cocoon in his arms. She loved his breathing on her neck as he slept, or wearing his dress shirts after him just to feel his warmth and smell his scent on her. She remembered after they broke up, she found one of his shirts hanging in her closet that she didn’t notice during her closet clean out when she threw all of his clothes at him. At first she was going to throw the shirt away, but instead decided to keep it. Occasionally during the years when she was in a melancholy state of missing him, she’d pull it out and sleep in it.
After the family cookout, they headed back to Cannon’s home. It was wonderful seeing his family again except for his father. He was at a fundraiser with one of the organizations he belonged to.
“Why are you so quiet, Yaz?”
“No reason. Just enjoying the night air.”
Cannon had driven Yasmine’s car and had the convertible top down. Of course she was lying. Something Sherika said was nagging her. In six weeks was the wedding. Soon after that Yasmine was moving back to Atlanta. Memphis was only a seven hour drive, but they both had busy schedules. Would they only see each other on the holidays? Maybe once a month on the weekends? Yasmine had never been in a long distance relationship before, and she didn’t want to experiment with Cannon. He was the type of man she needed to be with and see if not every day but at least have the convenience of it if necessary. She loved sleeping next to him. She loved cooking for him. She loved just being with him.
“This reminds me of the beach air. I haven’t been to a beach in ages.” Yasmine pushed the button on the side of the seat to let it go all the way down so she could look up at the stars. Cannon’s parents lived in Germantown, which was almost a forty-five minute drive from his home in midtown Memphis.
“Really? You want to go?”
“Sure. When?”
“I can move some patients around on my schedule during the next week or so. My family owns a beach house on Hamilton Beach Island.”
“In Florida?”
“Yep. My father went to Morehouse with Caesar Hamilton the third. He owns the island and pretty much everything on it. His three sons run everything. I’m cool with Caesar the fourth. He owns a night club and one of the golf resorts. My parents have a condo at the resort, but I’d prefer to stay at the beach house. It’s more secluded.”
Yasmine sat up and scooted toward Cannon, resting her head on his shoulder. He took his hand off of the gear shift and placed it on her thigh.
“I would love to go.”
“Cool. I’ll have the receptionist rearrange my schedule, so maybe we can leave next Saturday and stay for about five days. I’ll call my mom and make sure no one is using the house. Plus, she arranges a cleaning crew to come before anyone goes to stay. Also, I’ll hire a private chef and a housekeeper while we’re there so we don’t have to do anything except relax.”
“Cannon, you don’t have to do all of that.”
He patted her thigh before moving his hand to shift a gear. “I want to. You deserve it.”
“Thank you.”
“I meant to ask you. How did you learn how to drive a stick shift? I remember trying to teach you how to drive my Mustang, and you almost ruined the clutch.”
“A friend of mine taught me a few years ago. I really wanted this car, and it was cheaper to get a manual as opposed to an automatic.”
“What’s her name?”
“What makes you think it was a female?” She looked up at him and noticed his jawline was tight. “His name is Demond. He lives in Atlanta. He moved with me when I left New York.”
“Is he an ex boyfriend or something?”
“Or something.” She shrugged, laughing in her head. Was he really acting jealous?
“What the hell does that mean?” he demanded rather harshly.
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just say I mastered a stick shift even more now that I’m an older and more experienced driver.”
Cannon put both hands tightly on the steering wheel. His jaw was clenched and his right eye was twitching. She knew all of his facial expressions, mannerisms, and body language and inside he was boiling. Now, I could either tell him the truth that Demond is my gay best friend or I could continue to lie and see his face crack. I think I want him to crack. Definitely crack.
“You know, Demond is a very nice guy.” She stifled a giggle. “He may be coming down in a few weeks to visit. He says he misses me so much. We were together all the time. You should meet him.”
“Now why would I want to meet a man that you’ve been with?”
“Who said I’ve been with him?”
“He moved down with you from New York. Men just don’t pack up and move to another city unless they’re serious.”
Yasmine could no longer contain her laughter and laughed out loud.
“What’s so damn funny?”
“You, Dr. Nosey. You know doggone well you don’t want to know about my dating past. However, Demond and I have never dated. We’re just great friends. Sherika and I met him in New York, and it was love at first sight.”
“So he’s Sherika’s ex?”
“No. Trust me. He does not want me or Sherika.”
“I wouldn’t say that. You two are beautiful women. I’m sure if given the chance he would’ve jumped at it.”
“And his life partner would’ve had a fit.”
“Life partner?” Cannon turned his head toward her with a confused expression.
“Yes, his life partner, Charles. That’s why Demond moved to Atlanta.”
He chuckled. “Woman, never do that again. About to give me a heart attack. I know you had a dating life after me and you’re right, I really don’t want to know. Not jealous or anything. It’s just a man thing, babe.”
Leaning over, she kissed him on his cheek. “You’re the only one that has truly ever made me happy, and I’m going to show you as soon as we get home.” She trailed her tongue down his neck and sucked gently on the spot that always sent him over the edge before sitting back in her seat.
“Why did you stop?” He tugged the hem on her sundress up, exposing her thighs, and settled his hand in between them.
“That was just a taste. Don’t worry, you’ll get plenty more when we get home.”
Home? She really needed to stop saying that. Soon she’d be home in Atlanta, but now she didn’t want to go back.
Cannon turned into his driveway moments later. Pushing the garage door opener, he pulled into the garage. “You know you were wrong for lying to me.” His sexy, dangerous tone created a heat between her legs that sped through her veins.
“I didn’t lie. You insinuated. What are you going to do? Take me over your knee and spank me?” she asked, running her hand up his thigh and settling on the hard bulge in his pants.
“Get in the house,” he demanded, unclicking his seatbelt and then hers. “You’ve been a naughty girl.”
Hours later, they lay intertwined together on the damp comforter on the kitchen floor. She’d gone to the kitchen earlier wrapped in the comforter after two rounds of lovemaking to grab two bottled waters when Cannon came up behind her, yanked the comforter off, and bent her over one of the barstools. Driving her completely insane, he kissed the back of her neck and gave her long yet gentle strokes that caused amorous sounds to escape from her. How they ended up on the floor she had no recollection. After the orgasm slammed through her body, she blacked out for a moment from the impact before flipping him on his back and riding him until he shook so hard underneath her she thought surely the neighbors would think there was an actual earthquake in Memphis.
Yasmine ran her finger along his chest and kissed his scar before settling her head over his heart. Their legs were looped together like a pretzel as they lay side by side. He was definitely fast asleep. She wanted to wake him so they could go back to the bedroom, but he seemed at peace with his head nuzzled on hers, and his soft snores filled the room. Normally, snoring
would disturb her, but from him it was a tranquil sound that she didn’t mind. There was a cool breeze emerging from the vents of the air conditioner, blowing over them and adding to the at peace feeling that loomed around her.
She wasn’t sure what was going to happen with their relationship when she returned to Atlanta, but for now she was happy to be in his embrace again.
Chapter Ten
Yasmine placed the last of her beach necessities in her tote bag and tossed it on the bed. It was the second day of their getaway at the Arrington family beach home on Hamilton Island. They’d flown in late last night from Atlanta, after spending a day at Yasmine’s home because she hadn’t seen it since January.
They spent the morning touring the island. When they’d returned, they made love and afterwards Cannon left her to nap and do some paperwork for an upcoming project he was working on for Doctors Unlimited.
Walking out onto the balcony of the master suite, she stared out at the sparkling blue water of the ocean. There were families and couples out on the beach either under their umbrellas, or some ladies stretched out on their stomach with their bikini tops off to obtain a tan. She couldn’t wait to walk along the beach, to feel the snow white sand between her toes and take in the beautiful blue water of the Gulf of Mexico. She remembered visiting Pensacola Beach often as a child with her parents. She would build sandcastles with her dad, and he would take her out into the water to ride the waves while her mother sat on the beach screaming out to her husband, “Don’t take my baby out so far.” Of course, her dad would ignore her, and they’d have a play argument when he returned.
Yasmine missed those fun times with her father. Life with him had been too short. She wished he was still alive so she could listen to his jokes that only she found funny, or give her piggy back rides every time she asked for a pony. He never got to see her win her first chess tournament, he wasn’t there on her first date to threaten the boy taking her out, he wasn’t there to see her graduate from college, and if she ever got married, he wouldn’t be able to walk her down the aisle. She smiled and wiped away a tear. He would’ve loved Cannon—well, maybe not after their break up—but the two men had a lot in common such as love of their careers, love of family, and helping those less fortunate. Whenever she complained about something frivolous, her father would drive her to some of the most poverty stricken neighborhoods in Memphis and show her children who didn’t have as much as she did. He would tell her they didn’t know where their next meal was coming from and didn’t have the same educational opportunities as she did. She contributes those moments to why she was an educator. There were times when teaching her college classes that she sometimes missed teaching young children who needed her more than her young adult students.
