Romance in Color

by Synithia Williams

  She crossed her arms. “Sure. See you in a few.”

  Kareem turned around and crossed the street without checking the light. The crosswalk indicated he could pass, but a part of him wondered if getting struck by a car would hurt as much as realizing he was getting in over his head with a woman far out of his league.

  CHAPTER 17

  A crash from the family room distracted Kareem on his way out the door to the car. He stopped and frowned in the direction of the noise. No one came down the hall. He hadn’t seen Fran since she’d kicked him out of the kitchen when he’d come in to make a sandwich. Crazy, since she scowled the entire time she delivered a sandwich to him in the bedroom. Milton and Janice were still out, and Neecie hadn’t returned from her meeting with the model.

  This left him to investigate the crash in the family room. Someone breaking into the house was doubtful, still, he kept his footsteps silent in case whoever was breaking shit didn’t want to be discovered.

  Kareem slowly rounded the corner into the family room. The chairs before the fireplace were empty. Frowning, he spun toward the area with the piano. Neecie stood on the tips of her toes reaching for a leather-bound chest on top of the bookshelf. Another box and an array of books littered the floor around her feet. The probable source of the previous crash.

  Her fingers brushed the edge of the box directly above her, edging it forward. Kareem pictured a waterfall of books raining down on her head and his heart nearly stopped.

  Rushing forward, he placed a hand around her waist and jerked her backward.

  “Hey!” She spun around and frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “What’s wrong with you? That box could fall on your head.”

  “The other one didn’t.”

  Kareem gritted his teeth. The noise he made sounded very much like a growl. “Did that mean you had to try again to crush your skull?” He walked over to the bookshelf and reached up. The case wasn’t as heavy as he thought but had enough weight to have hurt her.

  “I’m not trying to crush my skull. I’m trying to see what board games are up there.”

  He pulled down the chest and set it safely on the floor between them. He scowled at her, his heart still hammering from the idea of her sprawled on the floor knocked unconscious. Neecie crossed her arms beneath her breasts and looked every bit the petulant child.

  “Then ask someone to help next time,” he said. “You’re tiny; this would have hurt you.”

  “I am not tiny! I’m average height.”

  “For a hobbit.” He flipped open the top of the chest as Neecie sputtered behind him. He glanced back at her and the corner of his mouth turned up. “Don’t get mad; you know you’re short.”

  “Maybe you’re abnormally tall.” She pushed him aside and fell to her knees in front of the chest. “I grabbed the wrong box the first time, but nothing bad happened.”

  “Not this time.” Kareem lowered himself next to her. Several board games filled the chest. “Don’t do that again. I couldn’t stand it if you hurt yourself.”

  Her sunshine smile brightened her face, and her eyes became something warm and soft he wanted to wrap himself in forever. Kareem cleared his throat and pointed to the boxes. Just a few hours ago they’d both agreed to a deadline for this deal.

  “Why are you looking for games? You need to clear your head?”

  “What makes you think that?” Her voice went defensive, and she pulled the games out of the chest.

  “You played Jenga when you needed to clear your head the other week. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out you’re doing the same thing here.”

  “Aren’t we observant?”

  “Quit pouting and tell me what’s up. Did things go badly with that model? Did she insult you?” His neck tightened and the need to defend Neecie sprang like lion in his chest.

  “Want to play backgammon?” Neecie pulled out a smaller wooden case and unfolded it to reveal the dark and light brown long triangles and a row of white and black round pieces.

  “Here’s the thing. I’ll play if you tell me what’s bothering you.”

  Neecie set up the pieces on the board. “It’s no big deal really. I’ve always wanted to work in the beauty industry. And working with Lorelei will be a great experience.”

  “But?”

  “I don’t know, she just has a weird way with her employees.” Neecie picked up the dice and shook it. “Black or white?”

  “Black.”

  She raised a brow, and her gaze dropped to his black shirt. “When did you start wearing all black?”

  “Are my clothes a problem?”

  “When?”

  If he were that type of guy, her constant questions would have him sighing and rolling his eyes. “After prison. You got a problem with that?”

  “No.”

  But he could see in her eyes she wanted to know why. He didn’t have a good answer; black just felt right after five years in hell. “What’s weird about her ways with her employees?”

  “More Cliff’s Notes, huh?” Her cute smile returned and she rolled the dice. “Fine. Some of the things Lorelei says to her employees kinda got to me.”

  “Is she cursing them out or something?”

  “No, not that.” She rolled a six and moved her piece. “She snaps at them.” Neecie snapped her fingers. “Literally. And then she told another girl that she looked fluffy, and this woman was much skinnier than me.”

  Kareem grabbed the dice and tossed them onto the board. “Did she say anything to you?”

  “As cute as it is that you’ve got that I’m going to fix things tone in your voice, don’t worry. I made it clear I’m not down for being called fluffy, and she didn’t snap at me once.” Neecie bent a knee and rested her cheek on it. She wrapped an arm around the bent leg and frowned. “It makes me wonder if she will one day.”

  “If she does, to hell with her. Don’t let Lorelei or anyone else make you doubt yourself. You’re beautiful, sexy, and perfect just as you are. There are other modeling agencies and other ways to stay in the business. And if we have to knock on the door of every one of them to help you find the right place, we will.”

  “We will?”

  Damn, he’d said we, letting it slip that he’d thought of her long term. “I mean you.” He moved his piece and slid the dice back to her. “You’re tenacious. You got me here, didn’t you?” He softened his words with a half-smile. Her eyes always went warm when he smiled.

  “I did, didn’t I?” Her eyes gave him what he expected, bringing back the longing he tried to ignore. “See, this is what I mean. You look out for people. You’re not as scary as you want everyone to believe.”

  “Oh, I’m not?”

  “No. Besides, how scary can you be if you open a high-end barber shop?”

  Kareem shrugged and looked at the board. “Being scary isn’t why I’m opening the place. Mr. Keisler owned the corner barber shop where some of the guys from the Runners got haircuts. He knew what we were in, but he didn’t preach.” Kareem lifted his eyes back to hers. “He listened, gave advice on females, talked me out of dropping out of high school, and covered my ass when he shouldn’t have. I learned a lot in that shop, and after I got out, I realized everything he said was true. Fresh Cutz was my way to do something similar.”

  “And Henderson’s Gentlemen’s Lounge?”

  Kareem rubbed his scar and pointed to the board. “Roll.”

  “Oh, no, I’m not rolling until you answer.” She curled the dice in her hands and pressed them to her breasts.

  “You know I have no problem reaching over there for those.”

  Her chest rose and fell, and heat flared in her eyes. “Answer.”

  “You’re going to laugh.”

  “I promise I won’t.”

  He looked around the room, then dropped his head. He couldn’t believe he was actually going to tell her. “Okay, fine.” He met her gaze. “I wanted to create something classy. Some place where men can get pampered
without feeling … you know, crazy for doing it. Guys like beautiful women, they like to look good, and they like hanging with their boys. I figured my place can be all that.”

  “That’s nothing to laugh at, Kareem. I think you’re making a great move.”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose and ran a hand over his dreads. “Sometimes I wonder if it’ll work.”

  “It will, for all the reasons you named.” She placed her hand on his thigh. The warmth comforted him in a way that had nothing to do with desire. “I believe in you.”

  Unsure of what to say or do. Kareem shifted until her hand fell away. He cleared his suddenly thick throat and motioned to the board. “Let’s play. Or are you afraid I’m going to beat you?”

  Neecie’s chuckle sent light through his body. “Say that at the end of the game, mister.”

  CHAPTER 18

  After a week with Neecie’s family, Kareem enjoyed being in his shop the next weekend—back with his normal clients and in his small office with the yellow walls and black history calendar. No matter how things went with the lounge in Charlotte, he’d keep Fresh Cutz. This was his first business, the place that provided sanity when he needed it most.

  “When you heading back up to Charlotte?” Lee’s voice came from the office door.

  Kareem rose from his chair. He came around the desk and leaned a hip against the side. Crossing his arms, he regarded Lee. They’d met in the Runners, and Kareem gave Lee the way out after he witnessed a murder. Lee worked hard and never looked back. Instead, he’d married his son’s mother and spent his time looking out for his family.

  “Going up at the end of the week to check out a few places,” Kareem said.

  Lee frowned and raised his chin. “Look, Kareem, I never wanted to believe you’d toss us to the side. Al thinks this stuff you’re doing in Charlotte means you’re closing the shop. I didn’t want to believe you’d leave us out in the cold like that.”

  “I’m not closing the shop.” Lee relaxed, but Kareem held up a hand. “But I won’t be working here. Once I open the new place in Charlotte. I’d like for you to run Fresh Cutz for me.”

  Lee’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly is this new place?”

  “Something a little more upscale. Still a barber shop, but with other services, manicures, meeting space, and a cigar lounge.”

  “That don’t sound like a place our folks would go to.”

  “I’m reaching out for new clientele.”

  “You too good for us now?” Lee asked, anger in his voice.

  Lee’s reaction was exactly the reason why he kept his idea to himself for so long. “You know me better than that. I’ll always love this place, and there’s no way I’d forget it. But I want bigger things. This place in Charlotte, with the connections I’m making, will bring in businessmen, athletes, and celebrities if it all works out. It’s just the next step in the game. And it’s a step I want to make.” Kareem stood and shrugged. “We both left the Runners because we wanted something better. This is my better.”

  And he was making the connections he needed. Being charming wasn’t as hard as he’d expected, once he let his guard down and realized networking was just another form of hustling. One that thankfully came with a lot less collateral damage.

  Lee studied him, and several seconds later the tension left his face and he nodded. “I can’t hate on you for taking your game to the next level. Doesn’t mean I won’t miss you around here. You keep us all straight.”

  “Now you can. Again, I’m putting you in charge, if you want it. Which means a percentage of the booth rentals along with what you make cutting hair.”

  Lee’s brows rose. “For real?”

  “I wouldn’t ask without looking out for you.”

  Lee grinned and held out a hand. “Deal, man.”

  Kareem shook his hand and grinned. He spent another few minutes asking Lee about his family, then talked with Al, Joe, and Rico out front and let them know what was going on. After telling Lee he’d get with him before he left about renting out his and Neecie’s booths, Kareem drove to his parents’ house.

  He had a key but chose to ring the doorbell. His parents weren’t expecting him, and after his dad’s heart surgery, he felt weird to just barge in unexpected.

  Loretta opened the door, and her beautiful, heart-shaped face broke into a radiant smile when she laid eyes on him.

  “Kareem, boy, what are you doing ringing the bell?” She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the house.

  “I didn’t want to scare you and Dad,” Kareem said.

  “You not coming around scares me.” She wrapped him up in a tight hug, surrounding him with the softness of her lavender cashmere sweater and the smell of her Red Door perfume. Normally he pulled away quickly, but days with the Baldwin family made him appreciate her. No matter what he did, Loretta always welcomed him home. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, and he pulled her in tight.

  “Oh, well, that’s a first,” she said when let her go. When he pulled back, moisture brightened her eyes. “When did you become a hugger?”

  “Nothing wrong with letting the people you love know it,” he said and shrugged. She leaned in for another one, but he diverted her by wrapping an arm around her shoulder and urging her down the hall. “Where’s Dad?”

  The look she shot him said she knew he’d avoided the second hug, but her smile didn’t waver.

  “He’s out with David taking a look at the new store in Lexington,” Loretta said, wrapping an arm around his waist. “Ever since he decided not to sell the business, he’s taken more of an interest in how David’s running things.”

  “Is it driving David crazy?” Kareem asked. Their dad’s idea of taking an interest usually meant telling his kids how to do things his way.

  “Actually, no. He’s only observing.” She looked his way with a raised brow. “Surprising to everyone in the family.” Her arm around his waist squeezed him. “But Sandra’s here with me until they get back.”

  They arrived at the kitchen, and Kareem let Loretta go ahead while he lingered at the door. Sandra sat at the granite island, her hands wrapped around a coffee mug. A smile crossed her face when she saw him.

  Sandra’s smile still hit him in the chest, but not with the same force as before she and David finally worked out their differences.

  Kareem crossed the room to stand next to her. “What’s up, Sandra.”

  “Hey, Kareem.” She put down the mug, which looked to be filled with hot chocolate. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “It hasn’t been that long.”

  Loretta pulled another coffee mug from the cabinet. “Do you want some hot chocolate, Kareem?” She used the mug to point toward the fridge. “I made spaghetti earlier, and I can fix you a plate. When was the last time you ate?” She put the mug on the counter and scooted over to open the fridge. “We’ve also got some leftover chicken and dumplings from yesterday. Your dad will be upset if you eat it, but I’ll deal with him.”

  Loretta’s fussing comforted him after the lukewarm acceptance of Neecie’s family.

  “I’m not hungry, Mom,” he said with a smile. “I picked up something before I went to the shop, but hot chocolate will be good.”

  She stopped dead in her tracks and gaped at him.

  He shrugged. “You used to put marshmallows in it when I was a kid, remember?”

  Loretta nodded and gave a smile. “I remember. You would eat them first then chug down the chocolate.”

  The love that radiated from her gaze made Kareem shift on his feet. He’d drawn away from his family for too long. “I’ll still eat them first.” Loretta chuckled, and Kareem looked to Sandra. “What brings you here?”

  She blinked a few times. “Hanging out with Ms. Loretta while David and Mr. Henderson are out.” She turned in her seat to face him. “How long are you in town for?”

  “The rest of the week. Then I’m going back up to Charlotte.”

  Loretta tuned away from the stove where she�
�d put milk in a pot. “What are you doing in Charlotte? Some type of gentlemen’s lounge or something?” Loretta asked. She stirred the milk.

  He looked at Sandra. “Did you tell them?”

  Sandra bit her lip and stared down into her hot chocolate. “They were worried.”

  Or David pried it out of her during loving couple pillow talk. “No big deal.” He looked to his mom. “Yeah. I am.”

  Loretta poured the warm milk into a mug and added chocolate syrup. “I’d rather hear it from you.”

  She dropped several small marshmallows into the mug from the bag on the counter and came over to sit across from him at the bar. She slid the mug his way.

  “Then I’ll tell you.” He pulled out one gushy marshmallow and popped it into his mouth, then spent the next few minutes telling his mom about his plans. The pride and joy in Loretta’s face made him wish he’d opened up sooner.

  Loretta reached across the counter and placed a warm hand over his. “I’m so proud of you, Kareem. You deserve to be happy.”

  He nodded. “That sounds like something Neecie would say. She’s helping me out.”

  Loretta’s eyes widened, and she squeezed his hand. “I knew I liked that girl for a reason. Exactly how is she helping you out?”

  A part of him considered telling his mom the truth about his arrangement, but the idea of watching the pride on her face morph into disappointment kept his mouth shut.

  “She’s from there. Knows people.”

  Loretta raised a brow and tilted her head to the side, a hint of excitement sparkling in her eye. “Is that all she’s helping you with?”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Well, first the rehearsal dinner then the wedding, now the two of you are in Charlotte working together. It sounds to me like there’s more going on.”

  Sandra perked up. “And David did mention something about you two being together.”

  He had told David to pass that along. “Something like that.”

  Loretta grasped his hand again and grinned. Sandra beamed at him. Guilt tickled his insides for not telling the entire truth.