In thinking about this, I had to wonder why I didn’t text someone else.
I didn’t have anyone else, other than Momma. My friends from college—they were gone. We’d drifted apart. Royce and then the business had taken me to a place where I had no room for anything else.
I’d let him.
That was the worst thing of all. I had let him.
So here I sat, madder than a wet hen, and no one to tell about it. I could call Momma, but lord knows, she didn’t need any more reason to hate on Royce. She was out for blood as it was.
Thank sweet baby Jesus, the phone dinged.
‘You need an alibi or a getaway driver?’
I burst out laughing. I had not given texting much credit as far as a communication tool, but this was fun.
Even when mad as a wet hen.
‘Both, if my stupid ex calls me one more time.’
‘What’d the ass do now?’
“Admitted he did and is cheating, that he hates me, and he’s going to take me for all he can. And had the hellish nerve to call me names and be nasty as could be.’
I felt like a crybaby, but I had to get this out.
‘Well, that’s what douches do. Act like douches.’
‘You have a way with words, Xavier.’
‘Kind of my job’
I laughed again.
‘You’re right. He’s a douche.’ I hit Send quickly. I didn’t use this kind of language normally.
‘What are you doing right now?’
‘Talking to you, silly.’
‘Always the wise ass. I mean, what’s on your schedule the next week or so? You’re the boss. Wanna take another vacation?’
My heart sped up, beating fast and irregular. I could feel my cheeks warm at the thought of what he was asking. What I think he was asking.
‘To do what?’
‘Come with me to Cali.’
‘Isn’t that a little fast?’ I hated asking it, but I had to ask.
‘Yeah, maybe. I’m mad at myself for not getting in touch with you earlier, so I don’t wanna have to kick my own ass again.’
I sat back, feeling stunned. He was not letting any moss grow on him.
‘Hello?’
‘I’m thinking.’
‘What’s to think about? Me, sun fun. Win all around.’
‘You have a high opinion of yourself.’
‘I’m kind of a douche too, but I’m a lot nicer about it. I figure if I have a nice feeling, I better act on it before my douche self takes over.’
That gave me pause. One thing Momma told me, and I didn’t listen to, was to hear what men said. If they told you something, you needed to listen to them.
Xavier was telling me he was a douche.
‘That’s not exactly enticement.’
‘It’s honest. Do I get any points for that?’
‘Maybe, but telling me you have to fight off the douche side of you might outweigh it.’
‘Well, shit.’
I couldn’t help it. I laughed again.
‘What will happen if I say yes?’ I felt my heart jump again, and I found I held my breath waiting for his answer.
‘I’ll show you how someone should treat you.’
I believed him.
‘Can you hang on for a few?’
‘Yep’
I got up, and took three deep breaths, willing the air all the way to my toes. Dialed the number fast, before I chickened out.
“Momma?”
“Sugar bean, how are you? I’ve been worried, but I wanted to give you your space.”
“Thank you, Momma. I love you for that. I have a favor to ask you.”
“Anything.”
“Can you cover things for me for another week at work?”
Her voice immediately went business. “What is going on, Olivia?”
“Momma! Can you or can’t you?”
“Of course I can. What a question. The point is, I want to know why you want another week off.”
Stay strong, I told myself. Be honest. This was crazy, but it felt right. “I met someone in New York, and I want to spend time with him.”
It didn’t happen often, but I managed to stun Marguerite Meroux into speechlessness.
“Momma?”
“You’re…what?”
‘I’m going to go play hooky with a man, Momma.”
“What? Who is this? Have you lost your mind? Where are you going? You know you’re still married?”
I laughed, and I couldn’t believe how freeing this felt. All that she said was true.
“Momma, you are right, on every count. But my husband called me, let me know he’s been fooling around since that bitch interned here, that he hates me, and thinks I owe him. So when a nice man I met while in New York—”
“You didn’t tell me about it!”
“Because I was taking things slow, waiting to see if this was someone worth talking about.”
“Is he?” Her voice went soft.
“I don’t know, but I would like to find out.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
“I didn’t even kiss him. But I talked with him, and I’m still talking with him, and I like him.”
“Does he know your situation?”
I stifled a giggle. “He does. He refers to Royce as a douche.”
Silence, and then Momma roared with laughter.
“Can’t fault him for accuracy, can you? Livvie, honey, I will help you any way you want. But this makes me nervous. Who is this man? What if he’s not what he says?”
“He is, Momma.”
“How can you be sure? Ted Bundy was nice looking with nice manners, and look what happened to his dates.”
“Momma, I will leave you his number, and the hotel, and the event he invited me to.”
“You’re going away with him?” Her voice rose to nearly a shriek.
“I don’t know, but when I do, I’ll tell you everything. Deal?” I wanted to get off the phone, so I could tell Xavier yes.
“Okay. But you’d better spill it all, missy!”
Oh, she was pissed at me. I only got called missy when Momma’s temper was roused.
“Promise. I love you.”
“Love you too, sugar bean. Go be a hussy and call me later.”
Laughing, I hung up with her.
‘I got work covered.’ I didn’t want to tell him that I’d had to ask permission from my mom.
‘Nice being the boss, isn’t it? So when do you get to come and play with me?’
‘What exactly is the agenda?’
“How about we boot this whole flying with a crowd thing and I’ll pick you up at your place?’
What? ‘We’re driving?’ This could potentially be bad.
‘No. My jet is back in commission. Can you be at the airport tomorrow morning?’
‘And then?’
‘Out to San Fran. I have the party thing for the Y, and I planned on being there for a couple of days. We can see Alcatraz, or whatever tourist shit you want to do.’
‘Why Xavier, what a compelling offer. Of tourist shit.’
‘Well, it might be shit. I don’t exactly get to go out like other people. I don’t want you to deal with my life. But we can spend time together.’
In spite of his flippant tone that was apparent even through text, I could also feel the hesitation. He was worried. I couldn’t understand why. As if anyone, even me, the not-yet divorcee, couldn’t say no to him.
I wondered if I should be worried about being another notch on his belt, as it were. Then I thought about his smile, his lips, and the way that the mere touch of his hand sent my entire being up in flames, and decided that I wanted to see what could happen.
‘You could make up for ditching me all week and make sure I eat well.’
‘Done’
‘Tell me where to meet you. I don’t want to miss my ride.’
‘No way I’m leaving without you, Ms Olivia’
‘Well since you offere
d me a nice ride, you’d better not. I won’t have a man who won’t keep his word.’
I couldn’t believe I flirted with him. Momma was right. I was a hussy.
I didn’t care. If this was a week of my life, and a week with him is all I’d ever get, I wanted it.
I wanted that fire that he made flare up in me to happen.
Xavier texted me where to meet the plane, and what hotel we’d be at.
‘I got two rooms for us with a suite.’
At that text, I burst into tears. Here I was imagining kissing him, and he came out with this. He had no expectations. Or if he did, he knew better than to assume.
I immediately called Momma.
“Okay, Olivia Anne, you tell me what is going on right this minute! I thought I could wait, but I can’t. I was just about to call you.”
“I met a man named Xavier Reede, and he is going to a big benefit for the YMCA in San Francisco. I’m flying out with him tomorrow morning, and we are staying at the Ritz Carlton there. He got me my own room.” I knew she’d appreciate that.
“Well, he’s a gentleman, then. He knows what ought to be done.”
“I think you’re right, Momma.” I couldn’t stop the smile that came over my face so wide I thought my face might split.
“Well, all right then. You call me when you get on the plane, and when you land, and when you get to the hotel. Then I won’t worry so much. You hear me, girl?”
“I hear,” I said.
“Now, what are you gonna wear? You spend time with a man, you need to look good.”
“You want to go do some shopping with me, Momma?”
“Do I? Let me sort these fools here and I’ll be by to pick you up. Go look and see what you have, and we’ll go get the rest.”
We hung up, and I raced up to my room. I ignored the first closet door and went to mine. We had two walk-in closets which cost the earth when we had the house built. Now I was glad that we’d done it—I didn’t have to see the space where my old life used to be.
Let Suzan deal with Royce and his wardrobe. He was her problem now.
Part of me knew that I was merely putting a band-aid on the hurt that had been done to me. I would need to deal with it, and it promised to be painful and crappy.
You know, though, a band-aid helped to heal. It didn’t fix the problem—only time and natural healing would do that. But a band-aid helped things along.
Xavier was one hell of helper, as band-aids went.
Momma got to me faster than I thought and we spent the rest of the day shopping. To my surprise, she didn’t fuss, or carry on.
Dear lord. How bad had my marriage looked to the outside? No one other than me seemed to be mourning all that much for it and I was nothing to write home about.
When Momma left that night, after having gone through my suitcase, closet, and bathroom, and packed me up, I went to bed. I couldn’t stop thinking about Xavier. How excited I was to see him.
He’d caught me watching one of his videos on the plane, but he didn’t know how big of a fan I was. I’d been a fan of him in high school, listening to him when Momma was at work, and couldn’t catch me. She knew I listened to him now, having caught me dancing around the house to his music, and she didn’t think highly of him.
His lyrics were pretty raunchy. I’d given her his full name, even though he didn’t use it. Hopefully, she was impressed enough with his action so far as to not google the hell out of him, and I’d have a little peace to see what might happen.
The phone buzzed at me.
‘Can’t sleep. I’m excited to see you.’
‘Me either. I don’t want to oversleep.’
‘Told you I wouldn’t leave without you. I’d hate to have to drag you out of the house.’
‘I’d hate to see you beat to a pulp by my neighbors. They’re rather protective.’
‘Get some sleep, Olivia. I want you bright-eyed for our trip.’
‘Good night, Xavier.;)
I stared at the phone for ten more minutes, but apparently, he was done.
I was doing a lot of waiting around for this man. It was part of what had brought me to Royce, I realized. Royce had come into my life like a whirlwind and told me where we were headed.
I’d let him.
That was the kicker of all this. I’d let him. I had to make a promise to myself, right this minute. I couldn’t allow Xavier, or anyone else, to lead me like that ever again.
I needed to lead myself. I did it for business. Royce had pooh-poohed my dreams, told me no one would come and seek out the help of a consulting and management business run by two single women.
He’d even told me that getting married would be better for our business. I’d pissed him off something fierce when I kept my maiden name. I figured I built my business as Olivia Meroux, and that was how I’d keep it going.
I woke before my alarm went off. Raced out of bed and straight into the shower. I’d dragged my suitcase downstairs the night before. I made breakfast, and managed to get it down, in spite of the fact that an entire field of butterflies had taken up residence in my midsection.
A knock on the front door startled me so bad I almost dropped my cup of coffee.
What in the world? Please don’t be anything that would delay me, I thought as I headed down the hallway towards the door.
When I opened it, a man in a black suit stood there. “Miss Olivia? I’m here from Xavier to drive you to the airport.”
“Oh, um, I wasn’t expecting you. I’m just finishing breakfast,” I said. He hadn’t said anything about a car.
“I’ll wait in the car. When you’re done, just come to the door. No rush, ma’am.” He nodded, and turned and went back to his car.
I went straight back to the kitchen and dug my phone out of my purse.
‘You should have warned me.’ I wanted to see what he said.
‘About what? Did the car not get there? He left in plenty of time.’
So it was from him. ‘You didn’t tell me you were sending a car.’
‘I’m sending a car.’
‘Smart ass’
‘Have you left yet? Got a plane to get out of here.’
‘Finishing my coffee. Leaving shortly.’
‘Hurry’
I smiled. I liked to see that he had some excitement over this too.
I rinsed out my coffee cup and headed for the door. The moment I opened the door, the man in the car jumped out.
“Ma’am, ma’am, let me get your bag,” He came up behind me as I pulled my bag out the front door.
“Thank you,” I let him take it and turned to lock up.
“Oh shit,” I stared at the door.
“Ma’am?” He’d heard me.
“Nothing, nothing, I’m fine. Let’s go.” I locked the door and followed him to the car. I slid into the back and pulled my phone out again.
“What?” Momma didn’t like being woken before she decided to get up.
“Momma, I need you to stay at the house.”
“Why are you callin’ me this early, sugar?”
“Because I’m on my way to the airport and I realized the home would be here, empty, and I don’t want Royce in here.”
“Okay, darling, fine. I’ll get someone over there today to house sit while you’re gone.”
“Thank you, Momma.”
“You’re welcome. Now let me get back to sleep. It’s the only thing that slows the march of time.”
She hung up without another word.
I tucked the phone away. Now I felt like I could go and not have to worry.
The airport came into sight, and the butterflies fluttered back into life within.
Oh my God. Had I done the right thing? There was no turning back now.
The car pulled up to a small, sleek jet. As the car purred to a stop, the driver ran around and opened the door for me. He held out a hand, and I took it, afraid that I’d fall on my face otherwise.
I looked up, and Xavier appeared in the
door of the jet. I could see, even in the shadow of the hangar, that he wore a wide smile. The effect was more striking now that I could see him without glasses.
And he wanted to go out with me.
Stop it, I told myself. Stop that nonsense right now! Of course he does, in spite of the millstone you’re currently sporting, and in spite of all the other stuff that might come with that.
You’re worth it. Don’t you forget it. I heard that last bit in my mother’s voice.
I lightly ran up the steps, and he held out his arms and pulled me into a hug.
He smelled so good.
I wanted to bury myself in him, and it surprised me how strongly he affected me. I couldn’t remember the last time I—no. Stop it. Don’t think about that now, while you’re with Xavier.
His body felt warm and hard. There was no fat on the man. I couldn’t help it, and I gave him a little extra squeeze.
He kissed the top of my head.
“I’m really glad you decided to come.” His voice warmed me, flowing over me like warm honey. So different than what I heard when he sang.
“I’m really glad you asked me,” I said. I didn’t want to spill my guts, but I wasn’t going to lie. I wanted to be honest with him. I would be, as much as I felt it was safe.
“Well then let’s get going,” he said, grinning at me.
He stood back and let me enter. I’d never flown on anything other than commercial flights, so a private plane in and of itself was a treat.
The passenger area had only six seats. The driver came on behind us with my bag. A man appeared from the cockpit area and took it, and the driver from the car was gone.
“Have a seat. You hungry?” Xavier asked.
I sat down, and he sat across from me.
“No, I had something before I left. I have to ask, is this yours?”
“No, I share it with a couple of other people. Keeps the costs down, you know?”
I laughed. “You’re a bargain hunter?”
“Damn straight.”
He seemed a little off-kilter. I hoped it wasn’t because I wasn’t what he remembered. I almost asked, but his look of…surprise? Made me feel shy. Instead, I opted for a smile and tried to let myself relax.
4
Xavier
I couldn’t believe how good she looked. Why the hell had I waited before? I must be stupid. Seriously.
Forgotten Wishes: Djinn Everlasting Book Two Page 7
