“All right. That’ll be fifteen to twenty minutes.”
Phillip took a seat while Angela and the woman sitting on the bench across from him continued to check him out. He felt good knowing he’d been able to ease the woman into a good mood, so he leaned back and began to scroll through the e-mails on his phone to pass the time. He was busy reading messages when the side door opened and brought in a rush of cold wind along with a woman who made him look away from his phone. To say that she was beautiful wasn’t enough, and he didn’t know if there were words for her.
Phillip watched as the tall woman gracefully sauntered in, surveying the waiting area as she walked up to the counter. Their eyes locked and he gave her a smile that she didn’t return. What is it with the women in this town? he thought to himself. But he wasn’t deterred.
“Hey, girl,” Angela greeted the beautiful woman. “How you doin’ tonight?”
The beautiful woman gave a small smile, but it was big enough to light up the room. Phillip watched her carefully, and even though she was dressed casually in leggings and a sweatshirt so big he could wear it himself, he could tell she was stylish—her colorful pink boots told him that. The chrome watch on her wrist was large and gleamed with glitzy embellishments around the face, and her fingers were well-manicured, and best of all, ring-free. He’d been around enough women to know that the black handbag hanging from the crook of her arm was well-made and expensive. Phillip also appreciated that her makeup was flawless and just enough, not overdone.
“I’m tired, hungry, and ready to eat,” the beautiful woman said. “I sure hope my order is ready.”
“I’ll go check for you,” Angela said.
Phillip could tell by the way the woman interacted with Angela that she was a regular customer. He watched as the beautiful woman stood at the counter. He wanted her to take a seat on the bench while she waited, or at least turn around, which would give him an opportunity to strike up a conversation with her. But she remained standing with her back to him.
“Sorry, girl,” Angela said as she came from the back. “It’s gonna be another ten minutes or so.”
The beautiful woman looked at the glitzy watch on her wrist and let out a loud sigh. “But I called my order in more than twenty minutes ago.”
“It’s been extra-busy today, and that’s the way it usually is right around the holidays. But if you wait, I promise when you get it it’s gonna be delicious.”
“All right. I guess I’ll just have to wait.”
Phillip watched as the woman finally turned around—actually, she looked as if she twirled—and then walked over to the bench across from him and sat down. She nodded to the woman sitting a few feet from her and then crossed her long legs. He could tell that she was purposely ignoring him, but he didn’t care because he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He made it so obvious he was staring that the woman beside her glanced back and forth between them, with an expression that begged to ask if they knew each other.
“Ma’am, your order is ready,” Angela said to the woman sitting on the bench.
The woman stood and smiled as she walked to the counter to get her food. She stacked her bags on top of each other and smiled. “Y’all have a happy Thanksgiving,” she said on her way out the door.
Just then Phillip’s phone chirped, alerting him that he had an incoming text message. He looked down and saw that his mother had sent him a laundry list of items to pick up from the grocery store. He shook his head and smiled because his mother was so meticulous that she’d grouped each item on the list by category. As he looked at the list he startled himself because in that moment a question came to him that he’d never thought about until now. But he didn’t have a chance to fully explore what it meant, because his thoughts were interrupted.
“I’m gonna go check on your order,” Angela said to the beautiful woman, then turned around and headed back to the kitchen.
This was Phillip’s opening and he took it. “Do you have plans for the holidays?” he asked.
The woman looked at him without answering as she pulled her ringing phone from her handbag. He thought she could’ve given him a head nod—at the very least—as she’d done to the woman who had been sitting beside her. Yes, the beautiful woman was definitely ignoring him on purpose, and it served to make him even more interested in her.
“Hey, girl, I tried calling you after the interview went off but I got your voice mail,” the woman said. The concern in her voice was so strong that a worry line appeared across her forehead. “Are you okay?”
Phillip watched as the woman slowly recrossed her legs and leaned against the back of the bench. She was consumed in her conversation, oblivious to the fact that he was watching her every move. He thought she was sexy without trying to be, and that made her even hotter. She shook her head and looked up at the ceiling as she listened with what appeared to be pain on her face to whomever was on the other end of the phone.
“I wish I knew, too,” the beautiful woman said. She let out a deep breath as she ran her fingers through her long, silky hair. Phillip noted that although her fingers were slender, her hands were large. But then again, she was very tall, so it stood to reason that the rest of her body would be in proportion. He looked down at her pink boots and could see that her feet were large, as well. He thought it was ironic that such features could be found on a woman as slight and as delicate as she was, and he thought it made her even more unique.
“Yes, and I wanted to reach through the damn screen and choke the hell outta that heffa until her lyin’ tongue hung out . . . uh-huh . . . I know, girl . . . uh-huh . . . ’cause it’s probably some ol’ bullshit . . . that psychopath is crazy . . . Yes, and that’s why I’m worried about you.”
Phillip was startled by how bold and rough the stylish woman was talking, unfiltered and without a care. If it had been any other woman talking the way she’d just done, it would’ve turned him off completely, but it did just the opposite coming from her.
“When will Samuel and his parents be home?” she asked. “Uh-huh. . . okay . . . Do you want me to come over and keep you company until they get back? Are you sure? I’m at Sebastian’s waiting for my take-out order, but I should be leaving soon and I can come straight over.”
Not only was Phillip physically attracted to her, he liked her. Her caring and sincere manner was endearing, and it melted the hard shield she’d put up when she sat down and ignored him just moments ago.
“Your order is ready,” Angela said, coming out of the back.
The beautiful woman nodded. “My order is ready,” she said to the person on the other end. “I’ll call you back after I get out to my car.” She hung up, shook her head, and exhaled deeper than she had when she’d started her conversation, which Phillip could see hadn’t been a good one. It was obvious that her friend was in distress and now she was, too. She looked up at the ceiling again, uncrossed her long legs, and rose slowly. Phillip wanted to ask her what was wrong, but he knew that would be way out of line, and judging by the way she’d been acting toward him she might even tell him that it was none of his business.
“You okay?” Angela asked.
“Yeah, you know me. I’ll be fine.”
“All right, girl. Go home and enjoy your meal. I threw in a complimentary dessert for you since you had to wait so long.”
The beautiful woman smiled, but it wasn’t the same happy expression she’d had on her face when she’d first walked in. “Thanks, I really appreciate that, Angela. Dessert always brightens a girl’s day.”
She paid for her food and thanked Angela again. She was about to walk out the door when Phillip decided he had to say something to her. “Have a happy Thanksgiving.”
She stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around. Her eyes seemed to glow as she zeroed in on him. She leaned against the door and nodded her head. “Thanks . . . you too.”
The moment the door closed behind her, Phillip knew something special had just happened. And when the same questi
on he’d had moments ago popped back into his head, he knew the feeling was real.
Chapter 6
GENEVA
Geneva’s hands were shaking so badly she could barely hold her cup of tea. Normally, the soothing blend of chamomile and natural honey calmed her, but this was her second cup and she was still on edge. She jumped when her cell phone rang, but she was relieved to see it was Donetta.
“Thanks for calling me back,” Geneva said. She moved from her couch in the family room and perched herself atop one of the high-back bar stools at her large kitchen island.
“I can still come over there if you want me to. We can split my dinner, ’cause you know Sebastian’s portions are huge.”
“That’s okay. Like I said, Samuel and his parents will be back in a little while and he’s bringing me something to eat.” Geneva said as she walked over to the sink and poured her tea down the drain. “What did you order?”
“Do you have to ask?”
“Chicken marsala.”
Donetta laughed. “Hell, yeah, and I’m gonna devour it, too.”
“I know you are. They have the best food in town. We’ll probably take Samuel’s parents there before they leave.”
“You’re blessed to have such great in-laws.”
“Yes, I am. They’re wonderful people, and they raised a good man. I don’t know what I’d do without him. When I got home this afternoon I was relieved that he and Gabrielle weren’t here, because I needed some time alone, you know? But now I can’t wait till they get home.”
Donetta sighed into the phone. “Girl, cherish that feeling.”
“I will, and enough about me. I haven’t asked you how you’re doing tonight. You okay?”
“I’m good, just worried about you.”
Geneva smiled. Other than Samuel, Donetta was the one person she could count on, rain or shine. Donetta was always supportive and ready to lend a hand in any way she could. She was a friend, counselor, babysitter, business partner, comedian, and style expert all rolled into one. And even though she’d gone through a lot over the last two years, she’d found a way to remain positive and encouraging in her own way. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” Geneva returned to the couch and wrapped her chenille throw around her body.
“You know I can’t help but be concerned. Especially after how wild and crazy Vivana looked on TV. The thought of her getting out is like a nightmare.”
“Tell me about it. She’s a very disturbed person, that’s for sure.” Geneva heard Donetta’s car door open and close. “Are you home already?”
“No, I’m walking into the grocery store.”
“I thought you just picked up dinner.”
“I did. But I don’t have anything in my cabinets or my fridge, so after this meal I’m up shit creek. I’m gonna pick up enough food to tide me over through the beginning of next week when I’ll be home.”
She could hear the noise of Donetta’s shopping cart, and she imagined her friend perusing the aisles, probably decked out in a casually stylish outfit. “I hope you have a list with you. If I don’t have a list I pick up everything except the things I really need.”
“I don’t have list the first. But I need practically everything, so . . . hey, what ingredients do I need to make that chicken and mushroom dish you brought to work a few weeks ago?”
Geneva began to rattle off the ingredients for the delicious chicken casserole that was always a hit with everyone who tasted it. Samuel had raved about it, and when she’d brought leftovers to work the next day, Donetta had eaten nearly all of it. Geneva stretched her legs, realizing how good it felt to do something as mundane as talk about groceries and recipes instead of thinking about Vivana, murder, and danger. She was finally calm.
“Oh shit!” Donetta whispered into the phone. “You’ve gotta be freakin’ kidding me.”
“What’s wrong?”
“He’s here. Damn it! I hope this guy isn’t following me.”
Geneva’s back stiffened, and she immediately became concerned. Donetta was forever having some kind of drama with men. But ever since she’d stopped dating last year in order to concentrate on her final stages of transition, she’d been worry-free. Geneva hoped it wasn’t one of her crazy exes from the past. “Who’s following you?”
Donetta lowered her voice, and Geneva could barely hear her. “There was this guy at Sebastian’s, and . . .”
The line went silent. “Donetta? Donetta?” Geneva listened carefully, trying to make out the voice in the background. Her ears perked up at the sound of a man’s deep baritone. Even through the phone, Geneva could tell the voice belonged to what had to be a handsome specimen attached to it.
Donetta cleared her throat. “Geneva, I’ll call you back later, okay?”
“But you said someone’s following you. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Um, yes. I’ll explain later.”
Geneva heard a particular lilt in Donetta’s voice that let her know that her instincts had been correct—whomever Donetta was talking to was undoubtedly handsome. Geneva had been friends with Donetta long enough to know that even though she was cynical when it came to men, she loved them almost as much as she did her high-end clothes and shoes. Geneva shook her head. “Okay, Donetta, but call me when you get home so I’ll know you made it there safely.”
The moment she hung up the phone, Geneva heard the garage door open, and the sound was like music to her ears. She practically jumped off the couch and made her way back to the kitchen as the door to the mudroom opened.
Samuel walked in with a big smile on his face and his parents in tow. And an added surprise was that his older brother, Joe, whom they hadn’t seen since Gabrielle had been born, was there for the holidays, as well.
“Mom and Dad knew Joe was coming,” Samuel said, “but they kept it a secret so we’d be surprised.”
It was the first time all evening that Geneva truly felt like it was the holiday season. They shared warm hugs, happy smiles, and laughter, and the joyous moment temporarily took Geneva’s mind off of Vivana and the horrible memory of her ex-husband that she couldn’t seem to shake.
While Samuel showed his parents and Joe to their rooms, Geneva fed Gabrielle her bottle and then put her down for the night. The sight of her precious baby girl sleeping peacefully in her crib gave Geneva a sense of joy she couldn’t explain. But unfortunately, the feeling was short-lived, because when she walked back downstairs she found Samuel and her in-laws gathered around the television watching a repeat of Vivana’s breaking news interview that had aired earlier that evening.
Geneva walked in quietly and sat beside Samuel on the couch. She leaned into his waiting arms just as Vivana’s attorney assured the reporter and viewers that justice would be served, and that her client would be exonerated of the murder she’d been wrongly convicted of. When the reporter asked if there had been misconduct on the part of the police department that investigated the crime, Vivana’s attorney declined to comment, and became vague on details. Once the interview was over, Joe immediately spoke up.
“I knew from the minute I laid eyes on Vivana that she was nothing but trouble. She didn’t have a genuine bone in her body. But hey, I tried to warn you.” He stared at Samuel with an I told you so look on his face.
“I can’t believe you just went there,” Samuel said incredulously.
Joe hunched his shoulders. “Why not? It’s true, isn’t it? I’m just sorry you didn’t listen to me, is all I’m saying.”
Samuel shot his brother a hard look. “You’ve been in my house for less than an hour and you’re already starting.”
“Starting what?” Joe asked, as if he had no idea what Samuel was talking about.
“Right now I don’t need to hear I told you so. And of all people, I definitely don’t need to hear it from you.” Samuel looked at his brother as if he wanted to strangle him, and his reaction worried Geneva.
Geneva and her in-laws each took deep breaths and braced themselves
for what they knew was about to come. Samuel and Joe had never seen eye to eye about anything, and they’d bickered back and forth ever since they’d been little boys. Everyone who knew the two brothers understood that their sibling rivalry was fueled by Joe’s insecurities and his less-than-impressive attempts to compete with Samuel.
Joe was the oldest, but he’d always felt second to his younger brother’s achievements. Samuel was more handsome, unquestionably smarter, more industrious, more popular, and the more successful of the two. He had a beautiful wife, a precious daughter, a huge house, and a thriving career. Conversely, Joe had always fumbled his way through life feeling unfulfilled because of poor decisions and a quirky, oftentimes abrasive personality that rubbed people the wrong way. He’d been married three times, and each divorce left him more broke and bitter than the last.
Marrying Vivana was one of the few mistakes Samuel had made, but Joe felt his brother’s one faux pas had equaled all of his three marriages combined, and he loved throwing it up in Samuel’s face. But their relationship had seemed to get better for a brief time two years ago when Joe had come for a visit. He’d been in Birmingham for a convention through his job with a manufacturing company, and had driven to Amber to see Samuel. Ironically, it had been the same week Johnny had been killed. Samuel had been stressed because of the heavy scrutiny that he and Geneva had been under, and Joe had been sympathetic.
Joe had put their childhood issues aside and came through for Samuel during a time when Samuel had needed him. They’d even kept up a steady flow of conversation for several months. Geneva had been happy to see that Samuel and his brother had gotten closer. But almost without warning, Joe stopped calling and the relationship between the two brothers had gone back to the way it had always been.
Geneva wished Samuel and his brother could overcome their contempt for each other and get along. She liked Joe because he’d always been nice to her, but she didn’t like the way he treated Samuel, and she knew that kind of behavior couldn’t continue, especially not now that Joe was in their house, on Samuel’s turf, even if it was only for a few days.
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