by Emery, Lynn
Erikka’s throat became tight, but she had to ask. “You think Kelvin took the money.”
Darlene spun around “I don’t think any such thing!” she shouted. “Look, I’ve got enough to think about without you interrogating me. This has been one helluva day. I’m going to my bedroom for some peace and quiet.” The heels of her pumps made an angry rat-a-tat as she stomped out.
“Oh geez.” Erikka pulled a hand over her face. On one hand this was a perfect time for her to leave Loreauville. On the other, something told her she needed to stay.
***
The next week Erikka returned to New Orleans. Her probation officer finally agreed she could continue her community service at the Senior Center in Loreauville. She moved in with Hope until the renovations on her loft were completed. She followed Hope inside the apartment. Hope griped about work, but Erikka felt the opposite. Overtime was a joy. Every phone call, every problem made her heart sing. She was back in the land of the living. The only missing element was Gabriel. Erikka spent her spare moments coming up with reasons why he could move to New Orleans and be happy. So far nothing she’d thought up convinced even her.
Hope tossed her purse one way and her Anne Klein pumps flew another. She flopped down on the sofa. “Thank you, Jesus, this day is over.”
“If you hate your job send out resumes.” Erikka kicked the door shut and locked it. She put her soft leather briefcase down.
“I’m going to do that.”
“Uh-huh.” Erikka knew Hope wasn’t serious. She enjoyed complaining about her job. “As my mother would say, don’t whine if you’re not going to take action.”
“Speaking of opinionated mamas, how’s she doing? I’m surprised she isn’t giving you grief about not living with her. Especially now that she’s single again.”
“Not single yet. I’m hoping she and Craig can work it out. Of course, they’d have to dump their lovers first,” Erikka retorted. She couldn’t decide which she was more ticked off at.
“Go Roz. She doesn’t want you up in her house slowing down her love train,” Hope said with a smirk.
“Ha-ha. Jaci is truly freaked about the whole situation. She’s not speaking to either of them. Like our family doesn’t have enough turmoil going down. I called her yesterday and basically told her to grow up.” Erikka dropped her car keys in a long tray near the door next to Hope’s.
“She’s a spoiled brat, always thought so. You did right. Remind Ms. Center of the Universe that it’s not about her.” Hope pointed a finger as though Jaci were in the room.
Erikka looked at her with surprise. “Hell, I thought it was just me. Jaci does kinda think of everything as it affects her.”
“Right. How’d she take it when you told her off?”
“Not too good. Now she’s pissed at me, too. She’ll get over it. Jaci really is a caring person down deep.” Erikka sighed, thinking of her sister’s tantrums. She hadn’t outgrown those just yet.
“Oh the joys of family life.”
“Don’t get me started,” Erikka replied, thinking of Darlene. She dropped a stack of envelopes. They were of various sizes and colors. “Here’s the mail. You might want to look at all those bills.”
“I might not,” Hope tossed back.
‘Take it from me; you don’t want to ignore them for long. Getting your credit record clean is a bitch.”
“Yes, Mother.” Hope strolled over to the bar. When Erikka squinted at her, she held up a can of diet soda. “Damn, I’m living with Saint Erikka.”
“Hey, do what you want. Drink, ignore your bills, and chase after men who are no good for you. I’m just concerned.” Erikka grinned when Hope let out a groan.
“I can’t have any fun” Hope sat down again. “I’m chipping away at those balances. As you can see I’m drinking less, during the week at least.”
Erikka sank into a matching chair. “What about the men?”
“Damn, girl. I gotta have some hobbies. Speaking of men; how is Gabriel?”
“Good,” Erikka said after a few seconds.
“Sounds like you’re not too sure. He’s giving you the blues about moving back to New Orleans, huh?” Hope took a swig of soda and gazed at her with one eyebrow up.
“No, that’s not his way.” Erikka knew Gabriel was not happy about her move. The distance wasn’t the issue though. She was sure Gabriel worried he would have no place in her life anymore.
“Jealousy. Country guys are like that I hear. Want their women close by where they can see ’em.”
“Not Gabriel. I think he’s concerned about me getting back into the old routine. You know the one, work long hours, party too hard, and decorate the highway with parts of my car?”
Erikka chewed on her bottom lip. She had thought more than once about just that herself. Already Nadine was expecting her to stay past closing of each business day. Hope and Karin wanted to celebrate her return with all their old friends, most of whom were dancing on the edge. The same edge that Erikka had danced on before she took a tumble. She could understand why Gabriel was worried. But what about trust? She was handling herself fine so far.
“He should be supportive and have a little faith in you. Besides, you’re with me. I’ll keep you straight,” Hope said with a smile.
“Girl, please. The only reason he isn’t even more worried is because he doesn’t know you well.” Erikka laughed hard, and Hope joined in.
“Yeah, that was a good one.” Hope picked up the cordless phone on the end table when it rang. “Hello? Yes, just a sec.”
Erikka took the phone from her. “Hello? Nadine, what’s up?” She listened to her boss rattle on as though they were still in the office. “First thing in the morning. Yes, early in the morning. Bye.”
“Does she have a life, this woman? Damn. You just left that place two hours ago,” Hope said when Erikka punched the button and put the phone down.
“She’s a bit obsessed with being on top.” Erikka shrugged.
“We’ll talk about rumors of her sex life later,” Hope quipped, with an evil grin.
“Say sweet things about the woman who has given me three major clients. I now have my old accounts back plus Layton Inc. Laurie is so pissed.” Erikka giggled just remembering the look on her face when Nadine made the announcement about the changes.
“As in copper, paper mills, and oil holdings Layton, Inc.?” Hope sat straight for the first time since they’d gotten home.
“You left out newspapers and three radio stations. We’re working on revamping their employee pension and benefits package. I’ve got my hands full.” Erikka sank back into the overstuffed chair.
“You love it,” Hope observed.
“Oh yeah,” Erikka agreed, grinning widely. “With outsourcing and the cost of benefits shooting up, I’m on my way to getting a rep as being a top expert on the subject.”
“Excellent!” Hope raised her soda can in salute.
“Best of all, I can rub Laurie’s face in it.” Erikka propped her stocking feet on the cocktail table.
“Success is the best revenge,” Hope replied, with a nod. She leaned forward. “Back to Gabriel. When do we get to meet your man?”
“Soon. He’s coming this Saturday.” Erikka easily shoved work aside in her mind.
“I’ll be sure to hang around before I leave for my date with Damon. I’ll be pulling an all-nighter,” Hope said and wiggled her eyebrows.
“I’m counting on it. So, don’t be Miss Drama Queen and pick a fight with him over some nonsense. I won’t let you in.” Erikka stabbed a forefinger in the air between them for emphasis.
“Not to worry. Damon and I are tight this week. He just bought me this.” Hope held out her wrist to reveal a stunning turquoise-and-silver cuff bracelet.
“Are you for sale? Tsk, tsk.” Erikka shook her head.
“At various times in my life, yes. So, I won’t be touchy with him. I want the matching earrings to this bad boy.” Hope tossed her long hair.
“I despair of ev
er making you see the error of your ways.” Erikka continued to shake her head, pretending to be troubled.
“Look at my bracelet again. Did I mention the little beauty he bought me last month?” Hope wiggled the ring finger on her right hand at Erikka.
‘Terrible. You’re totally screwing up my fantasy about finding true love.” Erikka swung her feet to the floor.
Hope gave a most unladylike snort. “Girl, you have used and let go of more men than the army.”
Erikka bared her teeth at her and hissed. “Bitch,” she tossed as she padded into the kitchen.
“Yes, my sista. We recognize each other. But I’m not in denial,” Hope yelled after her.
“Okay, so I have a checkered past. A true friend would not bring that up.” Erikka came back with a bag of com chips. She sat down in the chair and put her feet up again.
“I’m helping you keep it real. Your therapist would thank me.” Hope pointed at her.
“Shut up.” Erikka aimed a com chip at Hope’s head.
Hope ducked as she whooped with laugher. “Okay, fairy tales can come true. Happy?”
‘Too little too late,” Erikka mumbled around a mouthful of chips.
“What about Gabriel? Is he showing any signs of strain with this long-distance love?”
“He’s an hour away. I’d hardly call that long-distance. We’re tight right now.” Erikka had a hot flash thinking about their coming weekend together.
“You’re in love, and the world is lovely. Sweet.” Hope went to the bar. She came back with a soda for Erikka and a bottle of imported beer for herself.
“Thanks.” Erikka took the soda and drank from the can.
‘Tell you the truth I could use some of that.” Hope took a long pull from bottle.
“You’ll find it. A good start would be no more superficial relationships. No more trading what’s real for jewelry,” Erikka said carefully. They were crossing into deep water. She wasn’t sure how Hope would take her observations.
“You mean I need to stop being cheap.” Hope appeared to study the label on the bottle.
“No, I mean stop underestimating your value,” Erikka said firmly.
“Yeah,” Hope replied after a few minutes of silence. Then she wore a wide grin when she looked at Erikka.
“What?”
“If I take your advice, I won’t see Damon this weekend, and you won’t have this spacious two-bedroom to yourself.” Hope puckered her lips.
“Oh—well. Uh, don’t try to change overnight. These things take time. Lots of time. Weeks even,” Erikka added with emphasis.
“Uh-huh, thought so. I’m keeping the bracelet and going for the earrings.” Hope stood. She swung her hips as she walked toward her bedroom. “Matter of fact, I’m going all out.”
“Don’t tell me, the necklace,” Erikka said.
“A toe ring and ankle bracelet, too. I can wear them all when he takes me to the St. Lucia Jazz Festival.” Hope spun around to face her with a saucy smirk.
“Definitely not cheap,” Erikka wisecracked. “But seriously—”
“I feel ya. Giving up Damon would be going cold turkey. I’m going to take little baby steps. Which means you shall have your weekend of bliss.” Hope spread her arms out and did a neat curtsey.
“Bless you.”
“Thanks for the talking to,” Hope said, with affection. “Now I’m going to soak in the tub with a good book.”
“Sounds wonderful. I’m heading to the shower.” Erikka went back to answer the ringing phone. “Hi, Nadine. What did you forget? Yeah, I’ve got those notes with me. Hang on.”
“You ask me, you should be sending out resumes,” Hope whispered.
“I’m about to take the business world by storm.” Erikka hit the mute button on the phone to be safe. “Nadine might be a barracuda, but she’s a successful barracuda with contacts. This is short-term pain for long-term gain.”
“Yeah, well you better hope your man sees it that way.” Hope tossed out her grain of wisdom, and then headed to her room.
Her words made Erikka pause as she searched through her briefcase. Job one would be getting a handle on her work schedule. Erikka had to find a way to stop a runaway work train called Nadine Lewis. She had to prove to herself and Gabriel that she wouldn’t slide down the same old slippery slope.
Chapter 17
Erikka stretched right down to her toes. She wiggled closer to Gabriel’s warmth. Cuddling after sex was a rare experience. All her previous lovers had dashed for the door, unless Erikka beat them to it. She’d known something was missing with those affairs. Somehow it had never pushed her to find more. Or maybe they were safe. Stop, Erikka ordered herself. Therapy had led her to these sudden bouts of self-examination. She needed to stay in the moment. To that end she reached under the sheet and stroked Gabriel’s muscular thigh.
“Show some mercy,” he muttered.
“No.”
Erikka kneaded the hard flesh until he came back to life. As she suspected, Gabriel had plenty of energy to spare. He proved it by turning the tables on her. His revenge was sweet for both of them. Gabriel licked, kissed, and stroked Erikka until she came three times. Afterward, she lay exhausted beneath him. With one leg she kicked the damp twisted top sheet off the edge of the bed.
Gabriel gave a final kiss to both her nipples, and then lifted his body from hers. Both were content to be silent for a long time drifting in and out of a drowsy stupor. When the phone rang Erikka didn’t move.
“You’re going to answer it?” Gabriel asked. He shifted as though allowing her space to reach for the cordless.
“Uh-uh. Nothing is that important,” Erikka said, and breathed deep with the effort.
“It could be your boss. She—”
“Whoa, good point.” Erikka rolled neatly to her left and grabbed the phone. “Hello? Oh, hi. Company, call you back. Bye.”
“Not your boss obviously.”
“No, my sister. Another long rant about how our mother is losing her mind.” Erikka would have given Jaci the same answer even if she’d been alone.
“Is she losing her mind?” Gabriel pushed himself and a pillow against the headboard until he was sitting up.
Erikka rested her cheek against his stomach. She wiggled with pleasure as he stroked her hair. “Not unless you think having an affair with a much younger man is a form of insanity. That more than qualifies in my sister’s opinion.” “I can see why she’d be upset. Even adult children suffer when their parents break up,” Gabriel said gently.
“Yeah.” Erikka pressed into his body for comfort. “I used to worry about Craig leaving us. Every time Roz would get into one of her moods or get angry, I’d work overtime to be a good girl.”
“You must be scared, too, on some level. If my parents separated, I’d be hurt, confused, and a little angry. At least at one of them.” Gabriel stopped stroking her hair. He started again at Erikka’s urging.
“I am sad. Craig is my father figure.” Erikka grew still. “I wonder if he’ll call me.”
Gabriel said nothing for a few minutes. “This is the man you said showed up at every softball game you played. He broke a thumb helping you build a science project. You’re his kid.”
Erikka smiled at the memories. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Hey, did I tell you all that stuff?”
“You sure did. That’s when I knew.”
“Knew what?” Erikka closed her eyes and waited.
“That you love me the way I needed you to. You held back for a long time.” Gabriel blew a soft breath of air across her back to cool her.
She shivered. “Trust.”
‘Trust and part of you, the part you most treasured. Thanks.” Gabriel blew again.
“You’re welcome.” Erikka sat up next to him. “I’m surprised at how cool I’m taking it, the split I mean. Guess I’m more grown-up than I thought.”
“Oh you’re definitely all grown-up,” Gabriel said playfully. He gave her an admiring once-over.
&nb
sp; “Glad you like.” Erikka smiled at him. “I’m going to love and support them both. Otherwise, I’m gonna keep my big mouth shut. As much as that is possible given my genetic weakness,” she added, with a laugh.
“Good for you, baby.”
“In fact, I’m over being mad at Craig. I’m going to call him.” Erikka made up her mind to reach out. She didn’t want Craig to think she wasn’t thinking of him.
“Even better.” Gabriel gave her bottom a pat to show his approval.
“Then there’s Darlene.” Erikka heaved a deep sigh. “I’m more worried about her. I haven’t had much time to really be there for her.”
“Working long hours,” he said quietly.
Erikka heard the double meaning in his observation.
“Uh, right. Anyway, she says the board isn’t blaming her about the missing money, yet. Aunt JoAnn says that won’t last once the whispers about her and Kelvin get around.” “Has the good deacon been there for her?”
Erikka thought about the hoochie with legs up to her ears she’d seen him with that day. “He’s been scarce lately.”
“Too bad.” Gabriel shook his head.
“Darlene is trying to hang tough, but she’s hurting bad. The last thing she needs is to lose her job.” Erikka made up her mind. Nadine would just have to understand. “I’m going to work like a fool and take a long weekend. Tracking down the answer of how the money was stolen shouldn’t be hard.”
“I’m sure your aunt will appreciate the support.” Gabriel smiled widely.
“I’ll probably find some time for you while I’m there.” Erikka smiled back at him.
“Not that I was thinking of me,” Gabriel said. He folded her in his strong arms.
“You can be as selfish as you please.”
Erikka breathed in the smell of his skin. Sweat mixed with cologne made for a potent scent. She would definitely shake loose from Lewis, Calder and Brinkhaus for a few days.
***
“I realize you have expenses, too, but—” Darlene stopped as the woman on the other end of the line kept talking.
