Back to Me (5 page)

“I'm fine, thanks to . . .” Paige turned to the man, who was now devouring ribs and potato salad, and let the words hang.

“We've got to stop meeting like this,” he said before she could swallow her pride and address him. “These dramatic moments are getting old.”

“Huh? You two know each other already?” Marlissa asked.

“Of course, they do,” Kevin answered. “I referred him to Paige for some investment property.”

Paige gasped like she was choking again. “What?”

Kevin's face twisted. “Didn't Tyson tell you about Serg-X?”

“Who?” Paige wanted to know.

Kevin turned to his guest. “Man, I thought you said you met Paige?”

The guy took a swig of water before answering. “I did, but we didn't have a chance to discuss business. She was too busy worshipping and doing the Lord's work to give me the time of day. She doesn't even know my name.”

“Well, let me formally introduce you,” Kevin offered after he and the ladies shared a laugh at Paige's expense. “Serg-X, the woman whose life you just saved is Paige McDaniels, real estate broker extraordinaire. Paige, this is my colleague Dr. Sergio-Xavier Winston Simone, but he goes by Serg-X. He's the lead neurologist at Sutter.”

Paige's cheeks burned with embarrassment. In their two previous encounters, she'd treated the man like a common criminal. Yet in her crisis he hadn't hesitated to come to her aid.

“Hi. Um, it's nice . . . Hello, Serg-X,” she said, stumbling over her words until he stood and ended the awkwardness.

“My friends call me Serg-X. You can address me as Sergio-Xavier, Mr. Simone, or Dr. Simone. Or better yet, you don't have to address me at all.”

“Ouch!” Marlissa said and then tiptoed away, with Reyna following.

For the third time, Paige watched his back retreat, and for the first time she wanted to chase after him.

Sergio-Xavier dumped his half-eaten food in the trash on his way to a place that was still undetermined. He just knew he had to get away from Paige McDaniels. He had been to his colleague Kevin's house only once before and guessed that the French doors on the other side of the room led to a deck or a patio. His assumption proved correct. The doors not only led to a deck, but also afforded him views of the Bay Area's three major bridges and the San Francisco skyline.

The second he stepped through the doors, the dry coldness chilled him to the bone. He walked over to the wooden railing and stuffed his hands into his front pants pockets, all the while thinking the freezing temperature was warmer than Paige's attitude. The woman could freeze water with just a look.

In his thirty-five years, he'd never felt like disrespecting a woman, yet on three separate occasions her callous personality had caused him to do just that with ease. The men in his family would not be proud. His father, grandfather, and uncles prided themselves on rearing respectable men who held women in the highest regard. He wasn't proud of his behavior, but Paige McDaniels had a way of irritating him to the point where he disregarded everything he'd been taught.

The effect she had on him left him confused, and confusion was not something he was used to. As a physician, he functioned based on logic and data. She disregarded him, and her words insulted him. Her prejudices infuriated him. Yet, in her moment of distress, he didn't hesitate to come to her aid. Seconds before he'd been so disgusted with her, he'd refused to sit next to her, but her distress had ignited his compassion.

“That's just adhering to the oath,” he mumbled to himself, referring to the Hippocratic oath, which he'd taken upon graduating from medical school. “I'd help anyone in need.” Yet that didn't explain why he had practically snatched her from Kevin. As a trained surgeon, Kevin was more than capable of performing the Heimlich maneuver.

He rocked on his heels, trying to generate heat. When that didn't work, he paced the length of the deck. Common sense dictated that he retreat back inside the house and enjoy the fellowship and food, but he didn't want to see
her.
One more lap around the deck and he made up his mind. He'd go back inside, thank Kevin for inviting him, present the parents with a gift, and then excuse himself.

He turned on his heels, but before he made it to the double doors, Paige stepped through them, wearing her coat and gloves.

His shiver was more animated than necessary. “The temperature seems to have dipped ten degrees.”

“I guess I deserve that, Dr. Simone,” she responded with her chin out. “My behavior toward you hasn't exactly been professional or Christian.”

He took a step backward. “Christian? I came to your office to hire you, and you in turn yelled at me. Then you accused me of being a thief without knowing anything about me. And today you can't even say thank you after I saved your life. You're speaking to me now only because you know I'm a doctor and that places me on your level.”

“First of all, Mr. Simone, you didn't save my life. God equipped you with the knowledge to help me, but He saved my life.”

Sergio-Xavier looked down at the wagging gloved finger and shook his head. Paige McDaniels was way too spiritual for him.

“Just because you're a doctor doesn't place you on my level. I came out here to thank you for allowing God to use you, but your ego is too big. You're already claiming God's glory.”

Sergio-Xavier was no longer cold. The ebony beauty standing before him had managed to bring his anger to a level that frightened him. This woman had no idea to whom she was talking. The insult she'd just unleashed was far worse than all the others combined.

“Reverend Mother McDaniels,” he sneered, “if I didn't already have a personal relationship with God, I wouldn't be inclined to get one after meeting you. Now I understand why people don't like Christians.”

“What do you know about Christians?”

He thought the neck rolling and eye rolling juvenile but didn't address them. “I know enough to know that I'm not one—”

“That's what I thought,” she interrupted, “so don't be judging me.”

“Judging is not something I do, because scripture clearly tells us not to. Besides, you pass enough judgment for ten people.” He stepped around her and reached for the doorknob. “For your information, I'm not a Christian, because the majority of Christians are like you—self-absorbed and self-righteous, and they are masters at judging everyone but themselves. What I am is a Christ follower, because I follow the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ.” He opened the door, but just before stepping over the threshold, he added, “If you have another medical crisis, don't have it around me. I'm not so sure I would do what Jesus would do the next time.” He remembered he was a guest in Kevin's home and avoided slamming the door just in the nick of time.

Attitude seeped from Paige, only to be replaced by shame. She hadn't meant to lash out at him. She'd actually come outside to thank him and to apologize for her previous behavior, but his insults had hurt her. How dare he imply she was stuck-up? She never looked down on people and didn't consider herself on a higher level than anyone else. The comment about her Christianity didn't help, either, although her behavior proved his point, though it was off base.

The cold wind further cooled her attitude. She needed to get back inside before her toes froze. “A little frostbite might be a small price to pay to avoid that man,” she grumbled before turning the doorknob. With any luck, the good doctor would stay out of her space.

The second she stepped back inside, her wish was granted. Across the room, Sergio-Xavier had his suit jacket on and his coat hanging over his arm. After a brief conversation with Tyson and Reyna, he handed them a small gift box, then headed for the foyer, Kevin following behind.

“What am I doing?” she asked with each step she took toward them. Her feelings were hurt, and she still had her pride, but for some reason, Paige couldn't let him leave without thanking him. That was the Christian thing to do.

“Dr. Simone, may I speak to you for a minute?” she said in a timid voice that sounded foreign to her. From behind, she observed that his left arm was still midway through the left coat sleeve. His head shook before he resumed the motion of putting on his coat. “Please.”

Both Kevin and Sergio-Xavier turned around just then.

“If you need some privacy, you can use my study,” Kevin offered.

“That won't be necessary,” Sergio-Xavier answered while continuing to button his coat. “Whatever Miss McDaniels has to say to me, she can say right here.”

“All right.” Kevin eyed Paige with uncertainty before walking away.

Paige almost lost her courage when Sergio-Xavier finally focused on her, but she had to continue so her prayers would be received. His dark eyes always appeared to be examining her soul.

“I'm sorry,” she said without preliminaries. The sooner this conversation was over, the sooner he would leave her presence. “Thank you for helping me earlier.”

“Is that all?” he said with more disdain than Paige thought necessary.

“What else should there be?”

He stuffed his hands into leather gloves. “Miss McDaniels, if you don't already have a clue, my explaining it to you won't help.”

Once again frustration got the best of her. Paige was used to hardball negotiations, but this was ridiculous. Something more important than a million-dollar deal was on the table. Her self-preservation and pride were at stake. “Look, I'm trying to make amends with you, you know, call a truce, but you're impossible.”

He raised an eyebrow. “
I'm
impossible?”

“All right, okay,” she said, her hands waving in the air. “I was rude, and I said some things I shouldn't have. That day at my office, I didn't know you were Kevin's friend. And that day at the food bank, well, I'd had a rough week.” She briefly looked away, thinking of the memory. “I was tired and sleep deprived—”

“What's your excuse today?” he interrupted.

Paige's mouth opened and closed, but she didn't have a comeback that wasn't a lie, and she wasn't ready to reveal that she just didn't like the man. “There is none,” she finally conceded. “I don't have one today.” Her head dropped. “Today I was just plain wrong.”

“How about mean and nasty?”

Paige figuratively and literally swallowed what little pride she had left. “You're right. What I said was mean and nasty.”

At the sound of his laughter, her head rose and she found a mouth with a set of straight ultra-white teeth smiling at her.

“What's so funny?” she wanted to know. Could he be callous enough to find this funny?

“You are.” He was smiling, but Paige knew an insult was coming, and he didn't disappoint her. “I bet that took a lot out of you. You're an enigma, and I'm sure I never want to figure you out. In this case, I'm going to do a WWJD. I'm going to accept that pathetic apology, since it's the best you can do. And I'm going to add you to my prayer list.” Then he was gone.

Paige stood there staring at the etched glass in the door, trying to understand how anyone could insult someone and then offer to pray for them. More importantly, why did the idea of Dr. Sergio-Xavier Winston Simone praying for her excite her? And why did he have so many names?

On Monday morning Paige skipped into her office building, feeling more refreshed than she had in days without the aid of caffeine. For the first time in weeks, she had enjoyed a restful night of sleep. No tossing and turning and no disturbing dreams. She attributed the peace to last night's prayer time. During the two-hour session she had cried, repented, and thanked God repeatedly for sparing her life. As much as she loved shrimp, Paige doubted she would ever taste one again.

After deactivating the alarm and manually locking the door—something she'd been doing since being caught with her butt in the air—Paige trotted into her office and turned on her favorite worship music and sang along while she worked. Two hours later, when the receptionist and the agents arrived, Paige had her whole week planned out. She was in the middle of reviewing a counteroffer when the intercom sounded.

“You have a visitor,” the voice announced.

Paige glanced down at her appointment schedule. The 9:30 a.m. slot was empty.
This could be a new client,
she reasoned, since over 30 percent of her clients started as walk-ins. “I'll be right out,” she answered.

Before walking into the reception area, Paige smoothed her hair bun and refreshed her clear lip gloss. Paige felt so good, she opted to leave her suit jacket draped across her chair. Believing modesty was best, Paige almost never displayed her hourglass figure.

She rounded the corner and extended her hand. “Good morning. I'm . . .” The remaining words stuck in her throat now that she knew her visitor's identity.

Sergio-Xavier took her hand. “Good morning, Miss McDaniels. After further consideration, I've decided to give you another chance, since I caught you off guard the first time. I stopped by on my run to schedule an appointment with you.”

She finally released the breath she'd been holding to keep from passing out. The man didn't believe in beating around the bush, but he did have a dedication to physical fitness. Only a fanatic would be out in fifty-degree weather in an Under Armour compression shirt and shorts. The bulges underneath the black fabric reminded her of what those arms felt like wrapped around her body, causing her to stare.

“Miss McDaniels?”

“Get behind me Satan.”

“Excuse me?”

His raised voice snapped Paige away from her lustful thoughts. She hadn't meant to say the command out loud. Neither had she meant to hold on to his hand for so long.

“What I mean is, I'm free now,” she said, clarifying the matter after releasing his hand. “That is, if you're available.”

His eyes were doing it again, examining her like she was a microscopic specimen.

“Are you sure? I don't want to impose if you're busy.”

“I'm sure. Follow me.” She turned and started for her office. After several steps she looked over her shoulder to see if he was following her. He was, and she prayed the rest of the way. Today was a good day, and Paige was determined not to let him ruin it. No matter what he said, she would maintain her professionalism.

“Dr. Simone, please have a seat,” she directed once they were in the confines of her office.

He hesitated, but only briefly, before taking a seat. “Thank you.”

An uncomfortable silence followed. Paige stalled by looking at her computer, then straightening papers on her desk, all the while mentally reciting scriptures.

“Dr. Simone, I must admit, I'm surprised to see you this morning. When we parted yesterday, I wasn't sure if we had reached a truce or not,” she finally said.

“If we hadn't, I wouldn't be here,” he answered in the no-nonsense tone she was used to. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “I'm looking for some investment properties, preferably four fourplexes. Fixer-uppers are fine, as long as they're in good neighborhoods.”

“And just how much are you prepared to spend, and how soon?” she asked while typing in the information on her computer screen.

“Soon as possible, and no more than three hundred thousand each, repairs included.”

She continued typing. “Is it safe to assume you've already solidified financing?”

“This will be a cash transaction.”

Her fingers slowed, but only momentarily. She was used to working with financially secure clients, but she had a feeling Sergio-Xavier was on another level. As they worked through the client intake form, Paige learned that Sergio-Xavier was single and lived within five miles of her office, near UC Berkeley.

“I have everything I need to get started,” Paige said after printing a copy of the broker's agreement for him to sign. “Can you answer one question for me?”

“Sure,” he said after reading the document and signing on the dotted line.

“Why do you have so many names? Two first names is kind of ghetto for someone of your caliber, don't you think?”

He leaned back, and the smirk on his face suggested that this might be the shortest client relationship of her career.

“Miss McDaniels, I was just beginning to think you're an intelligent woman, and then you open your mouth and say something stupid. Actually, I expected that, because you really can't help it. It's who you are.”

The truce was officially over. Paige stood and pounded her desk with her palm. “Are you calling me stupid?”

He remained seated, totally unmoved by her animated behavior. “What I'm saying is, stop judging people by your measuring stick, because your vision is blurred.”

Paige shook her head, in total confusion. “What?”

“Sit down and listen, and I'll explain it to you.”

Paige huffed and puffed and rolled her eyes, but she sat down. She didn't want to listen, but she had a feeling she needed to. Then she would throw him out and tear up the contract.

“First of all, I wasn't born a doctor. I was born a regular human being, so my caliber, as you call, it is not important.”

His humility surprised her, but she didn't show it.

“My paternal grandfather had five daughters and no sons. I was the first male in the family, and my mother wanted to name me after her Latino father, Sergio Xavier. My father wanted to name me after his childhood friend Winston, who died of sickle-cell anemia while in high school. The day I was born, my parents reached a compromise and honored them by giving me both of their names. Sergio-Xavier is my first name. Winston is my middle name. So you see? There is nothing ghetto about my name.”

“Oh,” Paige mouthed more than voiced. “So you're Latino?”

“Actually, my mother is Latino and African American, and my father is French and African American, but that's beside the point. Stop making assumptions about things you know nothing about.”

“I don't do that,” she retorted, defending herself. “At least not on purpose.”

“Yes, you
do,
” he answered emphatically. “You judge people with ease based on your self-imposed high standards.”

His words cut so deep and quick that Paige didn't have a chance to brace herself. A tear escaped before she could get into self-preservation mode. She blinked rapidly and looked away. “If I'm such a bad person, then why did you come here today?”

If he noticed the tear, he didn't mention it. “Honestly, other than divine intervention, I don't know why I'm here today. When I left you yesterday, I had no intentions of seeing you again, but as I jogged down the hill, I felt compelled to stop here.”

“Really?” Her voice was just above a whisper.

“Look, Paige,” he said, leaning forward, “for the record, you're not a bad person. More than a little misguided, but not bad.”

If you only knew what I did,
she thought as another tear fell.

“And despite what I said a moment ago, you are intelligent and beautiful, with a nice rear end.”

“What—”

“Hold on,” he said when she stood up again. “Before you start throwing holy water on me, I'm not flirting or being lustful. Just stating facts.”

Slowly, she returned to her seat.

“Gee whiz,” he said, shaking his head. “Why do women always think a man wants them just because he compliments them?”

“Sorry.”

He stood to his feet. “Look, let's try this from the beginning. Hello, Miss McDaniels. My name is Sergio-Xavier Winston Simone, but you can call me Serg-X.”

Suppressing a grin, she stared at his extended hand a long time before accepting it. “Hello, Sergio-Xavier. You may call me Paige.”

“I'm glad there's only one of you,” he said after the handshake.

“I guess this means we're friends now?” she asked, with more anticipation than she thought necessary.

“No,” he answered through that perfect smile. “But at least now we can have a cordial business relationship.”

She observed him as he prepared to leave, and felt the need to say something to prolong the visit.

“Thank you for giving me another chance,” she said and handed him her business card. “For the most part, I'll be contacting you, but just in case you ever need to reach me, all my numbers are on there.”

He held the card in the palm of his hand. “I look forward to doing business with you, Paige.”

This time, instead of watching his back, Paige walked beside him back to the reception area. With each step, she had a feeling her life was about to change. For better or worse, she didn't know.