Forever Love (Arabesque) (10 page)

“Thanks,” Keith said as he pulled out his cell phone to check messages. Since leaving City Hall he’d already gotten ten, most from news organizations requesting a comment. He scrolled down, finding the last message from his mother, then looked at the time. It was the right time and right train number, but no Mamma Lou. He was just about to follow the conductor to the office when a woman quickly rushed past him entirely focused on catching up with the same conductor he’d spoken with a few minutes ago. Only a few feet away, he overheard their conversation.

“Hello, excuse me,” she began breathlessly. “Hi, do you know which platform was used for the northbound train coming from Alexandria? I’m running late and I missed the announcement.”

“Yeah, it came in on platform number six. But if you’re looking for someone, there’s no one down there. I was the last one up.”

She sighed, then looked around quickly. “Okay, is there a PA system or some way I can page someone? I’m looking for an elderly woman. She was supposed to come in on that train and I don’t see her waiting.”

The conductor smiled broadly, looked at her and then at Keith over her right shoulder. “Hey, you two know each other? Maybe you’re looking for the same person?”

“No, I doubt it, but if you could...” Gia began, then turned, stunned, to see Keith standing right behind her. She’d walked right by him and hadn’t realized it. The instant she saw him she remembered her dreams in vivid detail. Reality hit and her stomach dropped and she froze in place.

“Hello,” he said. His deep voice trembled right through her.

“Keith, what are you doing here?” she asked, obviously stunned to see him.

“What are you doing here?” Keith asked, equally surprised.

“I’m picking someone up from Alexandria,” she said.

“Yeah, me, too, from Richmond, but I guess I missed her.”

“Her,” she repeated, then immediately regretted it. The slight smirk on his face told her he knew exactly what she thought.

“Yes,
her,
” he emphasized, more closely gauging her reaction.

“Well, I’m sure she’s waiting for you somewhere around here.”

“I hope so.”

They stared at each other a few seconds, and then Gia turned away and looked around the large open area. “So, I guess I’ll expect a phone call from you regarding our appointment with the mayor.”

“I understood we had a truce.”

“We do,” she said.

“Ah, so I guess that would explain a member of your staff having to be forcibly removed from the mayor’s press conference this afternoon. I expected civility from you,” he said, the curt tightness in his voice obvious.

She grimaced. “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

“Are you going to play the innocent?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I’m talking about OCC forging press credentials, slipping in and hijacking a city press conference this afternoon. I’m talking about a man screaming and yelling down the corridors of City Hall. I’m talking about how I was under the impression we had an understanding, Gia.”

Her faked innocence didn’t work. Of course she knew what he was talking about. As soon as she saw Keith she knew this conversation was going to happen. She also knew that she had two options, apologize for Danny’s behavior or just ride through. She chose the latter. “OCC was not officially there today and I have no control of what my volunteers or employees do on their own time.”

“Then perhaps you’re not suited to run OCC,” he said abruptly.

“I beg your pardon,” she said, immediately taking offense.

“My employees do not commandeer my practice and my name and run stampeding over the city officials. And since I was under the impression that we had come to an equitable solution by my agreeing to facilitate a meeting with you and the mayor, I was—”

“A meeting is not a resolved solution, and agreeing to meet is not an ironclad understanding to suspend justified opinions. The mayor is wrong and OCC is still free to speak out at any time and any place. You have heard of the First Amendment.”

“Sure, freedom of speech, but perhaps you should read the rest of the Constitution more closely. It does not include defamation of character and inflammatory rhetoric in public venues. OCC was not invited. The city’s on-site press conferences are for credentialed members of the press only, not lunatics off the street with an axe to grind and the backing of what has obviously now become a radical political group.”

“OCC is a community organization. Now, you may not agree with our ideology, but we have every right to represent the people and speak out on their behalf. You need to get over yourself. This isn’t personal.”

“Yeah, you keep right on believing that.”

“And for the record, I did not sanction what Danny did. We were not supposed to be there today.”

“Like Monday,” he commented.

“Monday was different.”

“All of it?” he questioned with interest.

She knew what he was asking. She took a step back, suddenly feeling the closeness of their bodies. “Again, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Do you spend all of your time in denial or just some of it?”

Gia breathed in and opened her mouth to respond, then closed it quickly. She paused a few seconds. “Look, I’m not about to stand in the middle of a train station and justify my organization to you or anyone else. And whatever you think is happening here is clearly solely in your imagination. It’s obvious that you’ll say whatever it takes to get what you want.”

“You have no idea what I want,” he said.

“I can only imagine.”

“Solely in my imagination, huh?” he said.

“Yes,
solely
your
imagination,” she said tightly.

He turned to walk away and then, in a moment, turned back, grabbed her in his arms and leaned in close. “Well, imagine this,” he whispered. She gasped. An instant later he kissed her with enough combustible passion to rival the sun’s energy. In the fraction of a second it took for their lips to touch, her world imploded. Everything she knew or thought she knew about a kiss, she didn’t. Life was brand-new and this kiss was the beginning of everything.

For all intensive purposes pleasure had a new name and it was Keith Washington. Being kissed by him was like the big bang happening all over again. Every nucleus in every atom in her body felt as if it had been jump-started. Reality stopped being real and all of her fantasies combined into one kiss, one man.

“Well, I guess I was right. You two do know each other.”

Chapter 10

T
he kiss ended with an abrupt breathless jolt. Both Keith and Gia turned to see that the conductor had returned carrying two large bags with Louise Gates at his side. “Yes, indeed, they certainly seem to, don’t they?” Louise said, nodding happily.

“Mrs. Gates, hi, hi,” Gia said quickly, nervously, hugging the older woman warmly. “How are you? You look great,” she rambled.

“Oh my, Gia, look at you. You’re all grown up and you’re so beautiful. I bet you have men falling all over you.”

Gia glanced at Keith. A nerve in his neck flinched. She didn’t even want to think what that was about. She was already knee-deep in what she knew was going to be an impossible explanation. “Thank you, Mrs. Gates. I’m sorry I arrived late to pick you up. Parking is crazy around here.”

“You’re not late at all, dear. I’m early. I caught one of those new faster-than-the-speed-of-light trains. It left the same time as the other train but got me here in nearly half the time. It’s amazing and so comfortable. But thank you so much for coming to my rescue. I’m sorry I had to call you, but your grandmother’s phone number was the last number I dialed and the only phone number I could find on that crazy cell phone of mine. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to work that thing properly.”

“That’s quite all right, Mrs. Gates.”

“Oh dear, please call me Mamma Lou. Everyone else does. And I see you’ve met my favorite nephew, Keith,” she added.

“Um, nephew,” Gia began, almost speechless.

Keith quickly stepped up. “Hello, Mamma Lou. It’s good seeing you,” he said smoothly as he leaned down and kissed her cheek.

She held, then tapped the side of his face, smiling. “Keith, you are just as handsome as your father. Thank you for coming, as well. I know how busy you are with the election and all.”

“Ah, that’s where I’ve seen you before,” the conductor said, still holding the bags and standing at Louise’s side. “You’re Blake Washington’s son. Yeah, that’s right. I knew I recognized you from somewhere—the news, right?”

“Why don’t I take these from you? I’m sure you have to get back to work,” Keith said while slipping the man a very hefty tip. “Thank you, I appreciate your help in finding my aunt.”

“No problem. No problem.” The conductor nodded and relinquished the bags. “You’re welcome, anytime.” He glanced at the folded bill in his hand and smiled broadly. “Wow, thanks, Mr. Washington. Tell your father I’m with him all the way. He’s the best mayor we’ve had in the city in years.”

“Thanks, I’ll pass that on and thanks again for your help.”

“I’m just doing my job. I’m glad you all found each other.”

“Yes, indeed, I’d say they certainly have,” Louise said softly.

“Mamma Lou, no, it’s not what you think. What you saw wasn’t what you saw.” He kissed her cheek in welcome. “Gia and I were just talking and—”

“Talking?” Louise said questioningly.

“Yes, talking,” Gia said, quickly chiming in, “that’s right. It’s really not what it looks like or what you think. We were just talking about imagination and then we—”

“Imagination,” Louise repeated.

“We kissed. Actually, I kissed Gia. She had no idea—”

“It was a joke, we were just playing around,” Gia continued.

“Yes, exactly, that’s right, we were playing around.”

“It was just a kiss. No big deal. It didn’t mean anything,” Gia added, looking at Keith. He turned to her. His eyes narrowed. Without a single word he stole her breath away.

“Of course not,” Louise said happily.

Keith groaned inwardly. It was obvious she’d not only seen the kiss, but also heard the last part of their discussion. After that they went silent. The quiet only lasted a few seconds, but to Keith and Gia, it lasted a few hours. Louise stood watching. That tiny spark of attraction she had hoped to see in them was more like a lightning bolt streaking across the sky.

“Um, I need to get back to work,” Gia said.

“Of course, dear, and thank you again. Please tell your grandmother that I’ll stop by the nursing home first thing in the morning.”

“I will,” Gia said, backing up. She never took her eyes from Louise. There was no way she could chance looking at Keith right now. “Okay, I’ll see you later.” She turned and hurried off.

“Well, I guess we’d better be on our way, too,” Louise said.

“Yes, this way,” Keith said. They walked in the opposite direction from where Gia went. Louise began talking about the people in the main office and how kind they were to her. Keith listened, then turned around. As soon as he did he saw Gia walking past the Angle of Mercy statue. She turned. For an instant their eyes met across the cavernous space. Then just like that she was gone. Keith turned and kept walking.

“Gia is a lovely woman, don’t you think?”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t know her that well.”

“You seemed to know her well enough earlier.”

“Mamma Lou...” Keith began in warning as he shifted both pieces of luggage to one side and tilted his elbow down to her.

Louise tucked her arm in his lowered elbow. “I know. You were just talking about having an imagination.”

He nodded. “Yes, something like that.”

Keith knew how transparently lame that excuse sounded, but neither of them was prepared to explain what had just happened. Hell, he had no idea what happened and he initiated it. He kissed her. It was impulsive and reckless. If he wanted to end the conversation, there were plenty of ways to do it. Kissing her should have been last on his list.

But the truth was she’d been on his mind way too much and seeing her again prompted him to wonder what tasting her again would be like. He licked his lips as if to refresh his memory once more. But he needn’t bother. He already knew. She tasted like pure heaven.

“You know, I’ve known Gia Duncan since she was two days old. Her mother, rest her soul, was a good friend and when she died I watched out and kept an eye on her and her grandmother. Gia turned out so wonderfully. Her mother would have been so proud of her. But I knew even then that she’d be special. She’s kindhearted and just as sweet as a summer peach, just the type of woman any man would want to have by his side.”

Keith knew this slow stroll down memory lane was going someplace, and as usual for Louise Gates it was headed straight down the aisle to the altar. “Mamma Lou, please no matchmaking this time. I am not currently and will not in the near or distant future be ready to settle down and marry. So you’re wasting your time playing matchmaker with me.”

“Matchmaking, Keith Washington, I don’t know where you get these ideas. Who said anything about me matchmaking?” she said. “I have no idea where you got that idea. I merely mentioned that Gia was a wonderful woman.”

“Yes, I’m sure she is, but I’m not interested.”

“Of course not, I have someone else entirely in mind for Gia.”

“Who?” he asked way too quickly.

“You don’t know him. But trust me, he’s absolutely perfect for her. He’s tall, handsome, intelligent, charming with a generous spirit and that’s exactly what she needs in her life. She’s had some hard times in the love department. She needs someone to love and cherish her, and this man will.”

Their conversation suddenly lapsed into silence as they walked side by side out the Market street door to his car. Keith dropped the luggage at the rear of his car and escorted Louise to the front passenger door. He opened it and helped her inside, then secured her seat belt for her. He closed the door and popped the trunk. As he placed the two pieces of luggage inside, he thought about the man Mamma Lou had chosen for Gia. He instantly took a dislike of this
him.
Whoever he was, he certainly wasn’t good enough. He slammed the trunk’s hood much harder than he expected. As soon as he got in the car, Louise smiled at him. “Are you all right, dear?”

“Yes. Fine,” he said curtly as he started the engine and pulled away from the curb. The car behind him blew his horn, but Keith kept right on driving.

Louise translated his abrupt comment with ease. As soon as she saw his face, she knew she had to do it. The remark that she was only there to match Gia with another man got to him. It was the icing on the cake since he’d been tense and slightly off ever since Gia walked away. “Did I mention that I made a quick stop in Alexandria to see Tony, Madison and my great-grandchildren? I realized that I hadn’t seen Jonathan and Johanna in months. They are so adorable. At three years old they’re all over the place. They’re laughing, talking, running, jumping and it was pure chaos. I loved every bit of it. So, tell me, how did the press conference go this afternoon?”

“It didn’t go as well as expected.”

“That is unfortunate. Is there anything I can do?”

“No, I’m afraid not. I need to do some damage control this afternoon. My team has already started.”

“I still have quite a few very influential friends here in the city. I’d be happy to make a few phone calls.”

“No, we’ll be fine. I just have a few things to take care of.”

“Well, then, you’d better get to them. Instead of taking me to the house, you can drop me off at City Hall.”

“Dad’s in meetings the rest of the day.”

“No problem, it’s been years since I’ve seen Marian on the bench. I always loved watching her work.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” she said.

“I don’t know what her afternoon schedule is like, but I know she’d love to see you,” Keith said as he pressed a button on his steering wheel. “Call Mother, office,” he announced. The car’s phone system immediately began dialing. In a few seconds he was connected. Marian Washington’s assistant answered her phone. “Janice, it’s Keith. Is my mother in court this afternoon?”

“Yes, although there should be a break coming up soon. Can I give her a message for you?”

“Actually, a family member would like to sit in on proceedings. Is that going to be a problem?”

“No, not at all. I can meet you in the garage and escort them to chambers.”

“That would be great. I’m on my way to City Hall right now. I’ll be there in about five minutes.”

“Okay, see you in a few.”

Keith disconnected the call. “Okay, you’re all set. Are you sure you want to spend the afternoon in court? I can always take you to the house to relax after traveling all morning.”

“Oh, heavens no, I’ve been relaxing for the last seventy years. I’ll be fine. You have work to do, and I have work to do, as well.”

“You do? What kind of work?” he asked.

“Matchmaking Gia, of course,” she said.

Keith frowned. That wasn’t exactly what he wanted to hear. “Yeah, of course,” he grumbled openly as he circled City Hall and pulled into the underground parking area. Janice was standing at the security check-in entrance as soon as Keith’s car pulled up. He parked to the side and got out to open the passenger-side door. Louise got out and Keith introduced her to Janice, who had already begun the security process.

After a few pleasantries, Janice helped Louise sign in and receive her visitor’s pass. Moments later she was all set. “Well, goodbye, dear. I’ll see you this evening,” Louise said.

“Yes, I’ll see you at the house tonight, Mamma Lou,” Keith said, then kissed her cheek and got back in his car.

Louise watched Keith’s car drive away and mingle in with the traffic circling City Hall. In a few moments he was gone. She turned to Janice and they continued the conversation they’d started while heading to the elevators. As Janice talked about the history and architecture of the building, Louise mulled over her course of action. It was sneaky. It was devious. But it was brilliant as usual.

She smiled to herself, pleased with her latest stroke of genius. The evidence was as clear as could be. And if the kiss she’d witnessed at the train station was any indication of what was to come, this match was going to blow the others right out of the water in no time. She knew they would be a perfect match. Two not-so-willing open hearts, both waiting to be connected, even if they didn’t know it yet. How perfect would that be?

She shook her head in exasperation. She had no idea why people challenged and fought against her so hard. In the end she was always right. It was like this most of the time, although she could never see the problem. She was performing a service. In days past, families would line up to visit a matchmaker. Numerous cultures praised and revered matchmakers and marriage brokers.

And now it was the same service the online dating sites performed, but she was much more accurate and thorough. She always knew the two people and she always gave them the opportunity to refuse if there was no spark. But as always she knew there would be a spark. There was with her two sons, with her two grandsons and of course the several dozens of other matches she’d successfully made.

She thought about seeing the moment Keith and Gia had spotted each other. Then of course there was the kiss. Yes, there was most definitely a spark. Her job was to keep it ignited while nature ran its course. Other than that she didn’t interfere—much.

* * *

Keith headed straight to the office. By the time he sat down at his desk, everything he needed was waiting for him. Megan did a full bio on the press conference crasher. He wasn’t much more than expected. Out of work, living on the edge and blaming everyone for his drama. He read her report, then strategized an appropriate solution.

The distraction of fixing the afternoon’s press conference was exactly what he needed. By the early news hour, most of the local media were all over the story. They called it the City Hall press conference crasher incident. Some, of course, pointed a finger at the mayor, but they were going do that anyway. It was their process. Whatever happened, no matter what it was—blame the mayor and his leadership team.

But by the second hour, the media had soon changed their tune, leaving his father’s opponents and adversaries to scramble quickly to not appear to be fools. As expected and planned, his actions were seen as disrespectful and scornful. With Keith’s help the irate press conference crasher had become a security risk with questionable restrain. Keith planted the seed with questioning what the man might consider doing next, and the media ran with it. By the next half hour’s news, most media outcasts questioned his motives and backing.