Just Can't Let Go (16 page)

CHAPTER 27

Blake

I
n the words of my youngest daughter, the best way to get over one dick was to ride another.

Sex with Bing hadn't happened . . . yet. I had to face my truth. Believing the next man would help me forget about the last guy, that was the reason I'd given birth to four children by four different men. That didn't make me a whore at the age of twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, or twenty-five. I just desperately wanted a man to love me. Thought each time if I had his baby, he'd stay. Ended up in a cold delivery room in Charlotte, North Carolina, with my sisters—Ruby, Carol, Teresa, and Kim—by my side as I pushed each of my girls out.

Clearly, I was not living by the bible, just waiting for a man to deliver me from what he probably couldn't deliver himself from and that was sin. I struggled, went to college, graduated, got a good-paying job, and offered all my children the opportunity to earn their degree. I didn't need Bing, or my children, or my ex to remind me of my mistakes. I wanted to be praised for the countless things I'd done right.

If I was going to hell for fornication, I'd see a lot of the people who judged me going up in flames too. Changing my ways had to be my decision. I wanted to be in a relationship with a loving, caring, supportive man. Maybe Bing was that guy. Perhaps not. They all started out like Spencer. The ending each time was just the same script with a different twist.

Brandon stuck his head into my office, then said, “The call you've been expecting from corporate is on line one. Can I sit in?”

“Sure. Have a seat,” I told him. “Close the door.”

One day Brandon might be in my position seeking advancement outside of the banking center. His attire was sharp as usual. Lime green shirt, navy pants and shoes.

Placing the call on speaker, I answered, “Blake Crystal, here.”

“Hi, Blake,” she said. “This is Wendy in human resources.”

Didn't want to delay what she had to say with pleasantries. I waited for her to offer me the position. If I weren't getting the job, I would've gotten a letter in the mail.

“I have great news,” she said.

Brandon crossed his legs and fingers. My heart raced with excitement. “I'm listening.”

Brandon motioned as though he were clapping. He stood, twerked, sat down. I smiled, shook my head, concealed my laughter.

“I'm calling to offer you the Compliance Operations Manager position. Before you respond, I have to let you know a few important factors.”

I should've known there was a caveat. “I'm listening.”

“It's based in Charlotte. You'll be provided with corporate housing for up to sixty days. And you'll need to start Monday.”

“This upcoming Monday as in”—I looked at the calendar on my desk—“five days from now.”

“Yes, I can give you until the morning to decide.”

Brandon mouthed, “Accept! Accept!”

I grew up in Charlotte. Had family there. But I'd never lived away from my children and was just getting to know Bing. Who'd watch Max while I went to work? Maybe I should talk with my girls and Bing first.

Wendy asked, “Hello, Blake. Are you still there?”

I answered, “Yes.”

“Is that a yes, you're still there or yes, you'll accept?”

I could always come back to Atlanta. It might be another five years or never for this opportunity to repeat.

“Yes, Wendy. I accept.”

CHAPTER 28

Blake

T
wo dozen long-stemmed roses—one red, one white—were delivered to my office.

The vase was eighteen inches tall. Baby's breath and lush green accents were nicely arranged. In the moment, my heart was filled with love knowing that someone thought of me today in a good way.

Smiling, I placed my nostrils over the blooming bud, closed my eyes, and inhaled. I paused, admiring the flowers. These were the most beautiful that anyone had sent me. More gorgeous than the ones my staff gave me for my fiftieth. My birthday roses were lovely. Wishing I'd dried them out and kept them, I removed a red and white rose from the bouquet, hung them upside down. I put them back realizing a few days wouldn't be enough for them to dehydrate. Once they fully blossomed, I'd peel away a few petals for a keepsake.

Brandon entered my office. “Bitch, who beat me to it? Somebody loves your ass. Who're they from? Let me guess. Mr. Sterling,” he said, reaching for the card still attached to the bouquet.

Beating him to it, I said, “Bing would be my guess, but no one knows about my promotion.” I paused. Eyed Brandon. “Did you call him?”

Bing had class. Breaking the news about my relocation in less than a week, I hope I didn't disappoint him.

Reading the card,
“To the best mom ever. Love, Alexis,”
I was truly shocked.

“Say what?” Brandon's question was rhetorical.

My eyes started tearing. “Give me a moment, Brandon. I need to call my daughter.”

“Of course you do,” he said, closing the door behind him.

Sitting at my desk, I broke down crying. Maybe being pregnant made her think about the things she'd have to face once her daughter was born. I never wanted to be a single mom. It was so hard for me. And although my baby girl was a hot mess at times, she was still my hot mess.

The long days starting at four in the morning coordinating diaper bags, bottles, and clothes, for each of them. As they got older, dropping them off at different schools, going to work, picking them up only to drop them off again so I could go sit in class to earn a degree. Maybe in addition to not having a father, my girls didn't have their mother either.

But I made up for it by providing them with a great education, cars, and other material things. It was either/or. I couldn't sit at home and provide a better start at life for them than what I had.

Alexis didn't answer. I left her a message. “Baby, you have no idea how much the flowers you sent have brightened my day. This is so thoughtful. I love you.”

I should've reached out to my child and extended my sincere condolences for Conner's passing. It wasn't too late. Spencer, I'd leave that alone. On second thought, perhaps he was really trying to find a mother's love in me.

“Can I come back in?” Brandon asked, tapping on my door.

“Yes.” I told him, “I'm leaving my flowers here. I need to see this bouquet the rest of the week.”

“If they come up missing, don't blame me. If they double up, blame that on me,” he said.

I hugged Brandon. “I love you. I'll see you in the morning.”

“Aw, hell no. You're withholding information. You're seeing Bing again, aren't you?”

I nodded and smiled.

“You can thank me at the wedding. Go get your man, bitch, before I take him from you.”

A quick stop in the restroom, I brushed my teeth, refreshed my lipstick. Fluffed, then fingered my jet-black shoulder-length hair.

Driving to Bing's home, in anticipation of an intimate moment with him, I wished I had time for a shower and change of clothes. Dinner with Devereaux later meant Bing and I couldn't go far. At least I was prepared for a passionate kiss. I parked in his driveway beside his white Bentley. The top was down. His leather interior was the same colors as our Falcons, red and black.

The front door opened. “Come on in,” he said. “Hope you're hungry.”

For him. Yes. I sashayed up six steps. “Haven't eaten since breakfast.”

Seven tall white candles were centered on a long dining table that seated two. There was so much room that he could add twelve more chairs. He lit each wick.

“Have a seat. Let's get you fed; then I'll give you the grand tour of my humble abode.”

“You're so sweet. I appreciate you.” I meant that.

Instrumental music filled the space around us. He placed a small plate with gold trim in front of me. Our first course was three plain red grapes.

“To cleanse the palate,” he said. “Plus, Americans think more is better. For me, I prefer less of everything, except money.”

The second course was a simple mixed green salad with fresh raspberries.

“The salad is to jump-start the digestive system properly. Another thing people do improperly is drink a lot of water before or during a meal. But if you get thirsty, let me know.”

I smiled, trying not to laugh. I was thirsty all right. “Mmm, this is tasty. What's the dressing?”

“If I tell you, I'll have to marry you,” he said, then smiled. “It's my grandmother's secret recipe.”

There was no perfect time to share the news or the fact that I had to leave early to meet Devereaux. Hope she wasn't setting me up for disappointment. I should think positive. Maybe she had a surprise for me too.

“What's on your mind?” Bing asked, picking up my empty plate.

His question reminded me of how Spencer would say, “The world can wait. In this moment, I need you here with me.”

“We'll talk about it later.”

“You talk. I'll listen. Timing is everything. I still have to serve you the next course.”

Bing returned with a plastic bib, tied it behind my neck. Then he carried in the biggest lobster I'd ever seen in my life!

I laughed. “That looks delicious.”

“If you had to choose me or the lobster?” he said with a smile.

“Hmm. Let's see. The lobster is already cracked. Looks and smells delicious.” I looked into his dreamy eyes. His question was an easy one to answer. “Definitely you.”

“I'd choose me, too, but wait until you taste it. You might dump me. Hope you don't mind sharing.”

Peeling away the shell, he dipped a piece of the tail in drawn butter, then fed me. This was a first. I sucked and chewed like it was my last meal. Tempted to devour the whole tail, I drowned his portion in butter.

“Open wide.”

He suctioned the tip, nibbled. I shivered. He smiled. By the time we were done, only shells remained on the platter. He removed my bib. Brought me a hot white towel.

“The lemon juice in the towel will take away the slipperiness.”

“Do you always do this?” Soon as I'd asked, I wished I hadn't. “Don't answer that.”

“I wasn't going to. Come with me,” he said, extending his hand. “After the tour, dessert out on the deck.”

No man has ever treated me like a queen. Bing had me wondering if it were too late to change my mind about relocating.

“I have something I want to share with you,” I said, standing midway on his wide staircase.

I could see the view through his ceiling-to-floor windows; beyond the pool there was the huge lake that I couldn't see the first time. The tall trees were lined on the opposite side of the body of shimmering water.

“What is it?”

Standing one step higher, I told him, “I got a promotion today.”

He frowned. “Congratulations, right? You don't seem excited.”

“I am. It's just that it's in Charlotte.”

“Charlotte. Not China. That's a drive away,” he said with a smile. “And less than an hour flight on my private jet.”

Private what? My brows stretched toward my forehead. “Friday is my last day in the office. I start my new position Monday. I just found all this out today.”

“Come with me,” he said, leading me downstairs. “We can do the tour another day. Dessert and champagne are in order. Blake, I waited years for the opportunity to date you, a few miles is not going to divide us.”

Bing held me in his arms. He smelled and felt incredible. I leaned on his strong shoulder praying nothing or no one would come between me and my man.

CHAPTER 29

Ebony

L
eaving the set, I got in my Benz and called Phoenix.

“Hey,” was all he said.

“What happened earlier? Why did you leave this morning?”

He had reason to be uptight with me about last night, but not today. Like dudes, even when I messed up, I learned to let it go. Either Phoenix wanted to grind with me or not. His call.

“Until we have a signed contract, I'm not permitted to be at the studio. So you ready to execute so your man can be gainfully employed, so to speak?”

The PR referral by Trés made sense. I'd already arranged a meeting with Christal Jordan. I'd seen her on a BET reality show with other publicists. Having her take me on as a client would make me feel more comfortable than doing business with my lover.

“Daddy, I'm hungry,” the voice of a little girl announced in the background.

What?
“You have Nya with you?”

“Yeah, how convenient. I get kicked out of the studio at the same time that my mother is going out of town on a month-long cruise. Sandara claimed she had something to do this evening. Dev has been texting, but she won't call me. The moment I agreed to be your manager, all—”

“Agreed?”

“I got enough shit to deal with right now, Goldie. I don't need this bullshit from you too,” he said.

My getting an attitude with him would've been easy. I had the upper hand. “I'll order us something to eat. Y'all can meet me at my house.”

“You sure you're going to be there tonight?” he retorted.

“Damn, thanks for reminding me. What was I thinking? You're the one that's engaged. I'm the one with good pussy and tons of options. Don't come by.”

“Goldie, don't say that. I apologize. I—”

“Dadeee,” Nya cried.

He need not get our roles twisted. I was the damn star. He was back to being the manny. “You don't have to explain. Don't take Nya upstairs to my bedroom. Y'all can watch television in the living room until I get home. I'll see you guys in about an hour.”

“Cool. We can go over the details for our contract when you get home, my babe. I'll have my lawyer get it to yours first thing in the morning, that way I can hand it to Trés. If his ass talk down to your man again, it's on.”

Phoenix's problems were not going to become mine. I ended the call without saying “bye” or “I love you, my babe.”