Anything For Your Love (18 page)

Jada and Ami sat up most of the night talking about their fears, life, and love. They had had deep conversations previously, but each bared their souls to the other that night. That one conversation elevated their relationship from friends to sisters.

“Have you ever been in love, Ami?” Jada asked as she leaned back on the sofa and stared at the ceiling.

“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t think so. Having all these brothers and male cousins makes it a little difficult to meet a lot of guys.” Ami chuckled. “They love me, though, so I don’t mind. It was also a part of the reason I moved to Los Angeles. You know, I needed a little space. Living here on the east coast was too close to home. They could get to me too easily.”

Jada smiled as she listened to Ami. “Well, it is a little scary. Correction, it’s a lot scary. I don’t think I have felt this vulnerable since I lost my family. I have done a lot to deal with that situation, but I know I still have issues.”

“Well, it is a good thing no one is asking you to be perfect. I don’t think I could measure up if you were.”

Both of them looked at each other, and then shared a good hearty laugh.

“Thanks for being my friend and being here for me, Ami. You don’t know how much it means to me,” Jada finally said quietly.

“Yeah, whatever. Give me a hug.”

Ami and Jada embraced. Thoughts of doubt and uncertainty still swirled around Jada’s mind. Her insecurities still wouldn’t allow her to believe someone could totally love her and not leave her. She released Ami and smiled through her pain. “I’m going to lie down for a while. I’m really exhausted now. Love you, girl.”

“Love you, too. See you in a few.” Ami smiled.

Alex barely closed his eyes all night. There was way too much going on in his head for sleep. He didn’t want to leave Jada last night. All he wanted to do was hold her in his arms. Wipe all her fears away. Love her. The emotions he felt for her were overwhelming. He would never let her out of his sight again. Life with her was his reality. His future was nothing without her in it. He decided he would take a quick shower and head back over to the hotel. He needed to see her.

Just as he was about to grab his keys and head out of the door, the house telephone rang. He contemplated letting it go to voice mail before he checked the caller ID to see it was Chris. Reluctantly, he answered the call. “Hey, Chris. I was on my way out. Make it quick,” He answered.

“Hey, Alex,” Chris answered a little shaky. He hated when Ty sent him on a mission, and especially when that mission involved Alex. He took a deep breath before he continued. This needed to sound good. “Some documents arrived this morning via a courier about the land in Atlantic City. They need to be returned in forty eight hours and I need you to decipher the legal mumbo jumbo.”

Alex sighed. “Right now, Chris? I was on my way over to Jada’s hotel.”

Chris paced the floor. In a way, he wasn’t lying. Some documents did come, that did require Alex’s review, but the time frame was more like two weeks, not two days. “You know I would not have called if it were not important. Apparently, there is someone else interested in the same property. We don’t want to lose this land on a technicality. This is a huge move for all of us, Alex.” Chris crossed his fingers. Again, technically he was not lying. There was another potential buyer out there. He had received a call yesterday to alert him that someone else was interested. He just did not know who.

“Fine, Christopher. I’ll be at The House in ten minutes.” “Thanks, big brother.”
“Ummm, hmmm. I’m not hanging out with you all day. I have other business to attend to.”
“I know. Thanks again. See you in a few.”
The ringing telephone was insistent. Ty finally reached over and snatched the phone from its cradle. “This better be good,” He growled. “You and Ami better make this a lunch thing. I got Alex to come this morning to review the documents for Atlantic City. I’ll keep him as long as I can, but you two better move,” Chris spoke quickly.
Ty jumped up. “What time is it?”
“Nine thirty in the morning. I gotta go, and you better show up here.”
“Alright, alright. I’m on it. I’ll call you.”
Ty hung up the house telephone and snatched up his cell on the way to the bathroom. He pressed Ami’s speed dial code as he flipped on the light. She answered on the second ring.

“Good morning, cousin,” She sang into the phone.

Ty looked at it before he answered. “Stop with all the ‘happy happy’ so early in the morning. Listen, Chris just called. Alex in on his way to The House to review some documents we received. We got to get moving. I think we should change the location. I don’t think he will go back home before he sees Jada today. A friend of mine owes me a favor from a restaurant over on 2
nd
and Spruce Street. Get Jada there by one p.m.”

“Alright, cousin. See you there,” Ami said before she disconnected the call. She needed to go out for a minute. She wanted to get Jada something nice to boost her spirits before the lunch. She walked over to Jada’ bedroom door and knocked softly.

“Come in, Ami,” Jada responded, sounding fully awake.

Ami stuck her head in the door. “Late night, diva. Full day. You know how we do.”

“Yeah, I know.” Jada smiled.

Ami walked over and flopped on the bed. “I made a lunch reservation for us at one p.m. at this great little quiet spot in Old City. I have to step out for a minute, but I’ll be back in time to get you.”

“What about Alex?”

“I told him we needed a sister minute. He will come see you tonight.”

Jada thought that was a little strange, seeing as how he did not want to leave the night before. Maybe he changed his mind and didn’t want to see her. Maybe all of this was just too much for him. She couldn’t blame him, because it was still overwhelming for her. “Alright, Ami,” She said with a sigh.

“Great. I’ll be back. Dial my cell if you need anything.”

Ty called in his favor and jumped in the shower. As he cleansed his body, he thought that the whole love thing was just too complicated. It always made you act out of character. It was much easier to just establish the rules up front, satisfy each other’s needs, and move on. Clean breaks kept life simple. As he washed his hair, he thought about the dark chocolate beauty he met at the party. He spent so much time being captivated by her essence that he did not remember asking for her name. How the heck was he supposed to find her?

Oh wel
l
, He thought as he stepped out and toweled himself off. The hunt for his next beauty would begin soon. He brushed his pearly whites, dressed in his usual jeans and a fitted tee shirt that showed off his perfectly sculpted body, and headed out the door.

He took a cab down to 2
nd
and Spruce Street and made the cabbie wait. He did not have time to fool around trying to hail another one when he came out. He walked inside the restaurant that resembled a brownstone from the outside, greeted his long time associate, and check out the arrangements he called in. Satisfied, he returned outside and headed to The House. He definitely needed to make an appearance there.

Ty greeted Lisa as he walked into The House, and made his way over to where Alex and Chris were in their usual place. “What’s up, fellas?” He greeted as if everything were as normal as could be.

Chris was visibly relieved. Ty was so much better at that stuff. “Hey,” He simply said.

“Where the heck have you been?” Alex asked. “Have you seen these? Someone else is trying to buy the land.”

“I was busy, and yes, I have seen the papers. I’m not worried. We have the funding and we have you. What is there to worry about?” Ty smiled as he leaned casually on the back of a chair.

“Do not try to charm me, Tyreese. I have a lot on my mind right now. Sit down so we can finish this. I have a messenger coming at twelve thirty to pick these up.”

“Great, because you have a lunch date at one p.m.”

“Ty, I can’t go to lunch. When I’m finished here, I’m going to see Jada.”

“Oh, I know. She is your lunch date at one p.m. It’s all settled. Now, where do I sign, because I’m sure you and Chris have reviewed this a thousand times and all the Ts are crossed and the Is dotted.”

Alex looked at Ty and the corners of his mouth slightly turned up. “Sign the first twelve pages at the bottom until you catch up with me and Chris.”

The messenger arrived a short while later, and was greeted at the front hostess stand by Lisa. She escorted him to the table where the Love brothers sat waiting. Handing over the package and a generous tip, Alex and Ty prepared to leave.

Alex’s mood had lightened considerably since Ty told him he was meeting Jada for lunch. Sean had called to inform him that Rhonda and James were being charged with several counts, including felony kidnapping and falsifying federal documents, among other things. They were facing serious jail time.

Alex pulled into a parking lot one block from the location Ty had given him. He could feel his chest tighten in anticipation of seeing her again. He couldn’t wait to hold her in his arms. The ringing of Ty’s cell phone interrupted his thoughts.

Just before Ty answered, he said to Alex, “Don’t worry, I’m not staying long. I just need to check on a few things. Hello?”

“Ty. Where are you?” Ami asked in an almost panicked voice. “Old City. Why?” He answered, trying to sound casual.

“We have a problem.”
“Are you guys ok?” He asked, trying not to alert Alex as he paid the parking attendant.
“I’m fine. Jada left,” She explained.
“What?!” He practically shouted. “What do you mean? Hold on.

Alex, I’ll meet you inside. Just a minor issue I need to handle. I’ll be right there.” He turned and stepped out of the car.

“She left a note saying she was going back to Los Angeles. It said something about clearing her head. I’m supposed to call when I get back.”

“Alex is going to lose his mind,” He whispered into the cell phone.

“Yeah, I know. Are you at the restaurant?”
“Yes, and I told him he was having lunch with her.”
“Reed and I are already in the car. We’ll be there in two minutes.

Wait for us.”
“You are damn right I’m waiting. No way am I telling him that by myself.”
Jada had called the airport to get the first flight out to Los

Angeles. Knowing Reed would leave with Ami, she left as soon as they did and boarded a flight home. She needed to be back in her comfort zone. During the flight, she tried convincing herself that she was not running away, just seeking clarity. She sure felt like she was running, though. She squeezed her eyes shut and willed the negative feelings away. She idly fingered the open heart that hung around her neck. She couldn’t bring herself to take it off.

Hours later, she walked into the door of her condo. It was a warm day and she was glad her cleaning lady left the air conditioner on the timer. She dropped her bag next to the sofa and flopped down. She had fully expected her cell phone to be ringing off the hook, but was glad for the reprieve. She knew Ami would be calling soon, but she wasn’t sure about Alex. She chastised herself over the way she left because she was sure he would be upset with her. She needed the space to clear her head, though. She found that she could not think straight around him and she needed to be sure about her feelings.

Thoughts of Alex haunted her the entire trip home and they were still with her. He had those exotic, light brown eyes that pierced her soul whenever she gazed into them. His hands expertly caressed her body. His sensuous lips knew exactly how to start a fire in the pit of her stomach
.
Jeez
!
She thought to herself
.
Get over it
!
She got up and headed for the kitchen for a glass of water. She picked up the phone to call the one person who she knew would understand her choice.

Grandma Whitman.
“Hello?” Doreen Whitman answered on the third ring.
“Hey, Grandma, I’m home,” Jada replied, feeling completely drained.
“Baby girl! How are you? How was your trip to Philadelphia?” “Confusing, Grandma, to be perfectly honest.” Jada took a seat on the sofa and told her grandmother almost everything about the trip to Philly. By the time she was finished, she was fighting the tears that threatened to fall as she finally faced a storm of confusing emotions.

“Baby girl, sounds to me like you are in love with Alex. Its ok, you know. You deserve to be loved. You have so much of it in your heart that you don’t have to be afraid anymore. Looks like he may be in love with you, too.” Her grandmother’s voice was rich and soothing.

The tears begin to slide down her cheeks. “I do love him, Grandma.”

“I know, sweetheart. It’s your time. Why don’t you come up to the house for a while?”

A smile spread across her face at the thought of seeing her grandparents. “That sounds good, Grandma.”

“Yes, and you can tell me all about the Love family. They sound like a lot of fun. I’ll see you soon. I love you, baby girl.”

“I love you, too.”

Alex stood at the entrance to the restaurant talking to one of his colleagues when he noticed Ami’s car, driven by Reed. An uneasy feeling blanketed him. “Hey, Reed,” He greeted as he approached. “Is everything ok? How are the ladies?”

“Hey, Alex. Good for the most part, but you should talk to your cousin,” Reed warned.