Read Her Little Black Book Online
Authors: Brenda Jackson
Her Little Black Book (7 page)
“Whoever thinks McDonald's is just for kids needs to think again,” he said, breaking into her thoughts. She inclined her head and met his gaze, and he continued talking. She was getting used to his smile, so when she saw the sadness that suddenly appeared in his eyes, she paid close attention to what he was saying.
“Although I have to admit my granddaughter was the reason I first started coming and kept coming back. Nothing would put a smile on her face more quickly than walking into a McDonald's,” he finished saying.
Peggy figured the sudden poignant anecdote had to do with the granddaughter he'd lost three years ago. Toni had
told her that the little girl had been born with a rare bone disease, which was one of the reasons Willie Baker was so involved in the Make Dreams Come True Foundation. It was his way of giving back and helping to make the life of a terminally ill child that much more rewarding.
told her that the little girl had been born with a rare bone disease, which was one of the reasons Willie Baker was so involved in the Make Dreams Come True Foundation. It was his way of giving back and helping to make the life of a terminally ill child that much more rewarding.
“Tell me about her.”
The words were out of Peggy's mouth before she realized she'd said them. Something within her that always recognized another's pain was reaching out to him.
Her gaze met his. Strong chin, gorgeous brown eyes set in a handsome and robust face that now displayed more than the faintest sign of sorrow, pain, and regret. She watched him place his eating utensils down, and the gaze staring back at her seemed to be considering and then decisive.
He began speaking softly. “My granddaughter's name was Tiara, and she was born on a beautiful day in May. Less than an hour after her birth, her parentsâmy daughter and son-in-lawâand I were told the heart-wrenching news that she had a rare bone disease and would not live to see her fifth birthday”
A smile touched the corners of Willie's mouth before he continued, saying, “She lived to be ten. Beating the odds. But you'll be surprised what a person can do when surrounded by so much love, and God knows that she was. To us, no matter her condition, Tiara was perfect, and our goal in life was to make her lifeâno matter how long it lastedâa very happy one.”
He paused briefly before he went on to say, “We never considered her existence in our life anything other than a
blessing and made sure that she knew it. Everything we did for her we did in love, even those mornings when the two of us would do breakfast at McDonald's. Everyone got to know us, expected to see us. It was our time together, and a few of the staff who worked there even took it upon themselves to mark the place where we always sat as Tiara's Corner. She liked that. She would smile for them. They would smile for her. Then we lost her, and for a while it seemed like there was a void in all our lives that could never be filled again.”
blessing and made sure that she knew it. Everything we did for her we did in love, even those mornings when the two of us would do breakfast at McDonald's. Everyone got to know us, expected to see us. It was our time together, and a few of the staff who worked there even took it upon themselves to mark the place where we always sat as Tiara's Corner. She liked that. She would smile for them. They would smile for her. Then we lost her, and for a while it seemed like there was a void in all our lives that could never be filled again.”
Peggy knew the feeling. After the breakup of her marriage, for the longest time she had felt her life tumbling out of control and she with it. She cringed at the thought of what she had put her only daughter through during that time. But then she had finally awakened one morning and made the decision to pull herself together, or else she would truly lose her mind. No man was worth that. All that misery was taking place in her life about the same time that somewhere a sweet little girl was losing her life. And to think that at the time Peggy had thought she was the only one on the face of the earth having troubles.
“How are your daughter and son-in-law doing? How are you doing?” she asked, not being able to imagine ever losing Sonya at any age.
Willie's mouth eased into a sparkling smile. “They're doing fine. We're all doing fine. And last year they did something I really thought they would never get the courage to do, considering everything, and that was to have another baby. Now I have a nine-month-old grandson named David.”
Peggy studied the contents of her coffee cup a minute before lifting her head and asking softly, “Is he okay?”
Willie knew what she was asking and nodded cheerfully. “Yes, he was born in perfect health.”
She smiled. “I'm glad.”
“So am I.”
They resumed eating their breakfast. In the back of her mind, she realized they had yet to discuss anything relating to business, but that fact didn't bother her. Nor did it bother her that she found a lot of pleasure being here with him. She could tell he was a man who would value anything he possessed. A man who could be trusted and who loved fiercely. She would bet anything that while his wife was alive he'd treated her like a queen, their daughter like a princess, and that the granddaughter he'd lost had taken a part of his heart with her when she died. That sort of man could cultivate only her admiration and respect.
Moments later he pushed his tray aside, chuckled, and said. “Now that my stomach is full, we can talk business.” He leaned back in his chair. “So Peggy, tell me why you think that I should put that amusement park here in Orlando instead of Atlanta.”
“This is going to be your lucky night, beautiful one.”
Courtney rolled her eyes, not caring if Solomon Wise saw her doing so. There was only one word she could use to describe the latest name she had pulled from her little black book:
annoying.
annoying.
She'd decided to give the book one more try and made the initial contact with Solomon by phone a few nights ago, immediately nuking his suggestion of dinner, especially after her last two fiascos with Harper and Don. She'd decided to play it safe and came up with the idea that they meet at the movies instead.
When she'd first seen him, she had not been disappointedâhe was definitely a good-looking brotha. But so were the other two. The one thing she had learnedâand rather quicklyâwas that looks could definitely be
deceiving. It was to her benefit to check out the entire package.
deceiving. It was to her benefit to check out the entire package.
By the time the movie had begun, she learned something very quickly about Solomon: Not only did he think he was the wisest of men where women were concerned, but he also believed that he was the greatest gift to them.
And for some reason, he was also convinced that tonight was going to end with them sharing a bed. The way he saw it, it was obvious the two of them connected, so why waste good bedsheets? Besides, what woman in her right mind would pass up a chance to sample the Solomon Wise experience? The only thing she had to say to that was, undoubtedly she would be the first.
“So, are you sure you want to see the rest of this movie? I can think of a number of other things we could be doing right now,” he leaned over and whispered close to her ear.
She sighed deeply, deciding that she'd had enough. It was evident that he had only one thing on his mind, and she had a problem with men who thought any woman they dated was there for their personal pleasure.
“You're right, there are a number of things I can be doing, and none of them involves you, Solomon.” She stood and began walking out of the theater.
He got up and followed her. When they reached the lobby, he said in a peeved tone, “Hey, what's wrong with you? I thought we understood what tonight was about.”
She turned around and glared at him. “I do, but evidently you don't. All evening you've made your intentions
for tonight clear, and all the while pushing aside the one single thing I expect from any man I date.”
for tonight clear, and all the while pushing aside the one single thing I expect from any man I date.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and glared back. “Which is?”
“Respect.”
“Respect?”
“Yes, respect. Do I need to spell it for you?”
“Oh, so now you want me to call you Aretha,” he said smartly.
She shook her head sadly. Evidently, too many women had given him what he wanted, and too soon. Now he expected every other female to follow suit. The man was spoiled, conceited, and arrogant. She had had three dates in less than two weeks and had found all of them less than desirable. What a disappointment. “No, to be honest with you, Solomon, I don't want you to call me anything. Our meeting tonight was a mistake. Sorry I wasted your time.”
“Yeah, so am I. I had already seen that damn movie twice,” he said gruffly.
“Then why did you suggest seeing it?”
His mouth formed into a deep frown. “To impress. I know how you women are all into Denzel. I figured with him on the screen and me right beside you, it wouldn't take long for you to realize the man had nothing on me. Why would you want to settle for fantasy when I was here in living color as your reality. I just can't figure it.”
Courtney pursed her lips, thinking that wasn't all he couldn't do; however, she had no intention of wasting her time explaining his shortcomings. He probably thought
he didn't have any. “Like I said, Solomon, tonight was a mistake. See you around.”
he didn't have any. “Like I said, Solomon, tonight was a mistake. See you around.”
She turned to leave and heard him say, “Hey, I want you to lose my number.”
“Gladly,” she muttered, and didn't bother to stop walking or turn around. Engaging in any further conversation with him wasn't worth it. She couldn't wait until she got home. The first thing she intended to do was trash her little black book. It had brought her nothing but trouble.
Ron just didn't know how to break the news to Ashira that he would be going away for a whileâtwo weeks, in factâand all because Barbara had convinced him they needed to go somewhere to help their marriage.
Right now he didn't want to think about it, wasn't in the mood, especially after what he and Ashira had just shared. It had to have been the most amazing sex he'd ever had, and his body still felt like it was out in space, where it had been blasted just moments ago. He actually needed to wiggle his fingers and toes just to make sure he was still alive.
“So, what did you have to tell me?”
He forced his head to move on the pillow to glance over at her. He had forgotten he had mentioned that to her. Now he wished he hadn't. But he might as well get it over with. “I'm leaving town for a couple of weeks.”
She leaned up, leaned back, and exposed a pair of perky breasts. He watched, amazed at how their tips hardened before his eyes. “Where are you going?” she asked him.
He flicked his gaze back to her face. “Hawaii. Barbara wants to go.” He saw the angry tilt to Ashira's lips and decided he'd better soothe her. “You know I'm going to miss you,” he said quietly, reaching out and cupping her breasts, liking the feel of them and then leaning up to kiss them both.
“Then take me with you.”
He pulled back and dropped his hands and stared at her. She was dead serious. “Did you not hear what I said? I'm going to Hawaii with my wife,” he repeated, annoyed. It was bad enough that he had to go; he really didn't need her giving him a hard time about it.
“Damn it, I heard you,” she snapped, leaning down closer to his face, too close to suit him. “But why can't you take both of us? People with kids take their nannies, so why can't you take your other woman?”
He rolled his eyes. “Damn, Ashira, it's not the same, and you know it. Barbara expects me to spend time with her.”
“Then spend time with her. I'll have plenty to keep me busy while you're doing so, since I've never been to Hawaii before. But at night, when your old lady is asleep, or if she manages to give you free time to do something that men enjoy doing, like playing golf, you can always visit my room.” She licked her lips. “I'll be glad to give your balls a good workout.”
He felt his pecker grow hard at the thought. But he would be stupid to try something like that. “Forget it. Something like that is too risky.”
“I won't forget it, and I want to go, Ronnie. Why should
I let your wife have all the fun? Don't I mean anything to you?”
I let your wife have all the fun? Don't I mean anything to you?”
“Of course you do, but what you're suggesting is crazy. If I went along with something like that and Barbara found out, she would kill me.”
Ashira smiled. “Then we'll make sure she doesn't find out.” She then reached out and pulled the bedcovers back and took her hand and slowly began skimming her fingers over his body. “Just think about all the fun we're going to have, Ronnie. You have to take me along. I promise to make the risk worth it.”
He rubbed his hand down his face, knowing that was the problem. Of all the other women he'd had, there was something about this one that could set his balls aflame. If he wasn't careful, he could become addicted. “I'll think about it,” he said.
“Oh,” she said, laughing lightly as she eased her body over his. “Then I truly need to give you something to think about, don't I?”
He opened his mouth to say something, and then got distracted by twin globes dangling down in his face. And when her mouth moved from his shoulder blades down toward his stomach, whatever he'd been about to say totally left his mind.
“You can't give up on that little black book,” Vickie implored. “It probably has plenty more names in it. There has to be someone in there who's going to be worth your time and effort.”
Courtney and Vickie met after work for dinner at one of their favorite restaurants at the Millennia Mall. Courtney took a sip of her margarita and gave Vickie's comment some thought. But then Vickie hadn't been the one who'd been humiliated with the three guys she'd gotten from the book so far. “Maybe, but I'm not about to take any more chances. Three was enough.”
“So what did you do with it? You didn't throw it away, did you?”
Courtney shook her head. “I was tempted to but changed my mind; after all, it was a gift. And then there was that promise I made to Sonya. I threw it in the bottom drawer in my nightstand. Out of sight and out of mind. The next time I meet a guy, I'll check him out for myself. I just don't know where in the world Sonya got those men from. She must have met them during an off day. It's not like her to pick out losers.”
“I know,” Vickie said, completely baffled and still amazed at the thought of it. “Maybe she met them during that time she was in denial and wouldn't admit she had the hots for Mike. I bet that was when her focus wasn't good.”
Courtney's lips began to twitch when she remembered how hard Sonya had tried fighting the attraction. “You're probably right. I would hate to think she'd lost her touch altogether.”
“So when will the honeymooners be returning?” Vickie asked, interrupting her thoughts.
“This weekend. Carla is throwing together a party for their return. You want to go with me as my date?”
Vickie chuckled into her piña colada. “Why not? I don't have anything else to do that night, since Dan won't be coming to town,” she said of the guy she'd been dating for the past year. Dan lived two hours away, in St. Augustine. They had met when the two were teaching at the same high school, but a few months ago, Dan Robbins had accepted a job offer to be the principal of an elementary school in the nation's oldest city and moved away.
Courtney eased back in her chair and glanced over at her best friend. “And how are things going between you and Dan?”
Vickie shrugged. “Okay, I guess, but being involved in a long-distance romance is the pits. I liked it better when he was able to drop in at any time, stay the night. Now it's hard for him to get away for the weekend. I was the one who drove down to see him the last two times. Now it's his turn and he doesn't seem all that eager to come. I'm getting the feeling that he doesn't care one way or the other whether we see each other or not. Sometimes, I just can't figure men out.”
Vickie wasn't by herself, Courtney thought, taking another sip of her drink. But she thought Vickie had Dan figured wrong. Other than Mike and Sonya, she didn't know of any other couple who was more in love than Dan and Vickie. When you saw them together, you knew they were in love, and she didn't like hearing the sound of worry and frustration in Vickie's voice. “Maybe that new school is keeping him busy?” she said in Dan's defense.
“Yeah. Whatever.” Then, as if Vickie needed to change
the subject, she asked, “How did your mentoring session with Jetrica go last week?”
the subject, she asked, “How did your mentoring session with Jetrica go last week?”
Courtney frowned. “Challenging. She missed a couple of our sessions when she cut school.”
“She's still doing that?”
“Yes. Worried her sister to death when she didn't get home until after dark.”
Vickie raised a brow. “You don't think a boy is involved, do you?”
“God, I hope not. The last thing I need to deal with is Jetrica with a boyfriend.”
Vickie's eyes glittered with amusement. “Hey, you had one when you were her age. Remember Matthew Banks?”
Courtney shook her head. “How can I forget the jerk?”
Vickie smiled. “Hmm, he's a jerk now, uhh?”
“He was a jerk then, but I was too stupid to realize it.”
“Not stupid, just immature,” Vickie said with another smile.
“I was stupidâtrust me on that one. That was one of the few times my mother was right.”
“That's scary.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.”
“She and your dad are still trying to make their marriage work?” Vickie asked.
“So they say. Mom mentioned today they're planning a trip to Hawaii.”
“Wow, that's nice. He's finally giving in and doing the things she wants to do for a change.”
Courtney released a half laugh. “Don't let Dad's dedicated act fool you. He's not stupid. Mom's trust fund is
what's keeping him in line â¦
if
he's really keeping himself in line.”
what's keeping him in line â¦
if
he's really keeping himself in line.”
“You don't believe that he is?”
“I wish I could say otherwise, but my answer is no. It would take a lot for me to believe he's smartened up and has straightened up his act. But my father likes taking risks where Mom is concerned. They would have done better if they'd each gone their separate ways. Some people just aren't meant to be together.”
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