I Promise (5 page)

Malcolm nodded a greeting to his father before closing the door behind him. “I was hoping to find you in here.” He joined his father at the bar. “Do you mind pouring me one?”

Noah raised his eyebrows in surprise, but uncapped the bottle of Jack Daniel's and poured his son a double. “So to what do I owe this gracious visit?”

“I want to talk to you about Opulence.” Malcolm jumped straight to the point. “I want to come on board.”

Noah choked at the unexpected statement. “What?
You
want a job?”

“Don't laugh. I know it's a surprise to you, but I've thought about it and I know this is something I'm ready to commit to.”

Their eyes met during the silence.

Leaning on the stool behind him, Noah crossed his arms and fixed his son with a stern look. “So you finally decided to settle down and get serious about life?”

“Something like that.”

“And let me guess. Let me guess. You want to manage the models or something along those lines,” he said sarcastically.

“I know I don't have a master's degree like Jordan.”

“You dropped out of community college after one quarter.”

Malcolm reached across the bar for his drink. “Actually, I was hoping to come in at the same level as Jordan.”

Noah sputtered his drink again. When he regained his composure, he laughed. “You sure don't ask for much. I take it you haven't talked to Jordan lately.”

“On the contrary. I would say we've had more than our fair share of discussions in the last twenty-four hours.”

“He didn't tell you that he was leaving the company?

“What?” Malcolm's brows furrowed in confusion. “I thought—”

Noah held up his hands. “I don't want to discuss it.” He refilled his glass.

“Maybe you should be easy on that, Pop.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

Malcolm shook his head, then jumped back to the matter at hand. “So what do you say? Show a little nepotism and give me a chance.”

“Answer me one question first. Is this your fiancée's idea?

Malcolm drained his glass and forced himself to make his announcement. “The engagement is off.”

“Well, easy come, easy go, I suppose,” Noah replied with a casual shrug of his shoulders.

Malcolm couldn't help but laugh. He wished it was that simple. “All right. I've answered your question. Do I have a job?”

Excitement uncurled inside Noah as he extended his hand. All was not lost. The thought of sharing Opulence's legacy filled him with pride. “You can start first thing in the morning.”

A
lex arrived home exhausted. She closed the door to her apartment, then slumped against it. How she made it through the afternoon smiling while she had posed next to Sheila, she'd never know.

Christian left the kitchen, carrying a pint of ice cream. “You look like how I feel.” She scooped another serving into her mouth.

“Häagen Dazs?”

“I had a rough day,” Christian answered, crossing into the living room. She plopped down on the sofa and continued eating.

“It must be going around.” Alex joined her.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“Well, aren't we a pair?” Christian shook her head, then frowned at the now-empty carton.

“Are you all packed?”

“Yeah. I finished about an hour ago.” Christian exhaled and slumped her shoulders forward. “I guess this is my last night in Atlanta.”

Alex clapped her hands together as if to jolt them both out of their blue reveries. “Okay enough of this pity party. I know what we need to do for our last night together. Let's go to the Industry.”

“Oh, I don't know. I don't feel like hanging out at a club tonight. Maybe we could just rent some old movies and make popcorn.”

“You have to be kidding.” Alex bounced to her feet. “We have to go out in style. Who knows when we'll see each other again?”

“Don't make it sound so final. We're going to see each other every chance we get. We'll write, call—”

“And die broke.”

Christian smiled as she pulled herself up and went into the kitchen. “I guess it will seem kind of strange.”

“Come on,” Alex pleaded, following behind her. “I need to do something to lift my spirits. And going clubbing is just what the doctor ordered.”

Christian turned and looked at her. From the bright gleam in Alex's eyes, she doubted any further protest would do any good.

“Come on,” Alex continued to coax, while moving her body to imaginary music. “Don't you want to paint the city one last time with me?”

Shaking her head, Christian couldn't stop the smile that slid into place. “You know, I'm going to miss you when I leave. I don't know what I'm going to do without you.”

“In Amarillo, you'll miss everything. I still don't know why you would choose the country life over the city anyway but—” She held up her hands. “That's another story. Besides, Bobby is going to take real good care of you.”

Christian nodded. “I know. Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For always being there. You're the best friend a girl could ever have.”

Alex's playful expression remained light. “You ain't so bad yourself, kid.”

Christian shrugged, but was unable to prevent the sudden sadness that ebbed at her heart.

“Hey,” Alex caught her frowning. “You're going to be fine.” She opened her arms and embraced her friend.

When they pulled back, they smiled and wiped their eyes dry.

“So what do you say?” Alex asked. “Do you want to go out and party?”

Christian found herself warming to the idea. “You got it.”

 

The music at the Industry pumped the dance crowd. Everyone from the players to the player-haters came to get their groove on. Alex and Christian pushed their way through the throng of people, but they didn't get far before someone grabbed Christian's arm and asked her to dance.

She politely turned the gentleman down with a smile, then continued through the crowd. They found a table close to the dance floor.

“Why didn't you dance with him?” Alex asked, signaling for a waiter to come to their table.

“I don't know.”

“Chris, we came here to have a good time. You have to loosen up.”

A voice spoke over her shoulder. “Excuse me.”

Christian looked up to see an attractive Blair Underwood look-alike. “Would you like to dance?”

“Thanks, but—”

Alex kicked her under the table. “Go ahead, girl. Enjoy yourself,” she whispered.

“I'd love to,” Christian relented, then allowed her dance partner to escort her onto the floor. She immediately regretted her decision, when her partner busted out with the Funky Chicken, then slid into the Mashed Potato.

Wide-eyed, she glared over her shoulder at Alex, who had doubled over with laughter.

At the end of the dance, Christian returned to her table. “Now
that
was an experience.” She laughed until tears filled her eyes.

“Let's make a toast.” Alex held up her glass.

Christian followed suit.

“To us. May we always be the best of friends.”

“To us.”

They clinked their glasses together. Before Christian batted an eye, Alex drained her drink.

“Excuse me, ladies. A gentleman at the bar has bought you a round of drinks.”

They turned and a gentleman moved from the bar and made his way over to them. “Hello, ladies. Mind if I join you?”

“Please do,” Alex invited, indicating the chair next to Christian.

“The name is Tanner,” he said, offering his hand to Christian.

“Christian, and this is my best friend, Alex.”

“It's nice to meet you both. But mind if I ask why the two most beautiful women in the club are sitting alone?”

“Good question,” Alex said, jumping to her feet. “I'm ready to party.” She swayed her hips to the music, and a swarm of men surrounded the tall beauty, all of them asking her to dance.

“Shall we?” Tanner stood, once again offering his hand to Christian.

Throwing caution to the wind, she accepted. Janet Jackson's latest hit grooved the crowd as men swarmed the dance floor.

Christian's troubles faded away as she moved to the beat. A thin layer of perspiration cooled her while her blouse molded against her body and the next song's beat picked up the pace. She forgot how many songs she danced to and she didn't care. The night was still young.

 

Malcolm lowered his gaze to his drink. He'd hoped the alcohol would dull his pain, but after his fifth round, he'd given up hope.

There was no sense in trying to be angry with Jordan. He never could stay mad at Jordan, but Malcolm was tired of playing second fiddle. Since his broken engagement, he had taken time to reflect over his past mistakes. He didn't like what he saw.

At twenty-eight, he had no ambitions and still lived at home. Jordan knew what he wanted and never hesitated to go after it. That was the one quality Malcolm had always admired about his brother.

His gaze shifted to the dance floor as he welcomed the dulling effects of alcohol over his senses. No one understood him. No one, but Alex.

He smiled then frowned at his empty glass. “Bartender,” he barked. “Hit me again.”

“Hey, man. I think you've had enough.”

Malcolm grinned. “I'll decide when I've had enough.”

“Mal,” his buddy, Daniel, cut in, “be cool.”

Shrugging his friend's hand from his shoulder, Malcolm set his glass down with a thump. “Hit me.”

The bartender grudgingly complied. “This is your last one.”

“Thank you.” Malcolm's words slurred.

“Dog, you need to ease up.” Daniel shook his head.

“What? Are you my doctor now?”

“Whatever, man.” Daniel dropped money on the bar for his tab. “But you're going to have to catch a cab home.” He draped his arm around the slinky dressed woman beside him. “I have a hot date here with…”

“Kim,” she supplied her name slightly irritated.

“Of course. Kim.” Daniel kissed her and erased the sour look from her face.

Malcolm's attention returned to the dance floor. He caught a glimpse of a familiar face. He blinked but the vision remained the same.

Christian glided across the floor. She laughed as if enchanted by the man who smiled down at her.

“I'll catch you later, man.” Daniel slapped Malcolm's shoulder, then disappeared from the bar.

The houselights dimmed and the music's tempo changed into a slow jam. Christian's partner wrapped his arms possessively around her.

Malcolm drained his glass in one gulp, then pushed from the bar and staggered to the dance floor.

Christian laughed at Tanner's quick wit. Alex had been right about coming here tonight. This was just what she needed before heading home tomorrow.

“Mind if I cut in?”

Christian pivoted, shocked to come face-to-face with—“Malcolm.” Her gaze traveled the length of him.

“So you
do
remember me.”

Tanner glanced between the couple. “Is there something I can do for you?” he asked Malcolm.

“No. I just wanted to have a moment alone with my fiancée, if you don't mind.”

“Hey, I don't want trouble.”

“Then leave,” Malcolm replied dryly.

The heavy stench of alcohol assaulted Christian's senses and she stepped back. “You've been drinking.”

“You noticed.” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her body against him. “Mind if I have this dance?” He moved with the music without waiting for a reply. “I see you've wasted no time replacing me. Though I'm surprised you didn't choose my brother. Or is he here, too?” He took a quick look around.

“I think you need to go home and sleep off some of that alcohol,” Christian suggested, turning to leave the dance floor.

Malcolm grasped her hand. “Wait. I just want to talk to you.”

Christian struggled to break his grasp, but his grip tightened. “Let me go.”

“I just want to talk to you.”

“Let me go!” Christian wrenched from Malcolm's grasp and slapped him. Despite the club's dim lighting, she could make out her handprint against his smooth dark complexion.

He snatched her by the wrist and glared down at her. “What was that for?”

Alex rushed over and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Let her go,” she coaxed softly.

Shrugging her hand away, he ignored Alex's plea.

A deep threatening voice spoke up from behind them. “I think the lady wants you to leave her alone.”

Malcolm turned.

A brother dressed head to toe in black stood with his fists settled against his hips.

Malcolm stood unfazed that the man challenging him towered over his six-two frame, and outweighed him by at least thirty pounds. Malcolm cocked his head to one side and said, “I think you need to mind your own business.”

Horrified by the threat of confrontation, Christian jumped between the two men. “Malcolm, let it go.” She turned to her rescuer. “Sir, everything is all right. We were just…talking.”

A sly grin slid across Malcolm's face. “See? We were just talking. So piss off!”

Anger flashed across the giant's features as he swept Christian out of the way to land a punch square on Malcolm's jaw, knocking him to the floor.

“No!” Alex shouted, dashing to his side.

“If you know what's good for you, you'll stay down,” the giant threatened.

Malcolm jumped to his feet, again ignoring Alex, to send his own punch, which missed the giant by several inches.

All hell broke loose.

People who weren't involved in the confrontation suddenly dove into the action.

Christian screamed for everyone to stop, but Alex's wild shrieks caught and held her attention. Dumbfounded, she stared at her friend's troubled expression.

“Bust it up!” a voice thundered.

A group of muscular men shoved through the crowd. Two snatched Malcolm by the collar, while four other men grabbed the giant and led them both off the premises.

Christian rushed behind them.

“Chris, wait!” Alex pulled her back. “Will you wait a minute?”

“I have to go after him.”

“And tell him what?” Alex yelled. “That you're sorry?”

“I am sorry.”

“Let him go.” She held Christian's gaze, then added, “Please.”

Tears pooled in Alex's eyes as she pressed her lips together then broke eye contact.

Christian closed the distance between them, but words failed her.

“I love him,” Alex confessed, returning her gaze to her friend. “I love him.”