Night of Seduction (40 page)

“Thank you,
baby.
”

“You
’
re welcome,
Nana.
”

“It always
amazes me how you
’
re able to hide your
emotions. But I can see through you like a crystal ball.
You
’
re hurting and you
’
re scared. Now you
don
’
t have to talk about whatever it is. Just know your
Nana loves you and I
’
m going be here for
you whenever you need me.
”

Siri looked
away.
“
I know Nana.
”

“Where
’
s that
boy?
”

“What
boy?
”

“That good
looking one you married. What
’
s he doing
now?
”

“Carl.
He
’
s a member of the City Council now. Doing very well
with it.
”

“He was a nice
boy. Nasty momma though.
”

“Yes, Nana, she
was something.
”

“You still
sulking for him?
”

“No, Nana,
I
’
m not sulking for anyone.
”

“You can lie to
yourself child, but you can
’
t lie to
Nana.
”
The doorbell rang and Siri nearly jumped out of
her seat. Looking into her eyes, she could see the fear.
“
You going to get that?
”

Reluctantly,
Siri stood.
“
Sure.
”
When she returned, she picked up her
glass and took a long swallow.
“
The neighbor dropped
off a cake.
”

“Umm
hum,
”
was all Nana said as she watched her grandchild relax.
Whoever has her tied up in knots is coming tonight.
I
’
m going to get to the bottom of this.

Well she
didn
’
t have to wait long. TeKaya and her burst of energy
entered the house minutes later. Joining her was the entire Davies
crew. While Miriam went into the kitchen with Kerri, TeKaya brought
everyone else to the porch to meet Nana.

“Nana this is
Jason,
”
TeKaya beamed.

Jason reached
down and kissed her cheek.
“
I
’
ve heard
so much about you Mrs. Kendrick.
”

“Lord, boy,
it
’
s been a long time since a handsome man kissed
me,
”
she blushed.

“And these are
Jason
’
s brothers Eric and Tyrone.
”
They both did
the same.

“It
’
s three of them in
the same family,
”
Nana laughed loving the attention.
Siri hoped she had blended far enough into the woodwork not to be
noticed, but it wasn
’
t to be.
“
Hello Siri.
”
The same melody began to play in her
stomach, no matter how much she tried to deny it.

“Hello Eric,
Ty, Jason.
”

Eric could see
her discomfort and it was the last thing he wanted.
“
Mrs. Kendrick,
”
he sat beside her on
the love seat,
“
TeKaya said you tell
the most wonderful stories. Are you going to share one with us this
evening?
”

“Nana baby
Nana.
”
She looked into his eyes, then looked at
Siri
—
the same sadness was in both sets of eyes.
“
Umm hum, I
’
m sure I can think of
one or two to tell you.
“
Siri, why
don
’
t you offer our guests some
refreshments?
”

“I
’
m sorry,
yes,
”
she sat her glass down.
“
What can I get
everyone?
”

After taking
everyone
’
s order, she walked back into the house with
TeKaya, leaving the men sitting around Nana. They walked into the
kitchen.
“
Hello Mrs. Davies,
”
Siri
smiled.

“Siri,
”
Miriam smiled and hugged her.
“
Eric tells me you are about to become a published author,
congratulations.
”

“Thank
you,
”
Siri replied beaming.

“I
don
’
t suppose you have a manuscript you need me to read
over for you. I
’
m sure I could give
you a pointer or two,
”
Miriam joked.

“I
’
m always open for
pointers. I think I might be able to find a copy before you
leave.
”

Miriam
clapped,
“
Oh good. I love romance
novels.
”

“Siri
’
s is going to be a
blockbuster,
”
TeKaya added as they prepared the
tray of drinks.

Kerri looked at
the girls.
“
Dinner will be ready
in about fifteen minutes.
”

“Okay Mom.
Where
’
s Sierra and Gabby?
”

“Out back on
the swings.
”

TeKaya beamed
with joy.
“
You finally have a
granddaughter to use that swing set.
”

“I knew it
would be put to good use one day.
”

The girls
walked back out on the porch that was filled with laughter. Nana
was entertaining the men with one of her childhood stories. They
passed out the drinks then TeKaya sat on the arm of the chair near
Jason, Siri stood at the doorway. Ty motioned for her to take his
seat, but she declined, preferring to stand so that
Eric
’
s back was to her and that was a small consolation. It
didn
’
t prevent the rhythm in her stomach, but it was
something. For Nana, it was the perfect view. She could see
Siri
’
s eyes and they were reading loud and clear. The
doorbell rang, this time she didn
’
t jump, but the
opportunity to do something was appreciated. She came back with
TK
’
s friend, Jasmine.

“Hey
Jazz,
”
TK hugged her friend.
“
Let me introduce
you around. This is Jason, Ty and Eric. You know my
Nana.
”

“Hello
everyone,
”
Jasmine spoke, then looked at
Jason.
“
Well, you
’
re the
one.
”

“I
am,
”
he stood.

“Thank you.
I
’
m so glad you finally found this
girl.
”

“Alright,
stop,
”
TK said.
“
You are about to say
some things you shouldn
’
t. So
I
’
m stopping you before you get put
out.
”
They all laughed.

Jasmine walked
over and extended her hand.
“
You
’
re
Tyrone,
”

“Ty,
”
he corrected.

“Ok, Ty,
it
‘
s nice to meet you.
”

“Same
here,
”
Ty replied, but she was already turning to
Eric.

“Silk
Davies.
”
She extended her hand.
“
I
’
m a huge fan.
”
Eric stood and
offered his seat.
“
Thank
you,
”
he said then walked over and stood in the doorway next
to Siri.

“Hello
Nana,
”
she leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“Would you like
something to drink Jasmine?
”
Siri asked praying
she would say yes.

“A glass of
wine would be nice.
”

“I
’
ll get that for
you.
”
Siri turned and walked back into the house. Eric
watched and Nana watched him.

“Umm
hum,
”
she said, then continued her story.

Siri came back,
gave Jasmine her glass of wine and announced that dinner was ready.
They all went into the dining room and took their places at the
table. Kerri sat at one end, with Nana at the opposite end. Jason,
TeKaya, Miriam, and Eric sat on one side, with Jasmine, Ty, Gabby,
Sierra, and Siri on the other. The conversation flowed easily, with
TeKaya sharing information about the wedding and Jason teasing
about the honeymoon. Sierra giving a mumbling here and there,
capturing everyone
’
s heart. Jasmine kept
Eric and Ty engaged in conversation and Siri sat quietly listening,
smiling and doing all she could to avoid Eric
’
s eyes.
The dynamics at the table transformed the house. This was family,
but it was TeKaya
’
s family, not hers.
The thought hit her just as the doorbell sounded.
“
I
’
ll get it,
”
she said quickly
jumping up.

“I
’
m sitting right here,
I
’
ll get it.
”
Kerri began to
stand.

Siri was
already up.
“
No Mother you slaved
over this meal. You
’
re not lifting a
finger to do anything else.
”
She almost ran out
of the room.

Nana looked at
Eric.
“
Umm hum,
”
she said.
“
Send that baby down here to me.
”
Sierra climbed
down and ran with open arms to the lady with a big lap.
“
Yes, you sit right here and tell Nana what you are talking
about down there.
”
Sierra pointed to the sweet potatoes
still on Nana
’
s plate and everyone
laughed.

“Sierra,
”
Jason laughed.

She looked up
smiling and clapped,
“
Daddy.
”

Siri walked
back into the room followed by Kiki.
“
Everyone this is my
agent Kiki Simmons. Kiki, everyone.
”

“Hello. I
apologize for interrupting your dinner but I need Siri for a few
minutes.
”

“You
’
re working this
late,
”
Kerri said.

“Twenty-four
seven,
”
she replied. Jason, Eric Miriam, and Gabby all
turned to Ty. He would have never noticed because his eyes were
glued to Kiki Simmons.

“Nonsense,
”
Miriam said.
“
Come sit down
and have some dinner.
”

“I
don
’
t want to impose.
”

Ty
stood.
“
It
’
s not an imposition,
please take my seat.
”

Kiki stared at
the Morris Chestnut look alike.
“
Hmm,
”

Siri heard the
appreciative moan.
“
I
’
ll get an
extra chair and a plate.
”
The conversation
resumed around the table as Ty helped with the chair and Siri set
up another place setting.
“
Quick
introductions.
”
She pointed, Jason, TeKaya, Miriam,
Eric, Nana, little Sierra, Ty, Jasmine, and you know my mom.
Here
’
s your plate grab some food and Ty can catch you up on
the conversation.
”