Say You Need Me (8 page)

“I’m really sorry about my brother,” Darrell said.

Serena’s lips lifted in a faint smile. “It’s okay.” She paused, then asked, “Did you grow up in Florida?”

“New York.”

“What brought you to Florida?”

“My dad wanted a change.” And to escape the memory of his cheating wife. “We settled in Kissimmee, but that
was always too boring for Cecil. He moved to Miami as soon as he hit eighteen.”

Just before the causeway, Darrell pulled into the right lane and turned into the gas station.

Serena glanced at the gas gauge. “The tank’s almost full.”

“I don’t need to fill up,” Darrell explained as he pulled up to the station’s door. “I need an ATM.”

“Oh.”

“I won’t be long,” Darrell told her.

As he walked around the front of the car to the door, Serena watched him. A soft sigh fell from her lips. There was something about him that made it impossible for her to take her eyes off him.

He was Cecil’s twin, yes, but she found herself forgetting that fact. How could he look exactly like his brother, yet not resemble him in the least?

Character, Serena realized. He had some. Cecil didn’t. And it made a world of difference physically, something she wouldn’t have known firsthand if she hadn’t met Darrell. She’d always believed that an ugly character made an attractive person ugly, and witnessing the clear difference between Darrell and Cecil proved that point. Yes, Cecil was attractive, but his eyes lacked the warmth that Darrell’s held, and that warmth made Darrell infinitely more appealing.

Darrell exited the store and headed back to the Viper, flashing Serena a charming smile as he did. Her heart slammed against her ribcage.

“I don’t know about you,” Darrell began, settling in the car, “but what they gave me in jail didn’t exactly qualify as a meal. I’m hungry. You?”

Serena nodded. “I guess I am.”

“Then we may as well grab a bite to eat before we do anything else.” Slipping into traffic, Darrell went straight. “There are a few places up here,” he said.

He drove slowly, looking from left to right at the various buildings. “You ever been here?” he asked, slowing near a restaurant named Monty’s on the right.

“Nope. Never.”

“I’m sure they’ve got something edible.”

Serena checked out the huge establishment that bordered the marina. “No doubt.”

Darrell turned into the parking lot. It was crowded, and he wasn’t sure which direction he should go.

As he crept along in the Viper, a lot attendant hurried toward the car. He lowered his head to the open window. “Hey, Cecil,” the young man said. “Long time no see.”

So his brother was a regular here. “Hi.”

“There’s space around the corner to the back.”

“Thanks,” Darrell said, then started in that direction.

Serena gave Darrell a sideways glance. “Seems your brother was quite the popular guy.”

“Let’s hope that makes him easier to find.”

Darrell parked in the first spot he found. It took him a moment to figure out how to close the sunroof, but when he did, both he and Serena exited the car.

The loud sounds of calypso music filled the air as Serena and Darrell walked to the entrance of the restaurant. As they got closer to the door, happy sounds of laughter and chatter mixed with the music. Considering all the action for a Saturday afternoon, this place was clearly a hot spot.

Serena whipped her head around when she heard a
collective shriek of laughter. Four women walked behind her and Darrell. Four
gorgeous
women. All were wearing sexy outfits that flaunted their perfect bodies: short dresses, form-fitting skirts, and tops that showed off their midriffs. Serena instantly felt out of place. Compared to these women, she looked like…like a librarian. She frowned. Why hadn’t she put on something nicer, like one of her summer dresses, before heading out?

Because she hadn’t been planning on going out for lunch or doing anything social when she’d left her apartment. Her only plan had been to go to the police station and see Cecil, for which she certainly didn’t need to be dressed up.

The group of women continued to giggle as they hurried past Darrell and Serena. Self-conscious, she ran a hand down her oversized T-shirt, then said, “I’m not dressed for this.”

“You look fine,” Darrell replied succinctly.

Fine
? Any other day, she’d be happy with fine. Why not today? “I wish I’d known we’d be going out.”

“It’s only a bite to eat, not a date.”

“Yes, of course,” Serena said, then quickened her pace, walking ahead of him up the ramp. But she couldn’t walk fast enough to escape his stinging words.

But why should they sting? Darrell was right; this
wasn’t
a date. They were simply getting a bite to eat before continuing their search for his brother.

Yet it would be nice to believe that Darrell found her attractive enough to
take
on a date. Cecil had led her to believe he’d felt that way about her, but he’d turned out to be the biggest liar she’d ever met. And with Cecil’s betrayal came the bitter realization that she’d foolishly let
herself give in to the dream that a hunky guy like him could actually be interested in a plain girl like her.

The top of the ramp connected to a walkway that led to the restaurant door. Besides the restaurant, there were other businesses along the path. But Monty’s was by far the biggest establishment.

The row of payphones reminded Serena that she should call Kiana. Last night, she’d promised to call the moment she had some news. Her sister would no doubt wonder what was going on.

When Serena looked over her shoulder, she saw Darrell right behind her. His full lips curled in a small smile, one that said he hadn’t noticed her sudden change in mood. What was wrong with her, anyway? Women in Miami routinely showed a lot of skin and dressed provocatively. She’d never felt inadequate before.

“Give me a second,” Serena said. “I want to call my sister.”

“Sure.”

She walked the few steps to the payphones, surreptitiously glancing at Darrell as she did. She watched him stroll casually toward the restaurant’s front doors. Two women sauntering along the path boldly ogled him up and down, then wiggled their fingers at him.

Serena felt an unexpected spurt of jealousy. The two women were dressed in short-shorts and bikini tops, barely covering the essentials, while she was dressed as if she was ready to clean someone’s house.

Phoning her sister took a back seat to watching what would happen next. She expected the women to stop and flirt with Darrell, but if they’d wanted to, his actions dis
couraged them. He merely gave them a polite nod, then turned—and the two women continued on.

Again, Serena was mesmerized by his strong back muscles, his beautifully sculpted arms. Yes, the man was
F-I-N-E fine.

Darrell stopped his turn when his eyes met hers. Serena felt a little jolt in her heart. Quickly, she lifted the receiver and held it to her ear, hoping he didn’t realize she’d been checking him out. She fished in her purse for change and dropped it in the slot.

“Hey, Kiana,” Serena said when her sister picked up on the second ring. “It’s me.”

“Serena!” Kiana exclaimed. “Where are you? I called you a couple times.”

“I’m in Miami Beach.”

“The beach? What—you went to the police station?”

“Yeah,” Serena replied. “I wanted to talk to Cecil.”

“They let you talk to him?” Kiana asked, surprised.

“No.” Serena paused. “Kiana, you’re not going to believe this. That wasn’t Cecil we saw last night.”

“
What?
”

“I know. I hardly believe it either. But it was Cecil’s brother. His twin.”

There was a pause, then, “No way!”

“Yes way. And let me tell you, no one is more surprised than I am. Cecil never said anything about having a brother, much less an identical
twin.
I feel like an idiot for slapping him last night, but how was I to know?”

“Exactly,” Kiana crooned. “You had no clue. He shouldn’t hold that against you.”

“No, he doesn’t.” Serena’s gaze found Darrell. He stood
with his back pressed against the building wall. “In fact, I’m with him now. His name is Darrell.”

“Wait a second. Backtrack. Did you just say you’re with him now?”

“Yes. He thinks Cecil’s in some kind of trouble, so he’s trying to find his brother…and I offered to help.”

“What?” Kiana gasped.

“He says he’ll help me get my stuff back, and the only way he can do that is to find his brother. Kiana, you know I have to get the necklace back.”

“Yes, but not at any cost. If Cecil’s in some kind of trouble…God, Serena, you don’t even know this guy.”

Again, Serena glanced Darrell’s way. As if sensing her eyes on his back, he slowly turned and faced her. He smiled.

God, there was something about him. She could look at him all day and not get bored. With Cecil, Serena had been attracted to him, but she’d been drawn to what she thought he was. He’d sought her out and she’d simply gone along with the attraction. But something about Darrell compelled her to look at him, to want to spend time with him, even though her brain told her that if she was smart, she’d run in the opposite direction.

Maybe it was the sincerity she saw in Darrell’s eyes when he’d looked at her and told her he’d do what he could to get her property back. Maybe it was the way his eyes seemed to come alive when they connected with hers.

Or maybe she was finding something where there was nothing out of the ordinary. Darrell was an extremely handsome man. What woman wouldn’t be drawn to him?

“No,” Serena said in response to her sister’s concern. “I don’t know him. But from what I’ve seen, he seems completely different from Cecil, and I think I can trust him.”

“Serena—”

“There’s so much I have to fill you in on, but I’ll do that when I see you. Anyway, I might not be home for a while, so if I don’t call until late, don’t go worrying yourself to death.”

“I wouldn’t worry if you didn’t give me reason,” Kiana muttered.

“I heard that,” Serena said.

“Please be careful. That’s all I ask.”

“You got it. I’ll call you later, ’kay?”

“Okay.”

Serena hung up, then made her way over to Darrell. “I’m ready.”

His eyebrows raised in concern. “Everything all right?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine. I figured I’d call my sister so she wouldn’t worry about me.”

“That was your sister you were with last night?” Darrell asked.

“Uh huh. Kiana. She’s my only sister. Actually, my only sibling.”

Nodding, Darrell opened the door. Serena stepped inside. A host greeted them instantly. “Table for two?” the young man asked.

“Yes,” Darrell replied.

“Inside or outside?”

Darrell looked at Serena. “Do you mind eating outside?”

“It’s a beautiful day. May as well.”

“All righty, then,” the host said cheerfully. “This way, please.”

Serena and Darrell followed the young man. As they walked, Darrell placed his hand on her back, gently guiding her. But while the touch was gentle, it set off tiny
sparks along her skin. When Cecil had casually touched her, her skin hadn’t come alive with this wonderful tingling sensation. Darrell’s touch felt good, better than it should have, considering she wasn’t the least bit interested in him. Even more confusing, Serena felt the oddest urge to have Darrell wrap his arms around her and hold her like he meant it.

Hold her like he wanted her.

The thought shocked her. Why should she feel this way about Darrell?

They followed the young host to the exterior portion of the restaurant. There was a large pool immediately ahead of them, in which a team of men and women were playing pool volleyball.

“Here you go,” the host said, placing menus on a two-seater to the far right of the pool.

Good grief, everyone here looked like they’d stepped off the covers of
GQ
and
Cosmopolitan.
What was Serena doing here?

This was bad. Very bad.

Sitting, Darrell gave Serena a confused look. “You gonna join me?”

Serena spun around and grabbed the host’s arm as he started off. “Where’s the bathroom?” she asked anxiously.

“Straight back there on your left,” the host replied, pointing Serena in the right direction.

“Thank you,” she told the young man. Glancing over her shoulder at Darrell, she said, “I’ll be right back.”

Then, clutching her purse under her arm, she hurried toward the restrooms as if her life depended on it.

Serena didn’t break her stride until she was in
the large handicapped stall. She locked the door behind her, then sagged against it, releasing a long, harried breath as she did.

“Okay,” she said aloud, her mind scrambling, “what now?”

Looking to her right, she was relieved to find a private mirror and sink in the stall, as she’d hoped.

She heaved herself off the door and was at the sink in one second flat. Placing her purse on the sink’s ledge, she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

And nearly had heart failure.
This
was how she looked? God, how horrible!

Her hair…
yuck
. When she’d gotten this short do, the stylist had told her that it would be easy to maintain and would look great with minimal fussing. Now, it was flat and dull.

She finger-combed it, trying to fluff it as much as possible. It helped a bit, but not much.

Her bigger concern was her face. She didn’t have a drop of makeup on, and suddenly it mattered. She didn’t want to look like a complete dolt, dressed like she was ready to pick weeds while she was at a place where everyone else looked ready to compete in a modeling competition.

Holy shine on her face! She dug inside her purse until she found her compact of pressed powder, then applied a liberal amount to dull the shine. She also applied lipstick and mascara.

Now, if only she had another outfit in her purse, she could actually go back out there and look presentable. Of course, she didn’t. She hadn’t dressed to impress this morning, but had dressed for comfort.

That was her style. Why was she suddenly trying to change it?

Serena exited the stall, but couldn’t help stopping at the main sink and mirror to check herself out again. She frowned. Something wasn’t right. Did she need more powder? Or maybe black eyeliner to highlight her eyes?

“This is ridiculous,” she told her reflection.

“What’s ridiculous, honey?”

Serena whipped around to see a woman standing behind her in the bathroom. She was tall, at least five foot eight, with dark brown skin. Her shoulder-length hair was thick, her body shaped like an hourglass.

All of which emphasized just how dowdy Serena looked.

Serena took off her glasses and stuffed them in her purse.

She would have put in her contacts this morning if she
hadn’t been in a rush to get to the police station. “Uh, nothing really. Well, actually…tell me what you think. I’m trying to decide if my glasses make me look really…” She paused, searching for an appropriate word. “Bad.”

“Trying to impress someone?”

“Kinda.” Serena gave a wishy-washy nod. “Yeah, I guess.”

“First date?”

“Well, it’s not exactly a date. I just…”

“You want to look good.”

“As good as possible.” Glancing at her reflection, Serena frowned. “I didn’t expect to be going out today.”

The attractive black woman settled beside Serena, then did a slow perusal of Serena’s body. “Well, there’s nothing you can do about that outfit, unless you want to twist your T-shirt through the neck to create a halter effect.”

“Uh, I don’t think so.”

“Okay, let’s see you with the glasses on.”

Serena fished them out of her purse and did as told.

A slight look of disapproval marred the woman’s beautiful features. “Now take them off.”

Serena slipped the glasses off.

“Keep the glasses off, honey,” the woman told her emphatically. Then she faced the mirror and began fluffing her hair.

“Thanks.” Serena leaned in close to the mirror and squinted. Yes, the woman was right. She looked better this way.

So what if she couldn’t see?

Goodness, she was being a moron. She was who she was and if any man didn’t respect her for that, that was his problem. But despite that thought, she didn’t put her
glasses back on. What was wrong with her? Maybe she was simply feeling out of sorts because of this whole mess with Cecil.

Oh, who was she kidding? She could lie to herself till the cows came home, but the truth was, she wanted Darrell to notice her the way men hadn’t noticed her before. She wanted him to look at her like she had at least a measure of sex appeal. Why, she didn’t know, but it suddenly mattered.

“Good luck,” the woman said.

“Thanks.”

Serena squared her shoulders. She’d done the best she could with what she had. Now, she would see if it made any impression on Darrell.

The moment the other woman disappeared into a stall, Serena started taking baby-steps out of the bathroom. No doubt about it, this was one of the dumbest things she’d done in her life. She could barely see a thing in front of her face. Before she made it to the bathroom door, she shoved her glasses back on, annoyed with herself.

But as she stepped outside and saw a gorgeous couple stroll by hand-in-hand, she removed her glasses once again and stuffed them into her purse.

She was back to taking baby-steps, knowing she must look crazy. And at the moment, she couldn’t help wondering if she was.

She was farsighted, and could see Darrell in the distance fairly well. As he looked up from the menu, nerves suddenly tickled her stomach. Would he like the new look, or would he think she was as moronic as she felt? She hoped he liked it. Darrell brought out a need in her she hadn’t experienced before, one she couldn’t quite un
derstand. She wanted his eyes to tell her she was beautiful, that she was just as irresistible as the other women in this place.

Maybe it was Darrell’s comment about Cecil having lived off gullible women for years, but she wanted to believe that someone as attractive as Darrell didn’t think she was the kind of woman who had to be grateful for the attentions of a gorgeous man. Because that’s not what it had been about with Cecil. She’d liked him as a person, the person he’d let her believe he was, and she’d wanted to build a foundation from there.

She forced herself to stop thinking about Cecil as she continued walking. Thankfully, she made it to the table without making a fool of herself.

“Hi.” Serena placed her purse on the tabletop, then sat down. But she missed half the chair, and it wobbled. Quickly, she threw both hands out and gripped the edges of the table, righting herself, but in the process, she knocked over her purse. It fell to the ground, the contents spilling out.

Darrell was immediately out of his chair, crouching beside the table to retrieve her purse.

“I can’t believe I did that,” Serena mumbled, embarrassed.

Darrell glanced up at her with an odd look. He was noticing the makeup. Suddenly, Serena felt foolish. Why had she been so hell-bent on her makeover anyway? So what if Darrell didn’t find her attractive?

“How well do you see without your glasses?” Darrell asked.

“I can see.”

“You’re squinting.”

“Am I?” Serena folded her arms onto the table—and knocked her fork and knife to the floor. “All right, maybe I need my glasses.”

Darrell stared at Serena, trying not to grin. He watched as she dug her glasses out of her purse, then slipped out of his seat to pick up the silverware that had fallen. He passed them to a busboy who walked by.

Serena rested her face in her palm, directing her gaze toward the pool. There was that vulnerable side again, a side that was definitely growing on him. And to be completely honest with himself, it stroked his ego to think that she’d dolled herself up for his benefit.

He’d known her only a day, but he’d never met anyone else like her. She was strong, yet vulnerable; confident enough to be secure in who she was, yet real enough to feel insecurity. It was a combination Darrell liked.

Which made him wonder if his brother had truly appreciated her or if he’d simply taken advantage of her. Hell, what was wrong with Cecil, anyway? Would he ever learn to appreciate a good woman?

Serena held the menu in front of her face. “Do you know what you’re having?”

“I like the glasses,” Darrell announced.

Serena blinked, but didn’t lower the menu. “Come again?”

“The glasses. I think they’re cute. They suit you.”

“Oh,” she said, sounding surprised as she lowered the menu. She actually blushed, a genuine blush, something Darrell hadn’t seen on a woman in a long time. “Thank you.”

Yeah, there was something about her. Something he’d
sensed last night at the bar. While other women had dressed like vixens, hoping to get men’s attention, she’d dressed in a classically elegant way. She’d caught his attention immediately.

Even now, in an oversized white T-shirt and black track pants, there was a quality about her that he found more intriguing than the scantily clad women here. Serena left something to the imagination, gave him something to wonder about.

His eyes ventured lower. He could see the faint outline of her lacy white bra. Lace beneath cotton. The combination was strangely erotic.

Their waitress arrived at that moment, saving Darrell’s thoughts from continuing down their unexpected lustful path.

“Cecil!” The woman’s pretty eyes bulged with shock and delight. “Where have you
been
?”

Darrell was momentarily startled to hear Cecil’s name, but recovered without her noticing his surprise. “Hey.” He glanced at her nametag. “Miranda.”

“Come on, Cecil.” She playfully swatted his shoulder. “You know I prefer being called Mimi.” Her lips curled downward in a pout. “You’re not mad at me because of the last time, are you?”

Darrell paused. “No. Of course not.”

“Good. Because I warned you about Tamara, and seeing you with her…I guess I got a little stupid.”

“I figured that.” Damn, Darrell wished he knew what the hell they were talking about!

Mimi’s gaze finally went to Serena. She looked back and forth between her and Darrell, as if trying to assess their relationship. “This your friend?”

“Yeah.” Darrell picked up the menu. “We’re getting a bite to eat.”

Mimi’s smile seemed relieved. “Hi.”

Serena greeted the pretty, fair-skinned woman with a tight smile.

Mimi turned back to Darrell. “You said there was something you had to take care of last time you were here. How did that go?”

Darrell shrugged noncommittally. “I’m still working it out.”

“Well, Tamara was here looking for you.”

“She was?”

“Yeah. I warned you about her, but you wouldn’t listen. The woman is nuts.”

Darrell merely chuckled, then waited for the waitress to offer more information. She didn’t.

Damn. How was he supposed to get information to help him find his brother if everyone thought he
was
his brother? Maybe he should tell this woman he was actually Cecil’s twin and see if she knew anything that could be of help.

“Shall I start you off with your regular drink?”

“Sure, Mimi. Whatever.”

Mimi faced Serena. “Oh. And you?”

“I’ll take a lemonade.”

“Sure, honey.”

Mimi’s gaze lingered a little too long on Darrell as she walked away, and Serena couldn’t help feeling annoyed. What was it with women these days, anyway? Talk about downright rude.

“
Mimi?
” Serena made a face.

“Hey, I didn’t date her.”

“No, your other half did.”

“My
brother
. Granted, he’s my twin, but like I told you before, we’re nothing alike.”

Serena buried her nose in the menu. Anxiety and annoyance fought for control within her. And yes, a measure of jealousy. Though why should she be jealous? She had no dibs on Darrell.

If he found Mimi attractive, good for him.

But try as she might, Serena couldn’t see a thing on the menu—not even with her glasses. It bothered her to realize how little she’d known about Cecil. And it bothered her to think that Darrell was probably as hot-blooded as his brother was. Which only served to make her feel even more inferior than she had when she’d stepped into this place. Who wouldn’t find the Mimis of the world attractive? Large breasts—plastic surgeons sure made a killing in Miami—long, lean legs, small waist. Serena couldn’t compete.

“Hey.”

Darrell’s voice interrupted her thoughts. It held a gentle, caring note, and lowering her menu, Serena met his eyes. “Yes?”

“I hope you’re okay with…with all this.”

“With what?”

Darrell flashed her an uneasy look, then spoke in a hushed voice. “It’s clear my brother had a thing with Mimi. And from the messages on his machine…you two were dating, but it’s obvious Cecil wasn’t faithful.”

“Ah. Well, I got over your brother the moment I learned he’d scammed me.”

Silence fell between them, and both perused their menus. Mimi returned with a tall draft for Darrell and the
lemonade for Serena. After she took their order for nachos, she again referred to Darrell as Cecil, after which Serena asked, “Why don’t you just tell her you’re Cecil’s twin?”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Darrell replied. “But I’m not sure it will help. From what she said, she hasn’t been in touch with Cecil for a while.”

“She mentioned some Tamara woman. Do you think she’s the one who might be after your brother?”

Darrell didn’t know what to think, and shrugged in reply.

For the most part, they ate in silence, with Mimi showing up every few minutes to yak about unimportant stuff. His brother sure knew how to pick winners.

Darrell was glad to finally be finished with the meal. He hated beer and had only a few sips of the draft. He summoned Mimi and asked for the check.

“You didn’t drink your beer, hon.”

“I know,” Darrell said. “I’m not feeling that hot today.”

“Oh, that’s too bad.” She raised a suggestive eyebrow, topped off with a sly grin, making it clear to Serena that she would have continued with a cheesy I-know-how-to-make-you-feel-better line if Serena wasn’t around.

“Give me a second. I’ll grab the check.”

“Sure.”

Mimi disappeared inside, reappearing less than a minute later. Darrell pushed his chair back and stood as she approached the table. Serena followed his lead.

“There you go.” Mimi handed him the check.

“Thanks again, Mimi.” Darrell dug some money out of his wallet and passed it to her.