The Question (12 page)

“There you have it.” He pointed with his pizza for emphasis.

Gail gazed at him in admiration. “That was positively devious. Brilliant, genius even, but devious. You know that wasn’t the intent of the agreement.”

“No but it is the letter of it,” he said smugly.

Gail laughed. “Remind me to never argue with you.”

Whatever he would have said in return was lost when the doorman buzzed her. “Ms. Henderson?”

She rose from the table, crossed to the door and pushed the call button. “Yes, Paul?”

“Mr. Al Jabbar is here to see you.”

“Rashid! What’s he doing here?” she asked Greg. Pressing the button again, she told the doorman, “Send him up.”

“Very good, ma’am.”

“I wonder what he wants,” she said to Greg, completely puzzled by Rashid’s presence at her apartment.

“We’ll find out in a minute, or should I leave?”

“No, don’t go anywhere. I’m sure whatever business he wants to discuss won’t take long.”

“I’ll take the rest of the pizza into the living room and get the movie ready.”

“Okay.”

A knock sounded at the door and Gail went to answer it. “Rashid, come in. This is unexpected. Is everything alright? Where is Crystal?” Gail spoke rapidly, a bit unnerved to see him standing there and curious as to his reason for being here. She was also a bit unsettled at the thought of him meeting Greg. She felt like she’d been caught cheating.

“Crystal is at home. Everything is fine. I did not mean to alarm you. I simply stopped by to drop off something for you.”

Gail looked at him curiously. His hands appeared to be empty. The clearing of a throat interrupted her inspection of Rashid. She snapped to attention as Greg walked into the foyer.

“Hi, I’m Greg Richmont. I don’t mean to intrude, but honey, did you mean to keep him standing in the foyer all night or were you planning on letting him come further inside so he could have a seat?”

Rashid stiffened at the sight of Greg and his eyes narrowed at the casual endearment, though he shook the hand Greg held out to him. Gail saw him take particular note of the casual yet possessive arm Greg laid across her shoulders.

“I’m sorry, Rashid. Please come into the living room.” Gail was flustered and she was sure it showed. It wasn’t like her to be so rude.

“No, that is alright. I did not come to stay long. As stated before, I only stopped by to drop off something for you. My ride is waiting below.” That being said, he held out a set of keys to Gail.

She reached for them automatically even as she asked, “Keys? What are these for?”

“The blue Santa Fe I leased for you. You may return your rental in the morning.”

“You got me a car?” Her voice rose with each word. “Are you out of your mind?”

Greg squeezed her warningly. “Shh, let the man explain. I’m sure he has a good reason for doing what he did.”

Gail closed her mouth and forced herself to listen to Rashid’s explanation.

“It is not a purchase, but a lease. I wish for you to use it for the duration of your pregnancy. I know you have, as you say, ‘sentimental attachment’ to the vehicle you drive, but I am concerned for your safety. I would feel better if you had reliable transportation. In addition, as your pregnancy advances, you will have difficulty entering and exiting your car. The Santa Fe is higher and roomier, and it is an automatic. Please use this until the children are born. It can be returned to the dealership at that time.”

When Gail looked as though she would argue, Greg voiced his opinion. “He’s right and his request is reasonable. Your car isn’t the most reliable of vehicles. I don’t like the idea of you driving it myself. What if it breaks down on you somewhere? You do a lot of driving. Think about the babies.”

“What about Crystal? What does she think about this?” Gail wanted to argue against taking the vehicle but they had a valid point. This wasn’t about her pride or preferences. This was a safety issue, and it fell under the guidelines of the agreement she’d signed.

“It was her idea,” Rashid informed them calmly.

“For the twins,” Gail reluctantly agreed. She wondered why Crystal didn’t tell her what they were planning. On the other hand, Crystal probably knew Gail would be against it if she knew what they had in mind before hand. Much better to present her with a done deal.

“I must take my leave now. I have someone waiting. We’ll see you again tomorrow?” he asked, a reminder of their earlier conversation.

“Yes, I’ll be there sometime tomorrow afternoon.”

“Until then.” He shook Greg’s hand again. “Nice meeting you,” he said to Greg before taking his leave.

“You’re right. Very intense,” Greg said of Rashid as they headed back into the living room. “Just imagine if you were married to him. He’s very protective of these children.”

Gail shuddered. “If he were my husband, his protectiveness would drive me crazy. I don’t know how Crystal stands it.”

* * * *

Rashid rode with the car salesman back to the dealership, his mind in turmoil. He didn’t like the idea of Gail having a man in her life, not while she was pregnant with his children. He was startled to realize that he was feeling possessive when he had no right to be. Still, he’d wished he’d had the foresight to include a clause in their agreement that she would remain celibate throughout the whole pregnancy, and not just during the time when she was being inseminated.

The two appeared very cozy together and had the closeness of lovers, or soon to be lovers. The man was very possessive, making his claim known. Rashid wondered why Crystal hadn’t told him about the man in Gail’s life. Undoubtedly she knew. The two didn’t keep secrets from each other.

When he arrived home, that’s one of the first things he asked. “Why didn’t you tell me Gail was seeing someone?”

“Seeing someone? You mean, like a man?”

“Yes, a man. Did you know she was involved with one?” he asked irritably.

“No, she hasn’t said anything to me about it, though she did say she was ready to start dating again. How do you know she’s seeing someone?”

“I saw them together. He’s quite possessive too. If they aren’t lovers, they will be soon,” he muttered in disgust, almost angry at the thought of it.

“You saw them? Where?”

“He was at her apartment tonight. They were obviously spending the evening together.” He yanked off his suit jacket and tie, and headed for the bedroom with Crystal following close behind.

“Her apartment? What were you doing at Gail’s apartment?”

Rashid sat on the bed and removed his shoes. “I had the dealership follow me over there to drop off the vehicle.”

“Vehicle?” Crystal’s voice raised an octave. “What vehicle?”

“The one that I leased for Gail to use for the remainder of her pregnancy. That car she insists on driving is not safe. So I provided another one. One that is safe.”

“You bought her a car?” Crystal echoed in disbelief.

“No, I leased one. Did I not say? It is like an extended rental,” he explained, wondering what the problem was.

“I know what a lease is,” Crystal snapped. “What I can’t believe is that you got Gail a vehicle without discussing it first with me.”

“It is for her use, yes, but it is in our name, therefore it is not her vehicle. I don’t understand your reaction. This was your idea,” he reminded her. “I would not have thought of it otherwise.”

“My idea?” Crystal cried. “I didn’t tell you to go out and lease a car for Gail,” she said with great certainty in her voice.

“No, you suggested I buy her one. We both know she would not have accepted had I done as you said. This is a good alternative.”

“Rashid, I was being sarcastic. I didn’t actually mean for you to go out and get her a vehicle to drive. What kind of car are we talking about?”

“A Hyundai Santa Fe. The safety ratings on it were outstanding, and its height will make getting in and out of the vehicle easier as her pregnancy advances. The roomy interior will also be good for her as her stomach increased in size.”

“I can’t believe you did this. Unbelievable.”

“How so? There is nothing that I would not do for the safety of our children,” he said firmly.

“Safety of your children, you mean—yours and Gail’s,” she mumbled under her breath. Rashid glanced at her, eyes narrowed in disbelief, certain he’d heard wrong. Dismissing the thought, his mind promptly went back to the issue concerning him most. “So, she has not spoken to you of this man she is seeing? You have no idea how long the relationship has been going on or if they are lovers?”

“What’s it to you?” Crystal asked sharply.  “Why do you care what she does or who she does it with?” she asked suspiciously.

“While our children are in her womb, it matters very much to me what she does. Anything she does has an impact on their well-being.”

“She’s not going to do anything to endanger the twins. She deserves to have a life. I’m glad she’s found a man. Jason is the one who died, not Gail, and she shouldn’t have to spend the rest of her life living off the memory of their love. It was time for her to start living again. High time, and if she’s found herself a lover, all the better.”

“I wish she would have waited until after the babies were born,” he muttered as he stalked naked into the bathroom and closed the door.

Selfish bastard, Crystal thought. Everything was about his precious babies. It should be me. Me pregnant. Me being fussed over and catered to.  Me with the new vehicle and the black American Express card.

She left the room still mad about the vehicle Rashid had bought Gail without consulting her about it. She started to call Gail then thought better of it. Tomorrow would be soon enough.

She’d call and have Gail bring her man over so she could meet him. Crystal hoped he was screwing Gail’s brains out, no matter what Rashid thought about it.

Chapter Eight

Early the next morning, Gail’s phone rang. “Lo?” she mumbled when she finally fought free of the covers and got the phone to her mouth.

“Somebody’s been keeping secrets.” The voice was bright and cheerful, too cheerful for this early in the morning.

“Crystal?” God, what time is it? It can’t be morning already.

“Wake up, sleepy head. I want to hear all about your mystery man,” Crystal chortled.

“Who? Greg?” Gail sat up and pushed her hair back off of her face. Her jawbone cracked as she yawned, trying to wake up.

“Is that his name? Rashid didn’t say. Tell me about him. How long have you been seeing him? And why didn’t you tell me? As your BFF, I’ve got to tell you that I’m hurt.”

Gail groaned. “See, this is why I didn’t say anything. I knew you’d be like this. Nosy little heifer.”

“Quit with the name calling and dish already,” Crystal said with a giggle.

“His name is Greg Richmont and he’s one of the lawyers in the firm I work for.”

“Greg… Isn’t that the name of the guy that you complained is always flirting with you?”

Trust Crystal to remember that. “That was a long time ago, and I wasn’t complaining. I was just telling you how big of a flirt he is.”

“And if I remember correctly, didn’t you say he was white?” Crystal’s voice was accusing.

Geez, the woman had a memory like an elephant. “He’s Caucasian. What of it?”

“Nothing. I’m just surprised. In all the time that I’ve known you, you’ve never looked twice at a man who wasn’t your color.”

“That’s not exactly true. I’m not against dating men of other races,” Gail explained. “It’s just that Greg is the only one who asked. Until recently, I never believed he was serious.” 

“What changed your mind?”

“I threatened to call his bluff and say yes, thinking he would back off. He showed me a side I’d never seen of him. Turns out he’s been waiting for me to take him seriously and give him a chance.”

“Ooo, sounds romantic. So, you do the dirty with him yet?”

“No, I haven’t. Not that it’s any of your business. We haven’t been seeing each other that long,” Gail said a bit stiffly.

“Well, how long is long enough?” Crystal asked irritably. “You’ve been without sex for a long time. I thought you were horny? Here’s your opportunity to get some.”

“Crystal, it’s not that simple and you know it,” Gail replied huffily. “It’s only been a couple of weeks. I need to know him a lot longer than that before I’d feel comfortable being sexually intimate with him. Besides, part of me feels like I’m cheating on Jason just by going out with Greg. That’s just not a step I’m ready to take,” she finished firmly.

“Gail, you have to let go of the past sometime. The only way you’re going to get past feeling guilty about having sex with another man is to just do it.”

“Crystal, my life is not a Nike commercial, and sex is more than something you do to get it out of the way.”  Gail didn’t know why she was bothering trying to explain. Until she lost a husband, this was not something Crystal would understand. Besides, her sex life was really none of Crystal’s business.