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Authors: Cheris Hodges

BOOK: Too Hot for TV
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As the tears poured down Imani's cheeks, she realized for the first time in her life that tears of joy were real.
Chapter 23
The next morning, Imani awoke before Raymond and stared at the ring on her left hand. It was beyond beautiful and she was over the moon with happiness. As she lay in the bed in the silence of the morning, she greeted that silence with a smile because all of the doubts that had been in her head before were gone. Raymond was the right man for her and if she was going to be the right woman for him, she could at least get up and fix that man some coffee. She attempted to slip out of bed, but Raymond tightened his grip around her waist.
“Woman, don't you get out of this bed,” he growled.
“All I'm trying to do is practice being the good wife,” she said. “I was going to make you coffee and get you a bagel.”
“I know a better way you can practice being a good wife,” he quipped.
“Didn't we get enough practice doing that last night?” she retorted.
Raymond nodded, then kissed her neck. “But you know what they say—practice makes perfect. Although, we do have busy days today, don't we?”
Imani sighed. “Yes. I have to go meet with Edward and of course, if I don't tell Dana that I'm back in New York and about to marry the man of my dreams, I think she will write that tell-all book she's been threatening me with for years.”
“Just what would she have to tell?” Raymond asked.
Imani yawned and smiled. “How I used to stalk Broadway directors, how I never leave the house without being camera-ready, and how I was a diva without a dime.”
Raymond laughed. “I think I'd like to read that book. So, you and Dana came into this industry together?”
“Yes. She was smart, decided to do something that would give her a career right away. She has to take our wedding pictures.”
“Of course.”
“And I can actually pay her for her services for a change. She's going to be so happy.”
Raymond laughed again and unwillingly got out of the bed. “I have a few midmorning patients and Keith still isn't one-hundred percent. But meet me for lunch if your schedule will allow it. I have to introduce my fiancée to the staff.”
“I've met your staff.”
“But you weren't my fiancée then,” he said, winking at her as he headed for the bathroom.
While he showered, Imani headed for the kitchen and made a pot of coffee while she called Dana.
“Hello, superstar,” Dana said happily. “I meant to go to your place and drop off all the press I've been collecting about you since you've been gone. Are you at home?”
“You could say that. I'm at Raymond's.”
“I love you two as a couple,” Dana said. “When will I be taking wedding pictures? It's obvious that he's going to pop the question soon.”
Imani tried not to give anything away over the phone, but her silence told her oldest friend that the question had already been asked and answered. “My God, Imani. He proposed already, didn't he?”
“Yes!” Imani said, not hiding her excitement. “Last night, and I cried like a baby. I love him so much.”
“I know you do and he's a great guy. Nothing like the asshole actors you used to date. Now I can ask you this; have you . . .”
“Many, many times.”
“We must get together and dish. Because I have big news too.”
“Tell me.”
“When we see each other,” she said.
Raymond walked into the kitchen, his blue button-down shirt open and his belt unbuckled. “That coffee smells good,” he said.
“Are you pretending to be domesticated?” Dana asked. “Good thing you have the ring already. Call me when you get a chance.”
“Just meet me at Edward's office. I have to meet with him this morning. Then you can share your news.”
“See you there. Tell Raymond congratulations.”
Imani hung up the phone and turned to her fiancé. “Dana says you're the luckiest man in the world,” Imani quipped.
“Don't I know it,” he said as he filled his travel mug with coffee. “I don't want to leave you this morning.”
Imani crossed over to him and stroked his cheek. “I feel the same way. But we have the rest of our lives to spend as many mornings as we want together.”
“That's why I'm marrying you, I love the way you think.” Raymond gently kissed her and Imani buttoned his shirt.
“I think I could get used to this domestic thing,” she said as she watched Raymond take a sip of his coffee.
“We're going to have to work on that,” he said as he struggled to swallow his coffee. “If I finish that, I won't sleep for a month.”
“Too strong?”
He held his thumb and forefinger inches from each other. “Just a little. I'll see you at lunch,” he said, then swiped another kiss from her.
After Raymond left, Imani shut the coffee pot off, took a shower, dressed, and headed into Manhattan to meet with Edward and Dana. Once again, when she stepped out the front door, she was camera-ready in her black leather corset dress, cropped pink leather jacket, and black leather booties. And for a change, Imani didn't take the subway; she walked to the curb and hailed a cab. Three stopped for her at once and she couldn't help but smile as she climbed into the one she was closest to.
“Where are you going, beautiful?” the driver asked. “Come home with me and the trip is free.”
“I don't think my fiancé would like that.”
“He's no good,” the driver said. “Dump him.”
Imani laughed and gave him the address to Edward's office. For a change, her cab ride wasn't horrible. Traffic wasn't at a standstill and the driver seemed to know how to get around the city through back streets and side roads. When they arrived at Edward's office, Imani was happy to pay the fare and give the man a generous tip.
“If you want to leave that loser, remember old Rafe is waiting for you,” he said, then blew her a kiss. Imani returned the gesture and headed inside.
In the middle of a phone call, Edward motioned for her to sit down as she walked in. “Great,” he said. “I look forward to it. Thanks.” He hung up the phone and looked at Imani with a huge smile on his face. “All it took was a little success to get you to start being on time, huh?” he quipped.
“That and I need my evening free,” she said. Imani held up her left hand and wiggled it. “I have a wedding to plan.”
“Wait a minute, when did this happen?” he asked. “You two have to go on the morning shows and tell the world about this engagement.”
“Hold up,” Imani said vehemently. “My private life is private and I'm not using my engagement as publicity.”
Edward leaned back in his chair. “Unless Will Smith gave you that ring and you broke up one of Hollywood's happiest couples, everyone wants to know about your marriage plans and your movie coming out as well as the upcoming Broadway show.”
Imani shook her head furiously. “If Raymond was an actor, then maybe that would be all right, but I did the reality show to get a jump start in my career. My private life is officially private.”
Edward threw his hands up. “All right, I can respect that and I won't call Elize back.”
“Please tell me that's not who you were talking to,” Imani groaned.
“Yes, I was talking to her because WAPC wants you to do a guest appearance on their top-rated soap opera, which will air before your movie premieres.”
“Really?”
Edward nodded. “And if you show up on set sporting that rock, she's going to know you and the good doctor are getting married and she's going to try and get you two to talk about it. Your private life is over; you're a star now.”
Imani was about to respond when Dana walked in. “What's going on, people?” she said as she crossed over to Imani and hugged her.
“Your friend is learning a quick lesson about fame,” Edward said.
Imani frowned and shook her head. “Is it too much to ask to keep some aspects of my life private?”
Dana shrugged. “I've been getting calls about you this morning. The press thinks something is going on and I think it has something to do with your PDA at the airport yesterday.” She handed Imani a copy of the
New York Post.
Right there on Page Six was a picture of Imani and Raymond kissing at the baggage terminal of JFK. The headline read,
REALITY SHOW COUPLE GOING STRONG
.
“Great,” she said as she tossed the paper on Edward's desk. “I have to go talk to Raymond.”
“I'm going with you,” Dana said. “That way I can help you spot the paps. I knew this day was coming.”
“What do you mean?” Imani asked as she rose to her feet.
“Welcome to stardom,” Dana said. “Where there is a stalking photographer around every corner. At least your best friend isn't one of them.” The three of them laughed as Imani and Dana headed out the door.
 
 
The clinic was once again abuzz with reporters and photographers. Keith shook his head as Maria and Karen booted another set of reporters out of the clinic, threatening to give them all flu shots with extremely sharp needles if they came back. Keith headed to the break room where Raymond had been hiding out and reading over patient charts.
“Coast is clear, buddy,” he said. “Page Six. You're going about this the wrong way.”
Raymond looked up at his friend and scowled. “As much as I want to be mad at you for getting the ball rolling on this, I can't be, since I would've never met Imani without that damned show. But this is too much. I can't kiss my fiancée in public without this media frenzy.”
“And, the producer from the show called yesterday,” Keith said.
Raymond groaned and dropped his head on the table, and then he sat up quickly. “There is good news today,” he said as he reached into his pocket and handed Keith the check Imani had given him before he left the house. “We can buy the MRI machine that we need.”
“Wow. How did she swing this?”
Raymond shrugged. “Her director thinks we're a worthy cause.”
“Thank you, Imani,” Keith said as he kissed the check. “So, when's the wedding?”
“A better question is how are we going to get married without the whole world and those damned blogs watching our every move? When are you and Celeste tying the knot? You can't keep milking the ‘I'm in therapy angle',” he said.
“December thirty-first,” Keith said with a slow smile. “What better way to put this year of ups and downs behind us than to step into the new year as husband and wife?”
Raymond nodded. “That is so sweet. Celeste told you to say that, didn't she?” Keith and Raymond laughed.
“But it's the truth. Look at this place. We thought we were going to have to close. Thought we were going to let Mrs. Palmer down, and now we're finally in the black,” Keith said. “So what if we have to kick some photographers and reporters out because you can't keep your hands off your fiancée.”
“You just gave me a great idea,” Raymond said as he reached for his cell phone.
Keith shot him a confused look and shrugged his shoulders. “I'm a genius and didn't even know it.”
“Edward Funderburke.”
“Mr. Funderburke, this is Raymond Thomas.”
“Hey, congratulations. Imani left here with a smile on her face and a sparkling rock on her finger. She's happy.”
“And I want to keep her that way. I know her career is important to her and I fully support her on that,” he said. “But I want our wedding to be about us.”
“She said the same thing when she was here. I have an idea that may work.”
“What's that?”
“Have you two set a date?”
“Not yet,” Raymond replied.
“When you do, let me know and we will coordinate the plans.”
“You mean plan my wedding around her film projects?” Raymond quipped.
“Well, yes. But I also know how you two want to keep your nuptials out of the media spotlight.”
Raymond looked up and saw Imani standing in the doorway of the break room. She waved at him and smiled.
“I have to go, but we will talk about this later,” he told Edward.
“I guess Imani is there? We'll get the details worked out.”
“All right.” Raymond hung up the phone and crossed over to Imani. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her cheek. “Is it still crazy out there?”
“You mean all of the photographers and reporters asking if it's true that you proposed to me? Yes. Dana's out front telling them she has exclusive photo rights.” Imani smiled and leaned her head against his chest. “This was never a part of my dreams of fame.”

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