Star Struck (8 page)

After piling some of everything on their plates, they returned to their table. Hailey wasn’t too thrilled to see Trevon and Shareeka sitting at their table. Every time she took a bite, she felt eyes on her.

Garrett’s gesture of feeding her seemed to turn things up a notch. She took the opportunity to feed Garrett too. They giggled and wiped each other’s mouths with one another’s napkins as if feeding each other was a normal thing.

She could feel the tension at the table. If it wasn’t Shareeka looking at them; Trevon was sneaking a peek. It seemed they were so concerned about her and Garrett, that neither one of them barely touched a thing on their plates.

Garrett said, “I have to hand it to you, the food is good.”

“Thanks,” the couple said in unison.

Hailey added, “Yes. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

“I didn’t think models ate real food,” Shareeka commented.

“Well this model does,” Hailey responded.

“You are a little beefy,” Shareeka said, while placing her hand on top of Trevon’s arm.

Hailey rolled her eyes.  “I’ve been blessed with good genes. I’ve been told I could afford to gain a few more pounds.”

Shareeka grunted. “I thought models had to be no bigger than a hundred pounds.”

Garrett intervened. “She gets finer and finer every time I see her.” He kissed her on the cheek.

“Just like my sweetie,” Trevon said.

Shareeka looked disappointed when Trevon didn’t show any other type of emotional gesture.

Hailey smiled. “If you were a little taller, you could have been a model.”

“She’s my model. Isn’t that right baby?” Trevon said.

Hailey added, “I mean with a few cosmetic changes. I could see you gracing a few covers.”

Garrett placed his arm around Hailey’s chair. “You both are beautiful just the way you are.”

“Exactly. Let’s talk about something else,” Trevon said, as he squeezed Shareeka’s hand.

Hailey looked at Garrett and before she could lose her nerve, she planted a kiss on his smooth chocolate lips.

~ 13 ~

Garrett was caught by surprise as he felt a jolt run through his body when Hailey’s lips connected with his. He was no longer pretending. Hailey was getting to him in more ways than one. He had to get a grip on his hormones. This was no longer a game to him. He wanted Hailey and he wanted her badly. His friendship with Trevon was the farthest thing from his mind.

Trevon cleared his throat several times. “Excuse us, but there are more people at the table than you two.”

Hailey used her fingers to wipe the red lipstick from his lips. Tasty was what he thought of her. “Sorry Tre. Garrett’s just tasty.”

Garrett twinged. It was like Hailey was reading his mind.

Shareeka said, “Tre, why didn’t you tell me Garrett and Hailey were dating?”

Tre stuttered, “Maybe because I didn’t know.”

“And he’s supposed to be your best man. Looks like I would get another friend if I were you.” She winked at Garrett.

Garrett ignored her. He stood up and extended his hand out to Hailey. “May I have this dance?”

“I don’t see what Tre sees in her,” Hailey said, as they twirled around the dance floor to a rendition of Luther Vandross “Superstar.”

“She’s not as bad as she seems.”

Hailey pulled back from him for a minute. “Come on now. This is me. Tell me the truth.”

He pulled her back closer to him and whispered in her ear as they danced. “I think they deserve each other.”

“Well I think he deserves better.”

Garrett pretended like he didn’t hear her. From the outside, it appeared as if they were a happy couple. He was confused about his feelings. It had been ages since he wanted to feel connected with someone outside of the bedroom. When it came to Hailey, he was becoming protective of her and not just because they were friends.

Her scent invaded his nostrils. Although Hailey was tall, he was still a few inches taller than her. His chin could rest on the top of her head comfortably. As he held her in his arms and they danced to several slow jams, he blocked out the other people on the dance floor.

“I hate to end our dance, but I need to go to the ladies room,” Hailey whined.

He walked her off the dance floor. “I’ll wait right here,” he said, as he watched her walk away.

He was entranced by watching Hailey walk away, that Shareeka’s hand touching him startled him. “Dance with me. We need to talk.”

“What about your fiancé?”

“He’s somewhere mingling.”

She led him on the dance floor. He made sure their bodies kept a safe distance from one another as they slow danced.

“Don’t you think it’s time for you two to be making your exit?” Shareeka asked.

“It was your bright idea for me to invite her.”

“Well, I don’t want her here anymore.”

“Too bad. You should have thought about it before.” Garrett twirled her and then released her hand and walked away leaving her on the dance floor.

She was oblivious to others and ran up behind him. He took a seat at the table and she plopped down in the chair next to him. “You didn’t tell me you two had something going on.”

Garrett leaned closer so no one else could over hear. “Look. What I do in my personal life is no concern of yours.”

“I’m just saying.”

“Batting your eyes won’t work with me.”

“First Tre. Now you.”

“Jealousy doesn’t become you.”

Shareeka laughed. “Please. I have no reason to be jealous.”

“Then act like it.”

“So when were you going to tell me?”

“You’re a joke.”

“You owe me at least that.”

“The day I decided not to tell Tre about your appetite for dessert on the side, that’s when our debt was paid in full.”

“You can be so difficult,” she snapped.

“Women like you made me the way I am.”

A waiter came by the table and offered drinks. Garrett took two. Handed one to Shareeka and kept one for himself. He toasted. “To the happy couple.” He clicked her glass. He drank his champagne as Shareeka looked on.

“Might as well drink up. You’re supposed to be celebrating remember,” Garrett stated.

Shareeka placed the glass down. “I have other people to mingle with.”

“Peace,” he said, as he held up his glass and watched her walk to another table.

***

Hailey paced the bathroom floor. Her emotions were on overload. Since Garrett picked her up, she was spending too much time concentrating on Garrett and not enough time on Trevon. That had to be it. That had to be why she was feeling the way she was feeling. She was getting wrapped up in her own scheme.

She reapplied her lipstick before exiting the bathroom. Trevon was nearby talking to a group of people. She spoke to everyone and looped her arm through his. “I came to steal him away for a few mintues.”

She got no complaints. Trevon removed her arm and followed her outside to the balcony. The cool wind sent a chill down her spine. “Nice party,” she said.

He grabbed her by the arm and swung her around. “Stop with the games Hailey.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She batted her eyes and faked her innocence.

“The hell you don’t. You knew coming here would cause problems.”

“I had no idea that your fiancé knew about me.”

“Why wouldn’t she? We’ve been seen in just about every entertainment rag over the years.”

“Well, we’re a thing of the past. At least that’s what your mouth says.” She used her hand and ran it down his chest.

He grabbed her wrist. “Stop. This isn’t the time or place.” He looked around to make sure no one was coming through the doors.

“Why Tre, I thought you liked living life on the edge.”

“Stop it.”

“I’m not doing anything,” she responded.

“Oh and another thing. This little game with Garrett is not going to work. I’m not jealous.”

“This thing with Garrett. It is what it is.”

“And that is?” he asked.

“It doesn’t concern you.”

He jerked away. “I can’t believe this. My best friend and girl are screwing behind my back.” He walked to the other end of the balcony.

“I’m not your girl.”

He walked back to her. “You’ll always be my girl.”

Hailey could feel him weakening. “All you have to say is one word and I’ll leave Garrett alone.”

“This is some bull. I’m not falling for your tricks. I’m getting married and either you accept it or not. Nothing has to change for us. We can still meet up.”

Hailey felt her heart breaking into smaller pieces as she listened to Trevon go on a rant. She never meant to let him see her cry. Tears flowed uncontrollably. Apparently, he felt a little something because he stopped talking long enough to pull her into an embrace. She jerked away from him and ran back into the building, bumping into Shareeka.

She ran past her and back into the restroom. She splashed some cold water on her face, not carrying whether or not her make-up washed off. She patted her face with a paper towel. Shareeka stood right outside the ball room door. She started to turn and go another way, but opted to hold her head up high and continued walking towards the door.

“I need to talk to you,” Shareeka said, as she neared.

~ 14 ~

Hailey stopped and turned to face her enemy. Shareeka gestured for her to follow her in a different direction. “For a little privacy,” Shareeka stated.

She followed her to the left of the ballroom; where there were fewer people entering and exiting.

“I only walked over here because I really don’t need everybody up in my business,” Hailey said.

“Good. So you won’t cause a scene after I tell you what I have to say.”

Hailey tapped her foot. “What happens between me and Garrett shouldn’t concern you.”

“You know good and well, it’s not about Garrett. I know who you are and what you mean to Tre?”

Hailey held up her hand. “You’re the one wearing the ring, not me.”

“But it’s not stopping you from flirting with my man every chance you get.”

“Dear. I think you’re a little paranoid. The only man I’ve been flirting with tonight has been Garrett and I don’t see him complaining not one bit.”

“He doesn’t have good taste.”

Hailey licked her lips. “So what is it? Are you jealous because Tre and I have a past or are you jealous because I’m here with Garrett?”

“Now who’s the one being paranoid?”

“I’m just saying. Looks like you should be more concerned about your man running behind me than Garrett.”

“Tre doesn’t want you. Get over him.”

“If I wanted Tre, I could have him.”

Shareeka walked closer and although she wasn’t as tall as Hailey got as close to her face as she could. “I would advise you to back off my man before it gets ugly.”

“If you don’t back up, I’m going to show you ugly.”

Shareeka stood for a second, but Hailey didn’t back down. Shareeka backed up. “You better be glad my family and friends are in there.”

Hailey crossed her arms. “Or what? Don’t let the designer dress and make up fool you.”

“Ladies, there you are,” Garrett said. He wrapped his arm around Hailey’s waist. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Hailey rolled her eyes at Shareeka. “We were just having a little girl talk.”

“But I think I better get back to my other guests.”

“Do that.”

“What did I interrupt?” Garrett asked.

“She was concerned about me flirting with her man. Sadly though, I don’t think she really meant Tre, because I’ve only been flirting with you.”

“You must have misunderstood.”

She let Garret lead her back into the ballroom. Hailey sensed more was going on that Garrett wasn’t telling her. She saw Trevon talking to Shareeka. Shareeka looked in their direction and pulled Trevon into a lip locking session.

“Let’s blow this joint. I’ve had enough,” Hailey said.

“Me too,” Garrett responded. “Wait here and I’ll go let Trevon know that we’re leaving.”

***

Garrett said his good-byes and before long he and Hailey were on their way back to her place. He wasn’t in the mood for much conversation so he turned the volume up on his system. It didn’t seem like Hailey was up for talking either, because she didn’t attempt to talk either. They drove almost the entire hour without conversing.

“What’s your password?” Garrett asked as he pulled up to the gate at the end of the entranceway to her house.

“It’s 1999.”

“I forgot you were a Prince fan,” he said, as he entered the code and waited for the gate to open.