A Special Summer (Love Conquers All) (8 page)

Nick stood, threw a large bill on the table, enough to cover their drinks and a healthy tip.

“Where you headed man?”

Glancing at his watch, it was only a little after midnight and Trina would still be up. If not he’d wake her. He could feel his groin tightening as he imagined her coming to her front door with nothing on but a thong. That’s how she usually greeted him when he called late at night.

Smiling broadly at his buddy, he declared, “To make that booty call you interrupted my brotha.”

Nick chuckled. “More power to you man.”

The holidays passed by in a blur, a distant memory. Summer hadn’t told anyone about Nick’s visit; she was still in shock by his reaction to her pregnancy. Although she had not seen him since, he stayed true to his word. On Tuesday afternoon, Summer received a letter from Nick’s lawyer, Mr. Steinberg. It was official; her back was up against the wall. The baby’s paternity would be determined once she gave birth. At least he wasn’t crazy enough to demand an amniocentesis for confirmation of paternity.

When Summer received the letter via certified mail she immediately phoned the lawyer. Never being in such a position before, she had no idea what to expect. She was anxious to know if Nick had begun the legal process to get custody of her unborn child. Mr. Steinberg assured her custody arrangements could not be initiated until the paternity of the baby was established. He also informed her that a family court judge would have to review the case in order to grant custody to either parent or both parents in the case of joint custody. For the moment, Summer breathed a sigh of relief.

Mr. Steinberg’s assurances hadn’t meant much to her. Summer found herself crying over the whole mess every time she thought about Nick’s threat. Mostly because she knew what the test results would reveal, which meant there was a strong possibility he would immediately file for custody.

Summer had given some thought to hiring an attorney. The thought of it only gave her a headache, depressing her even more. Nick had enough money to afford the best legal counsel; she would never be able to compete with his caliber of attorneys.

Besides, she had to spend her money sparingly since she’d taken an early maternity leave. With the stress of her now hectic life, she had begun to have sporadic episodes of premature contractions.

Brrrg. Brrrg.Brrrg.

Rising up off the sofa, waddling to the phone on the kitchen wall, Summer answered, “Hello?”

“Did you sign the consent form yet?”

This man is making my life a living hell.
“Yes.” Summer lied. She was too afraid to tell him she hadn’t signed the dreadful piece of paper. She had put off signing the document hoping Nick would change his mind. Fat chance.
I’ll sign the darn thing after I get off this stupid phone with Ivan the Terrible.

“Good. Bring the document to my office so I can FedEx it to my attorney.”

Nick was determined not to make any of this easy for Summer, he very well could have sent a messenger service to her house to retrieve the document.

Stunned, Summer’s mouth dropped open. Didn’t this fool know there was supposed to be a blizzard later in the afternoon? Although it had not yet started to snow, she didn’t want to take public transportation into Center City. And no way was she going to drive with the threat of a blizzard. The last time she drove in heavy snow her life flashed before her as she slid through a stop sign and nearly collided with a SUV.

“Summer, did you hear me?” Nick snapped, irritated by her silence.

Too afraid to voice her concerns about the impending weather, she didn’t want to fuel his anger by refusing to come to his office.

“Yes, I heard you. I’ll bring it now,” Summer mumbled in defeat.

It’s a good thing she kept an outfit ready to wear at all times. She glanced at the kitchen wall clock and noticed it was eleven forty-five. The weatherman predicted the snow wouldn’t start for another few hours. If she hurried, she could make it back home before it started to come down.

Making her way up the stairs, Summer put on a pair of stylish black denim maternity pants foregoing tights, and a gray cable knit maternity sweater. She didn’t want to put too many clothes on since she’d taken to having annoying hot flashes at the most awkward times. Summer could just hear her mother admonishing her. “Girl you’re gonna catch a cold in your hind-parts going out half naked.”

After she got dressed and fixed her hair, Summer grabbed money from the dresser for carfare as she hurried down the stairs to put on her boots, coat, hat and gloves. As she proceeded to head out the door, she picked up the dreaded document and shoved it into a large leather hobo bag she slung across her shoulder. Concerned with getting back home before the blizzard hit it totally slipped her mind she had not signed the consent.

Coming up out of the subway at Walnut-Locust, wanting to turn back around and go home because the snow was coming down in large flakes covering the ground, Summer was fighting the tears that were threatening to fall. “I knew this was going to happen. Those weather people don’t know what they’re talking about. Later this afternoon, early evening my foot. It has

to be at least three to four inches out here already,” Summer fussed aloud not caring if passing pedestrians thought she was loco.

Maneuvering in the wind and snow was difficult; the brutal wind was biting at her face and fingertips. Summer wanted to put her gloved hands in her pockets to keep warm, but couldn’t, she needed her arms held slightly away from her body to keep her balance.
Why can’t I get a stinkin’ hot flash right about now? I… am… freezing!

Summer’s face stung from the cold as she glanced up at the tall building at Eighteenth and Walnut. She signed the visitor’s log and took the elevator up to the twentieth floor. As the doors opened, her heart pounded as she stepped off into the main lobby of Stiles Enterprise.
I just want this to be over with.

As Summer approached the receptionist desk, a middle-aged woman greeted her.

“Good afternoon, how may I help you?”

“Umm, I’m here to see Mr. Stiles.”

“What is your name and what company are you with?”

“My name is Summer Jackson and I’m not with a company.”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Stiles is expecting you. If you like you may have a seat while I intercom him.”

As Summer took a seat, she nervously rubbed her fingers up and down the thick leather strap of her handbag. She watched as the receptionist informed Nick she had arrived. As she waited it occurred to her this was the first time she’d ever been to Nick’s office.

Whenever she’d suggested meeting him at work he’d tell her, “I keep work and my personal life separate.” Now all of a sudden he didn’t care that
his
and
her
personal lives were on display for all to see. Summer could tell the receptionist was wondering who she was since she wasn’t affiliated with a company.

“Miss Jackson, you can go back to Mr. Stiles’ office. Do you know where it is?”

“No ma’am.”

The receptionist pointed, “Straight back to the end of the corridor.”

“Thanks.”

Waddling down the long corridor, Summer had to stop to remove her hat, gloves and coat. Of all times she was starting to have a hot flash. She was sweating and perspiring all over the place.
Well isn’t this a blip, I’m sweating like a freakin’ pig.
Before she knocked on the door, she wiped her brow with the heel of her right hand and then wiped her sweaty palms on the leg of her pants.
That’s better, now at least I won’t look all sweaty.

Summer knocked on the solid oak door with the gold plaque that read
, Nicholas Stiles, President and CEO.

“Come in,” came the command from the other side.

Summer’s breath caught as she walked in the office. Why? Why did he have to be so darn handsome? Nick was the epitome of fine. She couldn’t help but to be drawn to the powerful figure talking on the phone as he motioned for her to take a seat in the chair in front of his desk.

She placed her hat, gloves, coat and bag on the chair to her left as she eased herself down into the chair. Fretfully she placed her hands in her lap and studied her nails as she waited for

Nick to end his call. Summer was aware of how his eyes traveled over her; she became uncomfortable as his dark gaze focused on her large belly.

As Nick continued his phone conversation, Summer tried not to pay attention to how his tailored navy suit fit his muscular frame. She couldn’t see his shoes but knew they were just as fly as the suit. Her gaze traveled to his mouth as he talked. He had the most sensual lips she’d ever seen on a man.

All of a sudden out of nowhere, she had to use the bathroom as the fetus shifted and tap-danced on her bladder. Gripping the sides of the chair, pushing herself up to her feet, Summer left the office with the restroom being her destination. When she had to go, she had to go; she didn’t have time for an explanation as Nick curiously watched her leave the office. Summer’s sudden urge to use the restroom gave her a brief reprieve from his penetrating gaze.

Ending the call, he was wondering where in the heck she ran off to. He leaned back in his chair as he waited for her to return. Summer’s appearance surprised him. He noticed how radiant her complexion was and how pregnancy hadn’t distorted her facial features like it did some women. As a matter of fact, she was more beautiful to him. Even her hair appeared more luxurious.

Summer had always been a distraction to Nick. As he talked with a potential investor, his attention shifted to her as she placed her right hand on the side of her belly. He wondered if the baby moved as she patted the area where her hand was and softly mumbled something to her belly as she smiled. As he studied Summer, he could tell her belly had grown since he last saw her. He wanted to touch it, to communicate with his baby the way she’d just done. Before Nick would let his thoughts take him any further a tiny voice warned,
don’t get your hopes up like the last time.

Summer lightly tapped on the door. She jumped as Nick barked for her to come in.

She avoided his eyes as she timidly sat down in the chair. She prayed for this ordeal to be finished as quickly as possible.

Summer’s body language spoke volumes to Nick as her shoulders slumped and she held her head down. She was afraid of him. He knew her fear stemmed from the night he showed up at her house unannounced. After he met with Kevin, he realized Summer’s surprise condition had been the straw that broke the camel’s back. Yes, he was pissed with her, but he wondered if he hadn’t had a lousy day if it would’ve made a difference? Would he have come down on her so hard? As he looked at her, he was reminded of how she cried and tried desperately to give him an explanation.

Clearing his throat, he asked “Did you bring the document?”

Too afraid to say anything, Summer nodded her head.

He watched as she nervously reached into a large black leather hobo bag as her hands trembled.

Summer was so shook up she dropped the heavy bag on the floor. Leaning down she quickly snatched the bag up off the floor and continued to rummage through it in search of the document. That’s when it hit her.
O
h, no I forgot to sign it. What am I going to do
?

Summer bit her bottom lip and nervously told him in a small voice as she pulled out the crumpled paper. “I didn’t sign it yet.”

“I thought you said you signed it?” His tone was low and tight as he gazed at her.

Lowering her eyes to avoid his hard gaze, her voice was barely a whisper. “I meant to sign it before I left home.” Digging into her bag again, continuing her search she mumbled, “Where is my pen?”

“What was that?”

“I… umm…I can’t find my pen.”

He picked up a pen from his desk and handed it to her.

Scooting her bottom to the edge of the chair, she placed the document on the desk. While reaching for the pen their fingertips touched. Summer jerked her hand away from his touch as if it burned her skin. Memories from the night a few weeks ago flooded her mind when she tried to touch him and he not so kindly demanded she take her hands off of him. Tears stung her eyes as she relived the stab of his hurtful words. She remembered a time when her touch was what he craved. She pushed ancient thoughts aside as she signed what might be the fate of her baby away. She wanted, so badly, to beg him not to make her do this. But, was stopped by the stony mask he wore.

Handing the document and pen back to Nick, Summer bit down on her bottom lip to keep the tears from falling. Determined not to cry in front of him again, after he’d taken the document and pen, she stood and begin to put her things on.

Pointing to the window at the blizzard fiercely coming down she said, “I better get going now; it’s getting worse out there.”

Nick turned his attention to the window; he sensed Summer’s uneasiness the longer she stayed in his presence. It hadn’t slipped pass him she nearly jumped out of her skin when their

hands touched, or how she fought hard to hold tears back as she anxiously made haste to leave. “You can’t go home by yourself in that storm.”