Can't Get Enough (15 page)

EARL FLIPPED THROUGH the pages of Jet magazine. It was the same one she had been flipping through when Patrick was out with Jolene before. She would have to bring something more up-to-date to read next time she came to visit Patrick. It seemed to Pearl that he was spending a lot more time at Jolene’s these days while she sat around and waited.

She dropped the magazine on the table and sat back. Why did he need to spend so much time over there when he had a woman waiting for him at home? There were times when she could swear he was sleeping with Jolene again. Then he would flash that sweet smile—the one that had hooked her in the first place—and she was sure he would never cheat on her. She sighed.

“What you looking so pissed about?”

Pearl jumped and looked up to see Lee standing in the middle of the floor of the living room with her hands on her hips. She wore her usual baggy jeans and baseball cap.

“I look angry?”

“You look like you ready to blow someone’s head off.”

Pearl shrugged. “It’s nothing.”

“Daddy ain’t home from work yet?”

Pearl winced at Lee’s language. “No. He’s not here yet. And you know he doesn’t like you saying ‘ain’t.’ ”

Lee shrugged and glanced at her watch. “He been coming home late a lot. Where is he?”

“He stopped by Jolene’s on his way from the office.”

“Oh, so that’s what you so down about. Figures.” Lee chuckled. “For what it’s worth, I can’t stand that bitch either. Or her stupid daughter. Thinks she’s all
that
.”

“Look, Lee. I don’t want you talking like that around me. Juliette is your dad’s daughter, too.”

“I call it like I see it.”

“What do you have against Juliette?”

“She’s a snob, and I don’t like the way she looks at my man.”

“Who? Phillip?” Pearl smiled. “I didn’t know he was your boyfriend, but he seems like a real nice guy.”

Lee smiled with pride. “But not the kind I would be messing with, right?”

“I didn’t say that. You’re a very pretty girl, Lee. I just wish you would dress, um, a little nicer.”

Lee spread her arms out and looked down at her baggy jeans. “What’s wrong with the way I dress?”

“Nothing, unless you want to look like a boy.”

“This is me. You ain’t never going to get me in some frilly dress.”

Pearl grimaced. “How about a nice denim skirt?”

Lee shook her head. “Uh-uh. Forget that.”

“Or jeans that fit? That would be a start. And you could come to my salon and let me do your hair. Something besides cornrows would be nice for a change.”

Lee laughed as if she thought Pearl was losing her mind. “No, no, and no.”

“All right. But if you ever change your mind, let me know. Does Phillip like you dressing like that?”

“He likes it just fine.”

Pearl smiled. “If you say so.”

Lee shrugged. “Anyway, I don’t trust that bi . . . , uh, witch, Juliette. Every time he comes here, she’s all over him.”

“I think she’s just being friendly.”

“Humph. That’s too friendly if you ask me. I got my eye on her.”

“Probably not a bad idea,” Pearl admitted. “But don’t act too possessive. Guys don’t like that.”

“I hear you,” Lee said. “Got to walk a fine line. Well, I’m going to work on my summer school paper now.” She turned and Pearl shook her head as the baggy jeans disappeared around the corner. Whatever happened to cute dresses and pumps? Girls these days wanted to look too much like guys. Or whores. Pearl was all for women’s rights but there had to be limits. She wanted to be equal to a man, not
be
a man. She didn’t want to look like a whore either.

But it was nice chatting with Lee. That was the first time they had talked to each other at length when they didn’t have to. Maybe Lee was getting used to having her around.

Pearl heard the door open and glanced up to see Patrick step in carrying a dry cleaning bag over his arm and his briefcase in one hand. She was tempted to look at her watch to see how late he was but she didn’t want him to feel like she was timing his arrivals.

She went to the door, took his briefcase and placed it on the floor, and kissed him on the lips. Not one of those short quick pecks that they used to exchange when they greeted each other. But one of the big heartfelt kisses that were common when they first started dating and that she had reintroduced the night he had dinner with Jolene a couple of weeks ago.

“So,” he said when she let him go. “What have I done to deserve all this sweetness lately?”

She smiled at him. “Nothing special. Can’t I kiss my man when I want to?”

He laughed.

She was dying to ask what had happened at Jolene’s but she didn’t want to appear anxious. “You want some dinner?”

He nodded eagerly. “I’m starving. What did you fix?”

“Pasta and a salad.”

“Sounds good,” he said as he tossed the dry cleaner bag over the arm of the couch. “Where’s Lee?”

“She’s upstairs doing her homework. She already ate, but I waited for you. I’ll go heat our plates up.”

Pearl turned toward the kitchen, but he reached out and grabbed her around the waist. He pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her and looked into her eyes. “I really appreciate how you come around here and help out when you don’t have to work late at the salon.”

She smiled. “Well, you know me. I aim to please.”

“And that you do well.” He kissed her on the lips, a long, passionate kiss. Now that really felt like old times, she thought.

“I like it when I come home and you’re here. Or did I just tell you that?”

She laughed. “You did, sort of, but that’s all right. I love hearing you say things like that.”

He kissed her again. It had been weeks since he had been so affectionate with her. She should stop worrying about Jolene and savor the moment. But she couldn’t just yet.

“So,” she said after the kiss as they stood holding each other. “How is she?”

“How is who? Jolene?”

Pearl nodded.

“She’s fine. I stopped by for a few minutes, then I ran some errands. We had some things to work out.”

“Oh?”

“I’ll tell you about it after we eat.”

Pearl let him go and folded her arms. “I’ve got a better idea. I’ll get your dinner after you tell me.”

Patrick smiled and pointed at the couch. “Let’s sit down.”

They sat next to each other and he put his arm around her. “Let’s see. How should I put this?”

“Just come out with it.”

“OK. Jolene was kind of wanting us to get back together or something, mostly for Juliette’s sake. Or that’s what she said.”

“Uh-huh.” So she had been right all along. She knew something like that was up. “And?” Pearl held her breath and waited for his answer.

“And I told her it wasn’t going to happen. It would never work out. ’Sides, I got all the woman I need right here.” He squeezed her gently.

Thank God, Pearl thought. She looked up at him. “You got that right.”

BARBARA CLIMBED THE stairs to the front door of Veronique’s mansion and rang the bell. The butler opened the door almost immediately and escorted Barbara down a hallway lined with what appeared to be photographs of the baroness with her family and friends. In many of the photos Veronique was posing in exotic locations with celebrities. There was even one of her and a handsome thirty-something white man standing inside the White House with President Clinton. Barbara assumed that the young man was Veronique’s second husband, the baron.

The interesting photos helped to calm Barbara’s nerves. She had spent two hours dressing that afternoon and had even called Veronique twice to get advice. She finally settled on a pair of sleek white Escada slacks and a lightweight pale pink leather jacket, perfect for a late June afternoon.

Barbara wasn’t even sure why she was here. The baroness had invited her and Noah to a casual lunch under the pretext of discussing houses in Northern Virginia, but Barbara had no idea what to expect. She had come close to backing out at least half a dozen times but had finally decided to come. The worst that could happen would be that she would enjoy a meal talking with friends.

The butler stopped at a set of double doors and opened them to reveal a sunny parlor with a huge fireplace and antique French furniture. Veronique was reclining on a yellow chaise longue in a pair of black silk slacks and a flowing aqua top that contrasted vividly with her hair and skin tones. Noah sat across from her on a small elegantly carved sofa dressed in a casual gray summer slacks and black tee shirt. They both stood as the butler slowly backed out of the room.

“There you are, Barbara,” Veronique said as she stood up. The two of them hugged warmly, and Noah stood and clasped Barbara’s hands.

“Noah was just telling me about some of the communities in Northern Virginia,” Veronique said as she settled back on the chaise longue. Barbara and Noah sat at either ends of the sofa.

“I was describing Beacon Hill to her,” Noah said.

“We have another client who is looking at Beacon Hill,” Barbara said, thinking of Bernice. “The homes there are custom-built but smaller than what you may be used to, Veronique.”

“I’m looking for something smaller than this,” Veronique said, waving her arm about. “Something that can be managed with one or two servants when I want to get away but not have to travel too far.”

“Great Falls is another area,” Noah said.

“Yes,” Barbara said. “It has some beautiful views of the Potomac River. Noah knows both areas very well.”

Veronique nodded and glanced at her watch. “I’m sure we’ll work something out.” She stood and Noah immediately rose from his seat. “But now, if you’ll both excuse me for a moment, I need to make an overseas call, and as soon as I’m done we’ll go in and have lunch. We can talk more then.”

When Veronique was sure that Noah couldn’t see her face, she gave Barbara a big private wink and slipped out of the room.

Noah sat back down beside Barbara. “She’s a fascinating woman.”

“Yes, she is,” Barbara said as she brushed away an imaginary piece of lint from her slacks.

He swung one foot up over his knee and they sat silently. Now what the hell was supposed to happen? What had she gotten herself into? She used to feel so comfortable around Noah, and they were never at a loss for words. But things felt so different lately.

“Um, how was your weekend?” he finally asked.

“Good,” she said. Bradford was out of town so there had been no arguments about other women and that was a good weekend, she thought. “And yours? Another party?”

“Yeah, I partied all weekend.”

Of course, Barbara thought. He was young and attractive.

“Not really,” he said. “I was kidding. I went out for a drink Saturday night with a couple of dudes from my neighborhood. On Sunday, I went by Blockbuster and rented a video, came home and popped in a microwave dinner. Pasta with shrimp if I remember correctly. They all begin to taste the same after a while. Pretty exciting, huh?”

Barbara laughed. It sounded better than what her evenings were generally like, she thought. Eat dinner with cheating husband when he was home. Eat alone when he wasn’t. Argue with cheating husband.

“Sounds to me like you need a good home-cooked meal.” Barbara’s heart skipped a beat. That sounded so flirtatious, she was surprised by how easily it rolled out. She had definitely extended a line to Noah. What if he didn’t bite? She shut her eyes tightly and listened.

“You offering?”

She opened her eyes. Now was the time to back out before she got in too deep for her own good. Go back to sanity, Barbara. Go back to your dull life. Or . . .

“I’d love to fix you a nice home-cooked meal if you’re up for it. I make a mean meat loaf.” Or she used to when she and Bradford were first married. She wondered if she still remembered how to make it.

“I’m more than up for it.”

She smiled with relief. Then she panicked and her heart began to flutter. What had she just gotten herself into?

“When’s a good time for you?” he asked.

“Um, when is good for you?”

“How about Friday evening? Day after tomorrow. My place after work?”

“I’ll be there.” Had she just made a date with a man? A part of her wanted to jump up and run screaming out of the room to the security of her home. She and Noah were starting to engage in an elaborate dance, and their relationship had just taken a sharp turn.