Doin' Me (6 page)

Tyson held her gaze and for the first time shared his heart. “Sweetheart, you're wounded and looking for love. The problem is you're looking too hard and in the wrong places. You're a beautiful and intelligent woman, and you deserve the best. You need to slow down and open your eyes. What you need just may be in front of you. I'm here for you, and I'll help you in any way I can.”

Reyna's face twisted as if she was pondering his words. Tyson's heart pounded against his chest cavity in anticipation of her response to what he considered a declaration of his feelings.

“You're right. I do deserve the best, and I'm going to find it on my own,” she finally answered.

Frustration threatened to overtake Tyson's emotions once again. He released her and stepped back. “Were you listening?” He didn't allow her time to answer. “Slow down. Stop being angry, and allow God to direct you.”

“Tyson, you're a good friend and a smart man. And as much as I hate to admit it, you're right about me being wrong to blame Pastor Jennings without shouldering some of the blame for the wreck I've made of my life. Maybe one day I'll consider God again, but today is not that day.” She closed the distance between them and cradled his cheek with her thumb and forefinger. “Please try to understand that right now I have to do me. I want to experience life. I missed that being Pastor Jennings's shadow. I want to know what fun is. I want to go—”

Tyson wasn't sure if he meant to or not, but before Reyna could finish the sentence, he pressed his lips against hers. When Reyna didn't protest, he held her and deepened the kiss. Thoughts of good and evil battled in Tyson's mind. He shouldn't be kissing Reyna like this in public, for all the neighbors to see. He shouldn't be kissing her at all, but it felt good.

“Whew!” Reyna said, fanning herself after breaking the kiss. “Not only are you a good friend, but you're also a good kisser. If you weren't so anal and wouldn't get the wrong idea, I'd let you kiss me again.” She bent over and retrieved her shoes. “You're going to rock Paige's world.” When she returned to the upright position, Tyson was walking back up the hill.

Reyna activated the Bose sound system and moved to the rhythm as she prepared a breakfast of bacon and eggs with wheat toast. Having a place of her own was liberating. Jewel would keel over and die if she could see Reyna now as she stood at the stove in her underwear, gyrating to the R & B hit and singing the lyrics about dancing the night away. She switched off the stove and transferred the bacon and scrambled eggs to a plate the precise moment the toaster dinged. After pouring a glass of orange juice, Reyna sat at the counter and devoured her breakfast. As she licked jelly from the corner of her lips, thoughts of Tyson tainted its sweetness.

The previous day's events on the hill had rocked her world more than she cared to admit. In his anger Tyson had embarrassed her, but then with tenderness he'd comforted her without condemnation. His kiss had not only seared her lips, but had also warmed her soul. Reyna had been so discombobulated that before dinner back at Kevin's house she'd offered to say grace. If the gesture had pleased Tyson, he didn't show it and didn't mention it on the ride home. In fact, he didn't say much to her at all after the incident on the hill.

Tyson was a good person, but why Reyna felt compelled to expose her vulnerability to him was a mystery to her. It had always been that way with him. When her world began spiraling out of control, Tyson was right there, trying to break her fall, but she wouldn't take heed of his advice. He was the one who had bailed her out of jail and helped her nurse the wounds. She'd mastered the art of cursing him out, yet Tyson respected her. Whenever she needed help, Tyson was right there, such as when he offered his home to her. She had noticed his patience was starting to wear thin with her attitude about church, but she wasn't ready to change. One day she'd face reality and acknowledge that Tyson desired much more than friendship from her, but today wasn't the day. Not as long as he worshiped the God she detested.

The clock above the stove chimed, indicating she had forty-five minutes to iron and get dressed. Today she wanted to arrive at the real estate office early. She was on a mission to fix Tyson up with Paige as a way to direct Tyson's affections away from her. In compliance with the office dress-code policy, Reyna selected a black pencil skirt that stopped just above the knee and a tapered jacket with a white-collared shirt. After applying makeup and styling her hair, Reyna slipped her nylon-covered feet into four-inch pumps and headed for the office.

Before backing out of the driveway, Reyna turned on the satellite radio station and blasted the latest number one R & B hit. Traffic was unusually light for a Monday morning, and she made it work with ten minutes to spare. Just as she suspected, Paige was already seated in her office, with her eyes glued to the computer screen. As usual, Paige's model-like physique was covered in a dark-colored business suit.

After the previous warning, Reyna wasn't sure how to approach the subject of Tyson. “Good morning, Paige,” she cheerfully greeted from the doorway, then looked down at her watch. “How long have you been here?”

“About two hours,” Paige answered, without turning her attention away from the computer.

Reyna inched into the office and looked around. Paige was one of the best; the multiple wall plaques proved it. Paige was beautiful, self-sufficient, and successful. A tinge of jealousy and regret sparked in Reyna as she wondered what her life would be like had she finished her master's degree and started her own practice. Would she be as successful as Paige? She quickly decided that she would be phenomenal. She directed her thoughts back to the task at hand.

“How was your weekend?”

“Church was wonderful,” Paige answered as her fingers glided across the keyboard.

Reyna rolled her eyes but stopped short of smirking. “What about the rest of the weekend? Surely you didn't spend the whole weekend at church, did you?” The more Reyna thought about it, the more it seemed possible for Paige to spend the whole weekend at a shut-in prayer session.

Paige continued typing. “No. I also visited an art gallery.”

“Really?” Reyna saw the opening she'd been waiting for and took the liberty of sitting in one of the guest chairs. “I didn't know you like art.”

“I collect pieces as a hobby.” Paige smiled, just slightly, but continued typing. “Not to brag, but I have an extensive collection. Are you a collector also?”

“Well, no.” Reyna leaned back and crossed her legs.

“But Tyson is. You should see his place. He has art everywhere. Maybe the two of you could compare pieces or visit galleries together.”

Paige's fingers ceased their movement, and for the first time, she looked up at her employee.

Reyna sat in anticipation until Paige scowled at her, then stood, with her fists planted on the desk. “Reyna, I told you to leave that alone. Tyson and I are adults with a long history. If we want a relationship, we know how to establish one without any interference from you.”

Reyna's jaw fell.

“Furthermore, you don't know Tyson as well as you think. If you did, you wouldn't waste your time trying to fix him up.” Paige sat back down. “I suggest you go to your workstation and focus on the job you're paid to do and leave my personal business alone.” With that, Paige redirected her attention back to the computer screen.

Humiliated, Reyna stood and swiftly left while she still had a job, but she wondered just how much history Tyson and Paige shared.

By lunchtime, as she waited in line at the Chinese buffet, the early morning events were long forgotten. After hours of inspection reports and credit checks, the only thing on Reyna's mind was chicken chow mein and garlic chicken wings. To get her daily serving of vegetables, she added a spoonful of broccoli to the already loaded plate and approached the cash register.

“Someone has worked up a big appetite.”

Reyna paused momentarily to see to whom the bass voice belonged, and almost lost her desire to eat. The six-foot-plus-tall man standing behind her was gorgeous. Normally, she wasn't attracted to Caucasian men, but this dark-haired, bearded man was built like a bodybuilder and had deep sea–blue eyes. He was dressed in a tailored suit, complete with silver cuff links. His skin wasn't pale, but olive, like he'd just stepped from a tanning salon.

“Excuse m—me?” she stuttered.

The man's smile revealed a straight set of teeth. “I didn't mean to distract you, but it's not every day I find a woman who can eat more than me.”

Reyna's eyes traveled down to the stranger's plate, and she blushed. Her plate held double the amount of food in comparison. “I guess I am pretty hungry.” She sobered. “Do I know you?”

He extended his free hand. “Now you do. My name is Peyton.”

Reyna took note; he had presented his left hand. The ring finger was bare. After resting her tray on the counter in front of the cash register, Reyna shook his hand. “I'm Reyna.”

“Nice to make your acquaintance, Reyna,” he responded while squeezing her hand.

“You hold up line. You ready to pay for your food, miss?” the Chinese cashier interrupted in broken English.

Embarrassed, Reyna snatched her hand back and reached inside her purse.

“We're together,” Peyton said and handed the cashier a twenty-dollar bill.

“I can't let you do that,” Reyna protested. “You don't know me like that.”

“That's exactly why I'm treating you to lunch. I want to know you like that.”

Reyna didn't know how to respond to his aggressive behavior or to the wink that followed. What she did know was that she wanted to know more about this fine white man with the blue eyes. While Peyton collected his change, she secured a table near the door, just in case he turned out to be crazy. Before she sat down, she checked her clothes. She wasn't dressed like a hooker today, so Peyton's interest in her had to be genuine.

“Thank you for sharing this meal with me,” Peyton said once he had fitted his long frame in the chair.

“You're welcome,” Reyna said while twirling a noodle around her fork. “I am curious, though. Why do you want to know me?”

Peyton poked a broccoli spear, then looked up. “Do you want the truth or some corny line?”

“The truth,” Reyna answered before biting into a chicken wing. “The truth is always best.”

“Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you,” he said after swallowing. “I saw you walk in, and I liked what I saw. You look like a woman who could stimulate my mind.”

Reyna smirked. “That last part was corny. But thanks for the compliment.” She looked down at his left hand again. Reyna was determined not to make the same mistake twice. “Are you married?”

“No,” he answered without hesitation.

“Gay? Bisexual? In a relationship of any kind?” Reyna rattled off the questions, then held her breath for the answers.

Peyton chuckled. “No. No. No. And no, I don't have any children running around. What about you?”

Reyna finally exhaled. Peyton had potential. “No to all of the above.”

“Now that that's out of the way, tell me about yourself.” Peyton appeared visibly relaxed as he listened to Reyna talk about working in real estate.

“What about you?” she asked.

“I'm an investment banker in the city.” That was how local residents referred to San Francisco. He went on to share some experiences related to his position at one of the top firms in San Francisco.

As she ate, Reyna observed his mannerisms and listened to his speech. Peyton appeared confident in his ability at work but said nothing about family and God. That scored well with Reyna.

“Do you live near here?” Peyton asked as Reyna finished the last chicken wing.

She washed down the garlic delight with a drink of water before answering, “I'm about ten minutes away, in Broadway Terrace.” A smile creased his face, and Reyna felt proud to say she lived among the Bay Area elite, even if she was renting from a friend. “What about you? Do you stay in the city?”

“Most of the time.” He paused and leaned in so close, Reyna felt his breath against her skin. “But for the right person I'd be willing to commute.”

Reyna pushed back from the table. Peyton was handsome and employed, but she still didn't know him. “I have to get back to work,” she announced as she stood.

Peyton stood and gently grabbed her arm. “Please, may I have your number before you go? I'd love to see you again.”

Reyna looked down at the light manicured hand touching her and was amazed she felt the heat of his touch through the fabric of her jacket. For a brief moment she entertained the truth: dating someone outside of her race fascinated her.

“Sorry, Peyton, but I don't think that's a good idea. Lunch was good, but it didn't earn my phone number. After all, I don't even know your last name.” She reclaimed her arm and made a dash for the exit.

“Covington. My full name is Peyton Ryan Covington.”

Reyna stopped dead in her tracks. By stating his full name, this stranger had given her more than the man she'd naively shared her body with. She ignored the intuitive warning and retraced her steps.

“Do you want to talk about it, or what?” Kevin asked after Tyson threw his racket on the wood-paneled floor after missing the ball for the third time.

Tyson usually excelled in racquetball, but today his game was way off. His whole day had been off-kilter. He'd overslept and almost missed a preliminary hearing. In the rush to make it to the courtroom on time, he'd parked in a handicapped space and received a four-hundred-dollar parking violation ticket. Now he was losing to Kevin in their weekly game of racquetball.

He paced the length of the court, wiping his forehead with a towel.

“Well?” Kevin said and sat on the floor and adjusted his prosthesis.

Tyson ceased pacing and leaned against the wall near his friend. “I hate to think how you'd whip me if you had two full legs.” Kevin's right leg had been severed below the knee in a car accident when he was a teenager.

“My remarkable athletic skills are the least of your problems,” Kevin smirked. “My prowess on the court can't touch the whipping Reyna has put on you. And just think, she doesn't even know it.”

Tyson's denial came out as incomprehensible grunting.

Kevin stood upright and asked, “Have you reconciled your feelings for her yet?”

Tyson threw his hands down. “Man, I know I'm in love with her.” The admission left a bitter taste in his mouth. He frowned at Kevin's laughter. “It's not funny.” He threw the towel at his friend.

“You're right. It's not funny.” Kevin bent over, holding his stomach. “This is downright hilarious. The stoic anal retentive attorney Tyson Stokes has fallen in love with Reyna Mills. What are the odds of that? You guys are like oil and water.”

“Whatever, man.” Tyson picked up his racket and started for the exit.

Kevin caught him by the shoulder. “Hold up, man. Just having some fun at your expense.” Tyson stopped walking. “I'm just saying, for someone who detests drama, you've selected a drama queen.”

Tyson slumped back against the wall. “Trust me, it wasn't on purpose. Man, I don't know what I'm going to do.” He slid down the wall and rested on the floor with his knees bent, his head in his hands.

Kevin quickly sobered and sat next to him. “Man, this is really tearing you up. I've never seen you look so defeated and confused.” Kevin broke the silence that followed. “Do you plan on telling her?”

Tyson raised his head and forced out the remaining air from his lungs. “I did.” Kevin's incredulous facial expression pushed him to explain further. “Okay, maybe not directly, but I told her I cared about her.” He paused. “Oh yeah, and I kissed her.”

Kevin's whistle echoed through the court. “How did she respond?”

“She said I was a great kisser, and then renewed her ridiculous quest to fix me up with Paige.”

Kevin's face twisted. “Paige? Why Paige?” Kevin paused. “Reyna doesn't know about you guys?”

Tyson shook his head from side to side.

“Are you going to tell her?”

Tyson thought the idea absurd. “Heck, no! I'm not telling that woman that if Paige and I weren't such self-centered and selfish adults back in the day, we'd be the parents of a twelve-year-old kid. You know Reyna will use that as an excuse for her crazy behavior. I can hear her now. ‘You had the chance to sow your oats. Why can't I?'” His head shook, almost involuntarily. “No way, man. She's already accused me of judging her. Besides, that's not something I'm proud of.”

Tyson wasn't proud. In fact, the decision he made almost thirteen years ago was his biggest life regret. When he met Paige in college, they were the perfect match. Both were driven by ambition, and neither wanted the emotional attachment that came with relationships. Their exclusive “friends with benefits” arrangement worked for a year, until a night of drinking led to an unplanned pregnancy. Neither wanted or needed a baby. Both admitted that although they shared their bodies, their hearts were far apart, and they mutually agreed to an abortion. Tyson paid for the procedure and supported Paige through the process. They had remained friends over the years, but the “benefits” part of the relationship ended with the pregnancy. The experience left them both scared and, eventually, led them to the altar and into a relationship with the Lord.

“Are you still haunted by it?” Kevin asked. Tyson had shared with him the nightmares he used to have.

“No, but I still regret it.” Tyson cleared his throat in effort to steady his voice. “I wonder what could have been.” He looked his friend in the eyes. “And to be honest, I'm jealous of you and Leon. I'm starting to think maybe Paige and I don't deserve a family, because of our selfish decision. Look at us. We're both workaholics and can't relate emotionally to anyone.”

Kevin grabbed his shoulder. “Man, don't do this to yourself. God forgave you and Paige a long time ago. You're workaholics because you choose to be. You can't express your feelings, because you've suppressed them for so long, you can't identify what they are.”

Tyson's head dropped.

“And you need to learn what unconditional love is,” Kevin said after shaking him until he lifted his head. “Not that legalistic stuff you experienced growing up.”

“How do I learn anything else?” Tyson asked, hunching his shoulders. “I'm thirty-six years old, and I have yet to receive that from a human. I have to give my father a list of my winning cases in order to get one compliment out of him. And Mother, she's always been too busy enjoying the prestige of being the wife of a judge to care about me.”

“Man, you know I love you. So does Marlissa. We accept you no matter how anal you are.” Kevin pushed him with his shoulder. “Come on, dude. You're going to be my child's godfather, remember?”

Tyson maneuvered himself upright. “That's right. And don't forget to name him after me.”

“Hmm. Anal Jennings.” Kevin said the words slowly, then stood up. “It has a nice ring to it.”

Tyson retrieved his towel and racket and once again started for the exit. “Just for the record, I love you too. I don't think I could care for you more if you were my biological brother. And Marlissa? Well, she's become the bossy little sister I never wanted, but I love her like crazy. And Leon and Starla have grown on me like mold on bread.”

“That wasn't so bad, now was it?” Kevin asked once he stopped laughing. “Sharing your feelings is good for the soul.”

“Yeah, well, if you tell a soul about my emotional meltdown, I'll sue you for defamation of character.”

Kevin slapped him on the back. “And lose the only friend you have? I doubt that.”

Tyson chuckled at his idle threat. Kevin's unconditional friendship had carried him through the hardest times in his life. When he confided in him about the Paige situation, Kevin didn't judge him. When he passed the bar exam on the first try, it was Kevin who celebrated his achievement before his parents did. And it was Kevin who'd accompanied him to the altar the day he dedicated his life to the Lord.

Tyson treasured their bond, but he'd trade in his law practice to have a happily ever after with Reyna.