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“I could tell you were upset on the phone, but I’m starting to trip, so please tell me what’s wrong.”

She straightened up but held onto his arm. “Richard filed for divorce. I knew it was coming. I can’t even say I’m sorry. There’s been a canyon between us for a long time. This is probably best for both of us, but it threw me for a good one.”

“I’m sorry. When did this happen?”

“Two weeks ago, but don’t say anything. I didn’t want Mama to know. That last stroke almost took her away. She adores Richard and I know she doesn’t want us to split. I see her everyday and lie my ass off about the reason Richard hasn’t been around.”

“What can I do? Do you need money?”

She let go of his arm and shook her head. “No. Richard offered me a nice settlement. All I have to do is go away quietly and allow him to share custody of the kids. Come on in. I’ll get us a drink.”

He slapped his right fist into his left palm. “Son-of-a-bitch! Do you want me to have a little talk with the old fart?”

Stretching her worried face into a small smile, she handed him a drink and went back to pour one for herself. “I’d love for you to kick his ass. He’s already jealous of our relationship.”

“He knows about us?”

“No, but he’s always been jealous of our friendship. I thought you knew. The last time you sent tickets for us to take the kids to your game, he grumbled all the way to the Superdome. I thought you could see it on his face when you came out to see the boys. I’ve never cheated on Richard. He’s a small-minded pig.”

Isaac had long felt that men could discern attractions between his woman and

other men. After all, he knew as well as he knew his name that something was going on between Chelsea and Quincy Beckman. “So he’s jealous because we’re close friends?”

“That’s part of it, but have you looked in the mirror lately?” She winked. “Most

men would be jealous of you.”

His eyes fell. “I don’t know about all that. Tell me what happened. Why did he

leave?”

“He found younger stuff.” She sighed. “I guess it’s not the same after two kids.”

He looked around the kitchen. “Where are Rich and Austin?”

“With Richard’s mother. He went to a convention in Florida. I’m sure young stuff

is with him. I’ve suspected he was cheating for months. I didn’t go out of my way to verify it.

Maybe I should have. It wouldn’t have hurt any less, but I would like to have been the dumper not the dumped.”

“I’m sorry you’re going through this. If there’s anything I can do, just say the

word.”

“You can do just what you’re doing now. Give me a shoulder to cry on. This is

the first time I’ve cried since Richard dropped the bomb? I heard your voice and . . .”

She crumbled forward, resting one arm on the bar and the other on Isaac’s

shoulder. “Okay, enough about me. Tell me about you and Chelsea, or is she ancient history already? I know how your revolving door works.”

After hearing her problems and seeing the anguish on her face, he didn’t dare spill his story. “Ay, you know how it is. I think it’s coming to an end.”

“I don’t know if this is relevant, but I really like her. Is the end her idea or yours?”

“I don’t know . . .” He paused, hoping to find an answer that didn’t cast

culpability in either direction. “We had the same arrangement I’ve had with all the women I’ve dated. No lasting ties, but sooner or later one party always get clingy. I just think it’s best to pull apart before that bond becomes too tight. Know what I mean?”

“Yeah. What you mean is you’re afraid of commitment.”

He smiled, wishing her words were true. “Maybe.”

“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I’ve always wondered what would have

happened if the two of us had gotten . . .serious. Committed.”

Her words hit him like a slap on a cold morning. “Come on. A together chick like

you would never have gotten serious about a young punk.”

“Right, but I would have gotten serious about you. As you just said, sooner or

later. I’ve never had the same closeness with anyone that…no, come on. Don’t do this.”

“What?” Frowns creased his brow and he remembered that she could usually read

his thoughts. “What am I doing?”

“Getting that guilty look. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I shouldn’t have

told you. It’s just that Mama kept talking about the tears in your eyes when Richard and I drove away from the reception. She said you really cared for me, and I…let’s drop this and talk about something pleasant.”

“We were pleasant, Frankie. I’ve also never felt the same with anyone else. Do

you think we could have made it?”

She shrugged. “I do think you should stop hiding from a serious relationship or

marriage. In spite of what I’m going through now, I’m not sorry I married. I just wish it had been you instead of Richard. You know it’s sad that society never thinks twice when a man marries a younger woman, but women who marry younger men are persecuted.”

“Your marriage to Richard produced two great kids and he’s not leaving you

broke. It could be worse.” He thought of Chelsea, pregnant with their child. The ache in his heart grew. He held Frankie in his arms and promised to always be there if she needed him.

“Things will work out. Who knows, maybe the next time around will be mind blowing.”

Driving back to Chelsea’s, his regrets were many. Frankie had been, in his

opinion, a sophisticated woman who could have had her pick of men. Knowing she had wanted him made him feel sad for both of them. It wasn’t a fear of commitment that confined his tongue, he thought. It was fear of rejection. After placing his things back in Chelsea’s closet, he decided not to make the same mistake twice. He would tell her how he felt and if she rejected him, at least there would be no regrets, because one way or the other, their relationship had changed.

He called her work number and was told that she was still in court. Sitting alone

on her bed, he revisited their times together. The casual tone he heard in her ‘I do love you’ was unconvincing. There was no mistaking the heat of their passions, but the warmth that had grown between them, the sweetness he carried in his heart, had to be more than just great sex. He decided to go down to the courthouse, wait until she was free and tell her how he felt. If her feelings mirrored his, he would go out and buy the largest diamond he could find.

* * * *

Each time there was a break in the action, Chelsea thought of Isaac’s silence, and wondered about the cause. She had tried, over morning coffee, to make him loosen up, but her probing seem to irritate him even more. During the drive to work, she had struggled to put their relationship in perspective. When her head began to ache, she had decided there was no time to become engulfed in personal problems with the biggest case of her career hanging on a thread.

She went straight to court and sat listening to the defense present a strong case of how a wonderful young man was being railroaded by a woman whose mere reputation was shameful beyond belief.

Each time Quincy spoke, his eyes invariably ended up on Chelsea’s face. Even more

unnerving was Curtis Hamilton’s family, huddled together and looking the way she knew any family would under similar circumstances.

She was successful in her attempt to focus on the issues at hand. At no time during the hearing did she think of the man who left her bed looking as though he had lost his best friend.

When court recessed for lunch, David ushered her through the side door. Quincy was waiting.

“Well, Counselor, are you thoroughly satisfied that my client could not be the monster in that little picture you painted?”

He moved closer and held out a stack of papers. “Could you give us a minute, please?”

She looked at David’s frown. “I’m not leaving the building, David. Thanks.”

David nodded and moved away. She took the papers from Quincy’s hand and realized

they were blank.

“What is this?”

“I thought you might want to pretend we’re discussing business.”

She was only partially listening. Her feelings for him had been decided earlier in the day.

As soon as court adjourned, her heart and mind had backtracked to Isaac’s anguished face. She had to think ahead. To be prepared if Isaac was trying to find a way to end their relationship.

When she finally looked at Quincy, she realized she was not even slightly interested in him and wouldn’t be, even if Isaac were no longer in her life. There was no attraction and very little admiration.

“And aren’t we discussing business? Your opening statement was grand, by the way, but your client is not innocent and we both know it. I am a little curious about your defense. How will you repute an eyewitness’s account of your client’s merciless and sadistic behavior?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got it all laid out.” His half-closed eyelids opened slightly. “Speaking of laid out, when are you going to let me wipe away every memory you have of old what’s-his-name? I’m ready to take you into my world and make—”

“Don’t start that again.” She turned to walk away.

“Ms. Constantine, I don’t believe you’ve answered my question regarding tomorrow’s witness. You do realize you have to disclose this information.”

She realized several colleagues had turned to stare and she swung around to try and hide her anger. Quincy was at her side, still holding out blank paper while his body made contact with hers.

“If you have business to discuss with me, make an appointment. I don’t recall this corridor being designated for negotiations.”

He leaned over her. “Why are you so angry, and why do you keep pushing me away?

We’re going to be together, so you might as well accept it. Have dinner with me tonight. Just dinner, unless of course, you feel the need—”

“The only thing I feel the need to do right now is slap that smug grin off your face, and I will if you keep pushing. Maybe I wasn’t clear, so I’ll try and spell it out for you. I’m in a relationship. I’m in love with Isaac Charbonnette.” After saying the words, she realized just how true they were.

In what she promised herself would be her last effort at civility, she stood tall and spoke forcefully. “You know my life was threatened, yet you stand here, keeping a city employee waiting, while you make ridiculous proposals. I don’t know what you’re trying to do. If you want to anger me enough to throw me off my game, you’re way out of your league. If you’re really interested in a personal relationship, I’m not available or interested. You have already crossed the line from pushy into harassment. One more move and I’ll report you.”

“Baby, I’m not the big bad wolf and you’re not Little Red Riding Hood. In all of your rebuffs, you’ve never said you didn’t want to be with me. You never said I don’t turn you on, because you and I both know I do.”

“Come out of your bubble. I just said I’m not interested. You don’t turn me on, Quincy.

In fact, I find you…” Knowing they still had to face each other during the trial and probably in future litigation as well, she held back her true disdain. “Let’s just say I’m in love with someone else, which means I couldn’t possible be interested in you.”

“Isaac Charbonnette is too coarse for you, and I’m sure you know it. I hear he has a way with women, but once he’s past the fine art of seduction, I know you’ll never be satisfied. I doubt that he can make you happy in bed, at least not the way I can. He’s not the best mate for a woman of your career standings and potential. That’s yours truly, baby. The most devoted lover you’ll ever find, and a man headed for greater success.”

Feeling her face burning, she looked around and planned her escape. “I’m not going to discuss any facet of my personal life with you. I will caution you to stop harassing me, or I’ll report you.” Turning quickly before he could reply, she joined several friends who were headed to the deli across from the courthouse, and flipped her cell open.

He hasn’t called. She flipped the phone closed, wondering what had happened to make Isaac so aloof and turned off. He had never turned his back on her in bed. On the few nights and mornings they did not make love, he had been attentive to her presence. She started to call him but decided she had to eat and get back to the courtroom. A stab of loathing clogged her throat when she saw Quincy walk in the door of Morison’s Deli. Quickly grabbing a wrapped salad, she took a seat with her colleagues and pretended to listen to their conversation. There were too many loose ends in her life. Chelsea loathed loose ends.

She returned to court and sat through a grueling afternoon of watching Quincy paint a portrait of the most amazing young man in America. When court recessed for the evening, Chelsea tried to make a hasty retreat, but Quincy called after her just as she left the courtroom.

“Ms. Constantine! Do you have a second? My client is ready to deal. He’s asked me to offer you a proposition.”

“As I told you before, call my office and make an appointment.” She walked faster but he ran over and blocked her exit.

“This will only take a second, Ms. Constantine. I just conferred with my client and following that amazing display of innocence in there, he and I would like to offer you a proposition. We’re prepared to walk away from this whole thing if the DA’s office is ready to drop the charges. I’m sure we could find a few causes for legal action against your office, but we’ll agree to go quietly. We don’t want to drag that poor girl’s name through the mud unless we have to so—”

“Mr. Beckham, for two cents I’d tell you where to shove your proposition. You know something, counselor, the stench coming from you and your client is so fetid, I can’t tell which of you is the bigger slime ball. Earlier today I asked you to stop harassing me, but I guess I’ll have to take my request to a higher authority. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to leave.”

“Right. The backwoods brawler is waiting over there. I wouldn’t want you to miss

another exciting evening. Maybe he’ll take you mud wrestling or some other entertaining sporting event.”

She whirled around. “Isaac? Where?”