The Love Triangle (BWWM Romance) (44 page)

“Miss Jones, I’m already here just come to the left side of the room.” She hung up and walked the corner and there he was. She frowned.

“I assume you are who I am looking for, Dr. Baker?” She crossed her arms and gave him a frown.

He stood and gestured to the chair. “Please, Miss Jones, forgive me. I do have something for you and your father, but I also won’t lie, I wanted to ask you out and was afraid you would say no.” He hesitated then found his seat across from where she stood.

He watched her blush. “Oh,” was all she said before she found her seat.

“So would you have said yes?” He gave her a half grin and she smiled at him.

“I'm not sure.” She swallowed hard and sat down finally.

They talked for what seemed like hours. They compared family structures and enjoyed each other’s company. It wasn’t long before she felt guilty for being gone so long.

“Do you need to go, Ciara? I feel selfish for keeping you so long,” he asked her, concerned.

“I really should.” She gave him a smile. “Antoine is in bed but I need to check on him and my father… well he would let him stay up all night.” She stood to go.

“I’ll walk you out, I do have something for your father and I don’t want you to forget to take it with you.” He stood and she was once more reminded about how tall he was.

The two walked out to his car and she took it in as he dug through his trunk. This car alone was more than likely a huge expense. She was reminded that he was a doctor and subconsciously smoothed down her shirt, feeling suddenly self-conscious. He turned around to face her and she gave him a slight smile.

“Here, this should hold you over for a while.” He handed her a bag and she glanced inside.

She gave him a shocked look. “There must be 50 or 60 samples in here, Derek.”

“Its fine, I get them often, I know it would help right now. I’d also like to help with your father’s care.”

She gulped and blushed. “Derek, I appreciate you offering but I’m not sure what you expect in return?”

She watched him frown. “I don’t expect anything, Ciara. I think it’s pretty obvious I like you and I’d like to ask you out again, but not because of this.” He gestured towards the bag. “That’s professional.”

She felt her face grow warm with embarrassment. “Understood.” She headed towards her car and he followed her. She turned to look at him, embarrassed for him to see her car and how she had to climb through, so she wanted to say goodbye before that happened.

She held out her hand and waited for him to shake it. Instead, she felt him lean down and give her a peck on the cheek.

“I had a great time tonight, Ciara, I’d like to take you on a real date if you’d like.” He gave her a smile and shoved his hands in his pockets.

“I’m not sure if I can. I enjoyed this too, it’s been a long time since I’ve even had conversation with anyone other than my father. I just have a lot going on with Antoine and work…” She trailed off.

“Say yes, Ciara.” He started walking back towards his car and yelled back at her. “Just say yes …I’ll just keep asking, you know.” He finally slid into his car and she watched him leave as she smiled. She just might say yes.

***

The next few days went by quickly, both work and Antoine kept her going. Derek had called her a few times but she hadn’t found time to call him back. At least not during hours he would be awake. She was working some nights until 3 a.m. She had just wrapped up her shift the following night at 1 a.m. when she turned around and he was there. She smiled as she walked over to him.

“What brings you in here?” she teased him.

He leaned on the counter on his elbows. “Well to be honest, I heard the pie here was to die for, plus I kinda have a crush on a waitress that works here.” He gave her a smile and she sighed. She really did enjoy his company. She gave him some pie and cleaned up her section to go home.

“So you headed home?” He walked beside her.

“Yes, of course, I’ve been here all night.” She nudged him with her elbow. He stopped her then and turned her to face him.

“You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?” He pushed a lock of her hair back from her face and she blushed a deep red.

“You always say the nicest things, Derek.”

She looked up at him as she teased him and she found her mouth crushed to his. The kiss was hard, demanding and hot. She felt the heat rush through her system from head to toe. It had been a long time… too long since anyone had kissed her, especially like that. She knew she should pull away, stop it before it got too involved, but she didn’t want to. It may have been the time since being kissed, or the fact that she enjoyed his company. Whatever reason she chose to blame it on it didn’t matter, she wanted and needed his kiss.

He pulled away and at the same time, he pulled her closer to him. “I really like you, Ciara, dinner tomorrow?”

She thought about it for a moment. “Yes, I’d like that.” She gave him a half smile. “Don’t judge me, okay?” Before he could ask what she meant, she climbed through the passenger side of the car and settled into the driver’s seat.

He leaned into her window. “You’re adorable.” He dropped a quick kiss on her nose before he walked to his car. Fortunately, her car started up with no issues.

Their first real date went smoothly. He was the perfect gentleman, and the restaurant was nicer than most she had ever had a chance to visit. As always, they talked about everything. Both enjoying the connection they shared that made conversation come so easily. She knew she should feel bad leaving Antoine at home while she was out, but she didn’t want to allow in anything negative. She laughed, something she missed and she felt like he truly saw her for who she was. Everything between them was open and casual, neither of them seeking out anything more than what they had.

The dating went on for a couple of weeks and she knew for a fact she would see him every weekend for one reason or another. He had come by one time to help her father install his television antenna, once he had helped put a new coat of paint on Antoine
’s room and most recently, he had come over to watch a football game, and barbecue with them.  Each date would bring them closer, and her heart more involved. The best part of the date was always at the end and the kisses goodnight
they would share. It always led to kissing. Sometimes it would get a little heated, but Derek never pushed for more. That was, until that day.

She glanced down at the phone in her hand. He had called her and asked her to spend the weekend with him. She didn’t know what to say, so she said she would think about it. It was a step, a big one, and one she hadn’t taken in a long time. They had been dating for three weeks, but there was never any rush to do more. She was glad her father was in good spirits, he seemed to be doing well and always enjoyed the time he spent with Antoine. If she did go, Antoine would stay with Miss Withers. She was his best friend’s mother and he
always enjoyed staying with them. She put the phone back in the cradle, still lost in thought.  She would decide soon.

Chapter Seven –Derek

Things were getting out of hand. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. He had just asked Ciara to spend the weekend with him. Maybe he was pushing her too hard, asking for too much. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing… or feeling for that matter. The nightmares were still there… sometimes so real he simply stayed awake to avoid them. He knew they weren’t under control, yet he had asked her to go with him anyway.

He started seeing a psychologist a few weeks ago. Three sessions in and he felt trapped by all of the prodding and questioning. He felt even more exposed by bringing the memories to life, almost as if he was giving it power somehow. He knew, as a doctor, these things were a process and he would see it through, if not for himself then at the very least for his family. He leaned back in the chair at his desk. He was always surrounded by women, but with Ciara it was different. She was alive and full of life and she made him feel things, good things. It had been a long time…if ever, since anyone had given him the inspiration to want more.

He knew she deserved to be happy, deserved to be with someone who could feel more than he did. The last few years he had grown cold and yet with her, there was new life to things. Maybe she was exactly what he needed after all. He swore as he glanced at his watch. He really needed to get stuff done. If she did say yes, they would be leaving in two days.

He sorted through the files at his desk. There was always a pile, always growing despite his efforts to help. There was a lack of system that prevented people from getting the healthcare they needed. Even his time at the clinic giving pro bono wasn’t enough to make a dent, not really. He only wished he could do more. As he flipped through the files of items needing attention, he came across Ciara’s father’s case. He knew it was only a matter of time and he was sure she knew it too. He worried about what she would do when the time came.

How she would handle it. He also thought about how it would affect Antoine. He was a good boy, always full of smiles. He never gave much thought to a future for them. He was sure this was something mutuall
y entertaining for them both, 
casual dating if you will, but if that was the case then why couldn’t he get her out of his mind? He heard his phone buzz and he glanced at it. A huge smile crept into his face. She had said yes.

He started making phone calls and getting things ready. She worked hard, too hard in his opinion. Almost every night she was out at that diner. She deserved to have the royal treatment and that weekend would be one she wouldn’t soon forget. He made a number of calls, organizing the time they would spend together. He planned outings and hoped she would be fine with letting him organize it all. He wanted her to feel as beautiful as he saw her. Oh yes, it would be a wonderful weekend indeed.

Chapter Eight – Ciara

She turned once more in the mirror. She looked fine, just fine. She knew she was fidgeting because she was nervous. She didn’t really know what to say or do about the situation any more than she already had. He was picking her up in less than an hour and she made sure everything was in order. It was part of the process, if everything wasn’t ready then she couldn’t leave. Antoine was already settled in with Miss Withers, and her father was lounging on the couch. Everything would be fine. Just fine. She had to tell herself the same thing over and over. She had never been gone overnight in Antione’s life, especially not with someone else. Her father had been in good spirits about the whole thing. Just yesterday they had talked about it at length.

“Sooo going away with the big doctor, huh.” He was peeling an apple slowly at the table as she had been cooking dinner.

“Oh, Daddy, really.” She didn’t say another word but smiled as she heard him chuckling behind her.

“He is a good one and he has money. Both good factors for you, baby girl.” He looked over his glasses at her.

“It’s not that serious, Daddy.”

“Mmm hmm.” He went on cutting and she rolled her eyes.

She looked fine. She squared her shoulders one
last time and smoothed down her hair.  It fell in soft waves to her shoulders and she had t
aken special care with her makeup.

She heard the door and the men all chatting happily in the other room. She smoothed down her dress and took a deep breath before she made her way in there to join them. Her father was laughing at something Derek had said and when she came in, they both looked over at her. She could tell her father was proud of her and Derek seemed to be…blushing really?

“What are you two going on about in here?” She propped her hand on one hip.

“Oh nothing really, you look beautiful, Ciara.” He said it all at once and she smiled at him feeling the heat rush to her cheeks.

“Thank you, Derek, are you ready to go?” At the same time, Miss Jackson, their neighbor came bustling into the apartment.

“Oohhh, well now, I am just so sorry. Your father and I, well…” She blushed and glanced at Ciara’s father.