To Love a Man (12 page)

Aj beamed seeing the women laugh. “At least they are getting along. Unlike last time we tried this and Gia dumped hot gravy all over your date.”

“Yeah that wasn’t pretty.”

Aj smiled as they caught up with the laughing women.

“So even though it seems like there is no point to it. Gia this is Desiree, Desiree my wife Gia.”

The women let out a laugh while looking at Aj. He
clapped his hands together.

“Are you ladies ready to have some fun?”

They both nodded. Desiree loved it from the moment she stepped foot into it. Dave and busters was like Chuck E Cheese for adults. A great restaurant on one side and a fun game zone on the other end. Even though Desiree was itching to kick some butt in the game room, they agreed to eat first. She knew it was gonna be a long night when the waitress began to freak out waiting on Ramón and Aj.

“Oh my
God I like love you guys so much. Whatever you want I will rush order it.”

Desiree could see the girls hands start to tremble and smiled knowing the feeling that she must have been feeling. Ramón held up his hands.

“Oh no that won’t be necessary, there are people who ordered before us.”

“And you guys are so humble too? Oh can I have your autographs please?”
she squealed.

Ramón smiled.

“You know what we will do you one better, if you go get your phone which I know has a camera on it we will take a picture with you.”

“Are you for real?”

The young girl didn't even wait for an answer she shot out of there so fast and returned a minute later. As she stood between the 6’9 Ramón and 6’6, Aj the girl looked as if she was a child amongst them. But Gia took the picture and the girl was lost for words.

“Thank you so much. Your food is on its way.”

She walked away but came back smiling.

“Umm I didn't take your orders did I?”

Aj smiled at her in a sweet reassuring way.

“No but
its ok. You were in the moment.”

“Ok let's do this again. Hi my name is Joan and I will be your server today can I take your orders?”

Ramón smiled.

“Can I get your Porter House steak medium rare with a baked potato all the fillings you know bacon, cheese, butter and sour cream and a side of your broccoli and cheese.”

“And for you sir?” she asked writing down Ramón’s order.

“I will actually have the same but no bacon on my potato.”

“And for you ladies?”

Desiree looked at Gia as she began to speak.

“Um ok I guess I will take your Chicken Alfredo with broccoli.”

“Would you like the chicken Cajun special we have?”

“Oh no thank you grilled chicken would be fine.”

Gia placed her menu onto the table. “You know normally I would grab a salad or something like that but Desiree you have intrigued me. I think I will have the same.”

“Very well and to drink?”

Gia looked Desiree and motioned for her to go first. Desiree looked at Joan.

“Do you guys have Cherry Pepsi?”

“No but what we can do is give you Pepsi with a splash of the cherry concentrate.”

“You know what that would be great.”

As everyone else ordered and Joan walked away, Gia smiled at Desiree.

“So Desiree, how does it feel being so far away from home?”

Desiree let a grin form across her lips.

“Well honestly it's great knowing I am in the same city as Zack is right now so I don't really miss it. Even though I am sure it misses me.”

“Oh?” Gia asked.

“Yeah tonight was supposed to be my girls night out with my bestest but I am here and she won’t go without me.” Desiree said thinking about Nikki. Aj looked at her.

“So what would you guys be doing?”

“Oh who knows it's something different every night. Recently it's been going places she picks because she has people stationed there and gets them to bump into me. I think she is trying to tell me I need to settle down.”

They laugh and Aj looked at Ramón.

“Maybe that’s what we needed to do for you because it's been pass time for you to settle down.”

Desiree glanced at him with a curious look.

“Can I ask why you haven’t?”

“I am looking for the real thing you know. Not just something to have or do, I want love.” Ramón looked towards her and smiled. Desiree blushed and looked down to the table as she fiddled with her napkin and fork.

“I get that. That’s why I divorced Charles if you want love you deserve to be loved and he just wasn’t in love with me anymore.”

She looked up and was surprised to see him looking at her. “I feel it.” He said smiling to her.

As their plates arrived and Desiree bowed her head to pray she felt someone grab her left hand. She smiled as Ramón took her hand in his and shuttered at the feel of him.

Ramón knew it was a mistake to touch her hand after he felt a tingle run up his arm and to his chest. He cleared his throat.

“Would you like to do the honors?” he asked her.

“You go ahead.”

She lowered her head again not wanting him to see her lips quiver at his smile and touch. Ramón began to pray.

“Lord we thank you for this meal and for the great company around this table. Amen.”

“Amen.”

As they
began to eat the uneasiness Desiree felt coming into the evening vanished. Gia and Aj made her feel a part of the group and it touched her. She glanced over to Ramón who was laughing at the story Aj was telling about the first time they met, Desiree realized they had been friends about as long as she and Nikki had. While she and Nikki started off as friends immediately, Ramón and Aj competed with each other.

Hearing stories of Ramón’s life made her realize that even though he was famous and rich he
experienced a lot of the things she did. Every once and a while she would find herself laughing just so she could touch him , wanting to know if the tingling feeling that shot through her hand and up her arm would ever go away. As of now it hadn’t. After they finished dinner Aj and Ramón pulled out the girl’s seat and lead them to the game room.  Desiree and Gia stepped back as the Ramón and Aj began to play with the basketball hoops. They laughed as Ramón tried to block Aj’s shots and vice versa. They were like little kids fighting to be the best and Desiree found it hilarious. Ramón turned towards her and pulled her up to the game.

“Ok time to play.”

She shook her head and smiled. “Play? No way put me in a race car or that trivia game basketball is a sport I watch not play.”

“Why not?”

“I don't know.” She shrugged her shoulders and he pulled her closer to him and the game.

“Well here give it a try.”

Desiree took a breath and grabbed the basketball. Ramón stood behind her.

“Now you want to hold the ball
and between your fingers like this.”

He helped her hold the ball and let his hand caress her shoulder. Desiree shivered at his touch not wanting him to stop touching her. His arm fell to his side and she couldn’t help but feel disappointed. She lifted her arms and shot the ball at the hoop. Just as it was about to go in the hoop moved to the side and Desiree became intrig
ued. “Oh so that’s how it is?” She asked the game half expecting an explanation then began to toss the ball again.

Ramón laughed at her determination because even after missing shot after shot she still continued to play. As time ran out she stepped back contemplating her next move. Ramón expected her to suggest a different game but instead she smiled and turned to him.

“Ok I am ready.”

He smiled at her. “Ready for what?” he asked really wanting to know.

“I am ready to kick your butt.” He placed his card into the slot and started a new game. Desiree grabbed the ball and began tossing it in the air as Ramón followed suit on his side of the game. As she missed the first two shots, she grabbed another ball and tossed it at the hoop and it went in. she grabbed another one and didn't know why she keep shooting but she did. When the timer got to zero and the balls stopped coming out she looked at Ramón.

“Now this was fun.”

“Wanna play again?”

“Of course I gotta try and beat you.”

“Never gonna happen I am a professional ball player.”

“We’ll see.”

As they placed the game, card in the slot and began to play again she felt for the first time in a long time she let her guard completely down. Between making or missing shots and bumping Ramón, so he would miss she was having fun. As they walked towards the racecars, Ramón and Aj were stopped by a group of people. Some snapping photos with their camera phones others shoving napkins in their faces.

Gia pulled Desiree closer to her so she wouldn’t get pushed out the way.

“I have learned when things like this happen you just stay back these people mean well but some can be pretty aggressive.” She said watching the girls and guys crowd around.

“I can see that.”

Gia looked at Desiree “So are you having fun?” she asked with a hopeful twinkle in her eyes.

Desiree grinned from ear to ear.
“I am. This is the most fun I have had in a long time I am glad I came out with you guys.”

“Me too. You know I have to admit when Aj said we were going on a double date I was skeptical I didn't know what to expect. Girl one time this little hoochie momma ok she was trifling I went to the bathroom and when I came out she and one of her friends she called were all hugged up on Ramón and Aj talking bout come back to our room and we will show you both a good time.”

“Girl I know you handled them.”

Gia smirked. “Ramón had asked for extra gravy and they brought it out in this huge cup I dumped all over them and kicked them little sluts to the curb.”

“A woman after my own heart. I can’t believe they would do that you couldn’t have been gone that long.” Desiree said thinking of how strong Gia must be to go through all this every day.

“Girls will do anything to get at these men. I was ready to leave Aj plenty of times but love overcame that.”

“You are so lucky you and Aj are perfect for each other.”

“Well who knows maybe you and Ramón are perfect for each other.”

Desiree glanced down to the floor. “I don't know about that.”

Desiree looked over to a smiling Ramón and blushed. Gia smiled.

“Uh huh I was the same way. Didn't want to admit I was falling for a ball player because I didn't want to get hurt.”

“We are just hanging out. We just met and it's the first time we have actually been around each other and I don't know. Is it wrong to fall head over heels for a man you just met?”

“It happens. And it seems he is falling for you just as hard as you are falling for him.”

“You think?” she asked.

“Ramón and Aj have been friends their whole life. I met Aj about four years ago and I heard all the rumors about him and Ramón in some ways they were true in others they were lies. But seeing Ramón now and how he is acting towards you I do think he is. And I am glad he is finally falling for someone who is as sweet and down to earth as you are.”

They guys motioned for them to head out. As they began walking towards the exit Ramón and Aj walked in front of them and asked them to close their eyes. The women did as they were told and when they opened their eyes they guys were holding up pink teddy bears. Gia grabbed hers and kissed Aj. Desiree took hers and hugged Ramón.

“Thank you I love it.” She said loving the gift.

“You are very welcome.” He said pleased with her reaction.

“Come on Desi.” Gia called as she stepped out the building. Desiree caught up with Gia and smiled as she took her arm and began talking all the way to the car. Aj looked at Ramón.

“This was a good idea I like her.”

“Me too.” He said looking after them.

“I can tell. She is down to earth and funny. And not to mention Gia loves her. I think you have found a winner.”

“She is nothing like the other girls I have been with.”

“And that is a good thing…
Well it's getting late.” Aj said as he looked over to the women. “Wifey Come!”

Gia laughed and hugged Desiree. “Call me in the morning and I can’t wait to meet Zack. I can’t wait to become a mom.”

“I already know you are gonna be great.”

“Thanks for that.” The women hugged as Aj unlocked his 2010 white escalade.

“Wifey your husband needs attention. Seeya tomorrow Desiree.”

“Bye.”

Aj opened the car door for Gia as Ramón opened the car door for her.

“Can I show you something?”

Desiree looked at her watch.

“It’s almost 1am.”

“It won’t take long.”

“Ok.” She said nervously wondering where he wanted to take her.