Trouble with Luv' (22 page)

“Amelia just loves it here. She says their Margarita Mama is the best drink on the face of the earth.” Kale chuckled easily. “Speaking of drinks, would you like me to order you one? Looks like you could use something stronger than water. You know, something with a little kick in it.”

His grin had sexual overtones to it, but Ebony pretended not to notice. She picked up her glass. “No, water is fine for me. I don't drink on the job.” They both laughed. After some pleasant conversation, Ebony told Kale why she was anxious to meet with him on such short notice.

“The expansion project has hit some rough spots, huh?”

Ebony nodded, and then gave him a brief overview of previous discussions with the branch manager at First National Trust and Kendall's meeting with Roxanne Toliver earlier in the week. “Mr. Oakwood assured me that the project would be approved. But now that he's been replaced, we're left wondering where we stand. And my repeated attempts to get in touch with him have gone…”

Kale had a difficult time keeping up with the pace of the conversation. Her heady, scintillating perfume was working him over. It took all his effort to remain in his seat. Willing his body to remain calm, he rubbed a hand over his stubble-free chin. A steady stream of diners, mostly clans of young, single women, had been sashaying in and out of the restaurant all night, but up until now he had been too preoccupied with Ebony to notice.

“Go on, ask him. I'm sure that's Kale Washington,” whispered a female voice behind him.

Normally he loved being recognized, especially when he was out on a date. It made him feel like a superstar. He had been retired for the past three seasons, but it hadn't diminished his popularity with baseball fans. When Kale was out on the town, he soaked up the attention he received. He'd sign autographs, pose for pictures, and on occasion he even joined fans for a round of drinks. But tonight, Kale didn't want anyone cutting in on his time with Ebony, so he glanced over his shoulder and shot the two less-than-attractive women a leave-me-alone look.

“Jerk!” he heard one of them say.

“Sorry about that,” he said to Ebony, when he turned back around. “Continue.”

Ebony finished the piece of steak in her mouth, then washed it down with some more ice water. “Why do you think the bank is stalling? Why won't they approve the project?” She hated to play the friend card, but this was important to her and she desperately needed his expertise. Not only had Kale cleaned up Q's Joint and made it the hottest place in town, but he had investors on both the East and West Coasts anxious to bring the club to their cities.

“Well, I don't have an MBA in business or finance, but my professional opinion is that First National Trust feels the expansion idea has substantial risks.” Ebony started to speak, but Kale held up a hand before she could interrupt. “Granted, Discreet Boutiques is hugely popular and the revenues generated in the past seven years are impressive, but there's no guarantee that opening additional stores will be a lucrative venture.” Kale paused to drink his brandy, and noted that Ebony had the kind of eyes a man could get lost in. They were one of the most captivating things about her. “In the last meeting you had with Ms. Toliver you made known your intentions to expand to Michigan and possibly Philadelphia. That was a bad move. You shouldn't have mentioned your future plans. It likely scared them off.”

Ebony didn't speak. Her comments weren't meant to sound boastful or arrogant, but she could see how the bank manager could interpret them that way. “What should we do now?”

A lewd thought popped into Kale's mind, but when he opened his mouth to share it, the deep, slumberous voice of the restaurant manager drowned him out. “Is everything to your liking, Mr. Washington?” The Italian man, aged about sixty, had a large stomach concealed by a tacky gold and black silk dress shirt. His square face was a terrain of wrinkles, eclipsed by a bumpy nose and light brown eyes the size of marbles. This was the man's third trip over to the table, despite Kale telling him he wanted to enjoy a quiet meal with his friend.

“Everything is great, Mr. Ambrosia.”

The manager's untimely interruption gave Ebony the chance to regroup. Kale had been flirting with her ever since they sat down. Normally she laughed off his comments and jokes, but tonight there was something in his grin that made her uneasy. Ebony needed his help, but she wasn't going to do anything to compromise her integrity.

“Anything else I can get you? Wine? Coffee?” the manager queried eagerly. “We've introduced new dessert menus since the last time you were here, Mr. Washington.”

Kale forced a polite smile. His voice was terse when he declined the offer.

“Well, if you change your mind, let Tina know and she'll bring it right out.”

Kale nodded courteously and the man departed. “Where were we?”

“You were about to give me some advice.”

“Right. The first thing you need to do is revise your proposal. Lay out exactly what you intend to do to ensure the success of the new boutiques and come up with a…”

Ebony's heart jumped up into her throat when Xavier walked into the restaurant. It was as if time stopped. She no longer heard Kale's voice or the amiable chatter and laughter whirling around the room. All of her senses and emotions were focused on her ex. He walked tall, proud, confident. And in a cream polo shirt, khaki slacks and open-toed sandals he looked absolutely delicious. Ebony recognized the shirt as one of the pieces she had bought him during one of their many shopping sprees. The man looked hot. A certified ten. And she obviously wasn't the only woman who felt that way. A feeling of protectiveness washed over Ebony as she noticed other female patrons ogling him too.
Back off, vultures!

Ebony watched Xavier scan the restaurant and prayed he wouldn't see them. Sighing in relief when he turned back and spoke to the hostess, she guzzled down the rest of her water. Who is he waiting for? Is he on a date? She didn't have to wait long to find out the answer. Straining her eyes toward the lobby, she saw Xavier sling his arm around a fair-skinned woman who was rocking back and forth on her heels. Ebony gripped the side of the table, gasping for air: Jacqueline.

“Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost.”

I have
went unsaid. “I'm fine. Just a little warm. This place sure filled up fast.” Ebony used the next few minutes to gather her wits.
How could this be? Why did Xavier and Jacqueline drive halfway across town to come to the Indigo?

Ebony needed a plan—and quick. If Xavier saw her with Kale, he'd assume the worst and she didn't want him to think any less of her than he already did. It wouldn't matter that Kale was a husband and father and a prominent and respected figure in the community. Jacqueline would poison Xavier's mind with lies and that would dash all hopes of them ever getting back together.

I thought you were going to be about your business and forget you ever met Xavier Reed,
a voice in her head said.
Thought you were moving on.

“I am.”

“You're what?”

Ebony cleared her throat. She had spoken out loud and now Kale was staring at her like she'd been possessed by an evil spirit.

“Are you sure you're all right?”

“Fine.” It was an outrageous lie, but she couldn't very well tell Kale that her ex-boyfriend was here and she was terrified that he would get the wrong idea if he saw them together. Ebony was confused and all broken up inside, like a puzzle missing some pieces. On one hand, she was happy to see Xavier; on the other hand, she wished he was anywhere but here. She faced the window. It was going on eight o'clock and the sun would soon be making its descent, but for now it hung boldly in the sky, flaunting its beauty.

I have to find a way to get out of here without Xavier seeing me!
For a split second, Ebony thought of going to the women's bathroom and climbing out the window.
Don't be ridiculous! That's insane!
But when Xavier stepped into the dining area for a second time, and did another quick sweep of the room, her heart leaped into her mouth. Ebony politely excused herself from the table and hurried toward the bathroom.

“X
avier, let's go somewhere else. We've been waiting for almost thirty minutes,” Jacqueline whined, scrounging around in her purse. She pulled out a sandwich bag filled with animal crackers. Munching on one, she rested her hands on top of her stomach. “The baby's so hungry he's punching me!”

Chuckling, Xavier patted his sister's jean-clad leg. “Come on, Jackie. The hostess said we're next in line and besides, you're craving ribs and the Indigo makes the best ribs in town.” He winked. “Next to mine, that is.”

Jacqueline laughed. After a brief pause, she stared over at her brother. “How have you been? Have you spoken to
her
yet?” The words came out of her mouth with supreme disgust. Another animal cracker went into her mouth and disappeared.

Xavier didn't want to get into this with Jackie. The last seven days without Ebony around had been like living without the sun. Last night at Changing Lives Through Meals, everyone wanted to know where Miss Lady was. He'd had no choice but to tell them she went out of town on business. Xavier hated lying, especially in church, but he didn't think he could stand people asking him where she was when Friday night rolled around. “No, but I'm going to call her tonight.”

“You're making a mistake, Xavier. Trust me. She's nothing but a—”

“Save it, Jackie.” He raised a hand to silence her. “I've thought long and hard about this and there's nothing you can say to change my mind. What happened between Ebony and Malcolm was years ago and if I've learned anything from being involved with Changing Lives Through Meals it's that people
do
change.”

Jacqueline shook her head. “Not everyone. There are some people who never change, despite all the efforts of their family and friends.” She could tell he wasn't listening to her, so she put a hand on his shoulder and forced him to look at her. “That woman is completely wrong for you! And you and I both know women like
her
don't change. How do you know she's not going to hurt you the way Malcolm did me? How do you know she won't cheat on you?”

“Because I trust her.” Xavier's voice was louder and firmer than he'd intended. His sister just didn't get it. She didn't understand how much Ebony meant to him. His footing in life somehow felt more secure with her beside him. She was his sounding board; he could say anything to her without feeling like he had to explain himself. Ebony always seemed to understand where he was coming from. The decision to return to graduate school had been an easy one after talking things over with her, and she had even taken the time to help him fill out the necessary forms.

Xavier could kick himself. He had had a good woman behind him, and because of his insensitivity, he might have lost her forever. Ebony had awakened his heart with her sharp wit, uncompromising opinions and erotic sex appeal, and if she forgave him, he would spend the next thirty or more years making it up to her. Xavier wanted Ebony Denise Garrett as his lawfully wedded wife and he would go to any lengths to make it happen. Her commitment fears were rooted in her past—her parents' lackluster marriage, her own insecurities, her fear of abandonment—but that wouldn't stop him from loving her. Or making her Mrs. Xavier Reed.

“I'm going to marry her,” he told his sister, “so get used to her being around. Ebony means the world to me. I love her. Don't hold her past against her, Jackie. Give her a chance. I don't expect it to happen overnight, but I hope one day you'll find the courage to let go of your hatred for her.

“Malcolm didn't love you. I know that's hard to hear, but it's the truth. I believe Ebony when she said she didn't know he was married. The more I thought about what she told me, the more it made sense. I know her, Jackie. She's not the type of person who would intentionally hurt anyone. I love her and these past few days have been pure agony…” He trailed off.

Jacqueline regarded Xavier. His voice was thick with emotion, and for a second she thought he was going to cry. She took a few minutes to take a critical look at what he was saying, but she still couldn't share his faith in Ebony Garrett. Her brother was blinded by lust and he couldn't see the truth staring him in the face. Jacqueline wished Xavier would find someone else to love. Someone who didn't have a wild past. But she loved him dearly and wanted him to be happy. She would never truly accept his relationship with Ebony, but she wouldn't stand in his way.

Standing, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I'm going to go find out what's going on with our table. Be right back.”

Xavier was a foot away from the hostess when he spotted Ebony. She was sitting at the corner of the restaurant—alone. If it weren't for the hostess cleaning up a spill on that side of the room, he wouldn't even have noticed her. Xavier's feet turned to jelly but when Ebony's shiny come-kiss-me lips parted, he bypassed the hostess and headed straight for her table.

Ebony counted to five, and then pushed the air out of her lungs. She had three minutes to talk, give or take a few seconds, depending on how long Amelia kept Kale on the phone. “You're the last person I expected to see here,” she said, when Xavier reached her table. “It's Thursday night, don't you have a basketball game?”

“It got canceled. The coach of the opposing team had a family emergency,” he explained, inhaling her scent. Ebony was wearing the perfume he had picked out for her. It was called
Love Spells
and its fruity, aromatic scent evoked thoughts of the last night they had spent together. The wine, the music, the insatiable lovemaking. Xavier wrestled with his thoughts. There would be plenty of time to reminisce; right now, he had to make amends. He took in Ebony's tense facial expression and shifting eyes. She looked like she wanted to dive underneath the table.
Has it come to that already?
Xavier pushed away his fears and kept his tone light. “How have you been?”

Ebony sat back in her chair. She wanted to tell Xavier the truth, but she didn't know if she could trust him. When her friends asked how she was coping with the breakup, she responded with false enthusiasm. “I'm great,” she would say. “I couldn't be better,” and, “I don't need a man to make me happy.” All day long she pretended that life was perfect and cited reason after reason why: she had a thriving business; a beautiful home; money in the bank. But Ebony knew those things weren't enough. She wanted someone to share her life with. Deep down she was hurting bad. The pain was so deep and so raw Ebony didn't think she would ever heal. She longed to open her heart and tell him that she was dying without him in her life, but she lacked courage. Baring her soul would only leave her feeling more confused than she already was, so she put a bright smile on her face and said, “I've been busy. We have our last meeting with First National Trust in a week and we have a lot of work to do between now and then. I've been slacking off the last few weeks, so now it's time to burn the midnight oil.”

Was that a shot at me?

“How was Changing Lives Through Meals last night? I couldn't help thinking about Old Man Griffin as I ate my dinner.”
Alone,
Ebony wanted to add, but didn't.

“It's not the same without you,” Xavier admitted, helping himself to the chair across from her. Without thinking, he took her hands in his own. Fighting the urge to caress more than just her fingers, he held her gaze. Her lips were moist, slightly glossy, just the way he liked them. Xavier wanted what they used to have. He missed their playful banter, the sound of her laugh, the closeness and passion of their lovemaking, but most importantly, he missed talking to her. “Ebony, I can't stop thinking about you. I can't eat, I can't sleep and every time I hear a John Coltrane song, I feel like I want to…” Xavier stopped himself from saying more. It wasn't ever cool for a grown man to admit that a song made him cry. He searched Ebony's face for clues, but found nothing. His heart was racing, his throat was dry and he could feel perspiration crowning his forehead. When the silence became unbearable, he squeezed her hands. “Say something, anything. Tell me what's going on in your mind.”

“I don't know what to say.” That was another outrageous lie. Ebony wanted to be back in his arms. His embrace had always held warmth, comfort and security, and now more than ever she needed—no, wanted—his love.

“Xavier,” she began, unsure of what to say. Feelings of love and anger mingled as Ebony reflected on what had led them to this point. “Does Jacqueline know you're over here talking to me?” Ebony needed affirmation that his sister wasn't going to interfere in their lives anymore. If they were going to be a couple again, Xavier was going to have to put her feelings above those of everyone else. Just like she had done with him.

“The check's been taken care of, Ebony. We can leave anytime you're ready.” The sound of Kale's deep, masculine voice made Xavier's face turn to stone. He dropped her hands and stood abruptly.

Ebony directed her eyes at Kale.
Why couldn't you have stayed on the phone!

Tension hovered over the trio, ebbing and flowing like a great, mighty river.

Kale recognized the fair-skinned man. He remembered Ebony leaving the club with him the last time she came in. Extending his right hand, he said, “Hi. I'm Kale Washington.”

“I didn't realize you were…” Xavier couldn't finish. Couldn't make his tongue say the words. His gaze wavered between the couple, disbelief masking his face. “I better get going. Enjoy the rest of your
date.
” The last word rolled off his tongue like a four-letter curse word.

“Wait! Let me explain!” Oblivious to the inquiring glances from patrons at nearby tables, Ebony jumped from her seat and threw down her napkin. She hated the sound of her voice, hated that she was afraid and hated that they had come so close to reconciling without it happening. Pushing aside her feelings, she smoothed a nervous hand over her dress. Ebony couldn't let Xavier leave. If he walked out of the restaurant feeling and thinking the way he did, she might never see him again.

“Can you give me a moment, Kale?” Ebony didn't bother waiting for a response. She rushed after Xavier, almost plowing over a waitress carrying a tray of palatable desserts.

“Xavier, at least give me the chance to explain!”

Keep it together,
she willed herself, as she trailed him out of the dining area. Xavier was practically running to get away from her; Ebony had to take long strides to keep up with him. If the situation weren't so precarious, she would have laughed to the point of tears. Grabbing his forearm, she said, “What's
your
problem?”

“What's
my
problem?” Xavier turned around. Luckily they were the only two people in the waiting area and there was no one in hearing distance. “What's my problem? I'm not the one out on a date with a
married
man.” His eyes curved dangerously. “You're something else, you know that? We haven't been broken up a week but you're already dating someone else. A dried-up athlete at that.”

“First of all.” She glanced back and motioned with her head to Kale, who was chatting it up with a leggy blonde wearing a too-tight shirt. “We're not on a date, it's a business dinner. Secondly I would never think of taking up with Kale or any other married man.
Got it?
”

Her explanation sounded believable enough, but doubts stabbed his mind like fiery darts. Xavier had seen the way Kale Washington looked at her that night at the club and he hadn't liked it one bit. And tonight when Kale swaggered over to the table, it was apparent that he had more on his mind than just “business.”

Ebony watched Xavier, her mind rolling back to last Sunday, to the showdown with his sister. “Why do you care what I do with my time or whom I go out with? You dumped me like yesterday's trash, remember? ‘I need to talk to Jacqueline and see if it's all right to date you.'” Ebony did a horrible impersonation of him, but she made her point. She forced the shakiness out of her voice. “I'm not the one who chose my family over you, so don't you dare try to turn me into the bad guy. This meeting with Kale is business. That's it.”

Now Xavier was good and angry. She was playing the victim role. Carrying on as if she was innocent. His eyes narrowed on her face. “You know what your problem is? You hide behind your work and your deprived childhood to keep people from getting close to you. You push people away because you don't feel worthy of their love. That's why you fear commitment and marriage. It's not because you don't think you're cut out for it, it's because you're scared I'll leave you, just like your parents did.” Xavier broke off when he saw Ebony's face crumple. He had never seen her look so shaken, but if they were ever going to have a future together, she had to hear the truth. Hoping to soften the blow of his words, he reached out for her.

Ebony jerked her hand away. “Don't touch me.”

Xavier softened his voice. “You can't control our relationship the way you control your company. Love makes no promises and it has no guarantees. You might get hurt if you give your heart to someone, and then again, you might not. Love is a risk you just have to be willing to take.”