“I know. At first I thought he was yours, or at least hoped he was. He had your green eyes, so I was almost certain, but when I learned the truth, I realized he took after your mom.”
“How did you find out he wasn’t mine?” Omar asked.
“Cole demanded a paternity test,” she replied, plucking at her napkin. “At first I denied his request, but he kept asking, and I finally agreed because I wanted to be certain. When we found out the truth, I didn’t know how to tell you.” She grimaced.
“So the reason you always hated taking money from me, was because of Prince’s paternity.”
She nodded. “Omar, I didn’t want you to find out like that. I hate what Cole did. He was so… cruel.”
Omar ran a hand over his bald head and watch a couple pass by. “How long were you seeing him?”
“We started messing around, and a few months later I found out I was pregnant. I stopped sleeping with him right away. When Prince arrived, I was stressed out because you weren’t around, and I felt like I was raising him on my own. Your family was great, your mom was helpful and offered advice, but Cole was there too. I don’t know what prompted him to ask for the paternity test, but he did.” She paused and shifted in the chair. Her voice went lower as it filled with shame and guilt. “Knowing he was the father brought us closer together for a little while, and we started messing around again. I was lonely. Then you showed up unexpectedly for Prince’s birthday and found his boxers.”
Omar’s hand fisted on top of the table. “When I called you from the airport, he was there.”
She nodded, looking everywhere but at him. “He left quickly and left behind the evidence you found. Sometimes I wonder if he did it on purpose, I don’t know. After you left, I broke off the relationship, hoping you and I could work things out and get back together, but that never happened.”
Omar’s opinion concerning Athena and Cole didn’t improve, but at least now he understood the timeline and background facts.
Tears shimmered in Athena’s eyes. “I wish I could take back everything—the cheating, the lies. But if I did, then I wouldn’t have my baby boy, and I love my little prince to death.”
“What are you going to tell him about me and Cole? How are you going to explain this?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know yet.”
“We have to tell him the truth.”
“I know.” She sighed. “Do you know why Cole is here in Atlanta?”
“He told us he was on vacation,” Omar answered.
“Not quite. He got into trouble at the management firm where he works—worked, again. This time he got one of the admins pregnant, and they’re expecting a baby at the end of the summer. The owners asked him to leave, so he doesn’t have a job anymore. I know all of this because I’m friends with one of the assistants working there. He’s in Atlanta because he no longer has a job, and I don’t think he knows what to do with himself.”
Omar shook his head in disgust. As usual, his brother’s private life was a mess. “He’s like a big kid. I’m not surprised he’s in trouble again.”
They sat in silence for a while, and then Omar said, “I want to see Prince before you go back to New York.”
“Any time you want to see him is fine by me. He loves you, and I want him to have a positive man like you in his life.”
Her words crushed him, and he couldn’t bear their emotional weight at the moment. “I need to go.” Omar pushed back his chair and dropped a few bills on the table to cover the cost of the coffees.
“Omar.”
He stopped, body tensing as he braced for the words.
“I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
Regret filled Athena’s face and clouded her eyes. He’d loved her once and planned to make a life with her. What if he had never found those boxers tangled in the sheets? He would have married her and been raising his brother’s son as his own. She wanted sympathy, but all he saw was a liar and realized he’d barely escaped a life mired in deceit.
She wanted forgiveness, but he wasn’t in a place to offer absolution. Maybe in time his feelings would change, but right now his only concern was for Prince. He wanted the best for him, and moving forward they—he, Athena, and Cole—needed to come to an agreement about the role he would play in Prince’s life.
“I’ll call you,” he said, and walked away.
26
Dana waited outside the Atlanta airport terminal, searching for Omar’s white Escalade. Within a few minutes the vehicle came toward her and slid into place beside the curb. Omar hopped out, and she ran into his arms, squealing as he lifted her off the sidewalk and then gave her a hungry kiss.
“Missed you like crazy,” he murmured against her lips. “The past two weeks have been the longest of my life.”
Dana blushed at his exuberant welcome. “I’m glad to be home.”
“I want to hear all about your trip.”
While she climbed into the passenger seat, he placed her bags in the back and then climbed into the driver’s seat.
Though they talked a few times while she was away, the organizers of the writer’s retreat filled their days and nights with activities, which limited the amount of outside communication she made. She filled him in, explaining how the thirty authors split into five groups of six the first week and rotated, learning different aspects of writing. The second week they implemented the tips and guidelines they learned and critiqued each other.
“Long days, hard work, but I absolutely loved it,” she sighed.
“Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself.”
She squeezed his thigh. If not for him, she wouldn’t have been able to attend. “I learned so much and made new friends. I now have critique partners and accountability partners. With all this support, I should have a novel written by next year.”
“That’s what’s up. My girlfriend, the author.”
He was in a much better mood than when she left. He and Cole never repaired their relationship, and as far as Omar was concerned, they never would. He no longer wanted his brother in his life because Cole’s animosity ran deep.
He hadn’t fully adjusted to the new role of uncle, however, but at least Athena talked to Prince about the change. From what Omar told Dana, the little boy was very confused when his mother explained Omar was no longer his father. She said he took the role for a while, but now his real father, his uncle Cole, was taking over the role of father in his life. She couldn’t imagine the confusion the little boy felt but figured in time he would accept the change, and they could all eventually have a normal relationship.
Both Athena and Omar assured Prince that Omar would continue to be part of his life, which Omar wanted and even Cole agreed to. Omar loved Prince deeply, and his feelings didn’t change because he wasn’t his biological son.
Omar took Dana to his condo, where she showered and took a nap before the welcome-home dinner Omar promised over the phone. He told her to dress up because they were going to a very nice restaurant.
“You’re making such a fuss,” Dana said, spritzing perfume on her wrists.
“Like I said, I missed you like crazy.” Omar came up behind her and dropped a kiss to the sensitive spot behind her ear and patted her booty. She thrilled at his touch and smiled as he strutted into his large closet which doubled as a dressing room.
“Where are we going for dinner?” Dana asked.
“The restaurant at the Four Seasons,” he called out. “I booked a room there too, because I intend to get my drink on. We can spend the night and get up in the morning and have breakfast in the room.”
“Nice. A little staycation, which I absolutely need after working so hard for two weeks.” Dana added pins to her hair.
“I figured you would,” Omar said.
She finished pinning her hair into a thick ball on top of her head and strategically placed gold hair jewelry throughout. The final touch was a pair of gold drop earrings.
When Omar came out of the dressing room, she placed her hands on her hips.
“What do you think?” She did a slow turn, giving him a 360-degree view of her curves in a black and gold wrap dress, its neckline showing off her ample bosom.
Omar’s eyes lingered on the daring view of her right thigh at the split in the dress and slowly lowered to the gold heels adorning her feet. Biting his bottom lip, he shook his head.
“Damn, you look incredible, babe. Maybe we should stay in.”
“Uh-uh,” Dana said with a laugh, wagging her finger at him. “You promised me a nice dinner, and I’m holding you to it.”
He groaned. “Fine, but let’s eat fast.” He gave her a quick kiss and took her hand. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
They looked pretty darn good tonight, she in a new dress and Omar wearing a black shirt and black pants. When they arrived at the hotel, the valet took the Escalade and Omar took her hand in his. For them, holding hands, hugging, and kissing was the norm, an easy affection born from years of togetherness in a strong friendship.
They walked up the stairs to the second-floor restaurant where a host guided them to their table. They enjoyed a delicious three course dinner, drank most of a bottle of wine, and shared each other’s dessert at the end of the meal.
Omar glanced at his phone, the second time in the last five minutes.
“Is everything okay?” Dana asked.
His gaze flicked up to her. “Yeah, yeah. I’m expecting a message from my mother, and she hasn’t responded yet. I’m going to send her a quick text.”
He sent the text and then leaned forward, gazing into her eyes. “You ready to go to bed?” he asked, in a low voice.
“Yes,” Dana replied. “And since I’ve already taken a nap, I have a lot of energy.”
“Lucky me.”
Omar paid the bill and took her hand as they walked out of the restaurant. In the elevator with his arms around her, she leaned back into his solid chest and silently marveled at how much time she had wasted with other men, trying to find someone who made her feel as relaxed and cared for as Omar did.
They strolled out of the elevator on one of the upper floors, and as they made their way down the hall, a woman carrying large canvas bags came toward them. She glanced at Omar and gave a brief nod, then smiled at Dana as she passed.
Omar opened a door at the end of the hallway and let Dana precede him inside. The room was dark, but the curtains were open, and light from the nearby buildings cast a glow within.
“You got a suite,” Dana said. She turned to face Omar.
“Only the best for you,” he said, sounding solemn. He took her hand and kissed the back of her fingers. “Why don’t you go into the bedroom while I get a snack from the minibar. You want anything?”
“No thanks, I’m stuffed from dinner. How do you have room for a snack?” Dana teased.
She pushed open the double doors and didn’t take more than a single step before pulling up short. Candles were set up around the room along with huge bouquets of red roses and other flowers, their scent filling the air with a sweet aroma, and the entire scene giving the impression she had stepped into a candlelit garden.
More shocking than the beautiful display were the words written in red rose petals atop the white duvet on the bed.
Will you marry me?
Clutching a hand to her chest, Dana swung to face Omar, but her gaze dipped lower to him on one knee. A beautiful oval-cut diamond ring lay nestled in a box in his hand.
“Omar…” she breathed.
“I’m going to keep this short.” He smiled. “Dana, I love you. Damn, I love you, babe. I’ve loved you for years and for so many reasons—your sense of humor, your kindness, and the way you always have my back. The time we spent together this summer made me realize how important you’ve become to me. I want to grow old with you. I want to keep whooping ass in spades, with you across the table as my partner, for the next seventy-five years. There are so many more things I want to do in life, and I want to do them all with you. Would you grant me the honor of becoming my wife… forever?”
Dana nodded vigorously. “Yes. Yes!”
Omar slipped the ring on her finger, and when he stood, he pulled her against his chest and kissed her hard on the mouth.
“I love you so much,” he whispered huskily.
She gazed up at him with tear-filled eyes. “I love you too, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
***
I hope you enjoyed this story! Have you read about rapper T-Murder and his ex-wife in Quicksand book #2? Learn more about him and his cheating ways, and how he wins back his ex-wife in Without You.
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Newsletter subscribers, I have a treat for you! You’re cordially invited to the wedding of Anton Bevins and Tamika Jones. Spend a little more time with this couple and their friends at Lion Mountain Vineyards, after a few bumps along the way, of course. Click here to download Night and Day - a Quicksand bonus story, which I wrote just for you. Available for a limited time. Enjoy!
Also by Delaney Diamond
Enjoy other books in the Quicksand series!
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A Powerful Attraction (Quicksand #1)
Alex Barraza was only supposed to have dinner with his employee, Sherry Westbrook, but their attraction cannot be denied. They decide to keep their affair a secret, but what happens when Sherry learns the truth about him?
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Without You (Quicksand #2)
After years of cheating, Charisse finally walked away from Terrence “T-Murder” Burrell, but he wants her back. When trust is broken, can it ever be repaired?
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Never Again (Quicksand #3)
Carlos Hortado receives a second chance to be with the woman he left three years ago. But he has a secret. When Carmen finds out, will she be the one to walk away this time?
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Night and Day (Quicksand #4)
Anton doesn’t know what to think of the sexy, baseball-bat-wielding firebrand who disturbed his weekend rest. But somehow he gets sucked into her charms, and after one night together, he can’t get Tamika off his mind.
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What She Deserves (Quicksand #5)
Layla Fleming has changed since her breakup with Rashad Greene, and a sex-only arrangement is all she’ll consider now. But will that be enough for him?
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The Friend Zone (Quicksand #6)
They have a great friendship, but a new man makes Omar risk their relationship to show Dana once and for all he’s the only man she’ll ever need.
Audiobook samples and free short stories available at www.delaneydiamond.com.
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About the Author
Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sweet, sensual, passionate romance novels. Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, she now lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She reads romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of nonfiction. When she’s not busy reading or writing, she’s in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale.
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The Friend Zone Page 14