An Unexpected Love (Women's Fiction/BWWM Romance)

by Stacy-Deanne

  “You said your mom’s working a late shift?” Shanti asked.

  “Yep.” A.C. took his baseball cap off and turned on the overhead light. “She’s a nurse. She works at Ben Taub.”

  “Oh.” Shanti fidgeted with her arms in her pocket.

  “Relax, baby.” Khalil poked her in the side when he passed. “Y’all want something to drink? Got some forties.”

  “I’ll take one,” Aliyah said.

  Shanti grabbed her hand. “No you won’t. You’re not drinking any forty.”

  “And who are you? My guardian?” Aliyah asked as she flounced over to A.C.

  Shanti huffed, “Lord knows you need one.”

  She caught Khalil staring and quickly turned away. “Do I make you nervous?” he asked.

  “No.” Shanti shivered. “Why…why you say that?”

  “Because…” He puffed the cigarette. “Your voice is shaking, and you keep looking around like something’s gonna jump out at you.”

  “I’m…I’m fine.” She backed into the television. “Shit.”

  They laughed.

  “Relax, girl. I don’t bite.” Khalil took the cigarette out of his mouth. “That is unless you want me to.”

  Shanti moved in behind A.C. and Aliyah. A.C. whispered in Aliyah’s ear and she nodded.

  “Say, uh…” He pointed to Khalil. “We gonna go upstairs for a few minutes.”

  “All right, playa.” Khalil nodded.

  A.C. took Aliyah’s hand as he told Khalil and Shanti, “Y’all get acquainted.”

  “Wait.” Shanti rushed in front of them. “Where are you going, Liyah?”

  “I’m just going upstairs.”

  “Where upstairs?” Shanti shifted her weight to one side.

  “Where do you think? In case you forgot, I came here to spend time with my man.” Aliyah put her arm around A.C.’s waist. “It’s bad enough you called Momma like a baby. Can’t you sit out here for ten minutes by yourself? Nobody’s gonna bother you.”

  Khalil leaned back and looked at Shanti.

  She whispered in Aliyah’s ear, “Don’t leave me alone with him.”

  Aliyah pushed her. “Girl, please.”

  “I don’t like the way he’s looking at me.”

  “I’ll be back,” Aliyah said. “If he does anything, just scream and I’ll kick his ass.”

  She and A.C. left the room as Shanti exhaled, “Shit.”

  “Why don’t you sit down?” Khalil rubbed the spot beside him on the couch. “We can get to know each other a little better.”

  She crept toward the front of the couch. “I don’t wanna get to know you.”

  “I wanna know you.” He removed his cap and scratched his head. He had pretty, wavy hair cut low. “Why don’t you wanna know me?”

  “No offense, but I don’t wanna be here. I just came because I’m worried about my sister.”

  “Why?” He straightened up. “A.C.’s cool. He really likes her.”

  He stared at her blouse and she crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Would you stop staring at me? You’ve been doing it the whole time.”

  “What can I say?” He leaned forward. “You put a beautiful woman in front of me, and I’m gonna look, girl.”

  She tried to steady her shaking hand to check her watch.

  He grunted. “Man, why you so nervous?”

  “I’m not nervous.” She sat way on the other end of the couch. “And stop staring at me.”

  He flicked the cigarette in the ashtray. “How old are you?”

  “Sixteen.”

  “I just turned twenty.” He turned the television on Showtime but kept the sound low. “What’cha wanna watch?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Look, I’m just trying to be nice.” He set the remote beside him. “What school you go to?” he asked as he put his arm on the back of the couch.

  “Why do you care?”

  “Are you always so mean?” He scooted closer. “What school you go to, girl?”

  “Lamar.”

  “I went to Madison.”

  She gasped, “You graduated?”

  “Yeah, I graduated. I’m not stupid. I got a job too. I work at Kinkos.”

  Shanti glanced toward the doorway. “Man, Liyah needs to come on. What are they doing? We need to go.”

  “What do you think they’re doing?” He stuck the cigarette back in his mouth. “They’re doing what we could be doing.”

  Just as he scooted closer, Shanti stood. “Back off! Nothing—and I mean nothing—is going to happen between you and me.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yeah, it’s right.”

  “Why?” He put his foot up on the coffee table. “You got a boyfriend?”

  “No.”

  He blew smoke in her direction. “You want one?”

  “You’re not my type, believe me,” she spat as she got out her phone.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Calling my mom to come get us.”

  “Wait a minute.” He stood and put his hand on hers. “Don’t do that. I’m just being friendly.”

  “I…I just wanna go.”

  “You don’t have to be nervous.” He sat back down. “Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. We can just watch TV.”

  Reluctantly, Shanti sat down.

  “Hey…” He reached for her. “Can I have your…”

  “No, you can’t have my number.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Valerie ducked behind the corner when she saw David and Corrine by the kitchen sink.

  Corrine wet a paper towel as she asked David, “Hasn’t anyone told you not to dance with a drink in your hand?” Then she began to wipe punch off the front of David’s shirt.

  They laughed and Valerie made a fist. That little bitch.

  “There you go.” Corrine finished wiping. “You’re just as perfect and handsome as ever.”

  David stared at Corrine like a lovesick teenager. “Thank you.”

  You do want to fuck her don’t you? Valerie dug her fingernails into her palm. You bastard.

  “You don’t have to thank me.” Corrine brought her hand down his shirt. “I love this shirt by the way. It looks real good on you.”

  He cleared his throat. “Thanks. And that dress…” He swallowed. “It looks amazing on you.”

  Corrine smiled. “You look like you were having a lot of fun out there.”

  David kept that silly gaze. “Yeah, and it’s been a while.”

  Valerie walked away. You think you haven’t been having fun now then wait until we get home, asshole.

  ****

  “I take it you’ve missed me,” Cross said over the phone.

  “’Course I have.” Layla sat on the bed in her parents’ guestroom with her cellphone. “You always brightened my day.”

  “Maybe my news will brighten your night. I’ve started the process to get released.”

  “What?!” She shrieked. “You mean it?”

  “Yes.” He laughed. “I never would’ve had the courage to do that without you. I knew it was time, but you pushed me and I needed that. Anyway, the doctors weren’t gonna let me stay much longer. They knew what I was up to.”

  “That’s great, Cross. Guess what?” She lay down on the bed. “I’m officially going back to work. I can’t wait to get back to it.”

  “Have you heard from Patrick? Unless he’s a bigger fool than I think he is, I’m sure he still wants you back.”

  “Patrick and I are over for good.” She leaned up on her elbow. “I’m ready for new beginnings with new people.”

  “And a new love?” Her heart fluttered as he continued to woo her. “I can’t wait to be with you again. We’re gonna have so much fun.”

  “I dreamed of you being released.” She grabbed the pillow. “If I were still at Wellington you wouldn’t have wanted to leave, would you?”

  “After you left, I realized how empty my life’s been. I want my life back, and I can’t le
t fear stop me. Whatever happens, I’ll just have to deal with it.”

  She smiled. “We’ll just have to deal with it.”

  “That’s right.”

  She checked her watch. “I gotta go get my daughters.”

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  She left the room and walked down the hall. “It will be if they don’t get back here before I leave this house. I’ll see you.” She hung up and went downstairs.

  Just then, Aliyah and Shanti walked through the front door. Warren stuck his head out the living room. “Where you two been?”

  Layla stood in the hall with her back erect like a sergeant.

  “Hey, Momma.” Shanti kissed Layla’s cheek. “We’re back. Everything is okay.”

  “The hell it is.” Layla crossed her arms. “What you did tonight is inexcusable. You know you don’t ever go off with boys I don’t know unless I say it’s okay. Now, Liyah—”

  Liyah brushed past Layla. “I gotta go to the bathroom.”

  “Wait a minute!” Layla followed her to the stairs. “Liyah, I’m talking to you!”

  Liyah continued up the stairs, ignoring her mother.

  ****

  “Boy, that was nice, wasn’t it?” David drove down Westheimer and stopped at a red light. “I’m glad we could get out and have some fun.”

  Valerie tapped her fingers against the door.

  “Yeah uh…” David glanced at her as he cruised through the green light. “Layla looked good, didn’t she? I mean she always looks good, but she looked refreshed and…”

  Valerie wiggled in the seat with her eyes straight ahead.

  “Okay, what’s wrong?” David asked as he made a left. “Did I do something?”

  “You tell me.”

  “How can I tell you, when I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about?” He rested his hand on the steering wheel. “Can’t we get through one damn day without arguing?”

  “Are we arguing?” She glared at him. “I haven’t said a damn thing.”

  “That’s right.” He jerked up in the seat. “If you’re pissed, you can at least say why.”

  “I don’t know if I wanna even go there with you tonight.” She took her earrings off. “I’m tired, and maybe I should restrain myself before I do something I’ll regret.”

  “No, don’t restrain.” He motioned to her. “You got something to say, then say it. It’s never stopped you before.”

  “Okay.” She placed her earrings in her right hand. “I want the truth. If you lie, it’s gonna get ugly.”

  He exhaled. “Lord, have mercy.”

  “First, do you think I’m stupid, David?” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “How many times I gotta tell you I’m not?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about you and that…my sister…in the kitchen. What was that?”

  “You’re talking about Corrine?”

  “No, I’m talking about Oprah! Yes, I’m talking about Corrine, fool.”

  “Nothing was going on.”

  She propped her arm on the armrest. “I don’t call her standing close to you and rubbing your shirt nothing, David.”

  “I was dancing, and I spilled juice on my shirt.” He pointed to the faded stain. “She took me into the kitchen to wipe it off. That’s all, Val. She was just being nice.”

  “And what were you doing? Besides standing up there with your tongue hanging out?”

  “Just ease up, okay?” He sped up. “I didn’t do shit, and you can’t say I did.”

  “She was all over you, and you weren’t discouraging her.”

  “She was wiping my shirt!” He hit the steering wheel. “God damn it, Val. This is ridiculous.”

  “What’s ridiculous is you thinking I’m gonna just sit back while you flirt with my sister.”

  “I was not flirting with Corrine. Urgh!” He huffed and puffed. “I tell you, I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”

  “I better not catch you alone with her again.”

  He looked at her. “Excuse me?”

  “Here are the rules...”

  “Rules?” He laughed. “Maybe you should’ve been in Wellington instead of Layla, because you’ve lost it.”

  She pinched his ear. “You call this losing it?!”

  “Ow!”

  “You wanna see somebody lose it, let me catch you alone with her again! I mean that, David. I forbid you to see Corrine unless I’m with you.”

  “Are you insane, woman?” He rubbed his throbbing ear. “You’re giving me rules?”

  “You damn right.”

  “What’s gotten into you? Why are you so insecure when it comes to Corrine?”

  “I don’t trust her for nothing, and you know that. She always wants what I got. She stole my chance of having a baby. She’s not getting my husband too.” She moved her seatbelt off her breast. “No fuckin’ way.”

  “I love you.” He patted her thigh. “Corrine’s no threat to you.”

  “Funny.” She pushed his hand off her thigh. “The way you looked at her and smiled at her tonight makes me think otherwise.”

  “You say she’s jealous of you.” He looked ahead. “But it’s starting to look the other way around to me.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Two Weeks Later

  “Okay, we need to get this stuff done!” Layla scurried around the kitchen of Royal Delights. “Come on! You guys need to hurry up. Mrs. Schmitt’s garden party is at noon.” She scampered past her busy staff. “We should’ve gotten this stuff on the road twenty minutes ago.” She scribbled on her clipboard. “For God’s sake…get the lead out…please, Javier.”

  “Almost done, ma’am.” The petite, Hispanic man struggled to get the hors d’oeuvres packaged.

  Layla walked through the massive kitchen full of stainless steel and frantic employees.

  “I don’t mean to keep harping on you guys, but this a big deal. Please, don’t pick today to be late.” She tapped her pencil against the clipboard. “We need to have the van loaded now. Please!”

  A pale, skinny redhead rushed up to Layla. “Calm down, Lay.”

  “It’s no calming down.” She flipped through her clipboard. “This is a very important engagement, and Mrs. Schmitt is a huge client.”

  “I know…but…”

  “She’s a councilwoman, Ariel. Do you know how many high-society events this woman goes to on a weekly basis?” Layla snapped her fingers. “Pick it up, guys! We need to get this stuff on the truck!”

  “Okay.” Alan wrapped the cheese and fruit platters.

  “Lay, listen.” Ariel tried to take the clipboard. “Please, just settle down.”

  “I’m fine.” She faked a smile. “Tre?” She pointed her pencil to the skinny black guy in the back.

  Tre looked up from the cupcakes. “Ma’am?”

  “Don’t put the frosting on the cupcakes yet. Must I remind you this is Houston? It’s hot as hell. The frosting will melt off before the food gets there.”

  He stepped away from the cupcakes. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Lay?” Ariel followed her to the back of the kitchen.

  “Alan.” Layla moaned. “It takes you this long to wrap up some platters?”

  He dipped his head. “I’m almost through.”

  “Lay?” Ariel took her hand. “Listen. I think you need to take it easy.”

  “Where’s Jeanne?” Layla rushed to the doorway of the kitchen. “Jeanne!”

  “Ooh.” Ariel covered her ears.

  “Jeanne?!” Layla screamed.

  A round-faced black woman with a short afro hurried to them. “Don’t worry, Lay. The ice cream cake is packed and on the truck.” She gave a thumbs-up. “I got you.” Jeanne flounced away.

  “Thank God I can always depend on Jeanne to do what she needs to do.” Layla checked the ice cream cake off her list. “Let’s go, guys! God damn, Alan, I could’ve wrapped a hundred of those things in this amount of time.”


  “The plastic keeps breaking.” He pulled plastic wrap from the container. “It’s cheap.”

  “Cheap?” Layla put her hand on hip. “Do you know how much that stuff costs me a month? Hurry up, please.”

  “Layla?”

  “What, Ariel?” Layla swung around and nearly bumped into her. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” Ariel touched Layla’s shoulder. “You need to relax, seriously. Don’t get so worked up. Everything will be fine.” She took the clipboard. “Let me oversee this, and you go to lunch.”

  “Ariel.” Layla’s shoulders dropped. “You don’t have to treat me like an invalid.”

  “I know, but I’m worried, honey. You haven’t been back that long, and it already seems too much for you.”

  “It’s not, trust me.” Layla put her arm around Ariel’s shoulders. “I might seem overwhelmed or frantic, but I’m happy!” She twirled around in a circle. “You don’t know how much I missed this place.”

  “We missed you too, but I just don’t want you to…”

  “Have another breakdown?” Layla tugged on Ariel’s red locks. “I won’t. I promise.”

  Ariel sighed, “You can’t promise that.”

  “I’m fine, girl.” Layla took the clipboard back. “I’m better than I have been in a long time.”

  Jeanne walked in. “Layla? There’s a man in your office to see you. Someone named Cross Evers.”

  “Cross?” Layla ran out of the kitchen and down the hall to her office. She stopped at her door, collected herself, and then went inside.

  Cross turned from the window. “Hey.”

  “Cross?” Layla dropped the clipboard on the table and ran to him. “I didn’t know you were released yet!” She hugged him. “I’m so happy to see you.”

  “Wow.” He laughed. “I expected a warm welcome, but not this. I’m not complaining though.” He held her waist. “You look wonderful.”

  “Me?” She gestured to his crisp slacks and blazer. “I had no idea you looked so good in a suit. Why are you wearing a suit?”

  “I guess I wanted to impress you.”

  “You didn’t have to put on a suit to do that.” She stopped giggling when she realized how silly she must’ve looked. “I feel so excited. It’s like Christmas.”