“I was beginning to think you were avoiding me,” she stated as they strolled through the bedding department, looking for a new comforter. This was the third store they had gone to. Tamara was frustrated because her mother couldn’t seem to make up her mind.
“Mama, I told you I was on a huge deadline.” She fingered the delicate lace sewn along the edge of a bedspread. “Just because I’m home all of the time and not in an office doesn’t mean that I’m not working. I don’t have all day to just shop like you do.”
“Maybe if you had a husband, you wouldn’t have to work so hard,” Jillian pointed out. “Or if you’d just take the money I’ve put away for you—”
“Mama, please don’t start…. I love what I do and I don’t mind working for a living.” She prayed her mother would move on to something else. Tamara was struggling to keep her frustration out of her voice.
Jillian would not let up. “Tamara, I’m just saying that it would be nice to have someone to come home to—wouldn’t you agree?”
“I’m happy with my life,” Tamara stated. “I wish you would just accept me as I am.”
“All I want is the best for you. Why can’t you understand that? Like this money I fought so hard to get for you. After everything that’s happened, you deserve every penny.”
“Mama, I don’t need blood money,” Tamara snapped.
Jillian’s face paled. “I made sure you had a good college education and I secured your future. That money belongs to you, Tamara. Lucas Devane was a horrible husband and worse as a father. He owes you.”
“Mama, please be honest with me for once,” Tamara implored her. “You’re the one who didn’t want to work or give up a life of luxury. You didn’t do this for me and Callie. It was all about you.”
“How can you say that?”
“I know what you did, Mama,” Tamara stated. “I heard you that night on the telephone with him.”
Jillian didn’t respond immediately.
After a tense moment, she said, “I know how it must have sounded to you, but you need to understand that everything I did was for you and Callie. Do you know what this would do to your sister if she knew what happened?”
Tamara leaned forward. “I would never say anything to her, Mama,” she said in a low voice. “I don’t want Callie to know the kind of man her father really is. It would devastate her.”
“My mother was right about him as much as I hate to say it,” Jillian uttered. “She could see right through him. I was a young widow with a small child. I thought that he loved me. He did in the beginning….”
“I really don’t want to talk about Lucas,” Tamara stated.
“Did you ever find that necklace your grandmother gave you?” Jillian asked. “I’ve been meaning to ask about it, but with the wedding plans, I simply kept forgetting to mention it.”
“I lost it in college, Mama. I’m never going to find it. I hate it, too. I really loved Grandmother’s locket.”
“I still think it’s in some of your boxes. One day we should go through all of them. You need to get rid of some of that stuff. I’m taking my old bedding along with some other things to a Goodwill donation office. You should donate whatever you’re not using, too.”
Jillian pointed to the bed on display in front of them. “What about this one? It’s gorgeous and very feminine.”
“It’s nice,” Tamara agreed. “I could see that in your bedroom.”
She wanted to do a praise dance when her mother decided to purchase the comforter set. Tamara was tired and wanted to get back home so that she could take a nap.
Jillian offered to buy her lunch, but Tamara begged off. After promising to call her mother later, she got into her car and left Sak’s Fifth Avenue department store.
During the drive home, Tamara’s thoughts traveled to Micah.
The article on Justice Kane was finished and e-mailed to her editor. Samantha would forward a copy on to Micah for his approval. Tamara had been tempted to send the article directly to him herself, but it felt like she was trying to force her way into his life.
As much as Tamara loved him, she did not want to be with a man who didn’t want to be with her. The thought that he had used her for sex kept creeping into her mind, but Tamara fought off the belief that Micah was that type of man.
She felt like they were in some type of crazy cycle. Ten years ago, she’d mistakenly believed he would do something like that and had been wrong.
It’s time to move on. I’m never going to get the answers I need because the one man who can give them to me, won’t talk to me.
“This is so crazy,” she whispered. “I need to get this man out of my head.”
At home, Tamara curled up with a pen and her journal on her sofa in the den.
September 15
Mama drafted me to help her redecorate her bedroom. As always, our talks come down to finding a husband or accepting that blood money from Lucas Devane. I don’t like losing my patience with her, but she just won’t give up.
I still have not heard anything from Micah, but it’s not like I seriously expected to hear from him. He’s good at holding grudges real or imagined.
I thought that I would get over Micah eventually, but it has not happened yet.
I still love him as much as before. There are times when I feel nothing but anger toward him because of the way he dumped me, but then again, it doesn’t really matter.
If Micah doesn’t want to be with me then—I don’t want to be with him either. Life is way too short to waste it. I decided a long time ago that I would enjoy whatever time I have left in this world.
I’ve finally put the disappointment and pain from my past behind me, and I’ve opened my heart to love.
I want to be happy.
That’s not asking too much, is it?
Despite Sunni’s constant, self-absorbed chatter, Micah could not get Tamara off his mind. He had been trying to flush her out of his system since the day he threw her out of the house.
As promised, Micah received an advance copy of the feature story Tamara wrote on Justice Kane. It would not be on the stands for another couple months. He had to admit that it was actually an excellent piece of work. Micah couldn’t deny that she was a very gifted writer.
Before returning to his office, Micah decided to stop at the jewelry store to pick up a watch he had repaired. “I need to stop at Wyndham Jewelers,” he announced to Sunni. “I need to pick up my watch.”
“Not a problem, honey,” she stated.
Sunni picked him up in her brand-new Mercedes luxury sedan. It was her gift to herself. She told him that she enjoyed being pampered, but if she couldn’t get a man to buy it for her, then she would just buy it.
He supposed her comment was to be a hint for him; however, Micah chose to ignore it.
Sunni parked her car in front of the store.
While inside the store, a necklace caught Micah’s attention. It looked familiar to him. He searched his memory, trying to recall where he’d seen it before.
Micah stole a peek over his shoulder where Sunni stood, checking out the engagement rings and her cell phone glued to her ear.
Micah wavered a moment, trying to comprehend what he was about to do. “Could you please box up this necklace, earrings and the matching bracelet?” he asked in a low whisper. “I’ll be getting those, too.”
The salesclerk eyed Sunni, smiled and nodded.
Micah could not believe what he was doing. Why am I buying something like this for her? She doesn’t deserve it.
Micah couldn’t explain his actions but for once allowed his heart to lead. Maybe it was time that he finally took action. It was time for him to just go after what he wanted—make his intentions plain and clear for the last time.
The clerk handed him the bag containing his purchases and his newly repaired watch.
“Honey, come look at this,” Sunni said, gesturing for him to join her. Her excitement set off warning bells in his brain.
Mica
h walked over to where she was standing.
“Isn’t this gorgeous?” she asked with a big grin on her face.
He glanced down at the huge diamond engagement ring she was pointing at and said, “Yeah, it’s nice.” Micah made sure to keep his tone noncommittal.
“It would look beautiful on my hand, don’t you think?”
Micah shrugged. “I guess.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a photographer standing outside the store.
“I need to get back to the office,” Micah blurted. “We need to get going.”
Sunni rolled her eyes. “I just want to try it on. It won’t take long.”
Micah kept his frustration to a minimum. He could see the headlines tomorrow—Micah Ross and Sunni shopping for an engagement ring.
When she saw that he was not interested in rings or her for that matter, Sunni released a long sigh and grunted, “Let’s go.”
The photographer outside the store began snapping pictures as soon as they walked outside. Sunni went into model mode while he kept a blank expression behind dark designer sunglasses.
Once they were in the car, she said, “Now I see why you were acting so mean in the store.”
“I wasn’t being mean, Sunni. I just don’t want to be tomorrow’s headline.”
“Most people would kill for the kind of press that you get, Micah. I don’t know why you get so bothered by it. None of your artists would be the people they are without the media, you know.”
“I’m not saying that it doesn’t help. I just don’t want to be the one in the headlines. That’s all.”
“You need to get over yourself, Micah.”
He recalled seeing her on the phone earlier and asked, “Sunni, did you call that guy to tell him that we were at Wyndham’s?”
“Why would you ask me something like that?” she asked without looking in his direction.
“Because I know that you’ve done it before,” he stated. “Sunni, I told you before to never do that when you’re with me.”
“I didn’t call him,” she said.
“Good,” Micah responded. “I hope we have an understanding.”
“We do.”
Sunni dropped him off at the Ross Red offices and left to meet with her agent.
Micah had a strong suspicion that she had indeed given the photographer a tip as to their whereabouts. He was tired of being manipulated, and this time he was going to make sure Sunni understood or she would risk losing his friendship.
Just like Tamara.
However, he had some unfinished business with her. Micah planned to attend the college reunion in order to lay to rest his feelings for Tamara. Once he had the opportunity to say what needed to be said, Micah would be free to move on with his life.
He did not want to talk to Tamara over the phone. He’d speak his mind in person.
Tamara suddenly became dizzy and felt as if she were about to pass out while shopping for groceries. She left her items in the cart and went to sit down for a moment near the exit doors.
She glanced up at the clock. It was almost noon and Tamara skipped breakfast this morning, so she assumed that was the cause of her dizziness.
When Tamara felt strong enough to stand, she got up and walked over to the deli area. She purchased a sandwich and went back to the bench where she sat earlier.
She felt a little better after she ate.
Tamara returned to her cart, quickly scanning to see if anything was missing. Satisfied, she pulled her list out of her pocket and resumed shopping.
Her cell phone rang.
She saw that the caller was Callie.
“Hey, Sis,” she said in greeting. “I guess you and Bryant have finally come up for air. I haven’t talked to you in what? Three weeks or so. I guess married life is wonderful, huh?”
Callie laughed. “You should try it, Tamara. It’s great!”
Tamara groaned. “You’re not going to become Jillian Junior, are you?”
“No, you didn’t just say that,” her sister responded. “I was calling to see if you wanted to join me and Bryant for dinner tomorrow night. We can eat in or go out to a restaurant.”
“That will depend on whether or not you or Bryant is cooking,” Tamara replied.
“Ha-ha,” Callie uttered. “Bryant can do it.”
“Your husband is not going to work those long hours and then come on and cook dinner—not for me anyway. We can go out.”
A wave of dizziness swept through Tamara once more.
“Callie, can I call you later?” she asked. “I’m in the grocery store, and my signal isn’t strong. I’ll give you a call when I get home.”
She decided to finish her shopping another day. Tamara pushed the cart to the first available cashier and paid for her items.
When Tamera made it to her car, she climbed inside and sat there as she waited for the sensation of passing out to disappear as quickly as it had come.
What is going on with me? She wondered.
Tamara prayed that it wasn’t some type of virus going around. Luster magazine had a function on Friday night that she needed to attend, so she couldn’t afford to get sick two days before.
She hadn’t felt well for a few days now that she thought about it. Tamara was moody and tired a lot more than usual. She made a mental note to make an appointment with her doctor if her symptoms persisted.
Tamara met Callie and her brother-in-law at Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant in Buckhead.
“Thanks for inviting me to tag along with you two lovebirds,” she told them.
Callie gave her a hug. “Stop being so sarcastic. The only reason why you don’t have a man is because you’re so picky.”
Tamara glanced over at Bryant. “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
They were seated immediately.
“Are you feeling okay, Sis?” Callie inquired. “You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine,” Tamara said. She didn’t want to worry her sister, especially if it were just a twenty-four hour type of virus.
Callie scanned her menu. “Do you know what you’re getting as your entrée?” she asked Tamara.
“The petite filet with jumbo lump crab cake,” Tamara replied. “What about you? What are you ordering?”
“I think I’m going to get what you’re ordering. It sounds delicious. I know my husband will be getting the ribeye.”
Bryant nodded in agreement. “I love my ribeyes.”
The waiter arrived to take their drink orders.
While they waited for him to return, Tamara asked, “What are you guys doing this weekend?”
“We’re going to Hilton Head with Daddy. He wants to spend some time with us.”
At the mention of Lucas, her stomach turned and Tamara felt nauseous. She pretended to be engrossed in her menu.
“He asks about you all the time,” Callie stated. “He told me that he feels bad about the divorce and everything. I really hope that one day you will be able to forgive my father for divorcing Mama.”
The waiter returned, giving Tamara a reprieve. He gave them their drinks and then wrote down their order.
When he left, Tamara eyed her sister. “I hope this is not why you wanted me to meet you and Bryant for dinner. Lucas is out of my life, and that’s the way I want to keep it. I know he’s your father, but I want absolutely nothing to do with him.” She was tired of being manipulated.
Callie looked visibly upset. “What I want is for the two of you to get along. He’s my father, and you are my sister. What’s wrong with me wanting unity in my family?”
“I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with that, Callie. The reality is that your father and I aren’t even in each other’s radar, Sis. Getting along doesn’t apply to us. He’s your father. You have the relationship with him.”
“You have no idea how it makes me feel knowing that you and Mama hate my father.” Callie looked like she was about to cry.
“I don’t
hate Lucas—I don’t have any feelings about him whatsoever.”
“Tamara, that’s cold.”
Shrugging, she uttered, “It’s the truth.” Tamara took a sip of her sparkling water. “Why don’t we change the subject to something we can all agree on?”
Bryant reached over and took Callie by the hand. “Shall we tell your sister our news?”
Tamara piped up. “News? What news?”
“Bryant and I are having a baby,” Callie announced with a grin. “We’re pregnant.”
“Does Mama know?” Tamara asked. Her mother was going to be thrilled to be a grandmother. She could hear Jillian now, barking orders for a baby shower.
Callie shook her head no. “We don’t want to tell her until after the first trimester.”
“I thought you two were going to wait a couple years,” Tamara stated. “What changed your minds?”
“I wanted to start a family right away,” Bryant contributed. “I’m twelve years older than your sister, and I want to be able to play with my children without arthritis and gout setting in,” he added with a chuckle.
Her eyes traveled back to Callie, who said, “I’m happy about the baby.”
Tamara studied her sister’s face to see if she was telling the truth. She knew that Callie was deeply in love with Bryant. She looked really happy and in love.
Their food arrived.
“Mama told me that you spent some time with Micah while you were in Los Angeles. She thinks that you’re in love with him.”
Why couldn’t Jillian mind her own business?
“You know our mother,” Tamara stated. She stuck a forkful of crabmeat into her mouth, chewing slowly.
“So you’re not in love with him?” Callie inquired. “I thought he was your boyfriend in college.”
Tamara met her sister’s curious gaze. “We were just friends. He was my math tutor our freshman year, and we became friends after that. Callie, do me a favor and stop listening to Mama. When the time is right, I’ll find my man. In the meantime, I don’t need or want any help.”
Teach Me Tonight Page 11