“Aw, Marica has a crush on the doctor that’s going to be all up in her cat,” I tease.
“You’re such a fool,” she giggles.
I lean over and kiss her cheek. “This is why you love me. Welcome home, cuz. You’re stuck with me now.”
Chapter 4
Meddling Moms
Divine
“No, I didn’t like that color. I’m going to need you to revise that one,” I say into the phone as I look in the mirror and turn side to side.
I’m getting dressed to head out to another barbeque at my parents’ house. These jeans are hugging my covers right. I place a hand over my belly. My waist is snatched now but in a few months I’m going to have a little baby growing in there.
“Divine, we should be going to production. If we—”
“Hold on. I asked you to redo that color months ago. I remember being very clear that it wasn’t the color or consistency that’s up to par with my brand. Fix it,” I snap.
There’s a brief pause and I know it’s because he’s rolling his eyes and cursing me out on the other end. It’s okay. I’ll be leaving Darian and his attitude behind next quarter.
“I’ll have them work on it. Can you come in next week to give your approval?”
“Let me know when and I’ll be there,” I say.
“Okay. Anything else?”
“Nope, you enjoy your weekend,” I say and hang up.
Looking at the time, I frown and start out of my room. My heels click as I jog down the stairs. I head to get the potato salad from the refrigerator and grab the jug of Rum punch I promised my father. With my purse, keys, and my things for the cookout, I head out to my car.
A groan slips from my lips when I see Melvin outside trimming his rose brushes. He looks up and smiles that goofy smile of his. I still can’t believe my mother suggested I give serious thought to going out on a date with this guy.
“Hey there neighbor,” he says and waves at me like Forrest Gump.
“Hey, Melvin. How are you?” I say politely.
He crosses over my lawn to help me open my car door. Okay, he can be a sweet guy, but that’s still a no. I get my things into the backseat and close the door.
“I’m even better now that I’ve seen you today,” he says.
I open my door to make my quick escape. “That’s so sweet of you. You enjoy your day.”
“Hold on. I wanted to ask if you took any more thought about my offer for dinner. I know this great steakhouse.”
The hope in his eyes makes me feel bad. He truly is nice. That’s why I refuse to lead him on.
I would never go on a date with him. It’s not just the fact that he’s nerdy, and not the type of nerdy I can be about business. We have nothing in common. We hung out when I first moved in. I invited him over to my housewarming after he helped me move some things.
He lingered when my guests started to leave and we talked. I can tell you we’re are so far from being a match we’d be in the lost sock draw and still wouldn’t be worn together. In this case opposites do not attract whatsoever.
“Melvin, you’re a sweet guy, but I’m not looking to date or get into a relationship. I’m not going to lead you on and make you think I am,” I say and give him an apologetic smile.
“Oh, well, I can’t fault you for that. I… um… if you change your mind you know where to find me,” he says.
“Sure do. Later,” I say and climb into my car.
I turn the radio up and head to my parents’ house. Looking in the rearview mirror, I see the poor guy standing staring after me. I hope he finds someone nice for him.
***
“Divine,” my mother calls from in the house.
“Oh boy,” I whine and stomp my foot. I was just about to sit down and dig into my second plate of ribs. I’ve been avoiding my mother all afternoon.
“You better get in that house,” my brother Lance says.
My sister giggles as she pulls my plate toward her. “You didn’t need this anyway.”
I slap Patience’s hand and take my plate with me. This could take a while and I’m not chancing my Daddy’s barbeque running out. He smoked these ribs and made the sauce from scratch. Everyone out here has been licking their fingers and smacking their lips.
I step into the house to find my mother at the dining room table. I take a deep breath and sit down in the seat beside her. I know what’s coming before she opens her mouth.
“How was the appointment?”
“Everything went well. It was mostly an initial exam and consultation so I’d know what to expect and they did some blood work. If everything goes as planned, I’ll be expecting in a few months.”
She twists her lips to the side. “A few months?”
“Yes. The doctor couldn’t fit us both in at the same time for another two months. We had to wait a little bit to do this together,” I say.
My mother watches me for a moment. I start to tuck into my plate while she figures out what she wants to say. If my mouth is full of food, I won’t get my teeth knocked out by telling her to mind her damn business. Not that I would dare, I haven’t lost my mind. Janise Favors is not the one.
“Baby, I understand things happened to put you off of men. You’ve never told me what but I know something happened before you dropped out of college,” she pauses.
The concern in her eyes worries me that she thinks something much worse than the truth went down. I blow out a breath. This is her way of asking what happened.
I’ve avoided sharing this with my mom for years. My parents never knew why I dropped out. They just supported the decision. Not like my siblings. They made a big deal and tried to talk me into going back.
“Remember Gable?” I say softly.
“Yeah, the guy you were dating for a little while, Freshman year,” she says.
I nod and push my plate away. “Yup, him. I looked up one day and realized I was wasting you guys’ money. I knew more than most of my professors. I started to grow tired of listening to things I knew wouldn’t benefit where I was headed.
“I always knew I had no plans of using a degree to get a job. I had other ideas. I was so excited about my epiphany, I ran right to Gable’s dorm to tell him I planned to drop out and start my business.” I take a moment as the pain slices in. “I was right outside his dorm room when I heard them.”
I close my eyes as the memory comes back full force. My stomach twists with hurt and anger. A bitter taste fills my mouth.
“You still seeing that black girl?” A male voice drifted out into the hallway.
“Yeah.”
“So have you closed the deal? You’re the only one that hasn’t completed this task.”
“Shouldn’t you be worried about your own score card?” Gable said.
“You guys totally cheated me on the Latina chick. I should’ve gotten an extra hundred points for her big ass. Dude, what are you waiting for? You get extra points for her being so fucking black. Damn, I wish I saw her first. All that dark ass skin.”
“I didn’t wait around for Gable’s response. I was too hurt and disgusted. I came home that night. I was done with that place and him,” I say to my mom. “I blocked his number too.”
“Oh, honey. Not all men are assholes. I thought he was nice, but your father didn’t like that boy. Although, I think we both picked up on something being off with him.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
She reaches to cup my cheek. “Div, whenever we tell you, you can’t or shouldn’t do something you drive harder to do it. It was best to let you do your thing.”
I give a shaky smile, she’s right. I cover her hand with mine and look her in the eyes. “So why do you keep telling me not to have this baby?”
She gives a deep laugh and moves to brush a hand over my hair. “I keep asking myself the same thing. Your hardheaded ass will run face first into this. I’ve always thanked God that you land on your feet every time. Hell, my baby rises to the top with every challe
nge.
“I used to whip your brothers and sister’s ass for telling you what you could and couldn’t do. They were always goading you. You damn near broke your arm that one time.” She scoffs and shakes her head. “However, somewhere along the way I noticed that you thrived off proving everyone wrong.
“I want to see you happy. I just feel it in my gut. This time that you need to slow down. Think about this. Marica has been through so much. What she’s doing… she and Keith agreed to that. I’m still not sure how I feel about it but I think that’s her path. My sister has her hands full.
“You’re my baby and I’m going to tell you straight like this… think about it. What some little dick pulled all those years ago shouldn’t have left you jaded all this time. Do me a favor, Divine. Think about this.”
She has no idea how right she is about that little dick. Gable had a lot of nerve. Okay, it was average. I shake that thought aside. Gable wasn’t the one to put the nail in my dating coffin though.
I just won’t be telling her that. I think I always knew Ben was no good. I never did introduce him to my family in the two years that we dated. That’s saying a lot.
I take a moment to think over her words.
“I’ll think about what you’re saying, Mommy.”
“Thank you. That’s all I ask.”
* * *
Omid
I pad barefoot to the balcony off my bedroom. I have a view that’s to die for. I bought my Malibu home right out of college. I had no debts to be concerned with. My cousins spoiled me with my first car as a graduation gift. It only seemed right to treat myself with this home.
I inhale the night air catching a hint of sea salt. I bought this home thinking of her. The one regret I have in my life is not fighting harder, not standing up sooner. It all just got out of control so fast.
“She wants a baby,” I murmur to myself and grin.
It’s been a week and I still can’t get over the fact that she was so close and I missed her. I’ve been thinking about going after her but it’s been twenty years. I can’t just pull her address from her file and show up on her doorstep no matter how tempted I am to do so. And I almost have, several times.
I take a sip from the bottle of water I’m holding, wondering what she looks like now. I’ve been kicking myself for not moving faster that morning. I look nothing like the scrawny kid that just came over from Iran all those years ago.
At two hundred pounds, I’m solid with a sculpted build. Not super bulky, but I stretch my shirtsleeves well enough. I’ve gotten looks from both my married and single patients. I have no shortage of women I can beckon to my bed.
I’ve also learned what to do in the bedroom. Having Divine in my arms will bring us both pleasure. A fumbling eighteen year old, I am not. Just thinking about showering her with my experience has me hard and I haven’t seen her in years.
I pull out my phone to try to find her online profiles once again. I’ve been trying for years to find her online. The profile that led me to her had been erased. There hasn’t been a trace of Divine Favors since… I close my eyes not wanting to travel down that road.
As I type her name in and fail to pull up a profile that matches, I get pissed. Just when I want to chuck my phone out into the ocean it rings. I groan when I see the number. Of all the times for my mother to call this is a horrible one.
“Shit,” I mutter, but answer the call anyway. “Hello, Anne.”
“Hello, Omid. I’m so happy I could reach you. I know you are a busy doctor,” she says with pride.
“I have a little time,” I reply as I turn to lean my butt against the railing.
“Have you taken time to think about Dilshad?”
I knit my brows. “Who?”
She mumbles to herself on the other end. “Your fiancée, Omid Arman,” she says in exasperation.
“I have no fiancée. That would probably explain why I have no clue who you are speaking off.”
“Maybe if we come to America and you get to know her you will warm to her. We can make a trip—”
“Absolutely not, Anne,” I growl into the phone.
She huffs. “Why not? I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to spend time with a pretty girl. You’re not getting any younger. I come and you can show me your practice. What kind of medicine do you study? I realize you have never said—”
“Anne, the hospital is paging me. I have to go,” I say and hang up.
I stare down at the phone and narrow my eyes. This may be a problem. My mother isn’t going to let this rest. Knowing she and my father they’re already planning the wedding.
“Damn it,” I snarl.
I just found Divine. I’m not going to lose her again. I pull up Johnathan Black’s number and accept his invitation to join him and his brothers tonight. I’ll need to talk to Toby and Wyatt. I need to make sure my parents can’t meddle in my life from Iran.
Chapter 5
Swing of Things
Divine
My mom did exactly what she set out to do. She planted the seed. I’ve been thinking about her words since I left my parents’ house earlier.
I frown and signal the waitress for another drink. Marica and Dada would kill me if they knew I came out to drink alone. I just need some time to think to myself. Getting dressed up and coming out for drinks was a last minute decision.
“Here you go. Can I get you anything else,” the waitress asks.
“No, not at the moment.”
“Okay, let me know if you need anything,” she says with her bubbly personality.
I try to infuse some of that chipperness into my own mood. When that plan falls flat, I down the Cuervo she just set before me. Yup, it’s one of those nights. Besides, when will I get to drink like this once I have a baby?
Bottoms up.
I laugh at myself as the tequila travels smoothly down my throat. Picking up my phone, my drunk mind tries to tell me it’s a good idea to go live. I pull up the app getting ready to do something totally stupid.
“Excuse me.” I look up and find the couple at the table next to me staring. It was the woman that spoke.
They arrived a little after I took my seat at my own high table. They look to be around my age. The woman is a perky looking blonde and the guy tall dark and handsome, with sparkling blue eyes and a pierced brow.
“Yes,” I reply.
“I can’t decide on what to drink. My husband is always teasing me about the fruity drinks I order. What’s that you’re drinking?”
“Tequila sliver, but this isn’t for everyone,” I say.
“A woman that can handle her liquor, nice,” the husband says.
Um. She needs to check his ass.
I turn back to my phone to start recording, but it’s clear these two aren’t finished with our conservation. I refrain from rolling my eyes. This is what I get for coming out alone.
“Do you want to come sit with us?”
“Actually, I’m waiting for my friends,” I say holding up my phone.
“Are you sure? You’re such a pretty woman. You shouldn’t be sitting all by yourself.”
I lift a well-arched brow. I think this chick is hitting on me in front of her husband. Nah, it has to be the tequila. I’m tripping.
I fiddle with my phone like I’m sending a text. I mean, I sit here totally engrossed in my phone as if I’m reading and responding to a text. I turn my Hollywood ass all the way up.
“That’s them right now,” I say and start reading and replying again. “They should be here soon.”
“Oh, okay,” she says in disappointment.
I should get up and leave but I love this place and the vibe. Besides, their prices are the best on this side of town. I’m not calling an Uber just because of these two.
Deep laughter draws my attention to the doorway of the bar. At least ten fine ass guys just entered. When I say fine, I mean fine as fuck. I almost fall out of my seat. All six feet tall or over, red hair, dark hair, long hair, short
hair, a man bun, and oh damn beards. I run my eyes over them but I don’t make it through them all. I stop in my tracks.
What hits me in the chest and has me ready to throw in the towel is the tall, dark, and handsome Middle Eastern guy bringing up the rear. I don’t even register the two guys with him. I can’t take my eyes off of his pretty ass.
From his six foot and change height to his well-defined body under his black suit and navy shirt. Oh God, the bright white smile and that facial hair are just a bonus, and the swag coming off of him. The man is to die for gorgeous.
“I’m Jennifer, by the way,” the woman from the table next to me interrupts my drooling.
I turn back to her and give a weak smile. In all honesty, it’s better I talk to her than think a second more about the man across the bar. However, as I take in this couple and the way they’re sizing me up, I start to become uneasy.
I fidget in my seat, reaching for my empty glass. Frowning at the lack of liquor, I lift the tumbler for the waitress to bring another. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifts. It’s insane. It’s as if the bar gains a pulse.
“And I’m Dan,” the husband says as he leans in.
“Nice to meet you,” I murmur.
“You really are stunning. My husband would have so much fun with you.”
I whip my head back and lean away from them in my seat even with the four feet between us. Meanwhile, that feeling of being sucked in still grows and it’s not coming from these two. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I turn for the door again and my jaw drops. The same man I’d been drooling over has broken away from his friends and he’s headed in my direction with a walk that has me weak in the knees.
I’m going to blame it on the Cuervo. Yup, it’s the alcohol that has me licking my lips as my eyes roll over him. It’s the tequila’s fault my breasts are heaving damn near out of my dress.
Doctor Feel Good: A Novel From The Be Yours Series Page 4