by Ancelli
“I need a cigarette.”
“No, you don’t. You shook that bad habit months ago.” She sat next to him. “What’s up?”
Her touch on his arm made him twist around to face her. “I need to get a cheap car.”
Jewel took a sip of her coffee. “We can go check out a few dealerships later.”
“Naw, it’s okay.” He jammed his phone in his pocket. “Javier is taking me. You need your rest.”
“I’ve rested enough. How was your first night here?” She placed the cup on the coffee table.
“It was great.” He examined her bruises. “I did check up on you, wanted to make sure you were alive.”
Jewel chuckled softly. “It wasn’t that serious, just a few bruises.” She turned her elbow, inspecting.
“If you say so.” He softly caressed the bruise on her thigh, and watched goose bumps rise in the wake of his touch. Damn, her skin was soft under his fingers.
Jewel gazed at his fingers and shifted forward, picking up her cup.
“Where did you learn Spanish?” José asked.
She took another sip of her coffee. “I took Spanish in college and I spent a summer in South America.”
“Where?”
“Bogota, Colombia. Emma and I wanted to do something spontaneous and that’s where we ended up for two months.”
“So you’re the spontaneous type?” He brushed his fingers along her leg.
Jewel watched over the rim of the mug. “I’m full of surprises.”
He leaned over. “Is there more coffee?”
“Nope, I only made a cup.” She smiled, taking a tiny sip.
“Oh, I see how this relationship is going to work.” He chuckled. “One-sided.”
She offered it to him. “Here, I’m done.”
“I was just kidding.”
“No, you weren’t.” She rose, and placed the mug in his hands. “Here. I’m going go take a shower.”
José gave her a mischievous smile. “You need help?”
Jewel burst out laughing. “You wish, lover boy.” She strolled into the house, sashaying her ass.
“Are you sure?” he yelled after her exiting form.
“I’m sure,” she shouted. “You can’t handle this!” She smacked her ass, then disappeared into her room.
José chuckled to himself. Their innocent flirtation put a grin on his face. Smiling, he took a sip of her coffee. If you only knew.
***
Jewel and Emma were in her kitchen, when José slipped through the front door. They continued talking as if they hadn’t heard him.
“Emma, I’m not going.” Jewel stirred the contents of the pot on the stove.
“Why? You’re up for teacher of the year. That’s a big deal.”
“I have nothing to wear.”
“Bullshit. We can go get you a new outfit.” Emma grabbed some grapes off the table. “You have time. Ralph said he saw your name on the nomination list, and the event isn’t until March. You have a long time.”
Jewel sighed and turned, watching her friend.
Emma stared at her. “Tell me the truth, Jewel. Are you afraid you’ll see your ex?”
“Ex?” Both women looked up at him. Until that moment, he hadn’t known he’d said the word out loud.
Emma’s lips curled up. “Hi, José.”
“Hi, Emma. How are you doing today?” He entered the kitchen.
“I’m good. Waiting for this little one to make an appearance.” She rubbed her belly. “Listen, sorry about last night. My emotions are everywhere.”
“You’re fine. I remember when my son’s mother was pregnant.” He looked at Jewel, pretty as could be in her white romper.
“Help me convince my friend here to go to an event awarding the greatest teacher in the state. She’s been nominated,” Emma proudly stated.
José strolled up to her and hugged her tight. “Congratulations, muñeca.” He released her and moved back. “Why don’t you want to go? This is an honor.”
“Exactly what I was saying.” Emma stared at them. “I think she doesn’t want to see her ex.”
“Ex-girlfriend or boyfriend?” He eyeballed both of them. No time like the present to find out the truth.
“Girlfriend!” Emma looked at him a bit shocked, and then at her friend. “Jewel, is there something I don’t know?”
Jewel shot daggers at him, and placed her left hand on her hip. “What’s that supposed to mean, José?”
“Well, I’ve never seen you with a man, up until the other night, so I assumed you liked girls. Or maybe you’re bisexual.”
Emma burst out laughing, holding her stomach. “You thought Jewel was gay?”
He could tell Jewel didn’t find any of it amusing. Her eyebrows nearly met.
“Just because I don’t flaunt my business in the streets, you thought that.”
“José, she’s not into girls.” Emma giggled. “Jewel was married.”
He widened his eyes. “You had a husband!”
He could tell she was annoyed with him. Her full lips were thinned, and she didn’t answer his question. She grabbed the spoon and continued stirring.
“Yes, she was. He was an asshole.” Emma stood. “Jewel, don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad.” She kept cooking.
“Jewel, I’m sorry.” Apology aside, at least he’d finally gotten his answer. “It’s just that I’m not used to seeing a beautiful woman like you alone. I mean, without a man.”
She arched her eyebrow. “How do you know I don’t have a man?”
“You’re right.” He sighed. “I saw you with one the other night, and it changed my mind a bit.”
“Wait, when did you see me?”
He set his keys on the counter. “Last night.”
“Why didn’t you say hi?” Jewel covered the pot, grabbed a goblet, and poured herself some white wine.
“You looked busy.” He pulled out the chair out by the table and sat next to Emma.
She turned and observed them. “So let me get this straight, you thought Jewel was gay? Is that why you never made a move?”
“Emma!” She almost choked on her drink.
José peered over at Jewel as she swallowed. He found it amusing every time she blushed. He ignored Emma’s question. “I got a car.” He picked up the keys of the counter, and dangled them around his finger.
Jewel smiled. Lightly limping toward him, she placed her glass down, then grabbed the keys and started walking toward the front door. “Let’s see.” She opened the door, and stepped out.
“It’s not what you’ll expect!” José followed her out, leaving Emma in the kitchen, eating grapes.
When he stepped out the door, she was inspecting his 1998 black Honda Civic. There was some rust on the hood and trunk, but the interior was decent. Jewel popped the hood latch, then stepped around to the front and began checking out the engine.
“I thought you would laugh.” He just stared at her.
“Why would you think that?” She played with the wires.
He stood next to her bent form. “Well, it’s old.”
“And?” She checked the windshield wiper fluid. “It’s yours?” She straightened to look at him.
“Yes.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” She closed the hood and wiped her hand over her face. “The engine looks good.” She giggled being silly. “I would have to test drive it, to make sure.”
José chuckled, looking at the oil she’d swiped across her nose. “I know. I checked it out. How do you know so much about cars?”
“My dad taught me what to look for when buying a car.” She went to move around him and he clasped her wrist.
“Jewel.” He gently wiped off the oil, then touched her cheek. “You’re one special chica.”
She gazed back at him with those alluring brown eyes.
The sound of someone clearing her throat made them look toward the door. Emma was smiling at them. “I had a Civic like that, long, long time
ago.”
Jewel strolled toward the door and squeezed past Emma into the house. José stepped forward, but she stopped him at the threshold.
“She’s not a chick, she’s a woman.”
José just looked at her.
“If you’re interested, you better make your move, because she won’t be single for long.” Emma didn’t let him answer. She just smiled, and followed Jewel into the kitchen.
His cell phone rang. José dug in his pocket, looked at the screen, and swiped it on, placing it to his ear.
“José?”
“Yes, Connie, how can I help you?” He stared at Emma and Jewel as they set up the table in the dining room.
“I was wondering if you could meet me tonight?”
“For what?”
“José, are you joining us?” Emma shouted.
“Who’s that?” Connie asked, with attitude.
“I don’t owe you any explanations.”
“Okay, I deserved that. Can we start over, please?”
José couldn’t stop staring at Jewel. Every time she laughed her eyes crinkled. He’d known Jewel was beautiful, but he’d never inspected every detail of her body, the way he was now.
Jewel’s natural hair looked soft as it bounced every time she moved. Her eyes were almond-shaped, a little slanted, and those big brown irises were mesmerizing, especially when she smiled. Her lips were voluptuous, looking so soft and kissable.
“José, are you still there?”
“Yes. I’ll pick you up in an hour.” He needed to get out of Jewel’s house. She was starting to get to him. He didn’t know if it was because he was horny as hell or due to something else. And if it was something else, he didn’t want to find out. He never wanted to risk hurting Jewel. He didn’t want to be the person to put sadness in her eyes.
“See you then.” Connie hung up.
He walked into the kitchen. “Hey, ladies. Thank you for the invite, but I have to leave.”
José swore he saw disappointment in Jewel’s eyes.
“Have fun.” She raised her glass.
“See you later.”
***
Out of nowhere, Emma giggled. “He really thought you were gay.”
“Whatever!” Jewel placed the plate of food in front of her. “That’s just an excuse he made up in his head.”
“Why would he make up an excuse?” Emma asked, taking a bite of chicken.
“I don’t know. Forget it.”
Emma stared at her, and put her fork down. “Do you like him?”
Jewel couldn’t lie to her friend. “Yes, yes I do, but he doesn’t see me like that. He’s into my sister’s friend.”
“Jewel! Then why did you agree for him to live with you?”
Jewel looked at the food on her plate. “Because I know we will be nothing more than acquaintances.”
“The attraction is there, at least on his part. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up in his bed.” Emma peered at her. “You’ve been celibate for some time now.”
“Don’t remind me.” She took a sip of her wine. “I think it’s time to change that.”
Emma chuckled. “With José?”
“No, I have a date with Chris when he gets back from his business trip.” She picked up her fork.
“Chris? Are you sure? He wants the white picket fence. Are you ready for that?”
She took a bite, and glanced at Emma. “Any woman in her right mind wouldn’t say no to a man like him.” Chris was made of solid chocolate. He reminded her of Idris Elba, right down to his sexy goatee.
“But you did! You said you didn’t want to go down the same road you went down with Phil.” Emma continued around mouthfuls of food.
“And I won’t, but as my mother always says, I’m not getting any younger. I’m just going to date him. I didn’t say I’m going marry the guy.” Jewel stood, and grabbed her plate. Dumping the half-eaten contents in the trash, she placed the dish in the sink.
“Are you going out with Chris to keep from dropping your panties for your brother-in-law?”
“I wouldn’t do that. I’m not in love with José. It’s just sexual chemistry.” Jewel began washing the dishes.
“Then why don’t you just fuck him, and be over with it?” Emma pushed herself up from the chair, and handed her the plate.
“Really, Emma! I live with the man. It would be awkward.”
Emma chuckled. “That didn’t stop you before. You and your husband lived under the same roof for months without having sex.”
“That was completely different. We were going through a divorce and he didn’t want to leave the house.”
“Because he didn’t want a divorce, but you did?” Emma smirked.
Jewel thought about Phil for a moment. She remembered being so happy when they’d first gotten married. She’d thought she had it all. The perfect man, job, house—everything she’d dreamed about. Yes, she’d promised to love and obey him, but he’d taken that to a whole other level. He’d decided to tell her when and whom she could see, and what she could wear. Jewel became his possession, and that was something she couldn’t stand. Phil had wanted her to quit her job and stay home, but she wasn’t the stay-at-home type. She was her own woman and didn’t need a second father. She’d gotten a masters’ degree for a reason, and when she didn’t give in to Phil’s demands, things had gone downhill pretty quickly.
“And I don’t regret my decision.”
“Me neither.” Emma chuckled softly. “Back to José.”
“Let’s change the subject.” Jewel snorted. “José is off limits.”
“Until he makes a move.”
They both started laughing.
***
José sat in his car, waiting for Connie to come down from her apartment. He’d pursued the woman for months, spent money he didn’t have to buy her flowers, take her to a fancy restaurant. He’d done all that when he’d had a special person living right next to him, the entire time. Javier wouldn’t have a problem if he…
His thought process went blank as Connie opened the doors. She looked gorgeous in a casual little black dress that showed off her caramel legs.
She searched around the parking lot, then pulled out her phone. José’s phone rang.
“Where are you?” she asked.
“I’m right here!” He honked and waved his hand, until she finally saw him.
“Oh.” She ended the call and walked over to the visitors’ parking.
José opened the car door and it made a squeaky sound as he got out. “Hey.”
“Hi,” she said, shyly glancing at his vehicle. “Where’s the Mustang?”
“You wanted to talk.” He stepped in front of her, ignoring her question.
“José, I really like you.” She gripped her purse.
“Then what’s the problem?” He leaned against the car.
“I’m confused.”
“Connie, I’m not a man that begs for a woman’s time.” He stared at her. “I told you what I want. I want to spend time with you, and see where this could lead. I’m not promising marriage. I live in the now.”
“I can accept that.” She finally smiled.
José wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her forward. “Where do you want to go?”
“Can we see a movie?” She nervously placed her hands around his neck.
“Okay.” He went to open the passenger door.
“I think we should take my car.” She opened her purse and clicked her key fob.
José clenched his teeth for a moment, but ultimately, decided not to argue. “Okay, let me lock up.”
Chapter Eight
José was busy inspecting and replacing the smoke detectors in the house when the doorbell rang. He stepped off the stool, ambled toward the door, and swung it open.
“Buenas tardes, Tio.” Javier stood in his Navy uniform with a smiling Haven in his arms. She looked just like his brother except for her slightly darker skin tone and those big, brown eyes.
“Jazmine.” Javier set the baby bag down on the table next to the couch and sat. “She told me they gave half the staff the day off.”
José took a seat in the recliner next to him. “Paid time off.” He bounced Haven on his knee, making her smile and show her two bottom teeth. “What are you doing off so early?”
“Haven had a doctor’s appointment.” He yawned.
José lifted her up, inspecting her, and saw a Band-Aid on her chunky legs. “Is she okay?”
Javier chuckled. “Yes, Tio. She got her shots.” Haven began rubbing her eyes. “She was a big girl.”
“Did you give her Tylenol?”
“Nope,” Javier’s lips curled.
“You’re supposed to give her some medicine before she gets shots.” José arched his eyebrow, watching his brother laugh.
“Calm down. I gave her Motrin.” He leaned forward, taking his little girl from him, and laid her on his chest. “How’s everything going?” Javier asked. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“It’s going.”
“What’s up?”
“Nothing. Life couldn’t be better.” José couldn’t even look his brother in his eyes. Things weren’t going exactly good; he was living paycheck to paycheck, which wasn’t what he’d expected when he’d moved. And he had the worst case of blue balls, not for Connie’s lack of trying. Now he was the one in charge, and payback was a bitch. She wasn’t turning out to be the woman he’d thought she was.
“How’s Carlitos?”
“He’s doing much better, and Olga is finally happy.” He grabbed the TV remote, and turned it on. “I agreed to send her three hundred and fifty dollars a month.”
“Can you afford that?” Javier patted the baby on the back.