by Tina Martin
He pulled up a list of contacts in his cell, found Rebecca’s number and dialed it, anxiously waiting for her to answer while starting the car, heading to the airport to find another flight back to Charlotte.
“Hello,” she said, drowsily, having just awakened to the sound of her cell ringing. She could kick herself for forgetting to turn off the ringer. Her shop was closed today since she would be attending the Fall floral convention this afternoon, and today was the first day in a long time she could sleep in.
“Hey, Rebecca.”
“Carter?”
“Yeah…sorry to disturb you so early in the morning…just need to know if you’re expecting a visit from Shayla today.”
“I haven’t heard from Shayla all week, but before she quit, she had paid to come to a floral convention this afternoon at the Omni. But like I said, I haven’t heard from her so I don’t know if she’s coming or not.”
“Okay, Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Carter dropped his cell in the passenger seat. His head was spinning. Shayla had him feeling so many emotions. Now he was worried about her. How did he ever let her get away?
He drove to the rental car return, dropped off the car then with his overnight Louis Vuitton bag on his shoulder, he walked up to an airline representative, asked if he could get a flight back to Charlotte today. She told him there would be one leaving in an hour and he paid for the ticket, followed the maze through security then found a seat at the gate.
Still overcome with worry, he picked up his phone and called his aunt.
“Hey, Carter,” she said. Sounded like she was in a good mood.
“Jackie, have you heard from Shayla?”
“No. Why? Is everything okay?” she asked, hearing the panic in his voice.
“Don’t know yet, but I hope so.”
“What’s wrong?”
“She left her hotel late last night and I’m trying to figure out where she’s headed.”
“How do you know she left the hotel?”
“A friend told me.”
Jacqueline grunted. “Carter, don’t tell me you got somebody watching her?”
“Yeah…well I had somebody watching her, but I flew out here this morning to see her and she’s not even here. I think she’s back in Charlotte but I’m not sure.”
“You tried calling her?”
“She’s not going to take any calls from me.”
“How do you know if you haven’t tried?”
“Because I know, Jackie.” Carter sighed, felt knots dance in his stomach again. He glanced at his watch. He still had at least another thirty minutes before boarding. “How about you try and call her for me?”
“Carter—”
“I need to know that she’s okay, Jackie.”
Jacqueline sighed. “Ah’ight. Hold on.”
She clicked over to an empty line and dialed Shayla’s number.
After a few rings, Shayla answered, “Hi, Jackie.”
“Hey, Shayla! I was just calling to see how you were doing?”
“I’m doing well,” she said, sitting on the white-sheeted bed in Indian style with the TV remote in her right hand. “It’s funny you called. I’m actually in Charlotte right now.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Un huh…staying at the Marriott for a convention this afternoon.”
“How nice. You sound like you’re in good spirits.”
“I am. I think moving to Norfolk is just what I needed.”
“When are you heading back?”
“Right after the convention. Maybe I’ll get a chance to stop over and see you before I leave.”
“I would love that, honey. Anyway, let me let you go. Call me later, okay?”
“Okay. Bye.”
Jacqueline clicked back over. “Hello?”
“I’m still here,” Carter said. “You get her?”
“Yep. She’s fine…said she was in town for a convention. She’s staying at the Marriott.”
So she is going to the convention that Rebecca mentioned, he thought, breathing a sigh of relief. “Thanks Jackie.”
“You’re welcome.”
Carter checked his watch again. It wouldn’t be long now and he’d be on the plane, heading back to Charlotte to find his woman.
Chapter 11
Shayla stepped into the banquet hall at the Omni, scanning the room for Rebecca. She wanted to get there earlier than 2:30 p.m., but the five-hour drive from Norfolk last night left her physically and mentally exhausted. And why was she going to the floral design show anyway? She’d chosen a new profession since moving to Norfolk. And she was definitely making more money. But since she had already paid the non-refundable, one-hundred and twenty-five dollar fee she might as well had kept her spot. Plus, it would give her the opportunity to see Rebecca.
“Hey, Shayla! You made it,” Rebecca said gladly, standing up from her banquet seat. She was sitting at a round table draped with a white table cloth and crystal vase overfilled with white lilies. White candles surrounded the vase, but none were lit.
“Hey,” Shayla said, walking quickly to the table and embracing her friend.
“I didn’t think you were going to come.”
“I didn’t think I was going to come either,” Shayla admitted. “I made up my mind late last night.”
The women sat down.
“It’s a good turnout,” Rebecca commented, moving streaks of blonde hair behind her ear. “This is the same format from last year. They serve us a late lunch, then start the webinar. After that, they’ll have live demos and invite people from the audience to join in. They will also give you individual lessons, but you have to pay extra for that. It’s worth it though. I did it a few years ago and learned how to tie the perfect floral bow.”
“Cool.” Shayla looked around the banquet hall. “This is a little lavish isn’t it?”
“Well, I guess the organizers are trying to generate interest from the public and from the looks of things, it seems to be working. There are way more people here this year than there was last year.”
Shayla looked around, briefly. “What time is it over?”
“Goodness, Shayla. You’re ready to leave already?”
“No. Just curious.”
“I think it’s over around nine.”
“Okay. That’s not too bad.” Shayla took a sip of water and scanned the area again.
“So how’s the new job?”
“It’s going okay, actually. I’m still getting used to working in an office setting again, but other than that, the work seems to be right up my alley.”
“You find an apartment yet?”
“No. Not yet.” Shayla took another sip of water.
“Well, you’ve only been there for a week. I’m sure something will turn up.”
“Yeah. I’m in no hurry,” Shayla said, noticing the ballroom was filling up quickly. There must’ve been about a hundred people there, if not more. They were all dressed casually which made Shayla believe she was overdressed. She wore a pair of black slacks, a white blouse and suede, teal pumps with matching earrings. Rebecca had on a pair of blue khakis with a lime green tank top.
So maybe I am a bit overdressed, Shayla thought, but she wouldn’t concern herself with it.
“You got here last night?” Rebecca inquired.
“Yeah…pretty late. Girl, I was driving and yawning…had to stop for coffee to stay awake.”
“Where are you staying?”
“At the Marriott. I would’ve stayed here, but I’m trying to save money and I got a better deal at the Marriott, so…”
Shayla’s mind drifted off to thinking about the hotel in which she was staying. Back in February, she laid homeless out on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. Now she was guest at it. She’d thought long and hard about this last night, as she tossed and turned, thinking of how the man she was madly in love with saved her life here. How he breathed air into her lungs in front of this very hotel. Now he was out of her l
ife and she accepted that. It was tough to swallow, but she accepted it.
“Oh, yeah. That’s what I meant to ask you. Did Carter find you this morning?”
Brows furrowed, Shayla asked, “What do you mean?”
“He was looking for you.”
“Looking for me?” Shayla asked, taken aback.
“Yeah. He called me very early this morning asking if I heard from you…sounded like he was worried.”
Shayla grew quiet. She’d been living in Norfolk for eight days. Why would Carter pick last night to inquire about her? “Well, I don’t know why he was looking for me, but I’m not gonna concern myself with it.”
“You probably should because I kinda slipped up and told him you may be coming to this convention today, so—” Rebecca’s thoughts were interrupted by the image of a tall, strikingly gorgeous man, stepping in the ballroom, rocking a three-piece suit. It was only when he got closer that she realized who it was. “Speak of the devil…”
Shayla followed Rebecca’s eyes straight to Carter. The eyes of every woman in the room must’ve been on him, and rightly so. The man was fine, rocking a black suit, red necktie with a white dress shirt, looking even more handsome than he did the last time she laid eyes on him. And he had on those sleek, rimless glasses again that complemented his jaw line, giving him that polished, professional look while still enhancing his attractiveness. He was simply breathtaking, she had to admit, but she wouldn’t gush over a man that was out of her reach. A man who didn’t want her. And what the heck was he doing here?
Shayla sighed. “Why on earth would you tell him I was gonna be here, Rebecca?”
“I told you…he was worried when I spoke with him.”
Shayla sighed again and rolled her eyes. “I’m leaving. I can’t stay here with him.”
“Shayla, you know y’all got some unfinished business to take care of.”
“No we don’t.” Shayla slid her purse strap on her shoulder.
“Shayla,” Rebecca said, before Shayla could stand up. “Look, you can’t keep running away from your problems. You already moved to Virginia to get away from him and now you’re running again? Aren’t you tired of running? You have to face him.”
“Why?” she said, agitated. “Why do I need to face him, Rebecca?”
“Because you love him. And I think it’s time you stopped pretending that you don’t.”
Shayla closed her eyes briefly to fight back tears and compose herself. She hung her purse on the back of her chair. Looking up, she immediately locked eyes with Carter as if by instinct. He was standing two tables away and she could feel her stomach cramping at the thought of him joining her and Rebecca at their table. He was ballsy and arrogant enough to do something just like that.
Shayla heard his voice as he spoke to someone nearby.
That voice. That intoxicating, satisfying, calming voice.
The sound of it sent shockwaves down her spine, yet it angered her that he had that kind of effect on her body because she knew she couldn’t have him. It was her hope that he just came to speak and leave. But when he pulled out a chair, directly across from her, she knew he’d be staying a while. She couldn’t bring herself to look up at him now, and if she could help it, she wouldn’t.
“Hi Rebecca,” Carter said. “Good to see you.”
“You too, Carter. How have you been?” she asked, but feeling like a disloyal friend to Shayla after she’d fired off the question. But what was she supposed to do? Ignore the man? Shayla was doing a good job of that on her own.
“I’ve been better,” he muttered, interlocking his fingers, answering Rebecca’s question but staring directly at Shayla, but she wasn’t looking at him. Still, he stared and thought of everything he’d been through today in order to see her. He got up early in the morning, took a six o’clock flight out to Norfolk, only to find out she wasn’t there. He’d met with Donovan, got updates on her, and took another flight back to Charlotte. He’d landed two hours ago, drove to his home and changed clothes. Then he sped to Uptown like a cop on a high speed chase, found a parking space then walked a couple of blocks to the Omni. All to see Shayla.
A few more people joined them at the table – a young, blonde woman, a brown-toned woman with long, black hair who couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off of Carter and an older gray-haired lady joined by a man of similar age, probably her spouse.
“How are you, Shayla?” Carter asked after the guests were settled.
The guest all looked up at him to see who he was talking to. They followed the path of his vision straight to Shayla.
“Fine,” Shayla responded without even looking up at him. If she had, she would’ve seen Carter’s eyes locked on her like heat-seeking missiles. His longing eyes…
Moments later, servers were bringing food by, but Shayla had quickly lost her appetite.
“This looks delicious,” Rebecca said, staring down at a plate of rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes, green beans and a salad on the side.
“Too bad I don’t have an appetite,” Shayla whispered loud enough for only Rebecca to hear.
Rebecca smiled awkwardly, glancing up at Carter. His eyes never lost contact with Shayla’s face, although Shayla wasn’t paying him any attention. As far as he was concerned, she was the only woman in the room. The only person in the room. His stares were so intense, Rebecca felt uncomfortable for Shayla. She knew the story between them, knew Shayla was in love with Carter once upon a time and Carter had supposedly been seeing someone else. But if he didn’t want her, why’d he come here, staring at her like she was his next meal instead of the rotisserie chicken that remained untouched in the plate in front of him?
Shayla was uncomfortable but reached for the salt shaker in the center of the table. She didn’t care if Carter was staring. She had moved on with her life so there was no need to feel like she was still under his spell. With a trembling hand, she sprinkled salt on her mashed potatoes and tasted them. “These are pretty good.”
Rebecca confirmed the same.
Shayla glanced around the room, making sure not to look at, or make eye contact with Carter. She noticed just about every seat was filled and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, eating and conversing while soft jazz played.
Shayla stuck her fork in the salad, when she heard his deep voice, that mesmerizing voice say, “I miss you, Shayla.”
She swallowed hard. For a moment, she couldn’t find her breath. Did she hear him correctly? Instead of acknowledging him though, she kept on talking to Rebecca about last year’s event. Rebecca had mentioned something about learning some tricks of the trade that made her shop stand out from others in the area.
“Remember when I would come home from work?” Carter said to her. “You used to ask me about my day? Do you remember that?”
Shayla ignored his question and kept talking to Rebecca.
Carter continued, “Well, I had one chaotic day today. This morning, I flew to Norfolk because I wanted to see you, but you weren’t there.”
That caught her attention, but was he kidding? Had he actually flown to Norfolk just to see her?
“So, I hopped a flight back here, landed about two hours ago and now I’m sitting here. With you. Because I wanted nothing more than to see you today.”
Shayla raked food around on her plate, anything to keep from looking at him.
“Do you know why I wanted to see you?”
I know you don’t think I’m about to answer that. Shayla took a napkin and wiped her mouth. She whispered to Rebecca that she couldn’t take any more and was leaving.
“I wanted to personally thank you for breaking my heart,” Carter blurted out. If he wanted to get her full attention, he got it that time.
Shayla looked up at him, their vision fusing together in one big, frustrated collision. What was he doing? And whatever it was he was doing, was he really doing it here? In front of strangers?
“Are you gonna say anything?” Rebecca whispered behind her hand to Sha
yla.
Shayla had already decided she would not say a word. How dare he come here to play more games? To get a rise out of her? Who did he think he was to track her down and interrupt her day with his arrogance? Thank you for breaking my heart. If a heart was broken, it certainly wasn’t his – Mr. Playboy himself. And since when did womanizers have hearts?
“I never knew what this felt like,” he continued, pushing his glasses tighter onto his face. “Never wanted to know. And what’s crazy is, I’ve broken a lot of hearts in my day, even yours, but never had I had mine broken until you left me.”
Shayla inhaled an angry breath. “What are you doing?”
“I’m talking to you,” he said with a stern tone.
“Well, I have no intentions on having this conversation here. Actually, I don’t intend on having it anywhere else either.” She took a sip of water and picked up her fork again.
“You know what it feels like, Shayla? To have a broken heart?” he asked, completely ignoring everything she’d said.
Shayla looked up at him and frowned. Of course she knew what it felt like. She’d had a fiancé who committed suicide a year ago. Her heart was beyond broken. It was shattered, and it was almighty Carter himself who helped her put the pieces back together, only to break it again.
Not getting any response from her, he continued, “It feels like someone is stabbing me in the chest with an ice pick only I don’t die…I just continue to feel the pain. That’s what losing you has done to me.”
Shayla glanced at the people sitting around the table, watching them pretend they didn’t hear Carter’s words. They just continued eating as if nothing was going on.
Shayla looked at Carter again, wondering what the mysterious wetness in his eyes could be. Certainly not tears. Maybe his eyes were irritated which was probably the reason he opted to wear his glasses.
“I miss you,” he finally admitted. “I miss the smell of your hair. I miss your big, beautiful eyes,” he said and his voice cracked. “I miss your voice. I miss the way you say my name, the way you touch me. I miss watching TV with you, having dinner with you, laughing with you. I miss consoling you and taking care of you. I miss everything about you, Shayla. Everything. And I know I picked the wrong time to do this, but it’s the only way I could get your attention. So here I am.”