“Listen to your date,” he barked.
With a shove, Jordan tossed Mr. Strauss back into the table and glowered at him in a dare. He waited a beat then turned to Selena, his glower turning into a sympathetic stare. Selena still shook with rage, and once again her thoughts jumbled.
“Is this what you’ve done?” she asked. “Did you hit my mother when she angered you?”
Both Jordan and Selena glared at Mr. Strauss, and he huffed and pulled his suit jacket together.
“Young lady, I don’t owe you an explanation for—”
“Bullshit!” Selena screamed. “You owe me an explanation for everything that’s happening right now. I can’t even believe this. You are not the father I once knew! You… You... Ugh!”
Selena turned on her heels and ran out of the diner. Seconds behind her, Jordan flew to her side and drew Selena in just as she stumbled out into the midst of the chilly night air.
She fell to the ground.
Selena’s world was collapsing all around her. The life and love she’d known had been given by her parents were her blueprint. And now, they just weren’t. Selena cried heavily as Jordan held her tight. His heart crushed to see Selena in such a grim state of distress. Selena’s head pounded, and she pushed away from Jordan, but he held on to her.
“No,” he said. “Don’t pull away from me. I won’t let you.”
His words softened Selena’s heart, making her cry even harder. Jordan hadn’t done a thing to her. He didn’t deserve to be pushed away, but the unfaithfulness of Selena’s father made her begrudge Jordan, and she shoved him hard again.
“Hit me if you must. Use me as your punching bag if it helps, but please, Selena, don’t push me away… please.”
And she did. Her hands connected with his chest, heaving a surge of pounds and pushes into what felt like a brick wall. Tears streamed faster down her face, and Selena screamed a long wail of an outcry.
“Why is he doing this!?” She sobbed as her fist hits slowed, and she fell into pieces. “Oh my God, my mother!” she wailed. Selena’s head fell against Jordan, and he took a sweeping hand down her back.
Abruptly, Selena blinked back her tears and straightened in his arms.
“I’ve got to get out of here,” she said.
“Wherever it is, I’m taking you.”
“No, no!” she shouted, lost in a hail of thoughts.
“Selena…”
“No, Jordan, okay just…” She turned and staggered then walked away.
“I’m not letting you leave like this.”
“You don’t have a choice!”
Selena jumped into an awaiting taxi that had been sitting for a customer to exit the restaurant.
“Selena!” Jordan shouted, stepping to the back door.
Selena shouted at the driver, and he sped away from the curb, leaving Jordan brimming with intangible frustration.
Chapter Nineteen
She felt trapped in an endless nightmare. Selena turned her focus back to the client in front of her.
“Yes, Mr. McBeal. For this first quarter of the year, you’re on board to save twice as much as you did last year around this time.”
“So it was all worth the risk.”
Selena smiled. “It was a good gamble.”
“I’m lucky to have you, dear. I’m certain if I had done this on my own, I would’ve invested in the wrong stock and chased my money with my tail.”
The older gentleman laughed at his own joke and reached over the desk to shake Selena’s hand. She accepted it, rising to her feet to walk Mr. McBeal to the door.
“Have a good day, Mr. McBeal.”
“You, too, darling.”
Selena stepped back and closed her door then returned to her chair. She closed out a few files that sat open on her computer and worked to keep her mind from her troubles. Some she’d created and some not. It had been six days since she’d walked up on her father having Valentine’s Day dinner with his, whatever she was, and the anger Selena felt had not fizzled. Her father reached out to her, but Selena made it clear to the ladies at S & M Financial that she wasn’t taking any pop-up visits or phone calls from him.
All that seemed to do was direct his calls to her cell phone, but Selena was a fortress, incapable of being reached. What was worse, Selena hadn’t spoken to Jordan. He’d called incessantly for two days before going completely silent. Selena didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried that she might never hear from him again. Whichever it was, her week had been stoic as she went about business as usual.
When the phone on Selena’s desk rang with the sequenced three quick shrills, she breathed easy that it was an internal call. Selena lifted the receiver and placed it to her ear.
“Yes.”
“Do you have a client? It’s Octavia.”
Selena shifted the phone to her other ear and continued to close out the programs on her computer.
“No.”
“Okay, I wanted to touch basis with you about Samiyah’s baby shower.”
“When is it again?”
“This Friday.”
“Oh, okay, what’s up?”
“Were you able to get the bakery to agree to make the cake within the time frame we have?”
“Um, oh, shit,” Selena grumbled.
“What’s wrong?”
“Let me call you back. I need to check on something.”
“Selena.”
Selena sighed. “Yes.”
“Do we need to have a pow-wow? What’s going on?”
“No, I’m good, it just slipped my mind, but I’ll get it done.”
Octavia became quiet.
“Hello?”
“It must be Jordan,” Octavia said.
Selena frowned. “What must it be Jordan?”
“You’re excited about the awards luncheon this weekend, and it slipped your mind.”
At the mention of the luncheon, Selena groaned inwardly.
“Am I right?”
Selena let out a languid breath. “I um, kind of forgot about that, too.”
Octavia became silent again.
“Hello?”
Seconds later, the door to Selena’s office opened, and Octavia glided through. She sat down in a visitor’s chair directly in front of Selena, then crossed her legs and folded her arms.
Selena looked over Octavia’s Pam Grier appearance as if seeing her for the first time today.
“Tell me what’s going on and don’t lie.”
Selena relaxed in her chair. “You say that as if I lie to you all the time.”
“No, I say that because you try and hide when something’s bothering you all the time. See the difference there?”
Selena let out a harsh breath and told Octavia the full story of her Valentine’s Day night. The more Selena spoke the more the emotional structure of Octavia’s face changed.
“Oh nooo,” Octavia groaned. “Selena, I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?”
Selena shut her eyes, fighting back emotion that tried to overcome her.
“Unfortunately, no.”
“God, you don’t think Jordan would do that to you. Help me, please, I’m trying to understand.”
“Octavia, my parents have been together for a lifetime. There’s no way my mother thought she would be going through a divorce after fifty-one years of marriage. How is this fair to her? You spend your whole life with someone for them to have eyes for someone else and leave you?”
“Is that what happened?”
Selena hesitated. “I’m not entirely sure.”
At Octavia’s puzzled look, Selena pushed forward.
“Neither of them has actually said this is happening because of this. All I’ve received was an invitation to dinner and oh hey, Selena, we’re getting a divorce!”
Selena tossed up her arms and shook her head.
“You wouldn’t understand. I’m a part of who they are. If they divorce, we divorce, I have to pick sides, and love one more than the
other, and oh God, I just can’t believe this is happening,” she said, overwhelmed.
Octavia rushed to her feet and skipped around the desk just as tears brimmed Selena’s eyes. Octavia threw her arms around her friend and held Selena while Selena gave into her mourning.
“I’m not supposed to be feeling this way, am I? I mean, I’m not a child, but I feel so dumbfounded and disheartened. I don’t know what to do.”
“Selena, I’m no therapist, but I highly doubt that it’s abnormal for you to feel a sense of dread. Like you said, you’ve followed their rules, listened to their advice, and considered them your models. With them breaking up surely it would throw your equilibrium off.”
Selena sniffled. “I’m gonna have to see a damn counselor, aren’t I?” She pouted and rolled her eyes.
“You might, baby, but if you do, may I suggest something?”
Selena shrugged.
“Maybe talk to your parents and encourage them to attend with you.”
Selena thinned her lips evenly.
“I can hardly stand my dad now. I don’t know what I’d do if I were around him again. And his introduction to Jordan was hardly the way I wanted them to meet.”
Octavia nodded with a frown and stepped back to perch her butt on Selena’s desk.
“Your father will understand. Baby, Jordan is a Rose, he’s not about to let anything happen to you regardless of who’s doing the pushing.”
Selena smirked. Thinking about Jordan saddened her more. He was only trying to help.
“I think I may have overexaggerated with Jordan.”
Octavia was nodding again.
“I like him a lot.” Selena’s voice quieted. “Love him, really.”
Octavia’s eyes shot up. “You, love him?”
Selena bit down on the corner of her lip and nodded.
“You love Jordan.” Octavia stated for good measure.
“Yes, I do, okay.” Selena huffed. “I’m in love with him, but.”
“Oh no, no, no.” Octavia shook her head. “You don’t get to say but. There is no but. You are making up a but where there is no but to be had.”
Selena rolled her eyes and cocked her head to the side. “There is a but.” She shrugged.
Octavia heaved a dramatic sigh.
“There is!” Selena swore.
“What’s the but, Selena, come on let’s hear it.”
Selena quieted again, and the silence in the room overtook them both. Octavia placed her hands on her round hips, and when she cocked her head to the side, her afro bounced.
“Okay, don’t get all Foxy Brown, on me,” Selena said.
“I’m waiting for this but.”
“But I don’t want to spend my life with someone who’ll leave me later. Forever means just that. No takebacks.”
“Oh, baby,” Octavia gave Selena a neck roll. “But what if the sky falls tomorrow? But what if 45 hits the nuclear button, and we all die? But what if you make the biggest mistake of your life because of a BUT?”
“Now you’re just making me feel silly.”
“Then I’m doing my job.” Octavia stood to her feet. “Remember on Thanksgiving when you knocked on my front door and I was in my pajamas?”
“Here we go,” Selena said.
“Oh yeah, because I’m about to go there.”
Selena folded her fingers and sat them perfectly in her lap as she crossed her legs.
“You dragged me to my bedroom, and made me get ready to see Jonathon even though he hadn’t returned my calls all week. You went so far as to turn on my shower and pull out clothes for me to wear. And I must admit, I was looking and feeling pretty pathetic. But at the end of the day, I was married. Do you know how happy Jonathon and I are now?”
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me,” Selena murmured.
“So happy that I try not to miss a night of giving him fellatio.”
Selena gasped, and her eyes popped on a faltering smile.
“Mmhmm.” Octavia nodded. “Dinner is never served without it.” Octavia licked her lips. “It’s the best fellatio I’ve ever given.”
Selena tossed her head back and roared so hard the chair tilted, and she almost toppled over.
“Oh my God! Who are you and what have you done with Octavia!?”
Octavia strolled around the desk with a sway in her hips. “Jonathon turned Octavia out. It’s Mrs. Freak Nasty Rose to you.”
Selena continued to peal over, appreciating every moment of the laugh.
“That just made my whole day. I needed that so bad.” She giggled.
Octavia winked. “I thought you might.”
A heavy knock resounded at Selena’s office door, causing the ladies to become quiet instantly. Octavia peered over at Selena, and Selena shrugged. Octavia took the last few steps to the door and opened it.
“Special delivery,” the young man said.
Selena stood. It was the same young fella from Maggie’s Daley Park with the box of roses. Selena rounded her desk and paced up to him.
“Well, hello again,” she said.
“Madam,” he responded.
“Are you sure you have the right office?”
The young man smiled. “Certain.”
He pulled out a single pink rose and handed it over to Selena.
“Philia,” they both said concurrently. “It’s the friendship rose,” Selena practically whispered.
The young man smiled. “Good memory,” he said.
“There is no way I could forget.”
The young man handed over a small square note.
“Have a great day,” he said, beaming, then turned and disappeared.
Octavia waited for Selena’s explanation and Selena opened the note.
“Let’s not pretend to be just fine. Trust me, Selena, I’m your ally.”
Selena shut her eyes and exhaled, holding the note against her chest. It was a remix of a piece of his poem from The Velvet Café.
“Whatever’s going on seems pretty sentimental. BUT what I want to know is what do you plan to do about it?” Octavia asked.
Chapter Twenty
Margaret Strauss entered Frank’s Steakhouse with the prose of a confident plutocrat. On her head, Margaret’s mane hung in a conglomerate of brown and red curls. The sixty-eight-year-old woman was wrapped in a brown cardigan poncho coat with gold earrings hanging from her lobes. She scanned the restaurant with a piercing eye and paused when she’d spotted the man she was there to meet.
“Good morning,” a hostess said. “Table for one?”
“I’m meeting someone, and I’ve just found them. Thanks anyway,” she drawled.
In a catwalk strut, Margaret sashayed over to greet her guest.
“Walter,” she said as she pulled up in front of him.
Walter Strauss glanced up and slipped his menu down on the table.
“Margaret.”
Walter stood, and Margaret waited patiently as he pulled out her chair and allowed her to sit. Regardless of their pending divorce, Margaret still expected Walter to treat her like a lady. And he did.
“Are you two ready to order?” a male server asked.
“I don’t know, I may need something strong for this conversation,” Margaret said.
“Why is that? Whatever you have to say couldn’t be worse than the last time you required my attendance at dinner.”
Margaret frowned. The last time they’d had dinner she’d introduced divorce papers, and it had taken Walter by complete surprise. That was over two years ago, and Walter had been fighting Margaret on it ever since. Margaret was adamant about her reasons, but Walter evaded dinner every chance he got to keep from having this conversation, again. Only this time, Margaret hadn’t invited Walter to dinner.
“What are you talking about? You are the one who invited me.” Margaret reached into her tote and pulled out a piece of paper the size of a small square note.
Walter was disconcerted. He too pulled out a small note, and they both reache
d for the memos, then ran an eye down the message.
“I need you to meet me at Frank’s Steakhouse, 1 p.m. no questions and please be prompt.”
Both letters were signed with each of their Initials.
“What is the meaning of this?” Margaret scolded.
A shadow covered them both, and Margaret and Walter glanced up at the man standing before them.
“It was the only way I could get you two here without argument,” Jordan said. He snapped a button on his suit jacket closed and held his hand out to Margaret.
“I’m—”
“I know who you are,” Margaret said, delighted but intrigued in the same notion.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Walter asked.
Margaret accepted Jordan’s handshake, and Jordan slipped his hand back inside his pants pockets without offering it over to Walter.
“I’m here on behalf of your daughter.”
“She sent you here to set us up like this?” Walter asked. “Why didn’t she just come to us herself?”
Jordan’s jaw ticked. Mr. Walter Strauss clearly had an attitude, and Jordan understood since the last time they’d met he was seconds from knocking his head off. On the other side of the table, Margaret’s eyes rolled over Jordan’s staunch, tight physique. In the back of her mind, she was high-fiving her daughter for catching such a prestigious benefactor, and she couldn’t help but purse her lips and batt her eyes.
“Selena doesn’t know I’m here, and if she knew, most likely she’d try to stop this conversation. But, I care about her sanity, and you two are threatening that. It’s a simple cause and effect. Your divorce and lack of consideration of the psychological stress this is causing Selena is the reason I’m standing before you now.” Jordan waved his hand out to the side. “I’d like you to meet Dr. Shelia Bradford. She’s a family and marriage counselor.”
Dr. Shelia Bradford stepped to Jordan’s side. She was a short woman, medium build with shoulder-length gray hair, serious eyes, and round cheeks. Her attire was that of a professional: black pants suit and crème colored long-sleeved button-down blouse.
The Sweetest Surrender (Falling For A Rose Book 8) Page 14