A Passion Rekindled

by Nolan, Rontora

  “I am glad we had this talk.”

  “Me too.”

  Scarlett wrapped her arms around him and hugged him.

  “I will see you Monday.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  ***

  Devon grabbed the phone as Scarlett walked through the front door.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey is Scarlett there?”

  “She just got home can I ask who is calling?”

  “Jonah.”

  “Jonah is it? Ok and what do you want with my sister?”

  Scarlett grabbed the phone from him. “Devon come on that’s was rude…hello I am sorry about him.”

  “That’s ok I’m a little brother too. How was your day?”

  “Long and about to be longer.”

  “How come?”

  Scarlett kicked off her shoes as she walked into the living room. “Family bowling night.”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  “It is Chris and Jay and I take the kids and we have fun just hanging out.”

  “Awww I wanted to see you tonight.”

  “I know I have been putting it off but if you want you can come and meet the kids.”

  “Really? I would love that.”

  “Can you be here in thirty minutes?”

  “On my way now.”

  “Ok great.”

  Scarlett hung up and pulled off her stockings. She looked over towards the stairs. She looked towards the kids.

  “Ok guys I need to talk to you.”

  Angel sat on the stairs as Devon and Maggie walked over to her.

  “Ok guys so Jonah is coming with us tonight.”

  Angel smiled. “It’s about time mom.”

  “Yeah Scarlett you guys have been out a couple of times I was wondering when we were going to meet him.”

  “Yeah about meeting him Devon I am going to need you to be on your best behavior.”

  “Aren’t I always?”

  “No you aren’t when you first met Shane you threatened him.”

  “Well it didn’t do the job you all got divorced.”

  “I know you think that it’s your job to protect me but you don’t have to.”

  “Yes I do but I will be nice for now.”

  Devon walked up the stairs as Scarlett walked to her room to change. She smiled as she picked out her clothes the evening. Things with Jonah were going smoothly and for the first time in a long time she let her guard down with him. Letting him meet the kids was something she didn’t really want to happen but knew she couldn’t put off. It was the make it or break it date.

  Scarlett felt herself at peace as she watched everyone having so much fun. The introductions went very well everyone seemed to like Jonah. Maggie squealed as she got another strike. She jumped up and hugged Scarlett.

  “Three in a row I am on fire!”

  “Yes you are.”

  Scarlett smiled as she walked forward and grabbed her bowling ball. As she walked up to grab her 9lb baby blue bowling ball Jonah walked besides her getting ready for his turn. He held his arm out allowing her to go before him and she smiled.

  “You just want me to go first so you can check me out.”

  She walked in front of him and he gave a cat whistle. “It’s such a beautiful view how could I ever resist.”

  She laughed as she took her position getting ready to bowl. As she bent down to bowl and released the ball she backed up watching to see if she would add a fifth strike to her score. As all the pins fell she jumped up and screamed.

  “Yes.”

  Jonah smiled.

  “I can do that.”

  As he went to bowl she yelled.

  “Don’t mess up.”

  As she did he got startled and bowled a gutter ball. Chris jumped up laughing.

  “Hey that’s not fair.”

  Jonah turned towards her.

  “That was so dirty. But its ok I work better under pressure I am a doctor you know.”

  He went to bowl again and stood back as the ball went down the lane. She smiled as he got a strike and she hugged him. Jayla walked over to them.

  “Boo we don’t want them to get strikes Scar we got to win this.” Scarlett beamed she separated from Jonah.

  “Hey I can appreciate his hard work can’t I?”

  Jayla shook her head while Jonah pulled Scarlett onto him as he sat on the white and blue bench. Devon glanced over to them and looked at Maggie.

  “So what do you think?”

  “I like him and Scarlett seems to be happy with him.” Angel jumped on Devon’s back and smiled.

  “I like him not as much as Christian but I do.”

  Devon laughed.

  “Yeah I don’t think she likes him as much as Christian either but she likes him and he seems good for her.” Scarlett laid her head on Jonah’s shoulder. He smiled down to her and she sighed happily.

  “Are you having fun?”

  “I am are you?”

  Before she could answer her phone rang.

  “Very much so, but hold on…Hello.”

  A frantic Christian came through the phone speaker.

  “The meeting with Brayer, Wade and Gill is tomorrow.”

  “What? No I talked to them yesterday it’s not until next Friday.”

  “Apparently they called Bernie this morning and she forgot to tell us.”

  “What? How did you find out?”

  “My dad called me confirming that we were prepared this is a very important meeting concerning that lawsuit.”

  “Wait hold on.”

  She turned towards Chris who had a mouth full of fully loaded nachos. “Did Bernie tell you that Brayer, Wade and Gill moved the meeting to tomorrow?” Chris choked on the nachos as he tried to swallow.

  “I am going to take that as a no.”

  She put the phone back to her ear.

  “Ok look it’s only seven thirty. I will call Morgan and Bethany from finance and have them fax us all the information we need.

  “Ok.”

  Scarlett hung up the phone then turned towards the kids.

  Maggie sighed. “Scarlett no we were just starting to have fun.”

  “I know. Well how about you guys stay and Devon can drive you home. Jonah can you drop me off at the office please?”

  “Sure do you need me to stay?”

  “No I am sure either Chris or Christian will give me a ride home.” Chris stood nodding.

  “Yeah that’s not a problem. I am going to drop Jay off and meet you up there.”

  Scarlett hugged the kids then grabbed her purse. She pulled out three twenties and handed them to Devon.

  “That should be enough to get whatever you guys need ok. And be home by 10 ok just because you don’t have school tomorrow doesn’t mean that you can be out all night.”

  “Ok I will make sure everything is ok Scarlett you take care of work.”

  Scarlett hugged them then followed Jayla and Chris out of the bowling alley. As they arrived to the building she looked towards Jonah and smiled.

  “Thank you so much for everything.”

  “You want me to come up make sure you get there ok?”

  “No I got it. I will call you later ok?”

  “Ok.”

  She leaned in and gave him a kiss then opened the door and walked into the building. As she reached the office she noticed Christian pacing back and forth. She walked into the double doors and smiled.

  “Christian are you ok?”

  “Do I look ok? Seriously do I look ok we have less than 15 hours before we have to pull out a win. I just don’t understand why they sent the email to Bernie.”

  “Christian calm down ok it’s going to be ok.”

  “You want this to be ok? Then why don’t you get in here and do you job instead of acting like some love sick puppy.”

  Scarlett glared at him. “Excuse me?”

  “You were on a date with Jonah when you should have been doing your job.”

  Scarle
tt felt herself chuckle. “You are seriously tripping right about now. I am going to go into the office and I am going to see if the fax has come in. you need to really get a hold of yourself.”

  Scarlett walked into the office fuming and Christian followed her. “I am sorry Scarlett this means so much to us and sometimes I just don’t know how to control my anger and you didn’t deserve how I was talking to you.”

  “Christian I know you are worried but trust me we got this.”

  ***

  Scarlett looked away from Jay; there was no way she was going to be pulled in by her puppy dog eyes.

  “Jay I don’t think so.”

  She stuck out her bottom lip and frowned.

  “Scarlett.”

  Scarlett mocked her sad tone.

  “Jayla no.”

  Jayla folded her arms.

  “Come on its Robin Thicke in concert. We are in the front row do you know how long I have begged Chris for these tickets?”

  “Look I love Brian as much as the next girl but it’s a triple date with Christian and that girl of his.”

  “If you are so jealous of her and him why did you turn him down?”

  “I am not jealous of her and I denied him because he only wants to date me because he is jealous Jonah and I really like Jonah.”

  “So come with us I promise you will have a good time…and I really don’t want to be alone with Amber I just cannot deal with her I am so better than you attitude.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Where are the kids?”

  “Well Angel and Maggie are with Fran and her girls and Devon is of course out with his friends. The house seems so empty nowadays.”

  Jayla sighed. “Aww you miss the kids…come with us.”

  “I don’t know. You think Brian will smile at us?” Jayla gave a sneaky smile.

  “I think he will because I have markers and poster board.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Hey no one can turn down a poster.”

  Scarlett smiled.

  “Well I would like to wear this new blouse I just bought.”

  “Good so I am going to call Chris and let him know he and the guys can have the limo pick us up here.”

  “Guys? Wait did you already tell Jonah I was coming?”

  “I knew you would say yes and he and Chris are hanging out already.”

  “Would we have to share one with Christian?”

  “No they are going to meet us there.”

  “Good.”

  Jay stood up.

  “I am going to grab my bag from the car so we can get dressed and make the posters…the concert is in three hours.”

  Two hours later they were dressed and ready to go. Jayla in a sexy purple and blue mesh halter top with ruffles, a banded bottom and a keyhole back with two covered buttons. She added a pair of black skintight jeans, purple UGGs, and sterling silver hoop earrings and matching necklace.

  Scarlett wore her hip hugging jeans with a two-tone style flutter sleeves blouse with a boat neck. She loved the way the shirt flattered her curves. She added diamond studs and a pair of black flat knee high boots. Someone knocked on the door and Scarlett ran to it pinning up the last of her Shirley temple curls to the left side. She smiled as she saw Jonah and Chris.

  “Well don’t you two look handsome?”

  Scarlett hugged Jonah loving how their styles always seem to go together. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans with a black t-shirt and black leather jacket. Chris wore a buttoned up baby blue shirt with a Cream blazer and jeans. Jay kissed Chris and looked at his watch.

  “We should get going Christian has the tickets.”

  “Ok.”

  Scarlett grabbed her purse and shut the door behind everyone. When they arrived at the concert hall she was the first one to spot Christian. She couldn’t deny how handsome he looked in his black cashmere sweater and khakis. Scarlett looked over to Amber and noticed how every time she saw the girl her dresses were shorter and shorter. Tonight she sported a short black mini dress and 5 inch heels. Scarlett looked at Jay and they both smiled thinking the same thing. That girl was crazy going to a concert with heels was not a great idea.

  As they walked into the three story building Christian moved towards Scarlett. She looked over to him and smiled. Christian nudged her.

  “So I heard back from accounting today.”

  “Really what did they say?”

  “In this first month alone we doubled our profits. How in this economy you are still coming up with ways we can make money amazes me. Because our moving company is charging less than others we are turning a huge profit. Mom and dad are very impressed.”

  “This is so great I am just glad you guys used my idea.”

  “We always use great ideas and you had a great idea.”

  Jonah wrapped his arm around Scarlett’s waist. “Hey guys no work talk tonight.”

  Jay smiled. “Yes please no work talking we are about to see Mr. Sexy himself.”

  Chris laughed. “I thought I was Mr. Sexy.”

  “Baby come on I love you and you are all kinds of sexy but Robin Thicke is not only sexy in looks his voice is sexy his body is sexy and he has an all-around sexiness about him.”

  Jonah spun Scarlett around.

  “Am I sexier than Robin Thicke?”

  Scarlett laughed. “I pled the fifth on that one.”

  The lights flashed and Jay grabbed Scarlett by her arm and pulled her to the doors. Scarlett laughed as she allowed herself to be pulled. Chris looked Christian.

  “Do you think we should have warned them that Brian McKnight would be making an appearance?”

  “I think we should have thought this through these women might actually forget we exist.”

  “No worries when they need a ride they will remember us.”

  They walked into the hall and saw Scarlett and Jay jumping up and down. Christian looked at Amber.

  “You are awfully quiet.”

  “You told me if I didn’t have anything nice to say then I should keep quiet. And the way those girls are shrieking and jumping around like they are teens is annoying to me. How can Chris be attracted to such foolishness.”

  “I don’t see anything wrong with how they are acting.”

  “That is because they are not on your arm. I feel sorry for Jonah. At least Jay looks like she has something to offer even if she really doesn’t. But that Scarlett girl she is an embarrassment. I really think that you should fire her.”

  “Amber we are not having this conversation. Scarlett is a great asset to have in our office and Jay is amazing. I can’t believe you are so superficial that you would put people you haven’t even bothered to get to know down.”

  “Christian you and I both know I am right. So let’s get inside and enjoy this concert.”

  She walked away and Christian followed.

  Chapter 6

  Another Opens…

  Scarlett hummed along to her IPod as she placed the files in their respected folders. The concert started out weird but when she saw Robin Thicke hit that stage there was nothing that could ruin it. Not Christian managing to sit next to her, not his date complaining the whole time. And defiantly not Robin Thick singing to her and Jay. That wouldn’t ruin her time anyways but she felt it necessary to relieve it over and over again.

  As a new song played she went back to her computer and began to type. “Cupid” by 112 came on over the speakers and she stopped what she was doing. Cupid was her and Shane’s song. Whenever she heard it she always thought back to the good times they did have. There was a time when he was everything to her. She closed her eyes and sang along with the music.

  “Cupid doesn’t lie, but you won’t know unless you give it a try. True love won’t die but we won’t know unless we give it try. Ain’t no doubt about it Lord knows I really mean it, I’d rather die before I, before I lie to you, never want to leave ya ain’t no life without ya, never going to leave never going to go No, no, no, no.no no.
”

  “Wow.”

  Scarlett opened her eyes to see Christian standing in front of her in a three piece black suit. She turned down the speaker and stood.

  “I’m sorry I thought everyone was gone for the day.”

  He walked closer to her.

  “I forgot my phone.”

  “Yeah you left it on the copier I put it in the safe but I can get it for you.”

  Scarlett walked into his office and grabbed his phone out the safe. As she walked back out Christian turned up the speakers and smiled at her. Tyrese’s “what am I going to do” played.

  “I like this song.”

  She gave him a know it all look.

  “Me too that’s why it’s on my play list.”

  “Dance with me.”

  “I still have a lot of work to do before I leave.”

  “And I think you deserve a break.”

  He pulled her to him and they began to sway to the music. He spun Scarlett around in his arms and she laughed.

  “You my dear boss are a good dancer.”

  “Why thank you. You aren’t so bad yourself. But I guess I found that out at the concert last week.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean you and Jay were going hard at the concert. I have never heard people scream as loud as you guys. I am surprised you still have a voice after all that.”

  “You know what I am too. It was so much fun though. I have never been to a concert before let alone be in the first row. It was a great experience.”

  “I am glad you enjoyed it.”

  Scarlett laid her head on his shoulder as the song changed to “These are the times” by Dru Hill.

  “I am going to have to steal this play list. You have all my songs on here.”

  “Great minds like the same things.”

  “True. So you and Jonah still going strong?”

  “We are.”

  “Good for you guys. He seems to make you happy so I am glad you’re in a good relationship.”

  Scarlett pulled back and looked at him.”

  “Christian we are just dating it’s not like we are getting married tomorrow.”

  “I’m just saying it’s good to see you happy. How do the kids like him?”

  “They think that he is a great guy.” Christian pulled her close.