I struggled with my own smile, relief flooding my body. “What brings you here?”
“A business meeting finished early and I knew you were working late, so I thought I would steal you away for an hour for a quick dinner.”
“One hour?” I arched an eyebrow. After what just transpired, I could use some food and a stiff drink, but I had hours of work ahead of me. I already lost time being down here.
“I know a place,” he replied. “And I assure you, you will be back within the hour.”
I hesitated, then gave in when the ache in my stomach chose that moment to remind me that I was overdue for a meal.
“Fine, let me get my bag an-”
“No need,” Clark interrupted. “My treat and it will only waste time.”
“Oh, okay.” It made sense, but I felt weird going out with nothing but my cell phone and the office keys. Turning to Washington, I called out that I would be back.
As I walked out onto the street, I wondered what was going through the security guard's mind. I came down to speak with one man and was leaving with another. I wondered what story he was making up to explain what he had just witnessed.
If only he knew that what he saw was a small part of a bigger story, one that started with an engagement from a completely different man.
As I held Clark's hand, I looked across at him. Did I make the right choice? How sure was I that he was the better pick than Julian? That's the thing, I didn't know, but I was willing to see where this would go and already it was an adventure outside my comfort zone.
Epilogue
“Oh, God, I can't wait until she comes out,” Toni groaned as she sank into my sofa. She was huge and the ETA of Grace Amelia Crane was still weeks out.
“It's just going to be another type of agony,” Luisa said, popping a grape into her mouth.
“Don't remind me,” Toni sighed. “At least Aaron will be taking up some of the responsibilities.”
“That's true,” I said, placing a tray of glasses on the coffee table.
Meredith came up beside me and placed a pitcher of Sangria next to the tray, and Toya followed with a pitcher of juice for Toni. Then the ridiculously cute couple curled up into each other on an armchair. This wasn't new to the rest of us, it was to the point that we didn't even notice it.
“Guess who I bumped into at the doctor's office?” Toni asked, trying to find a comfortable position.
“Who?” I asked, pouring out the drinks.
“Naomi.”
I paused before pouring Sangria into another glass, “Okay.”
“She practically grabbed onto me, she's not taking to motherhood well,” Toni took her glass.
“Well,” I mumbled. “She has Malachi.”
“Uh uh, he's long gone,” Toni replied. “She talked my ear off about how happy she was to see the back of him and how much she looks forward to getting away from the baby. Seems like her mom is helping her out.”
I felt everyone's gaze on me but I doled out the glasses and kept my mouth shut. If only I could shut off my thoughts. A small part, a very small part, felt sorry for her, but my heart really went out to the baby. How old was it? Was it a boy or a girl?
“I felt sorry for her, but I was so happy when the nursed called my name,” Toni went on.
“When did you last see her, Alexa?” Luisa turned to me.
I took my glass and sank into the other armchair. Looking up at the ceiling, I said, “Thanksgiving.” I took a sip of the Sangria as I remembered that evening. I felt the same but with the passing of time, the emotions felt dull. The betrayal felt more like it happened to a good friend instead of to me.
“Would you...” Toya began to ask. She had respected my choice, but she was curious.
“Not yet,” I looked down at my glass. “I might check in on the kid, you know to make sure it's-”
“She,” Toni piped in. “The baby is a girl, Naomi named her Sidney Alexa St. Pierre. She misses you,” she whispered.
I snorted, “I wish I wasn't so damn miss-able.” I took a sip of my drink and gulped it down. “But enough about old friends and past pains, this is about the future, this is your baby shower after all.”
Toni began to speak, she wasn't a fan of Naomi, but she did care when it came to a person who was clearly in need. Instead of saying all the things I already knew, the things I would end up doing, she smiled, “Fine, so what did you guys get me?”
The heaviness fell away, replaced with the fun and games we had planned for our pregnant friend. Through the laughter and joviality, I saw the way Toya and Meredith looked at each other, as though they were considering starting a family themselves. Luisa and Toni were comparing notes on their experiences in motherhood. Unfortunately, my mind kept returning to the woman I once considered a friend.
“Daydreaming about Clark?” Luisa asked, a knowing smile on her face.
“Yes,” I lied. “We're going to my parents' this weekend. We have a little tournament planned. Although Dad is in his last days, he insists on going out as the undefeated chess champion.”
The thought of the man who was welcomed into my family banished all thought of Naomi to the corners of my mind. And that thought led to the thought of starting a family with him, I liked that thought.
I looked down at the ring that shone like fire on my finger, right next to the ring he bought for me.
I really liked that thought.
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KEEP READING FOR AN EXCERPT FROM
THE NOVELLA BY KIMOLISA MINGS
MORE THAN FRIENDS
Would they risk a great friendship for love?
Imani James, a beautiful, black grad student, wasn't looking for love but she discovers that Mr. Right is right at her finger tips. But when faced with having a friend become a lover, Imani hesitates. A decision she now regrets.
Over the short time he's known Imani, Ian Hunte, an attractive, white law student, has fallen for his close friend and now he wants to be more than friends. Faced with rejection, he goes in search of love in all the wrong places only to discover that Imani is the only woman for him.
In trying to preserve their friendship, Imani brings it close to destruction, but when given a second chance will she accept Ian as a lover?
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Chapter One
“Am I black enough?”
Ian Hunte looked across at the petite, dark skin woman sitting beside him at the bar. He took in her slim waist, full hips and bust, all tastefully covered in business casual. She brought a cocktail glass up to her full lips as her eyes closed to savor her potion of choice.
He sighed, it wasn't the first time his friend asked the question and it most likely won't be the last. Before giving a response, he placed his pale forearm next to her arm.
“Yeah, you are most definitely black,” he said before reaching for his glass of beer. “Or should I say African American.”
Imani James gave him her infamous side eye and shoved his shoulder, jostling the contents of his glass. “You know perfectly well, what I mean. I don't fall into that definition of black.”
Ian sat back in his stool as Imani listed all the things that excluded her from black culture. As usual, they had found refuge in Simon's, the bar a couple of blocks away from Edison College, the college where they were both graduate students. The bar attracted an older crowd, excluding the rowdy and exuberant college students the pair was trying to avoid.
The pair had met their first day at the Edison C
ollege and made a connection. It was during their introduction that they found out that they were in different programs. Imani was getting her MBA in Marketing and Ian was enrolled in the Law School.
Despite their schedules, Imani and Ian still made time to hang out with each other. Unbeknownst to Imani, Ian's feelings for her went beyond being good friends. He just couldn't find the right words to let her know without destroying their friendship.
“....I'm just not into hip hop and I can't stand those God-awful reality shows,” Imani continued.
“From all that you said, it sounds like a friend of mine from High School is black. He knows all the lyrics to Jay Z's Blueprint album but he has blue eyes and blond hair,” Ian said with a smile.
Imani looked at Ian, taking in the 6ft white man with a shock of auburn hair and the most intense green eyes, then laughed. She could always count on him to find the light side to her turmoil, be it stressing over exams or dealing with her inner demons. Ian could always bring a smile to her face.
“So what happened?” Ian asked soberly.
“Hmm?” Imani took a sip of her drink.
“What happened that caused you to question your identity?” he prompted.
With a groan, she said,”Diversity Marketing. Can I help it if I cannot list elements that help in marketing to African Americans? You should have seen the look I got from Rahsheeda. It was as though I was an imbecile. Excuse me, I grew up in Claremont, Minnesota, not the Southside of Chicago.”
“Are you and Rahsheeda friends?” Ian placed his glass down and turned fully to Imani.
“No,” Imani said with a pout.
“Then what does it matter what she thinks? Plus, you are in that class to learn, not to teach the class on how to market to people of your race.” There were times when Imani needed a pep talk and Ian was always ready to offer one.
“Yeah, you're right,” she said with a sigh. “So how was your day?”
“The usual, lectures and research,” Ian began. “Plus, I'm compiling a list of firms I will be approaching for an internship.”
“Who is at the top of your list?” Imani's interest was genuine.
Before Ian could answer, he sensed someone behind them.
“Imani?”
The friends turned around to see an attractive light skin man behind them. He was shorter than Ian, about 5'9”, had a muscular build and wore a sweatshirt with the Edison College emblem across the front over dark blue jeans. He wore his dreads locs loose, but every now and then he would tuck a loc behind his ear when it would fall in front of one of his hazel eyes.
“Um, Andrew, right?” Imani asked politely.
“Yeah, yeah, we had Professor Nunez's class together last semester,” he explained, his attention solely on Imani.
“Oh, Andrew, this is my friend, Ian. Ian, this is Andrew,” she said by way of introductions.
The men greeted each other and shook each other's hands. Then Andrew turned to Imani, “There is this art opening at the Dailu Art Gallery. An artist from Harlem is exhibiting his paintings of city life. I'm going and want to know if you'd like to come.”
Imani smiled, “That sounds cool, I love art openings. Do you mind if Ian comes along?”
Ian could tell that Andrew was more interested in spending time with Imani than entertaining the both of them. Instead of saying no, he asked Ian if he would like to come.
“When is the opening?” Ian asked, toying with the other man.
“Friday at 7:30pm,” Andrew replied.
“Sorry, I can't make it,” Ian said. “You two, go on and have a good time. Maybe another time.”
Andrew looked visibly relieved. As he and Imani arranged when and where they would meet to attend the opening, Ian turned back to face the bar. He ordered a shot of Whiskey, aiming to burn away the feelings of anguish. This could be the start of a relationship between Imani and Andrew. He ordered a double shot.
Once they established that Imani and Andrew would meet at the Dailu Art Gallery, Andrew said goodbye, telling Ian it was nice meeting him. Ian in return raised his hand and said the same.
“Why can't you make it?” Imani asked, turning to the bar.
“Lucas and I made plans to see a movie,” Ian lied.
“Lucas?” her brows wrinkled as she tried to remember. “Who's Lucas?”
“The guy with glasses, lives down the hall from me,” Ian explained.
“Oh, oh yeah,” Imani nodded her head slowly. “So tell me, who is at the top of your list of firms?”
Welcoming the return to their original conversation, Ian told Imani of his choices. As the evening progressed, he tried his best not to think of Imani going out with Andrew. He focused on enjoying his time with her, even if the night out was not classified as a date. But would Imani ever consider dating him?
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More Than Friends
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CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
BY KIMOLISA MINGS
THE MILLIONAIRE & THE GENTLEMAN
Reuniting with her childhood friend, Nia Armstrong discovers in Andy Smith everything she wants in a man. But Andy has a secret, more like a few and when Nia discovers what they are, can she look past them to see Andy as the man she had fallen in love with?
LOVING THE WRONG MAN
When faced with temptation, will the good wife, Amanda Jones, give in to it. Even when she discovers that her marriage is not what she thought it was, will she fall for the charms of playboy, Maxwell Whitfield. Especially when he gives her what her husband can never give.
I DO... NOT
After ending a short lived engagement, Alexa Marsh embarks on the single life, but this too is short lived when she meets not one but two men who may be Mr. Right. Unable to choose, the choice may be taken away from her, forcing Alexa to face the truth about herself.
SCI-FI ROMANCE
BY KIMOLISA MINGS
INTEGRATION
In a galaxy divided by race, can a black doctor looking for a cure allow herself to give into her attraction to a white ambassador who's missions takes him beyond their stars?
ORATION
A pregnant Dr. Selassie Ousab travels to the planet Ondu to speak to the powers that be to do the unthinkable. The father of her child, Helix Thorne, must choose between his position as Ambassador and the family he can never have in the galaxy divided by race.
FRIENDS + LOVERS SERIES
BY KIMOLISA MINGS
MORE THAN FRIENDS
Imani James, a grad student, wasn't looking for love but discovers that Mr. Right is right at her finger tips. Ian Hunte, a law student, values his friendship with Imani, but wants to be more than friends. Rejected, he looks for love elsewhere but discovers that the only woman he wants is Imani. Can he convince her to see him as more than a friend?
JUST FRIENDS
Friends now lovers, Imani James and Ian Hunte are facing an unexpected threat to their new relationship. Ian is about to be a father and Imani is not the one pregnant with his child
YESTERDAY'S GONE
From the ashes of an old relationship emerges a new one, but with it comes unresolved hopes and fears. With thousands of miles between them, Imani James & Ian Hunte reunite, but Ian wants love and Imani believes she wants friendship. When she, at last, comes to terms with her true feelings, is it too late?
TOMORROW'S END
Leading separate lives, Imani James and Ian Hunte have moved on from a relationship that can never be, but when faced with life and death, they are forced to come to terms with their true feelings for each other.
About The Author
Kimolisa Mings was born on the small Caribbean island of Antigua and still calls it home. She is a poet and began writing and publishing stories in 2012, starting with the short story titled Martine. In 2014, she published a collection of poems titled She Wanted A Love Poem and her first novel, Saving Babylon, an erotic suspense. In 2015, Kimolisa publ
ished Dark Warrior Vol. I, a collection of poems, and Red, a suspense novella. She also published the first book in this series, More Than Friends.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Epilogue
MORE THAN FRIENDS
About The Author
I Do... NOT Page 16