Fateful Renuion

by Haze, Joanna A.

  “Hello. Welcome to LAX,” the dark skinned islander male attendant greeted her with a toothy grin. His huge uniform fit poorly on his lean frame.

  “Hi.” She hosted her bag on the scale before handing him her identification. Just over thirty pounds. She let out an inner sigh of relief. It felt so much heavier.

  He scanned her card and spoke as the ticket printed. “Enjoy your trip to Chicago.”

  “Thank you.”

  Being relieved of her luggage was a reprieve as she made her way inside the automated doors. A cool burst from the air conditioning hit her, washing away the warmth of the Los Angeles air. She navigated through the crowd and onto the shuttles in an effort to forge her way to the gate.

  When the door shut, she found an empty spot along the railings and closed her eyes. With the start of the shuttle, she held on for dear life as it pulled away. The experience always left her feeling like a crash test dummy. The ride came to an abrupt stop, and immediately, she was pushed forward from the urgency of the other passengers eager to exit.

  She waited for most of the cart to clear before following, barely missing the door closing. Off balance, she stumbled, and the contents of her oversized purse scattered. She scampered, trying to gather as much as she could before her belongings were kicked farther away by the crowd of pedestrians eager to make it to their designated gate.

  “You should really be more careful.” The voice was familiar.

  Mandy looked up to see a pair of blue eyes and an outstretched hand. Dante’s polo shirt and jeans fit him as if specialized tailors designed them. He should be the main spread of a magazine instead of standing before her. She shoved a small tube of lip gloss into her purse before taking his gentlemanly gesture. The contact sent a warming sensation throughout her body. Once upright, she immediately removed her hand.

  “Are you okay?” He gave her a questioning glance as she smoothed out her attire and adjusted her bag.

  “What…how are you here?” She resisted the urge to smile and noticed he was over six feet tall.

  “I decided to take a trip to Chicago. I haven’t been in a while.” His gaze roamed her outfit. “Casual is a good look on you.”

  Mandy glanced down at her fitted V-neck and capris. Walking through the airport and taking a long flight in a business suit and heels wasn’t a comfortable option. She’d tried it before and likened it to the dancing bear on a ball at the circus. “Thank you. Seriously, what are you doing here?”

  “I had a change of heart. You’re paying for a service so who am I to tell you what you can or cannot want? Due to my behavior, I thought it only right that I cover the cost of my own plane ticket.”

  A slight dimple appeared in his right cheek. The smile he gave was contagious. Mandy couldn’t help but return it. “How’d you know I wouldn’t have a replacement?”

  “I took a chance.” He shrugged his shoulders. “It seems I was right.”

  Mandy gave him a sideways glance. It didn’t stop her from trying though. That same night, she sat at her computer, agonizing over the photos, desperately searching for a fill in. None of the men stood out, just like they hadn’t the first time. “Let’s get to our gate.”

  Elation and trepidation weighed on her shoulders like good and evil. He’d done her a favor by showing up, yet she’d have to address the interracial dating elephant. Awkward silence followed as they made their way to the gate. Her first instinct was to walk side by side with him. As she made eye contact with the black male patrons and workers, self-consciousness set it. It was the look they gave her, the unspoken code, “A brotha isn’t good enough for you?”

  Out the corner of her eye, she noticed Dante seemed unaware. He walked past the same patrons oblivious to the “look.” She switched her bag from her right shoulder to her left, making it a small barrier in between them.

  They found their gate. Mandy all but dove in the seat across from Dante and whipped out her tablet. “I need to catch up on some last minute work.”

  “By all means.”

  With the lie out her mouth, she decided to add final notes to her manuscript. She’d finally come to the end of her book and had been accepted by a publisher. Mandy was knee deep in finalizing her dedications when the loud speaker came on.

  “Flight two forty-six now boarding for first class,” a woman behind the counter said into the speaker. She paused and repeated.

  Mandy clicked save and put her tablet away. “Well, that’s me. I’ll see you later.”

  Dante smiled and stood. “More like sooner. I figured you’d fly first class so I purchased the same.” He waved his ticket at her.

  “Oh.” Mandy headed toward the walkway. She hoped to have time on the flight to get herself together. She’d just gotten the thought of attending the reunion alone in her head, and then he showed. Now that he was there, she needed to deal with the race issue. She’d never dated anyone other than a black man, and now she had to put on an act with a white guy. Was it really going to work?

  “Enjoy your flight.” The attendant scanned her ticket.

  She slid it in the side pocket of her bag and continued down the breezeway to the plane.

  “Welcome aboard.” Three smiling faces of the crew greeted her.

  Mandy returned their smiles and found her seat. She closed her eyes and sunk into the soft leather. The faint smell of flowers filled the air, more than likely the fragrance of the previous passenger.

  “Comfy?”

  She opened her eyes. Dante was in the seat next to her.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, darling, let’s get this show on the road. Since we’ve been together a year, I’ll assume we’re comfortable holding a conversation and walking next to one another.” He turned his body in his seat, fully facing her.

  His words came off like a soft lullaby to her ears. When did his voice get so deep and sexy? She faced him to see his blue eyes twinkle. Blinking, she responded, “Of course we should. What makes you think I’m not comfortable around you?”

  *****

  Dante kept his laugh to himself. Mandy didn’t fool anyone. He saw right through her ploy to sit across from him, pretending to work, and how quickly she tried to run off during their boarding call. He also noticed the warming smile she gave him when she saw he’d changed his mind. It was the same exact smile she gave when he first walked in the coffee shop and why he changed his mind. The magnificent smile forced him to the laptop, booking a flight, and now found him on a Boeing 787 to Chicago pretending to be her boyfriend.

  He was thankful her high and mighty attitude hadn’t returned. His mind flashed to the hint of her bossism that greeted him as she bent over picking up her belongings. He could see himself licking the crease between her breasts that eagerly awaited his attention. A true gentleman would have helped her pick up the scattered belongings, but he was transfixed and caught off guard.

  She crossed her arms. “Well?”

  “Well what?” His smile slipped through.

  “What makes you think I’m not comfortable?” She cocked her head to the side and brought her hand up to rest under her chin.

  The good Doctor-is-in is the impression she gave. He wasn’t about to get on her couch…unless she was on top of him. The thought made his dick harden. He moved the Sky Mall magazine in his lap to hide his alert friend. “You made it a point to not say a word to me as we walked and pulled out your tablet as soon as you sat down.”

  “I had things to finish up.”

  “Okay. I’ll take your answer for now.” He fell silent as one of the flight attendants walked their way.

  “Sir, can I get you anything?” The wrinkles around her eyes gave away her true age. Behind the caked on makeup, she looked to be in her forties instead of the early thirties look she tried to give off.

  “I’ll take water. Honey, would you like anything?” He leaned up in his seat, looking toward Mandy for an answer.

  “I’m sorry. You’re together?” The attendants gaze went from Dante to
Mandy. “What can I get you, ma’am?”

  Dante watched as she was blessed with Mandy’s beautiful smile. Her teeth were so perfect he wondered if she’d been subjected to the wire restraints he endured as a teen. The sparkly light pink lip gloss she donned illuminated her full lips. Tan hermosa. So beautiful.

  “Orange juice. Thank you.”

  The attendant nodded and went through her routine of pulling out a plastic cup and pouring Mandy’s drink. He noticed how the attendant didn’t leave the container for a refill as they used to. It must be an attribute to more ways to cut their costs. Dante waited until the attendant moved on to the next row. “See we’re off to a great start.” He patted her leg.

  “Yes.” Her soft hand covered his and gently removed it from her thigh. “We are.”

  Dante searched for something to say. He yearned to know more about her other than the small glimpse he got on the paper she gave him. Who cares about her favorite color. It wasn’t the doorway to her inner being. “Do you have any kids?”

  She cut her eyes at him and snapped. “Do I look like a baby mama to you?”

  “That’s not what I’m implying. For all I know, you could’ve been married and gotten divorced.” He ducked his head.

  “Oh.” She softened. “Sorry. No. How about you?”

  “No, but I’d love to one day.”

  She nodded, and her eyes seemed to go to a far off place. “Same here but not until I’m with the one. I have no desire in raising a child alone.”

  “What’s your idea of the one?” He had her talking now and wasn’t going to let the chance slip away. The buzz of the other passengers boarding and the attendants going about their duties faded into the background as Dante trained all his focus on her.

  Her eyes closed, as if she were remembering a lover lost long ago or recalling a childhood fairytale. “Someone kind and caring, has a sense of humor, is patient, and not intimidated by my career,” she said softly.

  Dante was caught off guard. Normally the answer would be a superficial one with money and looks being high on the list.

  “How about you?”

  He hadn’t realized she opened her eyes and they were on him. Ojos marrones bonitos grandes. Big pretty brown eyes. He got lost in them for a moment. The plane picking up speed for takeoff pulled him out his fixation.

  “A relationship is give and take. Any woman who can complement me and make me a better person will have my heart.”

  Mandy’s face contorted into a grimace. Her eyes were closed again. Her fingers gripped the arm rests of the seat. If her nails were longer, he had no doubt they’d rip through the upholstery. The higher the plane ascended, the less the frown. Her eyes didn’t open again until the plane leveled out.

  “Are you scared of flying?” He resisted the urge to place his hand on her leg again and rub it for comfort.

  “Just take offs and landings.” She swallowed hard. “I agree with your assessment of what makes a person the one. If you don’t mind, I want to take a nap.”

  “By all means.”

  He pulled out his own tablet, put in an earpiece, and resumed watching Avengers from its last stopping point. Moments later, he heard soft breathing from Mandy. Images of Scarlett Johansson were replaced with Mandy Sanders.

  Chapter Six

  “Checking in?” the male hotel staff asked after they reached the front of the line. The hotel buzzed with patrons checking in and going about their day.

  “Yes,” Mandy answered.

  Dante’s firm grip on her waist toyed with her senses. After running down the rules to him in the cab ride over, Dante jumped into full character as soon as they pulled up in front of the Embassy Suites Hotel. He grabbed her luggage, pulling his and hers inside. After they reached the counter, he faced them upright and came to her. He placed a gentle kiss on her cheek and slid his arm around her. Her body heated at his closeness. The warm spice of his cologne filled her nostrils. None of this was on her list of rules. With bystanders lurking, she dared not refute him—after all this was the hotel most from the reunion would be staying in and where they are having the meet and greet that evening.

  “Name your reservation is under?”

  “Mandy Sanders.”

  She tried to relax as she watched him peck away on the computer.

  “How many keys will you need?”

  “Two,” Dante interjected. “I don’t want to interrupt my princess when I get up for an early run.”

  Putting it on thick, aren’t we? Mandy hadn’t been deemed a princess by anyone other than her father, and he hadn’t used the term since she was a child.

  “You’re all set. Here are your keys.” He handed her a card holder. “The room number and internet code is listed on the inside.”

  “Thank you,” she and Dante’s voice said in unison.

  Once inside the room, she lit into him. “What the heck was that?”

  “What?”

  “Kissing my cheek and wrapping your arm around me?”

  Dante laughed. “That was subtle for me. We’ve been together a year and you don’t expect me to kiss and hug on you in public? Our relationship must be worse than I feared.”

  She didn’t see anything funny. A conundrum was the only way for her to describe the situation. Making it through the weekend wouldn’t be as nearly easy as she anticipated. Dante’s gentle kiss on the cheek and his touch had ignited a soft ember in her soul. Had he noticed how she leaned into him?

  “Pretend relationship. As a matter of fact…” Her words trailed off as she moved around the room. She went from the living room area back to the bedroom where she left her purse. Taking out her billfold, she returned to the living area. “As promised, here is the first part of your payment. Had I known you were coming I would have had it ready at the airport.” She laid out five crisp one-hundred-dollar bills on the wooden coffee table.

  “All business. I understand.” Dante didn’t move to pick up the money but stayed on the couch. He lifted his arms over his head, stretching. “I think I’ll take a nap. That four and a half hour flight wore me out. What time is the meet and greet again, hon?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Seven.”

  “Good. I’ll be ready.” He let out a yawn and closed his eyes.

  Mandy walked into the other room but took peeks at Dante. He kicked off his gym shoes and stretched out on the couch. Dante was right at home. His lean body sprawled out on the couch looked inviting. As tired as she was, she dared not join him. The weekend was strictly business no matter how sexy the man in the other room was. She needed to get it together and quick. It was her bright idea to hire someone as her boyfriend, white or not. She needed to stick to the program.

  *****

  “Muy hermosa,” Dante said under his breath. He didn’t expect to come out the shower and find Mandy set and ready to go. The white dress she wore hugged her curves in all the right places. She’d also changed her hairstyle. It was no longer down, but sweep up into a sexy bun with a few strands of hair flowing freely.

  Catching him staring, she smiled.

  “I’ll be ready in a moment.” Going through his normal ritual, Dante picked up his phone and went to his music selection. He put in the earpiece and got to work, pulling out his electric shaver and ridding himself of his five o’clock shadow.

  “What are you listening to?”

  Mandy’s gentle touch on his arm caused him to flinch. She stood to the left of him and out the mirror’s reflection. He was engrossed in his craft and hadn’t noticed her movement across the room.

  Ignoring her question for fear she may laugh at him for listening to Justin Timberlake and Jay Z, he said, “Don’t get too close. I don’t want any of my hair getting on your dress.”

  She took a step back but not without sliding the phone with her. “What’s on your playlist, Mr. Perez?”

  Hearing Mr. Perez wasn’t uncommon at the office, but coming off her lips, it called to his inner core. It rolled of her tongue like silk. He pulled
the phone back out of her grasp. “It’s personal.”

  She gave him a look but backed off. “I’ll leave you to it.”

  Moments later, he was ready to go. He followed her lead out the room and to the elevator. The deep breath Mandy took before wrapping her arms through his didn’t go unnoticed. Her soft skin making contact with his was an envelope of warmth mixed with her scent of Shea butter and vanilla. He could get used to this.

  The elevator dinged, and the doors flew open. Mandy’s grip tightened on his arm.

  “Relax, darling. No hay nada de que preocuparse. Estoy aquí. No need to worry. I’m here.”

  “Thank you.”

  Silence fell between them as they followed the signs marked for the Saint Paul class of 2003. The rigidness of Mandy’s body resembled a child heading to the principal’s office for punishment. He sensed her apprehension when he spotted a group of people mingling outside of a room in the distance.

  Dante clasped his hand in hers, and he rubbed his thumb along the top of her hand as they progressed down the hall.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  “My job. This is what you’re paying me for. Relax. You’re not here alone.”

  “Mandy! Mandy Sanders!” A woman flapped her arms in their direction and moved swiftly toward them. Her tan was as fake as the blonde head of hair on top of her head.

  “Jessica Godfrey-Hendricks,” Mandy said, her voice lowered and less enthused.

  “It’s so good to see you.” The woman’s green eyes went from Mandy to Dante, giving him a sideways grin. “Who’s this?”

  “This…” Mandy’s voice faltered.

  “Dante Perez. Her boyfriend.” He extended his hand.

  “Oh.” Her mouth lingered open in a moment of shock. “Pleasure to meet you. Somebody’s been keeping secrets. There’s no mention of you on her Facebook page at all.”

  “You know Mandy. She’s the private type.” He smiled with confidence.