Her shoulders tensed. She hoped he wouldn’t think her a prude.
Joshua licked his lips. “In my line of work, I have half-naked woman propositioning me all the time. I really do want to have a meaningful conversation. I’ve checked out your page—stalked it, actually—and I notice you’re strong about your faith. I admire that. I…” He looked away, as if he was slightly embarrassed. “I wanted to ask you about a Bible verse.” Joshua shrugged. “It would be nice to talk to an intelligent, fully-clothed woman.”
Geneva stuck her hands in the sleeves of her coat. “Have your driver follow me home, and then we can go out. Have you eaten?”
“I ate earlier, like five hours ago. I’m famished.”
She smiled at the five-dollar vocabulary word. She cocked her head. “You’re not what I thought you would be.”
“This sounds cliché, but you can’t believe everything you see or hear on the news. The papers capture moments in time, sometimes taken out of context. A lot of the stuff you see is staged. But the man standing before you is very real.” He glanced away. “Underneath all that swag, I’m a regular man trying to get the girl to like him.
Geneva’s heart warmed. Joshua was anything but regular. “I thought I knew JJ-LUV from images, but now that I’ve met Joshua, the man, I like him. You’re real.”
He blessed her with another smile. “You’re direct. I like that.”
“I do speak my mind. It’s one of my major flaws.”
His eyes clouded. “I could use that. You’d be surprised how many people tell you only what you want to hear, or what they think you want to hear.” He blew into his hands and cupped his ears. “Let’s get out of the cold and go somewhere warm. I’m turning into an icicle. I plan to spend as much time as I can, getting to know you over the next couple of days. If it’s all right with you.”
Oh, it’s more than all right, Geneva wanted to say. Instead, she said, “I look forward to it,” and rushed over to his driver to tell him to follow her home. Then she jumped into her car and called Isabella.
Isabella’s scream echoed in the car. “This is dope! I can’t believe my friend’s dating a celebrity!”
Geneva lowered the volume on the Bluetooth. If she had known Isabella was going to blow her speakers, she wouldn’t have called her. “We’re not dating.”
“You chatted in the parking lot. Date number one. You’re now going to grab something to eat. Date number two. In my book, you’re dating.”
Geneva chuckled. She gestured to the SUV behind her that she was turning into her complex. “If I follow that logic, Joshua and I will be engaged in time for my honeymoon trip.”
“Now you’re catching on. Have fun and misbehave. Take pictures. A few selfies if you can. When you get home, call me and tell me everything that happened.”
Geneva pulled into her parking space. She gave Joshua a quick wave and scurried into the building. Geneva took a brisk, two-minute shower, threw on black jeans and a sweater, and then brushed her teeth. She slapped on lip-gloss and dug out the black boots she had been waiting for a special occasion to wear.
In fifteen minutes, she was running to the car with coat in hand. Joshua held the door open and she slipped inside.
“Where do you want to go?” he asked.
Geneva didn’t bother trying to hide her excitement. “Anywhere. Tonight’s going to be a magical night. I know it. I’m going to have the time of my life.”
Joshua laughed. “You’re infectious. Thanks for your faith in me. I think so, too.” He slipped a hand behind her head. Geneva settled back in wonderment. How was she so comfortable with this stranger? Shouldn’t she refrain from such familiarity, considering she had met him less than hour ago?
Then she shrugged. Geneva hadn’t felt this thrill in a long time. For once in her life, she would let things flow. She would ride the spontaneity wave and see where it took her.
Ch. 13
Geneva’s head resting on his shoulder warmed Joshua’s heart. He looked outside the window to hide his goofy grin. He could smell the strawberry lip-gloss she wore. If she was like any of the scandalous women he knew, he would already have eaten the strawberry off her lips, and that scandalous woman would have made sure of it.
But Geneva wasn’t that woman.
He could feel her giddiness and loved the flash of excitement in her eyes. Her true emotions shone through, not like the jaded ones of dozens of women he had dated.
Anthony drove them to El Arepazo, a Latin grill in downtown Columbus, Ohio. There were three locations, but Joshua chose the Gahanna spot because it was small and cozy with a friendly, discreet staff. The dim lights and quiet music provided a romantic atmosphere. Joshua and Geneva settled into one of the corner booths. After looking over the menu, they ordered their meals.
“Can you explain the verse you posted online this morning?” he asked when their appetizers came.
Her eyes widened. “You read my posts?”
“I did. I wasn’t kidding when I said I stalked your page. And I looked through all your photos and notes. I wanted to understand why you would put that ad on social media.” He bit into his empanada.
“It was a spur of the moment thing. I know it was crazy in this day and age, but I paid a lot for my dream honeymoon and I couldn’t see that money sink like quicksand.” She pointed at him. “What I spent might be peanuts to you, but it meant something to me.”
“I value every dollar I have. I buy quality, but I would be upset to see my hard-earned cash wasted. The hundred dollar bills you see me burning in the videos are fake. Burning money is illegal.”
“For real?” Her mouth dropped. “What about the ones I’ve seen you throwing into the crowds?”
He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Those are very real. And they are my producer’s money.”
Geneva threw back her head and laughed. She owned a throaty laugh that woke up his soul.
Joshua leaned in. “Please help me understand why this fiancé of yours ended things. Because the woman I’m sitting across from has me enthralled. You’re captivating.”
“Maybe he’s an idiot?” Geneva said. A light blush stained her cheeks and she shrank into her seat. “I don’t know why Josh dumped me with a text message then ignored me for the rest of the night.”
“A text message? Really? Wow.” Joshua shook his head. “That’s petty and it isn’t how a real man behaves.”
She straightened. “I have to admit, I wasn’t that heartbroken. Sometimes God has another plan. A better one that you don’t even see coming.”
The air around them tightened into an intimate cocoon. Joshua swallowed. He hoped Geneva meant he was the better plan. He wanted to ask, but held back. How could the Bottoms-in-your-face man be God’s better plan? He better not add meaning to her words.
Their meals arrived.
“That’s what the verse from Jeremiah is saying,” Geneva continued. “God has plans for us that supersede anything we can dream or imagine. Anything He has for us is right. He will never steer us wrong.”
Joshua nodded. “So even when you hurt, you’re hopeful God knows best?”
She took a sip of water. “Exactly. I mean if Josh hadn’t dumped me,” she winced, “then I wouldn’t have posted that ad and I wouldn’t have met…”
Joshua straightened. “Me? Are you saying you’re glad you’ve met me?”
She gave a jerky nod. “Although I must seem like an eager country bumpkin compared to who you’re used to dealing with.”
“You’re classy,” Joshua said, shaking his head. “Have you seen the women in the videos? Most of them are about hooking up with a rich man, married or not. They are content to be well-kept side pieces.”
She lowered her eyes. “I imagine they must be hard to resist. Their goods are on display and fresh for the pickings. You can certainly afford to have more than one.”
“I don’t know about fresh,” Joshua said, “But there are plenty of women. I enjoyed the attention when I was in my twenti
es. But it’s gotten old. You’re on the road, but you find yourself wishing there was one special woman to come home to.” He met her gaze. “Every good man dreams of meeting a woman like you, and I’m at the place in my life where if I found her, I’d never let her go.”
She stared wide-eyed as she took another sip of water. “I see your point. It’s rare when you come across someone and you feel a certainty. A certainty that defies time or reason.”
Joshua scribbled something on a napkin and gave it to Geneva.
She read the note and cupped her mouth. “Joshua, this is so sweet.” She read his words aloud. “Can I have your phone number?” Geneva nodded and placed the napkin on her chest. “You even drew the check boxes, yes or no.”
“You remember those? Are you going to answer?”
She took his pen and marked the yes box. Then she wrote her number in the palm of his hand.
Joshua dared to take her hand and placed it against it his lips. “I hope you didn’t give me fake digits.”
She giggled, but pulled her hand away. “No, they’re real. With me, you can always be sure you’re getting the real thing.”
Joshua agreed. Once you’ve had fakes, you developed a sixth sense for identifying the real, and Geneva was more than real. She was an original. And that was something Joshua valued greatly.
When he returned to his room later that night, Joshua called Brandon. “I’m in Ohio. I’m thinking of staying here until the trip to Jamaica.”
“What about your video shoot?” Brandon asked. “That’s been scheduled for months. Too many people who need to get paid are relying on you.”
Joshua groaned. “I haven’t forgotten. I’ll fly into Atlanta this Sunday, and we’ll get it done.”
“I take it you’re feeling Geneva.”
“She’s a remarkable woman. I hope to get to know her better.”
“Just as long as she doesn’t interfere with my money, I don’t care what you do. See you Sunday.”
Joshua pressed the end button. If Brandon only knew what Joshua intended, he would be on the next plane to Ohio. Joshua’s contract was up for renegotiation, and Joshua had no intention of renewing. Joshua felt God wanted for him to use his talents for Him. God was calling him as he had Zoya. Meeting Geneva made saying yes much easier. If things worked out, he could end up with a new girl and a better path.
Joshua knew Brandon would fight, but he was prepared for the battle if it meant he would have joy. The joy he had seen in Zoya and the joy shining through Geneva’s eyes. Joshua knew he had to experience that elation. None of the fame, possessions, or women had given him that feeling.
It was time Joshua tried God.
Ch. 14
“Are you going to say yes?”
The news reporter shoved the microphone into Geneva’s face.
Geneva jerked away and shook her head. “I don’t know.” She turned her face away from the bright lights, holding up a hand to shield her face. There were about twenty people outside Rock of Hope from various television and radio stations who had thrown questions from the minute she had arrived.
To think she had come early at eight a.m., hoping to avoid them. Joshua had tried to prepare her for the media onslaught, but there was no preparing for this invasive confusion.
“How does it feel having one of the sexiest men alive offer to take you on vacation?”
“Why did you, a minister’s daughter, invite a man to go with you on what should’ve been your honeymoon?
“How does it feel to be dumped and have the world know it?”
“Were you hoping for national attention when you posted your ad?”
Geneva held her head. “You’re all coming at me at once. I can’t…”
“Leave the lady alone,” a voice said.
Geneva recognized the lifeline and sagged with relief. No matter how camera-ready she looked, she doubted the limelight suited her. The cameras swung toward Joshua, who held a beautiful floral arrangement in his hands. He intended to make it appear as if they were meeting for the first time.
“Geneva?” he said, tilting his head.
Of course, the cameras followed.
Geneva forced herself to nod. It was going to be hard to pretend she’d never met him before. Joshua was playing the part well. A crowd of about two hundred people stood watching, and none of them were Rock of Hope members. Geneva eyed their expectant faces and froze.
Joshua came toward her with a smile. He kept his eyes on hers, which reassured her. Geneva exhaled as if she was relearning how to breathe. He wore a wool coat and what must have been a tailor-made suit because it fit him well in all the right places. The Bible in Joshua’s hand looked as if it belonged there.
“It’s great meeting you in person,” he said, handing her the flowers. Then Joshua reached over to kiss her cheek. That ocean waves smell assaulted her senses amid flashes of the cameras.
“Relax, you’re doing well,” he mumbled into her ear. His bass voice rumbled from her eardrums and down into the rest of her body.
She nodded, but backed away.
“Please say you’ll take me with you on your vacation,” Joshua said. Then he gestured for her to respond.
Geneva cleared her throat before she answered loud enough for everyone to hear. “I will gladly have you.” She felt her eyes go wide and she gasped. Her choice of words was a shock to her system. Joshua’s eyes darkened. He had also gotten the double meaning.
“Smile for the camera!” someone shouted.
Joshua looped his arm around her and brought his face close to hers for a pose. Then he smiled. He squeezed her stiff waist, silently asking her to relax. Geneva curved into his arms and smiled.
Then the press bombarded Joshua with questions about his tour. If Joshua had not kept a firm hand around her, Geneva would have shifted out of camera range. He handled the press with finesse before lifting a hand.
“I’d better get into church on time. I want to make a good impression on the pastor.”
“You’d better pray the church don’t catch fire!” a young man yelled.
Joshua stiffened. Geneva could see him battling with himself. He clenched his fists. Geneva grabbed onto his fist to take his hand. She gave him a light pull.
Joshua stole a glance her way and then chuckled at the crowd. “I’ll see you later if I survive.” He gave her hand a light squeeze and they went up the steps with their hands entwined. She released Joshua’s hand before they went inside.
“How do you handle it?” Geneva asked, slipping out of her coat.
Joshua shrugged. “You get used to it. The nosy press comes with being a celebrity. They aggravate you when they’re in your business, but you need them to help your business. It’s a love-hate relationship. Remember Charlize Theron? For a while no one saw or heard of her because the press blacked her out. Not being seen is damaging to an artist’s career.”
“In my five seconds of fame, I was terrified of being seen.” She patted her hair. “At least I looked cute.”
“You do look cute, and you did great. My first time out there, I threw up on somebody’s shoe. I’m glad they didn’t show that debacle to the world.”
“You’re kidding,” Geneva said. “I’m glad I held it together. I wouldn’t want to upchuck in front of the camera.”
“I’m glad you didn’t because these shoes are Chetwynd leather, and I’d hate to have to toss them.”
Geneva laughed. “That would be awful. They look new.”
“They are,” he said, pulling on the hem of his suit. “I wanted to look good coming into the house of the Lord. It’s been a while.”
Geneva jutted her chin at the Bible in his hand. “That doesn’t look new.”
Did he blush at her comment?
“I read when I can,” Joshua said. “Mostly when I’m on the road. I don’t always understand, but the Word soothes me. I don’t feel so… alone.”
“Hey, girl!”
Geneva turned at Isabella’s voice and held
out her arms. “You made it.”
The other woman rolled her eyes. “I know how to be on time,” Isabella said, returning the embrace.
“Yeah, okay, if you say so.” Geneva introduced her to Joshua.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you,” Isabella said. “Thank you for rescuing my friend from stalkers and sadomasochists.”
Joshua chuckled. He gave Isabella a quick hug. “Nice meeting you as well. I’m honored she chose me.”
“Are you kidding? This is exciting.” Isabella pulled out her compact and puckered her lips. “Now where are the cameras?”
“You missed them.”
Isabella sighed. “There’s goes my chance to meet my future husband. He could be watching television, waiting to see me.”
Geneva gave her a playful pat on the back. “You need to behave.”
Isabella moved between Geneva and Joshua and laced her arms through theirs. “Let’s go get some good seats. I need to see your father’s face when he sees JJ-LUV in the audience sitting next to his Genny.” She shoved Joshua in the arm. “I hope you ready to perform. Pastor Samson’s known for impromptu performances.”
Joshua shifted. “I don’t… I mean, I…”
Isabella giggled. “I’m just messing with you.”
Geneva shook her head. There was no such thing as shy when it came to describing Isabella. They went up front to take their seats. Geneva appreciated how Joshua made sure to switch places so she was in the middle. He gave her hand a squeeze, then held on.
Geneva looked at their joined hands. How can it feel like we’ve known each other for years instead of days? Geneva and Joshua had spent hours talking on the phone. Once she came out the school, Joshua was out there waiting. Geneva chuckled at the larger number of teachers coming to work wearing high heels and with their hair done. Geneva basked in the knowledge that Joshua only had eyes for her.
She scrunched her nose. How had he become essential to her in mere days?
Geneva knew the answer to that question. Joshua had hooked her in the best way possible.
The Resolution Page 6