* * *
“You okay, Lexi?”
She rotated her chair. “Hey, Cam. Yeah, I’m fine. Ready to start the week with your new job? Seems like it’s going well.” She had been surprised but pleased to find out that Khalil had offered Cam the job. Cam had spent the remainder of last week getting acclimated and would start officially today.
“Yeah. So far, so good. I’ve got a lot to learn about the fitness parts of the business, but I found a couple of books that should help. Did Khalil tell you that he’s going to help with the homeless project we talked about?”
Lexia leaned forward. “No, but that’s fantastic.” Cameron frowned and she asked, “What?”
“I’m just surprised he didn’t tell you since you two seem to be pretty tight.”
She shrugged. “I’m sure he’ll get around to it.” Khalil hadn’t mentioned it before his grand announcement four days ago. She tried to keep her tone light because she didn’t want Cam to know what had happened. So far, Lexia had been able to keep it together during the day while working, but the weekend had been hard. Cam’s voice drew her back into the conversation.
“The other thing I wanted to tell you is I found a place. I won’t be able to move in for another two weeks, though.”
Lexia smiled, came around the desk and hugged him. “That’s great, Cam. I’m so happy everything is going well for you.”
He bowed his head. “Thanks. I just want to make Jan proud.” He cleared his throat. “The only thing is I didn’t keep up with the storage payments and I’ll have to start from scratch. It’ll be a while before I can get furniture.”
Lexia retrieved her purse from a locked drawer, took out a key and handed it to him. “No you won’t. I took over the payments last year and everything is there.”
“You are a true friend, Lexia,” Cam said emotionally.
He clutched the key in his hand as if it was his lifeline, and she supposed it was. Everything in storage connected Cam to the life he used to have. Lexia hoped his future turned out better than hers.
“I’m heading over to the gym now. Is there anything you want me to take care of here when I get back?”
“No, but thanks. I’ll make sure to have Mr. Willis leave you a plate.”
“I appreciate that. I don’t know how I’m ever going to pay you back.” Cameron engulfed Lexia in another crushing hug and departed.
She dropped down in her chair and thought about all that had happened since Janice died. Cam had confessed on several occasions that the pain had gotten to be so much that he needed to get lost for a while. Lexia wouldn’t mind getting lost for a few days, herself. “It won’t be now,” she mumbled. The morning rush would begin shortly, and since Jayla didn’t come in until ten she had to help Sam.
Out front, Lexia spoke to those occupying tables as she passed. Many of them were regulars, but there were a few unfamiliar faces. She jumped right in, taking orders, filling coffee mugs and carrying plates.
She dropped off an order and met Sam two tables over. “Sam, if you’ll take the order at table six, I’ll clean off this one.”
“Got it.” Sam left the stacked dishes and hurried off.
Lexia placed the dishes in a large dishpan, turned, and her gaze collided with Khalil’s. What is he doing here? Striving to maintain a professional edge, she pointed to a table. “Have a seat and someone will be with you in a moment.” As she passed him, she felt the heat of his stare on her back. In the kitchen, she placed the dishpan in the sink and braced her hands on the edge. Just the sight of him in the jeans and silk pullover tee still sent her body into overdrive, and as much as she wanted to hate him, she couldn’t turn her feelings off. She stayed in the kitchen a moment longer and hoped that Sam had already taken his order.
She should have known better. Sam pretended to be busy on the other side of the café and wouldn’t even make eye contact with Lexia. Sighing inwardly, Lexia walked over to the table.
“What can I get you?”
“The coffee cake, tea and five minutes of your time.”
“I’ll bring your order in a moment.”
Khalil grasped her hand. “And your time?”
“No,” she whispered, and pulled away.
“Lexia, baby...” Regret flickered in his eyes.
“Please don’t.” She blinked back the tears, spun on her heel and fled to the back. She let the wall take her weight and buried her head in her hands.
“Are you okay, Lexi?” Sam draped a comforting arm around Lexia’s shoulder.
She nodded quickly and wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. “I will be. I think I just need to get away for a few days.”
“You’re more than welcome to use our place in Santa Barbara. I know my parents won’t be using it anytime soon. And my brother’s kids are still in school, so the place is empty.”
The prospect of spending a few days in the beachfront property to get her mind together sounded like an excellent idea. “Normally, I’d say no, but this time, I think I’ll take you up on your offer. Do you think you can handle things around here for the rest of the week?”
“Of course, hon. I’ll see if Jayla can work a few extra hours in the morning, and Mr. Willis’s grandson will be here in the afternoon.”
She smiled weakly. “Thanks, Sam.”
“You know I’m here for you. I’ll call to make sure everything is ready for you. You want to leave tonight or tomorrow?”
“I’ll wait until tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
“Um...can you take Khalil his order, please? I just can’t do this right now.”
“Sure.” Sam started off, stopped and turned around. “For what it’s worth, I still believe the two of you belong together. He wanted me to make sure you were all right and he looks about as miserable as you.”
Lexia didn’t comment. She didn’t think she would ever feel as much pain as she had after what her ex put her through. But she was wrong. Dead wrong.
She stayed in her office for the remainder of the day and made sure to leave before Cameron came back. He’d find out soon enough, but she didn’t want him to jeopardize his new job.
* * *
Tuesday midday, Lexia parked in the driveway of the beautiful home and opened the envelope Sam had given her. Inside she found a set of keys and some information on nearby places. Leave it to Sam to provide the equivalent of a travel package. Smiling, she took out the keys, grabbed her bags and let herself in. As soon as she stepped inside, the tension she’d been carrying around started to ease.
“Wow.” The glass doors and windows in the living room provided a stunning ocean view and the area had a built-in fireplace. She set her bags down and continued with her self-guided tour. The large kitchen was equipped with modern appliances, had a center counter with bar stools and a banquet table for dining while looking out at the water and opened to a cozy family room. She retraced her steps, took the stairs to midlevel and found three bedrooms and a hall bathroom. The master suite sat on the upper level, complete with a king-size bed, wet bar, coffeemaker and refrigerator. It had a sitting area with more comfortable seating and a corner work desk. The en suite bathroom was no less elegant with its walk-in shower and large tub placed beneath a picture window.
Lexia pulled out her phone and sent a text to Sam to let her know that she had arrived safely and to thank her again for the offer. She loped back down the stairs, unloaded the groceries she’d purchased on the way, then grabbed the envelope and went outside to the back deck, which sat directly on the beach.
She leafed through the information on places to visit and eat, set them aside and unfolded Sam’s note. Her smile faded. The bold handwriting on the paper belonged to Khalil, not Sam. Apparently, her friend hadn’t given up on her matchmaking campaign. She started to ball it up and toss it in the garba
ge can, but stopped in midcrumple and straightened the sheet.
Lexia,
I know I hurt you. Believe me, that was never my intention. Contrary to what you believe, I do care about you...very much and I’d like a chance to explain. Khalil
Lexia leaned her head back against the cushion and closed her eyes. I do care about you, Lexia, but I can’t give you what you want. This isn’t like some fairy tale where I can wave a magic wand and make everything perfect. His cutting words played in her mind. What else was there to explain?
She toed off her shoes and socks, stepped off the deck and sauntered close to the water’s edge. The sun shone overhead, but the noon temperatures hovered at just about seventy degrees with a slight breeze. She stood there watching the soft waves crash over the shore and trying to block out everything except the beauty around her. Lexia lowered herself to the sand and let handfuls of the grains seep slowly through her fists. Soon she lost track of time, the sounds around her disappeared and only her inner thoughts remained. Laughter snatched her back into the present.
Lexia glanced up in time to see a couple jogging past. She stood, dusted off her hands and went back into the house. She hadn’t eaten and her stomach was sending a loud reminder. She settled on a light meal of chicken soup and half a turkey sandwich. Afterward, she powered up her laptop to check her emails and work on the cookbook she had started. She’d given Jayla a few simple recipes that the young woman and her friends had raved over. Since then, Jayla had been bugging her to write a book for college students and teasingly referred to it as Cooking for the Domestically Challenged College Student. So Lexia decided to give it a try. However, today she couldn’t concentrate and gave up after an hour. She tried listening to music and reading to occupy her mind, but nothing helped. She went up to the master suite and sat out on the balcony, but all it did was remind her of cuddling with Khalil and him kissing her. Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him? Lexia figured by leaving LA for a while, she would be able to escape the pain that plagued her day and night. However, the memories had traveled the distance right alongside her. She hadn’t counted on not being able to outrun her feelings.
* * *
Khalil sat at his parents’ kitchen table Wednesday morning pushing around the food on his plate. His mother had asked him to stop by before going to work and in his present mood, he should have figured a way to decline. Nearly a week had passed and he hadn’t made any headway in fixing the mess he’d created in his life.
“You’re not eating.” His mother slid into the chair next to him.
“I’m not that hungry.” He put the fork down.
She clasped her hands around the mug of coffee in front of her and observed him. “Are you still in pain or are you worried about what’s going to happen with your other ear?”
“I’m not in pain and I’m just going to wait and see what happens.” True, he did have some concerns about the prospect of surgery, but not having Lexia in his life weighed heaviest on his mind at the moment. “You asked me to stop by. Is something going on?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.”
Oh brother.
“I’m worried about you, Khalil.”
He let out a short bark of laughter. “You just saw me on Saturday. I’m fine.”
“And you’d be happy if you straightened out things between you and Lexia.” She picked up her coffee and took a sip.
“What are you talking about? I’m happy,” he lied. Khalil hadn’t mentioned anything to his parents about the breakup. He only told his siblings because he knew they’d camp out at his house until he did, especially Siobhan and Brandon. The two of them took being the oldest to a whole new level.
She drilled him with a look. “Khalil Marcellus Gray, I saw those pictures of you and Lexia in New York. You were happy then.”
He winced. He hated when she called him by his full name. She was right. He had been happier than he could remember.
She covered his hand with hers. “Who was she, sweetheart?”
Khalil’s brows knit together. “Who was she, who?”
“The woman who broke your heart.”
He froze. He had never told anyone what happened in Mexico, not even Brandon, as close as they were. “What makes you think someone broke my heart?”
“When you came home from Mexico after your last modeling assignment there, I noticed you weren’t as playful, and the light that had always been in your eyes had dimmed. Oh, you did a good job covering it up, but I saw it. I wanted to ask you about it, but your father said you’d share it when you were ready.”
She had described him to a tee and he still wasn’t ready.
“I know you’re in love with Lexia, can see it as clear as glass,” she added with a chuckle. Then she sobered, reached over and placed a motherly palm against his cheek. “Don’t let fear steal another moment of your life, sweetheart. Yes, there is always a risk when it comes to love, but the payoff is always worth it.” She patted his hand. “Now, finish up your food. I have a feeling you’re going to need all your strength to get Lexia back.”
Khalil shook his head and chuckled. “I love you, Mom.” What else could he say?
“I love you more.”
After finishing breakfast and kissing his mother goodbye, he sat parked in his car outside the house trying to determine his next move. As much as he hated to admit it, his mother had been right. He was afraid. Afraid that if he let a woman get too close, he would suffer the same heartbreak as before. Now he faced a greater fear—losing Lexia. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. Cameron had told Khalil that Lexia was gone on vacation, but he didn’t know where. However, Sam would know.
He started the car and headed for the café. Khalil turned on every ounce of charm he possessed, and after fussing for a full five minutes and threatening him with bodily harm if he hurt Lexia again, Sam relented and gave him the address.
He stopped by the gym to let Cam and Felicia know he would be gone for a couple of days. As he was leaving, his phone buzzed with a text message.
Hey, bro. Just left the mayor’s office. He promised to help expedite all the paperwork for the building permits so we can get this project off the ground.
Khalil chuckled. He wanted to ask how Brandon had gotten on the mayor’s calendar so quickly and secured the man’s help, but knew how relentless his brother could be. His siblings had picked up the ball and taken care of business. Malcolm had reached out and found two buses and the renovations had already started. If they could find drivers, the mobile services could potentially be up and running in a month. The building would take longer to refit.
As he drove home to pack, Khalil turned his attention back to winning Lexia over. He planned to pull out all the stops. A smile curved his mouth. He engaged the Bluetooth in his car and reached out to an old friend for help. His fear notwithstanding, it was time for him to put all his cards on the table.
Chapter 19
Khalil leaned against the side of the beachfront house and observed Lexia sitting near the water and letting the sand drift through her hands. She wore a long-sleeved T-shirt, sweatpants and tennis shoes. His heart nearly beat out of his chest with the sheer magnitude of his emotions. He loved this beautiful and unique woman and had been a fool to let her go. He stood there a few moments longer to gather his courage, then straightened and sauntered over to where she sat.
Lexia startled and jumped away. “Khalil? What are you doing here?”
He wanted to kiss her, badly, but didn’t think it would go over too well right now. He removed his shades so he could have an unobstructed view of the face that had haunted him for the past two weeks. The only difference was her eyes. In them, he saw sadness and a hint of fire. “I came to talk to you.”
“The only person who knew my whereabouts was Sam, so I’m assuming the traitor told you,
” Lexia said with a roll of her eyes.
He chuckled. “She did, but not before threatening to gut me with the sharpest knife in the café and promising that I’d never get another piece of coffee cake if I hurt you again.”
She fixed her eyes on a bird flying overhead and a small smile crossed her lips. When she faced him again, it was gone. “So, did you take her threats seriously?”
“I did. But not because I’m worried about being gutted or not having the coffee cake.” Khalil paused. “Well, maybe I’m a little concerned about the coffee cake,” he said with a smile. “Honestly, I’m far more worried about hurting you.”
Lexia looked away. “And you did.”
A pang of regret hit him. He sighed heavily and turned her face toward his. “Baby, I know I hurt you. Please believe me when I say I am truly sorry. I love you, Lexia.”
She gasped softly and surprise filled her face. Just as quickly, the wariness came back. “I don’t think this is a good idea, Khalil.” She rose to her feet.
He gently took her hand. “Please don’t leave. Give me a chance to explain.”
She stared at him for a long moment, and then dropped back down onto the sand next to him.
“Thank you.” Khalil didn’t let go of her hand, held it tighter to draw from her strength. He closed his eyes to block out the images. He opened them again and met Lexia’s expectant gaze. He lowered his head. “Her name is Michaela Phillips. And because of her, I spent thirty-six hours in an overcrowded, dirty prison in Mexico.”
“Oh my God,” Lexia whispered.
“We’d been dating for about a year and were on a modeling assignment together. I had planned to propose to her the day our photo shoot ended and, instead, was arrested at a restaurant with her and another four models and locked up with no explanation. They took my watch, the engagement ring that was in my pocket and every dime I had in my wallet.” The memories rose so sharply he could almost smell the foul stench of unwashed bodies, urine, feces and rotten food. “I heard bits and pieces of their conversation and realized it had to do with drugs.”
A Touch of Love Page 18