Somebody rockin’ knockin’ for real!
The sound of her cell phone brought her back from the walk down memory lane. She placed the call on speaker as she walked over to where her jewelry was stored. “Hey, Mom!”
“Hello, Sherri. Sounds like I caught you in a good mood.”
“I am. Randall and I are going out tonight.”
“Ooh! I like the sound of that. What’s the occasion?”
“Nothing special. Just wanting to put some ‘us’ time inside of our busy lives.”
“That’s very smart, Daughter. Marriage takes work, but the payoff is worth it. Your daddy was my best friend. I miss him every day. ”
“I’m sure you do, Mom. I miss him too.” She paused, thinking that it had only been three short years since her father had died unexpectedly at the age of sixty-four. They spent the next several minutes talking about him before Sherri got around to what she always did when talking to Elaine, her mom’s health. “How are you feeling today, Mom? You sound good.”
“Today was a good day, baby. Your mom feels like her old self.”
“Good. How’s Ms. Riley?”
“Neighbor is clucking over me like an old hen. Between her and Lady, I can’t get any peace. I love her to death.”
“Both she and Lady love you, too. I can’t believe that dog is still alive. In human years it’s what, eighty years old?”
“Near ’bout, and going blind. She’s my constant and loyal companion, that dog. I wouldn’t have survived Clarence’s death without her.”
“Give her a hug for me. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Sherri finished the call and donned her jewelry. She walked out of the dressing room just as Randall stepped through the door to their suite.
“Dayum, woman!” Randall stepped back, placed his hands in his pockets, and eyed her appreciatively. Then he strolled over. “My name is Randall,” he said, his tone low, his eyes still perusing every inch of her body. “What’s your name?”
“Sherri,” she shyly answered.
“Well, listen here, Sherri, as sweet as a berry.” Sherri chuckled and batted her eyes. “Is there any way that I can get those seven digits, you know, call you up, take you out?”
“I’ll give you my phone number,” she said in a soft voice. “But you don’t have to wait and call me. You can take me out tonight.”
“As fine as you’re looking? I’d say let’s skip the restaurant and the concert, head straight to the hotel and order room service !”
“As long as it took me to pull on this Spanx? Trust and believe I’m getting ready to show this body off!”
They laughed, hugged, and shared a kiss.
Randall began removing his shirt as he headed to the master bath. “I just need a quick shower,” he said over his shoulder. “And time to ponder the exceptionality of your anatomy.”
“You nut!” Sherri laughed at one of Randall’s corny, oft-used lines. The first time she’d heard it was almost fifteen years ago.
It worked then. It worked now. This—she had a feeling—was going to be a very good night.
CHAPTER 18
Just over an hour later, Randall and Sherri enjoyed appetizers at their favorite Italian eatery.
“You always order that!” Sherri teased after listening to Randall request the polenta-crusted crab appetizer with broccoli rabe.
“It’s always good,” he countered.
“Let’s see.” Sherri scanned the menu. “I think I’ll try the cavoletti verdi.”
They handed the waiter their menus.
“Pretty fancy name for a plate full of greens,” Randall said.
“Maybe, but it sounds good, especially with the kale being organic. I’m trying to buy most of our food that way.”
The sommelier delivered and poured their sparkling wine. “To what should we toast?” Randall asked once he’d left.
“To an amazing man,” Sherri said, leaning in for a kiss.
“To an amazing woman,” Randall replied, “and the awesome night we’re going to spend together.”
Love shone in their eyes as they enjoyed a sip. With her glass still upraised, Sherri’s expression changed ever so slightly.
But an astute Randall recognized it. “What is it?”
“Not what . . . who. Don’t look now,” Sherri continued, “but one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my life just entered the restaurant on the arm of an equally amazing-looking man.”
“You say something like that and expect me not to turn around?”
Sherri watched as the restaurant manager approached the couple. “They must be celebrities. The manager just joined the maître d’ to greet them.”
Randall couldn’t resist. He turned around and locked eyes with the vivacious vixen. “Oh wow,” he mumbled.
“What?” Sherri looked from her husband to the woman and back again. The woman who was still staring in the direction of their table. “You know her?”
Randall nodded. “Remember the freelance writer in LA I told you about? The one who interviewed me for Science Today?”
“That’s her?” Another nod from Randall. “No wonder when I called her attractive you corrected me. She is beautiful, as you said. Stunning, even. Gorgeous.” Randall took another sip of wine. “Who’s that guy she’s with?”
“I don’t know. Her boyfriend, I’d imagine.”
Sherri eyed them as she too took a taste of bubbly. “Yes, you’re probably right. She looks like a black Barbie and he could be her olive-skinned Ken.” She continued watching the couple chat with the manager. “What do you think he is? Hispanic, Middle Eastern, dark-skinned white boy? I can’t tell.”
“And you think I can? As comfortable as I am in my sexuality, you won’t find me turning around and staring a brother down so as to ascertain his heritage.”
“Looks like you won’t have to.”
“Why do you say that?”
Another voice answered that question for him. “Randall,” Jacqueline said as she reached the table, “I thought that was you.”
He stood and extended his hand. “Hello, Jacqueline. It’s a small world. I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Sherri.”
Jacqueline turned toward a bemused Sherri and stretched out her hand. They shook. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Sherri nodded. “Likewise.”
“This is Phillip,” Jacqueline said, turning to the very handsome man beside her. “He’s the dear friend who’s been gracious enough to host my extended stay in D.C., and the one I’m helping with the website.”
Introductions were made.
“Where are you two from?” Sherri asked.
“Canada,” they answered simultaneously.
Phillip continued. “My father is from Romania originally. He saw my mother, a woman of color, and it was love at first sight.”
“Are you a writer also?”
“No, Sherri,” Phillip said with a laugh. “Not unless you count my rants on Facebook. My degree is in hanging out and having fun.”
Jacqueline laughed. Sherri didn’t get the humor. And Randall was as quiet as a sleeping church mouse.
“He’s being modest,” Jacqueline offered. “He’s a business and branding genius, as his website will prove.”
“How’s that going?” Randall finally rejoined the conversation.
“Fine,” Phillip replied.
“You’re very pretty, Jacqueline,” Sherri said, after having taken in her large diamond studs, formfitting dress (which looked quite different on a tall frame boasting about one finger snap of body fat), high-heeled sandals, flawless skin and makeup, and bone-straight hair that reached mid-back. “You look more like a model than a writer.”
Jacqueline dismissed the compliment with a wave of her hand. “It’s all my parents, I’m afraid. I didn’t do a thing.”
Sherri’s brow rose. There was no way someone could be that beautiful naturally. If those boobs weren’t fake and that hair wasn’t a weave, she’d pay for
lying. But looking over and detecting Randall’s discomfort, she chose to let it go. She also decided to ignore the pangs of jealousy that rose up unbidden, or how the slimming apparel she was wearing suddenly seemed smaller, cutting her stomach in two and taking away her air.
Thankfully, their appetizers arrived. “That looks delicious,” Phillip said, placing his hand around Jacqueline’s waist. “We’d best be moving along so that you two can enjoy your meal.”
There were several seconds of silence after Jacqueline and Phillip made their exit from the area. Randall seasoned his food, and though her appetite was nowhere near what it had been, Sherri tasted the salad that included oranges, radishes, and burrata cheese.
“That was interesting,” she said at last.
Randall looked over. “How’s your salad?”
“The salad is delicious.Your friend is interesting.”
“She’s an associate,” he corrected. “Not a friend.”
“Thank God for her fine-ass date is all I’m saying. If she weren’t hanging on his arm, and he wasn’t all over her, I’d be worried.”
Randall reached across the table and took Sherri’s hand. “You have nothing to be worried about, ever. No matter how attractive some other woman may be, they’ll never replace you.”
“I’d assumed she was from LA. You didn’t mention that she lived here.”
“Actually, she’s from Canada. She’s only here temporarily, freelancing for a magazine and, like she said, helping that guy with his website.”
“Sounds like you learned quite a bit about her. Who was interviewing who?”
“Just small talk shared through the week,” Randall replied, with a shrug.
After that comment, the conversation shifted away from freelance writers to fun ideas for their summer vacation. Sherri wanted to go to the Caribbean, a place she’d dreamed of seeing but had never visited, while Randall thought it might be nice to let the kids decide. Through main courses of risotto with shrimp and roasted halibut, they acted like newlyweds, feeding each other bites from their plates and remembering lines from some of their new-jack-swing musical favorites. They passed on dessert, enjoyed the concert, and then arrived at the Four Seasons, where they performed creative feats with the warm chocolate sauce that accompanied the dessert delivered by room service. By the time Sherri and Randall entered their second round of lovemaking, thoughts of Jacqueline, or any other woman, were the last things on her mind.
Not so with the woman across town. Randall consumed almost every thought, except for when she was thinking of his wife. Having seen Sherri, she was more confident than ever that there was nothing going on in his marriage that was close to the intimacy they’d shared. The plans she was getting ready to execute would no doubt prove this to be fact. Having Randall all to herself was just a matter of time.
“Thanks, Phillip. I appreciate you letting me crash here, and for being my escort around town.”
“No worries, kiddo. That’s what friends are for.”
“Speaking of, are you meeting up with Marco?”
“Heading over to his place to spend the night. He said you guys got everything set up.”
“We did, in record time.”
“When it comes to computers, he’s the best. I’m going to run up and grab clean clothes. Don’t wait up,” he said with a wink, then bounded up the stairs.
Jacqueline followed him, entering the room at the other end of the hallway. Kris assailed her as soon as she shut the door. Ever since Jacqueline had told her about Sherri and her unwillingness to let go of Randall, her friend had been on edge. “Well? How was your evening out on the town? Do anything interesting, like meet a tall, dark, handsome, and unmarried man?”
“I did see someone who almost met those criteria,” Jacqueline replied. “I guess three out of four of those traits isn’t bad.”
“Well, don’t leave me hanging. Tell me about him.”
“His name is Randall.”
“Huh?”
“Kris, I couldn’t believe it. Phillip and I went to dinner and there sat Randall . . . and his wife!”
“No!”
“Yes.”
“Shut. Up!”
“True story.”
Kris plopped on the bed, her face a mask of intrigue. “Oh my God, Jack. What did you do?”
“What any well-mannered person in that situation would. I went over and introduced myself.”
“Damn, you’ve got balls.”
“Phillip being with me made it easy. Of course she assumed that we were together.” Jacqueline joined Kris on the bed. “In a way I feel sorry for her, probably married to a man before he was established professionally, only to find herself now with a stranger totally out of her league.”
“Is that what you picked up?” Kris asked. “That they are an unhappy couple?”
“Oh, she seemed quite happy to be there. I could tell she’d worked hard to look the part of a professional’s wife.”
“Is she pretty?”
“Yes, in a down-home, soccer-mom sort of way. But she doesn’t look like the type of woman that someone like Randall should have by his side.”
Kris’s eyes held a hint of mischief. “With his myriad of accomplishments and impressive social status, why, pray tell, do you think that any woman would be good enough for Mr. Randall Atwater? Is there anyone who can breathe his rarified air ?”
Jacqueline simply took a long, deep breath and exhaled.
“Okay, I get your point. But I’m still worried, Jack. You’ve been through so much pain and heartache in your life. Just be careful.”
“Shit!” Jacqueline put her head in her hands. “Why are the good ones always married?”
“There are plenty of good men out there, Jacqueline, most of whom would date you in a heartbeat.”
“You’re probably right.” Tears filled Jacqueline’s eyes. “But it’s too late for any of them, Kris. I know that I just met Randall. I know this is crazy. I know that I probably shouldn’t do this. But he’s who I want.”
CHAPTER 19
Randall buckled his seat belt and then leaned against the roomy first-class seat. It was a good thing the past week and weekend had been relaxing, because his Monday had started out with a bang. His publicist had called with an opportunity for him to appear on News Today. Only thing was, he was replacing a scientist on a panel that would be interviewed live for a six p.m. show, giving them only two hours to scramble on a plane and make it to Atlanta in time for the show. He’d raced to the airport where a car service awaited, did the segment, and then headed straight back to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, where he barely made it onto the eight-thirty flight. Because he’d had to fly into Baltimore, he didn’t arrive home until almost midnight. By the time he’d spent a little time with Albany, who was up cramming for a test, and packed his bags for New York, it was one thirty in the morning. Sherri had been fast asleep. The next morning, Sherri had gotten up early to chat with her mom, an early riser. Randall spent his usual forty-five minutes on the treadmill. They’d been able to share a quick conversation over the kitchen island as she’d quickly scanned and signed a release for Aaron to go on a field trip and Randall had gulped down a protein superfoods drink. In other words, it was a typically chaotic morning in the Atwater home. Now, able to take a few sips from the cup of coffee he’d been given before the plane took off, he could relax for the first time in the past twenty-four hours.
New York City. The flight that had lasted little more than an hour had been uneventful. Now he sat in the back of a taxi taking in the sights of a city he’d always found a bit intimidating. Funny, since he’d grown up in a metropolitan area. During his childhood and even now, D.C. was sometimes a challenging city to navigate. But New York? It was a fascinating city, but for this conservative, contemplative brother, it was almost too much.
Ping.
Randall looked down at his iPhone. An incoming message. He tapped the message screen and didn’t recognize the number attache
d to the text. He tapped the screen again.
GOOD MORNING, DR. IT’S JACQUELINE. CALLED LAST WEEK. I WANT TO INCLUDE PSI IN THE PIECE I’M WRITING FOR SCIENCE TODAY. WHEN WILL YOU ARRIVE IN NY? MAYBE WE CAN MEET, AND ALSO SET UP A TIME TO INTERVIEW YOU AT YOUR COMPANY’S OFFICES. LET ME KNOW IF YOU’RE INTERESTED, AND WHAT DAYS/TIMES WORK FOR YOU. J.
While gazing at the tall buildings and watching the people in midtown Manhattan scurry like ants, he thought of the freelance writer who from the second he saw her seemed to have invaded his world. There was no denying her intelligence, or beauty. He thought back to the dinner on Friday night, and her meeting Sherri. His shyness rose up when he saw her outside of a hotel or work environment, looking extraordinarily stunning in her tight mini and super-high heels. In LA, she’d been sexy in a conservative kind of way. Even when they’d met for dinner in LA, and enjoyed the ambiance of Inn of the Seventh Ray, her dress was understated. At Tasco’s he’d seen what he felt was her true public persona, the head-turning vixen she was when not on the clock.
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