The Unexpected Affair

by Monica Richardson

  “I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have been so judgmental.”

  “Yes, you were.” Whitney took a seat and signaled for the server.

  “Aren’t you sorry for what you said about Louis?”

  “I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. Louis has fathered a child since you’ve been together,” said Whitney. “The point I was making was that the Man Menu is ridiculous. If you get all these wonderful qualities in a man but love and trust are not on the list, then what’s the point? Seems worthless if you end up being disrespected in the end.”

  “We’re working through our differences.”

  “That’s great, and none of my business. I’m happy for you, whether you stay with Louis or leave him in the gutter,” said Whitney. “I just wanted you to be happy. And I want you to be happy for me and whatever I decide.”

  “I realize now that I misjudged. And I would like to meet Lane.”

  “It’s too late now. We broke up,” Whitney said matter-of-factly and then turned to the server, who was standing there. “I’ll start with a mimosa, and I’ll have the chicken and waffles. Please bring a glass of water also.”

  “Will do, ma’am,” said the blond-haired youngster as he disappeared.

  “You broke up because of this?” Tasha asked.

  “Because it just wasn’t meant to be.”

  “I’m sorry, Whitney. The things I said that night were mean and uncalled for.”

  “It’s okay. Really,” said Whitney. “I’m sorry for attacking you about Louis.”

  “Water under the bridge.” Tasha smiled. “I love you, sister.”

  “I love you back.”

  “Aww!” Kenya reached for Tasha’s and Whitney’s hands. The three of them held hands and raised them in the air. Their way of making things right between them.

  “Whit, I know you weren’t really interested before because you were involved with Lane, but Jason is still very interested in you,” said Kenya.

  “I know. He’s been calling, but I haven’t had a chance to call him back.”

  “I’m having a few friends over next Saturday for a barbecue, and I’d like for you to come. Jason will be there.”

  “I thought he was Will’s friend,” said Whitney.

  “He’s a mutual friend. I knew him first. And he was not happy with Will and how things turned out with us,” said Kenya. “It’s just a few people from the office coming, but I could really use my girls there as a distraction.”

  “Should I make my famous potato salad?” asked Tasha.

  “Absolutely! The one that you pick up from the Kroger deli and pass off as yours?” Kenya giggled.

  “Yes, that one.” Tasha laughed.

  “What about you, Whit? Can you bring something sweet?”

  Whitney wasn’t quite ready to socialize, and certainly not to date. Nothing about Jason interested her. “I can’t. I...have...um...absolutely nothing to do, but I’m really not up for a bunch of people.”

  “Oh, come on, Whit,” said Kenya.

  “Ugh!” Whitney groaned. “Sure. I’ll grab some cupcakes from my favorite bakery. And I’ll make some Bahamian macaroni and cheese.”

  “Yay!” Kenya and Tasha both sang, and clapped.

  Maybe it was time she met some new people. What harm could it do?

  Chapter 28

  Cars were parked along the block and in Kenya’s driveway. Whitney could hear laughter and chatter in the air as she made her way to the backyard, a pan of mac and cheese and red velvet cupcakes in her hands. Kenya’s brother was flipping burgers on the grill. Tasha was seated under the gazebo chattering with a group of ladies. Kenya came out of the back door carrying a plate filled with steaks and hot dogs. She spotted Whitney and smiled. Whitney followed her to the grill.

  “Hey, Trey,” she said to Kenya’s brother.

  “Whitney, you’re looking good,” said Trey. “Still single?”

  “I think I will be forever.” Whitney laughed.

  “Well, remember our deal. If we’re both still single in ten years, we marry each other,” said Trey. “Don’t forget.”

  “I remember.”

  The two of them shook hands and laughed.

  “You two need to stop,” said Kenya as she handed Trey the platter of meat for the grill. She grabbed the cupcakes from Whitney and then grabbed her by the arm. “Come on, girl, let’s go inside.”

  “Take care of that body, babe,” said Trey. “Stay fit for me.”

  Whitney laughed at Trey. She’d always thought he’d missed his calling. He should’ve been a comedian. “Okay, sweetie, I’ll do my best.”

  “Please don’t entertain him.”

  “I have to.” Whitney laughed.

  * * *

  They walked into Kenya’s massive kitchen, with dark wooden cabinets and large island, granite counters, and silver appliances. Whitney placed the macaroni and cheese onto the island with the rest of the sides—potato salad, deviled eggs, fruit and baked beans. Whitney grabbed a wineglass from the cabinet and poured herself a glass. Soft music played in the house, something soulful.

  “Hey, hey, hey! Is anybody home?” someone called out. A tall, dark and very attractive man walked into the kitchen.

  “Jason!” said Kenya. “You made it!”

  He walked over and kissed Kenya’s cheek. “I told you I would.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  He glanced at Whitney and their eyes locked.

  “Hello,” he said.

  “Jason, that is my friend Whitney. I believe you’ve spoken with her on the phone a time or two. Whitney, Jason.”

  “Ahh, the woman who blew me off.” He grinned a beautiful grin. “Pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “You, too,” said Whitney and shook his strong hand. “And I didn’t blow you off.”

  “What would you call it?” he asked and then popped a deviled egg into his mouth.

  “It was just a bad time.”

  “I see,” said Jason. “I forgive you.”

  “Thank you.” Whitney met his beautiful white smile with hers.

  “I’m going to check on those steaks,” said Kenya. “If I don’t watch Trey, he’ll burn them.”

  She was alone with Jason and his piercing eyes. He wore a gray polo that hugged his biceps, jeans and gray leather loafers. She had to admit, he was pleasant to look at. They chitchatted in the kitchen for a bit. He spent a great deal of time talking about his business, which he’d started right out of college, and the real estate that he owned throughout the state of Texas. He was quite proud of those things. She didn’t have a chance to brag on her children or tell him about her musical endeavors.

  “Do you think I can take you out to dinner?” he finally asked.

  “Sure, I don’t think that will be a problem.”

  “How about tomorrow we do a Sunday matinee and dinner afterward? If you’re free.”

  “I think I’m free.”

  “Fantastic.” He smiled. “I’m going to grab one of those steaks off the grill. I like mine medium, and I want to catch one before it’s too done.”

  “Okay.” Whitney stood there for a moment and sipped her wine.

  As the sun began to set, she sat under the gazebo laughing and talking to Kenya, Tasha and a few other women who had attended the barbecue. Jason had long gone, but she was looking forward to their date on Sunday. She needed a distraction from her thoughts of Lane. He was there, in her mind, all the time. She couldn’t rid her thoughts of him. A date with someone else might just do the trick.

  * * *

  She did everything in her power not to fall asleep during the movie. It wasn’t one that she’d have gone to see. She enjoyed comedies and love stories. Sci-fi wasn’t really her genre of c
hoice, but she was a compromiser. She was counting down the moments until it ended. She was anxious to get to dinner, because her stomach was growling. She hoped he hadn’t heard it.

  Finally, she sat in front of him, a menu in her hands. She gave it a quick glance and decided on something suitable. She longed for an order of those hot wings that she usually got from the sports bar that she and Lane had frequented. She wished she were at a place where she didn’t have to be cognizant of her elbows being on the table or have to decide which fork she should use. She and Lane usually enjoyed places where they ate with their fingers and sipped on beers.

  “Have you decided on something?”

  “Yes, I think I’ll have a juicy burger,” she stated.

  “Really? This place boasts their prime steaks—filets, sirloins and rib eyes. And you’d rather have a juicy burger?”

  “That’s my mood right now, yes.”

  Jason chuckled. “Whatever the lady wants.”

  When the server approached the table, he smiled broadly. “Good afternoon, Mr. Fisch. What can I get for you and the lady this evening?”

  “Charles, I’ll have the filet, medium, with the garlic mashed potatoes and a double portion of vegetables.” Jason chuckled. “And for the lady...sadly, she wants the burger...”

  “How would you like that cooked, ma’am?” Charles asked.

  “Medium well.” Whitney gave Charles a smile.

  “And, Charles, bring her the petit sirloin, as well. There’s no way I’ll allow her to leave here without trying one of your delectable steaks,” said Jason, “and please bring your best bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.”

  Allow her? Those words stuck with her long after Charles had disappeared. And who wants to eat a juicy burger and a petit sirloin? The first time that Lane ordered for her, she’d thought it was cute. She smiled at the thought. This? Not so much. She would get through the night, but there wouldn’t be a second date.

  When he walked her to the door, he pulled her in for a hug. He kissed her cheek.

  “I’d love to come in and chat for a bit,” he whispered.

  “You know,” she started, “it’s a school night, and I have a very early morning.”

  “I understand.” He smiled. “I have an early morning also. Maybe we can get together later in the week.”

  “Maybe.” She smiled and turned to unlock her door.

  “I’ll call you,” he said.

  “You do that.”

  She exhaled when she was on the other side of her door. She heard the engine from his overpriced sports car fire up. She kicked her shoes off and peeled her clothes from her tired body. She started the shower and then changed her mind. This was a more of a bubble-bath night.

  Chapter 29

  He missed her like he missed his mother’s collard greens. He missed her conversation, her smile and laughter. He missed her body and the way she made him feel. She was beautiful and sexy, and she knew him better than anyone. And it was ridiculous that they weren’t together. Each of them too stubborn to give in to the other. Somebody had to call a truce, and he guessed it should be him.

  It was Sunday night and he knew he had an early morning. So did she, for that matter. But he didn’t care. He needed her back in his life. This nonsense had gone on long enough. He hopped into his truck, stopped at Kroger and picked up a bouquet of roses and drove to her house. If he called her, she might not pick up. But if he showed up on her doorstep, she might be forced to hear him out as he begged for her forgiveness.

  When he pulled up in front of her house, his intent was to apologize profusely. However, he was surprised to learn that she’d moved on so quickly. He watched as some suit-and-tie walked her to her front door and kissed her good-night.

  * * *

  He had pulled into her subdivision and crept down her block. Just as he reached her house, he saw them. She and some other dude pulled up in a fancy sports car. He didn’t even have the decency to open her door, just stood at the front of the car and waited for her to get out. The two of them made their way to the front door. They chatted for a bit and then he kissed her cheek. This was definitely a date, Lane thought. She’d already been on a date, as if what they had didn’t even matter. He watched as Whitney went inside and Mr. Nerdy Ass drove away in his expensive Tesla coupe.

  He was jealous. He was convinced that he had been right all along, and so had her friends—that he wasn’t what she was looking for. He peeled out of her subdivision and headed for Max’s and dialed Melvin’s phone number. He needed a drink before he turned in for the night.

  “Meet me at Max’s for a drink.”

  “Can’t, bro. Work early in the morning.”

  “When has that ever stopped you from drinking with your brother?”

  “It’s not a good time.”

  “What is it I’m hearing in your voice?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Something’s different. Haven’t seen or heard from you in a couple of weeks, and now you’re turning down Max’s. What’s going on?”

  “You could’ve let me know that you let Tyler go.”

  “I didn’t let Tyler go. The company did.”

  “But you didn’t fight for him,” accused Melvin.

  “Excuse me? I got suspended because I refused to fire Tyler.”

  “Yet he still got fired. He lost his car, and now he might get evicted from his new apartment, bro.”

  “Hey, you asked me to give him a chance and I did. I can’t control what happened after that,” said Lane. “And for your information, I did fight for him. Put my own job on the line.”

  “It’s cool, man.”

  “Are you done?”

  “Yeah, I’m done.”

  “Good!” Lane hung up the phone. The nerve of him.

  He took a seat at the bar and ordered a Heineken with a lime. He glanced at the television mounted over the bar. The Mavs were winning, but he didn’t care one way or the other. His night had been filled with a myriad of emotions. Seemed endless. He wanted to punch something, but instead he slammed his beer and then ordered another. He needed to calm down.

  “Bad night?” Max took a seat next to him. The men shook hands.

  “You can say that.”

  “Let’s take a walk.”

  Lane followed Max to his small office in the back. Max moved files and boxes out of the chair on the opposite side of his desk.

  “Have a seat, man,” he offered. “Excuse the mess. I need to get this place cleaned up.”

  Lane took a seat.

  “Thanks.”

  “What’s going on?” asked Max.

  “This woman...” Lane sighed.

  “The Caribbean one,” said Max. “You went back and made amends, right?”

  “I went over there tonight to do just that, and she was just coming home from a date with another guy. I think I’ve lost her for good.”

  “Didn’t you say that she loves you?”

  “I can’t compete with this guy.” Lane crossed his legs. “He drives a damn Tesla.”

  Max laughed. “And you think that she’s moved on that quickly?”

  “I think so.” Lane shrugged his shoulders.

  “I wouldn’t give up on her,” said Max. “Unless she’s a gold digger, she doesn’t care that the guy has money or that he drives a Tesla.”

  “She and her girlfriends have this Man Menu. It’s like the guys they date have to meet all this criteria. I’m sure I didn’t measure up.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself, bro. You’re a great catch. You have a great job, your own home. Good-looking. Not quite as good-looking as me.” Max laughed. “But you’re a great catch. I’m sure she knows that, and if she doesn’t...well, so be it. There are other fish in the sea.”<
br />
  “That’s the thing, man. I only want that fish.”

  “I hear you, man. We want what we want, don’t we?”

  “We want what we want,” Lane repeated and reclined in the chair. “Then there’s this thing with Melvin. His nephew was getting into some trouble back home in Saint Louis, and when he moved here, Melvin asked if I could get him on at the company. I did it as a favor to my buddy. But then his past came back to haunt him. He was tardy one too many times, and I was asked to fire him.”

  “Oh, wow.”

  “I refused and ended up suspended because of it.”

  “Damn, sounds like you put your ass on the line for a friend.”

  “Damn right I did! But I just got off the phone with Melvin, and he’s all up in arms because Tyler still ended up fired, even after I’d gone to bat for him.”

  “That’s not your fault,” said Max.

  “That’s what I said!”

  “I wouldn’t stress too much over Melvin. He’ll come around. You guys have been friends way too long. And he’ll see that he’s wrong on this one.”

  “Nonetheless, it’s been a hell of a night.”

  “I’ll say.”

  “But it’s been cool talking it out with you, man. Thanks,” said Lane. “I needed to vent.”

  “Anytime,” said Max. “By the way, I’ve decided not to sell the bar.”

  “You and the wife are working things out?”

  “No, but I’m hoping to get a loan to keep things going,” said Max. “The fellow who owns the place is still waiting for me to lose it. Wants to turn it into a gentlemen’s club. An upscale one.”

  “Can’t let that happen, can we?”

  “Nah. That’s not what Max’s is. It’s a family place. Down-to-earth. A place where people from all walks of life can come and let their hair down.”

  “It’s definitely been that place for me,” said Lane. “I have to say that I’m a bit relieved. I wasn’t quite ready to buy the place outright. I wouldn’t know the first thing about running a bar. I just thought that I needed to be a business owner to impress some people.”