Law school was challenging, but fun because it was what he always wanted to do. He still shared the house with Todd, who was now in medical school at UCSF, but most of the time he was alone. On Sundays, he went to church. Whenever he had a light Saturday, he volunteered as a tutor at True Worship’s Community Center or he’d spend time with the Simone family.
Today’s agenda included hanging out with brothers, Marcus and Craig, and Justin. The Simone first cousins met him at Reggie and Julia’s house. They’d agreed to meet in Blackhawk in hopes of talking Julia into letting them borrow her new Jaguar.
“Come on, Auntie. Let us take her on the highway,” Justin pleaded.
“Why don’t you ask your father for his car?” Julia asked with her fist planted at her waist. Justin was Julia’s older brother, Stephan’s son. She then turned to her oldest brother Carey’s sons, Marcus and Craig. “And your father has a brand new Bentley in his garage.”
“Auntie, you know my dad won’t even let us look at that car without leaving a vital body organ for collateral,” Marcus answered.
“Mama J, I promise I’ll drive and I’ll be extra careful.” Brian flashed the smile he knew would work. “We’re only going to Dave and Buster’s. I promise we’ll come straight back after we’re done.”
Reggie handed Brian the keys. It was common knowledge Julia could not say no to Brian, especially when he smiled displaying that deep left dimple. Reggie had used that same smile on her in the past and it worked every time.
“Don’t think you’re getting over on me,” Julia said sternly and narrowed her eyes at Brian. “If I find one scratch on my car, I’m going to beat all four of your behinds.”
Brian and her nephews kissed Julia on the cheek and made a dash for the door.
Later inside Dave and Buster’s the young men were enjoying a friendly game of pool, when a young lady approached Brian. He had just called his shot in the corner pocket when the woman leaned over the table and in a sultry voice asked, “Mind if I join you?”
The Simones laughed as Brian lost his concentration. The low-cut top the young lady wore gave him more than an eyeful.
Brian cleared his throat and regrouped. “Excuse me, Miss, but we are in the middle of a game. When we’re finished, you can find someone who wants to look at your breasts then you can play with them.”
“Ouch!” Marcus and Justin shrieked.
“Man, that was nasty!” Craig added.
The young lady’s smile disappeared and she slowly retreated back. They resumed play. Brian didn’t give her a second look the whole time he was playing; he actually forgot she was there. As soon as his game ended, she approached him again. This time she adjusted her top so her breasts were covered.
“Hello, my name is Shannon. I’m sorry if I offended you earlier.”
“Hello, Shannon, my name is Brian. I accept your apology.” Brian turned away to talk to the boys, but Shannon wasn’t finished.
“I only interrupted your game because you’re so handsome and I would like to get to know you,” the young lady flirted.
Brian gave her a good once-over. Shannon wasn’t unattractive; she just wasn’t his type. His preference was lighter-complexioned taller women and she was too skinny. He estimated her to be a size six, but he liked women with a little more substance to them. Shay’s size-ten was perfect. He did like her long hair, but he could tell it wasn’t naturally grown, at least not on her head. The green eye color wasn’t natural either and she wore far too much makeup.
“Like I said, my name is Brian, besides that there isn’t much to know.”
She stepped closer to him. “I think there’s a whole lot more to you.” She licked her lips as the words flowed.
Although Brian had little experience with women outside of Shay, he detested overly aggressive females. He preferred to do the chasing. Brian looked to Marcus for help.
“Sorry, Shannon, he’s already taken,” Marcus offered.
“I don’t see a ring on his finger.” She rolled her eyes at Marcus then frowned. “Unless you mean the two of you are an item? That would be such a waste.”
Justin and Craig snickered, but Brian and Marcus glared at Shannon.
“What I mean is if my cousin Shay catches you in his face, you won’t be able to see anything by the time she finishes with you,” Marcus clarified in a tone that conveyed his dislike for the annoying woman.
“Trust us, we’re trying to keep you from danger,” Justin added.
Shannon looked back at Brian who smiled and shrugged his shoulders, but remained quiet. Finally, she said, “Here’s my number, just in case you find yourself available.” She slipped her number into his pocket and slowly walked away.
After she was out of earshot, the men laughed and made fun of Brian. For someone who wasn’t available, he certainly received his share of attention from women. Brian took the jesting in the spirit it was given. He didn’t think it was a good time to tell them that he and Shay were nothing more than friends. It didn’t matter because he wasn’t interested in Shannon and would never see her again. What Brian didn’t know was that Shannon had spotted him in the parking lot getting out of Julia’s Jaguar and she was going to make it her business to find out more about him.
Two weeks later, Brian had the privilege of being interrupted by Shannon once again as he studied on campus.
“Brian, is that you?” She was wearing dress slacks and a V-neck sweater.
“Hello,” he paused, “do I know you?”
“It’s me, Shannon. We met at Dave and Buster’s.”
It took a moment for Brian to recall the long hair and colored contacts. “I’m surprised to see you here,” he said referring to UC Berkeley’s law library. “Are you a student?”
“I work on campus in the admissions office. What about yourself?” Shannon took the liberty of sitting next to him.
“First year at Boalt.”
“So you’re going to be a big-time lawyer.” Shannon smiled.
“I hope so.”
She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Brian, I know you’re going to be successful,” she said a little too sweet for Brian’s taste.
“Thank you.”
“I knew there was more to you than playing pool,” she said and leaned forward without revealing any cleavage.
“Maybe you’re right,” he said trying not to focus on her long brightly painted nails. He closed the law book and turned to her. “Shannon, tell me about you since it seems our paths keep crossing.”
“Are you sure your girlfriend won’t mind us having a conversation?” Shannon mused.
“I don’t have a girlfriend and right now I’m not looking for one,” Brian answered firmly.
“But your boys said—”
“I know what they said,” he cut her off, “but the person they were referring to is just a good friend.” Brian looked away after he made that statement. It was the first time he’d said it out loud and it didn’t sound right to him. If Shannon noticed the change in his demeanor, she didn’t address it.
“So when we met at Dave and Buster’s, you just didn’t like me? Is that why you were so rude?” she asked, incredulously.
Brian closed his notebook. “To be perfectly honest, yes. You’re not my type.”
His blatant dislike of her physical appearance didn’t seem to bother Shannon at all. “Exactly what is your type?” she asked.
“It doesn’t matter, because I’m not interested in a relationship, remember?”
“Well, can I at least know your last name and a little more about you?” she asked still holding a smile. “I don’t see why we can’t be friends.”
Brian hesitated before answering. Perhaps a friendship with a female would take his mind off Shay. “My last name is Pennington. I moved here almost five years ago from Arizona.”
Shannon twisted her face. “Pennington,” she mumbled to herself repeatedly. “Are you related to that Pastor Pennington in East Oakland? I think the church is True Witness or
something?”
“He’s my father,” Brian answered, “and it’s True Worship.”
“How does it feel to be the son of a wealthy pastor?”
Brian smirked as sheer fascination veiled Shannon’s face. “I wouldn’t exactly call my father wealthy.”
“I’ve seen True Worship. It’s probably the fastest-growing church in the Bay Area with state-of-the-art facilities.”
“Since the community center opened two years ago, membership has surged. My father is considering having three services on Sunday to accommodate everyone,” Brian announced proudly.
“Maybe I can visit one Sunday,” Shannon suggested, the key word being maybe.
“Are you a Christian?” Brian wondered out loud. Considering her provocative mannerisms he would have thought not.
Instead of looking him in the face, Shannon looked over his shoulder at a stack of periodicals. “I believe in God, but I don’t attend church regularly.”
“Hearing my father or Mama J preach one time would change that,” Brian said with confidence.
“Your mother preaches too?” Shannon questioned.
“No, but Mama J does. That’s what I call my stepmother. My mother lives in Arizona,” he clarified.
He thought he read disappointment on her face. “So, Julia Simone is your stepmother? I read somewhere that Reverend Pennington is married to the wealthy real estate developer.”
“That’s correct, but I’m very close to my stepmother,” he continued. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. Now, tell me about you,” he said, leaning back in his seat.
“What would you like to know, Brian?” Shannon placed her hand on his and Brian casually moved his hand away.
“How old are you? Where are you from? What’s your story?”
“For starters, I’m twenty-five. I was born and raised in Oakland. I don’t have any baby daddies and I’m available.” She added a wink to the last part of her answer.
“That’s good to know, the baby daddy part, I mean.”
She rubbed his forearm and spoke softly. “Brian, who is Shay?”
Brian moved his hand away, again. “Shay is a special friend,” he said almost sadly. “Very special.”
“How long have you known her?” Shannon probed.
“Why?” Brian asked sharply.
She shifted in her seat. Like she knew she’d just worn out her welcome. “How old are you, Brian?”
“Twenty-three.”
“So was Shay your college sweetheart?” Shannon wouldn’t let it go.
Brian shifted in his seat, mainly because he hadn’t come to terms with the answer. Shay wasn’t his college sweetheart. She was much more than that. “No, but LaShay Hampton is my friend and she will always be special to me. Now, if you want to continue this conversation, don’t ask me anything else about her.”
Shannon leaned back in her seat. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hit a sore spot.”
“Well, now you know. My relationship with Shay is private.” Brian looked at his watch; suddenly he was ready to leave. “I’d better get going if I’m going to make it to Bible Study on time.” He turned back to Shannon. “Would you like to join me?”
“Maybe next time; or maybe I’ll come with you on Sunday. Why don’t you give me your number and I’ll call you and let you know if I can make it,” Shannon innocently suggested.
Brian scribbled his cell phone number and handed it to her. “For the most part, it was nice talking to you. I hope you make it to church one Sunday.” With that he gathered his books and laptop and was gone.
***
Watching Brian walk away, a million thoughts raced through Shannon’s mind. She’d have to play it very careful, if she were going to win Brian. It was evident he had strong feelings for this Shay person. He was probably in love with her, but she didn’t care. A man didn’t have to be in love with her, for her to spend his money. Brian was definitely her meal ticket, even if Julia Simone wasn’t his biological mother. His father received more than enough money from that church and like Brian said, Julia Simone treated him like a son. To add to the windfall, Brian was going to be a lawyer. If she was careful, she’d be Mrs. Pennington before Brian took the bar exam.
The sound of a ringing cash register and floating dollar signs filled Shannon’s head. She’d finally hit the jackpot. Shannon had to blink her eyes to stay focused. From working in the admissions office, she knew the financial status of most of the students’ families. She clearly remembered processing a cashier’s check from Reginald and Julia Pennington for full payment of law school. She was so curious about the writer of the check, that she’d Googled their names on the Internet and learned that Reginald Pennington was the pastor of True Worship Ministries and his wife Julia Simone-Pennington was the founder and CEO of Pinnacle Developments, the driving force behind the revitalization of Emery Bay.
Shannon could barely contain herself. Her main goal in life was to find someone who could take care of her and give her a life of luxury. She viewed working on campus as a means to accomplish this. She would find a man with a bright future and lure him in. Brian was the perfect candidate, especially now since he didn’t have a girlfriend.
Chapter 17
Shay sat in a booth at Olive Garden with Rhonda and Jason celebrating the completion of their project. When Jason sat down next to her, Shay second-guessed her decision to enjoy an evening outside of her apartment. She wasn’t interested in Jason outside of class assignments, but she sure could tell he was interested in her.
The entire two weeks they’d worked together Jason tried without success to get her telephone number. At first he used the project as an excuse. When that didn’t work, he plainly told her he would like to spend time with her.
“I don’t have time for dating,” is what she told him.
“Neither do I, but I think you’re worth making time for.”
Instead of blushing, Shay fought to keep her displeasure from showing in her facial expression. She was certain she’d frowned. “Look, Jason, I’m not ready to date and if I were, I wouldn’t date you. So let’s just focus on finishing this project, please.” She thought she’d said enough to hurt his feelings and make him back off, but she was mistaken.
“That’s because you don’t know me,” Jason persisted. “You only know me as a college student, outside of school, I’m really quite fun.”
“It wouldn’t make a difference, trust me,” she said, without blinking.
Jason backed off and didn’t press her again until tonight.
He started by sitting next to her although there was more room on Rhonda’s side of the booth. Shay rolled her eyes at him when he “accidentally” placed his arm around her shoulder. He promptly removed it when she picked up her knife and waved it in his direction.
Jason grinned. “At least you didn’t cut me.”
Shay pursed her lips and replaced the knife on the cloth napkin, but before they placed their drink orders Rhonda’s cell phone rang.
“Sorry, guys, that was my job. I have to go in,” Rhonda announced after a brief phone conversation.
Shay’s eyes bulged as she mentally searched for a solution. Being left alone with Jason Alexander was not an option. “I thought you were off tonight?”
“I was, but one of the other waitresses called in sick and I can really use the money.”
Shay was about to offer to pay her a night’s salary, or even a week’s salary to keep her from leaving her alone with Jason. She just couldn’t figure out how to do so without coming across as a snobbish rich girl. In the time it took for her to figure it out, Rhonda had grabbed her coat and left the building.
Jason interrupted her thoughts. “Looks like it’s just you and I this evening.”
“Maybe we should do this another time, when Rhonda can join us. She worked just as hard as we did and she deserves a chance to celebrate,” she said just as the waitress asked for their drink orders. Having decided her plan made sense, Shay grabbed her jack
et.
Jason made eye-contact with her. “LaShay, it’s only dinner. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll move to the other side of the booth, but don’t leave.”
The waitress waited patiently as Shay weighed her options. She was hungry and it did feel good to be out on a Friday evening. Maybe having dinner with Jason would cure his infatuation and he’d leave her alone. “I’ll have an iced tea,” she finally said then removed her jacket.
Jason smiled. “I’ll have the same.”
As soon as the waitress left Shay reminded him of his promise to move to the opposite side of the booth. He didn’t protest, but now instead of being alongside her, he was staring her in the face. Smiling like he had just won the lottery.
“LaShay Hampton, I’ve been working with you for two weeks and I still don’t know anything about you. Tell me about yourself, or shall I go first?”
“You can go first, second and third for all I care,” she retorted.
Jason ignored the sarcasm and gave her his story. She learned he was born and raised in Chicago and had attended Howard University on a full scholarship. He planned to move back to Chicago and teach high-school English. He was from a two-parent family and had an older brother and a younger sister. He was the first in his family to attend college.
“What about you?” he asked after the waitress delivered the drinks. “What’s your story?”
Shay took a sip of her drink and in an attempt at nicety, she offered him a smile. “What do want to know, Jason?”
“For starters, why do you always act so cold?”
She could tell by his tone that he’d grown tired of her attitude and fake smile. However, his assessment surprised her. “So you think I’m a cold person because I won’t go out with you?”
“That, and every time I try to have a simple conversation with you, like now, you put up this wall of ice. I can’t even ask you a simple question, like where are you from, without getting sarcasm. It’s fine if you don’t want to date me, but at least you can be polite.”
Shay twisted her mouth; maybe she was being a little too hard on Jason. He really hadn’t done anything wrong other than show interest in her. Getting to know him didn’t mean she had to date him. “Alright, Jason. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Stanford and now I’m here. I want to teach elementary education, preferably kindergarten. Is that enough information?” Shay smirked slightly.
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