Something to Talk About

by Melanie Woods Schuster

  * * *

  Adam came awake very slowly, reluctant to return to consciousness after a night in paradise. He usually woke up quickly; his eyes would open and he’d get out of bed without any preliminaries. Adam’s nervous system was like that of a jungle cat, wary and sensitive and alert to any changes in his surroundings. He’d been so overcome with erotic delirium from his night with Alicia that his normal reactions were affected. Everything was affected; the passion they shared had changed everything. His eyelids were still closed, but he could smell the faint fragrance Alicia had left behind. He knew without moving that she was no longer in the bed with him and he was touched by an undeniable sadness. She’d left him during the night. She’d left his bed, left the apartment, left him alone, and he could understand why, although he wished with all his heart that she were still here.

  He finally opened his eyes and threw the covers back, getting up abruptly and heading into the bathroom. After brushing his teeth and attending to a few other needs, he started for the kitchen. A pot of coffee was first on the agenda if he was going to regain any semblance of normalcy. Once he had some caffeine in his system it would be easier to figure out a way to apologize to his best friend for the best night of his life, one that was undoubtedly causing her more pain.

  Walking into the kitchen naked as a jaybird, he was stunned to find Alicia wearing her wrinkled jeans from last night and one of his T-shirts that hung mid-thigh on her. She was stirring something in a bowl and from the array of ingredients on the counter it looked like she was making him a feast. She looked up when she heard him come into the room and smiled when she saw his lack of attire.

  “My, we are informal this morning, aren’t we?”

  Adam was too stunned to react at first, and then he glanced down and did something he hadn’t done since his preschool days. He blushed. He could feel the telltale hot flush racing up his neck as he went back to the bedroom. He returned to the kitchen wearing an old pair of jeans and a denim shirt that could have used some ironing. By now the familiar fragrance of Alicia’s strong Cuban coffee was filtering through the apartment and the smell of whatever she was cooking filled his nostrils.

  “Sit down,” she invited. “I went to the store early this morning and got some groceries. I made you croquetas, little ham croquettes. And I also made you scrambled eggs and tostadas. It’s almost ready, but you can start with the fruit, if you like.” She placed a small plate with sliced guava, mango, and fresh pineapple in front of him.

  Adam ignored the food; his attention was all on Alicia. He was so relieved that she hadn’t dashed out of the apartment he hadn’t managed to speak a word. She didn’t seem to notice his reticence, though; she seemed quite cheerful and composed. Her hair wasn’t confined in its usual braid, it was flowing in big waves down to her butt, and she was singing some little song in Spanish as she finished the meal. When she finally turned away from the stove and put the platters on the table, Adam noticed for the first time that her hands were shaking just a little bit She took a seat and was about to start talking again when he grabbed the hand nearest to him.

  “Thank you, Allie.” At her questioning look, he elaborated. “Thank you for this, for not leaving last night. When I woke up this morning I thought you were gone,” he said simply.

  Alicia’s face flooded with understanding and she clasped his big hand in both of hers. “I should be thanking you, Adam. Thank you for the love and tenderness and caring you shared with me,” she whispered. “I’ve never felt so cherished in my entire life, and that’s the truth. No one has ever made me feel as special as you, no one has ever taken care of me like you, and I love you for it.”

  Adam’s eyes lit up with passion and he leaned over to kiss her. It was supposed to be a gentle kiss, a quick caress, but it turned into something else entirely, a long, sensual promise. This time it was Alicia who said they had to stop. “Adam,” she breathed as he stood up and pulled her into his arms. “Adam, no, we can’t do this. We can’t.”

  He would not be denied as he scooped her up and took her into the living room, where they cuddled on the sofa, kissing with increasing passion. “Oh, Adam, please stop,” she moaned. “You have to because I can’t, I can’t stop.”

  Her hands slid down his neck to his broad shoulders as he kissed her throat, and the sensitive spot under her ear. “Why do we have to stop, Allie? We’re so good together, baby, just think about how good it was last night. It’ll be even better this time, I promise.”

  Alicia pushed him away with a sob in her voice. “I know that, Adam. Of course it will, but it’s all wrong. We can’t do this, Adam. We just can’t.”

  Hearing the genuine distress in her voice, Adam stopped the sensual exploration of her body and held her closely for a few moments before looking her in the eye. “What’s the problem, Allie? I think we’ve already proven that we belong together. Why do you think this is wrong?”

  Alicia sighed and traced the outline of his beautiful mouth, the mouth that had brought to her to ecstasy so many times the night before. “Adam, not a month ago I was engaged to be married to Preston. If we hadn’t walked in on him and Yvette, I’d have married him. I was in love with him and I wanted to spend my life with him. And you would still be with Yvette, the woman you love.

  “Even though Preston is a first-class jerk and a liar and I don’t love him anymore, I can’t be in love with you. It’s too soon for me and it’s too soon for you. What we did was wrong because neither one of us is ready to start a new relationship, especially not one with each other.”

  A decent man would have felt his desire waning, but Adam was too far gone to be concerned with propriety. Alicia looked like a slightly bedraggled angel and she felt so incredibly sexy in his arms that he wasn’t thinking about anything but her and how much he wanted her. She was so adorably concerned with his so-called feelings for Yvette and so determined to do the right thing, he fell in love with her all over again. He pulled her against his heart and held her there, stroking her thigh and tangling one hand in her incredible hair.

  “I understand what you’re saying, Allie, but I don’t agree with you. I think I know my own heart, and if you just let yourself, you’ll see what your heart is telling you, too. This is right, baby, it’s just about perfect,” he said quietly.

  “No, it’s too soon,” she murmured.

  “Too soon for what? For this?” he asked as he kissed her forehead.

  “No, that’s fine,” she whispered.

  “How about this?” he asked, as he kissed her lips as soft as the wings of a butterfly touching her skin.

  “Mmm, that’s okay,” she admitted.

  “And this?” He bent his head to her neck, licking and sucking the delicate skin of her collarbones and bringing his hand up under her shirt to explore her breasts, which were by now engorged with sensation and crying for his touch.

  Her sighs turned into cries of passion as his mouth and his hands turned her into a molten puddle of need. “Adam, don’t... stop. Don’t stop, Adam, don’t stop ...”

  With one smooth motion he rose and carried her into the bedroom to complete their journey to a place where there was nothing but the two of them and their love.

  ***

  Roxy grabbed a pillow to stifle her scream. “Oooh, girl, I don’t believe you! You mean you did it again the next day? And you still ended up being friends? But how—”

  Her words were cut off by the sudden burst of salsa music that heralded a call on Alicia’s cell phone. Relieved at the intrusion, Alicia said a breathy hello.

  “Oh, hi. Were your ears burning? We were talking about you,” she said with a happy lilt to her voice. “Who is we? Me and the love of your life, say hello.” Without warning she thrust the phone at Roxy, who swallowed hard before speaking.

  “Hello,” she managed, cutting her eyes at her friend. “I’m great, couldn’t be better. How are you doing, Adam? And how’s your family? Really? That’s nice,” she said inanely. “Okay, well, I’m sure
I’ll see you soon. Here’s Alicia, bye.”

  Alicia was laughing at Roxy’s discomfiture when she took the phone back. “Sure I can meet you there in the morning. You buy breakfast. See you tomorrow.”

  Roxy was looking grumpy when Alicia ended the call. “You think you’re funny, don’t you? Well, you’re not. And if you think I’m letting you out of here without the rest of the story, you’re crazy. You owe me, especially after that phone call.”

  Alicia was busy putting her jacket on and collecting her purse so she could leave. It was really late by now and she needed to get home to bed. “Okay, we made love like there was no tomorrow, but we finally came to our senses, ate a cold breakfast, and promised each other we’d stay friends first and foremost. If we still felt the same way after the summer ended we’d take up where we left off. If not, we’d stay friends.” She looked into the mirror, sighed, and flapped her hand at the decidedly non-glamorous picture she made and turned to face Roxy.

  “When I got back from my internship in Costa Rica and he got back from California he was dating someone and that was the end of it. Except that we stayed friends and started our own firm after we finished grad school. And that’s the end of the story. I’ll call you tomorrow. Don’t get up, I can let myself out,” she said hurriedly as she left the bedroom.

  Roxy was left staring at the space her friend had vacated. “That’s right, run. But you can’t hide from love and you can’t hide from me, either. When I get through with you, you’ll be a new woman and Adam is going to be a whole new man. ‘Best friend’ my aunt Fanny,” she mumbled as she got out of bed to turn off the lights in the suite. “You two are meant for each other.”

  Chapter Seven

  The next day Alicia thought she’d feel slightly uneasy or at least awkward and guilty about baring her soul to Roxy, but she didn’t. She and Roxy had been friends for so long she knew she could trust her implicitly. Roxy would have forfeited every pair of designer shoes in her vast closet before betraying a confidence. When Alicia picked Adam up at the dealership where he was leaving his beloved Range Rover for servicing, she felt nothing but the usual enjoyment of his company. He was happy to see that she’d borrowed Marielle’s Chrysler Pacifica so he wouldn’t have to squeeze his length into her Mini Cooper, so happy, in fact, that he was wearing what she called his twenty-four-hour-Colgate-smile, the one that few people outside the family ever saw.

  “You look awfully chipper this morning,” she said, returning the smile.

  “Why shouldn’t I? I’m leaving my baby in capable hands and I have the most beautiful chauffeur in Detroit to squire me around. And I have it on good authority that two lovely women were discussing me last night, so it must mean I’m a hot item,” he said confidently.

  Alicia cast a quick glance his way and rolled her eyes. “We might have been talking about how conceited you are. Did you ever think of that?”

  “Nope. One, I’m not conceited. Two, Roxy likes me a lot and she wouldn’t be mean-mouthing me. And three, you’d never let her say anything bad about me,” he said smugly.

  Alicia blew her breath out loudly as she pulled into one of their favorite diners for the promised breakfast. “See? Conceited, that’s what you are, Adam.”

  “Not conceited, Allie, convinced.” Adam always had to have the last word.

  While they were waiting for their omelets, Adam asked about Roxy and how she came to be in Detroit. Alicia explained about the promotion and her subsequent relocation. Adam smiled on hearing the news; Roxy was one of his favorite people.

  “So your running buddy is going to be in town on a permanent basis. That’s cool. And just how did my name come up in conversation?”

  Alicia smiled at Adam and raised an eyebrow. “That’s the worst segue I’ve ever heard, Adam. Nothing subtle about it. If you must know, she was talking about the time we all went down to Key West. She said it was the worst vacation she’d ever had and that nobody had a good time.”

  Adam’s brow furrowed as he remembered the days they’d spent there. “I had a great time, Allie. It was one of the best vacations I’ve ever taken.”

  “That’s what I told her, too. I had a ball, Adam, I’d like to go down there again,” she admitted.

  “Okay then, we’ll go.” He said it as if it were a done deal. No further conversation took place on the matter as their food arrived and they both began eating with enjoyment. “So you can drop me off at the dealership this afternoon, right?” Adam was watching Alicia put a last bite of toast in her mouth before she answered.

  “Yes, of course. But I need you to do something with me today too, if you can,” she said with a hint of anxiety in her eyes.

  “That’s not a problem, what do you need?”

  “I’ll tell you right before we get there. Otherwise I might lose my nerve,” she admitted. Adam knew her well enough not to pry; he just nodded and finished his coffee.

  The workday passed quickly, too quickly for Alicia, who was sure she was doing the right thing but less sure that she could carry it off without Adam at her side. She was working on her latest project, so submerged in work that she was startled when Adam came into her office. “Are you ready?”

  “Wow. Is it that time already? It’s so quiet in here I kind of got lost in work,” she said as she noticed the wall clock for the first time in hours. “Where is everyone?” “Allie, it’s Friday and it’s payday and everyone is gone except for you and me and we’re about to leave now. Let’s go, chica, before the dealership closes.”

  “Okay, okay. You want to drive?”

  Adam looked at her speculatively, but didn’t say anything as he accepted the keys to the Pacifica. In short order they had collected his Range Rover and he was preparing to follow her to her destination. “Okay, Allie, where are we going? What’s the big secret?”

  “We’re going to Gigi’s,” was all she said.

  This time Adam looked surprised, but he nodded and said he’d see her there.

  Gigi was her middle aunt, one of her father’s merry and charming sisters. Her father’s family had escaped Cuba years before and had set out to become successful and productive Americans. All of them had accomplished that goal in different ways. Her father, Jose Ernesto Fuentes, had been picked up by a minor league baseball team in Florida and soon made his way to the major leagues. He’d retired from the Detroit Tigers and was now their batting coach. His oldest sister, Marguerita, had worked as a housekeeper for years to support the family and now owned a very successful employment agency. The middle sister, Juanita, known to all as Gigi, started as a shampoo girl in a beauty salon and now owned five full-service salons in different cities. And the youngest, Graciela, had started working in a hospital as a laundry worker. Now she was a doctor and head of an inner-city clinic. They were all successful, inspiring role models, but for what she needed, only Gigi would do. She pulled into the parking lot behind the chic Birmingham salon at the same time Adam did, for which she was grateful. She might have turned around and left if he hadn’t arrived when he did. As it was she was wiping her hands down her pants legs when he got out of the Rover and came over to tap on her window.

  “Are you okay? What exactly are we doing here?” he asked.

  Alicia fumbled in her tote bag for a minute and unearthed a pamphlet that she handed to Adam. “I’m fine, Adam. And this is what we’re doing. Well, what I’m doing. I just need you to hold my hand is all.”

  Adam’s eyes widened for a few seconds as he read the words Locks of Love on the pamphlet. “Are you going to do this?” he asked.

  Alicia finally got out of the car and stood next to Adam. “Yes, I am. I think it’s time. I just don’t want to lose my nerve. I need you to hold my hand,” she said sheepishly.

  Adam looked her over, seeing her resolute expression with the slight hint of panic around the edges. He took her hand and said, “Okay, let’s go.”

  They walked into the cool, relaxing reception area where the receptionist greeted them. She rang for Gi
gi and then told the couple she’d be out at once. Normally Alicia would have felt her usual appreciation for the warm taupe, peach, and cream decor of the salon with the big palm trees and other tropical plants, but she was too nervous right now. Even the soothing jazz that played continuously was no solace. The salon was busy as usual, with women of all ages and colors getting a variety of services from the competent staff. The sounds of soft conversation and occasional laughter were broken as Juanita Marciela Fuentes made her entrance.

  It was easy to see where Alicia got some of her good looks from; her Aunt Gigi was a beautiful woman, stunning from head to toe. Her African heritage was evident from the dark richness of her skin, but her Latin blood contributed its fair share of her comeliness. She was wearing a dress in a fantastic shade of tangerine that warmed her skin and flattered her trim figure. Even the smock she put on to protect her outfit was chicly patterned in a small leopard print. The gold bangle bracelets she wore on both wrists tinkled as she stretched her arms out to give her niece a hug.

  “Ah, mija, it’s so good to see you. And you, too, you handsome devil,” she added as she gave Adam a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Turning back to Alicia, she grasped her niece’s long braid and looked deeply into Alicia’s eyes. “So, querida, are you sure you want to do this? When you called me last night I thought you were kidding, but here you are. Are you really ready?”

  Alicia was pale, but she nodded firmly. “Yes, Gigi. I’m tired of looking like a schoolgirl. Let’s do it.”

  The night before she had taken a good long look at herself in the mirror in her bedroom and realized that before she got a new wardrobe the hair had to go. And if she could benefit a child while doing it so much the better. She just needed Adam to get her through the first cut, that’s all.