by Imari Jade
“What time are we leaving?”
“You have five minutes,” Alexis told her. “Kevin has agreed to drive us to the restaurant and Jerome is going to meet us there.”
“You got him to volunteer in just the two minutes you were out of this office?”
“Girl, I got mad skills,” Alexis said. “Kevin couldn’t wait to volunteer once he found out you were going too.”
Tina looked at her oddly. Of course he would. She would make the perfect cover. “Okay, let me get my purse.”
“I’ll meet you downstairs in the lobby.” Alexis left out of the office.
Tina grabbed her purse and her keys and walked out of the door. She peeped into Erik’s office, but didn’t see him. She knew he was there because she had heard him earlier when he arrived. He was probably in the men’s room, or walking around the office charming the pants off some of the other female employees.
“Looking for someone?”
Tina jumped. “Don’t do that. You nearly scared the life out of me.”
“Why so jumpy?” Kevin asked as they continued down the hall together.
“I guess I’m a little tense,” Tina said. “Maybe I should take up jogging to relieve some of this stress.”
“What stress?” Kevin asked.
“You know, meetings, phones, email.”
“Oh, that is called life stress. That can easily be remedied with a full body deep tissue massage.”
“Don’t temp me,” Tina said. “But I have a thousand things to do before we leave for San Francisco.”
He pushed the button for the elevator. “Yes, I’m looking forward to getting away for a couple of days myself.” The elevator door opened and Tina stepped in. “I’ll see you downstairs in a moment after I get the car out of the garage.”
“Okay,” she said. The door closed slowly, but not before Kevin rewarded her with a devastating smile that made her stomach do a somersault. The door closed. She put her hand against her abdomen and it throbbed with excitement. Why is it doing this?
Kevin arrived moments after she made it down to the lobby. Alexis was busy talking with Hank, the doorman.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Ferrari,” Hank said. Hank was a nineteen-year-old who’d been working for them about a year. She remembered the day she hired him. She had been visiting a local orphanage and she learned that he was about to be put out into the world on his own as soon as he made eighteen. She’d seen him a couple of times before that and he always spoke to her and had smiled. She knew what it was like to be alone in the world, without family and having to grow up quickly. Hank had good grades in school, but the most he could expect to find was a minimum wage job. Since joining her company, he’d enrolled in college and was taking classes at night. She saw a bright future for him and she had plans for gradually moving him up into the company since he had a unique ability to know a lot about electronics and video games and she’d been thinking for a while about branching out into something like that.
“Good afternoon, Hank. Is Ms. Bryant bothering you again?”
Hank blushed.
“Girl, he’s so cute,” Alexis said. “Just look at that smile. I already told him if I was ten years younger, I’d give his girlfriend a run for her money.”
“You have a girlfriend now?” Tina asked.
Hank nodded. “We just started to date. She’s a business major too.”
“Good for you,” Tina said. “Tell her to look me up with she graduates. I can always use another business advisor around here.”
“I’ll tell her,” Hank said, opening the door for them and rewarding them with another smile.
“Doesn’t it just make you feel all horny inside?” Alexis asked when they got a safe distance away from Hank.
“Girl, we’re going to go to jail for having such thoughts.”
“It’s not illegal to look,” Alexis said, sliding into the back seat of Kevin’s car and forcing her to sit up front so it didn’t look like he was chauffeuring them around.
“What’s not illegal?” Kevin asked once they were both inside and seat belted in.
“Ogling the doorman,” Alexis answered.
“You mean Hank?” Kevin asked.
Tina nodded. “Alexis has the hots for him.”
“What is he, ten?” Kevin asked as he drove away from the curve.
“Nineteen,” Alexis answered proudly.
“What can you do with a nineteen-year-old?” Kevin asked.
Both she and Alexis giggled.
“They’re like little Energizer bunnies. They keep going and going and going.”
Kevin looked over at her. “Do you have the hots for him too?”
“Who, me?” Tina asked. “No. I’m only interested in him for his mind.”
Alexis laughed again. “Sure you are.”
“Shaddup,” Tina told her. “I might need him to manage one of my businesses one of these days and the last thing I want to do is sleep with someone on the payroll.”
“Ooh, you did not go there,” Alexis said. “What if Erik would have heard you?”
“Screw him,” Tina replied, suddenly serious.
Kevin looked over at her but did not comment. That’s what she liked about him. There was something about the strong and silent type that made her stomach weak.
****
Doctor Jerome Bennett waited patiently in the restaurant when they arrived. The waitress brought them over to the table and Tina gave him a friendly, sisterly kiss on the cheek. “I haven’t seen you in months,” she told him as Kevin helped her into a seat.
Jerome wore a nice double-breasted navy blue suit and she bet he hadn’t paid a fortune for it like the ones Erik wore. And Jerome looked good in it. He was clean-cut and shaven and he reminded her a little of an actor she watched on the television lately.
Kevin looked equally good in a dark brown suit. He was much taller than Jerome, but Jerome outweighed him by a couple of pounds.
“I’ve been busy,” Jerome said. “Sometimes being a doctor has its disadvantages. It takes me away from my lovely girlfriend more nights than I like.” He rose, kissed Alexis on the cheek, and then helped her into a seat.
“This is my partner, Kevin Chen,” Tina told Jerome. “Kevin, this is Alexis’ boyfriend, Jerome Bennett.”
The two men met and shook hands.
“It’s good to finally get to meet you,” Jerome said. “Alexis has told me so many nice things about you.”
“All true,” Alexis said.
“Nice to meet you, too,” Kevin told Jerome. “What field of medicine are you in?”
“Pediatrics,” Jerome said as he walked back to his seat and sat down next to Alexis.
Kevin sat down next to her. “That sounds exciting. Have you always wanted to be a doctor?”
Jerome nodded. “Ever since my mother gave me my first doctor’s kit as a child. I remember it came with a toy stethoscope and some candy pills.” He chuckled. “I used to play doctor on all the little kids in the neighborhood.”
“Mostly the girls, I bet,” Alexis teased.
“But of course,” Jerome said. “Alexis tells me that you’re an inventor like Tina.”
“Yes, and a designer too. Like you, I started out young building things with blocks and whatever odd things I could find around the house.”
“I’ve read about all the fine things you’ve done for the community too.”
Kevin blushed.
“Oh, don’t tell me you haven’t told these two. This young man makes a big contribution to one of my favorite charities,” Jerome said. “The Leukemia Association.”
“I didn’t know that,” Tina said.
“He also gives free Kung Fu lessons at the YMCA for the kids.”
“Ooh, you should have told me about that. Maybe I can come with you some time,” Tina said.
“Sure,” Kevin replied. “But don’t beat me up too bad in front of the kids. I have a reputation to uphold.”
Jerome laughed. “Yeah, Alexis
told me about that too. I can’t believe our little Tina has so much brute strength.”
“She’s good too,” Alexis replied. “She’s Kevin’s star pupil.”
Tina felt a blush coming on. The waitress arrived just in time to take their order before Kevin had time to comment.
Halfway into the meal, Tina heard a feminine giggle coming their way. Both she and Alexis looked up just in time to see Erik walk past them with the blonde from the hair salon.
Erik didn’t even see them because he was too busy holding her hand as she led him to a table.
“Isn’t that Erik?” Jerome asked.
“Yes,” Alexis answered. “And his bitch du jour.”
Tina bit her bottom lip to keep from screaming. Why was God doing this to her? It was bad enough Alexis knew Erik was cheating; now Kevin and Jerome knew too.
“You’re not going to make a scene, are you?” Kevin asked her.
“No,” Tina said. “That wouldn’t be ladylike. In fact, I’m going sit here and eat my lunch and pretend I don’t see them.”
“The woman has the patience of a saint,” Alexis said. “I’d be all over her ass.”
The waitress came back with their drinks and Tina reached for a straw at the same time as Kevin. Their hands touched and she felt the warmth from his radiating through her. He picked up both the straws, opened them, and put them into their drinks.
“Thanks,” Tina said.
“Any time,” Kevin told her.
She smiled at him, knowing he was trying to make her feel better about the situation. She was so glad she was leaving for San Francisco tomorrow.
Erik came home late that night and didn’t even bother coming up to see if she was home. Her telephone rang a few minutes later. “Hello?”
“Hi, Tina, it’s me, Kevin. I’m just calling to confirm the time of our flight.”
“Six a.m,” she replied with a sigh.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she lied. “I’m just tired.”
“Why don’t you go to bed?” he said. “Do you want me to pick you up in the morning and we can ride in to the airport together?”
“That would be nice,” Tina said. “Do you have something to write down my address with?”
“Yes,” Kevin answered. “What is it?”
Tina gave him her address.
“I’ll be there at five,” he told her.
“Okay, see you then.” Tina hung up the phone, crawled into her bed, and went to sleep.
Chapter Four
“Where would you like to go for dinner?” Kevin asked Tina after their first meeting ended in San Francisco.
“I don’t know,” Tina replied. “I usually just order room service.”
“Nonsense,” he said. “This is San Francisco.” He paused. “I tell you what, change, and we’ll take in some sights.”
“Okay,” she finally said. “I’d like that.” Alexis was right. What good would it do her just to sit in a hotel when they had a beautiful city to explore?
“Don’t get too dressy,” Kevin told her. “We’ll be doing a lot of walking.”
“I heard that about San Francisco,” Tina said. “Are we going to ride the trolley?” she asked excitedly.
“What is a trip to San Francisco without a ride on the famous street car?” he said. “I’ll take you on a street car and anywhere else your heart desires.”
Kevin was so nice, and she wondered why some lucky young woman hadn’t latched on to him yet.
“I’ll meet you in the lobby in thirty minutes,” he told her as he walked toward the door.
Tina nodded. “I’ll be ready.” She mentally scanned her closet for something appropriate to wear. “Are you opposed to being seen with a woman in pants?” she asked.
“I said dress comfortably, didn’t I?” Kevin asked. “I imagine that stockings and heels are a bit bothersome.”
Tina agreed. “If you think they’re bothersome, you should try wearing a bra.”
Kevin turned and smirked at her. “Don’t wear one of those either if you don’t want to. I will not complain.”
Tina chuckled. “You’re so silly. Go to your room and change out of that suit. I’ll see you in thirty minutes.”
Kevin smiled at her and left her room.
Tina hopped out of the chair, tugging off her business suit and heading toward the closet. She found the perfect outfit, laid it out on the bed, and then dashed into the bathroom for a quick shower before she got dressed. Her cell phone rang just as she was about to go out the door. “Hello?”
It was Alexis. “What are you doing?”
“Getting ready to go out,” Tina replied.
“Where and with whom?” her nosey best friend asked.
“Sight-seeing with Kevin,” Tina answered. “How are things back home?”
“Runny smoothly,” Alexis answered. “No fires to stomp out, no feelings to soothe. Everything is great.”
“How’s Erik?” Tina asked. She still never had a chance to talk to him about the panties or him being out on a date with that blonde.
“He’s okay. I guess. I see him every now and then, moping around. I guess he’s figured out that you’re not buying him his dream store.”
“He’ll get over it,” Tina replied, still pissed at him.
“So how did the meeting go?”
“The toy manufacturer just loved our designs. They started production before we left the office.”
“And is Kevin enjoying San Francisco?”
“I think so. He really was pleased by the way the meeting went, and everyone congratulated us on our partnership. So to celebrate, he’s taking me out to see the town.”
“You two do make a good team,” Alexis told her. “So, where is he taking you?”
“I have no idea, but I’ve got to go. I’m supposed to meet him in the lobby in five minutes.”
“Have fun, Tina,” Alexis told her. “You deserve to let your hair down a little. The company will still be here when you get back.”
“I know,” Tina said. “And thinks for being there for me.”
“Any time,” Alexis said. “I have to go too. Jerome is off tonight and he went out to get some champagne.”
“Ooh,” Tina said. “Don’t get pregnant.”
“You either,” Alexis said, and then she hung up.
“Well, I don’t have to worry about that,” Tina said, shoving her phone into her pocket. She grabbed her purse and hurried out of the door. She found Kevin in the lobby waiting, dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a pull over shirt. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting. Alexis called just as I was going out the door.”
“Is anything wrong?” Kevin asked as he held the hotel door open for her.
“No, she just wanted to know how we did in the meeting. But she had to get off the phone because she and Jerome had this romantic night planned since he has the night off.”
“Sounds exciting,” Kevin said. “But we’ll have fun too.” He messed with her hair. “I like the ponytail. Now everyone in San Francisco can see your beautiful face.”
Tina punched him playfully on the shoulder. “Thanks,” she said. “And we’re wearing matching outfits.” She had on a pair of jeans and a light blue pull over sweater.
“I’m serious about your face.”
“Thanks,” she said again. “You always know the right thing to say.”
“I’m only speaking the truth,” he said. He hailed a taxi and they climbed inside when it arrived.
“Where to?” The taxi driver asked.
“Fisherman’s Warf,” Kevin said.
Tina’s eyes widened. She’d always wanted to go there.
****
“Thanks for a lovely evening,” Tina said as they walked around outside the hotel after getting out of a taxi. The night was a bit chilly, but pretty. “I don’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun.”
“You’re quite welcome,” Kevin said. “We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
<
br /> Tina nodded. It had been a successful day and Kevin had been very attentive and quite knowledgeable about San Francisco.
“So, what are your plans for later?”
“Resting,” Tina said. “I brought along my electronic book reader.”
“Me too,” Kevin admitted. “I’m hooked on this paranormal series called Blinders.”
“I’m reading that too,” Tina replied.
They both laughed.
“My library is filled with romance and paranormal,” Tina told him.
“I’m reading interracial romance too,” Kevin replied.
“Are they any good?” Tina asked.
Kevin nodded. “You get to learn about two different and unique cultures, and see the couple dealing with race and stereotypical issues.”
“I might download one tonight,” Tina replied. She sat down on a bench and Kevin sat down next to her. “It’s so nice out here this evening.”
“The weather is perfect. It’s not too hot or too cold.” He looked up at the sky. “I like looking at the stars.”
“Does it rain much in Taiwan?” Tina asked.
“Yes,” Kevin answered. “We have our rainy season and we have to deal with monsoons.”
“That’s the same thing as a hurricane, isn’t it?”
Kevin nodded. “But it’s quite lovely in the spring when the flowers and trees are in bloom.”
“Why did you leave?”
He sighed. “I wanted to see foreign lands and go to school in the United States. Coming here has opened up a lot of doors for me. I can do things here that I could never do in Taiwan.”
“Do you miss it?” Tina asked. She didn’t know why she felt so talkative.
“Yes,” he said. “I haven’t seen my family in a long time and sometimes I miss the peacefulness of my village.”
“Why haven’t you gone back?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately.” He sighed again. “Maybe I’ll go in the spring. My parents are getting older and I miss talking with my father.”
How sweet. He was a daddy’s boy and worried about his parents.
“Have they ever visited the United States?”
“No,” Kevin answered. “Both refuse to fly, especially my father. He said if we were meant to fly, we’d have wings.”