“I agree with you, but the school feels that he should have just reported it to campus security.”
“He seems to be a good kid,” she said. “I admit that I didn’t get it at first, but now I really understand why you’re so passionate. Boys like Jerome and Benjamin deserve to have every opportunity available to them.”
Ransom was staring at her, sending a delicious shudder through her body.
“What is it? Why are you staring at me like this?”
“I can’t get over how beautiful you are,” he said, bringing a smile to her lips.
“You do know that we’re not alone, Ransom.”
“Jerome knows that you’re beautiful.” Ransom glanced over his shoulder, then said, “You know, I really think he has a little crush on you. I’m going to have to keep my eye on him, I see.”
Coco rolled her eyes. “I think Jerome just wants to be around people he feels he can trust.”
Ransom considered her words for a moment before shaking his head. ”That's probably true, but I think he also has a crush on you. I can't blame him, though. You've mesmerized me.”
Chapter 6
“How long has your friend been playing the violin?” Ransom asked her.
“Since she was four years old,” Coco responded.
“I went to a recital to hear her play and that’s when I decided I wanted to take lessons. Ariel is amazing.”
“So when do I get to hear you play?” he asked.
“Soon,” she told him.
Ransom had mentioned on several occasions that he wanted to hear Coco play the violin. He had no idea, but she was going to play a solo tonight. Ariel already had her instrument on stage. Coco had been practicing every night for the past couple of weeks.
Please don’t let me go up there and make a fool of myself. I want to impress him with my moves.
The thought made her chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” Ransom whispered in her ear.
“I just had a silly thought,” she whispered back. “It’s nothing.”
The heavy velvet curtains parted and classical music filled the stage and hall. Coco glanced at Ransom, who was slightly swaying his head back and forth. He must have felt her looking at him because he turned to face her.
When he reached over and took her hand, his touch set her nerve endings on fire.
I’ve got to stop this, she told herself as her heart hammered foolishly.
She stole another glance at him, noting how handsome he looked in the black suit he was wearing. It fit his body as if it had been designed just for him.
This man is so fine.
Coco was totally entranced by his compelling personage and had to struggle to keep her attention on the music. Ariel walked out to roaring applause to perform her first solo. She would be calling Coco to join her after her third selection.
Ransom gave her hand another little squeeze. Coco’s flesh prickled at his touch and her heart was hammering foolishly.
Focus. Focus.
It’s what she kept telling herself, but doing so wasn’t that simple. Ransom made her feel things she’d never experienced before. Or maybe she was just out of touch with those particular emotions, since she hadn’t been in a relationship in a while.
It was almost time for her performance.
Coco felt a wave of nervousness.
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, after all. She prayed she wouldn’t embarrass them both.
Ransom was shocked when Ariel called Coco to the stage.
He met her gaze, then smiled. “You planned this, didn’t you?” he whispered.
“You said that you wanted to hear me play.”
Ransom was touched by her gift to him.
Coco looked beautiful up there on stage, as if she belonged there. His heart did flips when she dedicated to him the song she was about to play. She projected an energy and power that undeniably attracted him.
Coco played a classical number, then segued into a song that he had written. He enjoyed watching her become one with the music. Ransom had made millions writing songs for various recording artists, and owned several Grammys. He liked the way she had successfully arranged the solo, bringing classical music and a classic R & B song together.
Afterward, he met her backstage.
“So what did you think?” Coco asked him.
Every time her gaze met his, Ransom’s heart turned over in response. “You did a fabulous job.”
“I agree,” Ariel said, joining them. “She should be on stage performing.”
“Ariel, this is Ransom,” Coco said. “He’s my date.”
She shook his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.”
“I enjoyed your music, Ariel.”
“Thank you.” She gave Coco a hug and said, “I’m going to have to get going. I’m catching the red-eye to New York and then on to Germany.”
“Ariel’s booked to play for our troops at Ramstein Air Force Base,” Coco told him.
“Safe travel,” Ransom said. “I know they are going to enjoy hearing your music. I have a couple of friends stationed there.”
“I’ll call you when I return,” she said to Coco before heading to her dressing room. “Smooches.”
Ransom and Coco headed toward the nearest exit doors, and were soon in the car and on their way to her house in Brentwood. He glanced over at her. She had her eyes closed.
“I’m not asleep,” she said. “I’m just trying to relax enough to get over my performance jitters. I was so nervous up on that stage.”
He was completely surprised by this. “You were nervous? I couldn’t tell.”
“Oh, my goodness,” Coco groaned. “Right now I feel so nauseous. It’ll pass in a few minutes. I used to get this way after every recital or concert.”
Ransom slipped in a soothing jazz CD, hoping to help her feel at ease. She sent him a grateful smile.
Coco had such a warm, loving spirit and she was always smiling. He loved her sometimes quirky sense of humor, and the sense of freedom she seemed to have in her life. Not only was she beautiful, but she was intelligent and caring as well. The more he got to know her, the more he wanted to know about her. An undeniable magnetism was building between them, forcing him to acknowledge the truth.
I have real feelings for this woman, and I can’t see my life without her in it.
The silent declaration surprised him, but Ransom didn’t bother to deny the truth.
“What do you think about this one?” Elle asked, holding up a matronly black dress.
Coco glanced at Kaitlin, who shook her head. “I don’t think Brennan will like it.”
Coco met Elle’s gaze and said, “I have to agree with her. It looks a little old-fashioned. I wouldn’t get it.”
“I thought it was cute.”
“What’s going on with you, Elle?” Kaitlin asked. “Why are you suddenly wanting to dress like a nun? All you’ve been wearing lately are these loose dresses and big shirts.”
“I’ve gained some weight,” she said, sounding embarrassed. “I’m getting a belly, and look at my face.”
Kaitlin and Coco exchanged glances.
“What?” Elle asked, looking from one to the other.
“Sweetie, did it ever occur to you that you might be pregnant?” Coco asked.
“No, not really,” responded Elle. “I…I’ve been so busy that I haven’t thought about that possibility.”
Kaitlin nodded. “I think Coco’s right. Elle, you’re pregnant.”
She placed a hand to her stomach. “Brennan and I just talked about having another baby. I made a doctor’s appointment for next week to get checked out.”
“Let’s get a pregnancy test,” Kaitlin suggested.
“Now?” Elle asked.
“Yeah. We’re not that far from your house. We can go there and in a few minutes have your answer.”
“Coco, you’re coming with us, right?” Elle inquired.
“S
ure.”
They left the boutique and piled into Elle’s car.
They stopped at a nearby drugstore to purchase a pregnancy test, then headed to her house.
Elle went into the bathroom to take the test as soon as they entered. “I’ll be back in a sec,” she said.
“So you and Brennan were planning to have another baby?” Kaitlin asked when Elle joined them in the family room.
“Yeah, we wanted to try for one more.” She paced back and forth across the floor nervously, her eyes darting to the clock on the wall. “I thought I was putting on extra pounds because all I’ve done lately is eat, sleep and watch TV. I’m exhausted all of the time.”
“That’s because you’re pregnant,” Coco said.
She wanted to have children one day, but needed to find a husband first. She thought about Ransom and smiled.
“It’s time,” Elle said. She picked up the test and stared at it. “Oh, my goodness,” she murmured softly.
“Don’t keep us in suspense,” Kaitlin cried. “Are you pregnant? C’mon, tell us what it says.”
“I’m pregnant,” Elle announced, her eyes bright with joy. “I’m going to have a baby.”
Coco got up and hugged her. Kaitlin hugged her next.
“You’re going to be a mom again. That’s so wonderful. Congratulations!”
“Brennan is going to be so surprised.”
“Matt wants another baby,” Kaitlin said.
Elle and Coco looked at her. “And?” they asked in unison.
“We’re still in the talking stages. I’m thirty-four years old.”
“You’re not too old,” Elle told her. “But if you keep waiting, then you will be.”
“I can’t wait to get married and have babies,” Coco said. “I hope when I finally find Mr. Right that he’s ready to have children. I don’t want to wait too long.”
The trio left the house and drove to one of Elle’s favorite restaurants to have a celebratory lunch.
“I bet this happened the night we tried your chocolate lovers dice game,” Elle told Coco.
“What chocolate lovers dice game?” Kaitlin asked.
Elle leaned forward and said, “Girl, you have to get one. You roll the dice and he has to interpret your wish. It’s a lot of fun.”
“Apparently,” Kaitlin murmured.
“I thought I told you about the game,” Coco said. “It comes with a bottle of chocoholics body frosting, five colored dice, wish interpretation cards and a soft paintbrush.”
“I’m coming by the store to pick up one of those,” Kaitlin stated. “Matt and I are going away this weekend for romance—this is perfect.”
Elle laid down her menu. “Coco, you have all those sensual chocolate treats in your shop—c’mon, who are you using them with?”
“I’m not using them,” she replied. “Believe me, I’m dying to try them out. I’ve just started seeing this guy, but it’s way too early to start using body frosting and paintbrushes. Oh, by the way, his first name is Ransom and he’s the owner of D-Unit.”
“The music store?” Elle asked. “Just a few weeks ago you couldn’t stand the guy.”
“It’s not a music store,” Coco explained. “It’s actually a center for teenage boys. Ransom calls it a structured day program. When they’re suspended from school, they go there during the school hours instead of just sitting at home or running the streets. He has their home and class assignments e-mailed to him, so that they can stay on task.”
“That’s wonderful,” Elle said. “I’ve never heard of a program like that, but I think we need more like it.”
“It’s a pilot program. Ransom hopes that he’ll have centers all over Los Angeles. He also wants to add programs for girls.”
Kaitlin observed her for a moment before saying, “Sounds like you two are really getting along well. You’re actually glowing, Coco.”
“I don’t know about that,” she said.
Elle took a sip of her water. “Why don’t you just admit it? You like this guy a lot. Don’t you?”
Coco couldn’t deny it. “Is it that obvious?” she asked.
Kaitlin and Elle both nodded.
“Do you think Ransom knows?”
They nodded a second time.
“I’m falling hard for him,” Coco confessed. “But we haven’t been dating that long.”
“Love knows no time,” Kaitlin said. “I fell in love with Matt the moment I saw the man.”
“It was like that for me and Brennan,” Elle interjected. “Hopefully you won’t have the baby mama drama that I had to deal with.”
“He doesn’t have any children,” Coco said. “Although he’s always surrounded by youths who look to him as a father figure. He really cares about them.”
“So when do we get to meet Mr. Wonderful?” Elle demanded.
“You know how I am,” Coco said with a chuckle. “It’ll probably be at the wedding. If there’s no wedding, then that means he wasn’t worth introducing to family and close friends.”
Kaitlin and Elle laughed.
Chapter 7
Coco attended Jerome’s and Benjamin’s graduation on Friday. Their suspensions over, they would be returning to their school on Monday.
“I wish that we could just come here for school,” Jerome said as he stood up at the podium. “None of my teachers there showed me any interest like Mr. Winters and everyone here.” His eyes traveled to where Coco was sitting. “Miss Stanley over there told me that I have to take ownership of my education, and that’s what I’m going to do.” He pointed to the principal and guidance counselor who were in attendance. “I was wrong for fighting, but I was protecting my sister. I was wrong and I apologize for the way I handled the situation. I’m in school to get an education.”
Jerome met their gazes. “I want that. I want to go to college, and starting today, I’m not going to let anyone stop me.”
His principal surprised everyone when he stood up and clapped. “Son, we are there to help you get that education. If you find we are lacking in some way, you come to me.”
“Do you think he means it?” Coco asked in a low whisper.
“I hope so, but don’t worry,” Ransom whispered back. “I’m going to be tracking Jerome. If there’s a problem, I’ll step in.”
Benjamin walked up to the podium.
“I feel the same way Jerome does. None of my teachers ever cared why I fell asleep in class or didn’t get my homework finished. They never asked me anything. They didn’t know that I worked forty hours a week to support my family because my mother has cancer. She can’t work.” His eyes teared up and his voice broke. “She couldn’t come here today because chemo makes her really sick. Mr. Winters checked around and found out that we could have a nurse come in and see to my mom, so that I don’t have to miss school. Mr. Stanley over there gave me a job with less hours and more money, so that I have time to study. When it’s slow at work, he says that I can get started on my homework. It’s kind of bad to end up in D-Unit, but in a way, it’s a good thing, too. It’s going to help a lot of kids everybody else has given up on. Mr. Winters, I thank you for all that you’ve done and I promise—I’m going to college and I’m getting that degree in mechanical engineering.”
The entire room exploded in applause.
Coco wiped away her tears.
Ransom hugged her. “You okay?”
“I’m so proud of them.”
He nodded in agreement and then stood up. “Benjamin and Jerome, come over here, please.”
They joined him.
Coco noted that they weren’t wearing the really baggy pants this time. They’d dressed in shirts and ties, and jeans that were loose but didn’t hang low. They both looked nice, she thought.
“You boys have committed yourselves to your education and I applaud your efforts. I also know that in order to accomplish the goals you’ve set for yourself you need tools. From all of us here at D-Unit, we would like to present you each with a set of encyclopedias.
You’ll also both get a laptop computer, donated by IBM.”
The boys were speechless.
“We believe in you both and we know that you’re capable of great things. From this moment forward, do not look to the things of the past. Keep your eyes on the horizon and face your future with pride.”
Jerome hugged him. “Thank you, Mr. Winters. Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
Benjamin shook his hand. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”
Coco walked over to Jerome. “I’m so proud of you.”
He grinned. “I’m a lil’ proud of myself.”
“You should be,” she told him. “In fact, you should be a lot proud.”
She moved to Benjamin next. “I guess I’ll be seeing you around a lot.”
“You sure will.”
“Please let me or Michael know if there’s anything we can do for you and your family.”
“Giving me this job was enough, Miss Stanley. I’m working twenty-five hours a week and I make twelve bucks an hour. I even have Sundays off now, so I can start going back to church.”
“I’m so glad we could help. Benjamin, don’t forget what I said. You are now a part of the Stanley Chocolates family.”
“That’s what your dad told me last night.”
Coco was surprised. “You met my dad?”
“He came to the factory. He said that he liked to meet all the new hires.”
Smiling, she nodded. “That’s him. I don’t know why I was so surprised earlier. He’s been doing that ever since I can remember.”
“Miss Stanley, you come from a real nice family. My mom’s family was like that. Most of them are dead now, though.”
“Do you have any family in this area?”
Benjamin shook his head. “My mom has one sister who lives in Texas. She’s thinking about moving back to Los Angeles in case…in case my mom don’t make it. She wants to be here for us.”
“I’m going to keep her lifted in prayer.”
“Thank you, Miss Stanley.” He hugged her.
“Hey, let go of my woman,” Ransom said.
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