Places in My Heart

by Sheryl Lister

  “Problems?”

  “Nothing I can’t handle,” he said without turning around.

  Malcolm came and stood next to him. “That’s my sister.”

  “She’s a grown woman, and what goes on between us is none of your business. See you around.” Without waiting for a reply, he hefted the bag onto his shoulder and strode out of the locker room.

  As soon as he got home, he tried Morgan’s cell, but it went straight to voice mail. Omar thought about camping out at her office until she got off, but nixed the idea when he remembered that her oldest brother worked there. He didn’t need to add a confrontation with Brandon to his list today, not when he was this angry. His best bet would be to wait to get her alone. And if she thought he would settle for email communication between them, she was sadly mistaken. After this weekend, he realized his feelings for her had grown deeper, and he didn’t want to go back to some casual relationship. He couldn’t.

  Chapter 15

  Morgan paced in her kitchen, waiting for the water to heat, still angry. She didn’t know who she was madder at—Omar or herself, for letting him see how upset and hurt she had been. So much for him not being like her ex. One day after confessing to missing her, he was snuggled up with someone else. The moment she spotted that tramp with her arms around him, Morgan had forgotten all about being professional in public.

  She poured the hot water in the mug, dunked the tea bag a couple of times and waited for it to steep. She added sugar and took the cup to her bedroom. Her phone rang as she lifted it to her lips. Groaning, Morgan reached over, picked up the cordless and checked the display. When she saw Omar’s name, she hesitated before replacing it. She couldn’t talk to him right now and let it go to voice mail.

  “Morgan, we need to talk. I don’t know what it’s going to take for you to believe nothing happened between me and Andrea. You can ask any guy out on the field. She came up to me only minutes before you arrived, and you saw everything—her trying to kiss me, and me telling her no. This can’t work unless you trust me. You tried, convicted and sentenced me before I had a chance to take the stand. For the record, my plea is not guilty.”

  She set the cup on her nightstand and brought her hands up to cover her face. Why did he have to sound so sad and sincere? I don’t need this kind of drama in my life right now. For a brief moment she thought about canceling their contract, but that would only give credence to the fact that women were too emotional to be in the business. This might be her only shot, and she refused to blow it.

  Morgan’s cell buzzed. Please don’t let it be him again. She picked it up and read a text from Malcolm:

  Saw you at the practice facility today. You need to talk?

  She typed back:

  No.

  Malcolm most often let her handle her own problems and didn’t interfere unless asked. She hoped this would be one of those times. She scooted against the headboard, picked up her mug and sipped, letting the warm, fragrant tea soothe her.

  Hours later, she lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about Omar’s message, his words playing over in her mind. “You tried, convicted and sentenced me before I had a chance to take the stand...my plea is not guilty.” She tried to recall his expression when she walked up, but couldn’t. Her focus had been solely on Andrea. Morgan knew that the woman was a cheerleader for the team. She also knew that there was an unspoken no-fraternization rule. Was he really as innocent as he claimed? Letting out an impatient sigh, she glanced over at the clock, flipped over and tried to shut her brain off. She had to be up at six, and that left only four hours to sleep.

  It seemed as if she had just fallen asleep when her alarm went off. “Not yet,” she mumbled, reaching out to shut it off. She considered going in later, but remembered today’s weekly staff meeting and dragged herself out of bed. On days like this, she wished she liked coffee, because she seriously needed a pick-me-up this morning.

  Morgan managed to make it to work fifteen minutes early and had a little extra time to add some information to her weekly report. She knew her father would want an update on the test results.

  “Hey, Morgan. You going down to the conference room now?”

  Her head came up. “Hey, Vonnie. Yeah. I just need to print something real quick. Is Justin in today?”

  “No. He’s working from home. He and Brandon decided on two and a half days a week. That way Justin can work on some of his other projects.” Justin had invented two safety products on his own before partnering with the family company for his latest project. He continued to work on his independent projects at home on the days he didn’t come into the office.

  “Smart move. Okay, I’m ready.” They started down the hallway toward the conference room and were intercepted by one of the building’s security guards.

  “Ms. Gray? This is for you.” He handed Morgan a covered travel cup and a small envelope. “Have a nice day, ladies.”

  “Thanks,” Morgan said.

  “You have the security guards bringing your order now?” Siobhan asked.

  “No. I have no idea what this is.” With her hands full, Morgan waited until she reached the conference room to open the envelope.

  If your night was anything like mine, I know you’ll need this today. I made it just how you like it with one and a half sugars.

  She took a sip. Mint tea...and exactly the way she made it.

  “Well, what is it?” Siobhan asked.

  “Mint tea. Omar sent it.” At Siobhan’s confused look, she said, “I’ll explain later.”

  “Okay. Before I forget, Mom wants to have a spa day on Saturday—just a massage and mani-pedi. Will you be up to it after the show?”

  “I’ll definitely need it. So count me in. What time?”

  “She said ten. Then we can have lunch afterward.”

  “Okay.”

  Her father called the meeting to order, and each department gave an update.

  “Morgan, where are we on the testing results for the rail?”

  “John’s preliminary report indicates that the rail was structurally sound, but there are a few more tests he needs to run. He anticipates having the report by the first of next week.” Brandon gave her a questioning look, and she shook her head. She purposely didn’t mention the glue, preferring to wait until they had conclusive determination of the substance.

  “Did he indicate any possible reasons why it broke?” Uncle Thad asked.

  “No. As soon as I get the results back, I’ll set up a meeting so we can go over them.”

  Her father nodded. “Thanks, Morgan. Siobhan, I’ll need you to be available for this meeting.”

  “No problem,” Siobhan said.

  The meeting lasted another twenty minutes before adjourning. Morgan stood and waved to Khalil. Although he didn’t work for the company directly, he as well as Malcolm had seats on the board.

  Khalil made his way over to her and kissed her cheek. “How’s it going?”

  “Not too bad. I saw you stuffing your face over there.”

  He chuckled. “I live for these meetings so I can go down to the café and get a slice of that low-fat apple cinnamon coffee cake. Let’s just say it’s one of my guilty pleasures.”

  “Mmm-hmm. What are you drinking?”

  “Vanilla chai tea. How are you and Drummond getting along?”

  The real reason he came over here. “Fine. I’m confident I’ll be able to get him a better deal than he has now.”

  “That’s not what I’m talking about.”

  “What is it with you three guys? Do you all just sit around and plot ways to stay in my business? I’m twenty-seven, not seven. You can stand down now. And to answer your question, we’re fine. Anything else?”

  A smile played around the corners of Khalil’s mouth. “Whatever you say, but may
be he needs to know what will happen to him if he breaks your heart.”

  “Don’t you need to go work out or something? My heart isn’t involved, and I have to go. Some of us have real work to do.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Bye.” Morgan hurried off, knowing she had lied. She couldn’t say for sure whether her heart was involved or not.

  * * *

  Wednesday afternoon, Omar slid into the booth across from Brianna and RJ and picked up his menu. The two had chosen IHOP because they hadn’t decided whether to order breakfast or lunch. After a few minutes of scanning the offerings, he asked them, “Have you made a decision yet?”

  “I think I’m going to have French toast,” RJ said.

  “I don’t know,” Brianna said, flipping the menu pages back and forth.

  RJ sighed heavily. “We’re gonna be here all day waiting for her to decide. Why do girls have to make everything so complicated?”

  Omar chuckled. I wish I had the answer to that one. Morgan still hadn’t returned his call or said anything, even after he sent her tea.

  Brianna looked up from her menu. “Uncle Omar, can I order the appetizer sampler and some toast?”

  “Sure, as long as you eat it.”

  “Oh, I’ll eat it all.”

  After the waiter took their order, Omar took out the brochures Morgan had given him and handed them to Brianna. Omar had gotten permission from Rashad to discuss the classes. “Check these out and let me know if you see a class you like.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Dance classes?” She eagerly opened the first one and started reading.

  Omar smiled and focused on his nephew. “What about you, RJ? Anything you like to do...aside from video games?”

  “I want to play football.”

  He nodded. “Okay. But what do you want to do when football is over?”

  “Maybe be an engineer like Dad.”

  “I think that’s a great idea.” Rashad had a degree in mechanical engineering, and Omar hoped his brother would heal enough to be able to return to his first love. “You should talk to him about it.”

  “Okay.”

  “Ooh, I want to do all of these classes,” Brianna said. “They all look really fun.”

  “Well, how about we start with the one you like most.”

  Over lunch, Omar chatted with them about the upcoming school year and listened while they shared what they’d learned from the Black history reports they’d written. He was impressed.

  “Uncle, do you have a girlfriend?”

  He almost choked on his water. He stared at Brianna’s smiling face. “Why?”

  “I heard Mama talking, and she said your girlfriend is pretty. Are you guys going to get married so she can be my aunt? If you are, can I be in the wedding?”

  Beads of perspiration popped out on Omar’s forehead. Married? Wedding? Okay, he liked Morgan...a lot, but he wasn’t ready to walk down the aisle just yet. “First off, we just started dating, and second, you shouldn’t eavesdrop on other people’s conversations.” He gestured to her plate. “You should finish your food.”

  RJ shook his head. “Why do you think everybody has to get married?”

  “Weddings are so beautiful,” she said dramatically.

  RJ scrunched up his face like he’d smelled something bad and continued to eat.

  Omar chuckled inwardly. At only ten, RJ still thought girls were yucky. Keep living, little man. He would find out that women weren’t yucky, but absolutely amazing if you were lucky enough to find the right one. Something deep inside told him that Morgan was the right one for him. He just wished he could convince her of the same thing.

  * * *

  Between working and preparing for the dance show, Morgan didn’t have time to dwell on her and Omar’s relationship. Outside of a text she’d sent to let him know the date and time of the meeting with team management, they hadn’t talked at all. As she moved around backstage at the theater, taking care of last-minute details before the show, she could admit to herself that she had missed talking to him and laughing with him. Relationships had always been a little tricky for her. Because of her bold personality, most guys either were intimidated or tried to change her. And if she had the slightest inkling something wasn’t right, she would end the relationship in a heartbeat. Only this time, Morgan wasn’t sure she had done the right thing.

  “Ten minutes ’til showtime,” Brooke called out. The kids buzzed with excitement. “Morgan, I forgot to tell you that Omar called and asked for another ticket to the show for his niece.”

  Morgan had totally forgotten he was coming to the show. Just great. “He mentioned that she was interested in taking a class. I’d better go make sure my group is ready since they’re up first.” If she stood there a minute longer, Brooke would have recognized something was wrong, and Morgan didn’t want to hear her friend fuss.

  The show went well, and while she danced, Morgan could feel Omar watching her. At the start, looking out into the audience and seeing him had thrown her off balance. It had taken all of her concentration to remember the steps and not embarrass herself on the stage. Aside from one misstep at the beginning of the song, she got through the dance without mishap. And though she knew they should talk, she needed a little more time, because what she was beginning to feel for him scared her to death. When the show ended, she changed and left quickly to avoid him. He hadn’t gotten a ticket for his niece to attend the reception. She hoped that meant he had changed his mind about coming.

  * * *

  Omar dropped Brianna off at home and made his way over to the hotel for the reception. His niece talked nonstop all the way home. Her animated chatter made him smile, and he knew she would do well in whichever class she decided to take.

  At the hotel, he handed his invitation to the young woman manning the ballroom door and entered the room. He recognized one or two prominent names in the entertainment industry. With their backing, Brooke should be well on her way to raising the money needed. Which reminded him that he needed to give her his check. He searched and found her standing in a small group. She noticed him, excused herself and came toward him.

  “I’m so glad you could make it, Omar.”

  “You’re doing some great work here.”

  “How did your niece like the show?”

  He laughed. “She talked my ear off all the way home. She wants to take just about every class.”

  “Well, sign her up. We’re taking a two-week break and will start up again at the beginning of August.”

  “I’ll have my sister-in-law do that.” He reached into his breast pocket, pulled out the check and handed it to her.

  Brooke unfolded it and her eyes widened. “Oh. My. God. Are you kidding me?” She threw her arms around him. “Thank you so much.” She jumped back. “Sorry. Morgan’s gonna kill me if she saw that.” A look of embarrassment crossed her features.

  Omar smiled. “It’s all good. Oh, and can you just take it as an anonymous donation?”

  “Sure, but we usually list our sponsors and present them with a plaque.”

  “That’s not necessary.”

  “Okay, if you insist. Thank you again.” She rushed off with a huge grin.

  A passing waiter offered him a glass of champagne. Omar retrieved a flute and offered a thank-you. He scanned the ballroom and saw the students and their parents all dressed up. He turned another way and froze. He didn’t realize he had been holding his breath until he felt the tightness in his chest. Morgan strutted across the room wearing a long one-shoulder red dress, and with every step, he was treated to a view of her shapely legs through a slit that stopped midthigh. She’d left her hair straight, and it hung to the middle of her back. His arousal was instant. No other woman kept him hard and aching all the time. Omar tossed back the champagne and tried to remember how to breathe aga
in. Several men stopped her, and one seemed to have trouble keeping his hands to himself. It took every bit of control he could conjure up not to go charging across the room.

  “You look a little green, Drummond,” an amused voice said. “Jealousy will do that to you.”

  He turned slightly and met Malcolm’s smile. “Jealousy implies I want something that’s not mine. I’m just protecting what already belongs to me. And she is mine.”

  “You seem pretty sure about that.”

  Omar’s gaze strayed back to Morgan. “I am.” And she would be sure about it before the night ended, because he had fallen in love with her.

  Chapter 16

  Morgan felt Omar’s gaze following her every move. She’d spotted him the moment he walked through the door—she couldn’t have missed his towering height. The eyes of every single woman in the room turned his way when he came in. In the gray suit with his locs flowing around his shoulders, he was a sight to behold. She refocused her attention on the man standing in front of her but kept stealing glances at Omar.

  “You sure can dance,” the man was saying.

  “Thank you. Do you have a son or daughter you were thinking of enrolling?”

  “Me? No. I don’t have any children.” He sidled closer. “I’m not married, either. Do you teach adult classes? I was hoping you could teach me some moves.”

  She did a mental eye roll. Was this guy for real? Teach him some moves? She smiled. “Sorry, we only teach children. If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I need to speak with. Enjoy the evening. We do hope you’ll support our efforts.”

  “Oh, yeah, yeah, sure.”

  Morgan left him standing there and greeted a few of the parents but never lost sight of Omar. Their eyes connected, and she could feel the pull of desire from across the room. The heat in his eyes reached out and touched her like a gentle caress.

  “You know, it would be better for the two of you to pass those looks on the same side of the room, preferably while you’re in proximity to each other,” Brooke drawled.