“What are we doing tonight?” Autumn asked as they got into the car. “Are we going to get the tree?”
“Not yet,” Nora said. “I haven’t decided if I want a live tree or not.”
“And I have plans this evening. DeShawn and I are going to watch a movie.”
Nora glanced at Kayla and smiled. “So, you’ve seen him.”
“They went running together this morning, still being lame.” Autumn yawned. “I don’t know why y’all don’t . . .”
“DeShawn and I are just friends and we haven’t seen each other in ten years. We’re just catching up and rebuilding our friendship.”
“Umm, yeah, okay.”
“Leave her alone,” Nora said. “But I do have to say, I’ve always liked DeShawn. And for him to come back to Charlotte and take over that school because he wanted young black men to see a teacher who cared about them and looked just like them. He could’ve been coaching in the NFL, from what I heard.”
“Oh, you just heard that?” Kayla laughed.
“Well, I did keep an eye on what was going on with DeShawn, hoping that he would be around when or if you came back. You know he’s never been married.”
“Ma!” Kayla said as Autumn chuckled.
“Just putting it out there. I always thought you two should’ve gotten together anyway,” she said. “Let’s stop and get something to eat.”
“Sushi?” Autumn suggested.
“The only fish I want is breaded and fried. We’re going to Hometown Delights.”
Kayla looked at her watch. “Maybe I should call DeShawn and let him know I might be late for the movie.”
“We’ll have you out of the restaurant in time to watch your movie. I’ll even buy you some popcorn,” Autumn said. “And I’m not trying to be a jerk about your current situation.”
“Thanks.” Kayla rolled her eyes. “But I’m sure DeShawn will have popcorn at his place.”
“Oh. You’re watching the movie at his house. With no parental supervision, huh,” Autumn said.
“Hush.”
Nora laughed. “I’m still going to have to get a switch for y’all.”
Arriving at the restaurant, Kayla felt excited to be with her sister and mother for the first time in years. The Christmas music blaring from the speakers belied the heat outside. Autumn shimmied her shoulders to Donny Hathaway’s soulful voice.
“I love this song. But it never snows here for Christmas. Rodney and I were going to head to Denver this year, but we have a reason to sweat for the season now.” She nudged Kayla in the side.
“Where is Rodney?” Kayla asked.
“He’s going to be back tonight. He’s been in New York for the last week, doing some IT work at the company’s headquarters. I thought he was coming in last night. I drove all the way to the airport only to get a text saying that he wouldn’t be here until tonight.” Autumn shook her head and sighed. “That man can be infuriating sometimes.”
Kayla nodded but noticed the look on her mother’s face. She couldn’t help but wonder if her sister was hiding something. Since things were going so well between them, she decided to keep her questions to herself.
* * *
DeShawn finished vacuuming the living room and then started the search for his Remember the Titans DVD. When he found it on the back of the shelf, he smiled. How many times had he and Kayla watched this movie? She loved Denzel, like most women, but he watched the movie with her because it made her smile and he loved those dimples. Loved so much about her that he’d never been able to say so. Kayla had to be one of the strongest women he’d ever known.
She ran track to honor her father’s memory, and she’d wanted to go to UCLA because that had been his dream as well. Unlike a lot of the girls in their high school, Kayla knew what she wanted. Over the years, he’d say that her strength had grown. He wished they’d been able to stay closer, especially after what she said about her husband. Seeing her today made him realize that she was the one who got away. As much as he wanted to tell her that tonight, he knew it was too soon.
He was going to make some snacks and open a nice bottle of wine. Tonight, he wasn’t even going to talk about the school, because he wanted to have a good time, not think about the target painted on his back.
Pulling out his phone, he texted Kayla to make sure they were still getting together at eight. He really just wanted to hear from her.
Yes, I’m having a late lunch with my mom and Autumn right now. But I’ll be ready at eight. Please tell me you have kettle corn.
I’ll get some. I forgot you like that nasty stuff.
Shut your mouth. Kettle corn is the best!
I’ll take your word for it. I can’t wait to see you tonight.
I’m looking forward to it as well.
DeShawn shoved his phone in his pocket and grabbed his keys. He needed to go find kettle corn.
He headed to the farmer’s market, hoping to catch it before it closed. He remembered how he and Kayla used to go there and buy cranberries and popcorn to make garlands for the winter athletic banquet. He’d always thought it was a tedious undertaking, but being with Kayla always made it fun. He’d never told her about his fantasy of wrapping her up in that garland and then freeing her with his lips, tongue, and teeth.
Back then, he probably would’ve gotten something wrong—bit when he should’ve licked, or licked where she needed to be bitten. But today, he’d lavish that amazing body with so much pleasure that she’d go hoarse screaming his name.
Or maybe she’d make him scream. Kayla had lips that launched wet dreams and fantasies. He wondered how her lips would feel against his, how those lips would feel wrapped around the throbbing erection pressing against his zipper. He shook those erotic thoughts from his mind as he walked into the market. He was happy to see a display of kettle corn, cheddar cheese popcorn, and his favorite caramel popcorn. He grabbed a bag of each flavor and headed for the cashier. When he saw the cranberries, he grabbed a package for old times’ sake. Maybe they could decorate his tree and he could possibly get that taste of her he’d been fantasizing about for a decade.
* * *
Kayla knew she was excited to see DeShawn when she turned down her favorite dessert at Hometown Delights. Her mother must have known it, too, when she told the waiter that she and Autumn would take their cake to go.
“Guess somebody has to get ready for her date,” Autumn said as she downed the last of her Duplin wine.
“It’s not a date. We’re just watching a movie.”
“At least wear some pretty panties, just in case.”
“Autumn!” Nora said through her chuckle. “You can put a little lipstick on, though.”
“Mom!” Kayla exclaimed.
“And do something with your hair. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen this man, and I know for a fact that friends make the best lovers. Your dad and I were best friends before we started dating. Best thing that ever happened to him was the day I told him that I didn’t want to be his friend anymore.”
“This is not the same thing,” Kayla said. “Besides, DeShawn—”
“Has probably been in love with you as long as you’ve loved him.” Nora shook her head. “But both of you are pretty clueless.”
“Amen,” Autumn said. “I knew he was in love with her when he turned me down.”
“Autumn,” Nora said. “You’re a mess. Come on, let’s go so Kayla can change her clothes for her date.”
“It’s not a date,” she said as they rose to their feet. “It’s just a movie.”
“Whatever you say, Kayla,” Autumn said.
The ride back to Nora’s was light and fun as her mother and sister teased Kayla. She wondered if DeShawn was as aware of her feelings as her mother and sister seemed to be. One of the reasons she’d lost touch with him had nothing to do with the distance between them, but more to do with the unrequited love she felt in her heart.
Kayla had always believed that DeShawn saw her as one of the guys,
and she couldn’t take that. Being across the country gave her the distance that she needed to forget about him. She thought that when she and Raul had married she would’ve gotten over DeShawn. But the end of her marriage and seeing DeShawn again awakened a desire in her that she’d thought was dead.
When they arrived home, Kayla thought she’d be able to dress herself for her movie with DeShawn. But when she walked in her room and Autumn followed her, Kayla knew her sister was going to offer her fashion advice.
“I can dress myself,” Kayla said as she watched her sister plop down on the bed.
“Sure you can, but you and this man haven’t been alone in ten years. Show him what he’s been missing. As much as I hate to admit it, you have an amazing body.”
“It runs in the family.” Kayla smiled at her curvy sister. Autumn shimmied her shoulders.
“And you need to use what you got to get what you want. You can stop denying it, but you want DeShawn.” Autumn nodded. “Go for it.”
“While you’re sitting here giving me advice on what to do about DeShawn, can I ask you a question?”
“What?”
Kayla inhaled sharply. She knew the peace between them was temporary, but she was concerned about her sister. Focusing on Autumn, Kayla just asked the question.
“Is everything all right between you and Rodney?”
Autumn’s smile faded. “What do you mean?”
“Never mind.”
“No, why do you think there is a problem in my marriage?”
Kayla leaned against the dresser and sighed. “You and Rodney are normally joined at the hip, and all I’ve seen so far is you doing a lot of talking about him.”
“He’s on a business trip. You know what, I know misery loves company, but don’t try to make me a member of your party.”
“I’m not. Even though Raul and I were at each other’s throat before the divorce, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”
“Don’t worry, my marriage is fine.”
Kayla didn’t like the look in her sister’s eyes, but she was going to take her at her word.
“Can I be honest?” Autumn said. “I never liked Raul.”
“Well, we don’t have to worry about seeing him ever again, thank the Lord.”
“And Rodney and I are working through some issues. Mainly, he wants a baby and I don’t.”
Kayla sat beside her sister and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t you want a baby? You’d be a great mother.”
“No, I wouldn’t. I’m not selfless like Mom. I like being a housewife without the mother part.”
Kayla dropped her hand to her abdomen and closed her eyes. The day she’d miscarried her baby had also marked the end of her marriage. She’d been in her office and a student had found her collapsed on the floor. After she’d been rushed to the hospital, no one could find Raul.
Kayla had never felt more alone in her life. She’d called her mother after the doctor told her about the miscarriage. She’d been eight weeks pregnant, and had wanted to go to North Carolina and tell her mother in person that she’d be a grandmother soon.
That call had forced her to take stock of her life and her marriage. Kayla had been hiding in California, living a life filled with regrets rather than the life she’d dreamed about when she’d been a student at UCLA. When she’d tried to tell Raul about wanting to shake things up, he seemed to tune her out. He’d wanted a Hollywood lifestyle, and put them in the poorhouse to get it.
He hadn’t comforted her after they lost the baby; in fact, Raul acted as if it didn’t even happen.
“What’s wrong?” Autumn asked, breaking into her sister’s dark thoughts.
“Nothing.” Glancing at her watch, Kayla rose to her feet. “I’d better get ready.”
“You shower and I’ll pick out your outfit.” Autumn rubbed her hands together.
“Why am I scared all of a sudden?” Kayla walked into the bathroom and took a quick shower. Autumn knocked on the door as Kayla shut the water off.
“The outfit is on the bed. Just put it on and you don’t even have to worry about wearing panties.”
“Autumn!” When Kayla opened the door, her sister was gone. She walked into her room and looked at the red maxi dress laid out on her bed. Festive, but it’s just a movie. Kayla was about to grab a pair of jeans and T-shirt when her door opened.
“Put on the dress!” Nora said.
“Ma!”
“Autumn told me to make sure you didn’t come out of this room looking like you’re going to a football game. Put on the dress.”
“Fine,” Kayla said as her mother shut the door. She picked up the dress and held it against her damp skin. It would work. She’d wear the damn dress.
Chapter 5
DeShawn looked at the white rose he’d gotten for Kayla. Part of him wanted to toss it out the window. Maybe it was too much. After all, they were just going to watch a movie that they had seen a thousand times. And she was his friend. But he wanted more, and wanted to make his intentions clear. He was going to give her the rose.
Ten years was a long time to keep silent. That was going to end right now. He cranked up his car, headed in the familiar direction of Kayla’s childhood home. When he’d moved back to Charlotte after his career in the NFL ended, Nora’s house had been the second stop he’d made. Of course, he’d been hoping to run into Kayla. But her mom informed him that she was still in California.
They’d talked for an hour that day, and DeShawn had even offered to take care of her lawn work, but Nora said she’d had it handled and told him that she’d love to have him over for dinner.
Before the problems started at the school, he’d have dinner with her once a month. But he hadn’t been brave enough to ask for Kayla’s phone number, since the last number he’d had for her was disconnected. How could he tell Kayla’s mother that he wanted to make love to her daughter? Her married daughter, at that.
Now he would have the chance to put all his cards on the table with Kayla and teach her a Christmas lesson they’d both enjoy.
He was about twenty minutes early when he arrived at Kayla’s, but he’d waited long enough, and being early wasn’t going to hurt anything.
“Hello, DeShawn,” Autumn said when she opened the door. “Nice to see you. Come on in.”
He smiled at Autumn, with her flamboyant self. Sometimes it was hard to believe that she and Kayla were sisters. They were like night and day. “How are you doing, Ms. Lady?”
“I’m great. Have a seat. Ma, DeShawn is here.”
Nora walked into the living room with a smile on her face. “Hey there, DeShawn. How are you?”
“I’m good, Miss Nora.” He crossed over to her and gave her a hug.
“I didn’t get a hug. I’m feeling some kind of way,” Autumn quipped. Then she walked into the kitchen.
“That girl is something else,” DeShawn said with a laugh.
Nora nodded. “She gets it from her father. Come on and sit down.”
Autumn returned to the living room with a pitcher of eggnog and three glasses. “Kayla should be down in a minute.”
“Thanks,” he said as she poured the eggnog.
* * *
Kayla wasn’t sure why she let Autumn and her mother talk her into wearing a dress. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and thought the red maxi dress was too much, but it did give a boost to her C-cup cleavage. She started to adjust her girls, then dropped her hands.
“It’s just a movie.” Still, Kayla toyed with her hair until she was satisfied with her bushy curls. She headed into the living room and was surprised to see DeShawn sitting on the sofa, sipping eggnog with Autumn and Nora.
“Wow,” he said when their eyes locked. “Kayla, you look amazing.”
“Thanks,” she said as she crossed over to him and gave him a tight hug.
Autumn nudged her mother. “That’s an extra friendly hug.”
DeShawn and Kayla broke their embrace.
“Whatever
,” Kayla said. Her cheeks heated with embarrassment.
“Ladies, it was good to see you again,” DeShawn said as he and Kayla headed for the door.
“Sorry about that,” she said once they were outside.
“Everything is cool. Your family still cracks me up.” He chuckled. “I think your sister was trying to get me drunk with the eggnog.”
“Maybe we should’ve taken some of that with us.” Kayla laughed, though she knew drinking alcohol would be a bad idea. She gave DeShawn a sidelong glance. He made those black slacks and white oxford shirt look so good. You couldn’t tell her that he wasn’t a GQ model.
“Do you want to go out? I mean, you look so great in that outfit, I’d hate to waste it sitting on my sofa.”
“No, the sofa is fine. Because we’re not going to find Remember the Titans on the big screen. And you got my kettle corn, right?”
“And a few more surprises.” He opened the door for her. Kayla shivered as she thought about the surprises he had in store.
DeShawn got into the car and handed Kayla the rose from his dashboard. “This is for you.”
“Thanks. It’s beautiful.”
“Just like you,” he said as he started the car.
Kayla blushed and turned to the window. “You’re being extra sweet right now.”
“Well, I’ve missed you, and I just wanted to share that with you.”
“Thanks, DeShawn.”
“You sure you want to spend the evening on my sofa?” He gave her a slow once-over, then pulled off from the curb.
“Just like old times. Only we can officially have adult beverages without looking over our shoulder for your mom.”
DeShawn laughed, thinking about the days when they snuck rum and cola into their cups as they watched movies or studied. “You know I would’ve never made it out of calculus if it wasn’t for you.”
“And look at you now, running a school. I’m so proud of you.”
He sighed. “Don’t be. If things don’t turn around with the fund-raising, I’m not going to be running anything.”
“What’s going on?”
The Perfect Present Page 12