Close Quarters: A Novel (Zane Presents)

by Ray, Shamara

  “What about you? Are you planning to marry Ellis?”

  “If he asks me.”

  “You won’t be happy.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “That’s not the life you want.”

  “Since when are you an expert on what I want?”

  “I know what you need.”

  I ignored Malik’s smirking face across the table and dared to ask the question. “What do I need, Malik?”

  He leaned forward and poured more wine in my glass. “I think we both know the answer to that.”

  My face grew warm. I cleared my throat. “You ventured to make such a bold comment. Tell me what I need.”

  “Two things. To loosen up and an open mind.” Malik got up and started clearing the table.

  I turned in my chair to face him. “That’s not what you were going to say.”

  “Yes, it was.”

  “I can tell you were thinking something else.”

  A fleeting smile touched Malik’s lips. He turned around and began washing the dishes. If he was thinking something different, he wasn’t going to tell me. Maybe he was trying to leave it to my imagination to figure out what he meant.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  MELINA

  I rushed home from the office to get ready for dinner with Ellis and his mother. She was hosting an intimate dinner party at her Fifth Avenue penthouse apartment. Ellis was sending a car service to pick me up at seven. I had been to enough of his mother’s events to know the appropriate attire. I pulled my little black Michael Kors dress from the closet and carried it to the bathroom. I wanted the steam from the shower to knock out any wrinkles in the fabric. I gave myself a pep talk while I lathered up. I would not let Ellis’s mother get to me tonight. Even if she worked my nerves, I would be as sweet as candy.

  I performed a final inspection in the full-length mirror on my wall. Hair styled in a tight chignon, dress flatteringly showcasing my curves without being tight, sheer black stockings, three-inch heels and my small beaded bag. Almost perfect. I fished my diamond studs from my jewelry box and placed them in my ears. Perfect.

  I turned off my bedroom light and went to the living room to wait for the car service. My stomach was a bit unsettled, a side effect of spending the evening outside of my comfort zone. When Ellis’s father was alive, he would compensate for his wife’s uppity behavior. I could always count on him to be warm and inviting. We would discuss a range of issues from the state of the black community to White House politics to sports. He would inquire about my business and even referred a few of his colleagues as clients. It was a pleasure to be around him; I looked forward to our discussions. His wife, on the other hand, had one favorite topic—what was going on in her world.

  The driver called up to let me know he was outside. I slipped into my mink, a Christmas gift from Ellis, then locked the door behind me. A town car waited at the curb. I had to tell Ellis, in the beginning of our relationship, not to send limousines to pick me up. If we were traveling together that was one thing, but when I was riding alone, I preferred not to be so pretentious. Besides, I felt silly having that much car to myself. It took some time, but he finally relented and obeyed my wishes.

  I arrived at my destination faster than I would have liked. I checked my face in my compact before we stopped in front of the luxury apartment building. I placed a tip in the driver’s hand as he helped me exit the town car. A doorman dressed in a black suit with a jacket resembling that of the leader of a marching band, held the door to the lobby open as I passed. I walked over to the gentleman sitting at the desk in front of the elevator bank. I gave him my name and he granted me access to the elevator strictly reserved for the penthouse.

  Caroline, the Harlow family maid for more than three decades, greeted me as I stepped off the elevator into the foyer.

  “Good evening, Ms. Melina,” she said.

  “How are you, Caroline?”

  “Just fine—”

  “Lina, you’re right on time. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are just being served,” Ellis said, walking over to us. He kissed me on the cheek and then helped me with my mink, handing it to Caroline. He grabbed my hand and whisked me into the study. I quickly surveyed the room. A small party of eight, including myself and Ellis. I recognized Ellis’s godparents from his father’s funeral and had met his mother’s best friend Vivian and her husband Joseph at prior dinner parties. I was not familiar with the other gentleman in the room. Daniella, Ellis’s sister, was nowhere in sight. Light music played in the background. Ellis led me over to his mother, standing next to the fireplace.

  She excused herself from her conversation and gave me a brusque hug. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it, dear.”

  I air-kissed both of her cheeks. “There was a bit of traffic on the way over,” I lied.

  She walked in a circle around me. “Aren’t you just stunning?”

  My smile mimicked her tone. “Thank you, Bebe.”

  Bebe slipped her arm around my waist and walked me over to the bar that was set up in the far corner of the room. I looked back at Ellis, who seemed oblivious to the fact that I was being lured away.

  “I’ll have a mineral water,” she said to the bartender. “What are you drinking, dear?”

  “The same.”

  “Come now, have a cocktail. What’s the point of attending a party if you don’t have a drink or two?”

  I reminded myself to play nice. “I’ll have a martini.”

  The bartender handed me the drink. He smiled politely and then clasped his hands in front of him, waiting for his next order. I noted his uniform—black slacks with a crisp white jacket and a bowtie—and the way he unassumingly stepped back a few paces to remove himself from our conversation. I could only imagine the discussions he’d overheard.

  Bebe took a birdlike swallow from her water. “Melina, I would like for us to get together one day next week for lunch.”

  I made a vain attempt to keep the surprise off my face. “I’ll need to check my schedule. Did you have a particular day in mind?”

  “I’m a lady of leisure, dear. I’ll leave it to you to decide. Do let me know as soon as possible.”

  Bebe stalked across the room to chat with one of her cronies, leaving me alone and bewildered.

  A server came around with a tray of salmon mousse on toast points. He held out a stack of napkins to me. I shook my head. I didn’t want to fill up on anything before dinner. Ellis walked over and took an hors d’oeuvre from the tray. He offered me a bite.

  “I don’t want to ruin my appetite.”

  Ellis shrugged and ate his toast point. “Mother was right. You are stunning tonight.”

  The compliment elicited a blush from me. Too bad his mother didn’t mean it. Ellis leaned toward me and kissed me on the lips. “I love you, Lina.”

  I touched his face. “I love you, too.”

  A female server approached us with a tray of more hors d’oeuvres. I took a sip from my martini, not bothering to look at what tempting delicacy she was circulating.

  Ellis looked down at me. “You’re not going to try one?”

  I opened my mouth to say no until I glanced at the tray. The room went still and I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I looked at Ellis, then back at the tray again. My hands started shaking as I focused on the little, black velvet box in the center of the tray.

  Ellis took the martini glass from me and handed it to the server. He lifted the box from the tray, then went down on one knee. I was trembling from the inside out. My eyelids fluttered, blinking back the tears that were clouding my vision. Ellis opened the box. A sparkling Asscher-cut diamond solitaire gloriously beamed at me.

  Ellis took my left hand in his right one. “Melina Bradford, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. Would you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Ellison Harlow III?”

  A shallow breath caught in my throat. I put my hand to my chest and repeatedly nodded m
y head until I found my voice. “Yes,” I breathed out, “yes, I’ll marry you.”

  Ellis slipped the ring on my finger. Clapping filled the room. Ellis stood up and pulled me into the circle of his arms, kissing me tenderly on the lips. I embraced him with all of my strength. He kissed me on the forehead, then brought my hand to his lips. I slowly became cognizant of the other people in the room, all of the smiling faces. Except for one. I couldn’t turn away from that one crooked, superficial smirk.

  A server handed me a champagne flute. Once everyone had a glass in hand, Bebe raised hers for a toast. Daniella dashed into the room and stood next to her mother. She was tall, slim and towered over Bebe.

  Bebe fixed her face with an almost-sincere smile. “Thank you all for being here tonight to share in this special moment. I would like to wish my son all the best and a future full of happiness.” Bebe moved the glass toward her lips.

  Daniella grabbed the champagne glass from her mother. “We would also like to say welcome to the family, Melina.”

  Ellis and I tapped our champagne glasses and sealed our toast with a kiss. Daniella came across the room and gave me, and then Ellis, a big hug. She took my hand in hers and examined my ring. “This is what I call an engagement ring. How many carats is this? Five? Six?”

  Ellis laughed. “It’s something for you to set your standards by in the future.”

  “Thank you for your toast, Daniella,” I said.

  “I meant it. I’m so happy you’re going to be a part of our family.”

  One by one, we were congratulated on our engagement. I waited for Bebe to come over, but she never did.

  As Ellis drove us back to his home in Long Island, I could not stop gazing at my ring. Every time I looked away, the weight on my finger drew my attention back to it.

  Ellis glimpsed at me. “Do you like it?”

  “I absolutely love it.”

  “Were you surprised?”

  “Completely. I was prepared for dinner at Bebe’s, nothing more.”

  “We were all anxiously awaiting your arrival.”

  “Everyone knew about this?”

  “Yes, the dinner party was for you.”

  “A proposal was the last thing I was expecting tonight.”

  “My parents were married for almost forty years. Since my father’s death, I’ve been thinking about the importance of marriage and family. I want us to share a wonderful life together. And you heard the advice, the words of wisdom, from everyone during dinner. These people have spent years together. They all want the best for us.”

  “Not everybody,” I mumbled.

  “You care to elaborate?”

  “That was some toast your mother gave.”

  “Mother wished us a future of happiness.”

  “Bebe wished you happiness; she excluded me.”

  “I’m sure it was an oversight, Lina.”

  “She wants to have lunch with me next week.”

  “Doesn’t that prove that Mother is welcoming you with open arms?”

  “I suppose.”

  Even though I didn’t believe that, now wasn’t the time to dispute it. I was reveling in the gleam of my diamond and not even Bebe could spoil my high.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  MALIK

  We decided that I would pitch our first round of ideas to Donner. Kai sat next to me at the conference table, silently observing, while I explained our concept of using both real and animated drivers in the ads.

  Mr. Donner scrutinized the last slide on the screen and read the tagline aloud. “If you’re expecting to win a race with him as your driver, then you’re playing the wrong game. Hmm, a famous racecar driver referring to an animated graphic, I like it. I like it a lot. Malik, Kai, I think you’re on the right track. We’ll meet in two weeks to select the final ad we’ll present to Sphere Electronics.” Donner patted me on the shoulder, then left the room.

  I leaned back in the chair with my hands behind my head.

  Kai closed her portfolio. “Someone’s content with himself.”

  Satisfaction was written all over my face. “We’re gonna blow them away with our campaign.”

  “Malik, you have really impressed me. Donner should have teamed us up a long time ago. I could have used you on a few of my other accounts.”

  “I’m all for being a team player, but Donner should have given me a shot—on my own—at some of the larger accounts a long time ago.”

  “Well, here’s your chance to make a mark at Newport and Donner.”

  “I don’t intend to make my mark at this agency.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’ve spent a lot of years, too many years, working my ass off to only just now receive a crack at a top client.”

  “Are you going to another agency?”

  “In a way. I’ve got some concepts that no one has even conceived yet and when I present them, it will be at my own company.”

  “I’m interested in hearing more about your plans.”

  “We’ll have to hold off until later. Right now, our focus has to be on dazzling Sphere Electronics.”

  “We’re going to have to put in some long nights,” she said with a sly grin.

  “I’m not opposed to hard work.”

  “The harder, the better.”

  “Keep talking like that and you’ll get yourself in trouble up in here.”

  Kai collected her things and got up to leave. She bent over and whispered in my ear. “In case you didn’t know, trouble’s my middle name.” She switched her hips over to the door, looked back and winked.

  I walked up behind Kai and placed my hand on top of hers on the doorknob. “I want you at my place tonight. We have business to handle.”

  “I’ll be there, Mr. Denton.”

  I let Kai leave the conference room first. I went to get my binder from the table and had to laugh to myself. Kai was a vixen behind closed office doors and strictly business as soon as they opened up the slightest bit. She knew the rules of the game. In fact, she could probably teach me a few tricks. The past week had been an enlightening experience. Kai had stripteased for a brother, massaged my feet, bathed me and sexed me. I didn’t mind spending time with her. She was a sports fanatic and knew how to kick back and relax with a cold beer. Kai was a lot like me—maybe a little too much.

  • • •

  Kai was nestled against me on the couch. I flicked my tongue around the edge of her ear, entertaining myself during the commercial break. We were watching the Yankees struggle to maintain their lead in game two of the playoffs. Thanks to Kai, I’d be at Yankee Stadium for game three. We were supposed to go together, but when she came over she explained she had to cancel due to a meeting and gave me both tickets. I had to decide which of my boys to bless with the extra ticket, but that could wait. Kai tilted her head up and licked my neck.

  I moaned. “Keep that up and you won’t see the end of the game.”

  “I didn’t realize I was here for the game.” Kai licked her lips.

  “What did you have in mind?” I slipped my hand beneath her sweater. “Whatever it is, I can accommodate you.”

  Heeled steps echoed outside in the hall, halting my exploration. Melina’s keys jingled in the lock. She glided through the door, sporting her fur and a pair of jeans. She looked from me, to Kai, to me again.

  “Hello, Malik.” She turned her attention to Kai. “Hi, I’m Melina.”

  “Mel, this is Kai.”

  Her lips curved upward in slow motion. “Kai? Oh yes, you two work together, right?”

  I cut my eyes at Melina and her smile grew.

  Melina extended her hand to Kai. “Pleasure to meet you, Kai.”

  “Same here.” Kai shook hands with Melina. “That is a beautiful ring.”

  “Thank you,” Melina said, beaming.

  I directed my attention to Melina’s hand. Leave it to women to compliment each other on every little thing—or not so little. I jerked my head up and met Melina’s eyes. “What’s up, Mel
? Are congratulations in order?”

  She nodded. “We got engaged last night.”

  “Congratulations,” Kai cooed.

  “Yeah, good luck,” I scoffed, then redirected my interest back to the Yankees.

  Kai looked at me, her brows wrinkled.

  Melina’s smile wilted. “Don’t mind him. He’s anti-marriage, and correct me if I’m wrong, Malik, anti-dating.”

  “If that were true, I wouldn’t be asking Kai to be my date on Saturday for Terrence’s engagement party.”

  Kai glanced at me and then Melina.

  “Then I suppose it’s Kai who will be needing the luck,” Melina said before walking off and slamming her bedroom door.

  I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry about that, Kai. Sometimes Mel can be a little high-strung.”

  “I think I’d better be going.” Kai slipped her shoes back on. “Apparently you have some issues to discuss with your roommate.”

  I walked Kai to the door. “I hope you won’t let what Mel said discourage you from accepting my invitation.”

  “I’ll go with you on Saturday, though I’m not sure about your approach or intent.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “How or why you invited me. Good night, Malik. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  No sooner had I closed the door behind Kai, did Melina come flying out of her room.

  “Don’t start, Mel.”

  “How dare you disrespect me in front of your company!”

  “You’re overreacting. I didn’t say anything that can be construed as disrespectful.”

  “You make a snide comment to me, in front of a complete stranger, another one of your many hoes, and you don’t see why I’m upset.”

  “You’re always upset. Everything upsets you. You walk around here acting like the Queen of England; like I’m supposed to bow and curtsy for your ass. You talk to me any ol’ kind of way, but I’m supposed to watch what I say to you? Then you tell Kai I’m anti-this and anti-that, trying to throw a wrench in my program, and you have the nerve to stand there talking about respect.”

  “You’re damn right. You don’t care for Ellis and you don’t have to. But I expect you to respect me, him, and my relationship with him.”