He stood with me. “We’ll continue this conversation at dinner.”
I reached for my check. “If you plan to talk about this at dinner then let’s go ahead and cancel.”
He took my hand and pulled the slip from it. “I’ve got this.” He let his eyes sweep my body. “I promise. No more stories about how I’ve been in love with you since I was ten.”
My heart was racing. This was the first time in years I felt like I had weights in my heels. I couldn’t move. He’d actually paralyzed me with those eyes. I cleared my throat and pulled myself together. “I’ll be ready at six,” I replied, forcing myself to move. That was some serious flirting. I left the restaurant with a ding in the air above me and a little more pep in my step.
Chapter 5
I was ridiculously excited about seeing Ethan again. It was only five thirty and I was showered, dressed and putting on makeup. Technically it wasn’t a date. We were hanging out, keeping each other from being bored to death in Garrison, and taking my mind off the only wedding that I’ve ever not wanted to plan.
As if she could tell I was thinking about her, Janette entered the room and plopped down on my bed. She looked tired and her feet seemed to be a bit swollen. She stood all day at the salon, but she’d been home for hours and they’d been up the entire time.
“Where are y’all going to eat?” she asked.
“A new place in town. Palermo’s,” I replied, thinking I’d kill two birds with one stone and check the place out as a potential spot for her bridal shower party.
“I heard that was nice. Terrance and I were planning to go, but he’s been so busy working lately that he’s hardly had time for dinners out like that.”
“Really? Is the plant that busy?” I asked, misting my hair with a moisturizer.
“Not at the plant. He’s trying to get some business off the ground and he hasn’t shared the details with me yet. That’s why our money has been kinda short too.”
I raised an eyebrow. I couldn’t imagine marrying someone who was starting a business that I didn’t have the details about, but I wasn’t my sister. She would go with the flow assuming Terrance wouldn’t have them in the poor house.
“I appreciate you pitching in and paying for stuff for the wedding. Don’t think I don’t know it’s costing you a lot. I promise if things take off with Terrance’s plans, I’ll pay you back with interest.”
I didn’t respond to that. We both knew that money had never been repaid between us, no matter how big or small, but I did stop and meet her eyes making sure mine held a smile. Janette seemed so tiny and fragile, much tinier than she ever had when we were growing up. Maybe I had been wrong to go to New York after college. I’d left her all alone and now here she was pregnant before marriage. That wasn’t what our father would have wanted for her. I was certain it wasn’t what she wanted for herself. I had promised to take care of her, but instead I had abandoned her to go live my dreams. I hadn’t even invited her to come live with me once I’d gotten established. I rationalized that she was safer in a small town like Garrison, surrounded by people she knew than in the big city of New York with oftentimes unfriendly strangers.
She stretched out on my bed. “You know you need to watch Ethan. He can be a bit of a canine when it comes to the ladies.”
“Really.” I tried to keep my interest out of my voice. “I didn’t know he had that reputation.”
“How would you? You don’t live here anymore.” She reached for a novel I had been reading, looked at the back cover and continued her warning about him. “Anyway, he didn’t have that reputation before he went all over the place and became worldly. He’s been overseas with Spanish and Italian women. I follow all the blogs.”
“French and Spanish.”
“What?” Janette asked.
“He played in France and Spain, so it was French and Spanish women.”
Janette shrugged as she should have. I had a horrible habit of correcting her on facts, not because I wanted to be right, but because I wanted her to be right. I reasoned it was a big sister thing.
“Spanish, French. It’s all the same,” she said. “I’m surprised he still dates black women.”
“He was dating that supermodel. What was her name?”
“Concei?” Janette sucked her teeth. “She doesn’t count. She’s from Kenya.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Kenyan’s aren’t black?”
“You now what I mean. She’s worldly like him.”
I shrugged, applied lip gloss and lie down across the bed opposite my sister. I wasn’t quite sure what she meant by worldly. Worldly as in not a resident of Garrison or worldly as in spiritually, but because I was feigning indifference I didn’t bother to ask. “It doesn’t matter what kind of women he likes. It’s not a date. We’re just old friends having dinner.”
“Good,” Janette replied nonchalantly. “Supermodel competition could make you crazy and besides you’re too old for him anyway. He’s younger than me.”
I nodded. “I’m aware of that.”
“You don’t want to get a bad reputation in your hometown for being a cheetah that’s running around with a younger man.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s cougar.”
“Huh?” Although Janette should have been able to figure that one out, she looked confused.
“It’s cougar when you date a younger man, not cheetah.”
She shrugged. “Some kind of fast tail cat.”
“Cougars prey on younger men. It doesn’t really apply if you’re just dating or in an actual relationship.”
Janette rolled her neck and grunted. “I know you not laying here trying to justify dating Ethan.”
I didn’t think my sister who was marrying my ex had the right to impose restrictions on me. “I’m not dating Ethan,” I said, sharply. I took the temper out of my voice. “I’m just clarifying what a cougar actually is.”
Janette dropped her head on a pillow and closed her eyes. “Well he don’t stay put for long no way, so he’s not hardly worth having folks whispering about you.”
I wondered if my sister had considered that the only reputation she should be concerned about at this point was hers. She was the one who was unmarried and six months pregnant, not to mention planning to parade herself down the aisle in white. If folks were going to be whispering it wasn’t going to be about Ethan and me.
“I guess I could be wrong about him. He might be trying to settle down,” she said. “He’s been here a long time. He’s never hung around Garrison this long. Maybe he’s seeing somebody that we don’t know about.” She was thoughtful. “Maybe someone in Atlanta. I bet it’s a celebrity. There are lots of reality T.V. stars in Atlanta.”
We were silent for a moment. I, knowing why he was here, and she clearly not.
“Even if he is trying to settle down, I know you aren’t trying to date nobody who ain’t saved,” she added. “Daddy would roll over in his grave.”
Now she had my attention. Ethan had grown up in the church. I’d seen him get baptized and take communion like the rest of us. “What makes you say Ethan isn’t saved?”
Janette opened her eyes and turned her head towards me. “He’s not. He hasn’t been in a church since high school.”
“How would you know that?”
“His uncle is a preacher. Whenever he comes home he doesn’t go to Mount Moriah. It’s pretty obvious. Besides, Terrance told me he wasn’t. Something about his mama dying when he was young.” Janette grunted. “It always amazes me how some people use stuff like that as an excuse. I don’t even remember my mama, but I’m not blaming God for it.” She sat up and fluffed out her hair.
I was thoughtful about that point. “I guess people handle things differently.”
Janette shrugged. “That’s why he pimped out that house. Nobody can stay in Pastor Wright’s house without going to church.”
Now she was getting on my nerves. Everything she was saying was an assumption, just a bunch of gossip and speculation. �
��He’s twenty-nine, Janette. He should have a house of his own. Besides do you know how much money Ethan made playing soccer and doing endorsements? He needs all the tax write offs he can get.”
“Stand up for him all you want Miss Cougar, but don’t fall for him. He’ll break your heart and fly away.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to say the last man who broke my heart was hers. The fact that he wouldn’t fly out of Garrison had been the end of us, but of course I didn’t. I merely shook my head.
Janette stood and stretched like a bored cat. “I need to go on to the church, but when I get home I’m going right to bed.”
I took a good look at her. “Maybe you should do that now. You look extremely tired.”
“I don’t miss Bible study, especially now that this red scarlet letter is branded on my forehead.”
We giggled. “Honey it’s going to be alright in about nine days.”
“It will won’t it?” She was thoughtful. “Nine more days and I’ll be Mrs. Terrance Wright.”
She walked out of the room. I felt a stabbing pain in my heart. I’d dubbed myself Mrs. Terrance Wright in high school and now my sister would have the title. I sighed. This was too weird.
I lie on the bed for a few minutes listening to my sister move around downstairs, then outside and eventually heard her car start and pull away. I had yet to ask her where she and Mr. Terrance Wright were planning to live. This house was bigger than the one Terrance owned or rented or whatever was his situation. I’d been afraid to ask her, not wanting to learn that that they would reside here and raise their babies in this house, because if they did it would no longer feel like home.
I rolled over on my stomach and pressed my made-up face into the comforter. I just didn’t know. Everything about her choice of husband made the marriage difficult for me to stomach. Of course she hadn’t been thinking about that when she’d gone out and slept with him. I groaned. Now I knew for sure why you stayed away from the exes. I’d never really thought about the implications of it before. I just knew to follow the rule. Whomever had made it had to be a woman that had been through this “ish”, because only someone who had been where I was could possibly understand all the factors that could come into play when someone close to you dated an ex.
I stood and surveyed myself one more time in the mirror. The makeup made me look like I was going on a date. I couldn’t have Ethan thinking I was going to break my “no dating younger men” rule. There was enough rule breaking going on right now. Besides, he was Terrance’s cousin, dating me would mean he was with Terrance’s ex. Did men care about that? I wasn’t sure.
“Why are you even going there in your mind?” I asked my reflection. “Ethan is a friend and he wouldn’t ever be anything more.” I walked into the bathroom that joined my bedroom to my sisters and washed the makeup off my face, reapplied my moisturizer and a little lip gloss just as the doorbell rang. I turned to leave the room and then turned back to the mirror and pointed at myself. “Ethan is just a friend,” I repeated. “He’s twenty-nine, Terrance’s cousin, and he appears to be backslidden. They’ll be no opening your mouth tonight.”
I turned off the light and made my way down the stairs. I pulled the door open and all that I’d just told myself seemed to evaporate into a mist in the sky. Ethan was standing there looking all kinds of yummy and chocolaty. Once that woodsy scent coming off his body hit my nostrils all I could think was that I wanted to break every rule I had ever made.
***
Palermo’s was upscale for Garrison. Crisp white tablecloths, wait staff in white and black moving about with their hands behind their backs and what appeared to be fine china on the tables. I thought about Renea’s desire to hold the bridal shower here all on my tab and knew that chick had to be crazy. If everybody came that showed up at the house last night this was going to be a thousand dollar party and that’s if they didn’t order a bunch of liquor.
Ethan didn’t seem at all phased by the fanciness. I was sure he’d grown accustomed to eating in places much more posh when he was dining overseas. He’d been curiously quiet in the car and I started to feel insecure like he’d wished he’d known about my dating rules prior to making the commitment. He wasn’t alone in these thoughts. I wish I hadn’t let him put his tongue in my mouth prior to knowing he was no longer in love with Jesus. Not loving the Lord was for sure a deal breaker. Relationships were hard when you were spiritually incompatible, but he sure smelled good.
“Mr. Wright!” The maître d exclaimed. “It’s a pleasure to have you with us at Palermo’s this evening. Madame.” He took my hand and gave it a little shake. “Please come this way.”
The restaurant was designed in a circle with a sunken center that included tables on both levels. We were seated in a less than private location on the second floor. He put menus in front of us and pulled out my chair. “Sir, the owners would like it if you accepted dinner on the house. We appreciate you joining us.”
Ethan said a simple thank you and the maître d disappeared.
I raised an eyebrow. “Wow, no wonder you have so much money. Do you get to eat free all over the world?”
“When people recognize me,” he said. “I prefer to pay and keep my privacy. You see where he put us. I’ll be in the local paper tomorrow and before this meal is over we’ll be interrupted for several autograph and picture taking sessions.”
“Doesn’t sound like a bad problem to have,” I said.
“It’s not, unless it’s your problem,” he replied with a sigh. “I’m not complaining. I loved playing soccer and I like being rich.”
I smiled and then so did he for the first time since he’d stood in my door.
I opened my menu. “I’m glad to finally see a smile.”
“I apologize for being a little off. I found out one of my former teammates was killed in a boating accident this morning. I’m kind of in shock.”
I felt horrible. How selfish I had been for wanting the chipper Ethan who’d taken my mind off my problems. I reached across the table for his hand and squeezed it. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Please forgive me for not sensing something deeper was wrong.”
Ethan squeezed my hand back. “It’s okay. How could you? We hardly know each other.” He opened his menu and mumbled. “Not that I don’t want that to change.”
I smiled inwardly. It was nice to have the complimentary Ethan back. I had to admit the attention he showered on me made me feel special.
A waiter interrupted us to take our drink and menu selections. Once he was gone we resumed our conversation.
“So, do you want to talk about your friend?” I asked. “How old was he? Which team did he play for La Rojas or Tricolores?”
“You know the teams I played for?” he chuckled. “Someone has been using Google.”
I brushed my hair off my shoulders and raised my neck proudly. “What makes you think I had to Google you? Would it surprise you to know that I followed your career?”
Ethan’s face took on a serious look. “Yes it would. I’d be surprised to know you cared.”
“You’re our local celebrity.” I nodded past him. “And that’s about to be confirmed right now.”
A man and a boy who looked about ten years old approached our table with a notebook in hand.
“Mr. Wright, I don’t mean to disturb your dinner, but my son and I are big fans. If you and the lady,” he glanced toward me, “don’t mind the interruption, my son would love a picture and your autograph.”
Ethan lifted the child onto his lap. “Of course.” He looked at me and made the biggest smile he could manage. “Do I have anything in my teeth?
I giggled and shook my head. “You look fine.”
He turned the boy toward him. “What about you, dude? Do you have anything in your teeth?” The child laughed and opened wide so Ethan could inspect his mouth. “Nah, you’re good. They both turned to face his father and after a few flashes of light and Ethan’s signature on the pad, they were gone.
“Don’t be. Making kids laugh and playing soccer come natural to me. Be more impressed that I learned to play that piano.”
The waiter returned with our drinks and bread. I reached for my water goblet. “Speaking of which, I didn’t get to ask you how you learned to play.”
He snapped a finger and wagged it. “Yeah, that’s because I was too busy trying to get my tongue in your mouth.”
I pinned him with a look. The old Ethan had definitely resurfaced.
He tossed his head back a bit. “I’m just saying, I remember how it went down last night.” He smiled. “I took lessons when I was in France. It was kind of lonely and boring being in a foreign country. Taking lessons assured me that I would have something to do on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Plus the teacher spoke English, fluently and that was what I was looking for. Most of my teammates spoke French. The coach spoke French. I didn’t have anybody to talk to. I tried to learn the language, but you know you’re never fluent so…”
I nodded. “Impressive.”
“Yes, be impressed with that. Learning piano was hard.”
“You make it look easy.”
“Well, I had my heart in it last night.” His gaze was more than smoldering under the dim restaurant lights. We chatted a little more about his piano lessons and then we were served our salads and more bread.
I bowed my head for grace and noticed that Ethan did as well, but he certainly hadn’t taken the lead on it. The sadness he’d exuded earlier crept back over him.
“We hadn’t finished talking about your friend,” I said.
“You could tell I was thinking about him. I’m sorry to be bad company for you.”
“You’re not.” I shook my head. “I want to know about him, so please tell me.”
“We played together in France. He was from South Africa, the oldest of fourteen children. He loved the game, but loved that he was in a position to take care of his family at home even more.”
Breaking All The Rules (Book 1 - Second Chances Series) Page 5