Mercy, Mercy Me
Page 30
She shrugged. “Could be better.” She paused. “I don’t know if you’ve heard,” she started, speaking to both of them. “We’re moving back to New Orleans.”
Dwayne and Sean had matching expressions of surprise.
“I didn’t know,” Dwayne said. “I hope that’s a good thing.” His eyes searched hers.
“It’s what we have to do. Things didn’t go well with the network and …” She shrugged, leaving her sentence incomplete.
“I’m sorry to hear it. I hope someday you find happiness.”
“I thought I had.” She looked up at him.
At that moment, he turned toward the door, acknowledging Nina’s return.
“Hello, Beverlyn.” Nina walked toward them and stood at Dwayne’s side.
Beverlyn’s eyes darted between the two. “Nina, what are you doing here?”
“Dwayne and I wanted to check on Sean.” She smiled.
Beverlyn turned toward the bed as if she’d forgotten Sean was in the room.
Dwayne turned to Nina. “Are you ready, honey?”
Nina nodded and reached for her purse. She didn’t miss the shock that registered on Beverlyn’s face. She moved closer to the bed, forcing Beverlyn to step back, then leaned over and kissed Sean’s forehead. “We’ll see you soon.”
At the door, they turned back at the sound of Sean’s voice. “Call me the minute you set the date of the wedding. I have to get my tuxedo ready.”
Shock was still visible on Beverlyn’s face as she looked at Sean and then turned to Dwayne and Nina.
“Beverlyn, it was good seeing you again,” Dwayne said before he and Nina stepped from the room.
They took a few steps before Dwayne stopped and pulled Nina into his arms. “Miss Jordan, have I told you that I love you?”
Nina glanced at her watch. “About an hour has passed since you last said that.” She laughed, then became serious. “You know, we’re going to have to do something about that ‘Miss Jordan’ thing,” she said, waving her hand with her ring in the air.
Dwayne took her hand in his and they continued toward the elevator. Dwayne’s thoughts turned back to Beverlyn, and to how for a time, he had placed his faith in the seductive rewards of her glitzy world, none of which held any real eternal value.
He silently thanked God for yet another chance to live his life for what really mattered, and especially for Nina’s love, however long or short their time together might be.
About the Author
RONN ELMORE is a relationship therapist, ordained minister, and author of the national bestseller How to Love a Black Man; its sequel, How to Love a Black Woman; and An Outrageous Commitment: The 48 Vows of an Indestructible Marriage. Much sought after on the speaking circuit, Dr. Ronn has shared the bill with Tavis Smiley and T. D. Jakes, among others. His insightful views frequently appear in national publications, including Essence, Ebony, and Family Digest. He and Aladrian, his wife of over twenty-two years, are the parents of three children. The family resides in the Sacramento area, where Dr. Ronn is the pastor of Faith Fellowship Church.