by Candace Shaw
“So everyone is wearing white?” Yasmine hated asking the question as if Sherika was out of her mind, but it was her wedding.
“Not everyone. The groom and his party will still wear black tuxedos, but instead of the fuchsia vest and rosebud, they will be white.”
“Cool. I believe the groomsmen will be happy about not having to wear pink vests.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s what Doug said. I’m going to email you some dresses to look at.”
“Okay. I’m meeting your cousins next week at the bridal shop you picked to get measured and try on dresses.”
“Mmmm … I believe Cannon and Doug’s brothers are going to the tuxedo shop next door. The wedding coordinator said the shops are owned by the same person and that the wedding party is receiving fifteen percent off.”
“Lovely, I get to possibly see Cannon again,” Yasmine said sarcastically.
“Maybe not.”
“Trust me. He’ll be there looking at me through the window.”
“Whatever, Yaz. You know you love it.”
“I know I love my peace of mind that I haven’t had lately. Instead, it’s crowded with thoughts of Cannon.”
“That’s nothing new. Anyway, Doug and I will be there in a few weeks to meet with the coordinator, do the reception tasting and meet with the pastor in person. We’ve been Skyping our counseling sessions.”
“So glad you’re coming. Think we’ll have time to go to the spa? My treat.”
“Yes, I could use a massage and apparently you can as well. Of course you’d rather have your massage from Cannon.”
“I’m ignoring you. Anything else, Madame Bride?”
“Nope, that’s it for now. Going to go cuddle with Doug. Maybe if you made a phone call, you could be cuddling, too.”
After she hung up the phone with Sherika, Yasmine grabbed a glass of wine and soaked in a bubble bath, hoping that would ease her mind and body from her long day. Unfortunately, every time she closed her eyes, all she saw was Cannon kissing her and roaming his hands aggressively over her body how she needed him to.
Chapter Seven
The phone ringing jolted Yasmine from under the covers even though she wasn’t getting any sleep. She’d tossed and turned all night over that stupid kiss in the parking lot. Her heart was angry for leaving him because she wanted him just as much as he wanted her, but her head kept telling her to be sensible. Now she wished she’d listened to her heart.
She answered her cell phone not recognizing the number on the screen. She kind of hoped it was Cannon.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Yasmine?” an unfamiliar female’s voice asked.
“Yes?”
“This is Lacy, your mother’s mentee.”
“Oh, hello, Lacy.” Yasmine was sort of disappointed it wasn’t Cannon. She’d met Lacy a few times while she’d been back in Memphis. Lacy was a twenty-two year old single mother with a five year old daughter. Yasmine’s mother had taken Lacy under her wing through a mentoring program sponsored by her sorority.
She got out of the bed and headed downstairs to make a pot of coffee since there was no point in staying in the bed any longer. “How are you?”
“Not good. I called your mother forgetting she was out of town, and she suggested I call you and gave me your cell number.”
“No problem. What’s wrong?”
“It’s my daughter. She has a high fever and can’t keep any food down.”
“Perhaps you should take her to the emergency room. What hospital are you near? I can meet you there.”
“I don’t have any insurance, and I’m low on cash at the moment. But there’s a clinic that allows walk-ins and doesn’t charge too much. I can take the bus there.”
“No, I’ll come get you.” She paused, thinking about a better solution. “You know what? Let me call you right back, but still get ready.”
After she hung up with Lacy, Yasmine took a deep breath and called the only pediatrician she knew.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Hey, it’s me,” she said in a quiet tone. She almost felt bad about calling him, considering she’d left him in the cold last night, but she knew the kind of man he was and would put aside their differences to help someone in need.
“Well … hey there, me. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you.”
“Are you busy?”
“No. Just sitting here wondering why you sped off last night.”
“I didn’t call to discuss that, but I promise we will soon. Right now, I have a medical emergency.”
“What’s wrong, Angel face?”
She smiled at the urgency and sincerity in his voice as well as the nickname he used to call her. “No, not me. My mother’s mentee’s daughter has a really high fever and can’t keep any food down. She doesn’t have insurance, and she mentioned a clinic but that could take hours.”
“Enough said. Tell her to meet me at Arrington Family Specialists. I’ll leave here in ten minutes and should be there in about twenty to thirty minutes.”
“She doesn’t have a car so I’m picking them up. It may be an hour before we get there.”
“No problem. Where do they live?”
“I remember my mom saying the Channing Hill area. I’ll find out when I call back.”
“No, you’re not going over there by yourself. I’m coming to get you. I keep an emergency bag in my car so I’ll just exam her there.”
“Cannon, I’ll be fine.” She shrugged as she walked back upstairs to get dressed. She didn’t see the big deal. She used to visit friends in that area all the time in high school and never had any problems.
“Yasmine, you haven’t lived here in years. The Channing area has gotten worse.”
“But—”
“It’s not up for debate,” he said in a concise tone. “I’ll be at your house in twenty minutes.”
She smiled to herself as she remembered him always saying “it’s not up for debate” to imply the conversation had ended, and it was going to be his way or no way. His take charge attitude had always made her feel protected so she trusted that he knew what he was doing in this situation.
While she waited for Cannon, she called her mother so she wouldn’t be worried about Lacy and her daughter.
“So, you called Cannon?” Emma Dubose asked inquisitively. She’d been very saddened by their break up because Cannon had been like a son to her when he was in high school. When Yasmine had told her she was dating him and then engaged, Mrs. Dubose was ecstatic to learn that he would officially be part of the family.
“Yes, Mother. He’s on his way to pick me up.” Yasmine flipped through the clothes in her closet for something quick to throw on. She decided on jeans and a sweater with tennis shoes. She took off her satin cap, ran her hands through her pixie cut, and then jetted downstairs to wait for Cannon. She had a feeling he’d be on time.
“Oh really? I see he’s still the chivalrous rescuer.”
“Mother, this isn’t about us. It’s about helping Lacy.”
“Well, I’m glad Cannon was available.”
“Me too.”
“So are you two getting along in planning the wedding?”
“Just can’t wait for it to be over with.”
“Well … you seem a little happier that he’s back in your life.”
“Mom …” She really didn’t want to have this conversation with her mother. She knew her mom would be overjoyed if they got back together, considering she’d hinted at it since she found out they would help plan Sherika’s wedding.
“I just want you happy and if anything were to ever happen to me, I don’t want you to be alone.”
Yasmine’s heart broke. “Mom, please don’t speak like that.” She sat down on the front step and placed her head on her knees. “You’re not leaving me anytime soon. Your cancer is in remission.”
“I know, darling, but sometimes I wish you had a husband and children. When I was sick, all I kept thinking was who will take care of
my baby if I die.”
“But you didn’t die, and I know how to take care of myself. I don’t need a man for that. I’ve been taking care of me for a very long time.”
“I know. I just worry about you sometimes being alone in Atlanta with no family. I know you date, but when was the last time you were in a serious relationship?”
“A few years ago. You remember Daniel, Mom.”
“I was hoping you two would get married, but as soon as he mentioned children, you dropped him.”
“Mom, I dropped him because of his misogynistic and male chauvinist thinking. He wanted me to quit work and be a stay at home mom until the children graduated high school, all five of them by the way. I didn’t earn four degrees to stay at home.”
“Since Cannon, you’ve broken up with guys before they got too close to your heart to break it or found some reason why they weren’t good enough. I just want you to be happy.”
“Mother, I promise you, I’m happy. I have a wonderful career, family, friends and a beautiful home in Atlanta. Most importantly, I have you. A healthy, cancer-free mother who isn’t leaving me anytime soon.”
“You’re darn right, I’m not. However, you seem happier since Cannon has been back in your life. And who knows. Maybe it is fate.”
That was the second time in two days she’d heard “maybe it is fate.” She didn’t see it like that. She saw it as a cruel joke that she just needed to get through so she could move back to Atlanta and back to her life without him.
She looked up to see a black car slow down and pull into the driveway.
“Mom, I have to go. He’s here.” She stood and grabbed her purse off of the step. Cannon got out of the car and walked to the passenger’s side to open the door.
“Send Lacy my love. I’ll call later to check on her.”
“I will, Mother. Have fun with your man.” She slid onto the heated black leather seat, which was perfect after sitting on the cold porch.
“Trust me, I am,” Emma said in sassy tone. “You do the same.”
“I’m ignoring that last statement. In fact, I’m ignoring both.” She wanted her mother happy, but she didn’t want to imagine her mother having “fun” with her man.
“You can’t ignore love, my dear.”
They said their good-byes, and Yasmine tossed her cell phone into her purse, setting it on the floor of the car.
“Hey,” Cannon said as he closed his door and put on his seat belt.
“Thank you so much for doing this for me on your day off. Mother and I sincerely appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, and a doctor never has a day off.”
Cannon and Yasmine rode in silence on the way to Lacy’s apartment. She was happy to know that Yasmine was bringing a pediatrician.
She didn’t know what to say especially after her conversation with her mother. She knew her mother worried about her being happy, but overall life had been good. Just because she wasn’t with the one man she’d ever truly loved didn’t mean she wasn’t happy. It just meant she didn’t have everything she wanted, but she had everything she needed. Right?
Yasmine stared at Cannon. He was definitely in doctor mode as he pondered over what could be wrong with Lacy’s daughter just by what Yasmine had told him. She remembered that mode when he was in medical school studying at her kitchen table into the wee hours of the morning.
“She doesn’t have insurance,” Yasmine said, remembering what Lacy had told her. “She works part-time because she’s in college, so just send me the bill.”
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and chuckled. “Do you know me?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Yasmine, what have I been doing practically all of my life? You think I’m a doctor because of the money?”
She shook her head. “No. You’re a doctor because you want to help people.”
“Exactly. My parents instilled in me and my siblings when we were growing up to always give back, to be active and positive role models in the community. My dad grew up in poverty. He watched his mother die when he was only sixteen because she couldn’t afford proper medical care. Trust me, my dad would ring my neck if I even thought about taking money from someone who needs medical attention but can’t afford it.”
Once they arrived at the apartment complex, she caught him glancing at her neck and her hands.
“What?” she asked, wondering why he kept looking over her body.
“Take off your Movado and your necklace.” He leaned over and opened the glove compartment. “Lock them in here. You can leave your earrings on.” He reached out and touched her sterling silver hoops. His finger brushed her cheek and a sensual connection locked their eyes together before he dropped his hand. “What kind of purse is that?” He pointed to the bag at her feet.
“A Coach.”
“Place it in the back under my white coats that need to go to the cleaners.”
“Why am I doing all this?” she asked, putting her jewelry in the compartment. She shut it, and he pushed a button on the dash to lock it.
“You don’t want to draw too much attention to yourself.”
“So what are you going to do, push a button to turn your top of the line BMW invisible?”
He laughed. “No, not quite. It will be fine. I promise.”
She didn’t answer, but instead placed her purse under his white coats and then got out of the car when he did. He popped the trunk, grabbing a bag and a small ice cooler. He shut it, looked around for a second, and nodded as a bodyguard-looking guy strolled over. He had a “don’t-mess-with-me” look and was at least six foot six.
“What’s up, doc?” The men shook hands. “How you living?”
“Can’t complain. Glad you were around when I called. Thank you.”
“No problem. If I wasn’t here, I would’ve made sure one of my boys would be. Don’t worry. We got you.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Your pops and Dr. Raven were down to the community center with some other doctors last week doing free health screenings and physicals. My levels still look good.”
Cannon nodded. “He mentioned that to me, but I wasn’t able to get down here. Had an emergency at the hospital.”
“Well, I’ll be right here.”
“Thank you. We’ll be back.”
As they walked toward Lacy’s apartment building, Yasmine stopped them halfway. “Is he watching your car?” she asked, as she glanced back to see the guy sitting on a bench near the parking lot. They continued walking and Cannon didn’t answer.
“So apparently they know you and your dad over here?” she acknowledged as she saw some other people wave and nod their heads toward him.
“Yes. This is where my dad lived in his teen years. He promised to come back and help in any way, so we all do. The guy that’s watching my car, I saved his daughter’s life two years ago. However, my car was broken into while I was doing so and my rims were stolen as well. Watching my car is his way of paying me.”
An hour later they were back in the car and headed to Yasmine’s house. She was glad she called him after all. Lacy’s daughter had a stomach virus that was going around at her school. Cannon gave her some Pedialyte and children’s Tylenol with instructions and his work cell phone number should she need anything else.
“Thank you. I’m so glad you were available on a Sunday afternoon,” Yasmine said as they sat in her driveway.
“No problem. When’s your mother coming back in town?”
“Tuesday. They’re in Fort Lauderdale.”
“Are you hungry? I’m starved. You called right when I was going to make lunch and now it is dinner time.” He glanced at the clock on the dashboard.
“I was going to make salmon today. There’s plenty for the two of us along with a salad.”
“No wonder you’re pretty much the same size as when I met you. You eat like a bird.”
“No, I eat what I want and work out, but I have a dress fitting next week. Carbs g
o straight to my hips.”
“How about I take you out to eat?”
“I don’t mind making dinner. It will be my way of saying thank you for helping Lacy. I can add baked potatoes to the meal, and I believe there’s still some Oreo cheesecake left.”
“Now you’re talking.”
*****
Cannon sat on a barstool at the kitchen island while Yasmine cut up cucumbers for their salads. They made small talk while she cooked, staying on topics related to politics and education. However, tonight they were going to have it out whether she wanted to or not, he decided.
“The salmon should be done in about fifteen minutes,” she said, taking off her apron and setting it on the island. She gave him his bowl of salad and retrieved a bottle of wine from the refrigerator.
“White zinfandel?” she asked, showing him the bottle.
“Perfect. I’ll open it for you.”
She handed him the wine and the corkscrew while she took two wine glasses from the cabinet.
“I can’t believe this is the same house.”
“Yep, my mother had everything remodeled,” she said, looking around the updated kitchen with cherry wood cabinets, black granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances. “She should’ve just bought a new home, but she has memories of my dad here and didn’t want to leave. Plus, she loves living by the river.”
“How does it feel to be back home with your mother?” He poured the wine as she sat on the bar stool across the island from him.
“Well at first, I didn’t think about it because I was here for her chemo treatments. Before I decided to take the sabbatical from work, I would drive up every week and stay a few days, but I hated leaving her afterwards. I know she has her boyfriend, and he’s been wonderful, but she’s my mother. She’s all I have. So I decided to move back temporarily. She’s been in remission since November, but I didn’t want to leave until I felt as if she had truly recovered. She’s stronger now, gaining some weight back, and her hair is starting to grow again. I cut mine really short when hers began to fall out.”