Isaiah held his cell phone tucked beneath his ear while he continued to load the rented SUV with enough food to feed a small army. On the other end, Yasmine droned on about how she and her girlfriend, Mary, would miss him during the holiday.
“So when are you coming back?” Yasmine asked. “Rotech isn’t the same without you.”
“Probably toward the end of the summer. Mom and I are having a great time.”
“Come on. Who are you trying to fool? Your mother is fine. You’re still there because of your new ladylove.”
He laughed. “I plead the Fifth.”
“I just bet you do.” She joined in with a light chuckle. “So is she the one?”
Isaiah considered the question and decided not to play coy. “I think so.”
“Then I’m happy for you, buddy. And I’d like to add that I think it’s about time. Now I can stop worrying so much about you.”
“Since when did you start?”
“It feels like a lifetime ago.”
He could actually picture her smiling on the other end. “Thanks, Yas. It’s good to know you’re always in my corner.”
“All right. Let’s cut the mushy stuff. Are you planning to stay in Atlanta permanently or are you going to try and convince her to pack up and move to Texas?”
“I think I’m a ways off on posing either question.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Is she still afraid of commitment?”
“She’s afraid of the word.”
“Wow. Her ex really did a number on her, huh?”
“Something like that,” he said, shaking his head. “But I’m determined to break down her wall of resistance. Even if I have to do it one brick at a time.”
Brooklyn found Brian Olson to be both handsome and humorous when she met him. She also saw how Toni lit up the moment he’d entered the house.
Brian guided Toni into his arms, kissed her, and then extended a wrapped bowl of some kind.
“What’s this?” Toni asked.
“I know you told me not to bring anything, but I didn’t feel right about that so I made some of my world-famous potato salad.” He smiled. “I hope everybody likes it.”
“I’m sure we will.” Toni leaned up on her toes and gave him a quick peck on the check.
Brooklyn lifted a curious brow at the loving couple and fought all that was holy not to say, “Aha!”
“Brian, can I get you something to drink while we wait for Isaiah to arrive?”
“Sure. I’ll take a beer, if you got one.”
She took the bowl from Toni. “One beer coming up.” She walked into the kitchen and, on cue, Toni followed.
“So, what do you think?” Toni asked, her eyes shining.
“About what?” Brooklyn smiled and purposely kept her back to Toni.
“About Brian. What do you think of him?”
Brooklyn opened the refrigerator and buried her head behind the door. “Oh, he’s cute, I guess.”
In a flash, Toni was at the refrigerator, glaring down at her. “Cute? That’s all you can say—he’s cute?”
“And thoughtful,” Brooklyn said, withdrawing a Heineken and closing the door. “It was nice of him to bring the potato salad.”
Toni worked her mouth, but no words came.
Brooklyn couldn’t contain her amusement any longer and laughed as she hugged her friend. “He’s handsome and I think he’s taken with you.”
The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” Brian yelled out from the den.
Brooklyn’s smile widened. “He’s also extremely helpful.”
Toni’s interrogation would not be deterred. “How can you tell he’s taken with me?”
Brooklyn shrugged. “Something about the way he looks at you.”
“Really?”
“Really.” Brooklyn moved over to a drawer and pulled out a bottle opener. “You know, I should be mad at you. All that crap you gave me about not being in love. You’re crazy about that man. It was written all over you when he came in.”
Heavy footsteps drew Brooklyn’s attention to Isaiah’s familiar figure coming toward them. A warm glow radiated from within as he flashed them a smile.
“Afternoon, ladies. Are we ready for our picnic?”
Brooklyn started to respond when Toni dabbed something from her cheek. “What is it? Do I have something on my face?”
Toni smiled. “No. It just looked like you had something written on it.”
By the time the small group arrived at Callaway Gardens, Brooklyn’s spirits were at an all-time high. Brian turned out to be quite the comedian and had everyone bursting at the seams during the hourlong drive. Once there, and despite the already large crowd, they picked out a great spot near the lake where the fireworks would take place.
“Yo, man. This is a ridiculous amount of food you got here.” Brian marveled at the spread before him.
Isaiah’s face split into a wide grin. “Yeah, I guess you can say we sort of got carried away.”
“Hmmph,” Georgia cut in. “We nothing. Isaiah wouldn’t let me so much as boil an egg. He was too busy trying to impress a certain girl,” she added with twinkling eyes.
“Ooh.” Toni and Brian turned knowing eyes toward Brooklyn.
Under such scrutiny, she couldn’t help but blush.
Georgia reached over and squeezed her hand. “Frankly, I don’t think he could’ve chosen a more lovely woman.”
Brooklyn’s embarrassment deepened. “Thank you.”
Soon, the paper plates and plastic cups were passed and everyone dug in.
Afterward, when everyone was miserable from eating too much, Toni leaned back in Brian’s arms and said to Isaiah, “Hell, if Brooklyn doesn’t marry you, I will.”
“Hey,” Brian protested with sad puppy-dog eyes. “I was going to say the same thing.”
Everyone cracked up.
“Sorry, bro. I don’t swing that way,” Isaiah said, easing closer toward Brooklyn. “This is all I can handle. Ain’t that right, baby?” He leaned down for a kiss.
“That’s right, honey.”
Brian looked to Toni. “I guess it’s our loss.”
“So it would seem.”
Georgia shook her head with mild amusement.
Upon meeting Georgia, Brooklyn understood where Isaiah had inherited his kind nature. The resemblance between mother and son was striking.
“I think I want to go for a walk,” Toni announced, and then looked to Brian. “You want to join me?”
“You bet. I need to walk off some of this food.”
They cleaned their area and stood to leave.
“We’ll check back in with you guys later,” Toni said, looping her arm through her boyfriend’s as they strolled off.
“Now, don’t they make a nice couple?” Georgia said, watching them.
Brooklyn nodded with a wide smile. “Yes, they do.”
“Well, there you guys are.” A male voice drifted toward them.
Isaiah looked up and was astonished to see Dr. Ramsey approaching them.
Georgia clapped her hands together. “Paul, I’m so glad you made it.”
Dr. Ramsey’s face split into a wide grin as he knelt beside her. “I’ve been looking everywhere. I’ve forgotten just how big this place is.”
Isaiah couldn’t stop staring.
Brooklyn leaned around him and offered her hand when the doctor sat next to Georgia.
“Hello. I’m Brooklyn.”
“Paul Ramsey. A pleasure to meet you.” He turned his gaze toward Isaiah. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Same here,” Isaiah said without conviction.
His mother laughed. “I think he’s in shock.” She leaned over and patted her son’s leg. “Don’t have a conniption. Paul and I are just good friends.”
“And dance partners,” Paul added with a boastful grin. “Came in second place at the Senior Ball tournament.”
Brooklyn perked up. “You two are ballroom dancers? How
exciting. I’ve always wanted to do something like that. Unfortunately, I have two left feet, but a girl can always dream.”
Georgia’s face lit up as her words flowed with a rush of excitement. “I used to think the same way. Lord knows I could never drag Melvin to something like that.” She leaned over toward Paul. “But I found a willing victim in Paul here.”
“Oh, how nice.” Brooklyn looked to Isaiah. “Don’t you think that’s nice?”
Not particularly. “Yeah, it’s real nice.” He flashed a quick smile, and then grew serious. “And just how long have you two been dance partners?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” His mother shrugged and looked to Paul. “It’s been about three or four years. Wouldn’t you say?”
“Five years, next Sunday,” Paul corrected with a firm nod of his head.
Georgia brightened with astonishment. “You don’t say? Has it been that long?”
“Yeah. You don’t say,” Isaiah said in a tone opposite of his mother’s. Inwardly, his emotions dueled. On one hand, he should be happy his mother had found companionship, but on the other hand, he couldn’t explain his apprehension.
“Sooo.” Isaiah struggled to sound casual. “How come you didn’t tell me about your dancing ambitions, lessons, and partner?” To his left, he heard snickering, but he ignored it and continued to stare at his mother.
His mother’s eyes twinkled as she met his gaze. “Sweetheart, don’t start acting all weird on me in front of company. I’m sure I told you about that and many other things.”
Though he didn’t want to, Isaiah knew to drop the subject. However, he was positive that his mother never told him about any of this.
Brooklyn clutched his arm. “Why don’t we go for a walk, too?”
“Why?”
She tugged as she whispered, “I think they want to spend some time alone.” He stiffened.
She tugged again. “Please.”
Still reluctant, he allowed her to help him to his feet. And even as she led him away, he watched his mother and Dr. Ramsey from the corner of his eyes.
Brooklyn couldn’t help but find Isaiah’s behavior cute. “She’ll be fine,” she assured him. “I’m sure Dr. Ramsey can take care of her while we’re away.”
He turned toward Brooklyn and his pensive expression relaxed. “Sorry,” he muttered with a sly smile. “I guess I’m handling this badly.”
“She never dated after your father died?”
“Off and on.” He shrugged. “Nothing that ever became serious.”
“So what makes this different?”
Isaiah glanced over his shoulder; his mother was no longer in their line of vision. “I’m not sure.”
Brooklyn tugged on his arm and regained his attention.
He smiled down at her. “She likes you, though.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “A lot.”
The thought sent a warm flush throughout her body. Yet at the same time she didn’t understand this need for Georgia’s approval. She also didn’t understand the dreams she’d been having—about him, Jaleel, and a new baby. Hell, there was even a dog and a white picket fence.
Isaiah draped an arm around her shoulder. “I’m glad we decided to do this.”
She smiled as they strolled among the mass of people. “I am, too.” She leaned against him and felt at peace with her world. What would the summer have been like had it not been for him? Everything was going great. Her sales were up, her stress level down, and Evan— “Brooke?”
She stopped cold and her smile faded at the familiar voice.
“Brooke, is that you?”
Slowly, she turned. Dread settled like an iron anchor in the pit of her stomach as she faced a shocked Evan and Macy.
Chapter 20
“Hello, Evan.” Brooklyn’s cool voice concealed her shock. Her arm remained draped around Isaiah as she forced one foot in front of the other and moved toward Evan and Macy. “What a surprise. I thought you were going to Lake Lanier.”
“Jaleel went with a few of his buddies,” Evan answered, but his eyes remained locked on Isaiah. “Nice seeing you again.”
Isaiah’s arm tightened around Brooklyn’s waist. “Likewise.”
Brooklyn smiled at the flash of irritation in Evan’s face, and then shook her head. Here he was with her ex-best friend on his arm and he had the nerve to appear annoyed.
“Well,” Brooklyn said, after a moment of awkward silence. “I guess we should let you get back to what you were doing.”
“It was good seeing you again, Macy.” Isaiah nodded.
The corners of Macy’s mouth lifted but no warmth penetrated her eyes. “Brooklyn, you sly devil,” she cooed. “Looks like you’re having a good time this summer.”
She stiffened in Isaiah’s embrace. “I can’t complain.”
Macy lifted her chin, her anger evident in her hard jawline. “Must be nice having the house all to yourself.”
Evan’s expression darkened. “I think we should go.”
Brooklyn’s head filled with snappy retorts, but none were appropriate to say. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
Simultaneously, the couples turned and stalked off in opposite directions.
“Are you all right?” Isaiah asked, after they’d walked for a time.
She flashed him a weak smile. “Never better.”
“Liar.”
She stopped walking and drew in a deep breath. “Sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize.” He pulled her into his arms. “And there’s no reason why we should let them ruin our day, either.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
Warmed by the feel of his kiss and the flash of his smile, Brooklyn nodded. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am,” he said with playful arrogance.
She laughed and leaned into his embrace, where she remained for the duration of their walk.
Before long the day veered back on track and Brooklyn once again laughed and enjoyed the people around her.
Dusk fell and the much-anticipated fireworks began.
Brooklyn sat contentedly next to Isaiah while she stared up at the array of colors splashed across the sky.
Isaiah’s arm fell around her shoulders. When she glanced over at him, his lips brushed against hers in a feathery kiss.
“I’m glad we did this,” he whispered.
She leaned into him. “Me, too.”
After the show, everyone helped pack and pile everything back into the SUV. But when Georgia announced Paul would take her home, Brooklyn and Toni exchanged knowing looks while Isaiah struggled to remain amiable.
“I think they’re cute,” Toni said, giving her unsolicited opinion during the ride home. “Gives me hope for the future.”
Brian tossed in his two cents. “Yep. Guess they prove that you’re never too old.”
Isaiah glanced at them in his rearview mirror. “Do you guys mind? You’re talking about my mother.”
“Oh, come on,” Toni droned. “It should warm your heart knowing she has someone to look after her while you’re in Texas.”
Brooklyn nodded, but hated any talk of Isaiah and Texas.
“I guess you guys have a point,” Isaiah admitted grudgingly. “It’ll take some getting used to, I guess.”
As Brooklyn squeezed his hand, her thoughts wandered to Jaleel’s reaction when she introduced him to Isaiah. In no time at all, her temples throbbed at the imaginary explosion.
To pass the time, the small group participated in a game of where-were-you-when as they listened to songs on the “old school” R&B station. The Commodore’s “Still” reminded Isaiah of his first heartbreak, while Prince’s “I Wanna Be Your Lover” transported Brooklyn back to her first teenage crush.
When Isaiah pulled into the driveway, Brooklyn invited everyone inside.
The foursome brought the food into the house and constructed dinner from leftovers. A box of dominoes was placed on the table and everyone put on their game faces.
By the end of the night, Brooklyn had won three games to Brian’s one. The sour faces on Isaiah and Toni were comical at best and truly a Kodak moment.
When Brooklyn and Isaiah walked their friends to the door and said their goodbyes, Toni gave Brooklyn a secretive wink. “Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
Brooklyn cocked her head. “That’s a very short list.” After they were gone, she closed and locked the door. “What a day.”
Isaiah leaned down and extracted a kiss before he whispered, “I hope you don’t think it’s over.”
Her body tingled as her head filled with erotic images. “The thought never crossed my mind.”
“Good.” He kissed her with an undeniable hunger as his hands traveled beneath her shirt.
She moaned softly and ran her hands along the rippled planes of his chest.
While their tongues continued their passionate duel, Isaiah’s fingers pinched her erect nipples through the lacy bra. Heat rose and settled in her feminine core as her ache for him increased.
“Let’s go upstairs,” he whispered.
Not trusting herself to speak, she simply nodded, placed her hand in his, and allowed him to lead the way. When they reached the dining room, she stopped as her gaze fell on the mess they’d left.
Isaiah’s body slumped. “Tell you what. I’ll clean up down here and you go and take a long bubble bath.”
She smiled at the kind thought. “Nah. I can’t let you do that. I’ll—”
“What did I say?” He turned her chin so she would meet his stare. “I won’t be long. Go on upstairs.”
She melted beneath his gaze of sincerity. “You certainly know how to spoil a woman.”
“I like spoiling you.” He kissed the tip of her nose, and then smacked her bottom. “Now get upstairs and I’ll see you in a few.”
As she climbed the stairs, a broad grin monopolized her face. Inside her bedroom, she sighed. So far, the summer had turned into a dream come true with Isaiah cast as her leading man.
As much as she was enjoying herself, a shiver of foreboding coursed through her. Questions, like how much longer could such a good thing last? and could she handle another broken heart? filled her and weighed heavily on her mind.
Comfort of a Man (Arabesque) Page 13