by Tosha Damaya
He looked at the bouquet of pink lilies with smaller accent flowers and thought it was perfect. Maybe the gesture would soften his mother up. "It's beautiful, Sydney. Thank You,” he said before giving her a brief hug. "How much do I owe you?" he asked, already pulling out cash from his wallet after the hug ended.
"Don't worry about it," she said with a wave of her hand. "It was my pleasure to make this for your mom.” She looked at the clock on the wall. “You should get going; you still have to clean and set up your place for her visit.
Zeke knew that it was true, but he wasn't ready to leave her. Time passed too quickly, and he felt cheated.
"Come out with me,” he blurted out without thinking. "I know you have a boyfriend, but we can just get together as friends."
"I don't have a boyfriend," Sydney corrected.
Now he was confused. "Your sister told me-"
"My sister likes to cause trouble,” she interrupted. “I had a boyfriend, but we broke up. My family is having a hard time realizing that it’s over for good.” She took a deep breath. “My focus right now is on my store. I don't have time for romance.” She started to clean up the mess on the table.
That was fine with him. He just wanted Sydney to be a fixture in his life. He had never met another person that he connected with so easily. "Let's go out as friends. My treat."
She froze. “Just friends?”
Zeke nodded his head yes.
“Only if I pay for myself.”
A woman willing to pay? It was an anomaly for Zeke. He looked forward to seeing Sydney again. “I’ll pay for the first dinner, and you can get the second.”
“It’s a deal, Ezequiel.”
“It’s just Zeke,” he corrected. He could see that she was purposely poking fun at his name.
“I don’t know,” Sydney mused. “You look like an Ezequiel.”
“What does an Ezequiel look like?”
“You.”
To prove her wrong, he pulled out his driver’s license that listed his full name. “Told you so.”
Sydney grinned. “Fine, your name is Zeke.” She grabbed his driver’s license and focused on his picture. “Now let’s talk about these cornrows on your head.”
Zeke snatched his license away as Sydney laughed loudly. “You’re a mean little person.”
“Little? I’m average.”
“Five feet is not average.”
Sydney stomped out of the room to get her license to prove that she was taller than five feet. Zeke followed behind her with a smile on his face. He had a feeling that his and Sydney’s friendship was going to be a lasting one.
Chapter Three
Two years later
"I want the life you have," Zeke confessed to his brother Trevor.
They were seated together at the head table designated for the wedding party. An hour prior, Zeke and the rest of their family watched Trevor marry his longtime girlfriend, Yasmin. The newly married couple was also expecting their first child in six months. Zeke and his other two brothers, Ethan, and Gavin were a part of the wedding party. It was disappointing that he had yet to find a woman he wanted to marry, but his younger brother was married and had a baby on the way.
He was envious.
After dating multiple women during the past two years, he remained unmarried. He was on the verge of breaking up with his latest girlfriend Danielle, and was just waiting for the right time to end it. Despite his life being a mess, he was happy for his brother.
"Are you sure you haven't found your wife?" Trevor asked with a broad smile.
Zeke released an annoyed breath, "Danielle and I aren't working."
He was at that point in his life that being in a meaningless relationship wasn’t for him. He wanted more than a casual girlfriend. He wanted a life partner. Maybe it was him getting older, or all of the naggings from his mother. He wasn’t sure.
Trevor patted him on the back. "Well, maybe things will get better with her. You two have been kicking it for a while now," he encouraged.
"Maybe," Zeke replied. He didn’t believe it, though. He’d been trying to make things work with Danny, but their relationship was falling apart. He was a little happy when she had to work and couldn't make it to the wedding. Sydney, who planned to come alone, agreed to be his last minute date.
After two years of friendship, he could honestly say that little Ms. Sydney Adams was his best friend. No one quite understood their friendship, but he didn't care. When he first introduced Sydney to the family, everyone thought they were a couple. It took a lot of convincing, but everyone eventually realized they were just friends.
He searched the ballroom and found her dancing with his baby brother, Ethan. Sydney looked incredible tonight, dressed in a lace gown that molded to her frame. He noticed that most of the single and married men in the room couldn't keep their eyes off of her, including his little brother. Whenever he brought Sydney around the family, Ethan gravitated towards her.
He watched them dance and felt his blood boiling. He didn’t like the way Ethan’s hands kept creeping towards Sydney's ass, and there was barely any space between them. He continued to watch as Ethan whispered something in Sydney’s ear that made her giggle.
Trevor was looking at the scene as well, and decided to have a little fun with the situation.
"Is Sydney still single?"
Zeke snapped his head towards him. "Why?" he said it with a bit of edge.
"I thought that maybe we can set her up with Ethan. You know we love Syd like family. Maybe she can become our future sister-in-law."
Over my dead body, Zeke thought. There was no way Sydney was going to end up with a womanizer like Ethan. "He isn't ready to settle down, and I won't let him use Sydney like that," Zeke replied in response to Trevor's proposal.
Trevor’s head reared back as he laughed. "Are you sure that's the only reason?"
≈
Sydney laughed again as Ethan whispered another joke in her ear. She always looked forward to spending time with the youngest of the Coleman men. Ethan had an easygoing, childlike personality and enjoyed playing practical jokes on people, including his older brothers. At the moment, he was purposely pissing off Zeke.
"Sydney, I wish you could see his face right now," he whispered in her ear. From the outside, it looked like he was whispering something romantic. In reality, Ethan was getting satisfaction out of watching his brother huff and puff with annoyance. “I should kiss you to see what happens.”
Sydney shook her head from side-to-side. Her wavy tresses brushed against Ethan’s face. "You better stop before he comes." Everyone knew how protective Zeke was over her.
"Too late," Ethan said quickly.
“Huh?”
The response was said as she got transferred from the arms of one man to the next. She looked up and met the unhappy face of Zeke Coleman. He gathered her in his arms, and Ethan quickly ran away. If they were anywhere else, an argument would've started between them. Zeke held Sydney close as they began to dance slowly to the soft melodies of the music selected by the DJ.
Sydney rested her head against his chest and waited, he didn’t disappoint.
"Why do you let him grope you like that in public?"
"He wasn't groping me. We were just dancing, the same way we are now,” she said with a little brashness. She disliked the tone he was using to address her.
He shook his head disagreeing. "No, I'm giving you respect. I'm not trying to dry hump you on the dance floor or grab your ass. Ethan needs to know that he can't touch you that way."
"What if I want him to?" Sydney returned. She didn't want Ethan, never had, never would. She just saw him as a brother, but she wanted to prove a point to Zeke. "I'm a grown, single woman and I don't need your approval to do anything."
“I’m just watching out for you.”
“I know how to handle myself with men.”
Zeke snorted. “You don’t have a good track record.”
She stepped away from him. He
had officially irritated the hell out of her. “You’re right. Ethan will be just one of my many bad relationships.” She searched the ballroom.
“Syd,” Zeke warned.
Sydney wasn’t paying attention. She found her target sitting at the bar. Walking away from Zeke, she made her way over to Ethan. “Kiss me.”
Ethan only had a second to grasp what was said before Sydney pressed her lips against his.
≈
A few hours later, the wedding reception was coming to an end. Gavin and Yasmin were saying their goodbyes before heading for their honeymoon in the Bahamas. Sydney walked up to the newly married couple and gave them hugs. "Congrats. It was a beautiful ceremony. Yasmin, call me when you get back."
"You know I will.”
Sydney went and found Momma Pearl. She’d already said goodbye to Ethan, Gavin, and the other close family members. She found the Coleman momma helping the catering company clean the ballroom. Sydney went and took a platter out of her hands. "Momma Pearl, put this down. They're paid to clean," she said, referring to the staff.
"I know baby, but I wanted to help." She gave Sydney a heartfelt hug. “I saw that little smooch fest that happened between you and my son.”
Sydney bit her lower lip. “You did? Momma Pearl, it didn’t mean anything.”
“Let me guess, you wanted to make Zeke mad?”
“Yes,” she reluctantly replied. “I know it’s childish, but your son drives me insane.”
“Why do you think men are on this planet, sugar?” she replied with a small chuckle. "I'm glad you were able to make it, Sydney. I haven't seen you since the holidays. Make sure you come back sooner next time."
"How about you make a trip to Texas?" she asked, instead of agreeing to come back to New Orleans. “My mom would love to see you.”
"I'll do that. Now are you staying at the Coleman house with me tonight?"
"No, she's staying with me Ma," Zeke said, interrupting. He had a house in Texas and a condo in New Orleans. His mother thought it was a waste, but Zeke liked his privacy.
“I’m not staying with you.”
“Yes, you are.”
Momma Pearl looked at Zeke and Sydney and sighed. "I'm going home while you two bicker back and forth," she said, before kissing her son and Sydney on the cheek. "Two boys down, two to go," she said, strutting towards the exit.
Without saying a word, Sydney walked away from Zeke. She was still angry about his behavior earlier in the evening. He caught up with her and grabbed her hand, turning her back to face him.
"Syd, I'm sorry. I know I was a complete jackass," he quickly apologized.
She folded her arms across her chest. "A big one,” she added.
"You're right," he agreed. "I just care a lot, and I didn't like the way Ethan was treating you. I didn't realize that you had a thing for my brother."
What in the hell? "I don't like Ethan," Sydney corrected. “There's nothing going on between us."
“The kiss.”
“It was nothing!” She now regretted completing the action. “I don’t want Ethan, and he doesn’t want me. He has a crush on Sierra.”
“Good. I forbid you to be with my younger brother. I’ll deal with Ethan and his shenanigans later. Are you staying with me tonight?"
Sydney groaned dramatically. Only Zeke would forbid her to do something and act like it was okay. "Only if you give me a foot massage.” She looked down at her feet. “These stilettos are killing me."
He laughed. "Fine, we'll go home and watch those horrible reality shows you love. I'll even rub your feet,” he said before grabbing her hand, taking her out to where he’d parked his car.
≈
After traveling from the reception venue to the condo, Sydney and Zeke went their separate ways to freshen up. Thirty minutes later, they were on the couch in the living room, watching television. It was one of Sydney's favorite pastimes and Zeke obliged her whenever they were together. On most occasions, they ended up arguing about whatever was on the screen. Tonight was no different.
"I'll never understand why you like this garbage," Zeke commented while watching the screen. He watched as the women on the show pretended to be friends and then talked crap in front of the camera five minutes later.
"And I'll never understand the purpose of fantasy football."
"It's fun and entertaining."
"Well, so is this," she commented still watching the television.
Zeke pulled on her pinky toe for being a smart ass. "Hey!" she yelled before throwing a pillow at him.
"Next time, get a pedicure before you ask me to rub these crusty toes of yours."
Sydney smacked her lips. "You know I have the prettiest feet in the world."
Zeke chuckled before they fell into a comfortable silence and continued watching television. "Thank you for being my date at the last minute. I appreciate it, Syd," he said a few minutes later.
She looked towards him and smiled. “I enjoy being around your family and I planned on being at the wedding anyhow. I just hope Sierra doesn't burn my store down."
Her sister was still a mess, now working on a Doctorate. Their dad still paid the majority of her bills, and she used the money she earned from working with Sydney on clothes and going to social events.
"I'm not so sure about that," Zeke commented. “Sierra isn’t a responsible adult.”
"I am curious though,” Sydney said.
"About Sierra? There’s nothing to be curious about. Your sister is crazy."
“No, Zeke.” Usually, he confided in her when he was having issues with a girlfriend, but he had yet to talk about Danielle. She muted the television. "Where's your girlfriend?"
"Back home."
"She called me earlier. She's worried that you're going to break up with her."
Zeke started to massage Sydney's feet again. "I am."
"Zeke! You can't do that."
He knew she would react like this. "No one likes her, Syd. You know how important it is for my family to like the woman I marry."
Sydney sighed, "Give her time. Your family will warm up to her eventually.”
"She doesn't want kids."
Sydney didn't have a comeback for that one. She knew how much Zeke wanted a house full of kids, and he wanted them soon.
"She's young, Zeke. Maybe she'll want them in the future."
"Nope, she doesn't want to ruin her figure."
“Oh.”
“Exactly. It’s over with Danielle.”
≈
A little past midnight, Sydney was awakened by the sound of Zeke's cell phone. She looked over and saw that he was asleep on the other side of the couch. Grabbing the phone from the table, she saw that it was Danielle. She kicked him in the side.
“Huh?” he replied, half asleep.
Sydney gave him the phone.
"Here, you need to talk to her. I'm going to my room," she said before heading to the guest bedroom that she claimed as her own. In the background, she heard Zeke talking to Danielle. She hoped that he worked it out with her. The girl had issues, but Sydney still liked her.
Some time later, she felt herself being lifted, and a hard chest replaced her soft pillow. It was Zeke. He was the only man who liked to cuddle like this, her on top of him with his arms wrapped around her body. After coming fully awake, she smacked him on the chest.
"I told you, no sleeping in the same bed when you have a girlfriend. It's disrespectful!" Whenever he was single, she didn't mind it.
"I don't have a girlfriend," he mumbled, pulling her closer when she tried to move from on top of him.
"You are such a jackass." Sydney came to the conclusion that Zeke broke up with Danielle over the phone.
"Don't insult the man that's driving you back to Texas. I'll leave your ass here."
"I can afford a flight back home, or your family would drive me. I just can't believe you broke up with her over the phone! It’s juvenile.”
"It wasn't meant to be, Syd. I’m starting to thi
nk that I should just be alone.”
“No.”
“Yes. I don’t want to talk about Danny. Please go back to sleep.”
Sydney wanted to say more, but decided to stay quiet for now. Closing her eyes and resting her head back on Zeke's chest, she was already thinking about ways to help with the situation. Her best friend was giving up too fast on love.
Chapter Four
During the next week, Zeke was knee-deep in work. On Friday, he was drafting court documents with a fellow attorney, when his office phone started to ring. The loud noise ruined his concentration. He was livid that his secretary had put a call through while he was working.
Taking a deep breath, he answered the phone, putting it on the speaker. "Brenda, I thought I told you to hold my calls," he reprimanded. The two of them had been working together for over a year, and she knew the routine. When he had a significant trial, he didn't like to be disturbed.
"I'm sorry sir, but it's Sydney," she apologized.
All of his anger quickly vanished at the mention of Sydney's name. "Put her through.”
"I hope you didn't yell at that poor woman," Sydney's voice drifted over the phone a minute later. Zeke noticed Brian's head pop up in interest.
"She's lucky it's you, or she would've gotten a lot worse. What do you need, baby girl?" he asked Sydney while still looking over the case file.
"I just wanted to know whatcha doin' tonight?" He knew she was smiling by the tone of her voice. Her good mood instantly brightened his.
"I ain’t got nothin’ planned," he good-humoredly replied. "You want to get together?" He hadn't spent much time with her since coming back home from the wedding last weekend.
Sydney laughed. "I was hoping you could be my entertainment. Maybe you can put on a G-string…”
"Sydney you're on the speaker, and I'm not alone,” Zeke interrupted. He knew she was going to say something outrageous.
Her giggles drifted over the speaker. "I'm sorry! Whoever is listening, I'm just joking. Zeke is too straight and narrow to wear a G-string. He prefers silk panties.”
Brian shook his head amused by the situation.
"Syd, I'll call you later.” He was about to hang up when Sydney started shouting.