by Elaina John
****
R.J. whistled as he walked into the restaurant to meet May. He’d been working diligently to prove her case and get her the portion of her father’s estate that rightfully belonged to her.
He and May had history. Because of that, he was putting forth more effort than usual. Denise knew nothing of his dating May nor that the case that continued to keep him working late was for her. He didn’t see Denise taking it well. The woman had a temper he loathed to see directed at him.
Their relationship had been in an awkward stage ever since the cheating allegation a week ago. R.J. still felt terrible that he missed the wedding cake consultation. It was an honest mistake on his part. Unfortunately, he didn’t think Denise felt that way.
However, R.J. was taking the awkwardness in stride. Their relationship had been like a whirlwind. From meeting to getting married in a year. There were bound to be bumps in the road. They’d get past them as long as they worked together.
For the time being, he was giving her the space he felt she needed. When they bedded down together at night, he constantly resisted the urge to make love to her. No matter how much it killed him. Instead, he simply held her within his arms. He told her he loved her in case she doubted.
The hostess showed him to a table. He placed his files on the table while he waited for May to show up. From the evidence he was gathering, they had a pretty good chance to get the will overturned. However, they would need more than pretty good to win without a doubt.
Something told R.J. to look up. He watched May walk through the doors of the seafood restaurant. She seemed to float across the floor, around the patrons.
A tight gray skirt wrapped around her swaying hips. The top she wore displayed a healthy portion of her generous bosom. Her lips were once again painted red and if possible, even more pouty. R.J. swallowed.
“Hello, R.J.,” she purred, sauntering up to the table.
“You look… I…”
She chuckled. “I take your speechlessness as a compliment. I wanted to look extra nice for you.”
He coughed, clearing his throat. “That wasn’t necessary. Please sit down.”
He should have been a gentleman and pulled out May’s chair, but that was putting himself in the line of fire. As it was, he was grateful for the table separating them.
“Let’s get to business.”
May batted her lashes over her big brown eyes. “Now, R.J., you can’t expect me to come to this beautiful restaurant, famished, and not eat.”
“We can eat and discuss—”
“I prefer my meal not to be tainted with the ugliness my father’s wife has caused.”
R.J. glanced at his watch. If May had her way, he wouldn’t make it home for movie night with Denise. But this case was important. He made a quick call, leaving her a voicemail when she didn’t answer.
May leaned forward, pushing her breasts even further out of her top. “Who was that? Your mother?”
“My fiancée.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You didn’t mention her before.”
“I didn’t see a reason to. She has nothing to do with our business.”
“Hmm. I suppose not.” She picked up her menu, running her tongue over her teeth as she perused the list of options. “Since you’re paying I’ll get lobster and a bottle of their finest wine.”
R.J. was glad he had the company credit card. May always did have expensive tastes. They probably got more expensive with age.
As they ate and went through the bottle of wine, May’s father’s will slipped both of their minds. Instead, they laughed and reminisced. R.J. was reminded of why he shared four years of his life with the woman before him.
“Remember when we went to that carnival and you were afraid to get on the Ferris wheel.” May threw her head back and laughed.
“I wasn’t scared,” R.J. responded. “I was simply wary of getting stuck on it. You heard those Ferris wheel horror stories. At least I didn’t cry when we took a stroll through the park and dog poop got on my shoes.”
“Hey, that was a very good reason to cry. I had just bought those shoes.”
R.J. sipped from his wine glass. “Good times. Good times.”
May sighed. “Yeah. We should have kept those good times rolling.”
“Too late to do anything now.”
She glanced at him over the rim of her glass and winked. “Maybe not.”
“Don’t get any ideas, May. I’m engaged, remember?”
“I remember. That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. That’s how we got together in the first place.”
“We met at a frat party.”
She smiled, her red lipstick mostly gone. “Yeah. Then the following Monday we noticed we had like two classes together. I can’t believe I didn’t notice you before.”
“I noticed you.”
What May didn’t know was that being friends routine was all a ruse. R.J.’s intentions were always to make the pretty Latina in his Calculus and Psychology classes his. And he did. They just met officially at that party.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” She reached across the table and placed her hand atop his. He should have removed it. Yet he didn’t.
“Nervous. I needed a little liquid courage to force me to talk to you. All the guys wanted you.”
“But I chose you,” she said softly.
R.J. nodded. “You chose me.”