The night had been filled with catty remarks and loud cursing. By the time the concert ended, all Tia wanted to do was go home. But there was more fun to come. Dakai, Darnell’s high school friend, suggested dinner. They all jumped into their cars and headed to the International House of Pancakes on Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak.
The food was delicious, but the company was not. The men acted like juveniles, laughing loudly and treating the server like their personal slave. Their dates talked to each other in soft whispers, excluding Tia. She didn’t mind, but it did make her feel like a third wheel. Thankfully, dinner ended and the couples went their separate ways.
Now Tia was headed down the hallway to her apartment. Darnell trailed behind her. She halted at her door and removed the key from her purse. After unlocking the door, she asked, “Are you coming in?”
Darnell shook his head. “No. It’s late and I have a couple of calls to make tomorrow morning.”
The relief she felt by his answer shocked her. She still had a question or two. “On Sunday morning?” she quizzed.
“Breakfast meetings. My job depends on when customers are available. I have a valid reason for working on the weekends.”
“I’m not trying to start a fight.” Tia shrugged. “I’m surprised. That’s all.”
“Well, now you know.”
“I’m sorry.” This was her boyfriend, and she wanted to be close to him. Tia stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around Darnell’s neck, trying to entice a response from her man. She kissed his lips, waiting for a response.
It came, short and not very sweet. He brushed his lips across her and then loosened her hold on his neck.
“I got to go. Once I’m done, I’ll call you. Maybe we’ll catch a movie in the afternoon.”
“Sure. Okay.”
Darnell tilted his head toward the door. “Go on in. I want to make sure you’re safe before I leave.”
Nodding, Tia entered her townhouse and turned on the hall light. Darnell shut the door after her.
With a sigh of relief, she moved farther into the room and dropped her purse on the sofa. For the second time that evening, Gladys Knight’s haunting lyrics sprung to mind. Only this time, Tia began to wonder if she should be the first to say good-bye.
5
Darnell never called. Tia never called him when he was making cold calls. She learned a long time ago to not disturb him while he worked.
Sunday dragged by without a word from him. After waiting most of the morning, she decided to get on with her day by doing a little grocery shopping. To top off her evening, she selected a light dinner of tuna salad, wheat crackers, and sliced tomatoes. She planned to watch a movie and then head to bed.
While preparing her meal, Tia debated calling Darnell. At least three or four times, she picked up the phone but returned it to its cradle without dialing. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand and doubted Darnell was working this late.
Besides, she really needed time to consider what she wanted to do. Should she and Darnell stay together? Were they at the end? Or did they still have some life in their relationship? Were they worth saving? Tia didn’t have any answers. She just had this nagging feeling that they were close to splitting.
Monday morning presented a welcoming distraction from the troublesome issues of Tia’s personal life. A surprise waited for her when she arrived at the office. One long-stem yellow rose floated in a vase with a fresh, steaming cup of Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte and a strawberry croissant.
A note sat under the coffee:
Thanks for giving up your Saturday to help me. I really appreciated and enjoyed the afternoon. Chris.
“That’s so sweet. Chris is such a gentleman,” Tia cooed softly, taking in the gentle fragrance of the flower. He didn’t have to do this.
She locked her purse inside her bottom drawer and headed for Chris’s office, tapping lightly on the door. After several seconds without a response, she peeked inside and found the room empty. The lights were on. A briefcase sat open on his desk. It looked as if he had dropped everything and hurried away. Tia shrugged. He must be in an early morning meeting.
Unable to thank him properly, Tia returned to her workstation and enjoyed her impromptu and delicious breakfast. I’ll thank Chris later, she thought, biting into the buttery croissant. After finishing her meal, she got to work.
The morning flew by as she focused on her assignments. Near noon, Chris stepped out of Adam’s office. He approached her desk with a warm smile on his face. “Good morning,” he greeted in that sexy, accented voice that never failed to stir her blood and make every nerve ending tingle with awareness.
“Good morning to you. Thank you for my breakfast and the flower.” She smiled broadly.
“You’re welcome. I wanted to give you a little something special. I know your life is busy and your time is precious. I don’t want you to think that I’m ungrateful for your efforts on my behalf.”
“I didn’t mind. Actually, I had a good time. You’re a lot of fun. That wicked sense of humor of yours really tickles me.”
One blond eyebrow arched into a flirtatious curve. “Does it, now?”
Giggling softly, Tia answered, “Yes.”
“Since you enjoyed my company so much, what about this Saturday? Do you have time to look at a couple of apartments with me again?”
“Certainly.”
“For all of your efforts, I promise to feed you again. Maybe I’ll provide a little dinner this time.”
“A full meal! Wow! Be still my beating heart.” Tia patted her chest.
He winked at her. “Stick with me. There’s more to me than you know.”
Laughing softly, she touched his hand. Something warm and inviting sizzled between them. For a moment, the endless possibilities flashed through Tia’s head, paralyzing her. Instantly, she shook off the sensations. “I don’t doubt it. How was the rest of your weekend?”
“Uneventful.”
Pretending to be surprised, she opened her eyes wide. “What? No late-night hallway parties?” Tia enjoyed this little flirtation with Chris. It meant nothing, just a way to pass the time. It was fun and harmless.
“No. I don’t think I could take two weekends back-to-back.” He perched on the edge of her desk and picked up her pen, twisting it between his fingers. “What about you? What did you do with the rest of your weekend?”
“I went to a concert Saturday night. I spent Sunday grocery shopping and watching a movie.” Tia shrugged. “Nothing big.”
“Concert?”
“Eminem.”
“Rap.”
“Correct.”
“Sounds like fun,” Chris replied with a sarcastic edge to his voice.
“Part of it was,” Tia replied. “There were way too many people, which made it difficult to see anything. Plus, the people seated in front of us stood on their chairs throughout the whole show. We couldn’t see a thing.” Tia opened her mouth to add more when her twin turned the corner and headed straight for her desk.
Nia strolled up to Tia’s workstation dressed in a dramatic, white off-the-shoulder crepe dress. The fabric cupped her body and emphasized the curve of her breasts. Slits in the long sleeves revealed trim arms. White stiletto heels adorned Nia’s feet, and she carried a matching white leather clutch under one arm. “Hey, Tia-Mia.”
Surprised,