Eboni shook her head. “Until the doctors tell me what’s going on, I’m not leaving.”
“Oh, honey, I know what it is. Back in my day, we called it having the vapors. I just got a little overwhelmed with work and had a little fainting spell. That’s it.” Queen removed her hand from Eboni’s and turned her face away like she wanted to watch something on TV.
Eboni knew better. “I know Virginia is the South, but we’re not that far south. I don’t believe in this vapors nonsense. Something’s going on with you, and I’m not leaving until I know what it is.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Stubborn. You’re just like Gunnar.”
At the mention of his name, Eboni became quiet. Like when he’d walked away from her ten years ago to pursue his fighting dream, Eboni’s heart stilled again.
She’d thought she and Gunnar would have a future together. Her being African American hadn’t stopped him from pursuing her, not that Eboni thought it would. If he didn’t have a problem with his adoptive mother being black, she knew he would date outside of his race.
Eboni had been surprised the day he’d given her the critical ultimatum--go with him while he trained as an ultimate fighter, or break up with him and stay home. It had broken her heart to turn down his offer, but she couldn’t leave. Not just yet.
“You talked to Gunnar?” Eboni backed up to her chair.
“I called him last night before his thing.” Queen huffed. “I told him he should stop that stuff and come on home.”
Eboni collapsed in the chair. “You told him to come home? Why?” Would the man who’d had no problems running from her ten years ago come home because his mother asked him to?
“Darling, while I’m a touch incapacitated, I’m going to need someone to run the businesses.”
At that bit of news, Eboni’s spine crumpled enough for her to melt her back into the chair. “I thought you would let me run Press ’N Curl.”
“You are running Press ’N Curl. Gunnar will do what I do there.” Elizabeth waved her hand as though this aspect meant very little to her.
“So he’ll have his nails and hair done?” She winked at Elizabeth. The little bit of levity helped her not think of Gunnar.
Elizabeth gasped. “I do more than just have my hair and nails done.”
“I know.”
“Don’t forget eyebrow waxing.” Elizabeth winked.
Eboni laughed. Queen Elizabeth wouldn’t be a success if she’d been an absentee owner. The woman defined hands-on. When a stylist didn’t show, she had no problem taking their clients.
“What in the world am I going to do without you at the shop?”
“You’ll be fine, and Gunnar will be fine in my spot.” Elizabeth nodded. “I’ll eventually have to bring my sons in to the businesses. I was just hoping it would happen later than sooner.” She sighed. “Besides, all three have signed power-of-attorney forms for the businesses in case something happens to me.”
It made sense to have Elizabeth’s sons to acquire the three businesses when something happened to her. Eboni just hoped Gunnar would stay away from her while she worked.
“Speaking of bad timing.” Eboni made sure to make eye contact with Elizabeth. “Before you, um, caught the vapors, I was going to propose that we do a fund-raiser for the Oceanfront Community Center. You know that in my free time I volunteer there.”
“I know. That’s why you haven’t dated in forever and a day.” Queen wagged her finger at Eboni.
Eboni sighed and ignored Elizabeth’s comment about her sad personal life. “Anyway, besides volunteering, I’ve donated all of my tips to the center too. But it’s not enough. You know business at the salon has dropped lately.”
Elizabeth’s expression changed to a forlorn one. “I know. I’ve tried drumming up more customers.”
Eboni held up her hand. “We all appreciate your efforts. That’s probably what landed you here.” She patted Elizabeth’s shoulder. “If the center doesn’t get more money just for operating costs, they’re going to have to close, and at-risk kids will take a wrong turn.”
Queen Elizabeth regarded her for a moment before a broad smile lit up her face. “That’s what I love about you.” She sat up higher in her hospital bed. “Other people would have asked me for money. Hell, my own family has asked me for money just to go to Vegas. Not you. Not my girl. You want to raise the money.”
Eboni’s heart beat stronger. “I learned from the best. Working with you, I know that only hard work will get me what I want.”
“You’re right. You know I’m in for anything to help out that center. I know that after your mother passed, that place--”
“And your shop,” Eboni interjected.
“Helped you growing up.” She patted the mattress beside her. “Right now, I’m a little stuck. This is something that needs to happen soon, right?”
Eboni nodded. When a distressed expression crossed Elizabeth’s face, Eboni had a change of heart. “Look, don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something out. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She waved her hands and backed up.
“If I wasn’t out of action, I would love to help you.” Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. “I’m hoping Gunnar comes to town. If he does, he can help. Wouldn’t it be great for you to see him again?”
Eboni swallowed hard. Did she want to see the man who’d been her first love? She wanted to hate him. He’d had a goal like she had when they’d severed their relationship. She and Gunnar had stubborn streaks as long as the universe.
Before she could answer, the hospital room door burst open. Encompassing the entire frame stood Gunnar. He had his dirty-blond hair pulled back into a ponytail. His crystal-blue eyes drew her attention to his strong face. His jaw looked like it had been chiseled from stone. He looked beautiful and scary all at once, especially with the addition of a black eye.
Eboni couldn’t look in his face. She refused to watch any of his matches, but she imagined that his current hard expression matched what he would look like before each of his fights.
Her gaze volleyed between his full, very kissable lips and his barrel-sized chest. The more she stared at him, the more her heart accelerated. This man had given her the deepest heartache she’d ever had. Within a millisecond, she found herself still wanting him. She could kick herself for being so stupid now.
Eboni didn’t remember Gunnar being that immense. Seeing him again made her want to stand up to him like one of his opponents. He’d caused her to cry more than she cared to admit. The hell she would allow him to make her feel less than her best. If confronted, she would let him know that.
“Ma, what’s going on with you, and who’s this daughter you said you have now?” Gunnar’s voice boomed throughout the room, and probably all down the hall as well.
Guess the man came for a fight. She wouldn’t back down.
Chapter 2
Gunnar threw his bag on the floor and marched over to his mother. As he suspected, his Queen Elizabeth had her regal face painted. Not a blemish or a wrinkle could be found. As usual, she wore a ring on almost every finger and had silver and gold bracelets dangling from her wrists. She lifted her arms to accept him into a hug and he remembered her telltale jingling that he’d loved listening to as a kid.
Seeing his strong mother in a hospital bed crushed his heart. He could only imagine what she felt inside beneath her tough exterior. The closer he got to