They continued talking about the night and the festive outfits they had seen as well as the food and Roy Ayers. He then asked when the next show would be. She replied Saturday and that the guest would be Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. He immediately began singing “Yesterday I Had the Blues.” Laughter rang all throughout the car.
As they approached Sugar Hill, the talking had stopped, and all that was left was silence, a suffocating one. When they were a block before hers, Sterling pulled into the first available spot. This is it, she thought to herself, he is going to make his move. Thank God I had freshened up before leaving! As she turned to face him, she said, “Oh, what a night,” he added, “One I will not forget.” They said it in unison.
“Lola…”
“Yes, Sterling.”
“Is this a dream? I mean, this entire day and night?”
“No, Sterling, it is quite real, even though it might feel like one.”
“Thank you for the most rewarding and most beautiful evening I have spent with anyone. Ever!” he said, while smiling.
“I am happy you had a great time. That is our goal,” she said.
“Is that all you have to say?”
“No, I do have something to say and do.”
“Oh?” he said.
“Yes,” was the reply, and with that said, she slid closer to him, pressed her lips on top of his, and gave him the perfect kiss with a little tongue. She began to realize that she was giving him more than she had anticipated, and found herself struggling for air as their lips parted.
She looked at him and said, “Now our evening is complete.” Quiet and heavy breathing were not the words for the speechless thoughts. His lips were sweet and perfect. He kissed her lips like they were his to kiss.
The same thoughts were flooding Sterling’s mind too. All I know, he thought to himself, is she is not going anywhere. Santa Claus has come early. Trust me, I will wait until Christmas to open this present. It is already December 2; she is worth the wait.
Passion was on the rise as was the temperature. Lola felt like she had been on a cloud in dreamland after that kiss. She could have sworn that she floated up the stairs to the brownstone. Upon arriving, she heard her uncle talking about Sterling to her mom in the kitchen. As she walked in, he winked at her. “Tonight,” he said, “my perfect manager gave me an early Christmas present. Thanks, Lola. You have done the Bridges family proud. We are in the black, and this affords us the opportunity to throw a super Christmas and New Year’s Bash. Are you up to it with the regular bookings we have?”
“What do you have in mind?” she asked him.
“Tomorrow,” he said, “I mean later today. You look like you are in a cloud, and I am beat.”
She kissed her mom and Uncle Russell, and bumped right into her father. As she kissed him goodnight, Misha came in.
“Are you tired?” she asked.
“No,” Lola replied.
“Good,” she said, “because I would like to hear all about the car ride.”
Lola winked at her dad as she headed upstairs with her sister.
Chapter 5
What’s the 411?
As they made it to the second floor where they had their apartments, Lola recited the events of the drive home. Misha asked, “Was he okay after the kiss?”
*****
Lola reflected back and remembered the look on his face. It was a look of complete contentment and bliss. But when he realized she was staring, he changed his expression to a smile. She thought to herself He has mastered a way to control his feelings. Interesting.
“Well,” he said, “I guess we should get some rest. It is already morning.”
“Yes, it is,” she replied. “I enjoyed your company, Sterling.”
“As did I yours, Lola,” he said. “Lola, can I call you at about twelve today? That is, if you will be up?”
“It is now 4:00 a.m., I will be up no later than eleven. Sure, call me,” she said as they pulled up in front of 965. “Stay,” Lola said as he started to get out. “I realize you are a true gentleman.”
*****
“I think I floated up the stairs. So what did you think, Misha?”
Misha said, “He is nice-looking, and a very intelligent guy. Appears to be an early Christmas present since the Storm drama. I hope he makes your Christmas and New Year’s bright, Lola. I need to sleep. I will talk with you later. Goodnight, sis.”
“Goodnight, Misha.” As she closed the door, Lola started taking off her boots, her skirt, and jacket. She laughed when she saw Sterling’s eyes pop when she had taken off her jacket during the show. It had gotten a little hot in there. She pulled off her stockings and reached for her fuzzy slippers. She also reached for her nightgown. She removed her halter, and headed to the bathroom to remove her makeup.
After completing her toiletry, she put her cotton gown on and checked her answering machine. Sasha had called to have some girl talk, but said she would call later as did Melinda. Toni’s message was a bit different. She said, “Oh, and by the way, I will be over for brunch, so do not play yourself.”
With a chuckle, Lola got between her sheets, and thanked God for a wonderful evening, and fell asleep.
*****
Buzz, buzz.
Lola reached over, eyes half-open. “Yes,” she said.
“Lola, come downstairs, there is a delivery for you.”
A delivery? she thought. I told them to deliver the artwork to the club. Struggling to get up, she looked at the time. It was 10:00 a.m. Grabbing her bathrobe, she checked her appearance, she brushed her hair straight back, and wiped her face with a warm cloth. “Coming!” she said loud enough for her mother to hear.
When she started down the second flight of stairs, she saw her mother with dozens of bouquets of roses of every color. Her mother announced that the ones in front of her apartment were hers, and Misha announced she had hers. “All of these are yours.”
To say she was floored did not come close to what she felt! At first, she thought Stone had tried to get her attention to forgive him, but Misha let her know by saying, “That must have been some kiss.”
“Shut up,” Lola said, “are these from Sterling?”
“As in silver,” she said. Misha let Lola know that their father and uncle Russell spoke highly of him. This show of affection would be very interesting to say the least.
“I will be right back after I place mine on my bedroom table.”
“Have you read the card, Lola? It is right here. It’s sealed,” her sister said. Had it not been, she would have read it too. Lola sat down on the stairs and began opening the card. It said:
Dearest Lola,
Words cannot express the feelings you and your family have made me feel. To be in the company of the Bridges is like being in the company of real royalty. I am truly honored to have found a rare and beautiful find like you.
Until 12:00 p.m.
Sterling
Misha said, “Damn, royalty, huh? Hmm, girl, let me get you upstairs so you can get that call.”
Just then, the front bell rang, and Toni walked in and said, “Okay, I know I am in the right place.”
Then Lola’s mom popped out and