CHAPTER 17
T
he week had passed quickly. Randall hadn’t left town, but he’d been busy every night of the week. There was no complaining on his end, however. Between a plethora of voice mails filled with media and PR requests, the dinner meeting with his employees at PSI, separate date nights with his daughter and son, and yesterday’s feeble yet valiant attempt at eighteen respectable holes with his neighbor, it had been time well spent. But he’d saved the best for last. Tonight, a Friday-night date with his one and only. They’d decided to go out: dinner at Tosca’s, an intimate concert featuring Esperanza Spalding, and a quiet night for two at the Four Seasons.Weeks like this continued to remind him of how blessed he was and, as attracted as any living man would be to her, why someone like Jacqueline would never be able to hold a candle to someone like the woman he married. The sight before him caused his brow to crease. Traffic was brutal and he couldn’t wait to get home. The sooner he arrived there, showered, dressed, and packed an overnight bag, the sooner he could start the date with his girl.
He’d just turned his satellite radio from news to sports when his phone rang. “Hey, man. What’s up?” he asked after reading the caller ID.
“Nothing much,” James answered. “Just sitting here chilling, waiting for Debbie and Montell to get home.”
“You’re home already?”
“Yes, a surgery got canceled.”
“I see. Big plans for the weekend?”
“We’re going to a play tonight.”
Randall hid a laugh behind a cough. “You?”
“Man, don’t get me started, and Montell is more annoyed than I am. But the wife has insisted; some nonsense about family bonding and cultural expansion and wanting to spend time with her men. I told her, ‘Heck, we could do that on the basketball court in the backyard!’ ”
“You really said that?” Randall’s voice was tinged with humor.
“Yeah, and got bopped upside the head for my honesty. Tomorrow will be cool, though. We’re driving into Manhattan for a day at some swanky spa.”
“James, married life has turned you into a metro man.”
“Hey, don’t knock a mud bath till you try it.” The men laughed. “What about you?”
“Date night. Sherri and I are going to hit the town and then spend the night at a hotel.”
“Uh-oh. Watch it, player!”
“Got to keep those home fires going, you know how we do it!”
“For sure.”
“Speaking of fire . . . guess who I saw today?”
“Who?”
“Jacqueline.”
“As in Tate, the writer?”
“The one and only.”
“Where’d you see her?”
Randall told him about that as well as the fact that she’d be based in D.C. for several months and would be attending several medical- and science-related conferences. “She’ll be in New York next week,” he finished.
James whistled. “Ran, you’re a better man than me. I love Debbie with all my heart, but there is no way I’d be able to be close to that brown sugar and not try to get a taste.” Randall remained quiet. “I don’t see how you were able to have dinner with her and not try to sample some of her dessert, know what I mean?”
“Look, bro. I need to run. This is Sherri calling.”
“All right, then. See you next week.”
Randall thought about what his friend and colleague had said as he switched over the call. When it came to Jacqueline and the temptation to “taste her sugar,” he knew exactly what James meant.
Sherri sang along with Janet Jackson as she shimmied into her brand-new dress. She was happy to be wearing the outfit she’d bought on a whim, and thankful that after only a week of exercising, eating smaller portions for dinner, and cutting out all snacks, she’d lost a pound or two. The formfitting dress, a blend of poly silk and elastane, hugged her curves; its bold geometric print, with a splash of flowers across her midsection, had a slenderizing effect and emphasized her hips and chest. She slipped into a pair of red Valentino scalloped pumps and immediately added three inches to her height, further helped by her new, spiky haircut. She loved her wash-muss-and-go look, but Randall preferred her hair long and had more than once asked her to grow it back out. While fluffing her locks, she gave the thought consideration and concluded,
Maybe I will.
By the time she did one last turn in the mirror, “That’s the Way Love Goes” had given way to another 90s smash hit, H-Town’s “Knockin’ Da Boots.” She smiled, remembering how she and her then best friend used to sing this song like they knew what those boys were singing about. They didn’t. Both were virgins. Didn’t matter. They’d hole up in one of their bedrooms—music blasting if the parents weren’t home—and sing as hard as someone with a recording contract. They fought over Shazam, one of the group’s members, and which one he’d want if they met in person, but when it came to their high school sweethearts, the lines were distinct and clear. Her friend’s heartthrob was Damien, a boy at her church with hazel eyes. He could sing like an angel, but had a little devil inside as evidenced nine months after he’d gotten his freak on in the church basement with another classmate. Sherri was gaga over Luke a senior when she was a sophomore, a football running-back standout who didn’t give her the time of day. When she finally knocked boots, it wasn’t with him but with Victor, a guy who’d come to Chicago from Alabama the summer after high school graduation. His dark skin, tall frame, and striking white teeth—combined with that Southern charm and Southern drawl—charmed her right out of her panties. They were deeply in love for a whole nine months, until both discovered that they weren’t cut out for the long-distance relationship that Sherri’s attending Howard University required. Emotionally, the breakup was brutal. Sherri didn’t seriously date again until meeting Randall during her sophomore year. Quiet and studious, handsome in an understated kind of way, and very different from the gregarious and outgoing Robert or swagger-savvy Victor, Sherri knew almost immediately that Randall was the one for her. But man, oh man, how men like Robert and Victor had once made her heart go boom.
Somebody rockin’ knockin’ for real!
The sound of her cell phone brought her back from the walk down memory lane. She placed the call on speaker as she walked over to where her jewelry was stored. “Hey, Mom!”
“Hello, Sherri. Sounds like I caught you in a good mood.”
“I am. Randall and I are going out tonight.”
“Ooh! I like the sound of that. What’s the occasion?”
“Nothing special. Just wanting to put some ‘us’ time inside of our busy lives.”
“That’s very smart, Daughter. Marriage takes work, but the payoff is worth it. Your daddy was my best friend. I miss him every day. ”
“I’m sure you do, Mom. I miss him too.” She paused, thinking that it had only been three short years since her father had died unexpectedly at the age of sixty-four. They spent the next several minutes talking about him before Sherri got around to what she always did when talking to Elaine, her mom’s health. “How are you feeling today, Mom? You sound good.”
“Today was a good day, baby. Your mom feels like her old self.”
“Good. How’s Ms. Riley?”
“Neighbor is clucking over me like an old hen. Between her and Lady, I can’t get any peace. I love her to death.”
“Both she and Lady love you, too. I can’t believe that dog is still alive. In human years it’s what, eighty years old?”
“Near ’bout, and going blind. She’s my constant and loyal companion, that dog. I wouldn’t have survived Clarence’s death without her.”
“Give her a hug for me. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Sherri finished the call and donned her jewelry. She walked out of the dressing room just as Randall stepped through the door to their suite.
“Dayum, woman!” Randall stepped back, placed his hands in his pockets, and eyed her appreciatively. Then he strolled over. “My name is Randall,” he said, his tone low, his eyes still perusing every inch of her body. “What’s your name?”
“Sherri,” she shyly answered.
“Well, listen here, Sherri, as sweet as a berry.” Sherri chuckled and batted her eyes. “Is there any way that I can get those seven digits, you know, call you up, take you out?”
“I’ll give you my phone number,” she said in a soft voice. “But you don’t have to wait and call me. You can take me out tonight.”
“As fine as you’re looking? I’d say let’s skip the restaurant and the concert, head straight to the hotel and order room service !”
“As long as it took me to pull on this Spanx? Trust and believe I’m getting ready to show this body off!”
They laughed, hugged, and shared a kiss.
Randall began removing his shirt as he headed to the master bath. “I just need a quick shower,” he said over his shoulder. “And time to ponder the exceptionality of your anatomy.”
“You nut!” Sherri laughed at one of Randall’s corny, oft-used lines. The first time she’d heard it was almost fifteen years ago.
It worked then. It worked now. This—she had a feeling—was going to be a very good night.
CHAPTER 18
J
ust over an hour later, Randall and Sherri enjoyed appetizers at their favorite Italian eatery.
“You always order that!” Sherri teased after listening to Randall request the polenta-crusted crab appetizer with broccoli rabe.
“It’s always good,” he countered.
“Let’s see.” Sherri scanned the menu. “I think I’ll try the
cavoletti verdi
.”
They handed the waiter their menus.
“Pretty fancy name for a plate full of greens,” Randall said.
“Maybe, but it sounds good, especially with the kale being organic. I’m trying to buy most of our food that way.”
The sommelier delivered and poured their sparkling wine. “To what should we toast?” Randall asked once he’d left.
“To an amazing man,” Sherri said, leaning in for a kiss.
“To an amazing woman,” Randall replied, “and the awesome night we’re going to spend together.”
Love shone in their eyes as they enjoyed a sip. With her glass still upraised, Sherri’s expression changed ever so slightly.
But an astute Randall recognized it. “What is it?”
“Not what . . . who. Don’t look now,” Sherri continued, “but one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my life just entered the restaurant on the arm of an equally amazing-looking man.”
“You say something like that and expect me not to turn around?”
Sherri watched as the restaurant manager approached the couple. “They must be celebrities. The manager just joined the maître d’ to greet them.”
Randall couldn’t resist. He turned around and locked eyes with the vivacious vixen. “Oh wow,” he mumbled.
“What?” Sherri looked from her husband to the woman and back again. The woman who was still staring in the direction of their table. “You know her?”
Randall nodded. “Remember the freelance writer in LA I told you about? The one who interviewed me for
Science Today
?”
“
That
’s her?” Another nod from Randall. “No wonder when I called her attractive you corrected me. She is beautiful, as you said. Stunning, even. Gorgeous.” Randall took another sip of wine. “Who’s that guy she’s with?”
“I don’t know. Her boyfriend, I’d imagine.”
Sherri eyed them as she too took a taste of bubbly. “Yes, you’re probably right. She looks like a black Barbie and he could be her olive-skinned Ken.” She continued watching the couple chat with the manager. “What do you think he is? Hispanic, Middle Eastern, dark-skinned white boy? I can’t tell.”
“And you think I can? As comfortable as I am in my sexuality, you won’t find me turning around and staring a brother down so as to ascertain his heritage.”
“Looks like you won’t have to.”
“Why do you say that?”
Another voice answered that question for him. “Randall,” Jacqueline said as she reached the table, “I thought that was you.”
He stood and extended his hand. “Hello, Jacqueline. It’s a small world. I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Sherri.”
Jacqueline turned toward a bemused Sherri and stretched out her hand. They shook. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Sherri nodded. “Likewise.”
“This is Phillip,” Jacqueline said, turning to the very handsome man beside her. “He’s the dear friend who’s been gracious enough to host my extended stay in D.C., and the one I’m helping with the website.”
Introductions were made.
“Where are you two from?” Sherri asked.
“Canada,” they answered simultaneously.
Phillip continued. “My father is from Romania originally. He saw my mother, a woman of color, and it was love at first sight.”
“Are you a writer also?”
“No, Sherri,” Phillip said with a laugh. “Not unless you count my rants on Facebook. My degree is in hanging out and having fun.”
Jacqueline laughed. Sherri didn’t get the humor. And Randall was as quiet as a sleeping church mouse.
“He’s being modest,” Jacqueline offered. “He’s a business and branding genius, as his website will prove.”
“How’s that going?” Randall finally rejoined the conversation.
“Fine,” Phillip replied.
“You’re very pretty, Jacqueline,” Sherri said, after having taken in her large diamond studs, formfitting dress (which looked quite different on a tall frame boasting about one finger snap of body fat), high-heeled sandals, flawless skin and makeup, and bone-straight hair that reached mid-back. “You look more like a model than a writer.”
Jacqueline dismissed the compliment with a wave of her hand. “It’s all my parents, I’m afraid. I didn’t do a thing.”
Sherri’s brow rose. There was no way someone could be that beautiful naturally. If those boobs weren’t fake and that hair wasn’t a weave, she’d pay for lying. But looking over and detecting Randall’s discomfort, she chose to let it go. She also decided to ignore the pangs of jealousy that rose up unbidden, or how the slimming apparel she was wearing suddenly seemed smaller, cutting her stomach in two and taking away her air.
Thankfully, their appetizers arrived. “That looks delicious,” Phillip said, placing his hand around Jacqueline’s waist. “We’d best be moving along so that you two can enjoy your meal.”
There were several seconds of silence after Jacqueline and Phillip made their exit from the area. Randall seasoned his food, and though her appetite was nowhere near what it had been, Sherri tasted the salad that included oranges, radishes, and burrata cheese.
“That was interesting,” she said at last.
Randall looked over. “How’s your salad?”
“The salad is delicious.Your friend is interesting.”
“She’s an associate,” he corrected. “Not a friend.”
“Thank God for her fine-ass date is all I’m saying. If she weren’t hanging on his arm, and he wasn’t all over her, I’d be worried.”
Randall reached across the table and took Sherri’s hand. “You have nothing to be worried about, ever. No matter how attractive some other woman may be, they’ll never replace you.”
“I’d assumed she was from LA. You didn’t mention that she lived here.”
“Actually, she’s from Canada. She’s only here temporarily, freelancing for a magazine and, like she said, helping that guy with his website.”
“Sounds like you learned quite a bit about her. Who was interviewing who?”
“Just small talk shared through the week,” Randall replied, with a shrug.
After that comment, the conversation shifted away from freelance writers to fun ideas for their summer vacation. Sherri wanted to go to the Caribbean, a place she’d dreamed of seeing but had never visited, while Randall thought it might be nice to let the kids decide. Through main courses of risotto with shrimp and roasted halibut, they acted like newlyweds, feeding each other bites from their plates and remembering lines from some of their new-jack-swing musical favorites. They passed on dessert, enjoyed the concert, and then arrived at the Four Seasons, where they performed creative feats with the warm chocolate sauce that accompanied the dessert delivered by room service. By the time Sherri and Randall entered their second round of lovemaking, thoughts of Jacqueline, or any other woman, were the last things on her mind.
Not so with the woman across town. Randall consumed almost every thought, except for when she was thinking of his wife. Having seen Sherri, she was more confident than ever that there was nothing going on in his marriage that was close to the intimacy they’d shared. The plans she was getting ready to execute would no doubt prove this to be fact. Having Randall all to herself was just a matter of time.
“Thanks, Phillip. I appreciate you letting me crash here, and for being my escort around town.”
“No worries, kiddo. That’s what friends are for.”
“Speaking of, are you meeting up with Marco?”
“Heading over to his place to spend the night. He said you guys got everything set up.”
“We did, in record time.”
“When it comes to computers, he’s the best. I’m going to run up and grab clean clothes. Don’t wait up,” he said with a wink, then bounded up the stairs.
Jacqueline followed him, entering the room at the other end of the hallway. Kris assailed her as soon as she shut the door. Ever since Jacqueline had told her about Sherri and her unwillingness to let go of Randall, her friend had been on edge. “Well? How was your evening out on the town? Do anything interesting, like meet a tall, dark, handsome, and unmarried man?”
“I did see someone who almost met those criteria,” Jacqueline replied. “I guess three out of four of those traits isn’t bad.”
“Well, don’t leave me hanging. Tell me about him.”
“His name is Randall.”
“Huh?”
“Kris, I couldn’t believe it. Phillip and I went to dinner and there sat Randall . . . and his wife!”
“No!”
“Yes.”
“Shut. Up!”
“True story.”
Kris plopped on the bed, her face a mask of intrigue. “Oh my God, Jack. What did you do?”
“What any well-mannered person in that situation would. I went over and introduced myself.”
“Damn, you’ve got balls.”
“Phillip being with me made it easy. Of course she assumed that we were together.” Jacqueline joined Kris on the bed. “In a way I feel sorry for her, probably married to a man before he was established professionally, only to find herself now with a stranger totally out of her league.”
“Is that what you picked up?” Kris asked. “That they are an unhappy couple?”
“Oh, she seemed quite happy to be there. I could tell she’d worked hard to look the part of a professional’s wife.”
“Is she pretty?”
“Yes, in a down-home, soccer-mom sort of way. But she doesn’t look like the type of woman that someone like Randall should have by his side.”
Kris’s eyes held a hint of mischief. “With his myriad of accomplishments and impressive social status, why, pray tell, do you think that any woman would be good enough for Mr. Randall Atwater? Is there anyone who can breathe his rarified air ?”
Jacqueline simply took a long, deep breath and exhaled.
“Okay, I get your point. But I’m still worried, Jack. You’ve been through so much pain and heartache in your life. Just be careful.”
“Shit!” Jacqueline put her head in her hands. “Why are the good ones always married?”
“There are plenty of good men out there, Jacqueline, most of whom would date you in a heartbeat.”
“You’re probably right.” Tears filled Jacqueline’s eyes. “But it’s too late for any of them, Kris. I know that I just met Randall. I know this is crazy. I know that I probably shouldn’t do this. But he’s who I want.”