The Perfect Affair (28 page)

A
beautiful couple walked up the immaculately landscaped entrance to a large home located in a tony Alexandria, Virginia suburb. The woman was nervous. It was Thanksgiving, which, for various reasons, was one of her least favorite holidays, second only to Christmas. More importantly, it was the first time she was meeting the family of her beloved, an amazing man with whom she’d enjoyed a whirlwind courtship for the past six months. Today was important. Her man truly loved her. She could tell. Life had turned out better than she could have dreamed when she’d spotted the handsome stranger among a crowded Atlanta happy hour crowd and made a bold move. If she played her cards right and impressed the family, who knew what type of sparkly bauble Santa might place under the Christmas tree?

He knocked on the door and after a short moment, it swung open.

“Nathan!” An attractive woman dressed in black stretch pants and a colorful sweater opened the door.

“Hey, Sis!”

“Come on in!” she said, stepping back so that the couple could enter the massive foyer with the high, vaulted ceiling and chic chandelier.

The siblings hugged before Nathan Carver turned and beamed at the woman with a hesitant smile standing by his side. “Sister, this is Jessica Bolton. Baby, this is my sister and best friend, Sherri Atwater.”

A genuine smile lit Sherri’s face. “I’ve heard so much about you,” she said after a light hug. “You’re as pretty as my brother bragged that you were.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jessica replied, her eyes darting behind them to the hallway from which jovial voices traveled.

“That’s my crazy family,” Sherri explained. “Along with a few of our friends. They’re pretty lively but no one bites.”

Nathan put his arm around Jessica and gave her shoulder an affectionate squeeze. They started down the hall. Halfway down, a handsome man rounded the corner and walked their way.

“I thought I heard voices.” He reached them, and gave Nathan dap and a shoulder bump.

“Hey, bro.” Again, there were introductions all around.

“Where are you from?” Randall asked Jessica, once they’d been introduced. “Your face looks familiar.”

Private by nature, Jessica arched her brow in surprise. “Me?” She quickly added, “I live in Atlanta but am from California.” This was basically true. She had lived in California for several years before her divorce.

“Southern California?” Randall inquired as they continued down the hall into the great room where the adults had gathered.

“Northern. Oakland.”

They entered the great room where Nathan’s mother, Elaine, was recounting a funny incident from when Randall and Sherri first began courting. Listening was Randall’s mother, Barbara, her male companion, his brother and sister-in-law, Sherri’s best friend, Renee and her cousin, and Randall’s business partner, James, along with his wife.

“It was thoughtful for him to buy me a bouquet,” she finished. “He went on about how he’d searched the city for just the right type of flowers he thought I’d like. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that the price tag was still on it from the store where he worked part-time, along with the receipt that was time-stamped to show he’d bought them right after his shift!”

Various responses echoed around the room, laughter sprinkled among them. “Come on, Mom Elaine,” Randall said as he entered. “Haven’t I lived that one down by now?”

“Yes, but it’s worth retelling.” She’d answered him but her eyes were on Nathan and his lovely date, as were all other eyes in the room. “Hello, son.”

“Hey, everybody,” Nathan said with a general wave to the room, before crossing over to give his mom a hug. “Hello, Mom.” He reached back for Jessica’s hand to bring her forward. “Mom, this is my friend, Jessica. Jessica, my mother, Elaine Carver.”

“Hello Mrs. Carver.” Jessica’s outstretched hand reached Elaine’s, which had also come up. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

“Nice meeting you, too, darling. Congratulations on making it to a family function.” With a side glance at Nathan she continued, “It’s been awhile since Nate has invited a guest.”

Jessica split her smile between Nathan and Elaine. “Well, I’m doubly honored.”

Nathan then addressed the room. “Everybody, this is Jessica.”

With a slight giggle she waved, “Hi everyone.”

“You’ll get to know their names as the day unfolds,” he said, still holding her hand. “Introducing them all at once would only confuse you.”

“Yes, and by the time I’d met the last one I would have forgotten the first one’s name.”

“Exactly.”

“What are y’all drinking?” Randall asked, as he walked over to the bar.

And with that, conversation resumed, more drinks were poured, soft music played and Nathan and Jessica made their way through the rest of the personal greetings.

“This is a beautiful home,” she said, once they’d circled the room and once again stood near its entrance.

“Come on, let me give you a quick tour.”

He was a perfect guide as they navigated the large yet cozy abode. Upon seeing the tastefully decorated rooms and a grouping of plaques, certificates, and photos that filled almost an entire wall in the downstairs office, Jessica was even more impressed with her honey’s in-laws than when he’d told her about them. Randall, his brother-in-law, was a prominent scientist who’d won awards for his ground-breaking research. That in itself was a lofty achievement but the picture of him standing alongside President Barack Obama in what appeared to be a room at the White House placed the man under whose roof she stood in very high company. The day was already overwhelming and now she felt intimidated, too.

Nathan immediately noticed her change in attitude. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Tell me about nothing.”

She smiled. His sensitivity and astute observatory skills were just two of the many things that she loved about him. “Your family is so . . . accomplished.”

“You already knew that.”

“Yes, but to be here, to meet them. I just hope that I’m not . . .”

“Trust me, you’re not whatever you’re thinking. Yes, there are those in my family who are highly successful but we don’t judge people based on awards and degrees. We’re more interested in a person’s character, their integrity, their family values.” He reached over and pulled her into his arms, gave her one kiss, and then another. “So you don’t have anything to worry about.”

Jessica nodded, and entwined her arm in his as they walked toward French doors that led to a solarium. She knew that Nathan meant what he said when he told her not to worry. He’d meant to be soothing. Little did he know that it was exactly what he said and how he and his upstanding family felt that worried her most of all.

“W
hat do you think?”

Dinner was over, and various family members had broken off into smaller groups. Nathan and his sister Sherri were in the kitchen, sitting at the island, eating more pieces of sweet potato pie that neither needed.

“She’s cute, I’ll give you that.” Sherri took a sip of cold milk. “But she’s so quiet, Nate, and”—she paused, searching for the right word—“somewhat reserved. Not the type of woman you usually date.”

“She is different from anyone I’ve dated in the past. In the end, that’s what drew me to her.”

“How did you guys meet?”

“I told you, remember? We met at the sports bar in Buckhead where I like to hang out.”

“Was she a friend of a friend, someone’s sister . . . ?”

“No. She was at the bar, alone. We’d noticed each other throughout the evening and at one particular point, when my friends and I were in a heated debate she walked up and said, ‘I don’t know what you guys are arguing about but you win.’ Looking at me.”

Sherri gave her brother a look. “Really? You win? That was the line that drew you in?”

“It wasn’t so much what she said as the way she said it: straight-forward, serious, with the merest twinkle in her eye.”

Sherri finished her pie, pushed back the plate. “And then she whipped out the card containing her phone number.”

Nathan shook his head. “And then she walked back to her barstool and pulled out her phone. Basically ignored me.”

“And waited for the bait to take hold.”

“Perhaps. But considering the types of bold and aggressive women out there and the insulting ways I’ve been approached, it was refreshing.” Nathan finished his pie as well. “See, you’ve been out of the game too long to know what it’s like out here right now. Married for going on sixteen years and with Randall for what, three or four years before y’all tied the knot? Hell, I think the Cabbage Patch Doll was all the rage the last time you had to flirt with someone not your husband. That or the Model T.” He dodged Sherri’s punch. “I’ll admit that men in Atlanta have women coming at us every way and every day; beautiful, successful, educated women. It’s easy to get jaded, to tell you the truth.Which is probably why I found Jessica’s simplicity refreshing. She’s never tried to impress me by being anything other than herself.”

“Where’d she go to school?”

“She didn’t.”

“No degree?” Nathan shook his head. “Wow.”

“If you’ll remember, your dual-degreed brother was temporarily unemployed not so long ago.”

“Only because your company down-sized and could no longer afford you. And only because you could afford to be selective in choosing your next job, which is netting you a cool six figures.” She looked around, lowered her voice. “Does Jessica know this? Does she know that you own your own home, and how much you’re making?”

“Sherri . . .”

“I know your nose is wide open and all, but I’m just throwing up the caution sign, that’s all. That’s what big sisters do.”

“I know a gold digger when I see one. You should know that better than anyone.”

Sherri nodded, knowing exactly who Nathan was talking about. A woman he’d met online last year had wormed her way into his home and bed long enough to try and steal his identity along with his bank accounts.

“You’re normally a good judge of character, baby bro, and normally I wouldn’t be overly concerned. But given what happened to me and Randall last year . . .”

“You have every right to be skeptical, and I have every intention of listening to your advice. I’ll do a background check before things go much farther. I’ll be careful, Sherri. But it’s been a long time since I’ve felt about someone the way I feel about Jessica. That’s why I wanted her to meet the people most important to me.”

Sherri stood and hugged her brother. “I want nothing more than to see you happy, Nathan. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that this one works out, and that Jessica will be everything you desire . . . and more.”

 

On the other side of the tastefully-appointed home, and one level up, a conversation similar to the one Nathan and Sherri were having was happening with Jessica and Sherri’s best friend.

“Nathan is like a brother to me,” Renee said as the two ladies watched the dancing flames in the sitting room’s fireplace. “He’s one of the good ones. So if you mess with him, then you’re going to have to deal with more than his family.” Her tone was light, she chuckled even, but there was something in her eyes that suggested she was as serious as a brain tumor.

Jessica’s response was guarded. “I see.”

Renee’s eyes narrowed a bit as she eyed the attractive woman with flawless brown skin, luscious lips, mesmerizing eyes, and hourglass figure. It was easy to see why Nathan would have been intrigued by the package. However considering the type of women he usually dated—vivacious, outgoing, and attractively confident—Renee had yet to understand why he’d fell so hard for the contents inside the pretty wrapping. Determined to find out, she decided to try and lighten the mood.

“How did the two of you meet?”

“At a sports bar.”

“You’re into sports? I like a good game, too; mainly because of the fine men playing them.” This time her light laughter elicited a brief smile.

“Honestly, I barely know a lay-up from a field goal. But I like the establishment’s ambiance. Plus, they make the best martinis, spinach and artichoke dip, and spicy wings that I’ve ever tasted.”

“I love a great martini. I’ll have to make sure and visit it the next time I’m in Atlanta. You do live in Atlanta, correct?”

“I do.” Jessica paused and took a sip of the spiced tea that the two ladies had been drinking, except that Renee’s had been enhanced by a shot of brandy. “Renee, it’s understandable that you’d be curious about the new love interest of one of your dear friends. But I’m an extremely private person and quite honestly, your interrogation is making me uncomfortable.”

Renee reared back. Her voice raised a notch. “Interrogation? Girl, that’s a strong word for simple chit-chat. It was not my intention to pry.”

“I’m sure it was not, so please don’t take this personally.” Jessica stood. “It’s not you. It’s me. It was nice meeting you but if you don’t mind, I’m going to find Nathan. It’s been a long, full day and I’m just about ready to turn in.”

With that, Jessica left the room. Renee watched her exit, her mind whirling with questions from front to back. Renee’s life had pretty much been an open book. There was very little of herself that she didn’t share with those around her. So on one hand, Jessica had every right to not answer Renee’s questions. But on the other hand, the young woman’s response had left her feeling uncomfortable, and she didn’t know why. Yes, she was very attractive. Yes, she seemed nice enough. But there was something about her that made Renee’s brow crease. She slowly sipped her brandy-spiced tea and tried to figure out why.

She was still pondering the conversation moments later, when Sherri walked in. “Hey, sis. What’s got your face all scrunched up?”

“An interesting conversation I just had with Nathan’s friend.” She put emphasis on the last word. “Are they gone?”

Sherri rushed over to her best friend and sat beside her. “Girl, yes. And I couldn’t wait to come talk to you and get your take.What happened?”

Renee told her. “I’ve replayed the conversation in my mind. I am direct and very forward, as you know. But she should know that nobody in this house, the house of the sister of the man she’s dating, means her harm. I just found it a bit odd that she was so guarded, that’s all.”

“I thought I was the only one who saw it like that. Throughout the day—while hanging in the kitchen, when she and Nathan were chilling in the solarium, after the guys had come back from playing ball—I went out of my way to engage her. She was nice enough, and seems genuinely taken with my baby bro.”

“Who wouldn’t be?”

“But, like you said, there’s something about her that . . . I don’t know . . . just gives me pause.” They were both silent a moment. A log broke, causing the fire to pop and flare as the wood rearranged itself in the large hearth. “Do you think it’s because of what happened to my family last year, all of the drama and mayhem caused by you-know-who?”

“Could be,” Renee said with a sigh, an involuntary shudder accompanying the memories of that unspeakable event. “None of us will ever look at strangers quite the same way again.”

“That’s very true. You know what? I’m not going to turn into a paranoid skeptic. Nathan is an intelligent, astute man. So I’m going to trust his instincts and give Jessica the benefit of the doubt until or unless she does something that causes me to think otherwise.”

“I don’t know, girl. A man’s thinking isn’t always straight when he’s using the other head. And trust me, one look at that girl’s cute bubble booty and you already know. His other head is getting a work out.”

“Nay, really? I needed that information? That’s my brother we’re talking about.”

Renee’s answer nonchalantly. “All the more reason to say what you already know.”

The women continued talking well into the night, their conversation going from Nathan to Renee’s latest beau, to Sherri’s new, part-time teaching job to Randall’s upcoming trips. In the back of both of their minds, however, was the topic that had begun this latest chat. The guarded, private Jessica. . . and what was up with that.