Twisted (9 page)

“It’s good to finally get to meet you,” Jerome said. “Alexis has told me so many nice things about you.”

“All true,” Alexis said.

“Nice to meet you, too,” Kevin told Jerome. “What field of medicine are you in?”

“Pediatrics,” Jerome said as he walked back to his seat and sat down next to Alexis.

Kevin sat down next to her. “That sounds exciting. Have you always wanted to be a doctor?”

Jerome nodded. “Ever since my mother gave me my first doctor’s kit as a child. I remember it came with a toy stethoscope and some candy pills.” He chuckled. “I used to play doctor on all the little kids in the neighborhood.”

“Mostly the girls, I bet,” Alexis teased.

“But of course,” Jerome said. “Alexis tells me that you’re an inventor like Tina.”

“Yes, and a designer too. Like you, I started out young building things with blocks and whatever odd things I could find around the house.”

“I’ve read about all the fine things you’ve done for the community too.”

Kevin blushed.

“Oh, don’t tell me you haven’t told these two. This young man makes a big contribution to one of my favorite charities,” Jerome said. “The Leukemia Association.”

“I didn’t know that,” Tina said.

 “He also gives free Kung Fu lessons at the YMCA for the kids.”

“Ooh, you should have told me about that. Maybe I can come with you some time,” Tina said.

“Sure,” Kevin replied. “But don’t beat me up too bad in front of the kids. I have a reputation to uphold.”

Jerome laughed. “Yeah, Alexis told me about that too. I can’t believe our little Tina has so much brute strength.”

“She’s good too,” Alexis replied. “She’s Kevin’s star pupil.”

Tina felt a blush coming on. The waitress arrived just in time to take their order before Kevin had time to comment.

Halfway into the meal, Tina heard a feminine giggle coming their way. Both she and Alexis looked up just in time to see Erik walk past them with the blonde from the hair salon.

Erik didn’t even see them because he was too busy holding her hand as she led him to a table.

“Isn’t that Erik?” Jerome asked.

“Yes,” Alexis answered. “And his bitch du jour.”

Tina bit her bottom lip to keep from screaming.  Why was God doing this to her? It was bad enough Alexis knew Erik was cheating; now Kevin and Jerome knew too.

“You’re not going to make a scene, are you?” Kevin asked her.

“No,” Tina said. “That wouldn’t be ladylike. In fact, I’m going sit here and eat my lunch and pretend I don’t see them.”

“The woman has the patience of a saint,” Alexis said. “I’d be all over her ass.”

The waitress came back with their drinks and Tina reached for a straw at the same time as Kevin. Their hands touched and she felt the warmth from his radiating through her. He picked up both the straws, opened them, and put them into their drinks.

“Thanks,” Tina said.

“Any time,” Kevin told her.

She smiled at him, knowing he was trying to make her feel better about the situation. She was so glad she was leaving for San Francisco tomorrow.

Erik came home late that night and didn’t even bother coming up to see if she was home. Her telephone rang a few minutes later. “Hello?”

“Hi, Tina, it’s me, Kevin. I’m just calling to confirm the time of our flight.”

“Six a.m,” she replied with a sigh.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she lied. “I’m just tired.”

“Why don’t you go to bed?” he said. “Do you want me to pick you up in the morning and we can ride in to the airport together?”

“That would be nice,” Tina said. “Do you have something to write down my address with?”

“Yes,” Kevin answered. “What is it?”

Tina gave him her address.

“I’ll be there at five,” he told her.

“Okay, see you then.” Tina hung up the phone, crawled into her bed, and went to sleep.

Chapter Four

“Where would you like to go for dinner?” Kevin asked Tina after their first meeting ended in San Francisco.

“I don’t know,” Tina replied. “I usually just order room service.”

“Nonsense,” he said. “This is San Francisco.” He paused. “I tell you what, change, and we’ll take in some sights.”

“Okay,” she finally said. “I’d like that.” Alexis was right. What good would it do her just to sit in a hotel when they had a beautiful city to explore?

“Don’t get too dressy,” Kevin told her. “We’ll be doing a lot of walking.”

“I heard that about San Francisco,” Tina said. “Are we going to ride the trolley?” she asked excitedly.

“What is a trip to San Francisco without a ride on the famous street car?” he said. “I’ll take you on a street car and anywhere else your heart desires.”

Kevin was so nice, and she wondered why some lucky young woman hadn’t latched on to him yet.

“I’ll meet you in the lobby in thirty minutes,” he told her as he walked toward the door.

Tina nodded. “I’ll be ready.” She mentally scanned her closet for something appropriate to wear. “Are you opposed to being seen with a woman in pants?” she asked.

“I said dress comfortably, didn’t I?” Kevin asked. “I imagine that stockings and heels are a bit bothersome.”

Tina agreed. “If you think they’re bothersome, you should try wearing a bra.”

Kevin turned and smirked at her. “Don’t wear one of those either if you don’t want to. I will not complain.”

Tina chuckled. “You’re so silly. Go to your room and change out of that suit. I’ll see you in thirty minutes.”

Kevin smiled at her and left her room.

Tina hopped out of the chair, tugging off her business suit and heading toward the closet. She found the perfect outfit, laid it out on the bed, and then dashed into the bathroom for a quick shower before she got dressed. Her cell phone rang just as she was about to go out the door. “Hello?”

It was Alexis. “What are you doing?”

“Getting ready to go out,” Tina replied.

“Where and with whom?” her nosey best friend asked.

“Sight-seeing with Kevin,” Tina answered. “How are things back home?”

“Runny smoothly,” Alexis answered. “No fires to stomp out, no feelings to soothe. Everything is great.”

“How’s Erik?” Tina asked. She still never had a chance to talk to him about the panties or him being out on a date with that blonde.

“He’s okay. I guess. I see him every now and then, moping around. I guess he’s figured out that you’re not buying him his dream store.”

“He’ll get over it,” Tina replied, still pissed at him.

“So how did the meeting go?”

“The toy manufacturer just loved our designs. They started production before we left the office.”

“And is Kevin enjoying San Francisco?”

“I think so. He really was pleased by the way the meeting went, and everyone congratulated us on our partnership. So to celebrate, he’s taking me out to see the town.”

“You two do make a good team,” Alexis told her. “So, where is he taking you?”

“I have no idea, but I’ve got to go. I’m supposed to meet him in the lobby in five minutes.”

“Have fun, Tina,” Alexis told her. “You deserve to let your hair down a little. The company will still be here when you get back.”

“I know,” Tina said. “And thinks for being there for me.”

“Any time,” Alexis said. “I have to go too. Jerome is off tonight and he went out to get some champagne.”

“Ooh,” Tina said. “Don’t get pregnant.”

“You either,” Alexis said, and then she hung up.

“Well, I don’t have to worry about that,” Tina said, shoving her phone into her pocket. She grabbed her purse and hurried out of the door. She found Kevin in the lobby waiting, dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a pull over shirt. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting. Alexis called just as I was going out the door.”

“Is anything wrong?” Kevin asked as he held the hotel door open for her.

“No, she just wanted to know how we did in the meeting. But she had to get off the phone because she and Jerome had this romantic night planned since he has the night off.”

“Sounds exciting,” Kevin said. “But we’ll have fun too.” He messed with her hair. “I like the ponytail. Now everyone in San Francisco can see your beautiful face.”

Tina punched him playfully on the shoulder. “Thanks,” she said. “And we’re wearing matching outfits.” She had on a pair of jeans and a light blue pull over sweater.

“I’m serious about your face.”

“Thanks,” she said again. “You always know the right thing to say.”

“I’m only speaking the truth,” he said. He hailed a taxi and they climbed inside when it arrived.

“Where to?” The taxi driver asked.

“Fisherman’s Warf,” Kevin said.

Tina’s eyes widened. She’d always wanted to go there.

****

“Thanks for a lovely evening,” Tina said as they walked around outside the hotel after getting out of a taxi. The night was a bit chilly, but pretty. “I don’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun.”

“You’re quite welcome,” Kevin said. “We’ll have to do it again sometime.”

Tina nodded. It had been a successful day and Kevin had been very attentive and quite knowledgeable about San Francisco.

“So, what are your plans for later?”

“Resting,” Tina said. “I brought along my electronic book reader.”

“Me too,” Kevin admitted. “I’m hooked on this paranormal series called
Blinders
.”

“I’m reading that too,” Tina replied.

They both laughed.

“My library is filled with romance and paranormal,” Tina told him.

“I’m reading interracial romance too,” Kevin replied.

“Are they any good?” Tina asked.

Kevin nodded. “You get to learn about two different and unique cultures, and see the couple dealing with race and stereotypical issues.”

“I might download one tonight,” Tina replied. She sat down on a bench and Kevin sat down next to her. “It’s so nice out here this evening.”

“The weather is perfect. It’s not too hot or too cold.” He looked up at the sky. “I like looking at the stars.”

“Does it rain much in Taiwan?” Tina asked.

“Yes,” Kevin answered. “We have our rainy season and we have to deal with monsoons.”

“That’s the same thing as a hurricane, isn’t it?”

Kevin nodded. “But it’s quite lovely in the spring when the flowers and trees are in bloom.”

“Why did you leave?”

He sighed. “I wanted to see foreign lands and go to school in the United States. Coming here has opened up a lot of doors for me. I can do things here that I could never do in Taiwan.”

“Do you miss it?” Tina asked. She didn’t know why she felt so talkative.

“Yes,” he said. “I haven’t seen my family in a long time and sometimes I miss the peacefulness of my village.”

“Why haven’t you gone back?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately.” He sighed again. “Maybe I’ll go in the spring. My parents are getting older and I miss talking with my father.”

How sweet
. He was a daddy’s boy and worried about his parents.

“Have they ever visited the United States?”

“No,” Kevin answered. “Both refuse to fly, especially my father. He said if we were meant to fly, we’d have wings.”

Tina chuckled. “He sounds like a nice man.”

“Yes, he’s a great father and a bit of a comic at times.”

“And he’s raised a fine son.” She paused. “I’d like to visit your village one day. It can’t be too bad if you’re a product of it.”

“Thank you,” he said, bowing. It would be an honor for me to take you there. My family would just love you.”

She leaned closer. “Why do you say that?”

“Because you’re a nice young woman who has contributed and dedicated most of your life to helping others.”

She kissed him on the cheek. “You’re sweet. You’re going to make some young woman a wonderful husband one day.”

“Maybe,” he said. “But at the moment, I don’t have any young women beating down my door.”

“And why is that?” Tina asked. “I’ve never heard you mention a girlfriend. Do you even date?”

“Not lately,” Kevin replied. “I am interested in someone, but she doesn’t know I’m alive.”

“What? Is she blind?” Tina asked.

“No, she’s already in a committed relationship.”

“Bummer,” Tina said. “What’s wrong with us? I’m dating a cheater, and you’re in love with someone who has someone?”

“We are just two romantics,” Kevin replied.

“Has she been dating him long?” Tina asked. “Because she might not be happy and you might have a chance.”

“I don’t know. They have been dating for a while. They live together.”

She wondered if he was speaking about Alexis. She had noticed them talking and eyeing each other across the room a couple of times. She sure hoped not. She liked Jerome and thought he and Alexis made an excellent couple. “Is she someone I know?”

“No,” Kevin answered quickly. “She’s someone I met a couple of years ago when I opened the dojo.”

“Oh,” Tina said, satisfied. “Then maybe she might not be the right woman for you.”

“Yes, I know. There is someone out there for everyone. Someone who shares the same interests and likes the same things that I do.”

“I believe that too,” Tina said.

“Then why are you still in a relationship with Erik?”

“Wow, I hadn’t expected that question.”

“I’m not blind, Tina.”

“There was a time when I believed that he was Mr. Right. We grew up together in the same neighborhood and have always been together. Then our parents died and then there was just the two of us.”

“So, you’re just with him because you feel sorry for him?”

“Not exactly. I feel comfortable with him. Erik liked me when I was penniless. He was poor then too, and I promised to take care of him.”

“What were you, fourteen or fifteen at the time? Honey, he’s neither poor nor a child any more. You’ve done your duty. Even a mother hen kicks her babies out of the nest when they are old enough to fend for themselves.”

“Then I’ll be alone,” Tina said. “Erik is the only family I have.”

Kevin pulled her over to him and pressed a kiss against her forehead. “No,” he said. “You are not alone. You have Alexis and me. I won’t allow you to be lonely.”