Back to Me (16 page)

Paige gasped. “I love horns, but I had no idea you played. Why didn't you tell me? Are you in a band? Can I come hear you play?”

“That groupie spirit is creeping back in,” he teased. “To answer your questions, you didn't ask, no, I'm not in a band, and you can hear me play at my parents' thirty-sixth anniversary party next Saturday.”

“Oh, I can't wait to—” Paige forbade the thought from forming. “What do you mean, I can you hear you at your parents' party? You're not taking me home to meet the family like I'm your woman. And what kind of party is it? Because you know I don't drink or smoke. Saturday night is the time I spend preparing to meet the Lord on Sunday. I can't be hanging out all hours of the night. I thought your family was saved. What are they doing partying in the first place?” She thought he'd understand, but the scowl on his face gave her a different reality.

“Paige, now would be a good time for you to sew your nose and lips together.”

“Then I won't be able to breathe.”

“My point exactly. And with any luck, it will be a long and agonizing death.” He turned to walk away, but Tara blocked his path before he could complete two strides.

“Good. You're leaving. I can chat with Paige,” she announced.

Sergio-Xavier retraced his steps, but the look he gave Paige was anything but friendly.

“Actually, I have an appointment. I really should b-be going,” Paige stammered.

Tara's head bobbed from Paige to her brother. “So there's trouble in paradise, but y'all will be fine. I'll leave you guys alone to work it out. I'll see you at the party.” She sneered at Sergio-Xavier. “You did invite her to the party, didn't you?”

Paige gave a silent thanks when he just nodded and didn't tell Tara she'd just insulted her family. The woman did carry a gun.

“Good. I'll see you then,” Tara told her. She turned to her brother. “I'm still telling Daddy what you called me,” she said through clenched teeth and then walked away.

Sergio-Xavier followed her lead but went in the opposite direction.

Paige checked her watch. She wanted to apologize but didn't have the time. Certainly, Sergio-Xavier would get over it.

“How are you feeling? Are you tired? Do you need to sit down and rest? Want some more water?” Paige had asked Seniyah those questions at least five times since they arrived at the mall over two hours ago. From her sister and sister-in-law, Paige knew pregnant women tired easily and often needed rest. She was unfamiliar with the swollen face and hands but made a mental note to call and ask her sister about them. If she didn't have an answer, Paige would search Google.

“I'm about as fine as I was when you asked me three minutes ago.” Seniyah smirked rather arrogantly, Paige thought, and then sipped from the water bottle.

“I'm just trying to take care of you and the baby. I don't want to tire you out.”

Seniyah raised the shopping bag she carried and pointed at the ones Paige held. “Ms. Paige, we've been to two maternity shops and three baby stores, and now you don't want to tire me out?”

Paige joined in with Seniyah's laughter. “What can I say? I'm excited about the baby,” she said. “And your future,” she added after a pause.

“I could tell when you pulled up
Consumer Reports
on the mobile play set the salesperson attempted to sell you. You had him stuttering to answer your questions. You must have had one of those with your kids. By the way, how many kids do you have?”

Paige's steps slowed in front of the cell phone accessory marquee. She stretched her neck to give the impression that the designer phone cases interested her, while she gained the courage to admit that she had no children, and that the only reason she knew so much about baby furnishings was that she had plans for Seniyah's baby.

“Actually, I don't have any children.” She faced Seniyah but didn't make eye contact, opting to focus on the sporting goods shoe display across the aisle. “But I do have one niece and two nephews. I spent a lot of time caring for them when they were infants.” It was only a half lie. Paige had babysat on a few occasions.

“With your research skills and tenacity, you'll make a great mother. You and Dr. Simone should think about it,” Seniyah threw out before taking another sip from the water bottle.

“Why would you say something like that?” Paige's loud voice garnered the attention of passing shoppers. She lowered her volume when several stopped to watch. “Dr. Simone and I are just friends. And friends shouldn't go around making babies unless they're married. At least not at my age,” she said as hurt flashed on Seniyah's face.

Seniyah raised her hand and took a step backward. “Don't try to fix it. I know you look down on me for getting myself into what you consider a mess, but those are your high standards, not mine. I guess that's why you're mid-thirtyish, without a man, and childless.” Her shoulders shrugged. “But, hey, if it works for you.”

Sergio-Xavier's suggestion of sewing her nose and lips together rang loud and clear as Paige watch Seniyah waddle away without the shopping bags containing a small fortune from Paige's bank account.
Why can't I learn to be quiet?

“Seniyah, wait!” Paige almost tripped twice while trying to run after Seniyah and carry the bags.

This was not how Paige wanted the day to end. She'd planned to take Seniyah to an early dinner and then present her fabulous plan. Three stores down, Paige's strides slowed as realization of what had happened set in. Seniyah had insulted her, and now Paige was running after her to force her to accept her gifts. She'd heard stories from her mother and sister, but now she had witnessed it with her own eyes. Pregnancy really did alter a person's personality. The introverted and insecure teenager she'd met over a year ago would have never spoken to her like that.

As Seniyah exited the mall, Paige came to a complete stop and plopped down on an empty bench with the bags stacked at her feet. Ignoring the stares and murmuring around her, Paige lowered her head and cried. Her retribution and future were slipping through her fingers. If she wasn't careful, she'd condemn herself to a life of sorrow.

“Ms. Paige, is that you? Are you all right?”

Paige's jerked her head upward to find Jasmine and the divas staring down at her. She couldn't think of an adjective to describe adequately how low she felt. It was one thing to cry in the presence of absentminded shoppers, but for her mentees to witness the meltdown was beyond humiliating.

Paige quickly dried her face and acted as if all was right with the world. “Hey, divas. I didn't expect to see you today. What's up?”

As usual, Jasmine spoke for the group. “You tell us. Why are you sitting in a crowded mall, bawling? What happened to all that poise and sophistication?” She moved in closer. “Did Dr. Simone do something to you? 'Cause if he did, we'll go down to that hospital and put him in check. My cousin works up there, and she'll take us right to him. I don't care how fine he is. He can't be disrespecting you like this.”

The other divas echoed Jasmine's sentiment.

Paige jumped to her feet, waving open-palmed hands. “Whoa. Hold on. This has nothing to do with Dr. Simone. I just got some bad news, that's all,” she lied.

“Oh.” Jasmine backed down. “Well, I'm just saying, if you need us to handle something for you, we got yo' back.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that,” Paige said, knowing full well she'd never take them up on the offer. However well-meaning their intentions might be, forming an alliance with her mentees was something she would never do.

“So, do you want to talk about it?” one of the girls asked.

Paige looked down at the pile around her feet. “No. I think I'd better get home. It's been a long day.”

Jasmine's face twisted as if she was contemplating a serious decision. “Change of plans, divas. Let's help Miss Paige take this stuff to her car, and then we're taking her to the nail shop with us,” she finally announced. “We're getting pedicures today,” she told Paige.

By the time Paige formulated an excuse, the divas had picked up her bags and were waiting for her to lead the way.

“Okay. I guess it won't hurt,” Paige said, yielding, and then started walking toward the exit.

“Miss Paige, are you trying to tell us something?” Jasmine asked, walking beside her. “From the looks of the stuff you bought, you and Dr. Simone have been gettin' busy.” Jasmine burst out laughing. “I ain't mad at you. Even saved professionals have needs.”

Paige glared so hard at Jasmine, she walked into the glass exit door. This time onlookers didn't stare; they laughed in her face.

For the second time Paige examined her make-up, frowned, and then wiped her face clean. Over the past few weeks, Paige had gotten good at mixing the color palette and applying make-up, but tonight her novice efforts were useless. Twice she applied too much liquid eyeliner, and the eye shadow combinations reminded her of a raccoon.

“I can't do this,” she mumbled, then stomped from the bathroom and fell backward on the bed. “I can't meet his family,” she kept mumbling, trying to hide the fact that she really wanted to meet the Simones, and she wanted to spend time with Sergio-Xavier. She missed him.

They hadn't talked much since the signing at the title company four days ago, where she apologized for her outburst at the food bank and accepted his invitation to his parents' party. As always, all was forgiven, but Sergio-Xavier had warned her against losing control of her tongue around his family. “Please try not to be yourself,” he'd teased. “You might want to meditate on Psalm one-forty-one, three.”

“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Paige lost count of how many times she'd recited the scripture over the past four days. So far the ritual had worked. She hadn't verbally offended anyone, but she'd been to the office only once and she'd left Bible study immediately after the benediction to avoid speaking to anyone. Tonight would be different. If the previous interactions with the Simones were any indication, Paige would be bombarded with questions and assumptions about her and Sergio-Xavier's nonexistent relationship.

She sat up and wrapped her arms around her body. She needed to go tonight. She needed something to counteract the depression threatening to overtake her. After dropping by the high school twice, Paige had yet to make contact with Seniyah. If the girl didn't respond to the messages she'd left with the school counselor soon, Paige would be forced to drop by her home uninvited.

A smile escaped as she fingered the lime-green dress with purple trim lying on the bed. It was beautiful and looked fabulous on her. She was sure Sergio-Xavier would love the way the cut accented her figure and the way the length provided an ample display of her legs. She hadn't forgotten his preoccupation with her legs; she'd just never called him on it.

New determination fueled her steps back to the bathroom. “I am going to this party,” she told her reflection, then once again reached for the make-up bag.

Thirty-five minutes later, Sergio-Xavier rang her doorbell. “Hey, you look handsome. Come in,” Paige greeted. “I just need to grab my purse and coat, and we can head out.”

She was halfway down the hall before she realized he hadn't returned the greeting. He hadn't said anything. She retraced her steps to find a grave expression veiling his face. “Is everything all right?”

His rapid blinking coincided with the sideways movement of his head. “I'm good. Just a little anxious, that's all.”

“Hasn't your family heard you play the sax before?”

“Of course.”

“Then why are you anxious?” She had an idea but wanted him to confirm it.

Instead, he looked down at his watch. “It's a thirty-minute drive. We should be going, just in case we run into traffic.”

“Sure. Give me a minute.” She accepted his response for the avoidance tactic it was, and went to retrieve her purse, suppressing the disappointment she felt over the fact that he had not complimented her. “I don't need his approval,” she grumbled once inside her bedroom. “I know I look good.”

When she returned, his grave expression had been replaced by the smile she'd come to adore. His arms held her coat wide open for her to step into.

Paige appreciated the gesture but wanted more. “Thank you,” she said before turning her back to him.

“You look absolutely stunning,” he whispered in her ear. His lips were so close to her neck, the hairs in his mustache tickled her skin, causing her to jump. She stepped away from him with one arm hanging outside the sleeve.

“Thank you. I'm glad you like it,” she said once the coat was securely fastened. She looked up and found his eyes fixed on her lips.

“Oh, I more than like it, but we can discuss that later.” In lightning speed, sheer pleasure disappeared and anxiety returned. “Let's go.”

“Lead the way.” She locked the door and followed him to a car she hadn't seen before. “I didn't know you had one of these,” she said in reference to the black Bentley coupe. She climbed in the passenger seat.

“Paige, there are many things you don't know about me, but I have a feeling that might change soon,” he said before closing the passenger door.

Paige didn't guess what he meant while watching him walk around the front of the vehicle and get in on the driver's side. She didn't care. She'd gotten her thrill for the evening.