Chocolate Goodies (5 page)

J
erome surprised her when he walked through the doors of her shop. Coco checked the clock and noted that it was after three.

“I just stopped in to say hello before I took the bus home,” he told her.

“How was your day?” she asked.

“Okay,” he responded with a shrug. “I got all of my class work done and I’m almost done with my homework.”

Coco smiled. “That’s great, Jerome.”

She watched as he walked around the store, looking at everything, but touching nothing.

He turned to her and said, “Miss Stanley, since I met you and your brother, I…I started reading up on making chocolate.”

She was surprised by this. “Really?”

He nodded. “I wanted to know what all it took to
make it. I didn’t know that you had to roast cocoa beans.”

“It’s a long process,” Coco told him. “But before you even get to that point, the beans have to ripen and that usually takes five to six months. Then they have to be fermented.”

“Why do you do that?” he asked.

“To make them less bitter and to darken the color.” Coco went on to explain that after fermentation, the beans were sun-dried for several days to bring out the aroma, then packed and shipped to factories that would sort and clean the beans. “Roasting the beans helps the flavor come through,” she finished.

“I like knowing how things work,” Jerome stated.

“It’s good to have a curious mind,” Coco responded. “I was like that in school. Actually, I’m still that way.” She paused for a moment. “Jerome, can I ask how you ended up suspended from school?”

“Miss Stanley, I have a sister. She and I are twins, and there’s this dude at school who’s been pushing up on her. Jeri doesn’t like him like that, but he keeps trying to get with her. Anyway, he had her in the gym and was trying to force himself on her. I couldn’t let nothing like that go down, so I jumped the dude.” His hands curled into fists as he talked. “I’m not gon’ let some dude rape my sister.”

“And they suspended you for that?”

He nodded. “They suspended the dude, too, because we were fighting.”

“Didn’t you tell them what happened? What about your sister? Did she come forward?”

“Miss Stanley, they don’t care. All they see is a black boy who lives in a place they never been.”

“Jerome, I hope you know you’re much more than that. You have a curious mind that needs to be fed. I know there are teachers in schools who are doing more harm than good, but it’s up to you. You have to take control of your education.”

“How can I do that?”

“First, let me say that I don’t believe you should’ve been suspended. You were trying to save your sister and I find that admirable. Before this, what were your grades like?”

“I got two A’s, two B’s, one C and a D last semester.”

“That’s not bad, but I have a feeling you can do much better.”

“I could, but I don’t have a computer at home,” Jerome said. “We don’t have any encyclopedias either. For some of my stuff, I need a computer. Both my math and science books are on a CD. I can’t study at home.”

“Do you live near a library?”

“Not really,” he responded. “But Mr. Winters told me that I can come to the center after school and do my homework.”

Coco walked around the bar and sat down in one of the chairs. She gestured for Jerome to sit beside her. “Are you struggling with any of your subjects?”

“Just math, but Mr. Winters is going to tutor me so I can pull up from a D.”

“What classes were the two A’s from?” Coco asked.

Jerome smiled. “One was in P.E. and the other in history. I love history, especially African-American history.”

“I love African-American history myself. In fact, I recently acquired a couple of copies of
The Underground Railroad Records
by William Still. It chronicles the runaway slaves who traveled the Underground Railroad to freedom.”

Jerome’s eyes lit up like stars in the sky. “Man, that’s nice. I’d love to read that.”

Coco gazed at him. “If I gave you a copy, would you read it and take care of it? It’s a rare edition now.”

He blinked twice. “Miss Stanley, I’d treat it like gold. It’s our history. You don’t just throw it away—even though
they
tried to dismiss all we’ve done. I want that book to stay in my family and be passed down to my children. I can’t believe you’d give something like that to me.”

The expression on his face almost brought Coco to tears. “As you said, this is our history.”

She got up, walked back around the bar and reached under the counter. “Jerome, this is yours,” Coco told him. “As you read these stories, purpose in your heart that you’re not going to let what those people fought so hard for just fall to the wayside.”

A tear slipped from his eye. “Miss Stanley, you don’t know what this…how much this means to me. You and Mr. Winters—y’all are some really good people. You care. I ain’t never…I haven’t had that. I’m not gonna let ya’ll down.”

She wiped away her own tears. “Jerome, I want you to care, even when you feel others don’t. You have
to care what happens, and strive to be the best you can be.”

He nodded.

“I look forward to hearing great things about you in the future.” She pointed to a machine and asked, “Would you like a cold chocolate soda?”

Jerome gave her a sheepish look and said, “I don’t have any money.”

His stomach growled loudly then.

“I was just about to eat my sandwich and I have an extra one,” Coco said. “How about you have a late lunch with me? It’s my treat.”

“Miss Stanley…you don’t have to do tha—”

She cut him off. “Great! I hate to eat alone.” He laughed.

They made small talk while they ate. Afterward, Jerome said, “Where’s your broom? I’ma sweep up before I head home.”

Coco pointed to the small closet in the corner. “It’s in there. Thanks, Jerome.”

“I just want to show my appreciation,” he said.

Coco watched him grab the broom and begin sweeping. Jerome was thorough. He didn’t rush, but took his time, making sure that he didn’t leave an inch of flooring untouched.

Ransom strode into the shop with purpose, pausing briefly when he saw Jerome. “Hey, man, I thought you had gone home.”

“He stopped in to say hello and we got to talking,” Coco interjected. “Then we had lunch and he offered to sweep up.”

Ransom went over and patted him on the shoulder, saying, “Jerome, I’m proud of you.”

The teenager shrugged. “She’s real nice and I wanted to do something for her.”

Ransom sat down at the bar. “Exactly what happened here between you two? I haven’t seen Jerome this engaged since he started the program. I can hardly get him to talk.”

“He told me why he was suspended,” she responded in a low voice. “Which I think is wrong on so many levels, Ransom. He should not be suspended. Jerome was only defending his sister.”

“I agree with you, but the school feels that he should have just reported it to campus security.”

“He seems to be a good kid,” she said. “I admit that I didn’t get it at first, but now I really understand why you’re so passionate. Boys like Jerome and Benjamin deserve to have every opportunity available to them.”

Ransom was staring at her, sending a delicious shudder through her body.

“What is it? Why are you staring at me like this?”

“I can’t get over how beautiful you are,” he said, bringing a smile to her lips.

“You do know that we’re not alone, Ransom.”

“Jerome knows that you’re beautiful.” Ransom glanced over his shoulder, then said, “You know, I really think he has a little crush on you. I’m going to have to keep my eye on him, I see.”

Coco rolled her eyes. “I think Jerome just wants to be around people he feels he can trust.”

Ransom considered her words for a moment before
shaking his head. ”That's probably true, but I think he also has a crush on you. I can't blame him, though. You've mesmerized me.”

“H
ow long has your friend been playing the violin?” Ransom asked her.

“Since she was four years old,” Coco responded.

“I went to a recital to hear her play and that’s when I decided I wanted to take lessons. Ariel is amazing.”

“So when do I get to hear
you
play?” he asked.

“Soon,” she told him.

Ransom had mentioned on several occasions that he wanted to hear Coco play the violin. He had no idea, but she was going to play a solo tonight. Ariel already had her instrument on stage. Coco had been practicing every night for the past couple of weeks.

Please don’t let me go up there and make a fool of myself. I want to impress him with my moves.

The thought made her chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Ransom whispered in her ear.

“I just had a silly thought,” she whispered back. “It’s nothing.”

The heavy velvet curtains parted and classical music filled the stage and hall. Coco glanced at Ransom, who was slightly swaying his head back and forth. He must have felt her looking at him because he turned to face her.

When he reached over and took her hand, his touch set her nerve endings on fire.

I’ve got to stop this,
she told herself as her heart hammered foolishly.

She stole another glance at him, noting how handsome he looked in the black suit he was wearing. It fit his body as if it had been designed just for him.

This man is so fine.

Coco was totally entranced by his compelling personage and had to struggle to keep her attention on the music. Ariel walked out to roaring applause to perform her first solo. She would be calling Coco to join her after her third selection.

Ransom gave her hand another little squeeze. Coco’s flesh prickled at his touch and her heart was hammering foolishly.

Focus. Focus.

It’s what she kept telling herself, but doing so wasn’t that simple. Ransom made her feel things she’d never experienced before. Or maybe she was just out of touch with those particular emotions, since she hadn’t been in a relationship in a while.

It was almost time for her performance.

Coco felt a wave of nervousness.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, after all. She prayed she wouldn’t embarrass them both.

Ransom was shocked when Ariel called Coco to the stage.

He met her gaze, then smiled. “You planned this, didn’t you?” he whispered.

“You said that you wanted to hear me play.”

Ransom was touched by her gift to him.

Coco looked beautiful up there on stage, as if she belonged there. His heart did flips when she dedicated to him the song she was about to play. She projected an energy and power that undeniably attracted him.

Coco played a classical number, then segued into a song that he had written. He enjoyed watching her become one with the music. Ransom had made millions writing songs for various recording artists, and owned several Grammys. He liked the way she had successfully arranged the solo, bringing classical music and a classic R & B song together.

Afterward, he met her backstage.

“So what did you think?” Coco asked him.

Every time her gaze met his, Ransom’s heart turned over in response. “You did a fabulous job.”

“I agree,” Ariel said, joining them. “She should be on stage performing.”

“Ariel, this is Ransom,” Coco said. “He’s my date.”

She shook his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.”

“I enjoyed your music, Ariel.”

“Thank you.” She gave Coco a hug and said, “I’m
going to have to get going. I’m catching the red-eye to New York and then on to Germany.”

“Ariel’s booked to play for our troops at Ramstein Air Force Base,” Coco told him.

“Safe travel,” Ransom said. “I know they are going to enjoy hearing your music. I have a couple of friends stationed there.”

“I’ll call you when I return,” she said to Coco before heading to her dressing room. “Smooches.”

Ransom and Coco headed toward the nearest exit doors, and were soon in the car and on their way to her house in Brentwood. He glanced over at her. She had her eyes closed.

“I’m not asleep,” she said. “I’m just trying to relax enough to get over my performance jitters. I was so nervous up on that stage.”

He was completely surprised by this. “You were nervous? I couldn’t tell.”

“Oh, my goodness,” Coco groaned. “Right now I feel so nauseous. It’ll pass in a few minutes. I used to get this way after every recital or concert.”

Ransom slipped in a soothing jazz CD, hoping to help her feel at ease. She sent him a grateful smile.

Coco had such a warm, loving spirit and she was always smiling. He loved her sometimes quirky sense of humor, and the sense of freedom she seemed to have in her life. Not only was she beautiful, but she was intelligent and caring as well. The more he got to know her, the more he wanted to know about her. An undeniable magnetism was building between them, forcing him to acknowledge the truth.

I have real feelings for this woman, and I can’t see my life without her in it.

The silent declaration surprised him, but Ransom didn’t bother to deny the truth.

“What do you think about this one?” Elle asked, holding up a matronly black dress.

Coco glanced at Kaitlin, who shook her head. “I don’t think Brennan will like it.”

Coco met Elle’s gaze and said, “I have to agree with her. It looks a little old-fashioned. I wouldn’t get it.”

“I thought it was cute.”

“What’s going on with you, Elle?” Kaitlin asked. “Why are you suddenly wanting to dress like a nun? All you’ve been wearing lately are these loose dresses and big shirts.”

“I’ve gained some weight,” she said, sounding embarrassed. “I’m getting a belly, and look at my face.”

Kaitlin and Coco exchanged glances.

“What?” Elle asked, looking from one to the other.

“Sweetie, did it ever occur to you that you might be pregnant?” Coco asked.

“No, not really,” responded Elle. “I…I’ve been so busy that I haven’t thought about that possibility.”

Kaitlin nodded. “I think Coco’s right. Elle, you’re pregnant.”

She placed a hand to her stomach. “Brennan and I just talked about having another baby. I made a doctor’s appointment for next week to get checked out.”

“Let’s get a pregnancy test,” Kaitlin suggested.

“Now?” Elle asked.

“Yeah. We’re not that far from your house. We can go there and in a few minutes have your answer.”

“Coco, you’re coming with us, right?” Elle inquired.

“Sure.”

They left the boutique and piled into Elle’s car.

They stopped at a nearby drugstore to purchase a pregnancy test, then headed to her house.

Elle went into the bathroom to take the test as soon as they entered. “I’ll be back in a sec,” she said.

“So you and Brennan were planning to have another baby?” Kaitlin asked when Elle joined them in the family room.

“Yeah, we wanted to try for one more.” She paced back and forth across the floor nervously, her eyes darting to the clock on the wall. “I thought I was putting on extra pounds because all I’ve done lately is eat, sleep and watch TV. I’m exhausted all of the time.”

“That’s because you’re pregnant,” Coco said.

She wanted to have children one day, but needed to find a husband first. She thought about Ransom and smiled.

“It’s time,” Elle said. She picked up the test and stared at it. “Oh, my goodness,” she murmured softly.

“Don’t keep us in suspense,” Kaitlin cried. “Are you pregnant? C’mon, tell us what it says.”

“I’m pregnant,” Elle announced, her eyes bright with joy. “I’m going to have a baby.”

Coco got up and hugged her. Kaitlin hugged her next.

“You’re going to be a mom again. That’s so wonderful. Congratulations!”

“Brennan is going to be so surprised.”

“Matt wants another baby,” Kaitlin said.

Elle and Coco looked at her. “And?” they asked in unison.

“We’re still in the talking stages. I’m thirty-four years old.”

“You’re not too old,” Elle told her. “But if you keep waiting, then you will be.”

“I can’t wait to get married and have babies,” Coco said. “I hope when I finally find Mr. Right that he’s ready to have children. I don’t want to wait too long.”

The trio left the house and drove to one of Elle’s favorite restaurants to have a celebratory lunch.

“I bet this happened the night we tried your chocolate lovers dice game,” Elle told Coco.

“What chocolate lovers dice game?” Kaitlin asked.

Elle leaned forward and said, “Girl, you have to get one. You roll the dice and he has to interpret your wish. It’s a lot of fun.”

“Apparently,” Kaitlin murmured.

“I thought I told you about the game,” Coco said. “It comes with a bottle of chocoholics body frosting, five colored dice, wish interpretation cards and a soft paintbrush.”

“I’m coming by the store to pick up one of those,” Kaitlin stated. “Matt and I are going away this weekend for romance—this is perfect.”

Elle laid down her menu. “Coco, you have all those sensual chocolate treats in your shop—c’mon, who are
you
using them with?”

“I’m not using them,” she replied. “Believe me, I’m dying to try them out. I’ve just started seeing this guy,
but it’s way too early to start using body frosting and paintbrushes. Oh, by the way, his first name is Ransom and he’s the owner of D-Unit.”

“The music store?” Elle asked. “Just a few weeks ago you couldn’t stand the guy.”

“It’s not a music store,” Coco explained. “It’s actually a center for teenage boys. Ransom calls it a structured day program. When they’re suspended from school, they go there during the school hours instead of just sitting at home or running the streets. He has their home and class assignments e-mailed to him, so that they can stay on task.”

“That’s wonderful,” Elle said. “I’ve never heard of a program like that, but I think we need more like it.”

“It’s a pilot program. Ransom hopes that he’ll have centers all over Los Angeles. He also wants to add programs for girls.”

Kaitlin observed her for a moment before saying, “Sounds like you two are really getting along well. You’re actually glowing, Coco.”

“I don’t know about that,” she said.

Elle took a sip of her water. “Why don’t you just admit it? You like this guy a lot. Don’t you?”

Coco couldn’t deny it. “Is it that obvious?” she asked.

Kaitlin and Elle both nodded.

“Do you think Ransom knows?”

They nodded a second time.

“I’m falling hard for him,” Coco confessed. “But we haven’t been dating that long.”

“Love knows no time,” Kaitlin said. “I fell in love with Matt the moment I saw the man.”

“It was like that for me and Brennan,” Elle interjected. “Hopefully you won’t have the baby mama drama that I had to deal with.”

“He doesn’t have any children,” Coco said. “Although he’s always surrounded by youths who look to him as a father figure. He really cares about them.”

“So when do we get to meet Mr. Wonderful?” Elle demanded.

“You know how I am,” Coco said with a chuckle. “It’ll probably be at the wedding. If there’s no wedding, then that means he wasn’t worth introducing to family and close friends.”

Kaitlin and Elle laughed.