Color Blind (BWWM Interracial Billionaire Single Mom Steamy Romance Novel) (12 page)

I swallowed, willing myself not to cry. “So you’re telling me that you’d let me lose my job rather than work with me on this? Kevin, I’m doing everything….”
 

He cut me off; mocking me. “Let me guess,” he rolled his eyes, “you’re doing everything you can. Well so am I! I’m running a business. Rules are rules. If I can’t depend on you, then I’ll have to replace you.”
 

“
I’ll keep you informed,” I whispered, almost in tears, as I left his office.
 

Once I was in the safety of my car, I broke down.
What the hell was wrong with Nevaeh?
When would we find out what she had? Why
was my boss
such a jerk? Suddenly, there was a knock on the driver’s window of my car. I quickly wiped away my tears and looked over. It was my
co-worker,
Sherry.
 

“
Kimberly, are you okay?”
 

“
No,” I began sobbing again. “Kevin’s trying to fire me. He doesn’t care if I have a sick little girl at home who needs me.” I buried my face
in
my hands. “There’s nothing else I can do.”
 

“
It’ll get better. I’ll talk to him for you and maybe he’ll change his mind.” Kimberly had no idea that Sherry and Kevin had been sleeping together for months so she had some leverage on him.
 

I shook my head no. “He’s never going to change his mind. He’s not sympathetic nor does he give a rat’s ass.”
 

“
Listen, don’t worry about it. He won’t fire you; he’s just trying to get you to come in. You’re the best waitress we have.”

“
That’s exactly what I told him.”

I stayed home the rest of the week with Nevaeh. It was difficult to see my daughter in so much agonizing pain. I wished that I could take it away from her and give it to myself. Dale called throughout the week to check on us; I think he could tell that I was obviously depressed.
 

“
Do you mind if I come over tonight after Nevaeh’s asleep?”
 

“
Why after she’s asleep?”

“
I just figured you needed some grown-up time and might want to vent.”

“
Yeah, I guess. Will you be up that late? She hasn’t been going to bed until almost ten o’clock.”

“
That’s fine. It’ll give me some time to shower and move around some stocks.”
 

When he arrived, he asked me what was wrong. I explained the situation with my job and told him what my boss said. It became apparent relatively quickly what he thought I should do.
 

“
I think you should just quit your job; let him be at a loss on your terms!”

“
I can’t do that Dale. I need this job. It pays the bills and allows me to work the hours that I need to work.”
 

“
Would you be able to find another job with similar hours?”

“
No, it’s not that easy. A lot of places aren’t hiring right now. Plus, without knowing what’s wrong with Nevaeh, I need the insurance and money to pay for her medical bills.”
 

“
What if I paid for her medical expenses? Do you have enough money saved to pay your basic bills?”

“
I can’t let you pay for that!”

“
Why not? I have plenty of money; let me do this for you, for her. I insist.”
 

“
You haven’t told me much about your financial
situation,
but my best friend Lorraine looked you up on the internet. She showed me that you’re a billionaire, but I never brought it up because I didn’t want you to think I was dating you for your money.”
 

“
Exactly. Yes, I’m a billionaire and no, I don’t
believe
you’re dating me for my money. Look at us, most of our dates have consisted of me coming over to spend time with you. I’ve known you weren’t in it for the money all along. Please, let me help you with this.”
 

“
Dale, I can’t do that.”
 

I was frustrated at the entire situation with work, Dale and not knowing Nevaeh’s condition. I politely asked him to leave and give me some time. Things were moving too quickly, and aside from figuring out things with us and Nevaeh’s condition, I still had the problem with my family at hand. I still hadn’t told them about Dale.
 

By the end of the week, my nerves were getting the best of me. I’d waited all week to find out the results of Nevaeh’s blood work. Battling
with her symptoms,
very little
sleep and a stack of piling bills, I was near the end of my rope. I anxiously
waited
by the phone all day Friday, hoping the doctor’s office would call.  
 

As I waited by the phone that afternoon, she thought about mine and Dale’s relationship. Although we’d only went on one actual date and he’d hung out with us several times, I sensed a deep connection with him. I was able to be myself around him, despite the insane amount of money he had, and I was completely comfortable with him.
It was apparent that he obviously cared a great deal for Nevaeh. Still, I couldn’t get over the fact that he offered to pay for all of Nevaeh’s medical needs—especially without even knowing what they actually were yet.
That was the news I was still waiting for.
 

I must’ve checked on Nevaeh a dozen times in the last few hours as I nervously waited for the phone to ring with some glimmer of hope that my daughter was going to be fine. As far as I remembered, the only other time I’d been this anxious over Nevaeh was when I was nearing my due date. I couldn’t wait to meet my baby girl, I’d already picked out her name: Nevaeh Renee. Nevaeh because it spelled heaven
backwards
, in honor of my father, and Renee as a tribute to my mother. In some ways, Nevaeh even reminded me
of my dad and mom; she certainly had my mom’s sense of humor.
 

Just after two o’clock, my phone rang; it was the doctor’s office. I took a deep breath as I answered the phone. My heart raced as I
responded to the phone
and I could hear my pulse pounding in my ears.
 

“
Hi, this is Janice with Dr. Herber’s office. May I speak to
Kimberly,
please?”
 

“
This is her.”

“
Hi Kimberly, Dr. Herber wanted me to call you regarding Nevaeh’s lab results that came in today.”
 

I held my breath, “What did they say?”
 

“
Dr. Herber would like you to come in to discuss them. Can you make it in around 4:30 today?”
 

“
Uh,” I was caught off guard. This had to be bad if they wanted me to come in. “I guess so. I’ll have to call my friend to see if she can come sit with Nevaeh, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”
 

“
Okay, great. We’ll see you then.”

“
Wait, are they bad? Is that why I have to come in?”

“
There were some things that appeared
on her labs that he’d like to explain to you in person and answer any questions you may have.”
 

“
But were they bad?”

Janice wasn’t at liberty to say. “I’m sorry, you’ll have to come in and see the doctor.”
 

When I hung up with the doctor’s office, my gut dropped and I felt like I was going to vomit. After I had
checked
on Nevaeh, I headed to the kitchen call Lorraine. As I dialed the number, I began coming unglued.
 

“
Hello?”

“
Lorraine, the doctor’s office called today,” I stopped. A lump began to form in my throat as my words escaped me.
 

“
What’d they say?”

“
They said that I have to come in.”

“
Why? Is everything alright?”

“
I don’t know. They wouldn’t tell me anything over the phone.”

“
Do you need me to come sit with Nevaeh for you while you go or does she need to go to the appointment with you?”
 

“
No, she doesn’t need to go. Would you come over?”

“
Sure, I’ll come right now.” Lorraine could hear Kimberly beginning to break down on the other end of the phone. “It’s going to be okay. We’re here for you guys. I’m on my way.”
 

“
T-thank you,” I finally mustered. “I’ll see you when you get here.”
 

Within 20
minutes,
Lorraine was pulling into the driveway. I was waiting for her on the front porch. The fresh air seemed to do me some good and calm me down.
 

“
Are you okay?” she asked, hugging me.
 

“
No. I’m scared, Lorraine.”
 

“
Let’s go inside. Where’s Nevaeh?”
 

“
She was sleeping earlier. She might be awake by now.”

We went inside and checked on Nevaeh, but she was still asleep.
 

“
Let’s go in the living room,” she whispered.

Sitting on the couch, Lorraine tried to lighten my mood and shift my thoughts.
 

“
So how have things been going with you and Dale? I remember you said he’d came over a couple of times.”
 

“
Actually, they’re going pretty good. Nevaeh adores him and I think she’s beginning to wrap him around her little finger. He thinks she’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. The way he looks at her… it’s like he cares for her so much. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
 

“
And what about you two? Have you been hitting it off?”

“
Oh my God! Do you know what he said to me? I can’t believe I forgot to tell you about this!”

Lorraine raised her eyebrows in anticipation to what I was going to say. She was definitely interested.
 

“
I told him about Kevin and how big of a jerk he was being about me taking off work for Nevaeh, and he said that I should quit my job. Leave the place on my own terms, and then he offered to pay for all of Nevaeh’s medical bills! Can you believe him? We haven’t even known each other that long.”
 

“
Wow. That’s… crazy. What did you tell him?”

“
I told him that I can’t accept his money. I’ve worked for everything I have in my life. I’m no charity case—you know that. I mean, it was flattering and all, but I couldn’t believe he’d suggested all that.”

“
It was a
beautiful
gesture.”
 

“
I’ve got a confession to make. I think I’m falling for him.”

“
Oh yeah?”

I nodded my head. “But you hardly know him,” Lorraine said.
 

“
That’s the whole messed up
part
about it. There’s just this…
chemistry
between us. It’s no secret that he’s absolutely gorgeous, but when I’m around him, I feel so safe, secure and… loved. He puts off these vibes that just sink right into my heart.”
 

“
Uh-huh,” Lorraine said. “Have you two slept together?”
 

“
What?! No! We haven’t slept together. Why would you ask that? Besides, I still need to tell my family about him. I’m thinking of doing it this weekend.”
 

“
Because usually when you sleep with a guy, you’re magically in love with him.” Lorraine chuckled.
 

“
No, we haven’t slept together. In fact, Nevaeh’s been sleeping in my bed with me every night. I want her to be close to me in case she wakes up and needs something. The poor thing. She’s been so stiff and in so much pain with her back that it’s hard for her to walk. I’ve been carrying her all over the house.”
 

“
What time do you need to go to the doctor’s office?” Lorraine asked as she looked at her watch.
 

“
They said to come in around 4:30.”

“
Well,
you better get a move on. It’s a quarter till four now.”
 

I jumped off the couch, grabbed my purse off the coat rack and headed out the door. “Will you check on her in a bit and see if she wants to eat?”