Flaw Less (14 page)

“Well, I
am
a nice guy, and all I want is to get to know you.”

“And you wanna date me?” she asked skeptically.

“Very much so,” he admitted. “It's all I can do to stop myself from kissing you right now.” Reginell exhaled loudly. “I'm not going to, I'm just thinking about it.”

They talked for hours, and she loved every minute of it. Reginell couldn't remember the last time she laughed so much or felt so much like her old self. With her history and her job, she knew she wasn't worthy of a man like Mark, and it was only a matter of time before he knew it too. But she was bound and determined to enjoy it while it lasted.

—
Angel King

 

 

“Did you buy out the stores?” asked Channing when Angel came in carrying her weight in shopping bags following her Black Friday shopping.

She set the bags down. “I rationalize by only purchasing items that are more than 50 percent off.” She looked around the house. It was unusually quiet. “Where's everybody?”

“The girls are spending the night with Reese's parents, and Duke went to the comedy show with some of his frat brothers,” reported Channing.

“I forgot about that. Why didn't you go with him?”

Channing rapped on his leg. “I'm still in recovery, remember?”

“You're able to get around so effortlessly that it's easy to forget.” She put her hands together. “Well, I'm about to go into the kitchen and whip up something to eat. You hungry?”

Channing put his hand over his stomach. “Famished!”

“What are you in the mood for?”

“Anything other than turkey!”

Angel remembered the frozen shrimp she didn't make for Duke. “How do grits smothered in shrimp gravy grab you?”

He smiled. “Sounds perfect.”

“So where did you learn to cook like this?” asked Channing, helping himself to a third serving.

“Big Mama, of course! I was her official helper in the kitchen.”

“Are you close with your family?”

“I try to be,” she replied. “It's sort of hard with everyone else living farther north, but Duke and the girls are my family now. Having them here definitely makes it easier.”

“Did you ever think you and Duke would get back together?”

Angel shook her head. “I prayed for it for a long time, but once he moved back to D.C. and married Theresa, I gave up hope.”

“For the record, I never agreed with his decision to leave you and walk away from his marriage. None of us did, but once my cousin gets an idea in his head . . .”

“Nothing can talk him out of it!” finished Angel. “I know that better than anybody.”

“But despite all that, you two found your way back to each other. I think that was nothing short of a miracle.”

“Even though I didn't know if Duke and I would ever be together again, I've never had any doubt about him being the love of my life.”

“Duke must've felt the same way too,” gathered Channing.

“When it's meant to be, you just know. We know,” boasted Angel with a smile.

Channing nodded. “It's good to be so confident about something in a world full of so much uncertainty.”

“Isn't that how you feel about being a soldier?”

“Yeah, it's what I was born to do. Serving my country is what I want to die doing.”

Her eyes widened. “Wow, that's powerful. I'm really in awe of your commitment and integrity.”

“Believe me, I'm no saint,” he hinted. “I guess that's the wrong thing to say to an angel.”

“None of us are saints, but you're an honorable man. That's a rare find these days.”

“That's a trait we Kings have in common.”

Angel averted his gaze. “Not all of you . . .”

“Are you talking about my cousin, your fiancé?”

Angel recalled their first failed attempt at marriage. “There was a time when Duke was anything but honorable.”

“You're talking about when he left you for Reese, right?” She nodded. “I tried to tell him it was a bad move. We all did. You didn't deserve to be treated that way.”

“Thank you for saying that. Duke and I are fine now, but it took us a long time to get here.”

“If you can get through that, maybe the two of you
are
meant to be.”

“We are. It's destined.” She began eating again. “Speaking of couples who are meant to be, why are you still single?”

He chuckled. “Trust me, it's by choice! Honestly, I move around so much that it's hard to settle down long enough to establish a real connection with anyone.”

“Don't you get lonely?”

“Sure, who doesn't? I didn't say I don't date or spend time with women, Angel. I just said I haven't found the one I want to marry.”

“Have you ever come close?”

“To let a couple of ex-girlfriends tell it, I have,” he answered with a sly grin. “But truth be told, I haven't found the woman who makes my heart go pitter-patter.”

“You can't if you never put yourself out there.”

Channing paused. “Isn't this the pot calling the kettle black?”

“How so?” she balked.

“You haven't been serious about anyone either, have you? Aside from Duke, I mean.”

“That's different,” stammered Angel. “I've been busy with work and my other obligations.”

“So have I.”

“And I didn't want to start a relationship I knew I couldn't finish. Deep down, I've always known that I was still in love with Duke. It wouldn't have been fair to the next man.”

“I think the one you've been unfair to is you. You've never opened yourself up to the possibility of loving someone else.”

Angel was quiet. “I guess I didn't.”

“All's well that ends well, right? You and Duke are together now, you have the family you've always wanted, and you've never been happier.” He stopped and looked up at her. “You
are
happy, aren't you?”

“Yes . . . very.”

“Then that's all that matters.”

Angel wondered how true that was. “So when do you take off for the VA hospital in North Carolina?”

“In a week. Leaving will be harder than I thought. I've loved spending time with the girls and hanging out with Duke. I've also thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you better.”

“Same here,” she admitted. “It's too bad you don't come around more often.”

“I'll be back for the wedding. Hopefully, by then, I'll be all stitched up and ready to go back out into the world.”

“Duke said once you're medically discharged, you can't reenlist. What are you going to do with the rest of your life?”

“Get a job, I guess, maybe go back to school. The military is the only thing I've done since I graduated high school. It's kind of scary to imagine doing anything else.”

“Just pray and ask God to place you where He can use you the most,” Angel suggested.

“Is prayer your answer to everything?”

“Pretty much.”

“Is that what you did before accepting Duke's proposal?”

She wriggled in her seat. “Of course.”

“What about before moving in with him? Doesn't the Bible tell you not to do that?”

Angel sighed. “That part is complicated.”

“No, it's not. Either the Bible says you can or you can't. Or are you one of those Christians who twist the Word to make it fit whatever you want it to?”

“Channing, I'm not like that,” decried Angel.

“You don't have to convince me. Personally, I think you're far more interesting when you're not hiding behind that cloak of religion.”

“I don't want you to get the wrong idea, though. I'm very sincere about my walk with the Lord.”

“I'm sure you are, but clearly you're not above indulging in a few sinful acts here and there either.”

“Duke and I were married. In the eyes of God, we were never really divorced.”

He laughed. “Whatever gets you through the night, Angel.”

“The Lord does.”

“Yes, the Lord does, and, apparently, a few other things too.”

“I know it's wrong for me to be living with Duke, and we aren't married, but it's just for six months. Primarily, it's to help him out with the kids.”

Channing agreed. “It's clear how much they rely on you. I just hope they appreciate you.”

“They do. Duke lets me know how much he loves and appreciates me every day too.”

Channing grunted with disapproval. “You weren't there last night.”

“So?”

“So you didn't hear him going on about Reese with her parents and the kids. I don't think he's completely gotten over her.”

“I know he hasn't,” acknowledged Angel. “I still grieve over her too, but we're all ready to go to the next phase in our lives.”

“I don't know if you're incredibly strong or . . .” He dropped his head.

“Or what?” demanded Angel.

“Incredibly stupid.”

Fuming, Angel sprung from her chair. Channing caught her by the arm before she bolted off. “Why do you put up with that?”

She rolled her eyes and snatched her arm out of his grip. “Put up with what—you?”

“No, put up with the way they treat you around here.”

“I love them, Channing. I've loved Duke my whole adult life, and I've loved those girls from the second I met them. They're my family.”

“I get that. I love my cousin and his kids too, but if it were me, I don't think I could do it.”

“It's a good thing you're not me, isn't it?”

“Look, I'm not trying to stir up trouble. I know my cousin loves you, and, obviously, you love him too. I'd just hate to see you get hurt again or taken for granted.”

“Duke is committed to me. He loves me,” she reiterated.

“Nobody's saying he doesn't, but does he treasure you? Does he make you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world? Like you're the only thing that matters to him?”

Angel fought back the word no. “We'll get there. It'll just take some time.”

“The question is
how much time
.” Channing reached out for her hand. “You're an incredible woman, Angel. You need a man who appreciates you.”

“Like who? You?”

Channing eased away. “No, but someone who can. I'm not sure if my cousin is ready. I know he's a king and all, but at some point, he's got to recognize you for the queen you are.”

—
Lawson Kerry Banks

 

 

“Thank you so much for taking Namon to the doctor for me at the last minute. I really appreciate it,” said Lawson after meeting up with Mark following Namon's appointment.

Mark offered her a seat on his couch. “Lawson, he's my son. You don't have to thank me for doing my job.”

“I'm just used to having to do everything on my own where Namon is concerned. Old habits die hard.”

“You're not alone anymore, and I don't want you apologizing for leaning on me. I love him, and I'm happy to do it. I'm just as much vested in this parenting thing as you are.”

Lawson smiled. “You've really surprised me, Mark. You've turned out to be an excellent father to our son. I know that you don't want me to say I'm grateful, but I am. You could've very easily looked the other way when I told you about Namon, but you didn't. You stepped up and forged a relationship with your son despite all my interference and resistance. You did the right thing. I shouldn't have tried to keep you apart.”

“Water under the bridge now,” he said. “Besides, I know where you were coming from. You didn't know me or what my intentions were. You were just trying to protect your son. Any good mother would do the same.”

Lawson nodded. “I want to thank you for what you're doing for Reggie too.”

Mark squinted his eyes. “What did I do for Reggie?”

“You know . . . spending time with her and trying to be sort of the big brother she never had. The breakup with Jody was really hard on her. I think it's great that you reached out to her. Lord knows I can't get through that thick skull of hers! You're a good influence and a nice contrast to those losers at the club.”

“Thanks, but I don't mind at all. Yeah, she's a little misguided at times, but I think Reggie is a great person.”

Lawson nodded slowly. “I would just be cautious if I were you. I mean, Reggie's young, and she may start to read more into the situation than there is.”

Mark rose slowly. “I don't think that's what's happening, Lawson.”

“Of course,
you
don't, but I see the way she looks whenever your name comes up. I believe my sister may have a little crush on you,” cautioned Lawson with a wink.

“You talk about her like she's Namon's age. Reggie's a grown woman.”

“A grown woman with stars in her eyes,” she pointed out. “It doesn't take her long to form attachments, including unhealthy ones. I just don't want her to get hurt again. She's had enough disappointment when it comes to men.”

“I understand your concern. It's sweet, really, but no need to worry. Your sister and I have it all under control.”

“Mark, come on. You have to admit that it's not a good idea to lead her on. Sure, it may be flattering to have a beautiful young girl hanging on to your every word, but that's my baby sister. You can't play her like you do these other women.”

“I have no intentions of hurting Reggie. Heck, I hope she has none of hurting me.”

Lawson was thrown. “Why would you be the one to get hurt in all of this?”

“Lawson . . . I'm not playing games with your sister. I honestly dig her. She's smart, talented, beautiful, and the fact that she can do a Chinese split doesn't hurt at all!” he added with a chuckle.

Lawson stood up with her hands on her hips. “Will you stop playing around? This is serious.”

“So am I. Reggie and I are . . .”

“Are what? Sleeping together?” she assumed.

“No, we're dating.”

Lawson crossed her arms. “A few lunches and maybe a lap dance here and there is not exactly dating, Mark.”

“It's more than that. When I say we're dating, I mean we're
dating
.”

She wrinkled her nose. “So is she your girlfriend or something?”

“We haven't put labels on it yet, but she's the only woman I'm seeing right now.”

“Mark, you can't date my baby sister!” spewed Lawson.

“Why not?”

“You just can't!” replied Lawson, arms flailing. “She's Namon's aunt, and she's almost ten years younger than you. Not to mention—”

“Not to mention what?”

“Not to mention that you and I slept together! We have a child, Mark. Look, I know she's pretty and flirtatious and all that, but there are just some things you don't do.”

Mark tried to calm her down. “I appreciate the concern, Lawson, but Reggie and I are two consenting adults. We can date or do whatever we want. I don't care if she is your sister, it's not your call. As far as you and I are concerned, it was just a one-night stand, as you have pointed out to me several times. Yeah, we got a son out of it, but it's not like we were in love or anything. We didn't even date.”

Lawson's ego took a direct hit. “If it was all so casual, why did you propose to me last year?”

“I thought it was the only way Namon could be a part of my life, but we both know that wasn't about love. I was trying to do right by my kid.”

“Mark, don't act like it was
all
platonic
all
the time.”

“It was platonic enough. We didn't do anything I'm ashamed to tell Reggie or Garrett or even Namon, for that matter.”

“I just don't know why out of all the women in the world you had to pick the one who's my sister.”

“Lawson, you said yourself that the woman I've been looking for could be just around the corner. As fate would have it, she was.”

“How do you intend to explain this to our son?”

“Like I would any other woman I was serious about,” he remarked. “Why is this bothering you so much?”

Lawson was flustered. “I don't know,” she admitted. “It just does.”

Lawson knew the reason, but she'd never admit it to anyone; she barely admitted it to herself. The truth was that she had gotten used to having Mark to herself and couldn't stand the thought of having to share him,
especially
with her sister.