In Between Lies (11 page)

             
While Naomi changed Richard got busy getting the area situated for the shoot. He’d purchased the small studio area a few years ago when he’d discovered that his photography would be more than just a fad or hobby. He wanted to be a serious photographer and loved nothing more than to spend time doing photo shoot after shoot and expressing his creativity. He was reminded of the beauty he could extract from such mundane surroundings when he looked at the walls that were plastered with his art work. He’d spent many nights in the loft area just upstairs that overlooked the entire place after long hours of expressing himself…and the ladies he’d brought with him with the honest intention of just shooting photos. As small as the studio was, he was surprised that it even had a loft.

             
“I’m ready,” Naomi said, standing there in a string bikini. “You did say totally free,” she smiled and headed in his direction. “I figure I might as well get comfortable and just go for broke starting out…break the ice a little bit.”

             
“I agree.” He pulled his silky dreads back into a loose ponytail, hit the start button on his sound system, and motioned for her to follow.

             
In between changes, Naomi rang Kevin’s phone. Still no answer and she left no message. As Richard changed the background setting, Naomi yet again changed into another outfit. This time, she requested that he dim the lights and soften the mood before she came out of the dressing area. Richard quickly obliged.

             
“You like?” she came out and turned her body for his full viewing. Dressed in a red hot, lacy negligee, she knew she looked delicious and irresistible.

             
“Even better than the bikini. Mmm, something about that red against your golden skin…um,” he caught himself. “Let’s get finished here.”

             
“Okay, let
’
s do this. I am getting tired,” she said as she leaned against his white loveseat and prepared for the final shots.

             
She really wasn’t tired, just disgusted that she couldn’t get a hold of Kevin. She finished her shoot in her signature diva style, kissed Richard goodnight and left. Noticing that there was a missed message on her cell, she dialed in to listen.

             
It was Kevin….“I’m on my way now, so get it ready,” then silence.

             
Ecstatic that he’d returned her calls, she quickly sped home to ready herself for him. This would be a night for him to remember, she was going to make sure of it.  

Chapter 8

             
The crisp, Friday morning air, whipped through Savannahs loosely buttoned jacket and swirled around her neck as both her and Jazzy headed for yet another mall. Most of the morning was spent with them hopping from store to store looking for who knows what for Jazzy. 

“So what do you think of this one?” Jazzy held up a blue silk camisole. The top half was virtually see through and the waist area was plastered with some type of delicate looking airbrushed flower.

             
“Nice, I guess.”

             
“Girl, what’s the matter with you?” Jazzy tossed the camisole back on the table.  “Something on your mind?” Jazzy grabbed
Savannah
’s wrist and stopped her from walking away.

             
“No, nothing is wrong. I just was thinking about Kevin, that’s all.”

             
“What about him?”

             
“What’s going on with you and Gio? I haven’t heard you talk about him lately. You give him the boot already?”
Savannah
asked, dodging Jazzy’s question.

             
“Quit playing. What’s up with you girl. Are you going through something with Kevin?”

             
“Not at all. Unless you call me being overly happy with him a problem?” Although, there was a nagging feeling that she couldn’t shake, or for that matter, didn’t know where it came
from or why it presented itself. She decided
not
to
pursue it and figured in time she would figure it out. She decided to not speak on it since it was just an irrelevant feeling and
was
undecipherable.

             
“Oooh , I knew it. I told you that you was falling for him…and falling hard. I can tell. You used to love to shop with me. Now all I see is disinterest in combing the malls…can’t even concentra
te on anything else but him now,
huh?”

             
“No, I don’t have it that bad…do I?”
Savannah
questioned, then hesitated. “Okay, maybe just a little. He is so so...” She waved her hands in the air like she was trying to find the right words to describe him.  “The perfect, ideal man…the kind you dream about. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure that this is real and not a dream.”

             
“Cool, I’m happy for you girl. Really, I am. But let me just warn you…don’t brag on a man too much. You will jinx yourself.” Deciding to purchase the blue camisole, Jazzy picked it up and headed to the cashier.

“What the hell does that mean?”
Savannah
stopped mid stride.

“It means, if you brag or talk about how good your man is, it almost sounds like you are trying to either convince yourself or whoever you are talking to… and in the end he usually turns out to be the exact opposite.”

“What?? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.”

“It’s true. So what I am saying is this,” Jazzy looked
Savannah
dead in the eyes, letting her know this was on a serious note, “just watch your step. I know he
seems
to be perfect, but there is usually something in the shadows that you won’t know about. It’s that way with a lot of men, and I don’t want to see you get hurt…just have a good time and take it for what it is. It could end tomorrow.”

“Sounds so dismal,”
Savannah
added.

“Now c’mon, let’s get some food. How does Chinese

sound?” Jazzy scooped
Savannah
around her arms, her hundred bracelets jingling, and led her down the mall.

After eating, the remainder of the afternoon was spent sifting through racks of designer clothes. Seems that everyone was having deals, especially Victoria Secret, and Jazzy didn’t want to miss the opportunity to find the perfect lingerie piece. In her search, she managed to talk
Savannah
into buying a few items, now that
Savannah
claimed to be more liberated than ever. They even tossed around the idea of heading to an adult toy store to finish out
Savannah
’s new thong and bra piece.

             
“No thanks, girl. I just want to finish up shopping here and head back home. I promised Big Momma that I would help her with the family dinner. You know that is this weekend. And you know how she loves to plan, cook, and have everything just right.”

             
“I know. So, since I am invited, can I bring a guest?” Jazzy asked.

             
“As long as he has a mouth full of teeth, manners, smells good and can hold a decent conversation,”
Savannah
said jokingly.
             

“Yes, you know you don’t even have to tell me that. Gotta have teefs,” Jazzy laughed. 

             
“Yeah, he has three actually,” Jazzy responded. “Talk to you later, sweetie.”

They both headed to their separate cars and went about their evening. Neither of them realized that a black car was slowly pacing beside them in the parking aisle across from them.

             
Naomi cruised along side the two women
,
almost sure that the one was Richard’s best friend that she saw on the wall
at his place
.

             
Savannah
stopped by her office to grab a few items to take home with her so she could play catch up. Since she’d been so wrapped up in coming up with promotional ideas and sketching them out for Kevin’s jazz
club, she’d got
a little behind in what was her real work. He was already a won client and she needed to work making sure other accounts were landed as well. Grabbing a stack of papers from her desk drawer to shove in her briefcase, she noticed that she had five unheard messages on her phone. Dialing into her voicemail, she realized that each one was a hang up call.

“Hmm, all from the seemingly same private number and after regular work hours,” she whispered to herself. The calls had been logged on her caller ID starting from 7pm the night before up until 9pm that same evening. Whoever it was, they never left a message. She shrugged the thought from her mind and headed to Big Mommas house to help her prepare things for the family dinner for the coming weekend.

**********************************

             
Savannah
was met yet again with the fresh aroma of greens when she walked in the front door. Her mothers’ tall figure filled the kitchen doorway.

             
“Is that you, Lenora?” she yelled.

             
“No, momma. Where are your glasses? How can you cook and you can’t even see?”
Savannah
laughed as she dropped her jacket over the back of a dining chair.

             
“I’m just about finished now…but nice of you to join me. Pull up a chair. And I can see just fine. Remember, child, I was cooking way before you were a sparkle in my eye.”

             
“I know, mom. I’m sorry, but I was running around with Jazzy and lost track of time.”

“Never mind all of that….So do I finally get to meet this new man you have been dating this weekend?” Big Momma asked as they sat, finishing off peeling a huge bag of potatoes for the potato salad.

             
“Um, you sure are. I decided to bring him. His name is Kevin.”

             
“And I can tell that you must really like this man. I’m happy for you,
Savannah
. I wondered how much longer you were gonna bury your heart away.”

             
“How can you tell that? I haven’t even told you anything yet.”

             
“You don’t have to. I can see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice.”

             
Not wanting to give away too much and at the same time wanting to tell her mother how much she really did like this man, she squealed, “Oh mom, he is wonderful! He’s kind, patient, gentle, and he is crazy about me, let me tell you,”
Savannah
said as she stood to empty a bowl. “And, I guess I am crazy about him too.”

             
“You guess, huh? Well, it’s about time, dear.”

             
“Anyway, you
have
already seen him and just don’t know that you have.”

             
“What do you mean?” Big Momma scratched her head. “How would I not know that?”

             
“Styles is his last name…Kevin Styles from the channel 17 news.”
Savannah
waited for a hint or recognition to cross her face.

             
“Wow, him? Nice job. He seems like a good catch….fine young man. You telling me that he was single when you got him?”

             
“Yes,”
Savannah
answered in an
as matter-of-fact
tone.

             
“Hard to imagine that one.” Big Momma hesitated, then spoke. “Baby, just take your time with him…enjoy yourselves. Find out what you have in common or don’t have in common. Outside of that bit of advice….pass me that salt and pepper from over there.”

             
Savannah
thought that it was odd for her mother to make such a comment. Now that made three warnings to heed… one from Richard, then Jazzy of all people, now her… Now more determined to make her relationship work and let her family and friends see them prosper together,
Savannah
decided that it really was a good idea to bring him to the dinner to let them see just how good he was for her despite what reservation
s
they may feel.