It's in the Rhythm (10 page)

His brother, Roger, entered the kitchen. “I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was in here.”

Before Trinity could speak, Darius spoke up. “Trinity won't go out with me.” He faced Trinity. “She doesn't trust me.”

Roger shrugged. “I can't blame her.” He did an about-face, exiting as quickly as he came in.

Trinity pointed at Roger. “He knows you.”

Darius waved Roger's comment off. “He doesn't know what he's talking about. Go out with me and judge for yourself. I'm looking for a good woman. You're looking for a good man. We are looking for the same thing.”

“Good line.” Trinity had to give him a few cool points for that one.

Darius shook his head. “You are hard to convince.”

“Exactly. I need convincing.”

“Okay.” He paused for a minute to take in her beauty. Trinity's eyes skidded away, but she could feel warmth course through her body.

Looking at her, Darius believed she was the perfect woman and he longed to be with her. Trinity was the complete opposite of what he was attracted to in a woman, yet he couldn't get her out of his mind.

He reached into his back pants pocket and removed his wallet. Grabbing a pen from the counter, he wrote his cell number on the back of his card. “Call me. Give me a chance to change your mind.”

* * *

Several weeks after the party, Trinity called Darius and invited him to a stage play. She didn't know if he was into theater, but she was a huge fan, and, whenever a show was in town, she attended. She nervously glanced at Darius's business card while she waited for him to answer the phone. After five rings, she expected his voice mail to pick up, but he answered.

“Hello?” He sounded irritated.

“Did I call at a bad time?”

Darius looked at the young lady sitting next to him. He and Roger were on a double date at an Italian restaurant.

“Uh, no. Wassup?” Darius slid out of the booth and excused himself. “I'll be right back,” he mouthed to Tasha.

“Where are you going?” Tasha leaned back in the chair and pouted. She couldn't believe he was going to run off like that.

Darius knew how it must look, talking to another woman while on a date, but he really wanted to talk to Trinity. He was excited that she'd finally called. “I'll just be a minute.”

“You better be. It better not be another woman,” Tasha called after him.

“Darius, I can call back later if you're busy.”

“Beautiful, don't you dare hang up. It's wonderful to hear your voice. I'm glad you called. What took you so long?” He strolled to the front of the restaurant to hear her better. He was smiling at everyone that passed him.

“I'm glad I called.” Now that Darius was on the other end of the line, she was losing her nerves. She never asked a man out before. She took a deep breath. “Listen, Darius,” she began. “Do you like stage plays?” Her heart rate sped up.

“I have never been to one. Why do you ask?” A young lady passed him, giving him the once-over. She smiled, and he winked in response.

“I have two tickets for ‘Love is Twisted.' It's an African-American live production. I was wondering if you would like to go.”

Darius wasn't into stage plays. He had trouble sitting through a movie without falling asleep. But if it would get him close to Trinity, he'd suffer through it. “I have seen it advertised on television. It looks like it's going to be a good show. I'd love to go.”

Trinity released the breath she was holding. “Great. I have tickets for the Friday night show. It's begins at eight o'clock.”

Darius didn't hesitate. “I'll pick you up around seven fifteen.”

“I'll be ready.”

Friday night came before she knew it. Trinity was excited and happy that Darius had accepted her invitation.

Before Darius's arrival, Trinity couldn't decide on what to wear. She changed clothes several times but finally decided on a black belted Lurex shirt, a Jacquard pencil skirt, and black Alba shoes. Her hair fell gently on her shoulders. She wore very light makeup. She added a pair of diamond stud earrings and a silver bracelet. While she waited for Darius, she looked over her next teaching assignment.

Darius knocked on the door promptly at seven-fifteen. When she opened it, Darius gave her the once-over in approval. He smiled. “You look beautiful.” He leaned down, kissing her on the cheek. Then, from behind his back, he presented her with a bouquet of red roses.

“Thank you, Darius. They are lovely.” Trinity was pleasantly surprised.

“I hoped you would like them.” He smiled again. “May I come in?”

“I'm sorry, come on in. I'll only be a minute. I just need to put these in some water. Sit. Make yourself at home.”

Trinity disappeared in one of the back rooms, offering Darius a chance to look around. The living room carpet was Kungsvik sand. The couches and the furniture were Rephult dark brown in color. There were paintings by Gauguin and Van Gogh hanging on the wall. A fireplace faced him. On the mantel were photos of Trinity at different stages of her life.

“I'm ready.” Trinity had her light wrap in her hand.

Darius took it from her and helped her into it. Steering her by the elbow, he led her outside to his vehicle. He opened the door of the blue BMW for her. She was impressed.

The trip to Constitution Hall was filled with nonstop conversation. They arrived a few minutes before the curtain opened. The play was so moving. The ending caused her eyes to mist. Afterward they went to dinner. While they dined they got to know each other better. When Darius dropped her off, he walked her to the door. Trinity was surprised he didn't ask to come in. Instead, he kissed her on the cheek and promised to call her the following day.

That night when she went to bed, she thought perhaps she was wrong about Darius. He didn't appear to be a ladies' man. He was thoughtful and respectful. She realized it was their first date, but the evening went well. She had a good time and hoped to see him again.

* * *

Darius called as promised, and for their second date, he invited her to his thirtieth birthday party. It was held at his aunt's house. The weather for the outdoor celebration was perfect. The day consisted of a clear blue sky, hot sun, and a gentle breeze to cool the flesh. After the festivities the plan was to end the night at a club. Trinity didn't often go to clubs, but was looking forward to spending time with Darius.

Trinity arrived at the party and was later joined by other guests in the large backyard. For a couple of hours the sound of loud music and adults laughing, joking, and dancing filled the air.

Trinity had just settled down in a lawn chair under a chair. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, her upturned face soaking in the sunlight. “Enjoying yourself?”

Her gaze landed on Darius standing in front of her. “Yes. I'm so full right now I could just fall asleep.”

Darius tapped her on the leg, gesturing for her to slide over. He rubbed his stomach. “I know what you mean. I'm really glad you came.”

“Me, too.”

“I really had a good time the other night. I was looking forward to seeing you again.”

She sat up straight. “I'm glad you enjoyed the show.”

“I enjoyed your company.”

She dipped her head. “I wasn't sure.”

He reached out, cupping her chin so that she looked him directly in the face. “Look at me.”

She locked her gaze with his.

“You still don't trust me?” Darius inquired.

Trinity searched his handsome face for reassurance. “I would like to.”

He threaded her fingers through his, squeezing gently. “Were you hurt in your last relationship?”

Trinity squared her shoulders. She didn't know him and wasn't going to share her past personal life. “Just because I have reservations about you doesn't mean I was in a bad relationship.”

Darius leaned back. “Excuse me. I want to make sure I see you again.”

Trinity dropped his hands. “Darius, I'm not looking for a casual relationship. I'm looking to settle down, get married, and have children.”

“I'm looking for the same, Trinity,” he said.

* * *

As Trinity settled into bed later that night, she could have kicked herself for not listening to her initial instincts about Darius. She had been fighting not to fall in love with him. She dreamed of becoming a part of his life, until he showed her his meaning of settling down. A year into dating, Trinity wanted to know for sure what direction their relationship was taking. She knew Darius loved her. She loved him and believed he wanted to marry her. He'd been talking about marrying her, but going into the second year the subject disappeared. She could soon feel Darius withdrawing from her. When she asked if they were still getting married, he'd say, “Trinity, we are getting married.” When her father and friends asked, he'd say, “We haven't decided on a date.” It was one excuse after the other. She'd had enough of Darius's indecision and ended the relationship. Now he was back in her life, but she was determined not to open old wounds.

* * *

“Hello, Garrett,” the familiar voice spoke when he let himself into his parents' house. He looked up to see Imani sitting in the living room with his parents. His heartbeat couldn't help but speed up. She was a beautiful woman; she was expensively clothed, her makeup was flawless, and not a strand of hair was out of place.

“Imani.” He couldn't conceal his surprise.

She walked over and pressed her lips softly to his cheek. “Surprised to see me?”

“Yes,” he mumbled, noticing the curious glances from his parents. “You should have told me you were coming. I would have met you at the airport.”

“I tried to phone you after I received your phone call.” Her smile dimmed a little. “I couldn't reach you.”

Garrett cleared his throat. “I…”

Imani pressed a finger to lips. “We'll talk about it later.”

Garrett was irritated. “I was just going to say that it's been tough around here the last couple of days. That's why I haven't called you back. But I was going to phone before I turned in tonight.”

“Well, I'm here in person. We can discuss whatever it is that's going on.”

Garrett could easily read between the lines. She wanted an explanation for the photo of him and Trinity.

He shrugged. “Of course. Where are you staying?”

“At the Hotel Washington.”

Garrett wasn't surprised at her choice of lodging. The Hotel Washington was one of the most expensive hotels in Washington, D.C. Imani always traveled first class. “Let me have a word with my parents, then we will leave for the hotel.”

Imani grabbed her scarf and purse. “It was really nice meeting you both,” she said politely to Otis and Ginger.

“Nice meeting you, Imani,” Ginger said. “I hope we see more of you soon.”

“So do I,” Imani replied with a wide grin. She glanced back at Garrett. “I'll wait for you in the car.” She patted him gently in the chest.

“She seems very nice,” Ginger said when the door closed. “It's a shame we never met her before.”

“Imani is nice,” Garrett answered.

“The pictures of her don't do her justice,” his mother continued. “She's prettier in person. You two make a nice couple.”

“Thanks.”

“Why haven't we met Imani before?” Pastor Martindale inquired.

Garrett shrugged again. “I don't know.”

“If she hadn't shown up today, we still would not have met her,” Ginger said. “Is it serious?”

Garrett frowned for a moment. “ Maybe.”

Pastor Martindale repeated, “Maybe?”

Garrett felt strange answering questions about his private life. It was something he'd never done before. Growing up his focus was on music, except for the crush he'd had on Trinity. He didn't find time for dating until after he became successful and left home.

“We break up, then get back together. I don't know.”

“Is she someone you may want to spend your life with?” Pastor Martindale asked.

From that question, Garrett knew where the conversation was headed: A sermon about abstinence, fornication, marriage, and the consequences of not obeying scripture. In other words, everything he didn't want to hear.

“If she isn't,” his father was saying, “why waste your time?”

Garrett sighed. “I don't know. I know I like her.”

Pastor Martindale shook his head. “You never listen.”

“Is she a Christian?” Ginger asked.

The question threw Garrett. He didn't know how to answer. He knew Imani went to church and had a good heart.

“She goes to church,” Garrett answered.

“It doesn't matter. Just because someone goes to church doesn't mean they're walking right with the Lord,” Pastor Martindale explained. “You know that better than anyone. Or have you forgotten?”

“I haven't forgotten. Honestly, we've never discussed religion. She's good to me. We get along well.”

“You just said the relationship was on and off. How is that getting along?”

“All relationships go through ups and downs.”

“Son, all I'm saying is you need to find a woman who you're equally yoked with.”

“Let me tell you, Father, we are equally yoked,” Garrett said, voice raised. “I'm not walking straight with the Lord.”

Pastor Martindale's jaw twitched. “Don't you dare—”

Ginger stepped between the two. “Can we discuss this later? Imani is waiting for Garrett. We don't want to keep her waiting. Let Imani know she's welcome here anytime.”

Garrett gave his mother a thank-you look. She knew the conversation between the men was about to become heated. Garrett strolled over and kissed her on the cheek.

“Thank you,” he whispered. He nodded to his father before closing the door behind him.