It's in the Rhythm (12 page)

“You
care
about me?” She sat up straight. The sheet dropped, revealing her breasts. She didn't want to believe what he'd said.

Garrett sat up too. He knew it wasn't what she wanted to hear. It seemed every time she confessed her love for him, she expected a different answer. “With all my heart, Imani.”

Imani glanced up at him again. “How do you know it's not love? There's something between us that's special, that keeps us getting back together. It's more than just sex, Garrett. You know that.” She didn't know if she was trying to convince herself or Garrett. She rubbed him across his still-warm chest. “We belong together.”

Garrett looked off into the distance. He didn't understand why he didn't love her. “I admit that we get along well when we're together, and I love being with you.”

“I understand you, Garrett.” She reached out and cupped his chin. “We're good to each other and for each other. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you. I want to be there for you. I can make you happy.”

“Imani, you do make me happy,” Garrett replied. “You're the kind of woman any man can love.”

“Except you.” She pulled her gaze away from his. She didn't want him to see her eyes mist.
I just
want you to love me,
she said to herself. She slid out of the bed and stormed toward the bathroom.

“Imani,” Garrett called after her.

She slammed the bathroom door.

Chapter 10

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the class period and the end of the school day. Trinity grabbed her belongings, grateful to be heading home. She'd kept up appearances throughout the day, although her mind was full of Darius and his revelations about settling down. Then her thoughts drifted to Garrett's planned visit to the school.

After a long and troubled night of soul searching, she'd come to the conclusion that she was hard on Garrett in reference to her refusal to sing in the choir. Maybe she should reconsider. It would make her father happy. She was sure her mother was looking down at her, disappointed at her behavior. Deep down inside, she really missed singing.

“When I was in school, I never had a teacher that was as sexy as you,” a voice said from the doorway.

Trinity looked up and blinked. Darius was casually leaning in the doorway. She was too startled by his presence to do more than stare. His appearance reminded her of happier times in their relationship when Darius would pick her up after work. They'd go to her or his place, hang out, watch television or a movie snuggled up on the sofa, or fill the bedroom with the moans and groans of sweet lovemaking. No matter what they chose to do, Trinity enjoyed being with him.

Darius moved further into the room. “I guess you didn't expect to see me so soon.” He had to see her. All he could think about were the countless days and nights they were separated. He had plenty of time to think about their relationship and where he went wrong. He loved Trinity. Not only was she beautiful on the outside, but on the inside. He was a fool to believe he could live without her. Trinity was the love of his life. He knew that now. He just had to convince her that he realized his error in judgment.

“True,” she said. “I didn't. I thought I made myself clear that I didn't want to see you.”

He dipped his head and smiled. “Yeah, well, I told you it wasn't over when I showed up on your doorstep last night.”

“It's not up to you,” she said as she picked up her briefcase.

“A man can hope, can't he? Anyway, I stopped by to ask you out to dinner.”

She stopped in mid-step. “Excuse you?” She was on the defensive.

“You heard me, Trinity. I want to take you out to dinner. We need to talk.”

Trinity shook her head. The man just wasn't listening. “What do you mean
we
?”

“C'mon, Trin, have a heart. Cut a brother some slack.”

Her body tingled at the mention of her pet name. No one else had ever called her that. But, at the moment, flattery would get him nowhere. “Cut you some slack?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know I don't have plans?”

Darius felt foolish. He had never even considered that Trinity might be seeing someone else. He knew he was out of line, but hoped another man didn't love her. “Are you seeing someone else?”

“That's none of your business.”

“Then why bring it up?” Darius was embarrassed for being so obvious. “I don't believe there's anyone else.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because if there were, you would have said so. Besides, it's only dinner.”

Although Trinity wasn't ready to spend time with Darius, she had to be practical. She was famished. Both her cupboard and refrigerator were bare. A free meal was sounding better by the minute.

“Only dinner?” she asked, her voice softening.

“Only dinner,” Darius repeated.

“Okay, I'll go.”

Darius's face broke into a wide grin. “I'll pick you up around 8 p.m.”

“Fine. I'll be ready.”

He reached out, tilting her chin up. “We will have fun. It will be like old times.”

That's what I'm afraid of
, Trinity thought as Darius escorted her to her car.

Darius took Trinity to Cadence.

“My brother suggested this place,” Darius said. “He says they have the best food and music in D.C.”

“He's right,” Trinity responded. “I love coming here.” Mya escorted them to a table up front. The sounds of Gladys Knight and The Pips's “Love Overboard” filtering through the speakers signified it was old-school night at the club.

Mya handed them each a menu, took their drink order, and quietly disappeared.

“Love overboard,” Darius sang on key, bobbing his head to the beat. “So, you've been here before?”

“Yes, several times.”

“Who brought you? Your boyfriend?”

“I came with a friend.”

“What's his name?”

“Why all the questions?” She was on the defensive again. “I haven't asked you what you were doing or who you were with while we were separated.”

“You're right. You're right.” He avoided her stare and mumbled, “I just wanted to know.”

That gave Trinity an opening to find out what he'd been up to since he left town.

“So, you moved to Chicago after we broke up?”

“Since we were no longer together, I thought a change of scenery was what I needed.” He looked into her eyes and his entire body heated up. “It didn't work.”

Trinity looked away.

“I got a promotion and moved to Chicago, but when an opening became available here in town, I took it and moved back.”

“I wasn't the reason for our breakup,” Trinity said.

“No, I was.”

“Did you leave a girlfriend in Chicago?” Trinity asked, enjoying giving him a taste of his own medicine.

Darius thought about Ronda, but he shook his head. “No one special.” He wasn't lying.

He'd been going out with Ronda off and on. Her company was only to pass the time. She was a nice woman, but was without personality. She bored him to death.

“Sure you don't.”

“I really don't.” He grinned.

“You expect me to believe you were celibate the entire time that we weren't together?”

“I won't tell you that. You would know I was lying.”

“Hmm,” Trinity responded. She peeped over Darius's shoulder, spotting Victor Sexton heading toward the table.

“Good evening, Trinity. Welcome back to Cadence.”

“Thank you, Mr. Sexton.”

Victor smiled. “I asked you to call me Victor.”

“Okay, Victor. I'd like to introduce you to Darius Childress. Darius, this is Victor Sexton. Victor is one of the owners of Cadence.”

Darius stood to his feet to receive Victor's handshake. “It's a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“Same here, Darius.”

“This is Darius's first time at Cadence,” Trinity explained. “I was telling him that Cadence is the place to come for good food, good music, and good people.”

Victor's face split into a handsome grin. “Thank you. We appreciate the compliment.”

A commotion at the front of the club caused the trio's heads to turn. A small group of patrons surrounded someone. A moment later, Garrett and the woman Trinity recognized as Imani emerged. Victor excused himself and walked toward them.

Trinity sat immobile. She watched as Garrett put his arm around Imani's slim waist. They were smiling at each other. If there was trouble in the relationship, they had resolved it. She found herself feeling jealous as she watched them glide through the club, waving and nodding at customers.

Garrett looked up, and his head dropped when he spotted Trinity sitting with her ex-boyfriend. He was more sure than ever that they had reconciled. Feeling rebuffed by her actions, he decided to go over and say hello.

Trinity swallowed the lump in her throat when she saw that Garrett was headed in her direction. She forced a tight smile as Garrett and Imani reached the table.

“Hi, Trinity,” Garrett spoke. “How are you?”

“Hi, Garrett,” Trinity said. “I'm fine. What about you?”

“I couldn't be better,” he said, smiling. He looked over at Imani, observing Trinity closely. “Trinity, I'd like you to meet Imani Washington. Imani, this is a good friend of mine, Trinity Blake.”

“Hello, Trinity. It's good to finally meet you.” Imani gave her a once-over. “I feel like I know you already.”

Trinity caught her meaning. She cleared her throat. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Imani. I've heard so much about you.” She turned to Darius. “Darius, you remember Garrett Martindale. You met about a year ago at his father's church.”

Darius reached out, shaking Garrett's hand. “Of course, of course. I'm a huge fan. How have you been?”

“I've been great. And yourself?”

“I'm better now that I've moved back to D.C.” Darius reached out, pulling Trinity close to him.

“I know what you mean,” Garrett answered.

“Imani, I'm glad we have a chance to meet face-to-face,” Trinity said as she placed her hands in her lap and wrung them together. “I'd like to apologize to you for the misunderstanding surrounding me and Garrett.”

“I've already explained to Imani,” Garrett jumped in, “that we're long-time friends.”

Trinity found herself staring at Garrett. “Yes, friends,” she mumbled. “We once sang in the choir together before he became a famous celebrity.”

“No harm done, Trinity.” She placed a well-manicured hand on Garrett's chest. “Everything is fine. I know how the media can be.”

Trinity breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I didn't want there to be any kind of misunderstanding.”

“As far as I'm concerned, it's over with. Garrett and I worked it out,” she said in a low, seductive tone.

“I heard that,” Darius echoed.

Trinity couldn't help the pain that squeezed her heart as she thought of them together. Somehow, she found her voice and said, “I'm glad you worked things out.”

“It will be a moment before your table is ready,” Victor said, appearing through the crowd. “I apologize for the delay.”

“Don't worry about it. I made the reservation on short notice,” Garrett answered.

“Thanks for understanding. Would you like to wait in the VIP section?”

“Sure.” Garrett turned to face them. “Trinity. Darius.” Taking Imani's arm, Garrett led Imani to the secluded section of the club.

“They seem like a nice couple,” Darius commented. “Very nice.”

“Yes, they do.”

“So, what's this little misunderstanding you and Imani were talking about?” Darius asked.

Darius didn't watch very much television. The only magazine he read was
Black Enterprise
. It didn't surprise her that he didn't hear the rumor surrounding her and Garrett. She wasn't going to discuss it now that things seemed to have cooled down.

“It was nothing. The important thing is that everything worked out.”

It was almost eleven when Darius dropped Trinity off at her house. He walked her to her door. He kissed her softly on the cheek. He hoped that she would ask him in. But deep down, he knew that wouldn't happen. Trinity wasn't that type of woman. When they began dating, he didn't get a kiss for several months; it was several months more before she shared her body with him. The way things were between them now, he'd have to be patient. Trinity was worth it.

Trinity stood in the door. Darius couldn't believe how nervous he was. It reminded him of when they were on their first date.

“I better go in,” she said. “Tomorrow is a school day.”

He shifted to one foot. “I didn't mean to keep you out so late.”

“I had a good time.”

“Look, I know you probably haven't given it much thought, but I hope we can do this again. I was sincere when I said that I want us to try again.”

“We'll see,” Trinity answered.

“Can I call you tomorrow?”

“Why? You didn't phone today, you just made an appearance.”

Darius smiled. “Just wanted to show you how determined I am.”

“Well, next time, call before you come over.” She reached in her purse, retrieving the door key.

“Why? Because you may have someone over?”

Trinity flashed him a look. “Because it's common courtesy,” she said as she unlocked the door.

“I'm sorry, Trinity.” Darius said with a sorrowful look. “You didn't deserve that.” He looked so sincere.

“Don't worry about it. I'll talk to you later,” she replied, closing the door behind her.

In her bedroom, Trinity pulled her nightgown over her head, brushed her hair into a ponytail, and crawled into bed. She was determined to get some sleep. She was confused by the struggle going on inside her. How could she be jealous seeing Garrett with his girlfriend? She was still in love with Darius. She was glad he was back in town and hoped that they could rekindle their relationship. What was she going to do?

An hour later, she was still staring up into the darkness, searching for the answer. The only sound was the ticking of the minute hand on the clock. There was only one way to get the answer to her dilemma. She climbed out of bed, kneeling down to pray. Trinity began,
“Our Father, who art in
heaven…”

* * *

The following day, Garrett was thinking about Trinity. He was reclining in the black leather chair in his father's home office. He'd finished another round of radio interviews. The sun had gone down an hour ago, and he now sat and stared in the darkness. He was trying to convince himself to move on, forget about Trinity. He had to, he reasoned. She'd moved on without him. Why couldn't he forget her? Why couldn't he love Imani the way she loved him? It seemed so easy. He wished life was that simple, he mused.

At the moment, there was the battle of right and wrong going on within him. On one hand, he figured he and Trinity would never get together. On the other hand, he had Imani. A man couldn't go wrong with the love of a good woman, and Imani was a good woman. He reluctantly got up from the seat. He peeped through the vertical blinds at the darkness. The night was calm compared to what he was feeling inside.