Trouble with Luv' (17 page)

Shaking her charm bracelet under his nose, she said, “Grossly overpriced, huh?”

He gave her a teasing wink. “I changed my mind.”

Ebony wasn't buying it. It had all been part of his plan. He had fed her that lie in the hopes that she wouldn't buy it. She turned the bracelet around her wrist, admiring it under the glow of the living room lights. “Thank you. I love it.” As she stepped forward to kiss him, she heard another soft, tinkling sound.

“Oh my God!” Ebony bent down. Surprised that she hadn't felt the anklet on her foot all this time, she fingered the silver chain, paying close attention to the exquisite and unique design. Recalling the way Xavier had seduced her, she stood and coiled her hands around his waist. “That impromptu lovemaking session was just a ploy to get me into bed! You seduced me, so you could dress me in my gifts!”

Xavier's grin grew until it was eclipsing his entire face. “Guilty as charged.”

Ebony kissed him hard. Feeling herself get hot all over again, she wisely drew back. “Did you peek into the garage while I was knocked out?”

Xavier chuckled. Ebony made it sound like she had been the other half of a boxing match. “No, Tyson. I didn't.”

Laughing, and tinkling, she grabbed his hand and led him back down the hall. This time when they reached the garage door, she took a thick, black scarf from out of the closet. The blindfold was a soft, satiny material. After tying it around his eyes, Ebony opened the door, guided him down the steps, and then flicked on the lights. Releasing the blindfold, she yelled, “Surprise!”

Xavier blinked rapidly. “I…I—I don't understand.”

Ebony laughed. “The BMW with the big red ribbon is yours!”

A shiny 325 BMW, with tinted windows, sat between Ebony's SUV and her convertible. Xavier shook his head. His eyebrows had climbed up to his hairline and his eyes were clouded with bewilderment. Stretching a hand toward the car, he said, “You bought me a car?”

Ebony's head bounced up and down like a bobble doll. She spoke with childlike enthusiasm as she relayed the car's many features. “It has a hundred and eighty-four horsepower, a sunroof, navigational system, power everything, a leather interior, combined CD and tape player, a security alarm…”

Xavier's mind was too full to ask how, or why. It took several minutes before the shock wore off and he could collect himself enough to speak. He opened his mouth, then closed it. Unsure of what to say and scared he would sound like a bumbling fool if he attempted to speak, he rubbed his hands over his eyes to ensure this wasn't a dream.

When he opened his eyes, the car was still there.

“Well? What do you think?”

Xavier didn't know what to say. Didn't know where to begin. This was the last thing he expected from her. “I…I…I thought you bought me a mountain bike.”

“Why? I never said I was getting you a bike.”

“I know, but when we headed for the garage, I assumed…” Xavier dragged a hand over his head. “I can't believe you'd do something like this.”

“Do you like it?”

“I love it,” he admitted, taking a step forward and peering into the passenger window. “It's the right make and model, and the color is perfect—” He forced himself to calm down. No use getting excited over something he wasn't going to keep.

A long, uncomfortable silence settled over the garage.

Xavier took her hands. “I appreciate the thought, honey, I really do. No one has ever gone to such lengths to surprise me or bought me something this expensive, but as much as I love the car, and you for making my birthday a night to remember, I can't accept it.”

Ebony didn't reply; she had expected Xavier to refuse the gift. In the last two months, she had discovered that Xavier Reed was as stubborn as an ox. He didn't ask for directions when he was lost, would rather struggle on his own than ask for help and he couldn't stomach being wrong. When she had asked him what he wanted for this birthday, he'd shrugged off the question. “Nothing. I have everything I need.” Ebony covered her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing. Sometimes, Xavier could be so funny. It was his show of indifference that had led her to do some snooping. One night when he ran out to rent a movie, Ebony logged on to his computer and within seconds, found what he was pining after. By the time Xavier got back with the video, Ebony had printed off the necessary information, logged off his computer and returned to the bedroom.

Ebony kissed his cheek. “It's a gift, Xavier. You can't turn down a gift. That wouldn't be right.”

“It's too much. I can't take it.”

“You can and you will.”

“No, seriously, I can't. I…” Xavier didn't finish his thought. What he wanted to say was, who had ever heard of a woman buying a man a car? And a BMW at that?

Ebony took a deep breath and blew it out. “Give me one good reason why you can't accept the car.”

“Buying me clothes is one thing, Ebony, but shelling out thousands of dollars for a car is a whole other issue.” He paused. “I wouldn't feel comfortable driving this car knowing that you paid for it. What would I say when my co-workers asked me where I got it from?”

“Tell them it's none of their damn business. Or tell them the truth. Tell them you have a wonderful girlfriend who helped you pick it out.”

Xavier managed a small smile.

Ebony thought for a moment. There had to be something she could say to make him come around. She recalled late-night conversations they'd had in bed, secrets he had shared, and all the Sunday afternoons they had cooked together. Sundays. Church.
That's it!
“Remember a few weeks back when Deacon Wright testified about his house burning down and the church rallying around him and his family?”

Xavier played dumb. “No, not really.”

“He said, ‘I felt like a pauper when Pastor Henderson showed up at my in-laws' house and handed me that check, but my wife looked at me and said, “Fool, you better take that money before he changes his mind! It's a gift from God!”'”

“I can see where you're going with this, Ebony, but this situation is completely different. I'm not in need. I have a perfectly good car—”

“A gift is a gift, Xavier. The point Deacon Wright was trying to make was that—”

“I'm not taking the car,” he said, interrupting her. The miserable expression on her face wrung at his heart, but instead of relenting, he added, “It wouldn't be right. I'm a man and—”

“So the only reason you won't take the car is because I bought it? You know what, Xavier, you're—” Ebony stopped herself from reaming him out. Calling him names wouldn't help any, either. “I just wanted to do something special for you. Is that so bad? You're always taking care of me and I wanted to do the same for you. Will you please reconsider?” When Xavier shoved his hands into his pockets and looked away, Ebony's shoulders sagged in defeat. “I thought we were building toward something, Xavier. I guess I was wrong.” She unclasped the charm bracelet and pressed it into his palm. “If you can't accept my gift, then I can't accept yours.”

After a long and lengthy pause, he asked, “How much was the down payment?”

When Ebony quoted the exact amount, his lips parted in surprise. “That's it? How'd you manage that?”

“I'm a master negotiator,” she said, cupping her hands around the back of his neck. “I've been a loyal customer of Motorworks BMW for years, and over the years, I referred friends, employees, clients and associates to the dealership. So when I walked in and told the manager his most loyal customer needed a new BMW 325, he gave me a deal I couldn't refuse.”

Xavier had seen Ebony in action before and he didn't doubt for a minute that she was telling him the truth. Once she had convinced a store manager to give her a discount off a designer dress because it had a loose thread. Another time, she had scored gift certificates at a restaurant because her appetizer was cold. She was so polite and persuasive, most people didn't even realize they were being sweet-talked. He couldn't blame her for outconning a car salesman, could he? As he deliberated over what to do, something she had said earlier came back to him. “I'll take the car, but only if you agree to my conditions.”

“Okay, let me see what you got.” Ebony didn't want to return the car. Maybe giving Xavier a BMW for his birthday was a little over the top. In hindsight, the first class tickets to Paris would probably have been a better choice. But what was the point of having money if you couldn't share it with the people you loved? And buying Xavier the car would benefit them both. Ebony abhorred his rusted jalopy. It was a bucket with tires and she would have put a match to it weeks ago if she thought she could get away with it. It announced his arrival a block before he reached his destination and had more holes in it than a hockey net. The worst part was when Xavier put it in Reverse, it backfired so loud Ebony thought they were being shot at.

“You have to agree to let me pay you back half of the down payment.” Xavier grinned when Ebony's lips tightened. She was so cute when she was angry. “Agreed?”

Fuming silently, she nodded.

“Very well, then. On to condition number two. You have to come with me to my parents' barbecue.” Xavier watched her eyes dim. Convinced that she was going to reject his proposition, he cupped her hands in his palms and stared down at her. “You said you wanted to do something special for me. Meeting my family would be the best birthday gift you could ever give me, Ebony.” Xavier kissed her softly on the lips, but she didn't respond with her usual heat. “Please?”

“Okay, I'll go.”

He hugged her tight, and she melted into his loving embrace. After putting back on the charm bracelet, she handed him the car keys. “Here, these are for you.”

Giving in to his excitement, he dangled the keys in front of her face. “How about we go for a spin in
my
new Beemer?” After another quick kiss, he dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I say we find a secluded spot on lovers lane and christen the back seat.”

“Now you're talking!” Ebony said, swiping the keys out of his hand and sauntering over to the car. “Get in.
I'll
drive.”

“D
on't worry, sweetheart. My family's going to love you.” Xavier helped Ebony out of the car and slammed the door behind her. After activating the alarm, he took her by the hand and led her up the narrow sidewalk. Her hands were clammy and Xavier had a feeling that fact had everything to do with meeting his folks and nothing to do with the record-breaking temperature. The air-conditioning had been on in the BMW the entire drive, and at one point Ebony had complained that she was cold, so he had turned it down.

Xavier gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Nervous?”

Too preoccupied with her thoughts to answer, she shook her head absently.

“You look great, Ebony.” He hugged her to his side, and dropped a kiss on her shoulder. His eyes moved leisurely down the slope of her curvy hips to her shapely legs. “When we get back home, I want to see what's underneath this dress.”

His comment brought a lusty grin to Ebony's face, and momentarily eased her anxiety. Touching a hand to her freshly permed hair, she asked Xavier if he thought she looked okay. “You sure your mom won't think this dress is too tight? Or too short?”

“I'm sure,” he told her. Xavier was glad she'd changed out of that unsightly brown dress and into something more stylish. It had taken all his self-control to keep from laughing when Ebony asked him what he thought of the shapeless, long-sleeved dress. It looked like it might strangle her. Xavier never thought he'd see the day when Ebony would look anything but beautiful, but in the high-necked, floor-grazing tunic-styled outfit, she had resembled a middle-aged Amish woman. The outfit had done her drool-worthy figure a disservice, and even someone as gorgeous as Vivica A. Fox wouldn't have made that dress look good. It reminded him of something he had seen her aunt Mae wear.
I wonder if
…Xavier quickly discarded the thought. Touched that she was going to great lengths to impress his family, but disappointed that she was trying to change who she was in the process, he had suggested she wear something a little less motherly and a little more sexy.

Xavier gave her a soft peck on the cheek. “Still doing okay?”

Ebony wished he would stop asking her that. His repeated questions and effusive concern were making her nervous. She viewed this visit to his parents' house with apprehension, but wisely kept her fears to herself. No sense upsetting the birthday boy. “I'm fine,” she lied, her cheeks lifting into a small smile. “I'm not stressing and you shouldn't, either. Try and relax, Xavier. It's just a family dinner.”

Xavier laughed. Ebony was imploring him to relax, but she was the one wearing a tight smile. Though conservatively clothed in a pearly-white dress and low-heeled sandals, she looked more like herself than she had in outfit number one.

Smoothing her hand over her hair for the hundredth time, she inhaled the sweet scent of summer. Birds chirped. Lawn mowers buzzed. Flowers permeated the air. The weather was seasonable for August—a mixture of hot days and humid nights—but it felt ten times hotter than when they had left her house twenty minutes ago.

The Reed family lived on a quiet street, close to a handful of parks, plazas and recreation centers. House number fifty-two featured fresh paint, an immaculate lawn surrounded by plants and flowers, and a tiny man-made pond. The sandstone brown house wasn't the biggest one on the block, but it was definitely the prettiest. A row of morning glory flowers adorned the stone walkway and a healthy fruit and vegetable garden stretched square around the house.

Even from several feet away, she could hear music and laughter. Ebony yanked down the hem of her dress and took a deep relaxing breath.
I can do this,
she told herself for what seemed like the hundredth time. For the next two hours, she was going to be on her best behavior. No suggestive jokes. No talk of work. And no making eyes at Xavier. For the rest of the day, she was going to focus on winning over his family, namely Jacqueline. If his sister gave them her approval, they were set.

Set for what?
asked the quiet voice inside her head.

Ebony ignored the voice.

Xavier led her around to the side of the house. Mosaic stepping-stones created a colorful pathway to the sprawling backyard that accommodated a hammock, a flower bed and a picnic table covered in an assortment of barbecue-friendly foods. The sun, which had been shining brightly just moments before, retreated behind white, hilly-looking clouds.
I hope that's not a sign,
she thought, waiting for someone to answer the door.
God, I hope these people like me.
But when a willowy, dark-skinned woman with dimples as deep as a pocket flung her arms around Xavier and wished him a Happy Birthday, Ebony's fears dissipated. Mrs. Reed was nothing like what she had expected. There was nothing serious or somber about her. She was wearing red in various shades and even had her nails and toenails painted in the color. Red blush dusted the apples of her cheeks, and subtle tones of blond were in her neck-length, jet-black hair.

A woman this lively and bright couldn't hate anybody, could she? Ebony looked on incredulously as the woman rocked Xavier from side to side. He stood several feet above her, but he was being cuddled and kissed as if he were a five-year-old boy.

Ebony expected him to look embarrassed when they finally parted, but there was no sign of sheepishness on his face.

Mrs. Reed turned away from her son, and faced the striking-looking woman to her left. Her face spread into a welcoming smile. “Hello, there. I'm Xavier's mother, Gloria. You must be Tasha.”

Ebony dropped Xavier's hand like she was discarding a piece of garbage. Staring up at him in disbelief, she envisioned her hands closing around his neck and squeezing the dear life out of him. Clasping her hands together, to keep from smacking the innocent smile off his face, she returned her gaze to his mother. Ebony fought to maintain her composure. Anger bubbled up inside her, but her countenance betrayed nothing. She opened her mouth to correct Mrs. Reed, but before she could get a single word out, the woman pointed a finger in her face and yelled, “Gotcha!”

Mrs. Reed chortled long and hard. “I'm just having some fun with you, Ebony. I wasn't expecting Xavier to come home with anybody named Tasha. He's told us all about you and I think I speak for the entire family when I say it's a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Ebony picked her jaw up from the ground. Putting a hand on her chest, she said, “Please don't do that again, Mrs. Reed. You almost gave me a heart attack!”

All three laughed. Then, to Ebony's surprise, Gloria pulled her into her arms. The woman had such a strong upper body and squeezed her so tight Ebony thought she heard a rib crack.

“Now you bring your pretty little self in here and meet the rest of the family.”

“Are Andrew and Jackie here?” Xavier asked. “I didn't see their van parked outside.”

Gloria ushered them inside. “They're at Lamaze class, but Jacqueline said they'd try to be here by dessert.”

 

Forty-five minutes after they arrived, Ebony was still working on her first plate of barbecue. Smiling politely at the elderly women staring over at her, she took a sip of her pink lemonade. The Reed family were nice people. Warm, hospitable, openhearted. Aunts, uncles, cousins and even small children had made their way over to where she was sitting in the dining room, and introduced themselves. Each family member had asked a ton of personal questions, but also supplied new information about Xavier. He was born three minutes after Jacqueline. In fifth grade he won the statewide spelling bee. He was the star of his high school basketball and baseball teams. But it was his mother who provided the piece of news that had left Ebony's mouth hanging.

“You know,” she whispered, while Xavier was off tending to the grill, “you're the first woman he has brought home in years.” Mrs. Reed chuckled when Ebony's eyes spread.

“B-b-but Xavier's had a lot of girlfriends.”

“But none of them as smart or as pretty as you.” With a wink, she added, “Xavier cares an awful lot about you, Ebony, and now that I've met you for myself, I can see why.”

Her smile warmed Ebony's heart.

“Would you like to see some childhood pictures of Xavier?”

“I'd love to! I bet that boy was a handful,” she joked.

Mrs. Reed laughed good-naturedly, and said, “He sure was,” before hustling off. She returned seconds later, weighted down by an armload of photo albums, certificates and even a couple of Xavier's elementary school report cards. By the time Xavier returned from outside, Ebony was beginning to think he had planned the whole evening. His family was going out of their way to welcome her. They kept her entertained with stories of his childhood exploits and personal accomplishments, and soon the noise, the heat and the boisterous bursts of laughter didn't bother her. And after three animated and competitive games of dominoes and two glasses of wine, Ebony felt like a Reed herself.

“What are your intentions toward my boy?”

Ebony turned at the sound of the voice behind her. Xavier's father could easily have passed for his older brother if it weren't for the speckled gray hair, black-rimmed glasses and bushy mustache. Her boyfriend had obviously inherited his distinguished looks from his father and his warm, nurturing spirit from his mother. “Pardon me?” she said, noticing the living room was suddenly library-quiet.
Did somebody turn off the TV? What happened to the music?

“Well, you've been dating Xavier now for what—three months?” When she nodded, he continued. “That's more than enough time to know how you feel about someone. I married my wife after our fifth date. Don't take long to know if you love someone.” Mr. Reed thumped Xavier heartily on the back. “I guess what I'm asking is whether or not you see a future with my boy.”

Ebony made no attempt to hide her shock.
Is he serious?
she thought, shooting a look at Xavier. Communicating with her eyes, she told him to do something. Instead of telling his father to back off, like she hoped, he popped a piece of shrimp into his mouth and shrugged his shoulders casually. “Answer the question,” he mouthed.

Knowing Xavier as well as she did, she recognized the amused expression on his face. Ebony cleared her throat, then took a mouthful of her wine. Putting on her best smile, she told Mr. Reed, “Xavier's the best boyfriend I've ever had. He listens to me. He encourages me. He treats me like a queen. He's an all-round great guy!”

Mr. Reed's face broke out into a proud smile as if she was directing her praise at him. “That's my boy.” He thumped Xavier on the back. “Yup, that's my boy!”

“But as for our future as a couple, I can't answer that because I don't know.” When Ebony saw Mr. Reed's smile slide away and a frown work its way onto his thin lips, she quickly added, “Only God knows what the future holds, right?”

That seemed to pacify the older gentleman. “You know what, Ebony? You're right,” he agreed, his tone suddenly jovial. Ebony Garrett could skirt around the issue all she wanted; she wasn't fooling anybody. He knew a thing or two about love and it was clear to him and everyone else in the room that she was in love with his son. Xavier's and Ebony's mutual devotion and affection were evident for all to see and Theodore couldn't be happier. Finally his son had found a woman to love. Ebony would make an affable daughter-in-law and a wonderful addition to the family. Cheered by his thoughts, he pointed at her near empty wineglass. “Would you like a refill?”

Ebony didn't want a third glass of wine, but she didn't want Xavier's dad asking her any more questions, either. “That would be nice. Thank you, Mr. Reed.”

“Oh, enough of that Mr. Reed stuff,” he scoffed, waving away the title. “We're practically family now, so call me Theodore or Pops.”

Ebony would rather call him Mr. Reed, but she wasn't about to argue. If he wanted her to call him by his first name, that's what she'd do. She sighed in relief when the music was turned back on and the chatter resumed.

Watching Mr. Reed weave his way through the jam-packed living room, Ebony hoped he would take his time coming back. Sighing deeply, she soothed her hands over her face. That had been a close one. Normally Ebony had the confidence to tell it like it was, but she didn't want to disappoint Mr. and Mrs. Reed. They clearly loved their son, but what was most noticeable was that the entire family was anxious for him to claim a bride. Ebony turned to Xavier. “I could've used some help, you know.”

He coaxed a smile from her lips, by kissing her cheek. When he snuck a hand underneath the table and caressed her thigh, Ebony felt her frustration slip away. “I didn't interrupt, because I was curious to hear what you were going to say.”

Ebony regarded him with pointed eyes. “Oh, you were, were you? What were you hoping to hear?”

“The truth.”

“Did you hear the answer you were looking for?”

“Yes and no. You're right. We can't see the future, but God does take what we want into consideration. ‘Make your requests be made known,'” he quoted. “That's what the good book says. What do you want for us, Ebony?”