Who's That Lady? (2 page)

He had a point, dammit, even if it was hard to swallow. “She’s my friend. I don’t want her hurt.”

He rolled his eyes. “Well, maybe it’s time you got a life. You just finished saying how old you’re feeling. Maybe if you stopped mothering Shonté
and had a little fling of your own, you wouldn’t feel so old.”

“Key!” She shook her head, annoyed he was making fun of her. “This is serious.”

“Yeah,” he pressed, warming to his idea. “Have a wild affair. You’ve already kissed Shonté’s boyfriend. Didn’t you enjoy it?”

She struggled to keep her frown in place. But Key’s grin was infectious and she burst out with a giggle. “Well…
yes!”
she admitted. “He’s not a bad kisser, if I do say so. But you aren’t suggesting I should go for him, are you?”

“Why not? Shonté doesn’t want him anymore, right?”

“She doesn’t know what she wants.”

“Don’t worry about her. What do you want?” He patted her thigh for emphasis and waited for her answer with such an interested look that she was flustered by a moment of uncertainty. She wasn’t used to such intent focus and it made her feel shy, uncertain of her response.

“I—I’m not sure.” She fidgeted with her t-shirt, smoothing it over the slight curve of her belly.

“You want to be kissed like that again?”

The memory of that moment of sensuality made warmth rush to her groin. “I don’t know. Yes. Maybe. I don’t know!”

“Maybe I should give you another kiss to compare with Graham’s. Show you what you’ve been missing.”

He gave her an exaggerated leer and leaned toward her bit by bit. His head tilted, his mouth softened. His eyelids drooped to half-shield his dark eyes, giving him a rakish, dangerous appeal. Something stirred in Crystal’s womb. Then she chortled with laughter. Key cracked up too, straightened, turned back to his beer with a smile.

She linked her arm with his to rest her head on his shoulder.

“The thing is, Emerson, we’re much too good as friends to be lovers.”

He met her gaze in the mirror once more, now giving a lopsided grin. “I guess.”

“And we both love Shonté too much to watch her mess up her life. Right, Emerson?”

“Whatever you say, Taylor.”

Key’s cell phone rang and he swung away to answer it. Crystal was left stewing over her worries.

When Crystal first began to study psychology, she had delved into it with zeal. She had spent most of her childhood and adolescence feeling like such an outsider, it was a joy to discover something that helped her understand how people worked. Now she could usually find a way to explain the dynamics that so often confused or overwhelmed her. But Shonté’s recent irrational behavior was one of those occasions that drove her crazy. Key just didn’t understand how much trouble Shonté could get into.

Crystal downed beer and buffalo wings while she observed Key talking into the cell phone in an earnest, low voice. One of his powerful hands moved with unexpected grace in accompaniment to what he was saying. He was too damned attractive sometimes. But she had come to terms with her susceptibility a long time ago.

Key snapped the flip phone shut with a sharp curse, startling her back into the moment.

“Something wrong, Key?”

“Yeah, it’s a kid I’ve been scouting.”

Key was an assistant coach for the football team of a local college. Part of his job was to recruit talented high school athletes for scholarships.

“Has he decided to attend Hope University?”

“No, this isn’t about football. He’s in trouble and I gotta help him out.”

“What year is he?”

“He’s a junior but—”

“Oh, Key! Can’t somebody else help him?” She knew NCAA rules were strict concerning the amount of time a coach could make contact with a potential recruit.

“Don’t worry, I’ll find somebody else to work with him. But he’s talking about dropping out of school now and I can’t see him wasting his future like that.”

“I know,” she murmured. She admired Key’s passionate concern for the young people he worked with. He wasn’t just interested in their athletic ability and usefulness to his team. He was more concerned with developing their full potential as young men of the community. “What kind of trouble is he having?”

His expression lightened with laughter again. “Woman trouble. The worst kind.”

“Please. I would call it penis trouble. You guys just blame us for your stupidity.”

Key laughed. “Okay, Taylor. I bow to your superior analysis. This time.”

CHAPTER 2

Shonté returned Sunday evening. Crystal was watching TV in her bedroom when she heard the rattling of keys and her friend’s loud, cheerful greeting. Crystal’s response brought her clattering up the stairs with her duffel bag banging against the iron banister. The next moment Shonté appeared at Crystal’s bedroom door and dropped the bag.

Crystal was struck, as most people were, by Shonté’s beauty. The young woman bore absolutely no family resemblance to her brother, Key, since they were both adopted. Shonté was a tiny, graceful young woman in body-hugging black pants and a pink jersey knit top with almost haltered armholes that showed off her sculpted shoulders. A mixture of racial features gave her an exotic air: a little bit Asian around the eyes, skin the color of sweet caramel shading to a deeper shade around her ears and throat; lush, generous lips; and straight, glossy black hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail with shiny tendrils escaping on the sides.

She was also caring and warm-hearted, Crystal knew, but people—especially men—often overlooked that for her physical appearance. Shonté
’s impulsiveness had gotten her into trouble more than once.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” Crystal asked in a prim voice that was meant to communicate disapproval.

Shonté flung her arms wide, laughing, and gave herself an exuberant hug. “Oh my God, Crystal, it was incredible!”

Crystal started grinning in spite of herself. “That good?”

“I felt so naughty and so sexy. Doctor Trevor Devlin is
da bomb
.”

“Shonté, you know it’s
so
wrong. The man is married.”

Shonté pursed her mouth and shook her head. “I don’t care,” she insisted.

“And what about his children?”

“I don’t care. I don’t have anything to do with them. It’s not like I’m going to take their father away from them.”

“Then what do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m just having a little fun. Lighten up, Cee.” She picked up the duffel suitcase she had dropped in the doorway, turned to leave. “Don’t you ever want to do something crazy once in a while?”

She found herself unable to answer. An admission would seem like agreement with Shonté’s choices.

“I don’t understand why you can’t be satisfied with a nice guy like Graham—who came over this weekend, by the way, looking for you.”

Now her friend grimaced in exasperation. “Graham came over? Why? Didn’t you tell him I was out of town?”

“He came over to surprise you in a pirate costume. He thought he was boring you. See? Is that nice or what?”

“That’s geeky.”

“It was not. It was sweet. And he kissed you, too.”

Shonté gave a puzzled laugh. “He what? What are you talking about?”

“Well, he thought he was kissing you. When I opened the door, he laid a big wet one right on my lips.”

“He kissed you? Oh, so while my back is turned, you’re here making out with my boyfriend?” Shonté teased.

“Your
boyfriend
? You were
cheating
on your boyfriend! You can’t say anything.”

“Never mind,” Shonté said with a sigh. She adjusted the duffel’s shoulder strap and started to turn away. “I hope you had fun. It’s more action than you’ve had in months.”

“Thanks a lot, heifer.”

“Any time, skank,” Shonté said with a smile over her shoulder.

“So what are you going to do about Graham?” Crystal yelled after her disappearing back.

“Nothing,” she called back.

“Nothing?” Crystal screeched more loudly. “You’re going to keep going out with him and Devlin too?”

“I don’t know.” Shonté’s voice faded in the distance and then the door of her bedroom closed.

Crystal sank back onto her bed pillows in exasperation. Why did everybody keep talking about the action she wasn’t getting? So her love life was a little dry lately. That wasn’t the point!

But later that night, when she overheard Shonté on the phone with Trevor, she had to acknowledge a pang of envy. Not that she was jealous of the relationship with a married man. She’d never do a thing like that. But her friend’s frame of mind did stir something in her soul.

Shonté’s end of the conversation consisted of whispers and soft giggles. Crystal was reminded of the carefree breathlessness of a new infatuation, when you loved everything about the guy and you went around with a permanent flutter in your belly. And when you saw him or heard his voice, your heart flipped over and practically jumped out of your chest. Yes, that was exciting. There had been so few of those times in her life. A man she’d had an intense three-week affair with just after college. And…Key. Her face tightened into a frown as she tried to remember someone else. There had to be more than just those two. But then she’d never had much of a love life and her few steady relationships had been based on common interests rather than excitement.

Blowing a disgusted sigh, she rolled over and punched her pillow into a more comfortable shape. But, she reminded herself, excitement eventually turned to boredom. Or worse, to painful betrayals.

Love was like a roller coaster, she thought. When it’s good, you don’t want to get off, and when it isn’t, you can’t wait to throw up.

She couldn’t quite remember if the joy was worth the grief.

* * *

Crystal and Shonté both worked in the human resources office of a large private hospital. One month ago, Crystal had been promoted to manager of their section. She was gratified her hard work was beginning to pay off and enjoyed her position in the training department. She wasn’t clear yet on what her exact future would be, but she loved working with people and analyzing what made them tick and what made a group click, or not.

Since her promotion, she now reported directly to the hospital’s human resources officer, Dan Jefferson. He detained her after the manager’s meeting on Monday morning.

“I just wanted to see if you’re getting settled in all right to your new duties.”

Crystal smiled at the tall, balding supervisor. “Just great. I love the job.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I’m pleased with your performance in general. However, I have some concerns about one of your employees, Crystal,” he said, settling back into his desk chair.

“Oh?” Her mind flew over the six people in the section, trying to think of any problems.

“Yes, it’s Shonté Emerson. I’ve noticed some things I’m concerned about.”

Crystal cringed. Had he noticed that Shonté
had been a few minutes late this morning? Or had he heard rumors about the affair with Dr. Trevor Devlin?

He continued. “She’s been taking a lot of time off, letting her assignments slide. I expect my team to give 110%. I know she’s a friend of yours. Perhaps she should be transferred to another section.”

“No, that isn’t necessary,” Crystal assured him. “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her. There have been some things going on in her personal life, but I know it’s only temporary.”

“Okay, Crystal. But remember, you’re responsible for the work of that entire section. You can’t let personal feelings get in the way. If Shonté is having problems, don’t let it affect your productivity. You were promoted because we see a lot of potential in you. Don’t let me down. Okay?” He gave her a firm pat on the back, like a coach to a player.

“I won’t,” she said and left the office.

In her own cubicle, she took a deep, shaky breath. Oh boy. She hadn’t realized anyone was watching Shonté that closely. And that it would reflect on her!

Crystal was used to Shonté’s different temperament. While Shonté treated life like a game, Crystal was driven to succeed. Still, they had been friends since the eighth grade and Shonté always relied on Crystal’s practicality to keep her grounded.

She didn’t say anything that morning to Shonté, hoping to discuss the situation in casual conversation over lunch. She emailed an invitation and almost immediately got back a
sorry-I’ve-got-plans
message.

Crystal bolted out of her cubicle just in time to see Shonté breaking for the door. “Hey, wait. Where are you going?” she demanded.

Shonté looked wonderful, as always. Today she wore a gauzy, flowered slip of a dress with strappy high-heeled shoes. Tension stiffened her shoulders as she paused in mid-stride.

“Meeting somebody,” she mumbled. Crystal noticed Shonté’s evasive gaze and knew that the someone was Trevor Devlin.

Crystal’s neck muscles tightened. “I need to talk to you a minute before you go.”

“Can’t it wait?” Shonté began in a wheedling tone. “I don’t have much time.”

“No, it can’t,” Crystal ground out.

Meekly, Shonté followed her into her cubicle and sat in the visitor chair.

Crystal fingered the buttons at the neck of her tweed suit jacket and took a deep breath. “Dan Jefferson has noticed that you’re slacking off.”

Shonté pouted. “I’m doing my job.”

“You arrive late, leave early, and you aren’t finishing your assignments on time.”

“Says who?”

“Says Dan.”

“Fine, boss lady. I’ll do better.”

Crystal sighed. She leaned forward and spoke more softly. “What’s wrong, Shonté?”

“Nothing,” her friend snapped.

“Shonté, you’ve changed since you’ve been going out with Tr—the
doc
. You’re going to mess up your life. The doc will dump you, and then you’ll have nothing.”

Shonté glared. “First of all, what makes you think he’s going to dump me? And second, why do you think everything that’s wrong with my life has to do with the doc? I do have a mind of my own, Crystal.”

“Then use it, honey. You know if you give a man a free hand, he’ll run it all over you. Going out with Devlin is not smart. If Graham knew about that, you’d lose him.”

Shonté jumped to her feet. “Okay, Crystal, you’ve done your corporate duty. I’ll work harder, boss lady. Now I’m going out to lunch, if you don’t mind.”

She looked up at her friend unhappily. “All right, Shonté honey. We can talk at home.”

“I’ll be late,” she bit out. “I’ve got rehearsal tonight. I’m going straight to the theater.”

Shonté was a talented amateur actress, appearing in two or three local plays each year.

“Okay, Shonté,” said Crystal softly. But Shonté was already gone.

An hour later, Crystal was dismayed to realize Shonté hadn’t returned to her desk after lunch. She grabbed a file and headed to the copier room, wondering if she should call Shonté
’s cell. What if something had happened to her? On the other hand, Shonté would be annoyed if she thought Crystal was checking up on her.

Still lost in thought, Crystal opened the door of the copier room.

Shonté and Trevor Devlin jumped apart. But not fast enough to erase the image seared on Crystal’s eyeballs. The pair had been entwined in an erotic body lock, Trevor’s hand underneath Shonté’s skirt and her leg wrapped around his buttocks. They had been practically on top of the Xerox machine.

All three stared, frozen. Then Shonté relaxed. “Don’t worry, it’s just my friend Crystal,” she said to Devlin.

Anger rushed through Crystal like bile and spilled out of her mouth. She slammed the door behind her. “Are you out of your mind?”

“No, why?” Shonté asked, pulling the skirt of her dress straight.

Trevor continued to eye Crystal with caution as he pushed his shirt into his slacks. He was a gorgeous man with smooth bronze skin, close-cropped crinkly-curly hair, a sculpted mustache and a compact body. His long-fingered doctor hands and soul-melting big black eyes had turned a lot of heads. At the moment, however, Crystal was in no mood to appreciate his looks. Crystal shook her finger in his face, her voice trembling with outrage.

“Do you know how many hospital rules you’re violating by messing with Shonté like this?”

“I don’t work here. I’m a doctor,” said Trevor.

“Well, you got part of that right,” said Crystal with a snort. She turned on Shonté. “You idiot! You’re late for work and you’re humping that—that—” She glared in indignation at Trevor.

Shonté flushed. “I have to go to work. I’m not listening to another lecture from you.”

“To
work
? To
work
?” Crystal sputtered with the effort to keep from screaming. “You weren’t thinking about work a minute ago when I walked in here.”

“I’d better go.” Trevor yanked open the door and scurried through it.

Crystal slammed the door again. “Slime! Running out and leaving you to face the music alone. I’d call him a bottom-feeding scum-sucker but I’d be insulting catfish.”

“You don’t expect him to stand here and listen to your abuse, do you? That would really cause a scene.”

“A
scene?”
Crystal had to exhale heavily to keep from hyperventilating. “What about the scene I walked in on a minute ago?”

Shont
é frowned and bent her head so that her hair screened her face. “Sorry. We just got carried away.”

“Carried away? Do you
want
to lose this job?”

Now Shonté tossed her hair back, lifting her chin defiantly. “Look, I don’t care about this damn job the way you do. You’ve let this promotion go to your head. You might be my supervisor, but you don’t own me. Leave me alone!”

“Maybe I’ll do that. Lord knows I don’t deserve the crap you’ve put me through in trying to keep you out of trouble. I’ve about had it with you.”

Shonté choked back her heated retort as the door opened to admit another employee, who looked at them curiously.

With a glare, Shonté flounced from the room, the hem of her gauzy dress fluttering in the breeze of her passing. Crystal gathered her thoughts and turned to the Xerox machine. A vision of Shonté and Trevor flashed back before her eyes.

Ewww! I can never use that copier again
.

* * *

Key had his own key to their condo and was lying on the couch watching TV when Crystal got home that evening. She smiled at him in delight. “Oh, God, I’m so glad to see you. You’ll never believe what happened today!”