An Arrangement of Love (26 page)

“Put your gym clothes on. Xavier can handle it. They’ll take my money for the bill and if there’s a problem I’ll shut the whole company down.” He began typing on his phone. “Okay. I gave Xavier the orders. That’s done. I’m running up to put my clothes on.”

I stood there, frozen in place. “Did you not hear the part about how I solely am responsible for my family? I’m serious. I don’t want you interfering or thinking you can...”

“What? Just say it.” He stalked my way and positioned himself right in front of me.

“I’m not a charity case.”

“No. You’re not.”

I bit my bottom lip.

“You were smiling and laughing until you answered the phone.” He placed his hands on my waist and drew me into him. “As soon as your mother started talking, your face held this sad look, and all over pocket change.”

“It’s not pocket change to me.”

“It will be after a few months.” He landed a kiss on my forehead. “How many kids is she taking care of?”

I gazed up at him, full of embarrassment. “Seven.”

“How many bedrooms do they live in?”

“A two-bedroom apartment. It’s in Zenfield projects.”

“We’ll have to move them out of there, then.” He patted my shoulder and walked off.

“What?”

He headed to my closet door. “You heard me. And don’t start with that ‘I’m so independent’ mess. It should be illegal for that many people to live in so small a space. And I don’t ever want you going into South End by yourself.”

He opened my closet.

“Wait.” I hurried his way. “We’re not moving anybody anywhere until I know for sure I’m going to be with you.”

He stopped walking, rested his hand on the doorway, and tapped the polished wood with his finger. “You still have doubts?”

“Of course.” I held my hands up to my sides. “We’ve barely been together for a week. I’m still not adjusted to this lifestyle. Now we have to wait two weeks for our first date, so it will take a while.”

“Two weeks?” He turned around and scrunched his face up in confusion. “What do you mean by two weeks?”

“Dawn changed the schedule so the others can get their date nights back, so our first date isn’t until the end of two weeks.”

“Changed the schedule? The hell she did!” Chase roared and pushed the back wall of my closet. A dark stairwell emerged. He flipped a light switch and rushed upstairs. “I’ll be right back. Get dressed. I’ll meet you in front of the house to go to the gym.”

“But...”

Chapter 27

W
e never made
it to the gym. Chase and Dawn argued for two hours in her apartment, the hallway outside my door, the front of the house, and then finally in the garden. I watched them from my living room window. Lucy stumbled outside, completely hung over and pissed. She tried to referee, but they ignored her. Eventually, she collapsed on the ground and simply laid in the grass, holding her forehead. Wendy strolled out with a glass of wine in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. By the second hour I was dressed in a business suit. I saw no resolution coming and called a cab to take me to the office.

Chase was correct about a pile of work being on his desk. It was a tower of contracts, status reports, new business proposals, and invitations to events. They covered the whole surface. I did my best to organize everything and take care of the ones I’d been authorized to handle. A few times I called Lucy to make sure everything was okay. She would give me the okay on everything. On the last call, she told me Dawn had called an emergency counseling session for everyone at 1 p.m. with their therapist and I was expected to be there. I never showed up. For one, I wasn’t one of the crazy people arguing all morning. Second, who the hell was she to demand I be anywhere? Instead, I concentrated on Chase’s work pile and caught him up enough where he wouldn’t be too overwhelmed once he came into the office the next day.

By the afternoon, I’d had many aggravated text messages from Dawn that I promptly deleted. Mom also sent lots of texts, thanking me for the huge sum of money that was delivered to her apartment and informing me the power was back on. Apparently, Chase had ignored my wishes and ordered Xavier to give them ten thousand dollars. I wasn’t sure if I should be overjoyed, worried, or pissed.

Night came with a shower of cold rain and a blackened sky with no stars or fluffy clouds to hover over the land. I arrived back at Willow Park wet, tired, and exhausted. I honestly couldn’t wait to get home. A hot bathtub full of bubbles floated in my head. I gazed at the huge mansion when I stepped out of the cab and ran down the pathway, keeping my hands over my head. Raindrops battered my skin and soaked my clothes. I slipped a few times on the stairs and cursed my high heels. Yet, somehow I made it to the front door without falling.

The door opened before I could touch the knob. A surprised Chase stood in the doorway dressed in a designer suit. His waves were smoothed back. A different cologne drifted from him. It smelled woodsy and of the earth, but still it captured me and I swayed like a bumbling idiot.

He seized my arm before I could stumble back. “Are you okay?”

“Of course.” I got a hold of myself, balanced on my toes, and embraced him. His body stiffened, but when I pressed my lips to his, he groaned into my mouth and stabbed me with his tongue. Shivers of need spasmed within me. I wanted him inside of me right there, in the doorway, or even in the rain. His hands tightened around my arms as he pressed me into him.

“Are you fucking serious?” Wendy said, racing down the stairwell.

I quickly pulled away from him. A turquoise satin gown draped her slim body. Her brunette curls were swept up into a delicate bun.

Oh my god. Of course. It’s her date night.

I climbed out of Chase’s grip. His eyes remained on me. Lust pooled within them. He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Wendy. That was...a mistake on my part.”

I cringed. “Plus, I didn’t see you there.”

“It shouldn’t matter if you see me or not.” Wendy stomped our way. “It’s my day. Nothing should be happening on
my
day. We discussed this in the counseling session today that
you
chose not to attend.”

I held my hands in front of me. “Look, I’m slowly understanding this whole situation so give me a break.”

“The Chanel Suite was your break.” She pouted and hooked her arm around Chase. She leaned her body into him and it took everything inside of me to not scream out, “Get off my man!”

“Dear God, Wendy. I told you you can go to Paris whenever you want.” Chase guided me inside with his free hand.

“Oh sure.” Wendy clapped her hands with a hurt look. “You told me I could go anytime by myself, not with you. I want to go with you.”

“I’ve been away from the office too long. I can’t take a vacation for a while.” He sighed and turned to me. “How was work, by the way?”

I forced my attention away from Wendy’s arm as it decorated him. “Fine. I got you caught up for a few days.”

“Really?” His eyes widened with shock. “As I always say, you’re more than what I expected.”

“Now the suit I bought you is wet from that hug.” She touched the front of his jacket.

“It’s fine.” He continued to gaze at me.

For some reason I felt as if I was being examined under a microscope. I had a dire need to leave Wendy and Chase alone.

“Well, you two have a good night.” I edged away and bumped into the wall.
God. I must look like an idiot.

The front door opened wider. Chase’s chauffer entered with a huge umbrella.

“Are we going, or are you just going to stare longingly at her all night?” Wendy glared at Chase.

“That’s quite enough, Wendy,” Chase said. “Goodnight, Jasmine.”

I leaned against the wall and waved. They got under the umbrella. It was a tight fit considering how big Chase’s shoulders were. He placed his hand at the center of Wendy’s back and I flinched as if he’d slapped me.
Relax, Jasmine. Surely it’s normal for men to touch that spot. Right?
They walked off, and my mind yelled to just go up the staircase, but my heart said, “Follow Chase and Wendy and watch them get into the limo.” It was like a rope was attached to my hips and led me along on their journey. I tiptoed their way. They exchanged murmurs, and in my mind I imagined he was whispering poetic I-love-yous into her ear. Their bodies closed the little distance between them and they melded their sides together as they strolled to the car.
Just like intimate lovers would.
I stood in the doorway, and right as the chauffer opened the limo door Wendy turned to Chase and kissed his lips.

No.

He kissed her back, drinking her in and sucking on her bottom lip, just like he’d done to me many times. I gasped. And something deep inside of me broke and shattered into tiny sharp pieces. I sank low. The sensation of falling apart poured over me.
He kissed her right after he just kissed me!
Tears stung my eyes, but didn’t spill over.
What did I think? That I was special?
That I was his girl?
I wanted to collapse right there on the doorstep and give up, just let the rain slam down on me. I dug my nails into my palms, unable to look away or escape.

They stopped kissing. Giggling like a school girl, Wendy climbed inside. Chase got ready to get in after her, paused, and slowly turned around. His mouth dropped open.

“Jasmine?” I heard him say my name over the rain.

“Bastard.” I backed up and slammed the door.
Am I overreacting, or do I have every right to be pissed? Because right now I’m motherfucking pissed!
I breathed in and out at a fast pace and rushed up the stairs. The front door’s knob jiggled as someone opened it.
Shit.

“Jasmine?” Chase yelled, right as I rounded the corner on the second level.

I can’t talk to him right now. I may slap or gut him. I need to think.

Stomping sounded behind me from the stairs. I quickly shoved my keys into my apartment’s door, opened it, and hurried in. The door banged close. The lock clicked when I turned it.

“Wait, Jasmine,” Chase called back. “Can we talk about this?”

“Just go on your date!” I yelled and stormed off toward the kitchen. Silence came next. I didn’t know if he was outside the door or if he’d just returned to Wendy. Tears finally fell down my face and I wiped them away, pissed at myself for even crying.
What did I expect?

My phone buzzed.

Vivian:
We’re bored. Do you want to do something?

I rubbed my eyes. Wendy and Chase kissing flashed in my head again.

Me:
Party at my place. Bring lots of wine.

Chapter 28

When Vivian said
we
, I’d assumed she met just her and Troy. Shock stretched all over my face when Gabe stepped in behind them carrying grocery bags.

“This place is huge.” Gabe landed a peck on my cheek and entered my apartment. “Vivian told me you’re staying here every now and then when your boss needs you.”

I exchanged an awkward glance with Vivian. “Yep.”

“What’s up with the two ladies in the hallway?” Gabe asked as he carried the bags into the kitchen.
He must be talking about Dawn and Lucy.
They must’ve been taken aback when my maid showed Troy, Vivian, and Gabe inside.

“They’re on his staff too,” I said.
If I end up staying here I’m going to have to think up a better lie for my guests. But then that’s a big if, for me staying here.

“I drove your car over by the way, while Troy rode in mine.” Vivian gave me a half hug.

“Thanks. I’ll need it.”

Troy sighed and headed to the shelf with the family pictures. “I haven’t seen these photos in years. I have to get some of these.”

“Get your own.” I stuck my tongue out at him and turned to Vivian. “Where’s the wine?”

“You’re drinking way more than usual.” She handed me a big bottle of pinot noir. “How are things going in Harem Land?”

“Not so well.” I moved her way and whispered, “I saw him kiss Wendy an hour ago.”

“And?”

“Isn’t that enough?”

“You knew he would kiss them.”

“Yeah, but it still hurt.”

“I’m so sorry.” She hugged me. “So are you coming home?”

“Maybe. I was going to talk to him first. You think that is a good idea?”

“Definitely. At least tell him how you feel. But frankly, Jasmine, if you can’t deal with him kissing another woman then you may want to get out of this situation while you can.” She squeezed me and let me go.

“Good point,” I said while she walked over to Troy as he continued to gaze at our family pictures. I studied the wine bottle and grimaced. “A twisted cap? Seriously? Where did you do buy this from, 7-Eleven?”

Gabe peeked his head out of the kitchen. “Don’t stress. I brought the good stuff.”

“This is why I love you, Gabe.”

Vivian began to play around with my stereo, pressing buttons and twisting controls. Music blared as I entered the kitchen and then the volume lowered until only the smooth sound of Billie Holiday flowed throughout the place. Vivian was just like Chase, she loved old music and preferred it to new releases.

Gabe moved fast in the small amount of time he’d been in the kitchen. Pots full of yummy smelling liquid simmered. Steam rose from each one and carried a joyous aroma of promise to my nose.

“Holy shit! What are you cooking?” I inched over to the stove.

“Don’t even think about sneaking a taste.” Gabe snatched up a wooden spoon, stirred, set it down in a tiny bowl, and rushed to the counter to begin chopping herbs.

“I can chop for you.”

“It’ll take you an hour to do it.” He wiggled his eyebrows and laughed.

“You just hate people being in the kitchen with you. Admit it.” I stuck my finger in one of the pots. The liquid burned the tip of my finger. I screeched and shook it.

“That’s possibly the hundredth time I’ve seen you do that.” Gabe chuckled. “And it’s still funny each time. At some point in your life you’re going to have to come to grips with the fact that a boiling pot of liquid will burn you if you stick your greedy little finger in it.”