Close Quarters: A Novel (Zane Presents) (32 page)

I started laughing at her dramatic entrance. “I don’t look busted.”

“There are lots of mirrors around here. Have you seen yourself in one? Because I’m looking at busted.”

“Shut up, Charlee.”

Charlee came into the living room and sat down. “So how are you feeling?”

“Better.”

“That didn’t sound too convincing.”

“Giselle, please tell her that I’m okay.”

“As long as she’s lying on the couch, she’s fine.”

“Thanks a lot, Gigi.”

“Tell me one thing,” Charlee started. “Did you keep the ring?”

“Nope. I gave it back.”

“Damn! Have I taught you nothing? Why would you give that rock back? He doesn’t need it.”

“Because I don’t need it, either.”

“This girl . . . ”

I smiled. “I did keep the money though.”

“That’s my girl,” she said, raising her hand for a high-five. “You did learn something.”

“I’ve learned a lot,” I responded with a hint of sadness.

Charlee leaned over and hugged me. “It’s New Year’s Eve. We are not staying here crying the blues tonight.”

Leave it to Charlee to come in like a ball of energy and turn things upside down.

“Where are we going?” Giselle asked.

“All I have to do is make a call and we’ll have our pick of the hottest parties tonight.”

“I don’t want to be out in the city with all of the crazies on New Year’s Eve,” she said, rubbing her stomach.

I remembered Dru’s text message. “I was invited to a party at Rituals in Long Island if you want to go out there.”

“It seems the dead has arisen and with a great suggestion.”

“Who’s throwing the party?”

“Terrence and Dru.”

Giselle exchanged a glance with Charlee. “Malik’s friend, Terrence?”

“And so?”

“So nothing,” Charlee said. “I’ll be back at nine to pick you two up. Lose the blues and be ready for some fun.”

Giselle closed the door behind Charlee. “Are you all right to go out tonight?”

“I’ll be fine. I think it’ll do me some good.”

“Well, let’s get you ready.”

“Giselle, I want you to know that I’m putting the money I got from Ellis in a fund for your baby. All of it. Every last dime.”

“Melina, no.”

“It’s not up for debate. I’m not going to keep Ellis’s money for myself, but I have no problem giving it to his family—whether he knows about it or not.”

Giselle’s eyes welled up. “Thank you, Melina.”

I put my arms around her shoulders. “You should also know
that Dr. Harlow loved you very much and wanted to be with you. He told Ellis so.”

Giselle lost it. I think she needed to know that. I hugged her tight until she exhausted her tears. And when she was all cried out, we were both ready to welcome in the New Year.

• • •

A live band was playing in the lounge when we walked into Rituals. There was a nice crowd jamming to the R&B they were performing. Everyone was dressed in their best, looking grown and sexy. I hadn’t gotten my things from Ellis’s yet, so I borrowed a tight, black bandage dress from Giselle. She wouldn’t be wearing it anytime soon, so I was working it for the night. It was sleeveless, mid-thigh and clinging to my curves. My hair was full of bouncy curls that I had to keep pushing away from my face. Giselle was wearing a one-sleeved, gold dress that silhouetted her body and accentuated her baby bump. Charlee was in a red, backless jumpsuit, and the color was a perfect match for her fiery spirit.

We strolled into the lounge and managed to find an open booth. Charlee immediately ordered a bottle of champagne. Giselle ordered sparkling water with lemon and lime.

“This is a nice spot,” Charlee said.

“Terrence’s sister owns it. She has a nice clientele.”

“Impressive,” Giselle added.

“I’ll be right back. I think I see Dru and I want to say hello.”

I set off in the direction of the bar. Dru was standing with a familiar face. I walked up and tapped her on the shoulder.

“Heeey, I’m glad you made it.” She kissed me on the cheek. “You remember Terrence’s sister, Jade?”

“I do,” I said as we hugged our hellos.

“Where are you sitting? I’ll come over and join you in a minute.”

“I’m here with my two girlfriends.” I pointed out Charlee and Giselle.

“You didn’t bring Ellis tonight?”

“Long story, girl. Let’s just say your advice came in handy.”

“Okay, I’ll be over.”

I was heading back to the table when someone grabbed my hand. I knew the touch before I turned around. Malik held my hand firmly in his as he peered down at me. My pulse sped up at the sight of him. His café au lait skin contrasted perfectly with the cream sweater and slacks he was wearing.

“I didn’t know you would be here tonight, Mel.”

“Dru invited me.”

“I’m glad she did.”

“I came with Charlee and Giselle.”

“No Ellis?” he asked, the makings of a smile playing on his lips.

I pulled my hand from his grasp and wriggled my naked finger. “No Ellis.”

“Do you think Charlee and Giselle will mind if I steal you for a minute?”

I shook my head. He led me into the main dining room of the restaurant to a quiet table in the corner. He pulled out my chair, then sat across from me. He just stared at me for a good minute before he uttered a word.

“I knew.” He paused. “It had been a long time, but I still knew.”

“Knew what, Malik?”

“I had been running from feeling something real for so long. Running from relationships, from love. The fact that you were spoken for made it easier for me to keep running. But I knew what I was feeling and it was getting more difficult to contain. The night of the snowstorm I stopped running and all my pent-up feelings for you broke loose. The passion between us was crazy,
but the
echo
I felt after was stronger, and I knew. I realize you may not feel the same right now, but I’m willing to wait for—”

“I think I know too, Malik. I’ve known for a while. I kept thinking that I needed to stay away from you because I was curious and curiosity could get me in trouble. But the night of the storm I didn’t care about the repercussions. All along you’d been showing me glimpses of what I was missing and that night I
wanted
to be with you. I felt our connection, the passion.”

“We’re good together, Mel.”

“Malik, I don’t want to rush into—”

“Don’t worry, we’ll take it slow.”

“I’d like that.”

He got up from his chair and reached out for my hand. I stood in front of him.

“Let’s start with a kiss and see how that goes,” he said.

I tilted my head to meet his kiss. His lips gently parted mine and our tongues intertwined. His arms tightened around me, holding me firmly, securely. When we pulled apart, I felt lightheaded.

Malik smiled. “That was nice. Next maybe we can share a dance or two.”

He guided me on to the dance floor where we grooved to the music and when he held me, I felt a warmth that made my body melt into his.

I saw my girls and his boys pointing and smiling when they saw us together. I guess they all knew, too.

At midnight we toasted in the New Year together, as one big boisterous group, celebrating new beginnings.

Malik leaned over and whispered in my ear. “And finally you can come home with me where you belong.”

“But I don’t have my bed anymore, remember?”

Malik wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me to him.

“I guess that means you’ll have to sleep close to me each and every night.”

“How close?”

“
Real
close.”

“As close as we can get?”

“Even closer.”

“You win . . .let’s go home.”

The moment you realize how blessed you are, is the moment when you should begin to give thanks. This is my moment. I want to thank everyone who picked up this book to spend a little time in
Close Quarters
with me. I appreciate you and hope that you enjoyed it.

To my family, your support has been amazing. You never let me down, always lift me up and I thank you for having my back then, now and always. I love you guys!

Lots of love to the Old School Crew . . .you know who you are. And where would I be without my sisters? DST for life!

Zane, you are an inspiration! I’m truly thankful to be a part of the Strebor family. Charmaine, you’re an absolute joy to work with and I thank you for all you do. Keith, thanks for bringing sexy to the cover—it’s hot, hot, hot! Sara Camilli, thank you for being an amazing agent.

Thanks to all for your encouragement. You motivate me to keep creating.

• • •

Stay tuned . . .

Photo Credit: Shamara Ray

Shamara Ray is a graduate of Syracuse University. She first enticed readers with her debut novel,
Recipe for Love
. Shamara has a penchant for the culinary arts and enjoys entertaining friends and family in her Long Island home. She is currently working on her next novel.

Find out more about Shamara at
http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Shamara-Ray/75426760
.

Visit the author at
www.ShamaraRay.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Shamara-Ray
www.twitter.com/ShamaraRay

A
LSO BY
S
HAMARA
R
AY

Recipe for Love

Strebor Books

P.O. Box 6505

Largo, MD 20792

http://www.streborbooks.com

www.SimonandSchuster.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

© 2012 by Shamara Ray

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means whatsoever. For information address Strebor Books, P.O. Box 6505, Largo, MD 20792.