Her Premarital Ex (The Alexanders Book 3) (7 page)
Read Her Premarital Ex (The Alexanders Book 3) Online
Authors: Tina Martin
Tags: #suspense, #reflection, #true love, #unrequited love, #jealousy, #stalker, #fiction romance
tune. He was in an especially good mood today. Nothing could
destroy his happiness. His marriage was excellent. Gabrielle had
given him inspiration that he didn’t realize he had, and this good
feeling of having everything fall into place had him joyous that
his life was full and finally the way he wanted it.
“Tyson, what’s up
man?”
on the counter.
“Hey. What’s up with
you?”
“Just running some
errands...heard Tamera was in town.”
“Yeah. She said she wanted
to do some
bonding
with Gabrielle so they’ve been hanging out most of the
day.”
“How’s she
doing?”
“She’s good. Looks
happy.”
“That’s good. I know it
was rough there for her for a while.”
“Yeah, but she’s made the
best out of a new start and she’s doing well. I’m proud of
her.”
are you doing tonight? Thought we could get together and shoot some
hoops or play cards or something.”
“No can do, my
brother...Gabrielle is going to Chicago this weekend with your
mom...leaving tomorrow so I’m going to spend some quality time with
my lady before she heads out.”
“What about
Saturday?”
“I’ll be in Atlanta on
Saturday...be back Sunday night.”
“Okay, so let’s get
together Sunday.”
Tyson shook his head.
“Nope...Gabrielle is back Sunday night and we’re gonna spend
even
more
quality
time together.” He slid a pan in the oven. “Maybe one day next
week. “I’ll keep you posted.”
“Okay, man,” Heshan said.
“How’s everything else going?”
“Good.” Tyson walked over
to the sink. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”
“That’s great. I’m happy
for you...got me thinking about settling down.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, man...been on my
mind and I got just the woman.”
“Who’s that?”
“Charity
Eason.”
“The volunteer waitress that works here?”
“Yep,” Heshan said
affirmatively, thinking of the way he felt when he first saw
Charity. Her long, bra-strap length cinnamon hair caught his eyes
before her tanned, caramel skin wreaked havoc on his senses – that
and the fact that her body was in good, athletic shape. The woman
could teach a Zumba class if she wanted to.
“I think she told me she
worked odd jobs, one being a lifeguard during the summer,” Tyson
said.
“That would explain that
sexy tan she has.”
to holla at her?”
“Yeah...asked her out a
few times...guess she’s not into half-Indian guys.”
“Nah, man. You can’t give
up that easily. You have to hit her with your charm.”
“Like you did
Gabrielle?”
“Yeah, exactly like I did
Gabrielle.”
“Yeah...we’ll see. I don’t
chase women. It’s usually the opposite.”
“Maybe you need to make an
exception. Let me tell you what I’ve learned...love and being in
love is a beautiful thing. You just need to make sure you find the
right one.”
“Yeah...the ever
illusive
right one
.”
was set then said, “It can be tricky, but once you got it, you got
it. Then the real work begins.”
Heshan nodded. “It’s
funny how things happen. First Prasad gets hitched, now you. I’m
next in line, well it’s either me or Dilvan.”
“Most likely you. Dilvan
doesn’t know how to treat a woman.”
“Yeah, well Mother has
been on a crusade, trying to get her sons back on track...said
family should stick together and that Prasad and I were partially
to blame for the state of our family. So I’m supposed to reach out
to Dilvan and arrange a sit-down.”
“Good for you,” Tyson
said.
“What you mean,
good for me
. You don’t
even like Dilvan.”
“Yeah, but he’s not my
brother. He’s yours.”
“So you think it’s a good idea? You know, for me to meet with
him?”
“Like I said...he’s your
brother.”
“Guess it’s ‘bout time we
sat down as brothers and discussed things. As a matter of fact, I’m
going to send him a text right now before I change my mind.” Heshan
took his phone from his pocket and typed a message:
Heshan
:
Dilvan, let me know when u r
available next week...trying 2 get together with u and
Prasad.
“There...it’s done. Can’t
say I didn’t try. Now watch him not even bother to
respond.”
phone beeped.
“Speak of the devil,”
Tyson said. “Is that him?”
phone and saw the text from his brother:
Dilvan
:
free Tuesday...will that
work?
“Well what do you
know...he actually responded. Said he’s free on
Tuesday.”
“That’s good, right? Or
were you hoping he didn’t respond?” Tyson chuckled.
“Nah, it’s cool. You know
what would be awesome, though?”
“What’s that?”
“If you came along with
us.”
“No way.”
“Why not?”
“Because every time I see
Dilvan, I want to put a dent in his face. That’s why.”
“Maybe it’s time you
called a truce.”
“Nope...not after what he
did to Gabrielle.”
“Okay...just thought I’d
ask. Anyway, let me get to work so I can get out of here a lil’
early today.”
“Yeah. I need to get back
to work, too. I’ll talk to you later.” Tyson walked outside taking
a small break before he began on the last batch of pastries.
Curious to know what Gabrielle and Tamera were up to, he dialed
Gabrielle’s number, then smiled at the thought of her.
“Hey, Tyson,” she
answered.
“Hey, you. How are you,
baby?”
“I’m good. Tamera and I
are out shopping.”
“Nice. She’s treating you
well I take it?”
“Yes. She’s been
wonderful...glad she’s my sister-in-law.”
“Nice...happy you’re
getting along. I’ll be home around four to get started on
dinner.”
“Ooh...what are we
having?”
Tyson smiled. “I’m not
sure yet, but I
know
what I want for dessert.”
knew what he wanted for dessert as well.
“What time are y’all
gettin’ back to the house?” he inquired.
“We’re heading back in a
few minutes. I’m sure we’ll be home before you.”
“Okay, sweetie. Have fun.
See you in a lil’ while.”
“Okay, Tyson. Love
you.”
“Love you too,
angel.”
While
the women were busy looking through the photo album, Tyson
was in the kitchen preparing fried pork chops, buttered brussel
sprouts and homemade macaroni and cheese.
mille-feuille, a flaky pastry filled with butter cream and drizzled
with chocolate.
When dinner was ready, he
said, “Will the Alexander women report to the dining room,
please?”
Tamera looked at
Gabrielle and said, “You know my brother is silly,
right?”
Gabrielle smiled, then
stood up from the couch.
Tamera set the photo
album on the coffee table, then followed Gabrielle to the dining
room.
“Goodness, Tyson,” Tamera
said. “What you done whipped up this time?”
“Just some pork chops,
brussel sprouts and mac and cheese.”
“It looks good,” Gabrielle
said, pulling out a chair.
kitchen to get his plate, then he joined them at the
table.
They ate quietly for a
few minutes before Tyson asked, “So my sister hasn’t been telling
you my childhood secrets, has she?”
Before Gabrielle could
respond, Tamera said, “No, but now that you mention
it—”
“Oh, here we go,” Tyson
said, then laughed.
“Here’s a good one,” she
began. “Gabrielle...Tyson had this chick he was sweatin’...if I
recall correctly, he was a senior in high school and I was a
junior. Anyway, he liked the girl but she wouldn’t give him the
time of day, so he wrote her the cutest little poem.”
“Yeah, one that I told you
not to read,” Tyson chimed in.
“Tyson, you handed me the
note and told me to give it to her. You knew I was going to read
it.”
“Yeah, I should’ve
known.”
“Anyway, Gabrielle, I gave
the girl the note and guess what? She ends up being Tyson’s prom
date.”
“Okay...no more stories,”
Tyson said, wiping his mouth. “One is more than enough.”
indulged into their meal, then Tamera said, “The wedding pictures
are phenomenal, Tyson.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“You were a handsome
groom,” she added.
“He’s a handsome
everything,” Gabrielle said, locking eyes with Tyson and holding
his gaze. She’d never seen him blush before but she was sure he
came pretty close to it. Had she rendered him speechless? All he
did was look at her, stare at her, then took a sip of wine, their
gazes still connected.
“Okay, um...y’all need to
get a room,” Tamera said. “I feel like I’m interrupting
something.”
not interrupting anything, Tamera. You’re an eye witness to what
true love looks and feels like.”
“Aw...” she
crooned.
smiled.
headed upstairs.
Gabrielle retreated to
the bedroom to pack her suitcase for her trip and while she was
busy rearranging items so that they fit perfectly in the small bag,
Tyson walked up behind her, folding his arms around her while
kissing her neck.
“Remind me why I changed
my mind about you going on the trip again.”
“Because you love
me.”
“Yes. I do love you. What
else?”
“And you want me to be
happy.”
inhale of her scent. “Is it too late for me to change my mind? I’m
starting to have second thoughts about you being away from
me.”
“Tyson,” Gabrielle sung.
“Don’t do this to me, baby.”
“I won’t,” he said, then
kissed her.
in bed making love and afterwards, they rested together, her opened
suitcase next to the bed, the covers tussled about with a white
sheet covering their bodies.
“You okay?” he whispered
to her.
enough air to answer him. “Um hmm. Are you okay,
Tyson?”
“Yes. Just wondering how I
can miss you so much and you aren’t even gone yet.”
“Tyson it’ll go by so
fast, we’ll be right here on Sunday night lying in the center of
the bed together.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m just
being an over-protective husband.”
smiled.
“So do I need to drop you
off at the airport?”
“No,” she responded,
finding his hand. “Padma is coming by to pick me up around
five-thirty. Our flight leaves at seven.”
“Have you flown
before?”
“No.”
“Are you
nervous?”
“Yeah, a little, but I’ll
be with Padma and Lalita. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
heavily.
“Tyson, I’ll be okay,
baby. I don’t want you worrying about me.”
“It’s my job to worry
about you.”
“Don’t...I’ll be fine,
okay?”
“Okay, sweetie. Just make
sure you call me before you take off, when you land and when you
check in the hotel...oh, speaking of hotel, what hotel are you
staying at?”
“The Regal Midwest...I’m
sharing a room with Lalita.”
“All right,” he said, then
took a kiss from her temple. Her sharing a room with Lalita settled
him a bit. At least she wouldn’t be alone. “I’ll let you get some
sleep so you’ll be ready in the morning.”
“Okay, babe.
Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
“
So, we’re
here ladies,” Padma said
enthusiastically. She traveled a lot, but this is the first time
she’d had the privilege of having two younger women to come with
her – relatives that she wanted to mold into business women like
herself. The idea of it excited her so much so that she was
developing a new idea for a charity – about women helping women and
empowering each other instead of dragging each other down – a place
where business women who were at the top of their fields could
choose a woman to mold, teach the business and help them to become
successful.