My Destiny (9 page)

Chapter 14

“W
hat do you mean you’re not interested in sleeping with her?” Wes asked incredulously. “Are you coming down with something?”

Miles laughed as he picked up his poker hand. “I feel fine. Destiny and I are just friends.”

Wes shifted his gaze from Theo and Juan. “Are you two hearing this? He and his
sexy
neighbor are just friends.”

Theo removed the fat Cuban cigar from his mouth and blew out a thick cloud of smoke. “I hear him, but I don’t believe it.”

“Comments like that can get a man’s player card taken away,” Juan added with a sly grin.

“I know damn well that you undergraduates aren’t trying to school me about the rules of the game.” Miles’s chest puffed up with indignity, but his eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Nah, nah,” Theo said, returning the cigar to the corner of his mouth. “We ain’t trying to school ya or nothing, but you are talking a little crazy. Every brother knows that a man can’t be friends with a woman, especially with a fine sister like the one living across the hall.”

“Exactly my point,” Wes agreed, and then rewarded Theo with a jive hand slap.

Miles only rolled his eyes. “That’s a bunch of bull. Destiny and I are two mature adults having a mature,
nonsexual
relationship.”

“What you and Destiny are doing is fooling yourselves,” Wes corrected. “Have you ever seen that chick flick,
When Harry Met Sally?
”

“I must have missed it,” Miles said. “Is anybody going to open the bid?”

“I’ll open with five,” Juan said.

“I’ll call,” Wes said, and then returned his attention to Miles. “Anyway, the movie’s premise was whether a man and a woman could really be friends without sex becoming an issue.”

Miles’s brows rose in mild interest. “Is that right?”

“Yeah. In the beginning Billy Crystal’s character is convinced that the whole man/woman friendship can’t exist without the sex ruining everything.”

“Who’s Billy Crystal?” Juan asked, propping his elbows on the table.

“He’s the short, funny guy in
City Slickers,
” Theo answered with a smile.

“Do you two mind?” Wes asked, annoyed.

“Sorry,” Theo and Juan apologized in unison.

“Like I was saying, the movie spans through all of this mushy stuff just to prove Crystal’s point. Somewhere in the middle, while they were lying to themselves and calling each other ‘friends,’ sex happens and changes everything. Suddenly, the blonde chick wanted more from the relationship and by the end of the movie, they were married.”

“But Destiny and I aren’t having sex.”

Wes, Theo and Juan laughed.

“What you mean to say is you and Destiny aren’t having sex
yet,
” Wes corrected.

Miles frowned. “That was only a movie.”

The guys laughed again.

“Art imitates life all the time, my friend.”

There was a knock on the door and Miles placed his card hand facedown onto the table. “I still say you guys are wrong.” He stood and shook his head at his friend’s laughter. “You’ll see,” he said, heading toward the door.

When he pulled it open, his face exploded into a wider smile at the sight of his friends, Jared and Kyle. “So you two were finally able to get away from the old balls and chains?”

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” Kyle smirked, and then held up a case of beer. “I’m bearing gifts, so let me in.”

Miles stepped back and allowed the brothers to enter.

“Well, it’s about time,” Wes hollered. “Now we can get this game going.”

“Who’s winning?” Jared asked, removing his leather jacket.

“Who else?” Everyone else at the table responded with equal sarcasm.

Miles held his hands up high into the air. “Don’t hate the player—hate the game.”

A wave of popcorn flew in his direction.

“Hey, hey, you guys, watch it. The last time we played here ya’ll trashed my place and left me to clean up everything.”

“Who are you kidding?” Wes griped. “We all know you have a maid service in here twice a week.”

Miles returned to his seat and threw a kernel of popcorn at Wes. “Yes, but they always charge extra after poker night.”

“Boo hoo. Now, how many cards do you want?”

Miles took another look at his hand and removed a five and eight of clubs. “Give me two.” He looked over at Jared. “So what’s been up with you, man? You haven’t joined us in a while.”

Jared shrugged, and then bummed a cigar from Theo. “Just trying to hang in there until Kimberly has that baby.”

“Ya’ll ain’t had that baby yet?” Wes frowned, taking two cards for himself and wincing slightly when he looked at his new cards. “I fold.”

“Nay, but junior’s due here any minute.”

“So what in the hell are you doing here tonight?”

“I had to get the hell out of Dodge. Kimberly’s two sisters and mother are here and they are driving me crazy with honey do’s.”

Theo shook his head and tossed down his cards. “This is too rich for my blood. I fold, too.” He then looked at Jared. “What the heck are honeydews?”

All the men in the room responded in unison. “Honey, can you
do
this, and honey, can you
do
that?” The guys looked at each other and burst out in a chorus of laughter.

* * *

“I can’t believe we’re actually about to have a sleepover,” Lu Jin said, filling a plastic bowl with freshly popped popcorn.

“Hey, this is going to be fun.” Destiny loaded a tray with soft drinks. “It’ll feel like we’re back in college.”

They were dressed in flannel nightgowns and Lu Jin had her hair pulled back in a hair band. Destiny’s hair was parted down the center and brushed into two pigtails.

When the doorbell rang, Destiny bubbled with excitement. “I got it.” She flashed Lu Jin a quick smile, and then rushed out of the kitchen. “This is going to be so much fun,” she said to herself before flinging open the door and releasing a squeal of delight at the sight of her two old college friends: Debra and Monique.

Lu Jin shot from around the corner and also screamed.

The four women fell into a large group hug in the doorway, their shrieks echoing throughout the hall.

They broke apart when the door across the hall suddenly flew open and Miles filled the door frame.

“Sorry,” Destiny gushed. “I guess we got a little carried away.”

A rumble of men’s laughter spilled out into the hall.

“No problem.” Miles jerked his thumb over his shoulder to indicate the crowd behind him. “Poker night.”

Destiny nodded. “Slumber party.”

Miles quirked a brow while an amused grin lifted the corners of his mouth. “At least that explains the outfit.”

Destiny looked down at her nightgown, and then flushed when she looked back up at him.

“Don’t worry. A lot of guys find flannel sexy.” He winked, and then nodded at her friends. “Have a good night, ladies,” he said, and then disappeared behind the door.

Debra and Monique turned open-mouthed toward Destiny and Lu Jin.

“Come on in, before we disturb anyone else,” Destiny said, gesturing them in.

“Who on earth is that fine brotha?” Monique finally managed to ask when Destiny closed the door behind them.

Destiny shrugged. “Oh, that’s Miles. Don’t worry, he’s harmless.”

“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. That man has the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen,” Debra gushed, fanning herself with her hands. “It should be against the law to look that good.”

“I heard
that,
” Monique agreed and high-fived Debra.

Destiny laughed. “Then I should warn you, Miles Stafford is quite the ladies’ man.”

“I can testify to that,” Lu Jin agreed, and disappeared into the kitchen. A few seconds later, she reemerged carrying two large bowls of popcorn. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with the same woman twice.”

Monique placed a hand over her heart. “Hell, once would do me just fine.”

The women laughed.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Mr. Harmless was checking you out,” Debra said, placing her hand on her hip and eyeing Destiny.

“Please.” Destiny waved off the comment.

“Uh-huh. ‘A lot of guys find flannel sexy,’” Monique mimicked Miles.

“Lu Jin, will you tell them nothing’s going on between me and Miles?”

Lu Jin shook her head and joined in on the women’s laughter. “Actually, I’m on their side. There was definitely something to his comment.”

Destiny rolled her eyes and went into the kitchen to retrieve some of the refreshments. When she returned, she saw that her friends hadn’t moved an inch; instead, they stood in a semicircle staring at her with their arms crossed.

“Drop the subject,” Destiny warned, but for some reason was unable to control the smile hugging her lips.

The girls erupted with laughter and Destiny’s embarrassment deepened.

“All right, spill it. We want details,” Debra said.

“According to her there are no details,” Lu Jin answered instead. “At least not yet.” She wiggled her brows.

Destiny continued on to the living room. “Miles and I are friends. Period. End of story.”

Monique frowned. “Why on earth would you want to keep a brotha like that in the friend category?”

“Because...” Destiny shrugged, not really having an answer.

“Uh-huh. Just what I thought. You’re lying to yourself.” Lu Jin perked up with a mischievous grin. “You like him and you won’t admit it.”

“I do not. I just can’t explain it to you. Miles and I don’t see each other that way. We connect on a level that transcends anything I’ve experienced with another man.”

That won another gust of laughter from the women.

Lu Jin approached her and draped an arm around her shoulders. “Transcends anything you’ve experienced with another man? You’re not in the middle of a legal deposition here. We’re your girls and we can see the obvious even if you can’t.”

Destiny shook her head and pulled away from Lu Jin. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” She set the tray of drinks down on the coffee table, and then stood with her hands settled against her hips. “I don’t see what the big deal is. I’ve had plenty of friendships with men—take Zack and Elliott, for example.”

“Both of them would cut off their right arm for a night with you and you know it,” Lu Jin said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Let you tell it, every man I meet wants to jump my bones.” Destiny grew exasperated.

“Well,” Debra cut in. “Remember Victor and Andre from school.”

“Yeah.” Monique snapped her fingers, and then turned back toward Destiny. “They used to follow you around like puppies.”

“And so did Alfonso and Benjamin.”

Destiny looked at the small group, frowning. “They did not follow me around like puppies.”

“They did, but you were too busy with your studies to even notice,” Lu Jin said. Her smile broadened as Destiny’s faded. “In my humble opinion, there isn’t a woman alive who has male friends who, at one time or another, didn’t want to have sex with her.” She turned to Monique and Debra. “Am I right?”

Monique rewarded her with another high five.

Debra hesitated. “I don’t know about that.”

Destiny moved over to stand next to Debra. “What it is is crap.” She cast a withering glance over at Lu Jin and Monique. “Just because Lu Jin’s hormones are turned on to full blast and she believes that every man she sees wants to bed her doesn’t make it so.”

Lu Jin’s head reared back with a hearty laugh. “The difference between you and me is that I’m observant and more experienced.”

“More experienced?” Destiny asked. “I would have used a different term, but whatever.”

“Oooh,” Debra and Monique responded in succession.

Lu Jin only laughed.

Destiny decided to change the subject. “Okay, you two. Why don’t you go change into your pajamas while we finish putting out the snacks and getting the movie ready.”

“Deal,” Debra said, heading in the direction Destiny had pointed. “By the way, what movie are we watching?”

“A classic.” Lu Jin wiggled her brows.
“When Harry Met Sally.”

* * *

“That’s the woman you’re worried Miles will succumb to and have a relationship with?” Theo asked Wes. “The one wearing the Pippi Longstocking hairdo?”

Another chorus of laughter rang from the table.

Miles smiled. “You guys need to behave. Destiny is a very attractive woman despite her evening apparel.”

Wes leaned back in his chair while he nursed his beer bottle. “So you’ve noticed that she’s attractive?”

“It’s kind of hard not to.” Miles shrugged and looked to Theo when he began to smirk. “Even when she’s wearing floor-length flannel nightgowns and styling her hair like Pippi Longstocking.”

Theo struggled not to laugh.

“And you’re telling me you think you can honestly have a platonic relationship with a woman who you admit to finding attractive?” Wes pressed.

“Didn’t we already have this conversation?” Miles looked around at his friends, all of whom were shaking their heads. “Just because you knuckleheads have never had a real friendship with a woman, doesn’t mean that it’s impossible.”

“If my memory serves me correctly,” Wes said with a broadening smile, “you’ve never had one, either.”

Chapter 15

A
dele entered The Prime restaurant and searched the crowd for a familiar face. After few minutes she caught sight of Violet waving frantically at a table near the back. She smiled and waved before maneuvering through a throng of people.

When she reached the table, Violet stood up and gave her a hug in greeting.

“You look absolutely wonderful. I’d say Bermuda agreed with you.”

“Thanks. I had a wonderful time.” Adele took her seat and laid her purse beside her friend’s in a vacant chair. “Have you been waiting long?”

“Not really—about ten minutes. I went ahead and placed our drink orders with the waiter, though. You wanted a Chardonnay, right?”

“You know me so well,” Adele responded in kind.

At that exact moment, the waiter appeared at their table and set the drinks down. “Are you ladies ready to order?”

“Can we have a few more minutes?” Adele asked, opening her menu.

“Certainly,” the waiter assured her, and then scurried off to the next table.

Violet leaned over in her chair and said excitedly, “Well, I have some great news.”

Adele’s brows rose. “Well, let’s hear it. I definitely can use some good news.”

“Miles came over to the house the other day and you’ll never guess what he told me.”

“What?”

Violet placed a hand over her chest as if her heart were doing double time. “He’s ready to settle down.”

Adele’s mouth fell open. “You’ve got to be kidding me. He actually said that?”

Violet nodded her head. “Yes. Can you believe it? He even asked me about Reverend Henderson’s daughter, Camille. Unfortunately, she got married last summer. But can you believe it?”

“Not by what you’ve been telling me about him. No wonder you’re practically glowing.”

“More like flying. I’d almost given up on the matter and assumed that he would be the end of the Stafford family line. Now this. I can’t tell you how excited I am.”

Adele tried to share her friend’s enthusiasm, but when her gaze lowered, her smile shifted a bit.

Violet leaned forward and covered her hand with her own. “Are you all right, Adele?”

Her gaze focused back on her friend as she waved off her concerns. “Oh, pay no attention to me. I’m happy for you. Really, I am. I know that this is the very thing you’ve been wishing for.”

Violet’s concerned gaze never left her friend’s face. “Then what’s troubling you?”

“Nothing,” Adele lied, but when it became apparent that Violet wasn’t buying it, she decided to tell her the truth. “Well, when I returned home, I was expecting to dive back into planning Destiny’s wedding, but she called the wedding off.”

“What?” Violet asked astonished.

“I know. Can you believe it?” She shook her head. “And when I tried to get information out of her on what happened, she just said that the whole thing was a terrible mistake and refused to say anything more about it. When I try to probe further, she gets irritated with me.”

Violet frowned and reached for her friend’s hand again. “I’m so sorry. I know how much you were looking forward to this wedding.”

“Well, it wasn’t for me. I mean I’d feel better if I knew she was happy—and I’m not sure that she is.”

“I can understand that.” Violet nodded sympathetically.

They lapsed into silence before Violet asked, “So is she seeing someone new or something?”

“That’s what I asked her and you’ll never guess what she told me.”

“What?”

“That she’s not interested in dating anyone serious right now. She wants to—” Adele made quotation marks with her fingers “—keep her options open.”

Violet’s features crumbled into a mask of disbelief. “Wow. That sounds more like something Miles would have said.”

Adele tossed her hands up in surrender. “I don’t know what’s come over her. I leave for two weeks and my daughter has turned into someone I don’t recognize. And now, she’s on this health kick. Yesterday when we went out for lunch, she told me every horrible disease I could die from with each item listed on the menu.”

“My friend Lila is like that. Absolutely drives me crazy when she does things like that. Now I’ve made it a point whenever I meet her for lunch to order the fattest cheeseburger on the menu—drives her berserk.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Adele promised, and then took a sip of her wine. “In the meantime, I guess I’ll just have to sit and pray that whatever Destiny is going through is just a phase.”

“Hmm,” Violet said with a shake of her head.

“What?” Adele asked.

Violet started to say something, and apparently thought better of it as she waved her friend off. “It’s nothing.”

Adele frowned. “It sure didn’t look like nothing.”

“Well, I was thinking it would be nice if Miles and Destiny would get together. But it seems as if they are at two different crossroads. I mean, this is the first time Miles has ever considered settling down, but it sounds like it’s the last thing on Destiny’s mind.”

Adele’s shoulders slumped forward. “You’re right. Judging by the way she was talking yesterday, I’d say she’s serious about ‘letting her hair down and going whichever way the wind blows.’ Besides, you’re forgetting one thing—our children can’t stand each other.”

“Fine. If you’re going to nitpick my plan to death, I’ll just keep it to myself.”

Adele laughed and Violet quickly joined in.

It had come as a great shock for them to discover a few years ago, that the loud, obnoxious man Destiny had often complained about was, in fact, Violet’s beloved son. And the stuck-up prude who had pepper-sprayed Miles was none other than Destiny.

Their waiter reappeared and the women were embarrassed that they hadn’t selected anything from the menu because they had been running their mouths. So they stuck to their tried and true choices of soup and salad.

“I don’t know,” Violet said after the waiter left their table. “I don’t remember the whole dating scene being this complicated back when I met Richard.”

“I know what you mean,” Adele agreed. “I swear the younger generation makes things harder than necessary.”

“Amen. Not only that—when you married someone, you were in it for the long haul. None of these two-year marriages.”

“You know what I think the problem is? People are exposed to too much and have way too many options.”

Violet laughed at her friend.

“I’m being serious. There are actually couples where one partner lives off in New York and the other one lives in Japan somewhere. Relationships surviving off emails and fax machines. I mean, really.”

“Where do you get this stuff?”

“I saw it on
20/20
or one of those other news magazine shows. I’m telling you, relationships have definitely changed over the years.”

Still laughing, Violet nodded. “Okay, I’ll give you that much. Relationships have changed. But there are still those rare people who marry for the long-term and they’re happy—despite their many options. I just hope Miles is one of them.”

“Yeah. I pray Destiny will find and settle down with a love like I had with her father.” She looked over at Violet and shook her head. “It’s just too bad our children don’t get along.”

“Yeah. It’s too bad.”

* * *

On Saturday afternoon, Destiny and Lu Jin met at their favorite hair salon, Motions. Around the stylists’ chairs, women eagerly indulged in the latest gossip. At the hairdryers, women exchanged bored looks while reading the magazines from the previous two years; and at the shampoo bowls, Destiny and Lu Jin were enjoying wonderful scalp massages.

“Sean, I swear you have the best hands this side of Georgia.” Lu Jin gave him her usual compliment.

“Girl, that’s exactly what my man told me the other night,” he sassed and favored her with a wink.

Destiny and the new girl that was shampooing her hair laughed.

Sean looked over at them. “That’s all right. You can laugh if you want to, but it will never be said that Sean doesn’t know how to keep his men happy.” He snapped his fingers in the air and swiveled his neck with much attitude. “Okay.”

“I hear you, girl,” Lu Jin said without missing a beat.

“Men?” Destiny asked amused. “Just how many do you have?”

“Enough to keep me satisfied,” Sean answered.

There was a chorus of laughter, which told Destiny that others were tuned into their conversation. “Of course, I hear that you let that fine brother you were dating go. Mind if I call him up?”

Destiny rolled her head toward Lu Jin but thought better of reprimanding her friend in public. However, she made a mental note to herself to give Lu Jin a piece of her mind as soon as they left. “Sure, he’s all yours if you think he’s your type.”

“Tall, dark and rich is always my type,” Sean replied and won another chorus of laughter from their audience and even a smile from Destiny.

A few minutes later, Sean and the new girl left Destiny and Lu Jin at the sink with an application of deep conditioner in their hair.

“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have told him about you and Jefferson,” Lu Jin launched into an apology.

Destiny rolled her eyes and leaned toward her. “You know how much I hate having people in my business—especially in this place.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” Lu Jin gave her a small pout. “Am I forgiven?”

Destiny pretended to be angry for about half a second and then waved her friend’s concern off. “Of course you are. Just don’t let it happen again.”

“Deal.”

“Good.” She smiled, and then changed the subject. “You know. I’ve been doing some thinking.”

“That’s dangerous—especially here lately.”

“Ha-ha. Seriously, what do you think about me opening a law practice?”

“I thought you were giving up law?”

“I was, but after talking with Miles, I’ve changed my mind.”

“Miles helped you change your mind?”

“Well, sort of. He helped me realize that law is as much a part of me as it was Adam. But I need to come up with my own ideas and approach to my career.”

“Didn’t I tell you that last year?”

“You did?”

This time Lu Jin rolled her eyes. “I guess next you’ll start bringing him to Motions instead of me, seeing how you two are becoming such good friends.”

“What are you talking about?” Destiny frowned at her.

“I’m talking about all I hear lately is Miles said this or Miles said that. I’m starting to feel as though I’ve been replaced by your new best friend.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Lu Jin swallowed her retort and rolled her eyes.

“Come on.” Destiny leaned over and touched her arm. “We go way back. No one will ever be able to take your place in my heart. No one.”

Lu Jin frowned. “I’m sorry,” she finally said, looking contrite. “I’m being silly.”

Destiny smiled. “It’s kind of flattering that you would get jealous, though.”

“Don’t let it go to your head. I must be PMSing.”

“Yeah. That must be it.”

They shared a smile.

“So going back to the subject at hand, what do you think of my starting a law practice?”

Lu Jin drew in a deep breath. “Honestly?”

“Preferably.”

“I think...it’s a great idea.”

Destiny’s smile brightened; a bubble of giddy anxiety burst within her. “I do, too.”

* * *

Miles was going to be late. He was supposed to meet Wes and Theo for their final tux fitting for a friend’s wedding. That was the problem with the summer. Everyone wanted to get married in the summertime. Rushing out of his apartment, he was surprised to see Jefferson Altman knocking on Destiny’s door.

“She’s not home,” Miles blurted as he locked his door. When he looked back over at Jefferson, he was momentarily shocked to see the crestfallen expression on the man’s face. “I believe she went to the hair salon with Lu Jin this morning,” he went on to explain.

“Oh.” Jefferson looked down at his watch. In his hands he carried another bundle of flowers.

“After that, I believe she said something about meeting her mother somewhere for dinner.”

Jefferson exhaled and nodded, but still looked reluctant to leave.

Shrugging, Miles decided to go on his merry way when Jefferson’s voice, thick and raw with emotion, halted him.

“You wouldn’t happen to know how she’s doing, would you?” Jefferson asked.

Miles didn’t quite know how to answer the question and he definitely didn’t want to be brought into the middle of anything, either. “She seems to be doing all right,” he said, hoping to sound as neutral as possible.

“Hmm. I wish I could say the same for me.”

Jefferson’s admission took Miles by surprise. For one strange moment in time, it seemed as though Jefferson had forgotten their decade-long hatred for one another. And in that same moment, Miles almost felt sorry for the poor fellow—almost.

“If you’d like I can tell her you stopped by.”

Jefferson nodded, and then slowly his eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Destiny always gave me the impression that you two weren’t close.”

The corners of Miles’s mouth tilted upward. “We weren’t.”

Judging by Jefferson’s sudden hardened expression, Miles suspected that he’d said the wrong thing.

“What happened to change that?”

Miles held his hands up and shook his head. “I think this is where I say good day.” Once again, he turned toward the elevators.

With lightning speed, Jefferson rushed around and blocked his path and threw the flowers at Miles’s feet. “Has something happened between you and Destiny?”

Miles paused, giving him time to rein in his sudden flare of irritation. “No,” he said simply.

“I don’t believe you,” Jefferson said through clenched teeth.

Amused, Miles quirked his brow. “I can see that, but it’s the truth. Now if you don’t mind, I’m running late for an engagement. If you want, you’re more than welcome to pick up the mess you just made and sulk at Destiny’s door until she returns. I, on the other hand, have better things to do.” Miles stepped around him and continued on to the elevator bay.

“She’s a wonderful woman,” Jefferson called after him.

Miles reacted more to the raw emotion echoing in Altman’s voice than what he said. He stepped into the elevator without a backward glance, but once the doors slid closed, he said, “I know.”