Smoke (7 page)

“Seven years isn’t bad. It just means you’ll still be young enough to enjoy my pension when I’m dead and gone.”

She laughed. “Aren’t you jumping the gun? We haven’t had a first date yet.”

“It’s all hypothetical. Now that we have established I’m not a womanizer; what else is holding you back from liking me?”

Placing her hands inside the pockets of her lab coat she looked down at the floor.

“Jonathan, you are a nice guy and have a great personality but—“

“But what—am I really too old for you or too white?”

“That sounds bad when you say it but I’ve never dated outside of my race before. I don’t know what to expect.”

“What’s to expect? I’m a man and you’re a woman. The only difference in our scenario is the color of our skin. Gabrielle, I’ve dated African-American women so I’m not experimenting.”

“Society has a way of keeping that rip between races open, Jonathan. I would hate to hurt a person for saying something dumb.”

“Narrowed-minded people keep the rip open. Interracial dating is not like it used to be back in the day; no one gawks like we’re aliens anymore. But, if you don’t like me just say that and don’t use the race card.”

She smoothed her hair with her hands. “That’s the thing; I do like you and I can’t for the life of me figure out why! You’re annoying and pushy—”

He held up a finger stopping her. “You forgot charming, good-looking, and one hell of a sexy ass fireman.”

She burst out laughing. “Can you sell yourself any harder? Anyhow, can we concentrate on being friends and work our way from there?”

He smiled. “Being friends is far better than being acquaintances. Are you ready for dinner?”

“Yeah, let’s go.” Her pager went off. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she huffed looking at the number.

“Don’t tell me you got an emergency.”

“I’m needed in ER. Can we try this again another day?”

“How about I take you out for a real dinner when you get off tonight.”

“That won’t be until eleven and I have to be back here in the morning at ten. But, we’ll be at the same party on Saturday; we can chat then. But, I have to go.”

“Yeah you better get going—again.”

She felt the sting in his reply. It did seem whenever she was in his company she would make an excuse to leave. “On second thought, how about I call you tonight when I get home?”

“I would like that.” He wrote his phone number on the white board with a blue marker and left through the rear exit door.

Her pager beeped again only flashing the code canceling the emergency. She contemplated going after Jonathan but her cellphone rang. Looking at the number it was Anthony calling. He would be the most obvious choice for her to pursue if she were pursuing a man, but she wasn’t drawn to him the same way she was to Jonathan.

Sending the call to voicemail, she copied the phone number from the board into her cellphone and wiped the board clean.

Taking her lunch bag from the fridge, she sat at the table to unwrap the neatly made turkey sandwich on wheat bread. A long blank stare brought Jonathan’s image to view as she chewed. He was engaging, handsome and sexy as all hell; there was no denying him that. And, race was not a factor as she led him to believe. The problem she was facing was within her—she’d vowed never to be in another relationship after what happened almost a year ago.

The cars lining the street showed the party was in full bloom by the time Jonathan arrived. Dressed in a black suit with all the necessary accessories, he was uncomfortable with the tie around his thick neck and his arms confined inside the long-sleeved shirt. He preferred jeans and t-shirts as opposed to dressing up. He exited his Chevy Silverado taking the nicely wrapped gift from the passenger’s seat. With a looming dread, he walked to the door adjusting a smile to his face. Gwen was like a sister and he owed it to her to attend her anniversary party. But tonight, he was not in a partying mood knowing Anthony would be with Gabrielle. The thought of them together was tearing him up inside.

Wading through the crowd of people filling the home, he found Gwen and Kevin in the living room. Hugging Gwen, he said, “Happy anniversary, sweetheart.”

Gwen’s eyes widened. “Jonathan, if I weren’t happily married I would have to marry you. Damn you look good in a suit!”

He blushed. “The salesman assured me Hugo Boss could make any man look

good; I guess he didn’t lie.”

“The suit adds to the whole package of your fineness….mmm,” she said licking her lips.

“Okay, I think Kevin is getting a complex. I’m gonna grab a plate of food before it’s all gone.”

“Help yourself to the bar too. If you drink too much, you have a room waiting on you.”

“Good to know,” he responded. In the dining room he looked around for

Anthony and Gabrielle. It was too many people filtering from room to room to spot them on first sight. He put a few meatballs on a plate and continued down the line of the buffet table thinking maybe it was better if he didn’t run into them.

“It’s about time you made an appearance. I was starting to think you weren’t coming,” Anthony said slapping Jonathan on the back.

“I wouldn’t do Gwen and Kevin that way.” When he faced Anthony he noticed he was alone. “Where is Gabrielle?”

“She’s on her way. She got called to work for a few hours. Uh, you know I should beat your ass for what you did to me the other day at the station, but I’m over it.”

He chuckled. “You have to admit that was funny, but Sandra took an instant liking to you.”

“Tell me about it. I couldn’t get rid of her and since you didn’t get to spend any time with her at the fire station, I invited her to the party so you two could get better acquainted.”

Jonathan’s face hit the floor. “Why the hell would you do that stupid shit, Anthony?”

“Watch your mouth, man. The minister of my church is here.”

His voice deepened. “I don’t give a damn who hears me! You did that so I wouldn’t be able to talk to Gabrielle; that was low even for you. You know Sandra is gonna be hanging all over me!”

“Nick is bringing a date and I have one; I didn’t want you to be the only straggler looking lonely.”

“I could have sworn I asked you not to do me any favors! I’m fuckin’ outta here,”

he said putting the plate on the table.

“Jon, you’re blowing shit overboard. C’mon, man, chill. You can be nice to Sandra for few hours.”

His mood changed instantly. “You know what I can be nice to her for a few hours.”

“What’s with the face?”

“I’m not making a face. I’m just wondering how you are going to handle two women tonight?”

“What?”

“You invited Sandra right?”

“Yeah and your point?”

He looped his arm around Anthony’s shoulder. “Did you tell her I would be her date or is she assuming you’re going to be her date?”

A slow hiss left Anthony’s lips. “Dammit!”

“You gotta pay attention to details when setting a person up.” A wide grin crossed his face as he straightened Anthony’s tie. “Looks like one of your women have arrived. She looks hot too; go get ‘em, tiger,” he said shoving him forward.

“I’m really starting not to like you.”

“Don’t hate the player, hate the way you screwed the game.” Laughing he retrieved his plate and scooted away before Sandra cornered him, and Anthony weaseled from her grasp.

At the bar Jonathan ordered a beer from the bartender and heard Nick’s familiar bellow. “Yo, Jon.”

“Over here, Nick,” he waived. Whenever the three of them went out, Nick was always sure to have a beautiful woman on his arm. This night was no different. The tall, slender red-head with fair skin clung to Nick like a second skin and had been accompanying Nick to most social events lately.

“Jon, I ran into Anthony with the Plain Dealer lady; what gives? I thought he was bringing Gabrielle and she was supposed to be your date.”

“His little plan backfired and now he has two dates to entertain if Gabrielle decides to come.”

“He wouldn’t listen when I said that was a dumb idea. I was going to fix you up with Kate’s sister Sarah, but you don’t swing that way.”

Kate put her hand to her mouth. “Nick you never told me Jon was gay?”

Jonathan almost choked on his beer. “I’m not gay! Nick, set your girl straight!”

“Kate, baby, don’t talk; just stand and be beautiful, okay?”

Jonathan cleared his throat. “Ahem!”

“Oh and what I meant is Jon ain’t into our kind.”

“What other kind is there? I thought he just liked black women.”

Jonathan rolled his eyes getting up from the barstool. “I haven’t had enough to drink to deal with this conversation. I’ll catch you two later.”

Jonathan wandered into the backyard where people occupied several of the patio chairs to chat and enjoy the unusual warm night. The house was over-capacitated, and being a fireman he knew the dangers of having too many people gathered in one spot, but overlooked it since these were his friends.

Strolling down the driveway his breath was taken away. Gabrielle looked lost making her way up the driveway carrying a tiny gift bag. A smile crossed her face when she saw him in the distance. He walked down the short driveway to meet her.

“You look lost.”

“I am. I’m glad I ran into you. I’ve been calling Anthony but his phone goes straight to voicemail.”

Jonathan looked around. “The house is packed and loud; he probably can’t hear it.” He scanned her over. He’d never seen her without hospital scrubs or a lab coat before. The strapless black mini cocktail dress showed just the right amount of thigh and the stiletto pumps gave her long legs extra sex appeal. She had chosen to wear her hair curly on top with bangs sweeping over her left brow. “You look beautiful, Gabrielle.”

She adjusted the silky lace wrap over her shoulders. “Thank you. I gotta say you look pretty darn tasty yourself.” Diverting her eyes away from his handsome face she glazed over his tall frame lowering her head. “I wish Anthony would answer his phone. I don’t know anyone here and feel weird walking inside the house by myself.”

“Not true you know me and I’ll go with you inside.”

“You didn’t bring a date?”

“Nope; I’m all alone.”

“What a waste,” she whispered under her breath.”

“Sorry, I didn’t hear that.”

Gabrielle cleared her throat. “I didn’t say anything.”

He bent his elbow to allow her to slip her arm through. “Shall we go find your date?”

“Might as well get this over with,” she answered taking his arm.

Inside the crowed house again, it took a while to locate Anthony. When they finally located him in the basement, he and Sandra were tangled together slow dancing provocatively. Gabrielle shook her head. “Well, I wasted hours getting dressed for this.

Jonathan, would you please give my gift to Anthony’s sister? I’m going home.”

He clutched her arm tighter. “Don’t go—I’m here alone. How would you like to be my date for the evening?”

“How can I say no with you looking the way you do,” she smiled.

Jonathan took the bag from her and set it on a table. “Shall we dance?”

Moving close to where Anthony and Sandra were dancing, Jonathan pulled

Gabrielle into his arms; she fit perfectly. Sliding his arm around her slender waist he felt her body relax and her head rest on his shoulder. He was not a dancer but could keep a beat to the tempo of slow music. He felt her arm circle around his neck as their bodies moved to the sensual music.

He whispered in her ear. “You know you’re killing me, right?”

“How am I doing that?” She asked inhaling the light scent of his cologne; it was just the right amount to arouse the senses. And, the feel of his arms around her made her knees wobble slightly as she kept in step with the music.

“Your sweet sensual smell, your sexy body next to mine; I’m dying inside.”

“Maybe we should stop dancing before you’ll need resuscitation by one of your fellow firefighters.”

He caressed his cheek next to hers, saying, “I don’t want anyone’s lips on mine but yours.”

She moved her head to be aligned close to his. Looking into his eyes, she said,

“You’re a smooth talker, Mr. DeMinico; keep that up and you might get your wish.”

“How many wishes are you granting me?”

“I haven’t decided yet, but I will before the night is over,” she replied laying her head on his shoulder again.

Anthony opened his eyes and saw Jonathan and Gabrielle not far from him. He broke the tight embrace with Sandra. “I need a drink.”

Glaring at the back or Gabrielle’s head resting on Jonathan’s shoulder, Sandra drew one hand into a tight fist. Regaining her composure, she said, “I could use a drink also.” Leaving without saying anything to Jonathan, Anthony took Sandra’s hand to go upstairs to the bar.

Gwen was standing on the basement landing watching Jonathan and the young woman enjoying their dance. “Don’t even say it,” he said to her as he let Sandra go ahead of him up the stairs.

“I’m not saying anything. But, Anthony, you did right by stepping aside and letting him have a chance with her.”

“Jon is my boy and I couldn’t do him like that. Plus Gabrielle is feeling him.”

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to her, but they look great together. Don’t get me wrong, you and Sandra make a striking couple.”

“Gwen, don’t push Sandra on me. I ain’t trying to be in love. I’m a playa and gotta have my freedom to choose.”

She pointed a finger in his chest. “You know what, Anthony; I’m not pushing Sandra on you because she seems to be in her own world at times, and I haven’t figured out what world that is.”

“You think Sandra is weird?”

“I don’t want to say weird just strange.”

“Gwen, those words have the same meaning.”

“Alright, then she is weird! But what I’m talking about is how you’re doing Melanie—its’ wrong. You keep her dangling on the end of a rope while you play around. If you’re going to be single the rest of your life, then let Melanie go so she can have a life.”

His eyes rolled upward. “Ugh, Gwen; you have to stop spending so much time watching those relationship shows. Admit you don’t want me with Sandra because you and Melanie are friends.”