Talk a Good Game (48 page)

“
I can
understand that.” He then reached for my hand.
“C
’
mere.
’

He pulled me up from the chair and I fell into his
open arms and closed my eyes. It felt so good being able to lean on
someone.

“
I care so much
about you,” he whispered against my ear. “
I don’t
know
what I would do if anything ever happened to
you.”

I pulled back stunned and gazed
into his eyes. “Do you really mean that?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Ain’t you
figured it out yet? I love you, Jae. I always have.” He gave a
wicked smile, confirming what he said was true.

I tilted my head and met his lips in a kiss that was
so hot I felt the flaming heat all the way down to my toes. When he
finally released me I felt better. For a moment, I almost forgot
about the suicide.

“
What are you doing here?” I
asked.

“
You’ve been
avoiding my calls, so I thought I
’
d come down here
and claim what
’s
mine.”

“
Oh really?” I
laughed but when Frankie didn’t join in I realized he was dead
serious. “I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching about my life, my
father
’s
death, my ex-fiancé.” I noticed
the way his eyes lit up at the word ex. “And I just need time to
sort through some things.”

Frankie nodded. “I understand, but
know this. I got your back, boo.”

“
Thanks,
” I said then
glanced down at my wrist. “I gotta get in the kitchen. We’re short
staff this evening and I need to help out.”

“
Then let
’s
go,” he replied and
swatted me on the ass. “Give me an apron because
I
’
m here to
help.”

“
Can you make cornbread?” I
teased.

“
Gurrrl, my
cornbread
’s
so good, it
’ll
make you hurt your Mama. I’ve got a secret recipe I picked up
from a sweet old lady years ago.”

“
Uh-huh. Her name wouldn’t be
Granby by chance?”

Frankie winked, then took my hand and led me to the
kitchen.

NYREE

“
Congratulations Mrs. Samuels, in
about six and a half more months you’re going to be a new
mommy!”

I looked at my nurse, too stunned to respond. Was
she serious?

Apparently she was, because she wrote out a script
for prenatal vitamins, then told me to make an appointment to see
an obstetrician after the Christmas holiday. I was in a daze as I
left the clinic and moved out to my car. Once inside, I just sat
there staring out the windshield.

I
’
m going to have
a baby.

I was speechless. Lately I had
been under the weather and thought maybe I had caught a cold. Sure,
I’ve missed a few periods, but I thought it was because of the
stress of the past few months; but never had I suspected I was
pregnant. Maybe it was because I had been preoccupied. Jeremy and I
had moved into my house and spent Thanksgiving with our children.
All six of them.

I placed a protective hand to my stomach and then
took a long shaky breathe. This would be my first child… our first
child together and I was so excited. That is… before I remembered
something that made me flinch.

Quickly, I pulled my calendar out of my purse and
tried to calculate about when conception may have been.

Before my wedding
day
.

I picked up my phone and dialed a number. It was
answered on the second ring.

“
Janelle…, I
think I
’
m pregnant with
Timmy
’s
baby.”

JANELLE

I left my office and stared at the
space that used to be Alphonso’s store, and felt my heart flutter.
As much as I hated the way things went down, the place now belonged
to me. In the weeks following Alphonso
’s
suspicious suicide, I discovered he had only been leasing the
space.
All that tripping for
nothing
.

I quickly contacted the property manager, negotiated
a price and took out a loan. In the coming weeks the demolition
would begin for my expanded restaurant. I was so excited.

I climbed into my car and headed
over anxious to see the man who had made all this possible for me.
It
’s
amazing that in the midst of sadness and chaos
you can sometimes find joy and maybe even your purpose in
life.

Yep, I had finally found mine.

Mommy and I were back speaking and
closer than ever. She was giving the house to Brice which I thought
was a good thing. It appeared she really was planning on moving in
with Uncle Todd. She mentioned the two might get married later but
not right now and that was okay. All that mattered was that she was
happy. Uncle Todd and I were rebuilding our relationship. I told
him about me wanting to buy Alphonso’s space. That’s when he
mentioned the police suspected foul play. Personally that scenario
made more sense. The Alphonso I had known loved himself far too
much to commit suicide. It would be interesting to see how all that
played out. Some people even suspected it was drug-related. Others
said a girlfriend scorned. Only time would tell… or maybe we’d
never know.

As I drove down Broadway, I
cranked up the music while I listened to Pharrell’s
Happy
. Yes, Lawd! In the
last few weeks I had found my own happiness with one man. The
decision wasn’t easy, but I had to remind myself I was living for
the moment and what felt right.

As soon as I reached his place, I climbed out my
car, and there he was, waiting for me.

“
What took you so long?” he teased
with a wide grin.

“
Sorry, but I brought wine,” I
purred in my defense then held up the bottle as I leaned down for
his kiss.

“
C’mon, the movie’s already
started,” he said, and together we walked inside.

Other books you might also like by Sasha
Campbell:

Confessions

Suspicions

Scandals

Consequences

Other books you might also like by Angie
Daniels:

In the Company of My Sistahs

Trouble Loves Company

Careful of the Company You Keep

Angie Daniels is a free spirit who isn’t
afraid to say what’s on her mind or even better, write about it.
Since strutting onto the literary scene in five-inch heels, she’s
been capturing her audience’s attention with her wild imagination
and style for keeping it real. This vivacious woman knows exactly
what her readers want and is always ready to deliver. The award
winning author has written over twenty-five novels for imprints
such as BET Arabesque, Harlequin/Kimani Romance and Kensington/
Dafina Books. For more information about upcoming releases, and to
connect with Angie on facebook, please visit her website at
www.angiedaniels.com.

Sasha Campbell is the
author ego of author Angie Daniels. Visit her at
www.sasha-campbell.com.