THE HAND JERRISON drapes over me when we enter the restaurant isn’t protective. It’s possessive. His eyes slide down my chest, the silk wrapped around my body, the bracelets on my wrist.
Perhaps I could have made it easier on him.
I could have thrown my hair into a ponytail, worn a mini-skirt and sneakers and called it a night. I could have chosen low heels instead of six- inch stilettos. I could have found a dress that left some room. Left some curves to the imagination.
But why should I dim the light that’s bursting out of me?
I like this new Harriet. I like the way she’s comfortable in her own skin.
Vivacious. Fearless.
It’s who I was before I got married.
Why did I shun her just because of the ring on my finger?
“You look stunning,” Jerrison leans down to whisper, “but you know what would look better?”
“What?” I smirk when I see my purse dangling from his shoulder. He does that now. Whenever he picks me up from work or takes me out, he holds my purse for me.
I’m just keeping our agreement, he told me when I asked him about it. When we started dating, I told you that you wouldn’t have to lift a finger if you were with me.
“My jacket.” He shrugs it off. “I think it would make that outfit really sing.”
I push his hand away when he tries to drape his blazer over my shoulders. “You’ll mess up my look.”
“I’ll mess up someone’s face if they keep staring at you,” he grumbles.
A dirty glance around the room causes most of the men to look away.
A few don’t. Idiots.
I wrap my arms around his biceps. “They can look, but they can’t have me.”
“And why is that?” A smile flirts with his pink lips.
“Because I’m a lone wolf. I won’t let any man lock me down.” The scowl that crosses his face makes me laugh so hard I snort.
We stroll to the podium. The hostess skims my outfit. A little smirk of approval crosses her face. “Do you have an appointment?”
“Yes.” Jerrison raises his voice so the entire building can hear. “My wife
and I have a reservation. It’s under Bradley.” I meet her eyes girl, can you believe him?
She giggles. Covers the laughter behind her hand. Makes a sweeping gesture. “Yes, sir. Right this way.”
Jerrison pulls my chair out and grabs the seat right next to me. I bend my elbow on the table. “You’re being clingy.”
“Me? I don’t know how to be clingy.” He lifts the menu. “Would you like me to order for you?”
“You know I always get the same thing.”
His blue eyes linger on my mouth. “Variety is good for the soul.”
I don’t let my mind wander to dark places and simply accept the joke as it is. “I’m not convinced.”
“Do you trust me?” He arches an eyebrow.
I hesitate. It’s not intentional. Since his confession, I’ve felt his heart for me. It really does remind me of dating all over again. Yet, I can’t outrun the sense that another shoe is about to drop. I’m afraid that, at any moment, someone will run up to me and burst this bubble with news of my husband’s latest scandal.
Jerrison touches my hand. His wedding ring glints in the candles flickering on the table. “You can say no.”
“It’s not that.” I force a smile. Keep my tone playful. “I’m not sure if you’re going to try and get me drunk tonight.”
“You are a lot more fun when you’re tipsy.” His smirk is wicked. It eases across his face. Highlights his jaw that’s carved from pure granite.
I push his shoulder. “At least I don’t throw up on everything in sight.”
“That was one time.” He laughs, shaking his head.
See, Harriet? Everything’s good. This is real. This moment is all you need to focus on.
A waiter returns to take our order. Jerrison gets me a drink I’ve never heard of before.
“Well?” He tilts his head when I’ve taken a sip. “It’s delicious.” I offer him my glass for a taste.
There’s something intimate about the way he sips from it without hesitation. Something absolutely divine about the way his lips purse around the rim. The way his Adam’s apple bobs.
“It’s good?” Jerrison asks. His eyes lock on mine and refuse to leave. “Maybe.” I toss my hair over my shoulder. “Let me taste yours.”
I gesture to the cup.
He pushes it away from me and leans in. His lips are full and there’s a small dimple on the left side of his jaw. It deepens when he smiles. Then it disappears as his mouth inches near to mine.
A cell phone chirps.
He freezes, a breath away from kissing me.
For a second, guilt thrums through my veins and I wonder if it’s Doc, calling to remind us that there should be no touching while we’re dating.
“It’s Patrick.” Jerrison grumbles.
“Go ahead.” I sip my drink, enjoying the taste. It’s a fruity mix with just enough rum to give it a kick.
Jerrison catches my eye and mimes to the cell phone stuck to his ear.
Great timing, right?
I scrunch my nose. Scold him for me.
He chuckles and focuses on the call. “Yeah, Pat. Okay. No problem. I’ll cover for you if she calls. Don’t mention it.” He hangs up. “Sorry about that.”
“What did Patrick want this late at night?” I stir my drink, watching him curiously.
“Nothing. Just a small favor.”
I start to let it go. Like a woman unpinning clothes from the line, I pull and release. Pull and release. But, just before my unease slips away, a thought hits and refuses to leave.
Jerrison picks up the menu and peruses it. “What do you feel like eating?”
“Why do you need to cover for Patrick?” “Hm?” He glances up.
“Who is the person Patrick wants you to lie to?”
His fingers tightening on the cloth napkin is the only sign of his distress. He flashes a careless smile that belies the wrinkles deepening around his blue eyes. “It’s nothing, Harriet.”
“Answer me.” I lean away from him. All the bubbly sensations in my stomach have turned to lead.
He runs a hand through his hair and mumbles under his breath, “Don’t do this. Don’t start an argument over nothing.”
My eyes sharpen. “You just told Patrick you’d lie to his wife, didn’t you?”
“Harriet…”
“Didn’t you?” I screech.
Memories pound against my head. Merciless waves that sting and burn me. Lips that opened and closed in deceit. Phone calls that ended in excuses. Patrick’s cavalier tone. ‘Oh, Jerrison? Yeah, he’s with me.’
He wasn’t.
I knew that because I was hidden around the corner, watching my husband’s best friend and business partner flirt with a woman who wasn’t his wife.
Jerrison’s head gives a slight shake. “If it matters this much to you, I won’t help him out.”
He’s disgusting.
All the anger and acid from his betrayals crawl out of the crevices. I thought I’d banished them. I thought I’d scared them away for good. But they’re a little too eager to jump to the forefront. A little too sweet on the edge of my tongue.
I stand with such force, the chair screeches on the ground. It begins to topple over, but Jerrison grabs it.
I haul my purse over my shoulder. “I’m not hungry anymore.” “Harriet, sit down.” Jerrison’s worried glance sweeps the dining room. “Maybe you should enjoy your dinner with someone else tonight.”
“The hell does that mean, Harriet?” Jerrison’s brows pull together until they form one line.
My heart pulses with anger. It’s so fresh. So thick.
It’s almost as if I caught him cheating on me again. I can taste the burning fury in my veins.
My heart won’t stop pounding. It’s so real. So intense.
There’s a tug on my hand. It’s Jerrison stopping me from leaving. “Let me drop you home.”
I want to say no.
I want to slap his face.
I want to fall to the ground in tears.
But I inhale deeply through my mouth and let common sense take over. “Fine.”
He drives in tense silence.
I’m glad he doesn’t talk to me. I want to pretend he doesn’t exist. When he stops in front of my apartment, I pop the door open.
“Harriet,” Jerrison worries his bottom lip, “this isn’t how I wanted the night to end. Can we at least talk about this?”
“I don’t want to talk to you, Jerrison.”
His eyes flash with irritation. “How can I fix it if you don’t tell me what’s wrong?”
I want to punch him in the face. Will he be able to tell what’s wrong then?
He taps his chest. “I’m not the one who’s stepping out on his wife tonight. I’m with you, aren’t I? I’m trying my best.”
“Did I ask you for that?” I scream. “If it’s such a chore then do whatever you want. I don’t care.”
His lips curl cruelly. “You mean that?”
My eyes narrow to dangerous slits. Rather than answer, I slam the door so hard his entire car rocks. Hot tears press against my eyes, but I don’t let them fall until I’m safely inside my apartment.