Everything turned to ashes when he realized the money wasn’t disappearing from their joint account because she was using it to complete the house they’d move into.Christy was lining her own nest and had no intention of being Mrs.Marsh.The blow that hit him hardest was realizing that when he was ready to return home, he had only a few thousand dollars and an empty lot of land.
The shame that came with knowing he’d been duped devastated him, and he still questioned his worth as a man when he allowed himself to sit still long enough.How could he not have seen her avoidance of his questions for the flimsy excuses they’d been?And why hadn’t he kept a closer watch on the money?Whenever he asked, she’d mention the high cost of blocks and cement, as well as payments to workers, which sounded reasonable.Christy was prone to overspending, but he thought that with a child to care for, she’d become more responsible.Invested in their future.
“She must believe in you to let you do this for her business.”
Chelle’s comment missed him, so he ran her words back in his mind until he understood what she’d said.
“Maybe it’s not me so much,” he answered, “but the fact that I told her proposals are what you do for a living.”
That brought a wide grin to her face.“And you haven’t forgotten anything I taught you.”
“I’m a quick learner, as you know.”His smile faded as he thought of the visit with Lizette’s family.“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure can.”Chelle sat back and read her watch before settling her attention on him.
“Do you hate our father as much as Mother?”
Frowning, she asked, “Why would you think that?”
“You never talk about him, almost as if you’re ashamed—”
“It’s nothing like that,” she said, playing with her fork.“I don’t because I figured it would be painful for you.Why are you asking anyway?”
He waited several moments before he answered.“It just seems as if we’re living parallel lives.He lost everything … and I have.”
She leaned toward him.“Shomari, listen to me.You’re a good man, who's had bad luck.Don’t let one experience turn you off life and women.Forget Christy, she’s the exception, not the rule, and you never know what’s in the future.Life is happeningnow,and none of it is perfect.”
“Right.”He scoffed as his stomach twisted.“But first I have to rebuild, because which woman in her right mind would want a man who’s broke and homeless?”
She sat back, and her eyes filled with tears.“You know, I never realized before today how much Mother’s words and actions have hurt you.”She blinked several times, then sighed.“You’ll never accept my help, but please, don’t let pride stand in the way of having something you think you don’t deserve because of one mistake.”
Chapter 13
ThiswaswhatMomdidn’t understand—Shomari’s mood swings.
He left as Mr.Sunshine and returned as Mr.Doom-And-Gloom.Lizette knew it didn’t have anything to do with her because the moment they met face to face in the passage outside her door, she understood his mood had been on a downward track before he returned.Why would lunch with his sister leave him this blue?It didn’t make sense, but wasn’t her business.
One thing he’d learn was that kids picked up on people’s vibes easily and weren’t shy to ask questions.Awkward ones that he’d have a challenge deflecting.
The small space only made the situation worse.He was close enough to touch, but so far inside his head, she couldn’t reach him.He handed her the file, barely holding her gaze.“I’ll talk to you on this after my session.”
“Fine.”
She entered the office, cursing her stupidity.For no reason, other than his attitude, she was now snippy.The tone of that one word would have told him she was mad, which was crazy.Why should she allow him to wreck her day?Squaring her shoulders, she sat.She had more than enough responsibility to keep her occupied.Shomari was for later.
But her mind wouldn’t stay off him, and her thoughts wandered to the conversation with Mom last Friday.Shomari might set her nerves jangling in an intriguing but uneasy way, but she didn’t know if that was enough to sustain an interest in him.She’d been attracted to men before, but in her thirty-two years, no one’s touch made her feel like the women she read about in the romance novels she devoured at night.Her heart rate spiked at the sight of him, and when he was close by, she knew subconsciously.
Wintertime kept her so busy, she didn’t have time to focus on a relationship, and the letdown with Jonathan was enough to put her off men for a while.Come to think of it, the last time she’d been on a date was roughly two months ago.She’d give herself grace, though, because Jermaine hadn’t been her type.His temperament made him as interesting as a peanut butter sandwich, and his touch did nothing to her, unlike the man who now had her head in knots.
“Thanks for a good evening,” she told Jermaine at her door after their evening out.
He’d kissed her cheek and murmured, “See you.”
They both knew what it meant.Neither of them was feeling each other on what would be their first and last date since meeting at a seminar for educators.
She picked up a pen and tapped on the desk, then propped her cheek on one hand.Mom’s words still had her conflicted.I’d be disappointed if you let your prejudice override your heart and good sense.
Her heart wasn’t involved yet, but she did have certain preconceived notions about males.The men in her family were the same, yet different from Shomari.They were educated, but they’d made their way in the world and set their lives on an upward trajectory.Zack did have a spell where they were worried about him after his heart was broken, but he’d continued making his contribution to the company he and Eli owned.
