She pursed her lips and gave me a look out of the corner of her eye. “Gabby had volunteered at women’s shelters for years, even before she and I met.”
I nodded, noting the deeper meaning behind her words. Gabby had a history, but it wasn’t my place to ask. I thought over her words. Then something I hadn’t anticipated occurred. An image of my Aunt Lisa flashed in front of me. She was a woman I’d loved, and who’d been dead for many years now. A lump formed in the pit of my stomach and the sense of dread whenever I thought about her began to bubble up.
“We’re here,” Chanel announced, dragging my attention back to her. “You okay?”
I hated the concern I heard in her voice, as she grabbed my hand.
“Fine.”
“You just got this look on your face.”
“Yeah, I’m cool. Was just thinking about what you said. Let’s go. It looks like they’ve been waiting for you.” I nodded toward an older woman who was waving in our direction.
“Oh, that’s Donna. You remember her, right?”
I squinted, looking at the woman with graying hair at her temples. I remembered her from the night I’d dropped Chanel and Anne Marie off at the shelter.
“Chanel, thank you for coming early to help set up,” Donna greeted as Chanel got out of the car. We were at a park where the event was held. There were stations set up, picnic tables and some people bustling about as they continued to set up. It was just after ten o’clock in the morning, and it didn’t start until eleven.
“You’re welcome, Donna. You remember, my friend, Xavier, right?”
I frowned down at her. I didn’t like being introduced as herfriend,and made a mental note to check her on that later.
“Yes, Chanel told me you would be joining us today. Thank you for coming, Xavier.”
“The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for having me,” I told Donna, taking her hand in mine for a handshake.
“What do you need us to do?” Chanel asked.
“Well, a couple of tables still need to be set up. They were too heavy for the staff we had,” Donna answered, looking over at me.
“Say no more. Just point me in the direction.” I removed my sunglasses from the top of my head and placed them in the front pocket of my polo shirt. Although it was late September, the sun was out, and the weather was still warm enough out that an outdoor event would draw a crowd.
“Thank you, Xavier. If you just go right over there where the crew is still setting up,” she pointed to where a group of women was unfolding chairs. “They’ll show you how to help.”
I nodded, pulled Chanel into me and gave her a kiss on the cheek before turning and walking in the opposite direction.
Over the next hour, I assisted the shelter employees in setting up one long table where most of the participants would sit. As more of the guests began arriving, they were given a pink ribbon that granted them access to free chair massages and facials that Gabby and a few more women were giving out. There was an area set up for children where they could play games and run around, a small petting zoo, popcorn, and a cotton candy station.
Across from where the children were playing was another setup for the food, which people could take as they pleased. The assortment of grilled meats, fresh fruit, and various salads had the entire section of this park smelling like a cookout.
A smile made its way to my lips as I watched Chanel helping a few of the children at the petting zoo. The way she lovingly held out her hand to show them how to feed the goats or give them bottles made something open up in my chest. I also felt a punch to my gut as I thought back to what she’d told me about her experience right after leaving her ex and moving to Los Angeles. I hadn’t realized how intently I’d been studying her until I heard a feminine voice behind me.
“She looks good surrounded by kids, huh?”
I turned to see Gabby’s five-foot-six-inch frame standing just behind me. She wore a floral romper with a pair of strappy sandals. Her hair hung in a short, silky bob that moved easily whenever her head did.
“She looks good all the time,” I responded. I could see my honesty shocked Gabby a little as her eyes widened, but then a small smile crept up on her purple stained lips.
“You talk a good game, Xavier. But so did her ex.” She frowned, her soft demeanor from just a few seconds ago changing.
I frowned deeply at that. The idea of my name even being uttered in the same sentence as that bastard had my hands curling into fists. I stuffed them into my pockets not to alarm Gabby, but I needed to make it crystal clear that neither she nor anyone else was to ever compare me tohim.
“Do me a favor. If you’ve got something to ask or tell me, just say it. But don’t compare me to him. Ever.” My voice was tight, and I had to fight to keep from clenching my jaw. I knew Gabby was just trying to look out for her friend. According to everything Chanel had told me about her, she was loyal and protective. I understood that.
“Okay,” she began, folding her arms over her chest. “What are your intentions with my girl over there?”
I raised my eyebrows. “My intentions?”
