She’d known from the onset that she could never invite him to meet her family until he’d put a ring on her finger, but what Cherie didn’t understand was why she hadn’t met his. After all, she and their son had attended the same prep school and graduated from the same Ivy League college, even if she had graduated with honors and he hadn’t. It had never dawned on her that her race would be a factor if he decided to choose a wife, but apparently it was, along with her social status. When Weylin’s parents announced that he was engaged to the daughter of a prominent elected official, Cherie felt as if her whole world had imploded. She’d watched the man to whom she’d given her virginity and her love become the husband of a woman who had been their Yale classmate. That’s when she realized Weylin was an expert when it came to keeping secrets. No one had known he was dating Michelle before their engagement, and no knew he was also sleeping with a black woman. He’d carried on two clandestine relationships at the same time, and neither woman knew about the other.
“You’re right,” she said. “I trusted someone who was so undeserving of it.” Cherie sighed softly. “But that’s behind me now.”
“Good for you,” Leah crooned. “Now that you’ve put that part of your life in the rearview mirror, it’s time for you start over in a new state, a new house, with book club friends who are your older sisters.”
Cherie couldn’t help but smile. Leah was right. “Do you know what I find ironic?” she said after a comfortable silence.
“What’s that?” Kayana questioned.
“We all have something in common. You left Atlanta to come back to Coates Island after your divorce, while Leah left Richmond after burying her husband to move here. And I decided to relocate to Coates Island because it’s where I met two women who have helped me discover who I am and what I need to live my best life.”
Leah nodded. “How true. But you forgot another thing.”
“What’s that?” Cherie asked.
“Kayana and I were given a second chance at love. And I know you probably don’t want to hear it, but it’s time you find that special someone with whom to share your newfound life. You claim it’s been almost five years since you’ve been in a relationship—even if it was an adulterous one—and because you’re older and, I hope, a lot wiser, you will know what you’re willing to accept or reject when it comes to a man. I told you before that you’re beautiful and intelligent, and that translates into men flocking to you like bees to a flower.”
“Like that crazy-ass man who tried to strangle me.”
Leah rolled her eyes upward. “I’m not talking about crazies, Cherie. And don’t forget that I have a son who’s a very eligible bachelor.”
“I’m here to tell you that Leah’s sons are very attractive men,” Kayana added.
Cherie laughed. “Thanks, but no thanks. I believe I can find my own man. And besides, Leah’s sons live in Richmond, and I have no intention of moving again.”
Leah let out an audible sigh. “And I doubt whether Aron is willing to leave Richmond now that he’s an associate in the family’s law practice.”
“He’s an associate and not a partner?” Cherie questioned.
“Even though the firm is Kent, Kent, McDougal and Sweeny, Caleb and Aron weren’t given preferential treatment. They had to start as associates, and eventually they’ll become managing partners.”
Cherie suddenly realized, at that moment, that she had no need to second-guess herself about leaving Connecticut to move to North Carolina to reconnect with two women who two summers ago were strangers and whom she now thought of as not only friends but family. Both Kayana and Leah were old enough to be her mother, if they’d had the baby in their early teens, yet she didn’t regard them as mother figures, but as older sisters protecting their younger one.
Kayana would occasionally slip back into her psychiatric social worker role when giving her suggestions on how she should look at life, while Leah’s maternal instincts translated into wanting to protect and nurture her. And she was certain that, when they’d decided to form their book club, they had no idea how inexorably their lives would become entwined. Leah had come to the island the first time to distance herself from a toxic marriage, and the second time, it was to heal from a domestic violence incident. She’d fallen in love with Kayana’s brother, and before the end of the year, she and Kayana would become sisters-in-law.
Cherie really did appreciate Leah attempt’s to fix her up with one of her sons, but she didn’t want a repeat of what she’d had with Weylin. It would be like making a lateral move because both men were white and wealthy. However, she found it odd that Leah believed race was a priority for her when it came to a relationship when it wasn’t. There weren’t that many black boys at her prep school, and most of them dated other black, white, and girls of color. For some reason, they hadn’t given her a second look, yet she wasn’t bothered by that. They knew she was on scholarship and were aware of where she lived, and that meant she wasn’t socially and financially their equal.
“I really appreciate the company, the food, and the drink,” Cherie said, smiling.
“I know we came over unannounced and uninvited, but Leah insisted we check on you,” Kayana stated.
Cherie smiled. “And I’m glad you did.”
Kayana pushed off the chair. “I know we said we were going to spend the day with you, but I think you may need some alone time before you come to the café tomorrow.”
“Kayana’s right,” Leah said. “If you need company, just text me, and I’ll come and get you so you can stay over with me and Derrick.”
“I can assure you two mother hens that I’m going to be okay.”
“If you say so,” Kayana drawled.
“I’m all right, Kayana. After drinking those mimosas, I’m ready for a nap. And when I get up, I’ll probably make some popcorn and watch a couple of movies.”
Leah nodded. “Okay.”
Cherie closed and locked the door behind her friends, then retreated to the kitchen to wash the flutes. She knew Leah and Kayana were genuinely concerned about her, and she appreciated that, but she didn’t want them to view her as a victim; that was a status she refused to accept. Even when she’d made the decision to give up her baby, she’d thought of herself as a surrogate carrying a child for a woman unable to have one, and she had been paid well for it. Now she was not only older but wiser. If or when she found herself in another relationship, it would be vastly different from the one she’d had with Weylin. She’d promised herself she would never sleep with another woman’s husband, and if she did become pregnant, she would never again give up her baby.
* * *
