“You know, this place casts a spell on you,” Aaliyah sighs. “Sure, it’s known for its voodoo, Mardi Gras, and all that,” standing, she makes her way back to the door. “But it has a way of bringing out the truth. The longer you stay, the harder it is to leave without telling your tale. Are you sure you’re done here because I don’t know if New Orleans is done with you?”
She goes to leave, and I turn back to the view of the city, thinking about what she just said. I know she’s right. There is something about this town. Rex and I have fought for years to keep each other at arm’s length. To keep our secrets hidden. In only a few short months here, everything has come uncovered.
Well, almost everything.
“Oh, by the way, there is someone here to see you,” she says as I glance back her way and see a mischievous smile grace her face. I start to worry about who it is as her smile grows. I know I need to face him, but I’m not ready to yet.
“I’ll send him back,” she winks, leaving before I can give a rebuttal.
Him? God, I knew it. Why did Eva have to go back to Kentucky? She made me promise before she left to tell Rex. A promise I know I will keep, but right now is not the time to tell him all I have to say.
I stand up and straighten my skirt. Maybe I can ask him to meet me later. Tell him I’m sorry, we need to talk, but in my office at three in the afternoon when I’m trying to finish the day is not the time and place. I cross the room and glance out the window at the town in all its busy glory. I try to let my mind get lost in the people rushing back and forth instead of the nervous feeling rising inside me, but it’s no use.
My mind is stuck on one thing, and it’s time I stop running and face it. A knock comes at my door, and I take a moment before turning to look. When I do, I’m entirely unprepared for who stands in the doorway.
“Eric?”
“Don’t tell me you’re not happy to see me?” he asks as I cross the room and hug him.
He’s tried pursuing me a few times but finally got the hint that I’m unavailable, and our business relationship blossomed into a great friendship.
“I thought you were still on the road for a few more days?”
“Yeah, but my travels brought me close enough. I thought I would stop in and see how everything is wrapping up,” he says, releasing me. “I stopped by the club on the way over here. It looks great. I even saw some marketing online and throughout town for next week’s opening. Great work, Gwen. I’ll have to hire you for another job someday.”
I smile at him and gesture toward the chairs in my office. He takes a seat, and I go back to my desk chair.
“It’s been busy wrapping everything up, but I’m glad you are happy with the results,” I sigh. “Fingers crossed for an opening that blows all others out of the water. Are you still planning on attending, or will your schedule take you elsewhere next Friday night?”
“Nope, I’ll be there,” he grins. “I was wondering what you had planned for decor? Like all the little extras. Drink menus, swag, that kind of stuff.”
Clicking on my computer, I wait while it wakes up and wave him around my desk. “Come here, I’ll show you. I think you are really going to like it.”
He rounds my desk, leaning over my shoulder, and I look up at him and smile. “How are things with Janelle?”
I know he has been really trying to get his marriage back on track, and I applaud him for it.
“Good,” he says with a twinkle in his eye. “We’re trying, so that is a step. Before, she didn’t even want to talk to me,” he laughs, leaning in to see the items I am bringing up on the screen.
After a moment, he stares back at me, and I smile. Our faces close together, I can smell the mint on his breath, and under normal circumstances, I might have gone in for a kiss. I know he feels it, too. The chemistry, small as it is, is something we both have come to the conclusion we’ll always hide. He grins back at me. A soft understanding passes between the two of us that nothing will ever come between our friendship. Another time or another life, maybe. But not now.
A voice at my door startles both of us. “Well, looks like I’m not the only one that plays the field.”
I turn to see Rex, eyes full of fire, as he takes a fighting stance in the doorway. Startled, I smile. Even though I was not ready to say all I needed to say, he came to me. He showed up here, and that is a huge step.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Maybe I should ask you both the same question.” He crosses his arms over his chest and eyes Eric with disdain. Glancing Eric’s way, I lean back and put more space between us, suddenly aware of how this must look. “Hell, Gwen. I know you like to keep your business partners close, but I didn’t know you took them in two at a time.”
“What are you talking about?” I snap, backing away from the computer and pushing Eric aside. Eric gets the idea he has stepped into something bigger than whatever Rex thinks he just walked in on and starts to round my desk to leave the room.
“Where are you going, man?” Rex shouts. “Stay. She obviously can’t make up her mind. Maybe she needs both of us while she plays her sick little game of hearts.”
Eric comes to a stop in the middle of the room, and my heart plummets to the bottom of my stomach.
“Always was one to keep everything on the down low, huh, Gwen?” Rex’s eyes darken, and my breathing quickens. “Guess you weren’t expecting me to find out, huh? Glad I fucking stopped by. Caught you in all your bullshit. Is this what the other night was about? Because shit, you could have just told me then instead of letting me go on about all the other shit. Hell, if what I want ever has any weight with you, though. You just do as you please, even if it means getting rid of people. Isn’t that right?”
“You’re an asshole,” I yell.
