Desiree smiled. “Alrighty now. Are you going to go?”
“Oh yeah, I’m going. He’s paying my way there and will be waiting for me when I arrive at the airport in Switzerland. Then we’ll catch the train to the mountains where the cabin he’s been using is located.”
“When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Why so soon? Will you be able to get ready that quickly?”
“My packing cubes are already organized. All I have to do is arrange them in my luggage. However, I did have to switch out summer clothes for outfits that will keep me warm. And Melia agreed to water the plants in the apartment while I’m gone. It’s only for two weeks.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“He said he’s inviting me because he wants me to read the script he just finished, that he values my opinion.”
“Hmm, there’s no reason for you to go all the way to the Swiss Alps just to do that. He could have emailed it. I think he just wants you there with him.”
“You really think so?”
Desiree heard the hopefulness in her voice. “Don’t you?”
“I’m too afraid to think that, Rae. So, I’m getting on that plane tomorrow with no expectations. I don’t want to be disappointed.”
“And if the opportunity arises where you could make your feelings for him known, will you take it?” Desiree asked.
Camille didn’t say anything for a minute and then quickly said, “Yes, I will take it. It’s about time, don’t you think?”
“It’s not about what I think, Cam. It’s about what you think.”
Camille was silent for a few more moments. Obviously, she was terrified to take this next step. “Then yes, I think it’s about time.”
Desiree chuckled. “I think so, too.”
“So, how was your date last night?” Camille asked.
Desiree smiled and looked down at her dress—the same dress Cobra’s hands had slipped underneath last night. “Cam, you won’t believe what happened.”
“Tell me everything, Rae,” she said, laughing.
She couldn’t do that—not all of it. Because she couldn’t help wanting to keep a part of last night’s magic all to herself.
***
Cobra placed his tennis racket in the closet and glanced around his home. He had moved to Harlem at the beginning of the year, after living in Manhattan for nearly eight years. He had felt it was time to move out of the condo and had purchased the four-story brownstone. He loved living here; the community was great, and everything he needed was an easy commute.
But today was the first time he’d looked around his home and thought it felt lonely. When he lived in Manhattan, he’d been known to throw a party or two at his condo, especially whenbringing in the New Year. And he was the one who threw yearly birthday celebrations for himself and his brothers.
As well, the condo was the place he’d invite women to spend time with him—women whose names he couldn’t now remember. He hadn’t thought twice about taking his date to his place instead of suggesting they go to a hotel. That open-door policy ended after his evening with Bernice Whey. Hell, he’d even given the bedroom furniture from his Savannah home to one of his younger cousins. Just remembering the night Allison/Bernice had spread out on his bed made him feel ill.
When he moved into the six-bedroom, four-bath brownstone, he decided it was time to purchase all new furniture. And he promised himself that the place would be all his. No more hookups in his personal space. But then, after hearing about the way Bernice had tricked her baby daddies at hotels, he wasn’t sure they were the safest places for one-night stands, either.
Needing a shower, he headed for the bedroom, pulling his phone out of his back pocket as he walked. He’d woken up that morning thinking about Desiree, but hadn’t wanted to call her too soon, since she’d said she would be sleeping late. He checked his watch. It was after noon—she should be up by now.
He’d hated leaving her to sleep in the dress she had worn on their date, but the only alternative was to undress her and put her in something else. He knew the limits to his willpower and control where she was concerned, and undressing her would have been pushing it too far. So he chose the safer option and left.
“Hello?”
Why did the sound of her voice cause him to pause? And why had his heart seemed to skip a beat? Drawing in a deep breath, he responded, “Good afternoon. I’m just checking in to see how you’re doing.”
