Night of Seduction (32 page)

“What
part?
”

“The part where
you said you have no one. You do have someone and I think
it
’
s time for you two to give it a
try.
”

“You dump me
one minute and trying to hook me up the next, this is
rich,
”
he laughed.

“I know, I
know. But it
’
s time.
Aren
’
t you a little curious who I
’
m talking
about?
”

“No. I know who
you are talking about.
”

She looked at
him surprised,
“
Then
what
’
s stopping you from asking her out.
”

“You, Siri. You
were stopping me.
”

“Well, that
road block has been removed. So when are you going to ask her
out?
”

“Siri.
”

“Carl.
”

“Tell you what,
I
’
ll ask Cashmere out if you promise not to close your
mind to Davies. I want to see you happy. If it
can
’
t be with me, then at least I
’
ll know you have
a decent brother.
”

“I
’
ll think about
it.
”

“Then
I
’
ll think about Cashmere.
”
They smiled at each
other and walked back to the house in silence.

♫

TeKaya was
waiting on the porch when they returned. She watched as Carl kissed
Siri
’
s cheek, got into his car and pulled away. How could
she pick this man over Eric? Yes, Carl was tall, handsome, somewhat
intelligent, but he was a momma
’
s boy. Eric was all
those things, but he was his own man. Besides, Carl had hurt Siri,
hurt her so deeply she lost her big sister for a year and she would
never forgive him, or that mother of his, for what they had done to
her. And as soon as Siri reached the porch, she was going to tell
her just what she thought.

“Hey,
I
’
m glad you waited up for me. Have I told you how happy
I am for you and Jason? The more I get to see him around you the
more I like him. You glow when he
’
s around and I
can
’
t think of anything in the world more wonderful than
seeing my baby sister happy.
”

Damn, sometimes
Siri really did get on her nerves. How was she going to fuss after
that?
“
I
’
m scared
Siri,
”
she confessed.

“What?
”
Siri looked concerned.

“Siri, Jason is
so worldly, so mature, so sure of who he is and what he
wants.
”

“He sounds just
like you,
”
Siri smiled.

“No, she shook
her head.
“
I
’
m so much
younger than he is and when we made love my inexperience
showed.
”

Surprised, but
not allowing it to show, Siri sat down on the step next to her
sister.
“
That was a big step for you. You want to talk
about it?
”

TK braced her
hands behind her and began talking.
“
It was the most
incredible experience of my life. I can still feel his hands on my
body, the feel of his breath on my neck, his lips on
mine.
”
She closed her eyes and did not see Siri
smile.
“
I could have stayed in his bed for the rest of my
life and been happy. But we are not going to have the
traditional
‘
happy ever
after
’
. We are going to be together, I have no doubt about
that. But we are going to have drama for the rest of our lives from
Latoya.
”

“You know what
I know for a fact?
”

Looking over at
her sister she shook her head,
“
No,
what?
”

Siri smiled.
When they were little TK would answer just like that to her
questions.
“
I know that true
love, not the manufactured kind, or a forced love like Carl and I
had, but true love will conquer all. What you and Jason have is a
once in a lifetime love. Both of you recognized it as soon as you
met and you refused to ignore it. That is awesome and
brave.
”

“Siri, Jason
paid Latoya 1.5 million dollars plus a multi-million dollar home to
have me in his life. What do I have to give in return to equal
that?
”

“Love.
”
No one said anything for a few
minutes.
“
And of course a killer body, big booty, gorgeous
eyes, and a wonderful, exceptional personality.
”

The two laughed
like little girls.
“
I
don
’
t have a big booty, you do.
”

“Well, you got
something he likes, giving up that kind of
dough.
”

TK
sobered.
“
I don
’
t know if
I
’
m worth it.
”

Siri put her
arms around her sister
’
s shoulders and
pulled her close.
“
You are worth that
and a whole lot more. Now, tell me about the
wedding.
”

A huge smile replaced the somber look as TK
began to tell her big sister about her plans.

Near the window
in the living room, Kerri sat listening as her two daughters
talked. They never realized that
’
s how she always knew
what was going on with them
—
the couch in the
living room near the front porch. That
’
s where they
always sat to talk, just like tonight. The conversation eased her
concerns about TeKaya, but Siri was another story altogether. She
said a silent prayer that Eric would handle the situation with that
woman in Atlanta so that it would not hurt her child. Siri would
not survive another blow like the last one.

♫

Monday had
finally arrived. It was hard to believe it had only been three days
since she received the call from Maxine Long about her book. Those
few days were like a whirlwind
—
the call, making love
to Eric, Atlanta, meeting Kiki, the talk with Carl. It was as if
the Lord was clearing out old baggage to make a way for something
better. At least that
’
s the way Siri chose
to look at it.

Walking into
the school, she decided to go to Cashmere
’
s class before
her own. It was important to her to let her friend know it was okay
for her to go out with Carl. She knew, Cashmere would feel
uncomfortable seeing him because he was her ex and would not want
to upset her. But it was the complete opposite. She wanted Carl
happy and she was certain Cashmere was the woman that could turn
his life upside down, if he allowed her to.

“Hey,
”
she said while tapping lightly on the
door to the classroom across the hall.

“Siri. How was
your weekend?
”
Cashmere asked as she put reports on
the children
’
s desks.

“Hectic, but I
did receive a call from Crimson Publishing. They want my
book.
”

Cashmere turned
with a surprise look.
“
Oh Siri, that is
wonderful! Congratulations! You must be so
excited,
”
she said all in breath while giving her friend a
hug.

“I am. I have a
meeting this evening with the senior editor. And Saturday I met
with and hired an agent.
”

“Oh my God,
that sounds wonderful. Your mother must be
beaming.
”
She stopped and frowned.
“
How
’
s TK? I saw the news.
What happened?
”

Siri sat her
tote bag on a desk.
“
Baby mama drama. But
she handled it, came home and is planning a small wedding for this
Saturday.
”

“Oh my, happy
news all the way around.
”

“There
’
s
more,
”
Siri smiled.

Cashmere sat on
the desk behind her.
“
Let me guess, you and
Carl are getting back together.
”

“How would you
feel about that?
”
Siri asked out of
curiosity.

“If you were
happy, then I would be happy for you.
”

Siri looked at
her sideways.
“
But,
you
—
won
’
t be
happy.
”

“Of course I
would be happy for you,
”
Cashmere replied,
crushed by the insinuation.

“You would be
happy for me even though you are in love with
him?
”

Cashmere stood,
nervously looking for busy work.
“
I
don
’
t know what you are talking about.
”

Siri stopped
her, pulled the papers out of her hand, and placed them on the
desk. She looked directly into Cashmere
’
s eyes.
“
I
’
m not getting back with Carl.
I
’
m not in love with him and he is not in love with me.
Personally, I think you and Carl would make a great couple. In
fact, I have it on pretty good authority; he is going to ask you
out.
”
She saw the shocked look on
Cashmere
’
s face.
“
When he does, I
don
’
t want any of the nonsense about you not going out
with him because he
’
s my ex-husband.
Understand. I want you to go out with him and as soon as you get a
chance, rock his world.
”
She picked up her
tote bag and smiled at the still shocked Cashmere.
“
I have to get to class. Talk to you
later.
”

Cashmere stood
in the doorway, with her mouth still open, when Siri looked back.
She held her hand up and motioned for her to close her mouth.
Cashmere did so quickly and looked up and down the hallway to make
sure no one saw her expression. Siri laughed and walked into her
room. Before she could place her tote bag on the desk, Roscoe, the
butt hole of a principal she had to endure, was at her door.
“
Mrs. Austin would like to see you in my office,
now.
”

“Why,
aren
’
t you kissing her butt enough?
”

“You are trying
my patience with that smart mouth of yours. Just one word from her
and your behind is out of here.
”
He turned and walked
out of the door. For a moment, it crossed Siri
’
s mind not
to follow. Roscoe would have to grovel before queen
bee
—
that was always amusing to see. Exhaling, she walked
out of her classroom to the office. Inside sat the secretary, who
was always pleasant, but never nice. It was rumored that Roscoe and
his secretary were an item. But knowing how words or actions could
be twisted into a world of untruths, Siri never engaged in those
conversations. This morning, the woman looked uncomfortable, to say
the least.
“
Good morning
Siri,
”
she said and held her eyes for a moment then
looked away.

“Good morning.
Should I just go in?
”

“I
wouldn
’
t if I were you. But since you
’
ve been
summoned I don
’
t think you have much
of a choice.
”
“
That bad,
huh?
”

“Ms.
Austin,
”
Roscoe called out from the doorway, as he gave
the woman a warning look.

Rolling her eyes, the secretary turned
away.

Walking into
the principal
’
s office was never a
good experience as a child and in some cases worse as an adult
working in the school system. The sun was shining through the large
window, behind the conference table and chairs that were placed
near the door. To the right bookshelves lined the wall, two chairs
were positioned in front of the large cherry oak desk and behind
it, in the principal
’
s chair sat the queen
bee, Maybelline Austin. The secretary was right, she did not look
pleased.
“
You wanted to see me?
”