did not want to have this conversation. He and Sunni had been spending time together for the past four or five months. She was stunning and he enjoyed her company, but Micah knew she had an agenda. She wanted a husband.
A rich husband.
It was not that he was opposed to marriage because he didn’t want to marry. He wasn’t in love with Sunni, which is why he hadn’t taken their platonic relationship to the next level.
Sunni ran a French-manicured finger along his thigh. “Micah, you know how I feel about you. We are so good together. Why can’t you see that? You need a woman like me as your wife.”
He gave her an indulgent smile. “That’s why we’re such good friends.”
“Micah, tell me, who did this to you?” Sunni asked.
Surprised by her question, he questioned, “Did what?”
“Hurt you,” she responded. “Who broke your heart? That’s the only reason I can think of that will explain why you keep this huge wall between us.”
Micah did not respond.
“Well, whoever she is, she really did a number on you.” Sunni ran a finger down his cheek. “I am a very patient woman, Micah. One day you’ll see that I’m not here to cause you pain. If you give me the chance, I’d make you a very happy man.”
He smiled. “I’m glad to have you in my life, Sunni. You are a very dear friend to me.”
“There’s that friend word again,” she said with a mock sigh.
Micah laughed.
The limo slowed to a stop in front of her building.
“Will you give me a call tomorrow?” Sunni asked before stepping out of the car. “I know you talked about us getting together this weekend, but maybe we can meet for dinner. You still have to eat, you know?”
He nodded. “That’s fine.”
Micah stepped out of the car and walked Sunni to the door of her home. He kissed her cheek before saying good-night.
“It would’ve been,” Sunni responded with a wink. “But it’s your loss, honey. I would’ve rocked your world.”
Micah chuckled. “I’m sure you would have.”
She gave him a hug and then sauntered into the building, pausing briefly to speak to the man at the security desk.
Micah returned to the waiting limo.
Sunni was a nice girl and he enjoyed her companionship, but Micah had not fully opened his heart to another person since college. He didn’t relish the thought of going home to an empty bed but cared too much to use Sunni in that way. Micah knew he would never give her what she was looking for.
One heartbreak was more than enough for him.
Tamara entered Sylvia’s Restaurant looking for her Pi Beta Gamma soror, Kyra Dixon. She was running late for their lunch date due to a traffic accident on Washington Street S.W. near Memorial Drive.
Kyra was already seated at a table when Tamara entered the restaurant. She waved to get her attention.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Tamara stated as she sat down in the chair across from her friend. “Have you ordered yet?”
“Not yet.”
A waiter arrived minutes later prepared to take their orders.
“So how was your sister’s wedding?” Kyra inquired after he left.
“Beautiful,” Tamara responded with a smile. “My sister looked so happy and in love. It was very romantic.”
“I guess the pressure’s on for you to get married, huh?”
Tamara laughed. “Can you believe that my mother started in on me as soon as the service ended? We’re standing there posing for pictures and she’s asking me why I didn’t bring a date to the wedding. She asked me if there was anyone serious in my life.”
Kyra chuckled. “What did you tell her?”
“The truth,” Tamara stated. “That I don’t have a man and right now I’m not looking for one.” She changed the subject and said, “Homecoming is a couple months away. Time moved by fast.”
“Are you planning to attend the cocktail party on Friday?”
Tamara nodded. “I’ll be there. Chloe wants me to cover the event for Luster magazine. I’m also thinking about doing a story on the fact that the alumni got together and agreed to donate money to restore the original administration building and use it as staff offices instead of tearing it down.”
“Sounds good,” Kyra said. “The school needs all the free press we can get.”
The waiter returned, carrying a tray of food, which he set down on the table. Tamara blessed the food.
She sampled her gumbo while Kyra cut into her chicken.
“I’m actually looking forward to homecoming this year,” Tamara announced. She didn’t add that it was because Micah might be attending.
“It’s going to be nice.” Kyra stuck a forkful of macaroni into her mouth. “I can’t wait. It’s always good to see old friends.”
Tamara agreed.
They continued making small talk as they finished off their meal.
“I need to get back to work,” Tamara murmured, checking her watch when they were done eating.
“I can’t believe how disciplined you are,” Kyra declared. “If I worked at home, I think I’d be doing everything else around the house instead of focusing on my job.”
An easy smile played at the corners of her mouth. “I like getting paid.”
“As if you need the money,” Kyra retorted with a chuckle. “Tamara, who are you trying to kid?”
“My mother has money,” she corrected, pushing away from the table. “I don’t.”
After paying the check, she and Kyra rose up and walked out of the restaurant.
They paused at her car to hug.
“It was so good to see you,” Tamara told her. “We should get together more often”
Kyra agreed. “We need to do this again real soon, soror.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Tamara responded. “Talk to you later.”
Tamara got into her car and drove the two miles to her home in midtown.
The telephone rang as soon as she walked through the front door of her apartment.
“Hello,”
