you’ve finally called me back. What’s the deal? Screening my calls and messages?”
“Um, something like that. Why? Not used to women being so dismissive of your charm?” she said with a laugh.
“Not women who threw themselves at me one day then avoided me the next.”
“I did not avoid you. I had merely been fulfilling my bridesmaid’s duties. Besides, you haven’t even been in the States for the past four months.”
“Exactly. And we’ve been talking a lot while I was away, then you suddenly go cold turkey.”
“Aw, did I hurt your little feelings?” she said with a laugh.
Jaleen was silent for about five seconds.
“Let’s get one thing straight, Danni. There is nothing on me that is little, small, tiny or any other word used to describe the men you’ve been with in the past.”
Her breath caught. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. I was referring to you, not your male anatomy.”
“Whether you meant to or not, you just offered me a challenge. And you know there isn’t anything I love more than a challenge.”
She didn’t like the direction their conversation was heading. “Anyway, I have to go. I just arrived at the restaurant, so I’ll have to call you later.”
“Will you actually call me later?” he asked. She thought about all the times she’d avoided his calls recently, knowing she had no reason to justify ignoring him. At least, no reason she wanted to explain to him.
“Yes, I’ll call you later.”
“Great. Then I’ll talk to you soon.”
She hung up the phone, parked her car and then leaned her head back on her headrest. What is it about that man that has me so intrigued?
She’d dated her fair share of men in the past... Even some that reminded her a little of Jaleen. Yet he got under her skin and the more she thought about it, the more she was unsure if that was a good or bad thing. By the time she stepped out of the car, she was already beginning to regret her decision.
“At least he lives in Chicago,” she said as she reached to open the door to the restaurant.
“Let me guess,” someone said, catching the door ahead of her and holding it open. “You’re talking about me.”
Danni dropped her arm instantly and her eyes widened in surprise. “Ja-Jaleen! What are you...how are you...what are you doing here?” Oh, my goodness, am I stuttering? I never falter over my words.
“It’s nice to see you, too, beautiful.” His eyes sparkled with amusement, but she was having a difficult time finding anything funny about the situation.
Man, he looks good. True, it had been a while since she’d seen him in person, but they’d FaceTimed a couple of times. Tonight he looked extra sexy in his dark gray jeans and collared blue shirt that was unbuttoned to reveal his white tee. His gray-and-blue Nikes only added to his look. She’d never understood why, even in his casual clothing, he looked as if he were headed to a photo shoot.
When she finally made her way back to his eyes, he was smiling too hard for her liking.
“What are you doing here?” she asked again, walking through the restaurant door.
“I think a better question would be why didn’t I mention I was in Miami when we were on the phone a few minutes ago,” he said, following her into the restaurant. When she gave her name to the hostess, it dawned on her that one of their mutual friends must have mentioned the dinner to him.
“Who told you? Summer? Aiden?”
He shrugged. “Does it really matter?”
“You know I hate surprises,” she whispered as they neared the table where their friends were waiting.
“And you know that had you answered my calls earlier, you would have known I was in Miami.”
“I had good reason.”
“And what reason would that be?”
She tried to ignore how close he was to her ear when he whispered. His scent was already filling her nostrils to a less than comfortable level. “It’s a reason I’d rather not share right now.”
“Fine. Have it your way.”
They arrived at the table and greeted their friends. She was well aware that Summer’s, Nicole’s and Aaliyah’s eyes were all on her as she sat, with Jaleen sitting right across from her.
“Are you okay?” Nicole whispered. Instead of responding right away, Danni took a large sip of water, hoping to cool off from the hot stares Jaleen was already shooting her way.
Danni, originally born in Miami, had attended two years of high school with Nicole before Danni’s family had moved to Tampa. The two had kept in contact and, when Summer had moved to Miami, Danni had reached out to Nicole to meet up with Summer. The two had hit it off immediately and later met Aaliyah, who was one of the lead photographers at a beauty trade show a couple weeks after.
When Danni had arrived in Miami to help Summer open Bare Sophistication, the four women had immediately bonded and later agreed to go into business together. They were still building the Bare Sophistication Miami empire, but with Nicole as the lead makeup artist and hairstylist for their boudoir studio, Aaliyah as the boudoir beauty photographer and Summer and Danni running the lingerie boutique, things were looking promising for the group of friends.
“I’m not sure,” Danni finally whispered back. “Why do I get a feeling that I’ve just stepped into a bad horror movie?”
“That’s a bit extreme,” Nicole said with a laugh. “Jaleen is hardly a villain. You’ve known him for years.”
“Why is he here in Miami? I have a few theories... One, he wanted to catch me off guard with his presence. Mission accomplished. Two, he manipulated his way into my celebration dinner by contacting one of you to get the details. Once again, well done on his part. And three, he is being very cocky and suspicious. Do you see how he’s looking at me over his glass every time he takes a sip of water? All of those are characteristics of a villain.”
“I think you’re being a bit dramatic. Yes, he is all of those things, but I’m not sure that Jaleen’s sole purpose is to make you uncomfortable. I agree that he probably wants to spend some time with you, but you both have gotten pretty close these past few months. Even if it was long-distance.”
Danni stole another glance at him before turning back to Nicole. “I’m telling you, something is off about him tonight. He’s definitely up to no good.”
“Maybe you need to experience his type of no good,” Nicole said as she raised both her eyebrows. “Could be good for you.”
Danni was about to respond when Aiden began talking.
“Jaleen, I meant to ask. How long are you staying in Miami? You’re here for a business meeting, right?”
So
