was checking out some new art for her family’s club at the art Expo. Sterling had come in with one of his clients, while Lola had been checking a particular piece that had caught her eye. Lola was so taken that when she backed up, she tripped over his foot. As she tried to catch her balance, a strong hand came out of nowhere and held her. As stunned as she was, she somehow felt very safe. She checked her boot heel and started saying to her protector, “Thanks for the quick save.” As she proceeded to remove herself from the comforting grasp, she looked into two onyx jewels. The stare was a demanding one with a question that was not looking for release.
“May I have my hand and arm back?” Lola asked. “I am okay, thank you.”
“Are you sure?” was the question asked.
“Yes, I am sure. Thank you. It was my fault,” she said. “I sincerely hope that I did not hurt you as well.”
“No, I am quite all right, but for my gallantry, I would like to know your name.”
“My name is Ms. Bridges. And yours?”
“My name is Sterling. Now what is your first name, Ms. Bridges?”
“Lola,” she said.
“Lola,” he repeated.
As Lola spoke to him, she could feel him assessing her, and they had just met.
He asked, “What was it that made you become so entranced that you almost lost your footing?”
Lola immediately pointed to the piece on the wall; it was a unique abstract by a new artist. “The owner says that he felt the same way I did when he first saw it. I hope the price is reasonable, because it will go well with the decor.”
He agreed that it was a unique piece. Noticing his friend was not around, Lola felt guilty and began apologizing.
“I hope that your friend is not upset for me taking your time from him,” she said.
“No, actually he is here searching. I just came along for the ride and caught you. I feel that I am the one who has found a true work of art,” he said.
“A true charmer,” she said.
“Listen,” he said, “there is a quaint little restaurant around the corner called Angela’s. Let’s have a cup of coffee together. I promise I will not bite, and to prove it, here is my business card while you think about it.”
Lola looked at the card. It read “Sterling Dane Stanton, Attorney for Mackenzie & Gerald, located on Park Ave.”
Impressive, she thought. “So what type of law do you practice?” she asked.
“I am a sports lawyer,” was the reply. “So will we be having coffee or will we just talk here?”
“Maybe, but first I have to find the proprietor to see how much for the piece,” she said.
After finding the picture would fit her budget, she had the piece delivered to the club. While waiting for her receipt, Lola contemplated a new encounter. After all, she was definitely on a serious sabbatical. She needed one. It was mind-blowing how these men seemed to feel they could have their cake and eat it at the expense of someone’s emotional expense. Someone always had to pay for it. Lola believed in a real response in a relationship. Oh sure, they cared, but more about themselves.
Sterling appeared to be an interesting encounter, and it was Christmas time. Maybe Santa thought she could use a new toy. All she knew was she had an attitude and a tight rein on her emotions, and no one was going to walk right in no one. With her private mantra embedded into her soul or being Lola reached for the receipt and made a note in her planner on its arrival date.
Sterling, it seemed, had said his goodbyes and was awaiting her decision.
“Well, that is taken care of,” she said.
“Where will you be putting that?” he asked.
“In my family’s supper club, uptown in Harlem at Sandy’s,” she said. “Have you ever heard of it? Or dined there?”
His reply was, “Several times. The food is excellent.”
“Yes, it is,” she replied, “and I am the general manager.”
“From what I have seen, your uncle has made a good choice.”
“He seems pleased. You will say anything for a cup of coffee, huh?”
“That depends.”
“Depends on what?” she asked.
“On how expensive the coffee is.”
“Ooh, nice save,” she said. He had humor, the dangerous kind; you know, the well thought out kind.
“Come on, let’s have some coffee.”
As they headed for the door, he stopped and asked, “Do you believe in Santa Claus?”
“Doesn’t everybody?”
“No, not everyone, but right now at this moment, I really am starting to believe that he does exist.”
Lola looked at him and flashed a perfect smile, and said, “All that, and you haven’t had your coffee yet. Come along, chess player.”
As they headed out into the cold, it was the first of December. She was glad to be wrapped in a wonderful sable coat with the matching head wrap. Lola had on a pair of black jeans and a sweater. Her hair was in one long braid. She was assessing herself for some unknown reason. She wanted to look perfect once they sat in the booth. Why did they make booths that instantly become sinfully private? she thought to herself. If anything, the privacy would give her a chance to check her attire.
As they entered Angela’s, Lola asked where the ladies room was as Sterling reached for her coat. She asked the hostess where their table would be located. Sterling announced that he would wait, and informed the hostess that they would be seated together.
“I will be back in two minutes,” Lola said as she walked to the ladies room. She felt two marbles burning into her back. She also feel a heat that she had never experienced. Not the heat that ran through one’s legs; no, the heat that engulfed one’s body. She was thoroughly flushed by the time she reached the door. She immediately looked into the mirror. At twenty-five, Lola still had that early twenties glow. Her makeup was perfect as was her sweater with its deceiving front. It was a beautiful boat neck, but in the back it made a V-neck in the middle of her back. Sexy as all hell and smelling of Jessica McClintock, she checked herself, making sure that all systems were go. As she proceeded out to the waiting area, she had the upper hand now to check Sterling out. He had his back to her as he spoke to someone on the phone. Lola just hung back and admired what she saw from where she was standing. It all looked firm and decadent.
Her mind was saying, Who’s your Mama? And who’s your Daddy? She must have been staring too hard, because Sterling turned around and completely stared her down. She froze and slowly moved in his direction.
As Lola got closer to him, she asked, “Who’s your designer? Because that suit looks like it was made just for you.”
“My
