CHAPTER 7
KEISHA
“I can’t believe you talked me into this,” Keisha complained as she paced her walk-in closet.
“I didn’t have to talk you into anything. You know you want that man.” Bell laughed and then coughed. Keisha could hear her sister’s wheezing through the phone.
“I am sorry though. I can’t believe I got sick.” Bell coughed again.
“I know, you’re never sick. Now our double is now a solo, and I’m stuck.” Keisha was nervous about going out with Conner alone. She was okay with having her sister and Carson there, but alone with a man who made her heart race, and body temperature rise with just a look was bound to be disastrous for her.
“Girl, please. Any woman would love to be ‘stuck’ with Conner O’Bryan. Besides, he’s proven he’s not the caveman you thought he was. And anyway, you still need a date for the soiree.”
Bell did have a point. After the initial shock of Conner being the owner of the gym, he insisted on taking them on a tour. He was charming and articulate and exuded more sex appeal than Keisha could handle. The caveman that grunted and smirked and made smartass remarks was nowhere to be found. He even admitted in so many words that he had run into her.
That thought made her smile. Conner didn’t seem like the type of man that apologized or readily admitted that he was wrong, so his little acknowledgement didn’t go unnoticed.
“You don’t have to remind me about the soiree every time we talk you know.” Keisha flopped down on the floor of her closet. “You know better than anyone the reason I’m a little gun shy when it comes to dating. I’ve been on some unusual dates since my divorce. My track record with men is garbage.” Keisha sighed.
“That is true,” Bell responded.
“Thanks,” Keisha grumbled.
“No, not your track record with men. I meant about your dates. They have been downright horrible. And that ex-husband of yours is a colossal douche, so maybe it’s your turn to have some good luck with men.”
Keisha nodded even though her sister couldn’t see her. She had the worst luck with men. First, it was the guy who’d had a foot fetish, and the way she found out was unusual. It was their fourth date, and he had been a perfect gentleman, so she invited him over for dinner and a movie at her place. She was even thinking she might give him the cookie, then she fell asleep on the couch and when she woke up, he was dry humping her feet.
Then it was the guy who’d invited her to one of the most expensive restaurants in Dallas. The atmosphere had been wonderful, and Keisha was having a great time. When the check came, her date smiled and slid it toward her. Now, as an independent woman, she could have paid for her own meal, but if someone invited her out, she expected him to pay. So she paid for her portion and left him sitting there. Needless to say, she never saw him again.
Then it was her ex-husband, Dylan Curtis. Keisha had once thought the world began and ended with him. They met in college and married right before graduation. Dylan was six foot two with light brown skin that reflected his heritage of a white mother and black father. He wore his curly hair in a low fade that complemented his meticulously groomed goatee. His gray eyes stood out beneath thick dark brows that slashed across his forehead. Keisha could admit that he was a very handsome man. He was also a very large asshole.
Dylan was an investment banker, and very entitled. He thought that Keisha should wait on him hand and foot, and that she was there specifically for his needs. And she was. Keisha waited on Dylan hand and foot and did everything he asked, but it still wasn’t enough. Dylan was used to his mother doing any and everything he needed as a stay at home mom, so he didn’t want Keisha to work, and she agreed.
However, every chance that he got, Dylan threw it in her face that she was dependent solely on him, and how her only job was to please him. She worked hard to do that, but no matter what she did, Dylan was never satisfied. Keisha figured that Dylan took some cruel pleasure in degrading her on a daily basis. Breaking her down with his hurtful words, and withholding his love and affection. When she caught him cheating, that was the end for her. She filed for divorce, and because they had a prenup, Dylan thought that he wouldn’t have to pay her anything. However, he forgot about the infidelity clause, and Keisha opted to take a lump sum of money instead of alimony payments. Dylan was incensed and couldn’t get over the fact that Keisha left him, and was able to take “his” money.
Dylan had still called her from time to time to berate her about one thing or another, but Keisha never answered his calls, and often directed his concerns to her lawyer. She hadn’t spoken to Dylan in over a year, and she was determined to keep it that way.
So, it was understandable for Keisha to be a bit leery about dating.
“Your date will be fine, chica. Just relax and have fun.” Bell’s positive words brought Keisha out of her musings.
“Sweet baby Jesus, I hope you’re right.”
****
Keisha was nervous as the hostess led her through the restaurant. Her five inch heels clicked against the wood flooring of the elegant eatery. Keisha took her time getting ready and chose the perfect outfit. Her sleek long sleeved black dress hugged her every curve without being obscenely tight. The neckline and sleeves were made of a see through lace material that matched the hem of the dress, and hit right in the middle of her thigh. She paired the dress with black t-strap round toe Mary Jane stilettos. The entire ensemble made her feel confident and beautiful.
As she made her way to the table, she couldn’t help but take in the beautiful and expensive décor. Keisha had never been to this particular restaurant, but she heard rave reviews from her friends. I just hope I don’t have to pay tonight.
When the hostess stopped in front of the intimate table for two, and she got a good look at Conner as he stood to greet her, she knew that she was in trouble.
“Hi, Keisha. Glad you could make it.” Conner pulled her in for a warm embrace that had her instantly melting into his muscular body.
Damn, he smells good. Keisha pulled away and her body heated even more at the predatory smile that graced his handsome face.
Conner was immaculately dressed in a tailored dark gray suit with a crisp white shirt underneath. The top button was undone displaying his smooth, tan skin. His brown wavy shoulder length hair was styled away from his clean shaven face. And not for the first time, Keisha zoned in on his crystal blue eyes.
She cleared her throat and smiled, hoping that he didn’t notice her perusal of his body. But the sly grin that covered his face told her she had been caught. Keisha blushed as he came around and pulled out her chair.
“Thank you.” She smiled up at him shyly as she lowered into her seat.
“Of course, beautiful.” Conner bent down to push her chair under the table, and Keisha could’ve sworn that she felt his lips on her neck, but her body was already out of whack, so she couldn’t be sure.
After the waitress had taken their drink order, they sat making small talk. Keisha still couldn’t get over the fact that this was the same grunting man she had met in the grocery store. Conner was actually a really nice guy, and she had totally misjudged him.
“You know, you’re not who I thought you were,” Keisha commented as she sipped from her water glass.
Conner nodded. “You have to admit that we didn’t exactly meet under the best circumstances.” He chuckled.
“True. But the grunting kinda threw me off some,” Keisha joked, and Conner laughed with her.
“It’s not every day that I literally run into a beautiful dancing stranger in a grocery store, so a grunt was all I could manage.” Conner winked.
Keisha could feel her face heat in embarrassment. “You saw me dancing? Oh Lord… you must’ve thought I was some kinda weirdo.”
Conner’s laugh was deep and melodic. Keisha could listen to the sound all day. She found herself leaning forward just be closer to him.
“No I didn’t think you were a weirdo.” Keisha gave him a disbelieving look, and Conner looked up as if he were thinking, “Okay, maybe a little.”
They both laughed. As their amusement died down, the waitress brought out their appetizers and drinks.
“I propose a toast.” Conner raised his glass, and Keisha mimicked him.
“To first impressions…” Conner started, and Keisha puckered her lips in disagreement, but she didn’t comment.
“Wait, let me finish.” Conner laughed. “To first impressions being replaced with lasting good memories.”
Keisha smiled, and they tapped their glasses together in agreement.
“Cheers.” They said in unison.
The conversation continued with light teasing and witty banter. Although Keisha was having a great time, she exhaled a nervous breath when Conner excused himself to the restroom. Her attention was on her phone as she sent her girls a group message that her date was going well so far, so when someone besides Conner slid into the seat opposite her, she was caught off guard.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Keisha whispered in shock.
“Why haven’t you been answering my damn calls? You want to take my money, and now you feel like you don’t have to talk to me? Is that it?”
Her ex-husband looked the same in appearance. His suit fit him perfectly, his haircut was fresh, and his goatee was lined to perfection. But his gray eyes had a deranged look that Keisha didn’t like. And Keisha knew that the good memories of tonight would be replaced with more bad ones.