CHAPTER 9
KEISHA
“I can’t believe that bastard had the audacity to show up, and then stay. He definitely tried to ruin your date!” April fumed from where she lounged on Keisha’s soft throw pillow on her floor.
“I know. That asshole has been MIA for over a year, and then poof he’s at the same restaurant you’re in at the exact same time? I call bullshit,” Bell added, sipping her cocktail.
The ladies had decided to come over to Keisha’s place to get a play by play of the drama that unfolded on her date two nights ago. While she was in the restroom, she had frantically texted them that Dylan was there at the restaurant. Of course, her girls were ready to jump in the car and come wreak havoc, but she convinced them that Conner had it handled. Keisha still couldn’t believe that Dylan had chosen that date to pop up on. He could’ve at least ruined my date with the foot defiler.
“Listen, nobody was more surprised than I was to see Dylan. I still don’t know how he knew I was there.” Keisha sipped her own drink as she contemplated the ridiculousness of her ex.
“He must’ve been stalking you. How else would he have known?” Bell stated matter-of-factly, still sipping from her drink.
Keisha rolled her eyes at her sister’s dramatics. “He wasn’t stalking me. I think it was just a horrible coincidence. He was probably on a date or something. Or maybe he passed by the window and saw me.”
“Whatever.” Bell dismissively waved her hand. “I think his ass is a stalker,” Bell responded with a serious face.
Keisha did consider that her ex had followed her, but she dismissed the idea. If he wanted to confront her, all he had to do was show up at the bakery like he did when they were first divorced. Keisha knew that Dylan seeing her was a coincidence, and the entire reason he had come into the restaurant was to berate her. As usual.
“Anyway, sounds like Conner handled the situation better than you thought he would,” April commented.
“Yeah, you don’t know how relieved I was about that. I just knew that the caveman I first met was going to club Dylan over the head.” Keisha chuckled. “Here I am in this nice restaurant, and my ex-husband shows up acting a fool.” She shook her head. “By the look on Conner’s face, I knew that he was a millisecond away from kicking Dylan’s ass.”
“Damn! I wished he would have. Now I’m really sorry I got sick.” Bell frowned.
Keisha playfully swatted at her sister. “I, for one, am glad that Conner didn’t fight him. I never realized how skinny Dylan was until I saw him next to Conner.”
“Dylan’s not that skinny. Conner is just freaking gigantic.” April laughed as she shook her head.
“I wonder if everything on him is gigantic…” Bell wiggled her eyebrows suggestively before laughing.
“You are so crude, Kaybella,” Keisha responded in mock disgust as she clutched her imaginary pearls.
But I wonder the same thing.
****
After the girls left, Keisha found herself lost in thoughts of Conner. She had already admitted to him that he was nothing like she first thought. But the way he swooped in to save the day for her, made her truly reevaluate their initial meeting.
She was having a really bad day, but that wasn’t an excuse for how she had behaved toward him at the grocery store. She could admit that when he walked away, she could’ve just let it go. Gathered her things and went about her day. Instead, she acted like a child ranting and raving about how rude he was. Now, granted it was rude of him not to offer his help, but Keisha had learned a long time ago that you can’t put your expectations of what you would do onto other people.
In the end, though, their continued run-ins had to be destiny, serendipity, or fate. It had to be one if not all of those things because she had never in her life had so many chance encounters with one man. Her mother may have been the one obsessed with princesses, but Keisha was the one who still believed in fairytales, not that she would admit it to anyone. So, she decided to listen to the universe and see where things led with Conner O’Bryan, and maybe she would finally get her very own happy ending.
The chime of her cellphone brought Keisha out of her thoughts, and back to reality. When she saw the voicemail icon appear, dread automatically filled the pit of her stomach. She clicked on the icon and replayed the message.
Why don’t you answer the damn phone… huh? You were so big and bad the other night. You thought you could sick your little guard dog on me, and I would just go away. Is that what you thought? You are still a worthless bitch, and your little boyfriend won’t always be around. You think you can just take my money and then move on? Then you are very mistaken.
Dylan’s scathing hate filled words were slurred, but she received the message loud and clear. It was time to forward all of his harassing messages to her lawyer, but this time, she would take her attorney’s advice; it was time to get the restraining order and block his number.
Even though they hadn’t seen each other in a year, Dylan had still called every few weeks. His calls would consist of him asking for some nonessential document from when they were married, and when her lawyer would give him whatever he asked for, he would call back reprimanding her about being too lazy to get what he needed. It was all a mind game, a way for him to try to keep her in her place.
It was past time to let go of Dylan and his foolishness, she was stronger and better and she would not continue to let him manipulate her.
Keisha scrolled through her contacts and dialed the number for her attorney.
“Yes, may I speak to Ms. Morgan Matthews, please? It’s Keisha Love calling.”