Micah stuck his head inside the room. “I wanted to make sure that you were okay.”

Tamara gave him a sexy smile. “To be honest, I’m not sleepy at all. I’m in the mood for another movie. What about you? You think you can stay up long enough to watch one?”

Micah got into bed with her. “I can’t believe that you’re still talking trash. You’ll be the first one to fall asleep.”

She laughed. “You’re sure I’m not keeping you up, old man?” Tamara asked.

“I got your old man.”

Tamara wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer to her. She could feel his uneven breathing on her cheek as he held her tightly.

Micah traced his fingertip across her lip, causing Tamara’s skin to tingle. He paused to kiss her, sending currents of desire through her.

She caressed the strong tendons in the back of his neck.

“Make love to me,” Tamara whispered between kisses. She was ready to take their relationship to the next level.

“You don’t know how badly I’ve wanted to hear those words come out of your mouth,” Micah confessed.

MILLS & BOON

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JACQUELIN THOMAS

is the bestselling author of more than thirty books and is an avid reader of romance novels when she’s not writing. She and her family live in North Carolina, where she is busy working on her next project.

Teach Me Tonight
Jacquelin Thomas

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To my wonderful Husband…just because…

Special thanks and acknowledgment to

Jacquelin Thomas for her contribution to the

Hollington Homecoming miniseries.

Dear Reader,

I really enjoyed writing Teach Me Tonight and getting to know the characters. What’s really special about this story is that I have two grandchildren whose names are Micah and Tamara. Memories of my college days were prominent in my mind during the writing of this story. I was moved to reconnect with some of my old friends from school and found that one of my dearest friends had passed on. She’d crossed my mind many times over the years, but life just got in the way and I never followed through with contacting her. I challenge each of you not to let another day go by without picking up the phone or e-mailing someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Settle down with your favorite coffee or cup of tea and prepare to get to know Micah and Tamara. Don’t forget to enjoy the Homecoming weekend. GO LIONS!

As always, I thank you for your support.

Jacquelin

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 1

“The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond that unites two loyal hearts in endless love.”

Tamara Hodges smiled through tears as she relieved her sister Callie of the enormous wedding bouquet she had insisted on carrying down the aisle.

“It is a seal of the vows Bryant and Callie have made to one another.”

She wiped her eyes with a lace handkerchief as she witnessed the exchange of rings between her baby sister and new brother-in-law, wishing them love and happiness for the rest of their lives.

Tamara’s thoughts traveled to the one person she kept hidden in her heart—the one man she could never forget. The one person with whom she dreamed of sharing that type of love.

The pastor’s words drew her attention back to the ceremony.

“You may now kiss your bride.”

Tamara stole a quick peek at her mother, who was seated in the front row, fighting back tears.

Three hundred guests erupted in applause as Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Charles Madison were introduced. The music began, prompting the newlyweds to lead the recessional from the sanctuary.

As Bryant’s best man escorted her down the aisle, Tamara could feel her ex-stepfather’s heated glare as she strolled past him, her head held up high. She refused to let him put a damper on her blissful mood.

Outside the sanctuary, Tamara and Callie embraced.

“Congratulations,” she whispered as she gazed into a pair of hazel-green eyes that mirrored her own. “I’m so happy for you, Callie.”

Tamara embraced Bryant next. “I guess we’re stuck with you now.”

“Yeah,” he replied, giving his new wife a sidelong glance. “Because I’m not going anywhere. I love this girl.”

“Good,” Tamara said with a smile. “That’s what I want to hear.”

Wedding guests filed out of the church, each one pausing to congratulate the bride and groom.

Tamara’s mother walked up and said, “The ceremony was beautiful, wasn’t it?”

She nodded. “Yeah, it was.”

When Lucas, her ex-stepfather entered into the church foyer, Tamara uttered, “We should go back into the sanctuary. It’s time for pictures.”

Her mother agreed.

Just being in that man’s presence stirred up shadows and fears that made her uncomfortable. Tamara did not want to mar Callie’s wedding day, so she decided to stay as far away from Lucas as possible.

After the traditional wedding-party photos, a limo whisked them to the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta for the reception. Callie and Bryant were in a separate stretch limo, which followed close behind.

Her mother suggested that the photographer shoot some pictures on the grand staircase at the hotel, saying that the brass railing would serve as the perfect backdrop. She had even arranged to have the large floral centerpiece at the foot of the staircase coordinate with the wedding colors and flowers. Whatever Jillian Hodges-Devane wanted she got.

Tamara made small talk with the other members of the bridal party during the ride over to the midtown hotel.

The ballroom where the reception was held consisted of a wall of mirrors on one end highlighted by large crystal chandeliers and large picture windows at the other. Tamara had been in the same room a week ago, covering an event for Luster magazine.

She enjoyed writing for the magazine but had dreams of starting her own publication one day.

The wedding party waited in line outside as they waited to be announced. The best man again escorted Tamara into the ballroom. After the wedding party, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Charles Madison made their grand entrance.

While waiters navigated about the room carrying trays of hors d’ oeuvres, Tamara mingled, pausing to speak to relatives and friends of her family. She felt the sensation that someone was watching her and turned; meeting her ex-stepfather’s dark and insolent gaze, she straightened herself with dignity.

He smirked, gave a slight nod and then turned his attention back to his daughter, Callie.

Tamara’s eyes bounced around the room, looking for her mother.

“How are you holding up, Mama?” she asked when she found her seated at one of the family tables. Tamara sat down in the empty chair beside her.

“I’m exhausted,” Jillian responded. “Your sister looks lovely, doesn’t she?”

Tamara agreed. “And very happy. I guess all the whining, fussing and craziness she put us through over the past year has been worth it. I’m so glad that girl is married.”

“Seeing Callie and Bryant like this—it was definitely worth it,” her mother responded. “One day we’ll be doing this for you. Hopefully, it will happen while I’m still young enough to enjoy the wedding.”

Tamara drew an invisible pattern on the tablecloth. “Don’t hold your breath, Mama. I’d actually have to have a man in my life in order to get married.”

“So there’s no one special? You haven’t met anyone?”

“Mama, have you considered that I might be one of those women who are destined to remain single?”

“Bite your tongue,” Jillian stated. “Don’t even put that thought in your head. A beautiful woman like you won’t have a problem finding a husband. You only have to open your heart and allow him entry.”

Tamara caught her mother looking at her ex-stepfather. “Mama…”

“Can you believe he had the nerve to bring that woman here? She is what—barely legal? Lucas Devane always had an eye for young girls.” Rancor sharpened Jillian’s voice.

“To be honest with you, I don’t really care enough about him to even wonder,” Tamara retorted.

Her mother leaned over and embraced her. “I love you, Tammy. I hope you know that.”

“Mama, I know you do. I love you, too,” Tamara assured her. “We all went through a bad time, but thank God that it’s over now. Oh, could you please just call me Tamara?” Her eyes traveled back over to the table where Lucas sat with his girlfriend. “I’m not Tammy anymore, so please don’t call me that.”

Lucas’s eyes met hers, and his lips turned into a cynical smile. Tamara’s eyes never wavered as she stared him down until he had the good sense to drop his gaze.

“I hate him,” her mother uttered. A sudden thin chill hung on the edge of her words.

“I don’t have any feelings toward him at all,” Tamara stated. “Lucas could drop dead right here in the middle of the room and it wouldn’t phase me at all.” She turned her attention back to Callie and Bryant, her thoughts roaming once more to the one and only love of her life.

Micah Ross.

He was definitely the one who got away, Tamara decided. She had allowed her fears and insecurities of her youth to keep her from opening up completely and trusting, which caused Tamara to push him away. Micah had always been nothing less than a good friend to her and her math tutor, but because of her inability to trust combined with a group of immature boys who had nothing better to do other than playing pranks, she treated him cruelly the night of their graduation from Hollington College.

She pushed away from the table and helped herself to the caramelized Vidalia onion tart with goat cheese, lobster and chive risotto fritters and miniature crab cake hors d’oeuvres.

Jillian rose to her feet and followed her daughter. “I was thinking…Isn’t Bryant’s best man single? I heard that he’s the vice president of Atlanta Bank and Trust.”

“Not interested, Mama,” Tamara said in a low voice. “Now just drop it.”

She released a short sigh of relief when her mother became distracted by relatives. This would give Tamara a break from her constant matchmaking.

Twenty minutes later, everyone was seated. They dined on a duo entrée of tenderloin of beef and salmon, roasted potatoes, asparagus and béarnaise sauce while the band, which was personally selected by Jillian, played softly in the background.

“Mama was right about the menu,” Callie whispered to her. “This was the perfect choice.”

Tamara agreed. She sliced off a piece of the tender salmon and stuck it into her mouth, remembering the argument between her mother and sister over the food for the reception. They ended up not talking for two days.

Callie won the fight between them over the wedding cake. Her mother, a true Southern lady, wanted the butter pecan cake with a fresh peach filling while her sister insisted on the Tahitian vanilla butter cake, Tahitian vanilla custard and fresh berries.

Tamara left the reception shortly after her sister’s departure and headed home. After she changed out of the bridesmaid gown, Tamara settled down on the chaise in her bedroom to write in her journal.

August 22

My sister married her high-school sweetheart today. It was a beautiful wedding, making it hard not to wonder if I’ll ever have one of my own. I have not been able to have a relationship any longer than six or seven months. As I get older, I find that I’m able to detect the lies much quicker.

If I am to be completely honest, then I must admit that part of the reason I haven’t found my Mr. Right is because I treated him horribly when we were in college.

Right before graduation, I overheard some boys saying that Micah was planning on having sex with me and that he was going to play the “you’re the love of my life” card because that’s what it would take to get me into bed.

I don’t know why I believed them, but graduation night, when he told me that he loved me, I told him that I would never date a man like him and basically that he wasn’t good enough for me. It wasn’t until much later that I realized Micah didn’t say those things—the guys had been joking around and knew that I was listening to the conversation.

I want to explain but Micah never returned my phone calls, and the next thing I knew he had moved to Los Angeles.

Our ten-year college reunion and homecoming is coming up in October, but I’m not sure if Micah will be coming. I hope that he will be in attendance…. I want to try and talk to him one more time.

He is a famous record mogul now, but I don’t care about that. I just want a chance to apologize to Micah. The tabloids have him romantically involved with that model Sunni, so it is not as if he is available anyway. The truth is that I really miss his friendship.

I miss him.

Los Angeles, California

Micah Ross stepped out of the sleek black limo in the midst of a sea of hungry media photographers and reporters. He focused his attention on the door of the Wilshire Grand Hotel several yards away while assisting his date out of the car.

He hated all the attention on him, but Micah knew that it was an integral part of his business. He was the man who had turned a tiny music store into million-dollar record label Ross Red. His first two records sold a combined 1.5 million copies before the mainstream music industry knew he existed. Now his $500 million empire included music, clothes, real estate, a product line of computers and communications.

A musician himself, Micah believed that one could only go so far in the music business—something he tried to drill into all of his artists. He pushed to get them to understand that they needed to acquire the necessary skills and education to have other options because one never knew what was going to go up and what would go down.

“Over here, Mr. Ross,” a photographer shouted.

Micah glanced in his direction and pasted on a smile. His mouth tightened as Sunni, a supermodel, wrapped her arms around him as cameras flashed all around them.

“Micah, please smile,” she whispered. “At least try to look like you’re enjoying my company.”

He chuckled. “Sunni, you know that I always enjoy hanging out with you.”

“Then smile. Just remember that you’re the man they all want to be. You are one of the most influential and wealthiest men in the world, Micah. Baby, you should flaunt it.”

All Micah wanted to do was get inside the hotel. He hated walking the red carpet and avoided it whenever he could. Of course, in his business one needed the media to be successful.

Grinning, Sunni posed for more photos along the red carpet. She loved the spotlight so much so that it was rumored she called or texted photographers her itinerary from time to time.

Once inside, they were still under the microscope as members of the media scoured the Pacific Ballroom in search of the Hollywood elite and other VIPs attending the charity benefit for the Sickle Cell Disease Association.

Micah sat at a table surrounded by people from his artists and repertoire (A&R), publicity and product development departments.

They dined on a three-course meal: baby leaf lettuce with marinated artichoke hearts and wedged Roma tomatoes and Dijon vinaigrette, breast of Mediterranean chicken served with sautéed artichokes, goat cheese mashed potatoes and herbed Italian vegetables, mascarpone caramel cake for dessert.

One of the groups from his label walked on stage to perform.

“Eden sounds great tonight,” Sunni stated as she sliced off a piece of chicken and stuck it into his mouth.

Micah wiped his mouth with the edge of his napkin. “Yeah, she does,” he agreed, silently wishing that he could’ve stayed home tonight.

He stood up and smiled politely when his generous donation was acknowledged along with a long thundering applause.

Sunni reached over and took his hand. “I still can’t believe how shy you are when it comes to stuff like this. Honey, you are one of the good guys,” she stated. “You should be walking around here with your head up high.”

He gave her a narrowed glinting glance. “You know how I feel about being in the public eye, Sunni. I don’t like being under a microscope.”

“You’re the CEO of a huge conglomerate, Micah,” she responded, rising finely arched eyebrows. “You’d better get used to this because it’s not going to go away.”

Sunni took a sip of her hot tea.

Thirty minutes later, they left the ballroom. He had put in an appearance so as far as Micah was concerned, his work was done. He had a long day ahead of him and wanted to get some rest.

Micah escorted Sunni out of the hotel.

The driver brought their limo around, promptly stepped out and walked around to open the door.

“Micah, why don’t we go back to your place?” she suggested with a seductive sparkle in her eye. “I’m not ready for the evening to end.” She wound her arms inside his jacket and around his back.

Micah gave her a polite smile and resisted the urge to pull away. He knew Sunni wanted the media to photograph them in an embrace. She enjoyed being featured in gossip magazines and felt it enhanced her career.

“Sunni, it’s late and I have a busy day tomorrow. I don’t have any plans this weekend—maybe we can do something then.”

“I’d love it. I haven’t seen much of you lately.”

He kissed her gently on the cheek. “We’ll do something special then.”

Sunni pulled him closer to her. “C’mere, I want a real kiss.”

“I don’t put on shows for the media,” Micah stated. “You know that.”

He ushered Sunni quickly into the car as paparazzi appeared out of nowhere, snapping pictures of them.

“How long have the two of you been dating, Micah?” someone shouted.

“Are you and Sunni thinking about marriage?” another yelled. “C’mon, give us the scoop.”

Micah held up his hands in mock resignation. “I’m afraid there’s nothing to tell. Have a good evening, everyone.” He got into the car and the driver closed the door in haste.

“What are we doing?” Sunni asked when the car pulled away from the curb, merging with the traffic.

Micah 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,” Tamara uttered.

“Hey, this is Samantha.”

Tamara broke into a smile when she heard her editor’s voice. They had recently discussed her becoming the features writer for the entertainment section.

“How would you like to interview Justice Kane?” Samantha asked. “You would have to fly out to Los Angeles for his album release party.”

“I’d love it,” she responded. Justice Kane was a performer signed to Micah’s record company, Ross Red. If she did a great job on the story, this would better her chances in getting the position.

Tamara was sure that he would be attending the party so she considered this a sign. She would finally get that chance to mend her friendship with Micah. She knew that he never married and had read about his relationship with the model.

I had my chance and I blew it.

Micah hadn’t only been her tutor but he’d been her friend—her best friend. They had spent a lot of time together. She and Micah used to attend the college football and basketball games together; there were times they went to the movies, clubs and even attended church together. Micah would even join Tamara on her visits to see her grandmother.

“This has to be a sign,” she whispered.

Tamara knew that wanting to see Micah again had so much more to do with the fact that she was still in love with him. She had tried for years to get Micah out of her system, but to no avail—he still owned her heart.

She winced at the memory of how cruel she had been to Micah and desperately wanted the chance to explain why she had been so fearful of getting involved with him.

She prayed that once they sat down and talked he would understand and find it in his heart to forgive her.

Chapter 2

Tamara wanted to share her good news with someone, so she called Kyra later that evening. “Hey, girl…you won’t believe where I’m going this weekend,” she said when her friend answered the phone.

“Where?” Kyra questioned.

“Los Angeles,” she announced. “I’m covering Justice Kane’s album release party. Luster magazine wants me to do a story on him. Can you believe it?”

“That’s great,” Kyra responded with excitement. “Tamara, this is the kind of story you’ve been wanting to do for a long time. Hey, isn’t Justice Kane with Micah’s record company?”

“That’s why I’m so excited,” Tamara told Kyra. “I’m hoping to reconnect with him. I really miss our friendship.”

“We used to have some good times back in the day. I used to try and get you to party with us, but you wanted to stay home and read. The only time we could get you out was when Micah asked you. Why didn’t you two ever get together?” Kyra inquired. “I know you had feelings for him back then.”

“Micah was my tutor and my friend,” Tamara stated. “That’s really all it was. I had too many issues for anything more.”

“So you didn’t have any feelings for him?”

“I didn’t say that,” Tamara answered. “Kyra, I was crazy about Micah, but the timing was all off and things just never worked out. You know how it goes.”

“I always felt that something was bothering you,” Kyra said. “It was just a feeling though because you were always walking around with a smile and you seemed really happy…still, I felt there was something.”

Tamara considered Kyra one of her best friends, and they were close, spent time together often, but there were things from her past that she never shared with anyone—including her soror.

She had never told Kyra what happened between her and Micah on graduation night and decided against mentioning it now. Deep down, she didn’t want anyone to know just how gullible she’d been back then.

“So what about now?”

“Kyra, he’s seeing someone,” Tamara responded. “His relationship with Sunni has been plastered all over the tabloids and People magazine.” She tried to sound as neutral as possible.

“Tamara, you know that you can’t believe everything you read in the tabloids. Micah says that he and that model are nothing but friends. At least that’s what he told Kevin.”

Kyra’s words delighted Tamara. She silently prayed that her friend was right because the thought of Micah being involved in a serious relationship with another woman bothered her to the core.

“Whatever their relationship, I hope she doesn’t trip if Micah and I grab a few minutes to sit down and talk when I get to Los Angeles,” Tamara said.

“Tell him that I said hello when you see Micah,” Kyra responded. “I’m so proud of that boy. He came from the Greenwood projects, and look at him now. He left us back here in Atlanta and really made a success of his life. Now all he needs is the right woman to share it with.”

Tamara had to hide her inner feelings as a sense of inadequacy swept over her. She thought about Kyra’s words and wondered if after all this time had passed if she had anything to offer Micah.

Like everyone else, Tamara had her own share of past pain and trauma but she had worked past the betrayal of trust, discovered her wholeness, the experience shaping her in a way that no other has.

She learned early on that along with happiness, life brought pain. Her grandmother had taught Tamara that in order to heal, she had to forgive and that forgiveness is essential as a means of personal transformation.

Tamara still had seeds of unforgiveness rooted in her. She desired forgiveness, but until she could forgive she would never be completely free.

She and Kyra stayed on the phone for almost an hour, talking about their college days and the upcoming Pi Beta Gamma fundraiser.

After promising to get together soon, Tamara ended the call, then stood up and walked over to the window to stare out at the beautiful Atlanta skyline.

“I miss you so much, Micah,” she whispered.

Amused, Micah hung up the telephone, but not before Samantha, the editor of Luster magazine, thanked him for the fifth or sixth time during their conversation.

He took a deep breath and tried to relax now that the initial part of his plan had succeeded.

He and Tamara would finally come face-to-face again after ten years. Micah wasn’t sure how he would feel about seeing her again, so he decided that this meeting would have to happen in a place he could control. It would give him the upper hand.

Micah called and arranged to have Tamara attend the party at the Vanguard Club in Beverly Hills. However, she would have to deal with him first before he allowed her access to Justice Kane.

He wanted a glimpse of the woman Tamara had become, but he also wanted to settle an old score.

His heart bore a permanent scar seared by her rejection. The fact that Micah still harbored deep feelings for Tamara only fueled his anger more. He struggled with loving her and knowing that she thought he wasn’t good enough for her.

A few days ago, he typed in her name while online out of curiosity and found a photo of her on Luster magazine’s Web site. That’s when he came up with the idea for the interview and a way to get back at her.

Tamara looked much younger than her thirty-two years and from the looks of it, wore her shoulder-length hair natural and without chemicals, the warm brown color complimenting her light chocolate complexion and hazel-green eyes.

She’s still beautiful, he thought to himself.

Micah forced himself to remember the way she had treated him. A computer science major in college, he was the quiet, shy geek who tutored Tamara in math during her freshman year—their friendship birthed out of the tutoring sessions.

He had always thought Tamara was sweet, caring and felt extremely comfortable around her. Micah had even believed that she thought of him as more than a tutor. During their time in college, Micah never once saw signs of Tamara being a snob or elitist—she had always been down-to-earth.

His mouth tightened as he thought about graduation night—the night that Micah made the mistake of confessing his feelings for her. He had even planned to propose marriage; however, he never got that far.

Tamara rejected Micah, telling him directly that she would never date anyone like him. She didn’t need him to tutor her anymore. She had landed a job with the Atlanta Daily Journal so she had no more use for him.

It was then that Micah realized he did not know her as well as he had initially thought. He never knew she held even the tiniest interest in writing. Micah knew that she kept a journal, but to him that did not necessarily mean she wanted to be a writer.

It had come as a complete surprise when Tamara announced she was going to work as an entry-level journalist with the newspaper. Her degree was in business and not journalism.

If they had been as close as Micah thought they were, why would she keep her love for writing a secret? What else had she been keeping from him?

Micah Ross was fine.

Tamara laid a back issue of Ebony with Micah gracing the cover down on the chair beside her.

She kept that issue on her coffee table since its release two years ago.

Micah pretty much looked as he did back in college except that he no longer wore those black-framed glasses that Tamara used to think were so sexy on him.

His skin was the color of dark chocolate, smooth and free of facial hair. Those dark brown eyes of his were so intense that she believed they could pierce through stone.

Her heart raced at the prospect of seeing him again.

“I’ve got to talk to you,” she whispered to his likeness on the magazine. “Micah, I feel bad about the things I said to you on graduation night. I really hope you’ll give me a chance to apologize and explain why I reacted that way.”

I never should have listened to those other boys. I realize that now.

The telephone rang.

Tamara checked the caller ID before answering. “Hello, Mama.”

“Sweetie, are you busy right now?”

“No, what’s up?”

“I’m here at Lexington’s Restaurant. Since it’s right down the street from your neighborhood, why don’t you come have dinner with me?”

“Give me ten minutes,” Tamara told her. “I’ll be there.”

“See you then,” Jillian stated.

Tamara went into her bathroom to freshen up. She looked down at her jeans and decided on impulse to change clothes. Her mother would be dressed up—Jillian was always dressed in designer suits and expensive shoes.

I’ve never seen my mother in a pair of jeans or a sweat suit, she thought with amusement. Dressing down for Jillian meant a pair of khakis or linen pants.

Tamara changed into a black linen sundress, silver sandals and accessories. She knew that her mother would approve, as the dress was a gift from her.

She arrived at the restaurant fifteen minutes later.

Her mother was already seated. Tamara almost turned around and left when she realized that her mother was not alone.

I should have known she was up to something.

Jillian didn’t care much for Lexington’s but came here because she knew that Tamara was less likely to refuse her since it was only a couple blocks away from her apartment.

“Hello, Mama.” The greeting was forced at best.

Tamara was furious with her mother for hijacking her into a blind date.

“Dear, I want you to meet Anthony. His mother and I went to high school together. He just moved to Atlanta, and I thought you two should meet. Anthony, this is my daughter Tamara.”

She plastered on a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Anthony.”

Tamara sent her mother a sharp look as she took a seat.

“So, Anthony, what brings you to Atlanta?” she asked.

“I’ll be working at Fitzgerald & Johnson Industries as lead counsel,” he said. “Your mother tells me that you write for Luster magazine.”

“I do,” she confirmed.

Tamara was struggling to keep her temper in check. Why couldn’t Jillian just mind her own business? She didn’t need her mother’s help in getting a man.

She managed to enjoy herself while they ate. Anthony had a wonderful sense of humor, and he could hold an intelligent conversation on several subjects. He was definitely an improvement over the last one her mother had tried to set Tamara up with.

Anthony asked for her number.

Feeling pressured, Tamara gave it to him. If she hadn’t, her mother would have given it to him anyway.

Jillian excused herself to go to the ladies’ room.

She was about to follow her, but Anthony stopped her.

“Tamara, look, it’s no pressure. Let’s just get through this dinner to appease our mothers.”

She gave him the first genuine smile of the evening. “You have one of those interfering mothers, too?”

Anthony nodded. “I’m in a relationship, but she doesn’t think Rochelle is the woman for me. I know what I want and that is Rochelle. However, I hope that the three of us can get together sometime. Maybe we can all become friends.”

“I’d like that, Anthony.”

He paid the bill, then told Jillian that he had to leave.

“Tamara, I know that you’re upset,” she said when Anthony walked out of the restaurant. “But I saw the way you two were interacting.” She broke into a smile. “Admit it. Don’t you like him just a little bit?”

“Yeah, I do,” Tamara responded. “Actually I like him a lot. In fact, I think he’s the man for me, Mama.” She gazed into her mother’s hazel-green eyes and said, “Anthony has a girlfriend. We’re going to have a threesome when I get back from Los Angeles.”

“WHAT?”

She burst into laughter at the look of horror on her mother’s face.

Jillian gasped and couldn’t seem to catch her breath. Tamara reached over and took her hand. “Mama, I’m kidding.”

Her mother patted her face with the napkin. “I can’t believe you’d say something like that.”

“It’s what you deserved,” Tamara countered. “Mama, please stop trying to set me up on blind dates. Don’t you think I’m capable of finding my own man?”

Jillian’s lips puckered in silence.

Tamara chuckled. “Good point. I haven’t done a great job in that department, either.”

“I just want to see you happily married with a family.”

“Then let it happen naturally, Mama.”

Jillian gave a stiff nod. “Now what is this about you going to Los Angeles?”

She told her mother about the assignment and seeing Micah again.

“It sounds promising,” Jillian stated. “I can’t wait to hear all about the trip.”

Tamara pushed away from the table and rose to her feet. “There you go again. Mama, I’ll see you later.”

Jillian followed her out of the restaurant.

“Mama, why don’t you look for a man for you?” Tamara suggested. “You should try to find someone to spend the rest of your life with instead of trying to shape my future.”

A shadow of sadness colored Jillian’s expression. “I don’t think I can ever trust another man. Not after…” Her voice died.

Tamara hugged her mother. “I had a great time tonight but you are forbidden to arrange any more blind dates. You’re making me feel insecure.”

Jillian placed a hand to her face. “Oh, nooo…”

“I’m kidding, Mama,” Tamara uttered with a laugh. “I need to get home and pack.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mama.”

Before she headed home, Tamara waited for Jillian to get into her car and leave the restaurant parking lot.

Tamara rehearsed exactly what she would say repeatedly in her head for the rest of the evening and again the next morning as she prepared to leave for the airport.

Tamara flew first class from Atlanta to Los Angeles, both anxious and excited about seeing Micah again.

She hoped that he would be the one picking her up at the airport so that he could clear the air before meeting his performer. It would help the interview along if there was no tension between them.

Maybe I’m making too much of this. Micah’s not the type of man who would hold a grudge.

To quell her nervousness, Tamara documented her thoughts.

August 28th

At this very moment, I am on a plane en route to Los Angeles to interview one of Micah’s performers. I have mixed feelings about this little reunion because of what happened before we graduated college. Hopefully, Micah will put the past behind us and give me a chance to explain.

I have never forgotten that look of absolute hurt in his eyes. I have never been filled with such guilt as I experienced then. I’m not really sure an apology is enough to undo the hurt.

What if I’ve overanalyzed that moment? What if what I thought was hurt was actually something else?

I guess this is why Micah and I need to have a conversation. I miss him and deeply wish to repair our friendship.

I just hope that it isn’t too late to make amends.

Most girls had considered Micah a nerd back in the day—but not Tamara.

Sexy Chocolate.

That’s what she used to call Micah behind his back. He stood six-three, and even with glasses, the man looked good.

She remembered how the basketball coach wanted Micah to play for the school but he refused. Instead, he preferred to focus on his academics and his dedication paid off.

Micah utilized his talent and dual degrees in business and computer science to build his empire, Ross Red. She was proud of him and his accomplishments and hoped for the chance to tell him so.

Things ended so abruptly that night. Tamara didn’t know if they could ever truly mend the rift in their relationship, but she was willing to try. Micah’s friendship meant the world to her.

She settled back against her seat and closed her eyes. A thread of apprehension snaked through her body when the pilot announced they would be landing in twenty minutes.

I can do this.

Tamara repeated this over and over in her mind, trying to convince herself. Not that it was working. She was extremely nervous at the thought of seeing Micah again.

She assumed that he would be the one meeting her plane, and once they got over the awkward moments, they could talk and Tamara could tell him everything.

Thirty-five minutes later, she stepped off the plane and made her way through the Los Angeles International Airport. Tamara was disappointed when she didn’t see Micah at the gate.

Maybe he was waiting for her in the baggage-claim area.

Instead, she found a man in a dark suit holding up a sign with her name on it. She walked up to him and identified herself. “Hi, I’m Tamara Hodges.”

“I hope you had a comfortable flight,” he said. “If you give me your ticket, I’ll retrieve your luggage for you, Ms. Hodges.”

“Thanks,” she murmured. “It’s red. There are two bags. One large and a medium.”

Tamara stood near the exit doors as she waited for her driver to bring her luggage.

He navigated to Tamara and led her outside to the car.

According to her itinerary, she was booked at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles. While en route, Tamara checked her voice mail and returned two missed phone calls. She had hoped to find a message from Micah but it was to no avail.

He was a busy man—she knew that, but Tamara really thought that since he had given the interview his blessing he was ready to reconnect with her.

Now she wasn’t so sure.

Micah positioned himself in the lobby area of the hotel where a suite had been reserved for Tamara. He wanted to catch a glimpse of the woman who had broken his heart.

He checked his watch.

She should be arriving at any moment.

He sensed her presence before she actually walked through the doors and up to the lobby.

Tamara was still slender with curves in all the right places, Micah noted as he watched her check into the hotel.

He raised his newspaper to shield his face when she turned to glance around the lobby.

The way she kept looking around, Micah wondered if she was looking for him.

Probably, but it didn’t matter.

Micah determined that Tamara would not see him until he was ready for a face-to-face with her. The way his heart was racing and his eyes caressing her body—it was still too soon. He needed more time to rein in his emotions.

From outward appearances, Tamara looked fragile but Micah knew that she possessed a quiet strength—a quality that had drawn him to her all those years ago.

He watched as Tamara strolled over to the elevators and waited. Her eyes traveled the luxury surroundings once more before stepping inside.

Micah waited until the doors closed before rising to his feet and taking his leave.

His cell phone rang.

It was his secretary, Bette, informing him that his guest had arrived safely and was at the hotel. She also reminded him of his meeting with the art director that was scheduled in an hour.

“Thank you, Bette. I’m on my way back to the office now.” Micah got up, strode through the glass revolving doors and handed the valet his ticket.

The love of his life was here in Los Angeles, and he was still avoiding her. He had a wall erected around his heart, but Tamara—was a trigger for him, which is why Micah purposed not to see her until he was in control of his emotions.

Micah stood outside, waiting for his car to arrive. The valet attendant pulled the car in front of him and got out. Micah tipped him and strode around to the driver side.

He experienced a strange sensation, which caused the hair on the back of his neck to stand up.

Micah turned around.

Tamara was standing inside the lobby, looking at him through the glass wall, her expression one of complete shock.

His emotions unsettled, Micah pretended he did not recognize her, stepped into his car and quickly drove away. It had been a mistake coming here, he decided.

Micah knew that he and Tamara would come face-to-face, and when they did it would be on his terms. Micah vowed to make her pay for the pain she caused him all those years ago.

He had done nothing but try to be a good friend to Tamara, but the way she turned on him graduation night proved that their relationship had been one-sided in reality. Micah tried to forget about her over the years, but his heart would not let him.

As much as I want to hate Tamara, I can’t. I am still in love with a woman who believes I’ll never be good enough for her.

In his college days, Micah had been more of a geek and was not the kind of boy most girls usually went for, but his job as a tutor placed him in a circle of people he wouldn’t otherwise hang with. Out of those relationships, friendships formed.

He thought Tamara was different from any other girl he had ever known. She was on the quiet side, kept to herself most of the time when she wasn’t with her sorority sisters. On the weekends, she liked visiting her grandmother—he would go with her from time to time.

Micah had been there to comfort Tamara when the woman died. He didn’t remember exactly the moment he fell in love with her, but when he landed the job with a software company in Chicago and was due to leave the week following graduation, Micah didn’t want to leave Tamara without letting her know how he felt.

That was indubitably the biggest mistake of his life because she crushed him with her rejection. Tamara had tried to contact him a few days later, but Micah was hurt and preparing to relocate to Chicago.

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