For all of her tough exterior, there was a softness in this woman that longed to come out; Sterling wanted to be the man to release it.

What kind of man had her husband been? Sterling wondered for the umpteenth time. It was clear that her ex-husband still had some kind of hold on Ann Marie. Was her reaction to the man simply one of old memories and bad vibes, or did she still care about him?

Sterling walked into the living room and saw Ann Marie standing in front of the windows. She looked so tiny and vulnerable. He decided there and then that he would make it his business to wipe her ex-husband out of her mind and, if need be, out of her heart for good.

“Dinner is served, madam,” he said in a very bad British accent.

Ann Marie turned a gentle smile on her face. Sterling’s insides shook just a little. Yes, he was going to make her forget.

DONNA HILL

began her novel-writing career in 1990. Since that time she’s had more than forty titles in print, including full-length novels and novellas. Two of her novels and one novella were adapted for television. She has won numerous awards for her work. She is also the editor of five novels, two of which were nominated for awards. She easily moves from romance to erotica, horror, comedy and women’s fiction. She was the first recipient of the Trailblazer Award and currently teaches writing at the Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center. Donna lives in Brooklyn with her family. Visit her Web site at www.donnahill.com.

Saving all My Lovin’
Donna Hill

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

Thanks for joining the ladies once again as they prove that the “forties are fabulous!”

Having the opportunity to write the PAUSE FOR MEN series allows me to explore all the aspects of my characters—Barbara, Ann Marie, Stephanie and Elizabeth—and to find new and exciting romantic adventures for them to embark upon. The real treat is to be able to showcase mature women and kick to the curb the notion that young women have all the fun.

Although my ladies do have “drama” to deal with, they find a way to make it all work out.

Stay tuned for If I Were Your Woman (Kimani Romance, February 2007), which will feature Stephanie and Tony, the decisions they must make and the obstacles that they must overcome. The other ladies will definitely be there to support Stephanie as all four women share an ever-changing future filled with adventure!

Until next time,

Donna

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 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 1

Ann Marie’s feet were killing her. She’d been hoofing it around on those three-inch stilettos for what felt like an eternity. What she wouldn’t give to add a couple of natural inches to her barely-beyond-five-foot height. But the agony was worth every wincing moment. The grand opening of Pause for Men was a phenomenal success.

She smiled to herself as she looked around while the last of the support staff finished cleaning up. She’d decided to stay behind until the cleanup was completed while her friends and business partners called it a night. Barbara, newly engaged and sporting a blinding diamond ring had gone on home with her young buck Michael. Steph left with her shoes in one hand and her other held by her new beau Tony. She’d caught a glimpse of Ellie tiptoeing away with her man Ron to her new apartment on the top floor of the brownstone.

She plopped down at the makeshift bar, nursing the watery remnants of her cosmopolitan. They’d done good. And it seemed as though all the unlikely folks had someone to go home to except for her. She couldn’t ever remember going home alone. Funny, how life does a three-sixty and catches you unawares. Less than six months ago, she had her own man Phil. Then her grown, married daughter Raquel pops back into her life, moves in and everything that she’d taken for granted came undone.

To add complications to her life, Terrance Bishop had reappeared, found her and Raquel after more than two decades. Terrance. God she could still see his face as if it were only yesterday. She had yet to tell Raquel that Terrance was coming to New York and wanted to see them both.

She tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth, deep in the clutches of her dilemma. Although she’d reluctantly agreed to see him, she didn’t know if that’s what she really wanted. The kind of physical and emotional power Terrance had over her…She shivered just a little. Well, she didn’t know if she could handle it, or if she wanted to.

Terrance Bishop: sexy, handsome, wealthy Island playboy; her husband, her daughter’s father, her past. Her future?

She’d been barely sixteen when she was sent by her mother to live in the Bishop household. Terrance was the oldest of four and the only boy; doted on by his parents and worshipped by his sisters. He was ten years older than Ann Marie—a big man in stature and in the parish of St. Ann in Jamaica, West Indies where he followed in the footsteps of his father Cyril in the police department.

Her mother felt that Ann Marie was woman enough to be on her own, take care of her own man. Cyril wanted his son to settle down and Ann Marie’s mother wanted her daughter out of her house. The agreement suited both parents. So Ann Marie and Terrance were married, and by the time Ann Marie was seventeen she was pregnant with Raquel.

Ann Marie was a virgin when she filled Terrance’s marital bed both physically and emotionally, naïve to the ways of the world and the ways of men and women. Terrance on the other hand felt neither obligation nor fidelity in his marriage and continued with his playboy ways. Not even the birth of his beautiful daughter changed or slowed him down or kept the numerous women from calling, knocking on their door or snickering at her when she went into town to shop.

She stayed as long as she could. Two long, life-altering years before she fled to New York without a word to anyone. She’d been here ever since.

Ann Marie put her glass down on the counter and pushed herself up from her perch at the bar. That was then. She was a big woman now, not the cowering, innocent young thing that Terrance once knew. She could handle him now—him and her emotions.

“We’re all done, ma’am.”

Ann Marie looked across the wide, sparkling wood floor. The three young women they’d hired to help serve and clean up stood in a row. Ann Marie smiled, picked up her purse and approached them.

“Thank you all, on behalf of myself and the other owners. You did a wonderful job.” She handed each of them an envelope with their payment for the night.

They smiled brightly, murmured their thanks and bounced out as if they’d just gotten up for the day. Ann Marie shook her head and chuckled. Youth, she thought. She took one last look around, shut off the lights and walked out, locking the front door behind her. She pulled in a big lungful of air and glanced skyward. The heavens were clear. The moon making its descent behind a bouquet of white cotton had an orange tinge to its edges. It was going to be a hot one tomorrow.

“Wonderful event tonight.”

She jumped, startled by the voice coming from behind her.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

She stole a glance over her shoulder and looked up, clutching her purse to her chest. Her heart slowed then picked up its pace when the voice became a body.

He was dressed in what she knew was an expensive suit, tailored to fit in a midnight blue. The stark white shirt against his milk chocolate skin made her instinctively lick her lips and the barely there scent of his cologne teased and cajoled.

“I saw you earlier. I wanted to introduce myself but you were very busy.” One hand was in his pants pocket, the other at his side.

Her good sense and her voice had apparently stayed behind in the brownstone. She couldn’t think of one thing to say.

His right brow rose. “Are you okay?” He looked around then back at her.

Ann Marie swallowed. “Yes. You…surprised me, that’s all.”

“Sterling Chambers.” He stuck out his hand.

Ann Marie stared at it and finally figured out why he was pointing it at her. She placed her hand in his. “Ann Marie.”

“Nice to finally meet you.” He chuckled softly and the light from the moon bounced off his eyes.

“You were at the event tonight?” How in the hell could she have missed him?

He nodded. “Yep. It’s quite a place. I actually signed up.”

Her stomach did a little flip.

“What role did you play in it all? I got the impression that you were an important part of the evening, the way you were keeping people in line and welcoming the guests.”

She felt her cheeks grow hot, thankful for the darkness. “I’m one of the co-owners, actually.”

“I’m impressed.” He pulled in a breath. “Listen, it’s late and I know you must be beat. I wish we could have met earlier. I should let you go.”

Was he leaving? Just like that?

He reached into the inside breast pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out a card. He handed it to her. “Maybe you can give me a call sometime and we can meet in the daylight.” He smiled.

Oddly relieved, Ann Marie took the card. Sterling Chambers, Esq. She glanced up at him. “Lawyer?”

“Something like that.”

She tucked the card into her purse. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

She looked at him for a moment then turned and walked toward her car several feet away.

Raquel was fast asleep on the couch when Ann Marie came in. She took off her shoes and crept into the house, careful not to wake her.

Once inside her room, she quickly got undressed and washed the makeup from her face. Before getting into bed, she emptied her purse on top of her dresser.

Sterling’s card was on top of the silver compact. She picked it up, ran her finger across the slightly raised black letters. So he’d been watching her. If only she’d known. Her smile was wicked.

She sighed and put the card down. Well, if he was for real, his name would be on the new members list. She’d find out soon enough. Tomorrow was the first official day of business.

She’d get her rest tonight. She wasn’t too sure about her girlfriends, though. She got in bed and turned out the light.

Hmm, it had been months since she’d had sex. She flopped over onto her side, curled into a fetal position. Who would have ever thought that Ann Marie Dennis would be jealous that her friends were getting some and she wasn’t?

She pounded the pillow with her fist and forced her eyes closed. This drought had to end soon.

Chapter 2

Pause was scheduled to open for official business at one o’clock. The girls all promised to be there by eleven, even Barbara. She’d taken a week’s vacation from her job as a rehab specialist at the hospital to see Pause through the first few days.

Elizabeth was sitting behind the reception counter turning on the computer when Ann Marie arrived.

“Hey. You’re really early.” Elizabeth looked at the wall clock above the juice machine. “Great night last night, huh?”

“It sure was.” Ann Marie took a seat at the reception counter. She leaned toward Elizabeth. “So…how was it, chile?”

Elizabeth’s saffron complexion glowed crimson. “How…was w-hat?”

Ann Marie pursed her lips. “The boom-boom.” She grinned.

“Ann Marie!” she hissed between her teeth as if there was someone else around to hear them. “That’s private.”

Ann Marie stretched out the top half of her body across the counter and laid her head down. “Can’t I live vicariously through you?”

“What?” Elizabeth started to laugh. “You? You have got to be kidding.”

“Me stuff gon’ dry up and blow away.”

Elizabeth covered her mouth and howled with laughter. “It can’t be that bad,” she sputtered over her chuckles.

Ann Marie partially lifted her head and turned dark eyes on Elizabeth. “Worse.”

“Good morning partners,” Barbara sang, sailing through the door. Stephanie was right behind her.

“Hey everybody.” Stephanie sat down next to Ann Marie. “Too many drinks last night?” She lowered her head to meet Ann Marie at eye level.

“She says she’s all dried up,” Elizabeth said.

Barbara and Stephanie looked at each other in a millisecond of confusion. Then it hit them simultaneously.

“Ooooh.”

Barbara put her arm around Ann Marie’s shoulders. “It’ll be all right girl. The right man will come along before you know it.”

“Easy for you to say,” she grumbled. “You got a man/child and you been to the Promised Land.”

The trio broke up laughing and even Ann Marie had to join in.

“You definitely have blossomed,” Stephanie said to Barbara. “You look happy.”

Barbara blushed. “I am happy.” She turned her smile on each of her friends. “And I have to thank you all for that.”

“Us?” Elizabeth asked.

Barbara nodded. “Yes, if you all hadn’t convinced me to take a chance on Michael…” She shrugged.

Stephanie placed her hand on Barbara’s shoulder and angled her head to the side. “What red-blooded, healthy woman wouldn’t take a chance on a fine young thing like Michael? And he has money too! Girl you got it made.” She waved her hand.

“Look who’s talking,” Elizabeth piped in. “You got a little more than lucky with Tony.”

Stephanie grinned. She tossed her weave over her shoulder. “He definitely has potential.” She turned to Elizabeth, her eyes narrowing. “Did, uh, you and Ron christen your new bedroom last night?”

Elizabeth sucked in a gasp as all eyes turned on her. She lowered her gaze then looked up. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Her smile showcased every tooth in her mouth.

“I take that as a yes,” Barbara said and they all high fived, except for Ann Marie who’d retreated to a stool at the end of the counter.

She looked smaller than usual, childlike almost with her clear complexion and hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her diminutive body was clad in a form-fitting baby pink velour tracksuit and for once she didn’t have on heels. She was staring off into space and had to clear her head of its turmoil when she realized her three friends were standing in front of her.

“What’s up Ann?” Barbara, ever the mother and counsel asked in a soft voice.

Ann Marie sighed. “I feel alone. For the first time in years, me actually feel alone.” Her eyes suddenly filled, taking the trio by such surprise they didn’t know how to respond.

Tears were usually the domain of Elizabeth. Ann Marie, on the other hand, was notorious for her sharp tongue and indifferent attitude. This was a side they’d never seen.

Ann Marie sniffed hard then began fumbling in her bag for a tissue. She wiped her eyes and nose then straightened her shoulders. Drawing in a breath of resolve she looked her friends in the eye. “PM fuckin’ S.” She snickered. “That’s all. So don’t be gettin’ all gooey-eyes wit me. I’m still a bitch.” She sniffed again. “So are we here to work or hang out at the bar?”

Everyone’s smiles returned. That was the Ann Marie they recognized.

“Well, I’m going to do some Web searching and see how much coverage we got then make some calls,” Stephanie said, easily slipping on her PR hat.

“I’m going to check the equipment and make sure all the supplies are in place,” Barbara said. “As much as I’m going to love running my hands over all those male bodies, we’re going to have to get some other therapists in here other than me. If last night was any indication of the client load, we’re going to be busy.”

Elizabeth nodded, tugging on her bottom lip with her teeth, deep in thought. “I’ll put together a list of potential positions and what qualifications we’re looking for and then we can all review it later on today.”

“Sounds good,” Ann Marie said. “I’ll work on the roster for the new clientele.” And of course she’d check out Mr. Chambers in the process. She headed over to the check-in station, a horseshoe shaped black ceramic table topped with two flat-screen computer monitors, a multi-line phone, rolodex, fax and credit card machine. Beneath the counter was a three-drawer rollaway file cabinet that would contain the hardcopies of client information.

She flipped open the guest book from the previous night and one by one began to scroll through the names. There it was on page three: Sterling Chambers. Ann Marie smiled. She turned on the computer and opened up the Member database. She clicked on the Search field and typed in Sterling’s name. In a blink of an eye, all of his basic information appeared on the screen: address, phone number, cell and how he paid—American Express Platinum. When the details were complete she’d know his exact height, weight, general physical health, eye color and emergency contact name—hopefully not a spouse. This whole spa thing for men could really turn into a goldmine. It would be raining men nonstop.

“Glad to see you smiling.” Barbara set a stack of white towels on the counter.

Ann Marie’s head snapped up. “Oh.” She clicked off from the screen. “Yeah, having one of those moments.”

Barbara smiled. “Well, I better get set up. The doors will be opening soon.” She walked off.

Barbara was the one constant in the group that everyone seemed to turn to, even her. But this time she kept her little secret to herself. They’d all agreed when they’d decided on this little venture that it was only to look and not touch, to fantasize, not act on the fantasy. So the last thing she wanted her friends to think was that she was desperate and using the spa as a dating service.

The doorbell rang. Ann Marie’s heart jumped in her chest. She watched Elizabeth go to the door, held her breath and released it with a disappointed sigh when Dawne, Elizabeth’s daughter came in laden with trays of food.

“Hi!” she called out. “I’ll take these to the kitchen. Desiree is bringing the rest.” She hurried off. Desiree soon followed pushing a cart of canisters of their specially made health juices. Having two daughters that owned their own health food restaurant was paying off already.

Before long they were all too busy to think straight. Within the first two hours twenty men had come through the door. Some had come to the grand opening the night before; others were referred by those who did.

Ann Marie worked the front desk with Elizabeth registering the men and giving them a quick tour of the facilities. Everyone wanted a massage. Lucky Barbara, she thought as she keyed in the information on yet another newcomer. Her fingers felt as if they would fall off and it had barely been four hours. If this many men were available during the day what would happen after the regular work day was over?

As she worked on printing out hardcopies of client records to be filed away, Raquel walked in.

Ann Marie stopped what she was doing and stood, stretching her stiff back in the process. She would need one of Barbara’s massages at this rate.

“This is a surprise. I wasn’t expecting you.”

Raquel’s heavenly brown eyes were red-rimmed.

Ann Marie frowned. “Chile what’s wrong?”

“Why don’t you tell me, mama?”

“Look, I’m working. Me no have time for games.”

“It’s not me playing games.”

Ann Marie huffed and came from around the counter. She grabbed Raquel by the arm and spoke in a harsh whisper.

“I don’t know what burr you got up your butt, but you best change your tone and quick. Me your mum, not some friend on the street.”

“Really? Then why don’t you treat me like I’m your daughter?” Tears splashed over her cheeks.

Ann Marie looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to the drama unfolding. They all were too busy.

“Come with me.” She pulled Raquel across the room and down the corridor to the back office. She pushed the door open without knocking.

Stephanie dribbled water down the front of her blouse. “What the…” She caught the look of fire in Ann Marie’s eyes. And who could miss the tear-streaked face of Raquel? “Uh, I was just leaving. Looks like a mother daughter moment.” She picked up the file she was working on, gave them both one last look and eased out, shutting the door softly behind her.

Ann Marie whirled on Raquel, her hands planted firmly on her hips. “You want to explain what your problem is?”

Raquel drew in two short, shuddering breaths trying to collect herself. “I was on my way out, to see about a consulting job and the phone rang.”

Ann Marie suddenly felt queasy.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“What?” she croaked without the bravado of moments ago.

“About my father! About the fact that he’s recently been in touch with you. About the fact that he’s planning on coming to the States and wants to see me. About the fact that you’re still married to him!”

Ann Marie lowered her defiant gaze and stepped away from her accuser. She drew in a breath and straightened to her five-foot-two-inch height. She turned to Raquel.

“I have reasons which you can’t begin to understand.”

“Tell me.”

“No! It is my business.” She poked at her chest. “You know nothing of the man. But I do.” A shiver ran through her. “I left him and Jamaica for good reasons. To protect me and you.”

“From my father?” she asked in disbelief.

Ann Marie swallowed. “From a life I could no longer endure.”

“You’re not making sense. What happened in Jamaica between you and my father?”

“I won’t discuss it with you Raquel. Now or ever.”

Raquel snickered. “That’s so like you. You have to be in control. Anything to hurt me and push me away.” Her voice shattered like a glass tossed against concrete. “And I thought we were finally getting to a place where we could be mother and daughter—after all these years.” She slowly shook her head, sniffed hard and wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. She looked Ann Marie square in the eyes. “Nothing has changed, Mama. Least of all you.”

She spun away, nearly tore the door from its frame and stormed out. She stopped halfway and tossed over her shoulder, “He said to let you know that business is holding up his plans. He’ll be here at the end of next month. And I plan to see him when he arrives.” She pushed her way passed several clients and disappeared from Ann Marie’s view.

Ann Marie slowly lowered herself into the swivel chair. In control? When it came to Terrance Bishop control never entered the equation. She covered her face with her hands and for the second time in one day she wept.

Activity at the open door drew up her head from her hands. Barbara, Stephanie and Ellie stood on the threshold. They all tried to get through the door at once. If she didn’t feel so god-awful she’d laugh at the spectacle.

She quickly wiped her eyes, but not quickly enough.

“What is going on?” Barbara asked.

“Raquel went tearing out of here like her butt was on fire,” Stephanie added.

“Are you crying?” Ellie asked in amazement.

The trio hovered over her like moths to a flame. She looked from one concerned face to another, which only caused another fresh set of tears to flow.

Barbara knelt down beside her and drew her close. “Ssssh,” she soothed. “Whatever it is, it will be all right.”

“We’re here for you,” Stephanie offered.

“Absolutely,” Ellie added.

Stephanie sat on the edge of the desk. Ellie drew up a chair and took Ann Marie’s hand, patting it gently.

“He—he spoke to her.”

The trio looked at each other and then realization hit. All eyes widened simultaneously.

“Oh,” they chorused.

“I take it you hadn’t spoken to Raquel,” Barbara said.

Ann Marie shook her head.

“How did he get your home number?” Stephanie asked.

Ann Marie swallowed. “Him a police officer. If he got me job number and address, the home number couldn’t be hard to get.”

“But after more than twenty years what made him resurface now?” Barbara asked.

The question sat in the room like rotten food. No one wanted to touch it.

Chapter 3

Somehow, Ann Marie managed to get through the rest of the day without any more outward displays of emotion and even put in a few hours of work at the real estate office. Work was the best cure. If she kept busy she wouldn’t have to think and hopefully by the time she got home Raquel would be asleep.

She wasn’t so lucky. Raquel was sitting in the living room waiting for her when she finally walked through the door.

“I wanted to wait until you got home to tell you that I was leaving.” Raquel stood and that’s when Ann Marie noticed the suitcases neatly lined up near the couch.

Ann Marie lifted her chin. “Time you got back on your own two feet.”

Raquel snorted her disgust. “Figured that’s what you’d say.” She picked up her two suitcases and approached her mother. “You know, most little girls want to grow up to be just like their mothers.

I pray that I don’t ever turn into the woman that you are.” She brushed by Ann Marie and walked out the door that Ann Marie had never closed.

Ann Marie drew in a sharp, pain-filled breath when she heard the door slam shut.

On a night like tonight, with the day she’d had, she would have sought comfort in the arms of her man. But she didn’t have one.

A lie, or at least the omission of the truth, lost Phil to her. A secret, or maybe it was a lie now, lost her daughter to her as well.

She’d been so good at keeping secrets. Only sharing parts of herself that she wanted the world to see—including her closest friends. Secrets had sustained her, helped her to believe that her reality wasn’t true. Over the years she’d convinced herself that her life was perfect, just the way she wanted it. But there was a hole in her soul that she’d been unable to fill with men, work, fancy clothes, a good job. Nothing could stuff that gaping abyss.

She wanted to love and be loved but she didn’t know how. At times she believed that she was saving all her love for the right time, the right person. When the ice between her and Raquel had finally been broken, she momentarily thought that perhaps the love she’d been seeking had been found.

But love was the great betrayer. She’d loved her mother. She’d loved her husband. She’d begun to allow herself to love her daughter. They all betrayed her. They took her fragile emotions and crushed them, believing that Ann Marie Dennis Bishop didn’t need their love and affection. She was strong and independent.

She picked up a wine glass from the shelf of the étagère and threw it across the room. It smashed against the wall and cascaded into sparkling pieces.

What did they know? What did any of them know?

Barbara woke to the sound of a ringing telephone. She squinted at the digital clock on her bedside. 2:00 a.m. She groaned and fumbled for the phone.

“Hello,” she answered her voice thick with sleep.

“Hey baby.”

She blinked several times and turned on her side, a soft smile forming around her mouth. “Hey babe, yourself. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is fine. I know it’s late. But I’m just getting in. Listen, I want you to fly out to L.A. I’m going to be here for about a week and I want to show you off to the fellas.”

Barbara pushed herself up into a half-sitting position and leaned on her elbow. “California?”

“Yeah, I’m doing a commercial before I head out to Florida with the rest of the team.”

“Mike…I’d love to but—”

“No buts. When was the last time you took an all expense paid, spur of the moment trip?”

She giggled. “I can’t say that I have.”

“My point exactly. We could have some fun. You get to relax. I get to wine and dine you…and in between…”

She sighed as she imagined being in some fancy hotel with her rich and famous NBA fiancé, being courted around town in style. She’d definitely have some stories to tell the girls when she got back.

The girls. The spa. Her job.

“Mike, the spa just opened. We have our hands full. I mean today alone I must have done two dozen massages. We’re already looking to hire staff.”

He didn’t respond.

“Mike?”

“Yeah, well, important things first.”

“Don’t be like that.”

“Like what? Aggravated that you’d rather run your hands all over some other man rather than your own?”

She flinched away from the sharp edge of his tongue. “Michael! You know better than that. It’s my job.”

He muttered something she didn’t quite catch.

“Do I tell you not to attend the after parties or sign autographs for the sweet young things that are all over you after a game?” She was wide awake now.

“That’s different.”

“Really?” Her sarcastic tone was lost on him.

“Look, forget it. It was a stupid idea. I just thought it would be fun for both of us.”

Barbara squeezed her eyes shut against the sound of hurt and disappointment in his voice.

“I’ll see if I can get rid of the airline tickets. Maybe one of my teammates can use them.”

Tickets? He’d already bought her tickets? Guilt climbed on top of her chest and sat there tapping its foot.

She’d have to find a way to make it up to him.

“Mike…as soon as things settle down on this end and I can hire someone to take over for me at the spa…and I can give my job enough notice…I’d be happy to go anywhere in the world with you,” she said in her most cajoling, please-understand tone.

He breathed heavily into the phone. “When we’re married, you’re not going to have to worry about any of this stuff.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean worrying about a job and obligations to other people. You’ll have me and enough money to do what you want, when you want.”

Concern nudged her. She jerked from it, frowned then swatted it away but it settled on the bed next to her and made itself comfortable, right next to her good sense.

She didn’t like the feeling and it wasn’t the first time it had reared its head when it came to Michael.

“Sounds like something we should really talk about when you’re here in New York.” She yawned, hoping the hint would get him off the phone. She wanted the call to end before something was said that couldn’t be taken back.

“Yeah, you’re right, baby. I shouldn’t have put all this on you in the middle of the night. That was real selfish of me.” His voice lowered to the deep timber that always left her weak. “I guess I’m missing you too much.”

That tight spot in the center of her chest softened.

“You accept my apology?”

“Mike you have nothing to apologize for. It was a sweet offer. Really. And if it was any other time, I would go in a heartbeat.”

He chuckled. “I know. Look, you get your beautiful self some rest. I’ll try to call you tomorrow.”

“When will you be back?”

“Not for a couple weeks. But if I can get away even for a weekend or overnight, I’ll be there.”

A hot flush filled her up. “I can’t wait,” she whispered.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Night.”

“Good night.” Slowly she hung up the phone and tried to settle back down to sleep but doubt had joined concern and good sense in her bed and she barely had room to move.

There were things that troubled her about her relationship with Michael; little things that flared up unexpectedly, the little flashes of jealousy, the silences.

She flipped onto her side, couldn’t get comfortable, kicked her unwanted guests onto the floor then lay spread-eagle in the bed.

It was late. She was awakened from a well-earned rest. She was making more out of things than necessary, worrying about nothing.

She stuck her left hand out in front of her. Even in the darkness of her bedroom the diamond sparkled, reminding her of her commitment to a man almost young enough to be her son.

She drew in a breath. It would work out. She deserved some happiness. It had been a long drought since she’d lost her husband Marvin and Michael made her feel alive again, reminded her that she was still a vibrant, sexy woman.

She turned back onto her side. Now that she had some room in the bed, she planned to get to sleep. But doubt, good sense and concern crept back beneath the sheets and spent the rest of the night.

Ann Marie spent a sleepless night as well. She’d told the girls the day before that she’d be unable to work at the spa as she had a long day at the real estate office, several meetings and a closing.

When she arrived at the office, thankfully, she was the only one there. She turned on the coffee pot and stood in front of it like a sentinel, waiting for it to perk. Funny, she thought absently, the coffeepot was a reflection of her life—sitting on a hot plate waiting to perk.

“Morning Ann Marie,” Carol the new office assistant sang out.

Ann Marie turned away from staring at the pot. “Morning.”

“You look a little tired. Long night?” She giggled in a way that would annoy the average person.

Inwardly Ann Marie rolled her eyes. “Something like that.” She hadn’t told anyone in the office about her new business venture, mainly because it was none of their business. And the less the staff knew about her private life the better. It was bad enough that Terrance had sent the flowers to her office, which caused all kinds of buzz and speculation.

“Out with the guy who sent the flowers?” she hedged.

Ann Marie snapped her head in Carol’s direction. “I have two clients coming in, one at eleven and the other at one. Please make sure that their information is ready for me.” She gave Carol the names of her clients, took the pot of coffee and poured herself a cup. She turned to Carol who stood there as if Ann Marie was still planning to tell her more about her private life.

Ann Marie arched a brow, stuck her arm out and dramatically examined her watch.

Carol finally got the hint. Ann Marie rolled her eyes in earnest and went to her cubicle.

The real estate office that she worked for was truly a high-end office, dealing only in luxury condos, commercial properties and brownstones, which had become the crown jewels of the marketplace. They had state of the art equipment, a designer’s lounge area for clients, light refreshments and all of the agents had their own glass cubicles on two levels. The commissions that she raked in from sales put her solidly in the six-figure income bracket each year. If she wanted, she could leave New York at anytime and start a fresh life without a financial worry in the world.

Maybe that’s what she needed to do—start over. Just pick up and leave all this crap behind. Go someplace where no one could find her. Maybe even change her name. There was nothing holding her here. She had no family—now with Raquel gone. She had no man. And…you could always make new friends.

She thought of Barbara, Stephanie and Ellie. They’d been her family, putting up with her bull for years. But even they couldn’t give her what she needed.

Her desk phone rang. Absently she picked it up.

“Ann Marie speaking.”

“Did you get my message from our daughter?”

Her stomach did a slow somersault. “Yes,” she choked out. “What do you want now, Terrance?” She gripped the edge of the desk.

“Nothing more than to hear your voice. Is that so wrong?”

“Very expensive call just to hear someone’s voice.”

“Money is not an issue. Never was. We had other problems—you and I.”

“Oh, so you remember?”

“I was a fool, a young arrogant fool. But I’ve changed, Mari,” he said, using his pet name for her.

Heat rushed to her head at the sound of the endearment. “Old dog as they say.”

“I’m going to prove the saying wrong. You can teach this old dog new tricks.” His voice lassoed around her. “I want you to teach me.”

“It’s over, Terrance.”

“You’re still my wife.” The last two words tightened the rope around her neck, cut off her breathing.

“I’m busy Terrance. No time for your word games.”

“It’s not a game, Mari. I’m coming back for you. Believe that if you believe nothing else. And I will make you remember how good it was between us.”

She slammed down the phone. Her hands were shaking. For several moments she sat there with her hand still locked on the receiver, unable to move. Her gaze rose upward and Carol was standing outside her cubicle staring at her.

Ann Marie drew in a breath, stood and tugged the hem of her waist length jacket then went to her door. She pulled it open.

“Yes!”

“Here are the files you asked for,” she said, inching them toward Ann Marie as if handing off explosives.

Ann Marie swallowed. “Thank you,” she murmured.

“Are you all right, Ms. Dennis?”

Ann Marie looked into Carol’s eyes, and was stunned by what appeared to be real concern etched onto her acne-prone face.

Slowly Ann Marie nodded. “Yes, I’m fine,” she said in a softer voice. “Thanks for asking.” She took the files and turned away.

Ann Marie returned to her desk and eased her way down into her seat without collapsing.

How could she ever explain to anyone what Terrance did to her? Just his voice alone made her weak. Seeing him in her mind’s eye made her hot with a need that had never been fully satisfied since she’d left him.

Yes, she’d played the role of the big woman in front of her friends. But with Terrance she was sixteen again, young, vulnerable and terribly in love with a man who only knew how to love himself.

He said he’d changed. She couldn’t imagine that. But what if he had? What if he was the man she’d always wanted him to be? What then?

You’re still my wife. The words echoed in her head like a shout tossed into the Grand Canyon. She had to make it stop. She couldn’t lose her soul to Terrance Bishop again.

Chapter 4

Barbara, Ellie and Stephanie reviewed the write-up they’d put together to recruit staff. The day had been exhausting to say the least.

“Personally, Steph, I think you did too good of a job,” Ellie moaned. “There was another write-up in the Style section of the Times today. And I got two calls this morning for a radio and a television interview.”

“We could be moaning that the business was a flop,” Barbara said, always practical. “So we really shouldn’t complain.”

“True, but we definitely have to get some trained staff in here or they will be scraping us up off the floor,” Ellie said.

“Not to change the subject from our successful endeavor, but has anyone heard from Ann Marie?” Stephanie looked at Barbara then Elizabeth. They both shook their heads no.

“In all the years I’ve known Ann Marie, I don’t ever think I’ve seen her cry. She’d rather cut someone first,” Elizabeth said, tongue in cheek.

“Yeah, me either,” Barbara concurred. “I’m worried about her. She put on a good face about Terrance but she’s truly shook. He must really be something to have put the mojo on Ann Marie.”

“Not to mention the blowup between her and Raquel,” Stephanie added. “I really thought they were going to make a go at it.”

“Hmm,” they murmured.

“So, what are we going to do?” Elizabeth asked.

“Sounds like our girl needs some sisterly intervention,” Barbara said. “But first let’s get this posting listed as soon as possible before we need the intervention.”

“I’ll put it up on Craig’s List and see how that pans out,” Stephanie said.

“And I’ll post it on the hospital bulletin board,” Barbara said.

They stood.

“So what time do we make this intervention?” Elizabeth asked.

“I’ll make dinner and we can take it over to Ann Marie’s,” Barbara offered.

“I have a better idea. I’ll call Dawne and Desiree and have them whip up something. No need for you to do any more work today, Barbara,” Elizabeth said.

“Works for me.” Barbara grinned.

“So let’s meet at Ann Marie’s about eight,” Stephanie said.

They disbanded to handle the final business of the workday then headed out.

Ann Marie stuck her key in the lock of her apartment door and stepped inside. For a moment she expected to see Raquel sitting in the living room or to inhale the scent of dinner simmering on the stove.

The house was empty, silent and the only smell was the lingering fragrance of her body oil.

She shut the door, oddly disappointed. She didn’t realize until that moment how accustomed she’d become to finding her daughter home when she arrived.

A sharp stab of angst caught her unawares. Maybe there was something she could have said to make Raquel stay, get her to understand.

On leaden legs she moved across the showcase of a living room then on into her bedroom. She closed her door as if she half expected someone to suddenly walk in on her undressing. There was no one. The muscles of her throat tightened.

This was so unlike her, these bouts of tears and feeling sorry for herself. She was not some weak thing that could be bandied about by circumstance. She was the one who took circumstance by the balls and squeezed until she was satisfied.

Hadn’t that been the way? Hadn’t her resiliency, tough as nails, take no prisoner attitude been the ever recurring conversation piece at the weekly girls’ soiree? She was the one who put the starch in Barbara’s, Ellie’s and Stephanie’s backs. And now, she felt weak as a newborn, unable to stand on her own. And why? Because of a goddamn man!

She pulled her jacket off and tossed it haphazardly across the bed then stepped out of her shoes and left them right in the middle of the floor. She took off her blouse, unzipped her skirt and tossed both on top of her jacket.

What she needed was a stiff drink, at least that would have to suffice in lieu of something else stiff. She walked back into the living room in her Victoria’s Secrets and fixed her herself a tall glass of Jamaican rum with barely a splash of Coke. She gulped it down like a desert refugee left to bake in the sun then poured another. By the time she was halfway through her third drink and had moved away from the bar, the world had acquired a soft, warm, fuzzy feel around its edges.

Ann Marie smiled, stumbled over to the couch and plopped down with a flourish.

“The hell with you Terrance Bishop. You won’t run your magic on me no more. Ya hear!” She jerked her glass into the air splashing some of the contents on her forehead. She giggled as she licked the sweet liquid that ran off the tip of her nose down to her lips.

She was thoroughly looped by the time her front doorbell rang. For a while she thought it was her ears ringing and she laughed. But the ringing continued followed by banging and yelling of her name.

She pressed her hands to her ears in an attempt to block out the offending noise that was infringing on her high.

But threats of breaking down her door filtered through the sludge in her brain. Weaving and using the furniture and wall for support she made it to the door.

Through bleary eyes she was able to make out the six bodies that stood in her doorway—maybe it was three. She braced herself against the doorframe.

“You’re drunk!” the trio sang.

“And you’re half-naked,” Ellie added.

“Yep,” Ann Marie slurred, her lopsided grin making her look even more ridiculous.

“Come inside,” Barbara ordered, taking Ann Marie by the arm and ushering her into the house.

“Damn, smells like a still in here,” Stephanie said, wrinkling her nose as she sniffed the air.

“Yep,” Ann Marie agreed and nearly fell on the couch.

“I’m going to make some coffee,” Barbara said, setting down the bag of food she carried.

“I’ll get her something to put on,” Ellie offered and headed to Ann Marie’s bedroom.

“I’ll join you for a drink if ya don’t mind,” Stephanie said.

“Pull up a drink…I mean a chair.” Ann Marie giggled.

Stephanie sat down but didn’t fix a drink. “What’s going on with you, Ann?” she asked, so gently it tugged at the noose around Ann Marie’s heart.

Her bottom lip trembled. She and Stephanie had been at odds for years, making a habit of rubbing each other the wrong way. But recently they’d begun to tiptoe across the divide that separated them, discovering that what set them apart were the very things that made them so much alike. Had this been a year, even six months earlier, the last person she would have turned to in confidence would have been Stephanie.

“I feel so shaky and unsure of myself. Weak like a baby.” She looked at Stephanie with such anguish in her wide eyes that Stephanie actually felt her pain.

How well Stephanie knew feelings of helplessness, to have your life and emotions controlled by forces stronger than you. It had cost her dearly over the years and she was still in the throes of relinquishing the hold her past had on her present.

“Is it Terrance?” Stephanie asked softly.

Ann Marie nodded her head and the room did a slow spin.

“Did he contact you again?”

“Yes.” She swallowed. “Something I never told no one.”

“What?”

“I’m still married to the bastard. Him say him coming back for me.”

“Damn,” Stephanie said in a hush. “What are you going to do?”

“Don’t know.”

“You need a good lawyer. Maybe you’re not really even married anymore. It’s been so long.”

“I should be so lucky.” She leaned back against the couch cushions and closed her eyes just as Barbara emerged from the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee.

“But Ann, don’t you think it’s time that Raquel met her father and let her make the decision for herself?”

Ann Marie jumped up so fast and the room spun so quickly she fell back down onto the couch before the words could get out of her mouth. She breathed in deeply through her nose until her stomach settled. “He’ll just twist her around his finger; charm her into believing that he’s the injured one.”

“Is that what you’re really worried about?” Barbara asked and handed her the cup of coffee.

Ann Marie took the cup in two hands and sipped the steaming black brew. “Always cut to the chase with you,” she murmured.

“Everyone deserves to know them pops. True. But me t’ink once him back in Raquel’s life, him be back in mine.”

“What did this man do to you?” Elizabeth asked. She knew what it felt like to have a philandering husband. She’d just gotten rid of one herself. But this definitely sounded more serious that than. “Did he beat you?” she eeked out, shuddering at the thought.

She looked from one face to another. “He sexed me up so good that I haven’t been right for another man since.”

“Ooooh,” they sang.

“We should all be so lucky,” Stephanie said drolly.

“You don’t know what it’s like to have someone have that much control over you,” Ann Marie said. “To need and want someone so badly you put up with every retched t’ing they do to keep ‘em.”

“Maybe he’s old, bald and fat now,” Stephanie offered.

“Even old, bald and fat Terrance Bishop would be more than the average woman could handle.”

“Damn,” they sang in harmony.

“What you need is a unified front,” Barbara said and stood. She began to pace. “Once he sees that you have support, he won’t try anything. You don’t be alone with him. No late night dinners, no private lunches.” She turned to Ann Marie and wagged a finger at her. “And don’t let him in the front door. If he wants to see Raquel let them make arrangements to meet. You stay out of it. Put your foot down girl. You did it once, you can do it again.”

“And get a lawyer,” Stephanie said.

“For what?” Elizabeth asked.

“They’re still married,” Stephanie said.

Chapter 5

Terrance walked into police headquarters, dressed as usual in his tailor-made suit, shoes gleaming and his salt-and-pepper hair brushed to a soft shine, the gentle natural waves capping his perfectly shaped head. A smooth nut-brown complexion served as the canvas for jet-black almond-shaped eyes, soft curling lashes, lush lips and an alluring cleft in his solid chin.

At fifty-six he could easily pass for a man half his age. He made a point of swimming every day and would rather walk than use his many cars. The sandy beaches of Jamaica were his gym. He ran along the shore every morning for at least an hour before taking his swim in the clear blue ocean.

Now as commissioner of the police force it was more important than ever to maintain his look. It had been a long time coming. For years he’d danced in his father’s shadow. But with Cyril Bishop’s passing the prior year, Terrance had been appointed in his place without protest. And with position came power. With the force at his disposal and a commanding title to back him up, he’d been able to use the resources available to him to locate his wife and daughter.

His next step up the ladder was to run for office. The campaign was slated to begin in three months. His reunion with his wife and daughter would surely guarantee him the spot he coveted. A loving family always warmed a voter’s heart. He intended to have his wife and daughter at his side.

“Good morning Commissioner,” Stacy his latest conquest and administrative assistant greeted.

He flashed her a smile that reawakened the fire between them from the previous night. He’d have to find a way to be rid of her soon. But in the meantime she was a pleasant diversion.

“Good morning,” he said in his slightly British accent, acquired from his years of education at Oxford in England.

“I left your messages on your desk.”

He nodded and headed down the corridor to his office, the heavy wooden door embossed in gold letters with his name. Absently he ran his hand across the raised letters before opening the door and stepping inside.

He went to his desk and picked up the handful of messages, tossing each one aside as he reviewed them. One caught his attention.

It was from Raquel.

He came around the desk and sat down. Call me. We need to talk.

He licked his lips then picked up the phone, dialing the international operator. Moments later he heard the phone ringing on the other end.

“Hello?”

“Raquel. It’s your dad. I just received your message.”

“I wanted you to know that I’ve moved out of Mom’s house. I’m staying in a hotel.”

Terrance frowned. “Why are you in a hotel?”

“I couldn’t stay there any longer.”

“Did something happen? Was it because of me?”

“She lied to me all these years. She never told me about you. She never told me you were still married.”

Terrance sat back in his high-backed leather chair and swiveled it to face the window.

“You shouldn’t be upset with your mother.” He pursed his lips, ran a finger along the thin line of his mustache.

“Why not?”

“Maybe she had her reasons.” He gazed out toward the ocean, almost able to see the young Ann Marie running across the beach, her skirts held high around her thighs.

Raquel sighed into the phone. “It doesn’t matter. It’s done. I just wanted to leave you a number where you could reach me.”

He shook the past away then took the number down.

“So, you’ll stay in touch won’t you?”

“Of course,” he said. “Do you need money? Is there anything that I can do?”

“No. Thanks. I’m fine. You’re still coming to New York aren’t you?” she asked sounding like a young girl instead of a grown woman.

Terrance smiled. “Yes, darling. I’m still coming.”

“Good. I’m really looking forward to meeting—seeing you.”

“So am I. I’m sure you are more beautiful than I could ever imagine.”

She laughed. “Mom says I look like you.”

Maybe that’s why it was so hard for her to love you, he thought, a constant reminder. “Well, we hope that you got the good genes.” He chuckled. A knock on his door drew his attention. “I must go.”

“Okay. Well, you have my number.”

“Yes, and I’ll be sure to call.”

“Bye.”

“Goodbye.” He hung up the phone.

“Yes, come in.”

Stacy opened the door and stepped inside. A slow smile moved across her thin mouth. She closed the door behind her and walked up to his desk. “I wanted to tell you what a nice time I had last night,” she said in husky voice.

The right corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

“How nice?”

She came around to his side of the desk and sat on his lap. “Why don’t I show you?”

Sterling Chambers walked out of the court room. It had been a tough case, one that he wasn’t sure he would win, but he did.

His specialty was criminal defense cases al though he’d made his mark as a prosecutor. But years of putting people whom he knew to be innocent behind bars had finally taken its toll and so he’d jumped sides and opened his own practice.

It hadn’t been easy, those first few years, but he’d slowly built his business and considered himself moderately successful.

He jogged down the steps of the Supreme Court building in Manhattan and decided to take a stroll to release some of the adrenaline running through his veins. He passed by City Hall and caught a glimpse of the mayor getting into a black limo. If only he had his billions, he thought absently. The first thing he would do is revamp the school system in the inner cities. Sure it was great to have money and the power of political office, but you were always shackled by bureaucracy. And the best intentions often fell by the wayside of the political machine.

He walked along Chambers Street, sidestepping the rushing lunch-goers who were darting in and out of coffee shops and fast-food joints. He rolled his shoulders. A good massage would do wonders, he thought.

As a treat to himself he would drop by that new spa. He’d already paid for the membership, one of many, all of which he never found the time to use. But he had reason to check this one out if it would give him a chance to meet that lovely lady again. Ann Marie she said her name was. A tiny fireball. He smiled to himself.

He pulled out his cell phone from the breast pocket of his suit and turned it back on, having shut it off during the court proceedings. There were two messages from his office. None from Ann Marie.

He stuck the phone back in his pocket. He’d fix that later. Hopefully she’d be there. He was definitely looking forward to the end of the day.

When Sterling arrived at Pause it was almost six o’clock. He entered on the ground-floor level and was greeted by the scent of something absolutely delicious. His stomach growled, not having been fed since breakfast. He looked around. Several men, some in white terry robes, others in workout attire, sat around white circular wrought iron tableseating and drinking in what several nights earlier had been the reception hall.

“How may I help you?”

Sterling turned to look upon a smiling face. He recognized her from opening night also.

“I signed up during the open house and I could sure use a massage.”

Elizabeth grinned. “We can make that happen. My name is Elizabeth Lewis. One of the co-owners. Why don’t you come with me and we’ll get you checked in. I know that Barbara—that’s our masseuse—has a couple of clients ahead of you. But maybe you’d like to relax in the sauna until she’s ready.”

“Great.” He followed her to the front desk that less than forty-eight hours ago was the bar. “You said you were a co-owner. How many owners are there? I met one the other night.”

“There are four of us.” She stopped at the desk and went behind it. “Which one did you meet?”

“She said her name was Ann Marie. I didn’t catch her last name.”

Elizabeth’s eyes rolled up to meet his. “Ann Marie.” She smiled. “Yep, she’s one of the quartet. Actually it was Ann Marie who got us this building.”

“Really?” His interest was piqued.

“She’s in real estate.” She opened the member file on the computer. “What’s your name, sir?”

“Sterling Chambers.”

She scrolled through the list of names. “Here you are.” She printed out a sheet of paper and handed it to him. “When you work with Barbara give her this. She will take all your vitals and we keep it on record.”

He took the paper from her hand and looked it over. “Very thorough.”

“We try.” She came from behind the desk. “Let me take you to a room where you can change.”

“I can do that.”

They both turned.

Ann Marie approached. She stuck out her hand to Sterling. “So we meet again.”

He looked her over. She was just as tempting in daylight. “I was hoping that we would.”

Elizabeth watched the volleyball of electricity bounce back and forth between them. Interesting. She hoped that Ann Marie didn’t chew him up and spit him out like she did with every other man who’d crossed her path—other than Terrance.

“Since I didn’t hear from you, I thought I’d force you to see me,” he said in a teasing manner.

Ann Marie looked up at him. “You don’t appear to be the type of man who would have to force a woman to do anything.”

He grinned. “Were you planning to call?”

“At some point.” She went up the stairs and he followed. “Right down this hallway is a dressing room. There are fresh robes and towels. When you’re ready I’ll show you to the sauna.” She started to turn away.

“At what point?”

Her brow rose in question.

“At what point were you planning to call?”

“Sooner rather than later.” A smile played around her mouth.

“What time do you get off?”

“Eight.”

“Good. I’ll be finished by then and maybe you’ll join me for a late dinner.”

She lifted her chin. “Are you asking me or telling me,” she challenged.

“Asking, of course.”

“In that case, I accept.” She turned and walked away.

Sterling smiled as he watched the sway of her hips. Yeah, a little fireball.

Ann Marie returned to the front desk.

“Wow, what’s going on with you two?” Elizabeth asked. “I almost got singed with the sparks.”

“I barely know the man,” she tossed off.

“It never stopped you before.”

“Very funny.”

“He seems to have a real interest in you.”

“Maybe.”

“Could be the one, you know.”

“The one what?”

“The one to take your mind off of Terrance.”

Ann Marie drew in a breath. If only, she thought. If only.

Chapter 6

Barbara and Elizabeth closed up shop while Stephanie took inventory.

“Did you work on a Sterling Chambers tonight?” Elizabeth asked innocently.

Barbara arched her aching back. “Probably, why? They’re all becoming a blur at this point.” She flexed her fingers. “Where’s Ann Marie? I barely saw her all night.”

“With that guy.”

Barbara huffed. She hated it when Elizabeth grew cryptic. “What guy?” she asked, summoning her last ounce of patience.

“Sterling Chambers, silly. Who did you think I was talking about?”

Barbara flashed her a look. “Ann Marie is out with one of the clients?”

Elizabeth nodded. “Not just any client. This one is gorgeous.”

“Still no excuse. We all agreed.”

“Sometimes things just happen and you have to make allowances.”

“I don’t want this place turning into a male brothel, Ellie.”

“It won’t. Anyway, from what I could gather, he came on to her. Said he’d met her briefly after the opening. He seems like a really nice guy.”

Barbara huffed. “She better not make a habit of that. I don’t want clients getting the wrong impression about the staff.”

“So do you remember him or not? Good looking, tall, athletic build, dark-skinned.”

Barbara frowned in thought. “Sort of. Pull his information up.” She came around the counter to stand in front of the computer.

Elizabeth typed in his name and all his information came up along with his picture that was taken when he signed up.

“Oh, yes. I remember him. Great buns and thighs.” She grinned. She looked at his information. “Ellie look, he’s an attorney.”

They both stared at each other as reality dawned.

“Just what Ann needs,” they said in unison.

“Did you have someplace in mind?” Ann Marie asked as they walked toward Sterling’s car.

“Do you have a taste for something special?”

“I’m not choosey. But Spoonbread is really good if you like soul food.”

“I know the place, up on One-Sixteen.”

“Yes.”

“Spoonbread it is. My car is right over there,” he said, pointing to the black Mercedes.

Hmm, nice.

He helped her into the car then came around to his side. The passenger seat gently reclined when he turned on the ignition. Hmm, very nice.

They drove the few blocks in an easy silence. The local jazz station 88.3 FM played softly in the background.

“Do you live in the area?” he asked as he searched for a place to park.

“On Morningside. What about you?”

“Further downtown, off Central Park.”

“Have you always lived in New York?”

“Actually, I grew up in Queens.”

“Craziest borough I’ve ever been to,” she scoffed. “Streets make no sense.”

He chuckled. “That’s a common complaint.” He pulled into a space and shut off the car. The seat returned to its fully upright position.

“But you’re not originally from here,” he said, turning to her.

“Born in Jamaica,” she said, putting her accent back in place.

He chuckled. “I’ve never been. I hear it’s beautiful.”

“It can be.” She unfastened her seatbelt.

“Do I detect a note of dissatisfaction?”

“Old news, that’s all.”

“Maybe you’ll tell me about it one day.”

She kept her gaze averted. “Maybe,” she said softly.

They entered the restaurant and were seated shortly thereafter.

“So I understand from one of your co-owners that you’re into real estate.” He looked over the menu.

“Yes. For a while now. It’s a booming business especially here in the city. I’ll have an iced tea,” she said to the waiter who came up to their table.

“Make that two.”

“Would you like to place your food order now?”

“Can you give us a few minutes?” Sterling asked.

“Sure.” The waiter walked away.

“Do you have a specialty?”

“Mostly commercial properties and, over the past few years, brownstones. Those are the really hot items now.”

“I’ve been thinking of buying, but the prices are ridiculous.”

“I know. But they’re beginning to come down. They have to. No one can sell properties they bought just two years ago.” She paused. “Were you thinking of a brownstone or co-op?”

“Actually I’m more of a picket fence, backyard kind of guy. Guess it must be my Queens roots.” He grinned and she noticed the tiny dimple in his right cheek. “And I’m not sure I want to spend my declining years in New York.”

She laughed. “Declining. You have a long way to go, I’m sure.”

“I’ll be fifty in two years. It’s well past time for me to begin planning out the rest of my life.”

“If you’re really interested I’m sure I can connect you with someone who can help with property out of state.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. But for now, I want to spend my pre-declining years getting to know you.”

She felt her face flush. She lowered her gaze to focus on her menu. “So what kind of law do you practice?” she said, changing the subject.

“I’m a criminal defense attorney.”

“That must be hard.”

“It can be, especially if you lose. But now that I’m in private practice I can take on the cases that I want as opposed to the ones forced on me.”

She placed her menu down and looked at him. She drew in a breath and let out what she’d been dying to know. “Can I ask you a legal question…?”

“Sure.”

“When I was sixteen I was sent by my mother to live in the Bishop household. Before the year was out I was married to Terrance Bishop…”

By the time Ann Marie was done explaining her situation they were halfway through their meal. It had taken a lot for her to break her pattern of secrecy and open up to him, but she decided if there was any chance of them making it beyond tonight’s dinner she was going to have to be totally honest, and either he accepted it or he didn’t. All that would have been lost is some time and they both got a meal out of the deal.

Sterling put his fork down and wiped his mouth. He was silent for a long time and Ann Marie began to grow uncomfortable. The center of his brow was a series of tight lines. Maybe it was too much too soon, she thought in retrospect.

“I’d have to do some investigating but I can certainly find out for you,” he said finally. He looked across the table at her. “I know it couldn’t have been easy for you to tell me all that. I appreciate your honesty.”

“Are you ready to run?”

He grinned. “Tough battle is my middle name. I love a challenge. And you are certainly that, if nothing else.”

She exhaled a soft sigh of relief. “So you think you can help me?”

“I can try, but only if you make me a promise.”

“What kind of promise?”

“That this won’t be the last time I see you and, when I do, it won’t be business related.”

Ann Marie bit back a grin. “I think I can help you with that.”

He raised his half-empty glass of iced tea. “To more…”

She raised hers as well as her brows. “To more what?” she asked softly, leaning forward.

“To more of getting to know each other.”

She touched her glass to his. “To more,” she said.

When Ann Marie arrived at the spa the following afternoon it was with a new attitude. She’d had a wonderful time with Sterling. He was fun, intelligent, handsome and an absolute gentleman. What endeared him the most to her was that he was not turned off by her situation. To her that said a lot about the kind of man that he was. And maybe she was finally growing up, too. It was the first time in years that she’d actually been totally honest with a man about her past. Hopefully, it was the start of something new.

“Hey everybody,” she greeted as she sauntered in, her hundred-watt smile in place.

Barbara looked over Ann Marie’s shoulder. “Anybody see a weepy, fresh-mouth woman about five feet two inches tall?”

Ann Marie gave her a playful shove on the shoulder. “Oh stop. It wasn’t that bad.”

“Oh yes it was,” Stephanie said. “Scared me.” She grinned.

“Feeling better I see,” Elizabeth said, walking up to join the impromptu gathering. “A handsome man wouldn’t have anything to do with it would it?” She winked.

“Maybe,” Ann Marie said, playing coy.

Barbara sat down on the stool by the check-in counter. “Look, Ann, I’m really glad you’re feeling better. But I’m going to say this in front of everyone so that there is no misunderstanding.” She drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “We need to be really careful about taking up with clients.” She looked Ann Marie in the eye. “We don’t want this place to get the wrong reputation.”

Ann Marie cocked her hip to the side and the words flew out of her mouth so hard and fast it was difficult to understand anything other than she was pissed off. “What you saying? You t’ink me messing ‘round wit the clients? That me pickin’ dem up like some street walker?”

Barbara held up her palm. “Ann,” she said in a tone one uses with an excitable child. “That’s not what I’m saying.”

“Well what are ya saying then?”

“Be careful and mindful that’s all.”

“Listen hon,” Elizabeth said, “We’re happy if you’re happy.” She turned her gaze on Barbara. “You didn’t meet him here anyway. Not exactly. So it’s not the same thing.”

Ann Marie huffed and folded her arms.

“That’s all I’m saying,” Barbara added. She stepped up to Ann Marie and put her arm around her tense shoulders. “I hear he’s a lawyer.”

Ann Marie looked up at her. “How did you know that?”

“We looked him up?” Elizabeth beamed.

“Maybe he could help you with your Terrance problem,” Stephanie said.

“You all have this figured out, huh?”

“We thought it would be a good idea. I mean you can always ask him hypothetically, ’cause we know how you are about your personal life,” Barbara said.

“Well for your information, me did tell him. Told him everything.”

“You did?” they echoed in disbelief. First the tears and then true confessions. What next?

Ann Marie nodded.

Barbara had to sit down. “Well, what did he say?”

“Him say he loves a challenge. And…he wants to see me again.” Her smile lit up the room.

“Truth is good for the soul,” Elizabeth said preaching to the choir.

Ann Marie took a seat next to Barbara. “It was scary, you know.” She looked from one face to the next. “It’s easy to keep folks at a distance, not let them get too close.” She lowered her gaze and focused on her Jimmy Choos. “Been that way all my life.” She drew in a breath then looked up. “But something hit me last night. I realized that all the secrets, all the keeping folks at bay had hurt me more than helped. And me tired of hurting all the time,” she added in a whisper.

“It’s gonna be fine, girl,” Stephanie said. “Just wait and see.”

“Yeah,” Elizabeth agreed. “Just wait and see.”

Barbara uh-huhed her response but silently wondered just how fine it would all turn out.

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