Chapter 22
22
ZORA
A fter visiting my dad for the day, I raced back to the condo to shower and change. Since the Silver Dollar is an upscale establishment, I picked one of my nicer dresses, a green spaghetti strap cocktail dress that hugs my curves. I wear a white belt to make my waist appear smaller. I always feel good when I wear this outfit.
I pulled my hair into a bun and put on a minimal amount of makeup. I opted to wear a pair of white heels to give myself a boost in height.
By the time I arrive Owen is waiting for me in the lobby.
We hug and he drops a kiss on my cheek. “It’s so good to see your face.”
“I’m sorry I’m late, I had to check on my dad before I got here.”
“No problem. Our table is ready, but I wanted to wait for you. You look fantastic by the way.”
“Thank you.” His gaze sweeps the length of my body and for the first time I begin to think it was a mistake coming out here tonight. I kind of suspected he was attracted to me, but the way his eyes keep returning to my body, confirms it.
I didn’t dress up for his sake, but to feel good about myself. Now I wish I would have chosen a more conservative outfit.
When the hostess leads us to our table, he places his hand on the small of my back to escort me and I immediately scoot away from what I consider an intimate act.
When Jackson did that to me, for some reason, it didn’t cross my mind to pull away from him, yet for some reason, I have an adverse reaction to my boss’s touch. I’m certain he means no harm so I’m not sure why I feel this way.
As soon as we sit down, a waiter in a crisp white shirt and black slacks appears at our table to pour water into the empty crystal goblets in front of us, and offer warm bread.
Once he takes our drink orders, he disappears.
“This place is really swanky.” Owen smiles as he takes in the ambiance of our setting. This place is even nicer than the Italian restaurant I’d gone to with Lea. The room was tastefully decorated in gold and black. A string quartet plays classical music in the corner and there’s a grand piano off to the side which I’m sure will be played sometime later.
“Yes, it is,” I agree looking at the menu.
“Have you ever been here before?”
“Once. I had a salad and soup because I was terrified of ordering anything too expensive because I didn’t want my father to spend too much money.”
“And how was the salad and soup?”
I giggle. “I remember it being really good.”
“Well you can order whatever you like tonight. I promise I won’t bat an eye.”
“That’s very generous of you. So, how are things back at the office?”
“It’s kind of empty without you, Zora. The other therapists miss you. I miss you.”
I keep my eyes glued to the menu afraid to meet his gaze. “I miss y’all too,” I answer noncommittally.
“Hmm, everything looks really good here. I think I may get the porterhouse. I haven’t had a decent steak in ages.”
“That’s a big cut of meat.”
“I can handle it. Oh yeah? Don’t complain when you get the meat sweats,” I tease.
He grins, revealing most of his teeth. He has a nice smile, but it’s not like Jackson’s smiles. Jackson could be in a toothpaste commercial.
Dammit. Why does my thoughts keep drifting to that man? I should be relieved that he’s out of town.
“If that happens I’ll cool down with the sorbet for dessert.”
“Wow, your mind is already on dessert. For a thin guy you seem to be able to pack away a lot of food.”
“Would you believe I used to be a competitive eater in college?”
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. I won enough competitions that it helped pay for some of my tuition.”
“How did you get involved in something like that?”
“I was a broke college student. To enter most of these eating competitions is free or a small entry fee. So a lot of times, I joined these contests so I could eat. And I found I was good at it.”
“Wow. I leaned a new fact about you today.”
“If you’d like to know more about me, I’m an open book. And I’m very much like it if you got to know me better, Zora.” He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his.
No. No. No.
I was hoping he wouldn’t do this tonight, or at all for that matter. I snatch my hand away. “I’m sorry, Owen. I have to run to the bathroom really quick. If the waiter returns before I come back, could you order the sea bass before me?”
He pastes a smile on his face that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Of course.”
I hurry to the lady’s room to put some distance between us. There’s a sitting room, right before you go into the toilets and I take a seat on the couch.
How was I going to let him down gently? I don’t often find myself in positions to turn men down.
In fact all my past relationships, they would abruptly end and each time I was giving an excuse that didn’t pass the smell test. I figured myself to be unlucky in love. With all my training in psychology and helping others sort through their problems, I know the best way to handle this situation is to be direct and upfront.
Giving him a fall sense of hope would drag this out and make things worse in the long run.
Once I figured out my strategy I headed to the door and nearly collided with a tall, elegant brunette, whose outfit screamed money, unlike my outfit I got at a department store on sale.
She looks familiar, and when our eyes briefly lock, I freeze. I’d know those eyes anywhere. Katherine Champion.
Of all the people to run into, it just had to be this woman. I have no reason to be intimidated by her. Jackson is a grown man capable of doing what he wants with his life. I neither need nor desire her approval. But like her son, she has a way of looking at a person that makes them feel two inches small.
I’ve never had a conversation with her in my entire life but I’ve seen her in the local papers when I was growing up.
She had to be in her mid to late fifties but she didn’t look a day over 35. It was no wonder Jackson was so good looking. I had the sudden need to get away from this woman, and I didn’t understand why.
“Excuse me.” I try to walk around her, but she steps in my way.
I raise a brow.
“No, you’re not excused.”
I did not want to engage with this woman so again I tried to walk around her again. And again, she blocks me.”
“What is your problem?”
She sneers at me. “You’re my problem. You think I don’t know how my son has lowered himself to sleeping with some fat black whore? Maybe he’s scratching that itch he had for you back in high school but this is real life.”
I wasn’t sure whether to smack her in the mouth or ask her to clarify what she meant about Jackson having a crush on me in high school. But then I realize, if I take the first option, I’d end up in jail. And the second one, wasn’t worth discussing with her.
“Are you finished?” I finally ask, trying to hold on to the last bit of my patience.
“No, but you will be if you don’t leave my son alone. I can make things very uncomfortable for you if you don’t.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh please. This isn’t some soap opera where you can threaten me to get your way. I don’t give a flying fuck about what you think, and I suspect neither does Jackson. He never visits you. So I suggest you worry about yourself.
She narrows her gaze until her eyes are practically slits. “You think you’re special because Jackson is giving you attention. But he’ll get tired of you like he has the other women he’s been with. He’ll see you’re looking for a handout like most of your kind. And he’s going to dump your ghetto ass.”
I ball my fist and it takes the will of a thousand gods to keep me from slamming it in her face.
“Funny you mention my ass when your son loves eating it. Since he never visits you, I’ll make sure to send your regards the next time I’m sitting on his face.”
“You disgusting cow!” She screams, completely red-faced.
“Moooo.” I push past her forcefully knocking her aside with my shoulder.
I’d heard stories about how awful that woman is but experiencing it in person is on another level.
When I make it back to our table, Owen is sipping on a glass of wine. It’s not his fault that I’d run into that bitch in the bathroom, but my mood has soured.
I wanted to be gentle with him but as soon as I sit down, I find myself blurting out. “I’m sorry, Owen but if you were hoping this dinner would ignite something more than a friendship between us, I have to disappoint you. You’re a great guy and a wonderful boss. I’d rather not cross that line with you. I hope this won’t affect our professional relationship.”
His shoulders slump and he lowers his head.
I want to reach out and comfort him but I don’t think that’s a good idea.
He grabs his wine glass and gulps the entire contents. “So much for liquid courage.” He laughs awkwardly. “You can’t blame a man for trying. I was hoping you might be interested in my as well but I appreciate your honesty. And no this won’t affect our working relationship.”
I feel instant relief but the atmosphere between us remains tense and awkward for the remainder of her meal.
When the night finally ends, we give each other an awkward wave goodbye but as soon as I get in my car he’s all but forgotten and my mind drifts back to the confrontation in the ladies room.
What did Jackson’s mother mean about him having a crush on me? Did I miss something back then? That couldn’t be possible.
F or the next two days, I spend as much time with my father as I can while starting the process of looking for a new job locally. On the day of Jackson’s return, I don’t want to go back to the condo for some reason. I have an ominous feeling in the pit of my stomach I couldn’t shake. I kept my phone off because I knew he’d call me. And sure enough, when I turn it on as I’m pulling into the condo’s parking lot, I have 50 missed calls.
This is such unhinged behavior I’m tempted to turn my car around and head back to my father’s house. But instead, I make the hike to Jackson’s door.
I barely get the key in the door when it’s suddenly yanks open.
Jackson pulls me inside and kicks the door closed behind us.
“Jackson what?—”
I don’t get a chance to finish my sentence before he whirls me around and slams me against the wall. The next thing I know his hands around my neck and he presses his face against mine. His eyes are bloodshot and his face is contorted into a mask of pure anger.
“Who the fuck were you with the other night?”