Chapter Eighteen
Quinton walked into the Peachtree Cove Business Guild meeting the following night. He’d barely had time to go home and change after football practice ended, but he’d made it. Just as he heard the president call the meeting to order. He scanned the room. He didn’t even pretend like he wasn’t looking for Halle. He’d thought about their phone conversation over and over. Though he couldn’t prove it, he didn’t think she’d wanted to get off the phone with him the night before.
A hand waved and he spotted Cyril sitting near the front. His friend also served as the Business Guild’s secretary. Quinton threw up a hand in response. Cyril then pointed toward the side of the room. Quinton glanced in that direction and spotted Halle sitting in the third row on the far side. He glanced back at his friend and lifted his chin in thanks. Cyril grinned and nodded. Quinton made his way to the side of the room where Halle was.
“Anyone sitting here?” he asked quietly because the president was once again asking everyone to settle down for the meeting.
Halle looked up at him, her dark brown eyes widening. She glanced toward the door then looked back at him. “No. No one is sitting there.”
“Cool.” He slid into the seat next to her.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t coming,” she whispered. She shifted in her seat before straightening the material of her skirt. It was a bright, orange flower pattern and she wore a beige, fitted shirt tucked into the waistband. Even sitting with the matching orange blazer she wore he could tell the outfit accentuated her curvy figure.
“Would you have been disappointed to miss me?” he asked in a low voice.
Her lips pressed together before her back straightened. “No. The thought just happened to cross my mind.”
His lips twitched with the need to grin. She was sexy as hell when she got all buttoned up. Prim and proper. But then there was the spark in her eye when she was passionate about something. Made him wonder about getting the fire in her eye for other reasons.
“Where’s Gregory?” he asked. “I thought he was coming.” He really didn’t give a damn about Gregory, but he wanted to know if the guy was going to show up and put his sensitive ego between him and Halle.
“He had to work at the technical college and fill in. He said he might make it if he could.”
“Hmm,” was his only response.
Halle turned his way. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. I didn’t say anything.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re glad he’s not here, aren’t you?”
“Am I sad that Gregory didn’t make it? No.”
“Why are you like that?” Her tone was exasperated but her full lips twitched.
“Like what?” he asked, raising a brow. “I already told you why I don’t care about him.” That he was more than willing to step in as the man in her life if she gave him a chance.
She sucked in a breath. Her lips parted and something flashed in her eyes. Something that made him wish they were anywhere else but in the middle of a damn Business Guild meeting. Because if they’d been anywhere else, alone, with no chance of interruption, he would slide closer to her. Slip his arm around her waist. Lower his lips and taste hers. What would she do if he kissed her? Pull back or melt into him?
His eyes lowered to her mouth. He licked his lips then raised his gaze back to hers. There was that spark he wanted to see. No, more than a spark. This was a fire that lingered and teased and sent a rush of blood straight to his dick.
“Coach Q,” a voice interrupted them.
Quinton blinked and looked around. Who had called him? Someone pointed toward the front of the room. He looked that way and noticed Emily, the guild president, watching him expectantly.
“Can you tell us about your plans when the editors come to town?” Emily asked.
His brain replayed the words she’d spoken. Plans? He was supposed to have plans? “What do you mean?”
She smiled as if he was a kid in class who needed a little extra attention. “I mean, what are your plans related to showing off how you’ve improved the football team? Have you put together a schedule? He’ll be with you all day.”
Quinton scowled. “All day? Why will he be with me all day?”
The president shrugged. “It could turn into a day. He’ll be visiting the school and checking out the education and athletic accomplishments.”
“Then the principal can handle the schedule,” Quinton said. “I’ll just give him the basics of what we’re doing at the team.”
The less time he spent with Khris Simmons, the better. Halle may be right, and that people grew up and got better, but that didn’t mean he could easily forget how much Khris had made his teenage years a living hell. He was the reason Quinton had lost a scholarship to play football and had to work his way onto the team as a walk-on candidate and then prove himself even more every day to get drafted professionally.
A hand rose and a throat cleared. Jeremiah stood and gave Quinton a tight smile. “It’s all good. We’ve planned a day for the editor and included not only Coach Q but other members of our staff. Don’t worry, we’ll be sure to highlight the strides we’ve made with the football team.”
Emily’s worried expression changed into a grateful smile. “Great. Now, Carolyn, I’ve heard the bakery has some sweet treats planned. Tell us about it.”
The conversation moved on to what Sweet Treats was putting together. Quinton’s body remained stiff. It was one thing to have to talk to the guy and give him an interview. A few minutes pretending as if he could get along with him was one thing. But an entire day? There was no way in hell he was spending an entire day with Khris.
Halle’s hand brushed his arm. “Hey, are you okay?”
He glanced at her and nodded stiffly. “I’m good.”
“You sure?” Concern filled her eyes.
“I’m good.”
She frowned and gave him a look that said she knew he wasn’t good but thankfully she didn’t push. The remainder of the meeting revolved around the talk of the upcoming visit and how the different Business Guild members would work to decorate their storefronts and have specials or sales to entice the magazine’s crew when they arrived.
As soon as the meeting ended, he jumped up. He was ready to get home. He turned to Halle.
“I’ll see you this weekend?”
Halle nodded as she stood. “Yes. Shania is looking forward to it.”
He relaxed a little. “So am I. She doesn’t mind that it’s not football?”
Halle grinned and shook her head. Damn, she was fine when she smiled. “She’s good. She enjoys going out to the lake.”
“Then I’ll see you both then.”
“Oh, are you having a date?” came an intrusive voice.
Quinton suppressed a sigh, but didn’t soften his features as he turned from Halle to Mattie. The mayor’s sister and biggest troublemaker in Peachtree Cove.
Halle spoke first. “Hello, Mattie. Can I help you?”
Mattie gave them a false smile. When she spoke, it was loud enough for people mingling about to hear. “I was just wondering if you two were dating now that the cat’s out of the bag.”
“What cat?” Quinton asked, his voice hard.
Mattie gasped as if she couldn’t believe he didn’t know what she was talking about. “I mean that you’re Shania’s father. That has been the talk of the town. Is it true? You donated your sperm and you—” she looked at Halle “—were artificially inseminated?”
“The business between me, Shania and Halle is our own. So why don’t you go find someone else to bother,” Quinton said, not caring about being rude. He was not going to stand for anyone trying to make an issue out of his situation.
Mattie pressed a hand to her heart. “Well, I was just asking. I didn’t realize you would be so testy about it.”
“Now you know. Come on, Halle. Let’s go.” He put his hand on her elbow and walked toward the door. He glanced in Cyril’s direction. His friend gave him a thumbs-up and a grin. The crowd parted and let them pass.
Once they were outside, he let her go. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For being rude. I just don’t like to pretend when people are obviously up to no good.”
She grunted and glared at the door. “You don’t have to apologize. Mattie loves to stir up stuff. If you hadn’t put her in her place I would have.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. Halle was sexy when she smiled and when she was ready to defend. “I guess I had your back again.”
Her eyes met his. A second passed before she nodded. “I guess so. I know I said I don’t need it, but I have to admit that I kind of like it.”
His eyes widened. “Do you?”
“I do. I’ve fought against the gossips in this town by myself for a long time.”
He reached out and gently tapped her arm. “Now you’ve got me to fight with you. I mean it, Halle, whatever you need from me just ask.”
The flare from earlier returned. This time they were alone. The members of the guild were still inside talking about the event and enjoying the snacks. He had one maybe two minutes before someone followed them out. Was that long enough?
He slid closer to her and placed his hand on her elbow. “Halle,” he whispered her name. Did she feel this? This energy and vibe humming between them. The feeling that this was much more than just finding out they were connected through Shania. She had to feel this.
“Quinton... I...” She paused, but didn’t pull away.
His heart soared. She felt this. His fingers firmed on her elbow, and he drew her half an inch closer.
“Halle.” Gregory’s voice broke the moment.
Quinton closed his eyes and groaned. Halle pulled away from him toward the street. “Gregory? You still came?”
“I did. I thought we could talk.”
Halle glanced at Quinton. He wanted to ask her to stay, but this was her decision. He stepped back.
Halle threw him a grateful look before walking away from him to Gregory.
Gregory walked Halle to her car. Halle pressed her lips together and tried to calm herself down. She didn’t know what had her heart racing more: Quinton coming close as if he was going to kiss her; annoyance from being interrupted; frustration with the way Gregory called her name as if she were a kid acting out.
Definitely the last one. That was what had her so upset. They weren’t going to be able to find a way to make things work. Not with Quinton in her life now.
Once they reached her car he asked her, “What was that all about?”
Halle crossed her arms. “I was standing outside of the guild meeting talking to Quinton about Shania. You’re the one who came up and called my name as if I was doing something wrong.”
“Because you two were standing too close to each other.”
Her gaze drifted away. “No, we weren’t.” Not yet, at least.
He scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Don’t lie to me or to yourself. Just be honest. Is there something going on with you two?”
“Nothing except for trying to figure out how this relationship with Shania is going to work out. We were talking about him spending time with her this weekend.”
“Her or both of you?”
“I’m going to be there as well. I just found out he’s her dad. I’m not going to just leave Shania alone with him.”
She didn’t think Quinton would do anything to harm Shania. In fact, she was comfortable with them being alone, but she wasn’t ready to give up control completely.
“I thought you were setting boundaries?”
Halle uncrossed her arms and sighed. She didn’t know how to tell him that they were, but her idea of a boundary didn’t include never being alone with or talking to Quinton. “We are, but to be fair it would be almost impossible to do that and never come in contact with him.”
“How do I know you won’t also start getting feelings for him?”
She didn’t know. She’d thought one thing about Quinton, only to discover he was interesting, considerate and straightforward. She understood all the reasons why they shouldn’t jump into anything, but she couldn’t promise that she would never feel anything. “Gregory, he’s going to be a part of my family.”
“You’re attracted to him. Admit it.” His eyes were hurt and accusing.
The denial was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t do it. Why lie? Yes, she was attracted to him. Attraction didn’t mean she would act on it.
“I’m attracted to Idris Elba, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything with him.”
Gregory narrowed his eyes at her. “That’s not the same and you know it. You don’t know Idris Elba. He isn’t your kid’s father. How can you be around him if you’re attracted to him?”
“Because Shania doesn’t want us together. We both are trying to learn how to co-parent. There are a lot of things more important right now than our attraction.”
“You say that now, but how do I know that nothing will ever happen?”
The pain in his voice prodded at her guilt, but the other emotion lingering there kept guilt at bay. She frowned. “You don’t trust me.”
“Would you trust me in this situation?” he shot back versus denying.
“I would try. If I really wanted to be with you. Do you really want to be with me?”
“Do you?” he asked.
“I did—”
Her words cut off. That was just it. She had. Past tense. Now her life was all out of control and confusing. She didn’t know what she wanted or what was going to happen next.
Gregory took two steps back. “You did?”
She sighed and realized the break he’d asked for was going to be more than that. She was going to have to let her dreams about her and Gregory go. “There’s just a lot going on right now. I’ve got to figure things out. Figure out how to make things work out between me and Quinton and this co-parenting thing.”
“You want to break up?”
She frowned, stunned by the surprise in his voice. “You asked me for a break. What do you want me to do, Gregory? You don’t trust me around Quinton. I’ve got to be around him because of Shania. Whether I like it or not, he’s in my life now. It’s going to take some time for things to settle down. Maybe I need to get this part of my life settled before focusing on a relationship.”
“You know what? Maybe you do need to do that.” He turned to walk away.
Halle watched him leave and considered calling him back. She didn’t. What was she calling him back for? To prove to Quinton that she and Gregory would make it? To try to avoid Quinton at all costs just to make Gregory feel more comfortable? Because she didn’t want to fail at the first relationship she’d actively pursued having?
She got into her car and drove home. She replayed her night over and over. Everything was in chaos, and she didn’t know how to get things back on track.
Shania came out of her room to greet Halle when she got home. “How was the guild meeting?”
Halle gave her a small smile as she dropped her purse on the sofa. “It was pretty good. They’re ready for the visit from the magazine.”
“Was Gregory there?”
“He got there late. Um, we broke up,” she blurted out. Shania hadn’t known about Gregory asking for a break. Halle hadn’t wanted her to feel like she was responsible. Now that they were officially through, she couldn’t keep her daughter in the dark.
Shania’s eyes widened. She crossed the room and sat on the couch. “Oh no! Mom, really?”
Halle sat on the arm of the sofa. She ran her hand over Shania’s curly hair. “Yes, but it’s okay. Nothing for you to worry about.”
“Was it because of me and Coach Q?” Shania asked in a small voice.
Halle held her daughter’s face between her hands and stared her in the eye. “No, it’s because we both realized we have a lot going on and we just need to focus on that.”
Shania didn’t look convinced. “It is because of me. I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t think about this breaking up you and Gregory.”
Halle kissed Shania’s forehead and pulled her in for a hug. “You don’t need to worry about me and Gregory.” She let her go and gave her a smile. “Right now, let’s worry about navigating this new normal that we have. That’s all.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? I know you liked him.”
Halle had liked him. She expected to be more upset about things not working out. But she wasn’t. She didn’t want to cry, or eat a tub of ice cream, or call Imani and Tracey and ask them to help her curse his name. She felt relief that she wouldn’t have to navigate his feelings while also navigating hers.
“I’ll be okay,” she said honestly. “I did like him, but I can’t force something that isn’t working. I’ve survived being single before. I can survive it again.”
Shania nodded. “I know you can. You’re the strongest person I know.”
Halle’s heart warmed at her daughter’s praise. She leaned in and gave Shania another big hug. “Seriously, don’t worry about me. I’m going to be okay and so are you. Things will work out the way they’re supposed to.”
Shania nodded and pulled back. “If it makes you feel better, I liked Gregory, but I wasn’t crazy about him. So, don’t feel as if you’re letting me down with this either. I know you thought about making us a family.”
“Why didn’t you tell me how you felt about him before?”
Shania shrugged. “Because you liked him. It was the first time you’d told me about a guy in a long time. I didn’t want to mess that up.”
“You can always tell me how you feel. Regardless of who I’m dating.”
“As long as he makes you happy then I’m happy. And, as long as it’s not Coach Q. I really don’t want to make things weirder than they have to be.”
Halle’s smile froze on her face. Memories of the way Quinton had looked at her today. How he’d pulled her close. She’d swear he’d almost kissed her. Gregory had taken one look at them and known there was something there. She didn’t know what would happen with Quinton. If they were really attracted to each other or just drawn together because of the unusual circumstances. Until they worked through that, she wouldn’t upset Shania switching from Gregory to Quinton.
“I’m not trying to date anyone right now,” Halle said.
Shania seemed satisfied with that answer. “How about I make some popcorn and we watch a movie?”
Halle smiled. “Let me go take a shower and then I’ll be ready.”
She went into her room and began to undress. Her cell phone rang before she could go into the bathroom to shower. Quinton’s number was on the screen. She sucked in a breath and quickly swiped to answer.
“Hello?”
“You good?” he asked in a concerned voice.
Halle couldn’t hold back her smile. How long had it been since someone called to make sure she’d made it home okay? “I’m good. Were you worried?”
“I was worried about you. Gregory didn’t look happy when you two left.”
She sighed and sat on the edge of her bed. “That’s because he wasn’t happy.”
“Is he demanding that you put space between us again?”
“He did.”
“And what did you say?”
“I told him that was impossible. You’re Shania’s dad. We can’t ignore that and I can’t pretend as if you won’t be around. That won’t work for anyone involved.”
“How did he take it?”
She let out a long breath. “We broke up.”
There was silence on the other end of the phone. Halle swallowed hard as she waited. She wished she could see him. See the look on his face.
“Are you telling me you’re free?” His voice was intense and direct.
Halle pressed a hand to her chest. Her heart fluttered wildly beneath her palm. She had to calm down. She was only telling him because they’d promised to communicate. Shania had just made it very clear that she didn’t want them together. “I’m telling you that Gregory and I broke up, but that doesn’t change anything between us.”
“It changes a lot between us.”
Did he have to sound so confident? So sexy? Heat blossomed between her thighs. She jumped up from the bed and started pacing. “No, it doesn’t, and it can’t. Shania doesn’t want us to be together.”
“What? Why would she talk to you about that?”
“Because this entire situation is weird enough for her. She was only supporting me with Gregory because she thought he made me happy, but she told me weeks ago that she didn’t want us together because it would be weird and the two of us would only be together because of her.”
“That’s not the reason why I’m attracted to you. I told you that.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t change that we weren’t likely to become an item if fate hadn’t put you as the donor who helped me have Shania. She’s right in a way. I don’t want to force anything. Let’s just focus on her and see how things go.”
“Is that really what you want?”
No. She wanted him to get in his car. Drive to her house and kiss her the way she’d thought he would earlier. How long had it been since she’d had an orgasm that wasn’t self-induced?
Halle shook her head. Horniness could not rule the conversation. “It’s really what I want. I don’t want to make things harder for Shania. You know what happened at school and even tonight at the guild meeting. One day at a time. If this thing between us means anything, then time will tell.”
“You really like to plan ahead and think things through.” She was sure he meant the words, but he’d softened them with humor in his tone. “Do you ever not think like a teacher and just go with the flow?”
Halle smiled but it faded quickly. “I can’t. I learned early on that life comes at you hard. After my parents died, I had to figure everything out. They didn’t have a will or any type of plans in place. It was unsettling and left me feeling even worse about their death. I don’t want to make things more difficult for Shania than they have to be. If she doesn’t want us together, then I’d rather let her get used to the idea of you being her dad than anything else. Understand?”
He was quiet for a second before sighing. “You’re calling the shots. I said I’d go along with it, so that’s what we’ll do. But remember, Halle, I’m willing to wait. When you’re ready, I’d like for you to give us a chance.”