Chapter 11
“Ihaven’t been back for two weeks, and you’re running me ragged.” Shomari ran one hand over his face and let it fall to his side. His breath heaved out, and he added, “The way I figure it, you owe me.”
Lizette prepared to turn around and walk out of the living room, but when Shamari abruptly sat on the large sofa, she stood in his line of sight. Although the only lights were those on the Christmas tree, he couldn’t miss her, especially since she was wearing white.
“Sorry,” she said, backing away, but he waved her toward him.
“There’s no reason for you to be sorry.” His smile was apologetic as he said, “I was finished with the call.”
She lowered herself next to him. “Didn’t sound as though it was going your way.”
He massaged his forehead and sighed. “No, it wasn’t but lately, life has been lifeing something fierce.”
She smiled and patted his arm. “I can only imagine.”
When he didn’t respond but stared at her, she broke the awkward silence. “Relationships can be hard, so there’s that.”
Shaking his head, Shomari said, “I’m not in a relationship.”
“You’re not? But …”
He shrugged. “I’m coming off something I thought was one, but it turns out I was mistaken.”
His tone was bitter, which made her curious. His need for a job and lack of money confirmed he had a lot going on. Somehow, she’d believed he was still with Natanya’s mother. From everything she heard, their relationship was acrimonious, which could be why Shomari always seemed to be in a bad mood.
She corrected herself, not all the time. He’d been laughing and chatting it up with her family at dinner without a hint of being bogged down with problems. The phone call wiped all his good humor away, and here they were.
The twinkling lights on the eight-foot Christmas tree in the corner put his face mostly in shadow. He stared at the fragrant pine as though he were a million miles away, so she was startled when he asked, “How come you’re not in one?”
“What?” she said, although she could make an accurate guess about what he meant.
He chuckled. “A relationship, of course.”
“No reason, really.” Shrugging with one shoulder, she added, “I’ve been busy at Wintertime, so I don’t have time.”
What she wouldn’t express was her disappointment over knowing the man she’d been seeing when she started Wintertime thought her skills would have been better put to use cleaning up after him and having his babies.
Jonathan was a throwback from the dark ages, who finally quit on her with the excuse that her family was too overwhelming and they wanted different things; code for him not being able to browbeat her into his way of thinking.
Eli and Zack set him straight one evening, when he tried putting his hands on her because she’d opted to order in, instead of cooking.
Only by locking herself inside the bedroom had she escaped his over-the-top response to not having a home-cooked meal, and they weren’t even married.
While he beat on the door, she rang Zack shaking so badly she could barely dial the phone.
Even today, she didn’t know what her brothers said or did to Jonathan.
Neither of them would tell her, and she wasn’t offended when Jonathan ended their relationship by text.
Good riddance, was what she thought at the time.
Since then, she’d been careful who she invited into her space and her family circle.
She shut away the memory and focused on the man next to her.
“Seriously? That’s it?” Shomari gave her a disbelieving once-over.
“Is something wrong because I choose to focus on building my business?”
“Not at all.” Hands raised, he said, “No disrespect. It’s just that you’re the kind of woman who’s never on the market for long. I mean, you’re every man’s dream, so …”
“You’d better stop ‘cause what I hear you saying is that my role is ideally at someone’s side.”
“Not at all. What I meant was …” He stopped and squinted, as if working out what to say.
“Is it inconceivable that I’d choose not to be with someone?” she asked.
“No. It’s just that most women tend to settle down at your age.”
She covered her face with both hands, then inhaled slowly and shook her head. “You have some caveman ideas, you know that?”
“My sister would agree with you.”
“Why?” she asked, sitting sideways to face him.
“Rochelle also runs her own business.” Laughing, he said, “When I ask about children, she tells me to mind my beeswax.”
“And she’s perfectly justified.”
They both chuckled, and a moment later, he placed one hand on top of hers. “Listen, I meant no harm, and you didn’t even have to answer my question.”
“Count yourself lucky,” she said in a flippant tone. “The season has made me generous.”
The overhead lights came on, and Eli and Zack walked into the room.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Zack grabbed a laptop bag off one of the small sofas. “We were up before dawn, so we’re heading home and taking Mari with us.”
“Of course.”
As he withdrew his hand, Lizette wanted to say something about the smirk on Zack’s face, but couldn’t, not with Shomari present.
He stood and tipped his head toward the patio. “I should tell your parents thanks.”
“We were glad to have you,” Mrs. Winter said, following her husband into the room. “I’m sure we’ll see you again.”
“Call us when you’re home, Little Bit,” Eli said over his shoulder on the way outside.
Her father switched on the television and sat next to her. “I don’t see you making any moves, so are you staying the night?”
“Nope, I’m helping Mom to put things back in order. After that, I’m out.”
His lips twitched before he said, “Why are you sitting around then?”
“Stop being mean to Lizette,” Mom said, laughing. “Thanks, baby. I won’t keep you long.”
“No problem.” Lizette stretched and rose from the sofa. “Tomorrow is Saturday, so it’s all good.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t sleep in,” she said, “Your little army keeps you busy, I know.”
“And that’s putting it mildly.”
While they washed up, they chatted about Christmas preparations. Scanning the spacious kitchen, Lizette asked, “I know you’ve been prepping already, but I don’t see even a crumb of cake.”
“You mean you didn’t eat enough at dinner?”
She nudged Mom with her shoulder. “You’re being mean, and you accused Dad of that just minutes ago. I’m not leaving here tonight without some of that cake you’re hiding somewhere.”
“You know me too well. It’s in the oven. Leave some for the boys. I’m sure they’ll be back tomorrow for dinner.”
“Of course,” Lizette said dryly. “You spoil them every time they go away and fly back in.”
Her mother shrugged, then continued wiping the counter. “When you have kids, you’ll learn they’re never too old for some TLC.”
“You and Dad exemplify that,” Lizette agreed while laying out foil paper and moving to the oven to retrieve the cake tin. She was nose deep in a fragrant whiff when Mom handed her a knife.
“Speaking of which, it seems like you and Shomari would make a good couple.”
Her heart lurched, and with one eyebrow raised, Lizette asked, “Why?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” A smarmy smile crossed Mom’s lips. “It could be the way the two of you look at each other.”
Holding the knife in midair, Lizette said, “Really? I’m not aware that he treats me like I’m special.”
“I never said that.” Mom smiled and leaned on the combination cupboard and work surface in the middle of the kitchen. “There’s a certain way his eyes speak that tells me he’s interested.”
“I’m sure you’re wrong.”
Still, the memory of his lips brushing hers chose that moment to blindside her.
“Even if I am, it’s clear that you like him.”
Lifting out a large slice of cake, Lizette protested. “Not really.”
“Child, I know you almost better than you know yourself, and I say you’re interested.”
“Trust me.” Lizette laid the knife down and wrapped the cake with care as though her life depended on it. “I’m not.”
Mom stood straight and peered at her. “And why would you not be interested in a fine man like Shomari? That’s if I may ask.”
“For one thing, he’s grumpy and for another …” She stopped and stood straighter. “He works for me.”
“Why do I sense that’s not the reason you’re reluctant?”
“It isn’t. Well, that’s a big part of it. In my book, work and love don’t mix, but …” While washing the knife, she considered how to voice her opinion. Finally, she faced Mom. “You wouldn’t know this, but Shomari can be grumpy. I mean really grumpy.”
“Is there a reason you know about that’s making you worry?”
She nodded. “He has a little girl and doesn’t get along with her mother.”
“Okay, and?”
“Does there have to be something else?” Lizette asked, walking back to the counter.
“I think there is,” Mom said gently.
Lizette sighed and tipped her head back. “He’s broke. I don’t know why or how, but from what I can figure out, he has nothing.”
Mom stared at her as though she’d sprouted horns. “Let me get this straight. You would refuse to give this man the time of day because he’s poor?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Then what are you saying, because baby girl, I don’t understand.”
When she offered nothing, Mom squeezed her shoulder. “Look at me.”
Their gazes met before Mom continued, “When I met your father, he had a full scholarship ride in university. Didn’t have much other than his brilliance, but we fell in love and built everything we have together.”
“Your parents were doing okay, so your situation was similar to mine, correct?”
She was sure Mom hid a smile when she answered, “What we have isn’t yours until we leave this earth, or you need help.
” Her gaze went hazy as she admitted, “Tony and I had some challenging times, but the will to succeed was always there. Now I’m not saying you should roll out the red carpet for Shomari, but what I’m asking you not to do is overlook a good man because he’s in a bad situation. ”
Puzzled, Lizette studied her mother. “Why would you want your only daughter to go down that road, and let’s be clear, I’m not saying I’m interested.”
Mom pursed her lips, as if her amusement wasn’t obvious. “I won’t comment on you lying to yourself.” Her smile slipped away when she continued, “But I’d be disappointed if you let your prejudice override your heart and good sense.”