Chapter 8
S unny’s return to the party didn’t go unnoticed. Orion, on his third glass of champagne, stood quietly on the fringes of the get together. He didn’t think of it like a party. Parties have music you can dance to and new women to push up on. This shit here was a stuffy, boring gathering of people who had no interest in talking to him.
He was used to being the center of attention. He was a fun guy. Charming, he’d been told. So charming, he could cheat on his ex-wife and still talk her out her panties.
But she was being difficult tonight. He couldn’t figure it out. Being near the ocean always brought the animal out of both of them. They almost killed each other on their honeymoon in Trinidad. Every time she had one of the boys, they’d wait a year and jet off to another tropical destination to be freaks near the water.
He’d fucked all that up, though.
It was still hard to acknowledge. He’d been drinking it away for the past couple of years. This weekend would be the first time they’d all be in the same place together, and he was on edge just thinking about it. Davion was the only one of the boys who knew about Fallon, but even he didn’t have the full story.
What a mess.
And now, Sunny was avoiding him, and he was almost tipsy enough to forget he deserved it.
It did make him wonder, though.
As she put her clothes away in the mahogany dresser in her room, Sunny vetoed every piece. Nothing seemed adequate for what she was about to do, which was—well, she wasn’t sure, but it seemed monumental.
Her phone buzzed.
Go out the back door and walk down the path. Hook a left and look for the lights
She smiled involuntarily.
Then she grabbed the first dress she saw—a yellow halter sundress that tied around the back of her neck.
She couldn’t figure out why she’d been overthinking it. This was Kez . Her first love. She had nothing to prove, and no reason to impress.
And yet…she desperately wanted to look beautiful for him.
One quick swipe of lip gloss and two sprays of perfume. Now, she was ready.
The house was quiet. Only a few staff members remained, cleaning and putting things away, ignoring her, which suited her just fine. The kids were off somewhere together, and Orion’s drunk ass was probably sitting on his bed, staring at the door, waiting for her to walk through it.
She made her way outside, following the path Kez laid out, her body relaxing as soon as the sound of waves crashing against the shore filled her ears. A gentle breeze danced in from the ocean, carrying with it the smell of salt, rustling the palm leaves over her head.
She saw him before he saw her. He stood barefoot in the sand, adjusting the cuffs of his white linen shirt. She blew out a breath and averted her eyes, not sure she’d be able to resist him.
Colorful lanterns lighted her way, strung up between tall bamboo poles. When he finally noticed her, he raised his eyebrows, his mouth going slack.
“Look at you,” he said softly.
“Is there context for that statement?”
He grinned. “I’m trying not to come on too strong.”
“I like strong.”
“Good.” His eyes skittered over her face. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Cici. Can I call you Cici again?”
“If I can call you Kez.”
“Looking like that, you can call me whatever you want.”
Blushing, she looked around. “This is amazing. Was this already here, or did you do it for me?”
Their table sat beneath a small canopy that was draped in sheer white fabric, swaying like curtains in a breeze. Candles flickered on the table, surrounded by arrangements of white roses and eucalyptus. The chairs were plush. Their white and gold place settings were beautiful.
“The lights were here,” Mark said. “The rest of this is all my staff’s doing.”
He lifted the silver dome covering their plates, revealing lobster tails, roasted asparagus, wild rice, and buttery rolls.
Sunny’s head tilted as she took in the food. “You remembered.”
He held out his arm to indicate that she should take a seat. She settled onto the rickety chair, unstable on the sand, but she felt perfectly safe.
He sat after her and gazed across the makeshift table at her candle-illuminated face.
“I know it’s not a big mac and fries, but—“
“Stop,” she said, laughing. “I was gonna ask you if you remembered that.”
“How could I forget our first date?”
He reached out and grabbed her hand. The two bowed their heads, and he prayed over the meal.
“Who made this?” she asked after the amens had been said. “I know you didn’t.”
“I commissioned them. The chef is already here, so…”
“Thank you, Kez.”
He nodded. “Thank you for meeting me tonight.”
The two ate in silence until he couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Orion, huh?” He wiped at his mouth with a napkin. “How’d that happen?”
Sunny looked up from her plate, her eyes narrowing. “What are you asking me?”
“I talked to him earlier,” Mark said. “He don’t seem like your type.”
“That’s funny. He doesn’t think much of you, either.”
“Oh, for real?”
“He said you’re uptight.”
He shrugged. “Answer my question.”
Sunny set her fork on her plate, leaning back in her seat, her toes wiggling in the sand. “We met. We dated. He proposed. That’s how those things usually go.”
He eyed her curiously. “You seem defensive.”
“Well, the way you asked that question made it seem like you were questioning my judgment.”
“I apologize. I guess I was just surprised to see you downgraded so much after me.”
She burst out laughing. “Okay. I see Kez is still in there, too.”
“Back like I never left.”
Sunny cleared her throat. “I’m sorry about your wife. Brooklyn mentioned that—“
He put up a hand. “We don’t have to get into it.”
She nodded. “Did she tell you she wanted me to…step in for her this weekend?”
“No.” His brows knitted together. “Step in, how?”
“To be there for her. As her mother-in-law, but also in a motherly capacity.”
He was quiet for a few moments before his eyes moistened. “And you said yes?”
“I did.”
“Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sure that means a lot to…Brooklyn.”
“She’s a sweet girl. I just hope I can do justice to the role.”
They sat in silence for a moment. In truth, Sunny was looking forward to it now that she was here. As a boy mom, she’d never get to go to the bridal shop for dress fittings or pass down her grandmother’s pearls. No mother-daughter pictures or brunches or shopping trips.
But maybe she could have all of that with Brooklyn.
“How did the future Johnny Cochran end up as Dr. Nip/Tuck?”
Mark chuckled. “That’s quite a story. How much time you got?”
“I have all night.”
“All night, huh?” His eyes darkened to two pools of black ink.
“Stop.”
He laughed and set his fork down. “One semester in, I realized I made a mistake. One year in, I finally admitted to myself that I didn’t have to suffer in that mistake.” He took a long sip of the brown liquid in his glass. “It’s never too late to pivot.”
“No, but it can be very expensive.”
“You got a point there.” His gaze intensified. “It definitely cost me a lot.”
Ignoring that, Sunny looked around. “But it looks like it was worth it.”
“Maybe. I guess I did okay.”
She smiled. “Now that the shock is wearing off and I’m getting my bearings, I wanna say I’m very happy to see you.”
“Likewise. Sitting here with you is like…it’s nostalgia, but it doesn’t hurt. That much.”
“I know what you mean.”
He wasn’t sure she did.
It wasn’t something he could ever put into words for her. He could barely make sense of it himself. All he could do was feel it. The air was harder to breathe. His pulse raced wildly. It was like he was standing at a mirror that reflected his younger self back at him, only there was no sense of time or understanding between the two versions of him. Only sadness and regret, because whatever had happened to them in the almost thirty years that bridged them felt like it hardly mattered at all.
“Did you ever think about me?” he asked her.
She nodded. “Every now and then. I wondered how you were doing.”
“That’s all?”
She picked up her wine glass, swirled it, and took a sip. Mark waited patiently. He was willing to wait until she finished the whole bottle of rosé if that was what it took.
Finally, she answered. “As time passed, I…”
“Forgot about me?”
“Maybe...”
“I never forgot you, Cici. I was happy in my marriage. I loved my wife. But I never forgot you.”
She sighed, frustrated with herself for being jealous of a dead woman. “I know I wasn’t your first, but you were mine. No woman ever forgets that person.”
“What do you think your boy would say about that?”
“We both know you couldn’t care less what he would say about that.”
He laughed. “Maybe I’m curious.”
“If by curious, you mean messy, then I agree.”
He inclined his head. “Why’d y’all get divorced?”
“He cheated.”
Mark was more taken aback by the matter-of-fact way she delivered the news than the news itself.
He went to speak, but she cut him off.
“With a woman I know. Who’s a little younger. I don’t know what it is about y’all when you pass forty, but—“
“ Y’all ?”
One shoulder lifted. “I said what I said.”
“And what you said was some bullshit.”
She burst out laughing. “Please tell me you don’t watch Real Housewives of Atlanta .”
“Well, one was a patient, so…”
“Ooh, which one?” she said, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
“That’s classified.”
“Okay, Dr. Mark.” She took a few more sips of her liquid courage, and then she went for it.
“I’m approaching fifty. I want your professional opinion.”
“On what?”
“Me. My face. What I need done.”
He sat back in his seat, crossing his arms in front of him. “Not a goddamn thing.”
“I know you’re saying that to be nice. And I appreciate it. But I really wanna know. I’ve been thinking about getting Botox.”
“For what?”
“My laugh lines.” She gestured to her mouth. “Don’t pretend you don’t see them.”
“Of course I see them.”
“Would Botox help?”
He blew out a sigh. “Okay, Cici. You really want my professional opinion?”
She nodded eagerly.
“Alright. Well, every forty plus woman I’ve seen in my office has asked me that question. What I tell them is that at middle age, most women start to notice changes in skin texture and volume loss, especially around the eyes, cheeks, and jawline. Botox can treat the lines and crow's feet. Fillers are used for volume loss in the cheeks or to soften smile lines. Some women get a little work around the jawline or neck to address sagging. There’s also a mini-facelift or laser treatments for tightening the skin.”
She nodded. “How much do those things typically cost?”
“I can get you a price list,” he said. “Not that I want to, but I’m not gonna sit here and be a hypocrite about the work I do. But Cici…my beauty…You don’t need any of that shit, especially if it’s to compete with a younger woman.”
“I’m not—“
“Don’t forget, I know you.”
She stopped talking.
He sat up, leaning closer so she got the message loud and clear.
“Those lines around your mouth? They’re from the times you’ve expressed your happiness. And I hope you’ve done that a lot over the last thirty years, Cici. And yeah, your skin loosened and your body softened over time, just like you did. When I met you, those defenses were up. You were wound up tight. Now, looking at you, feeling your energy, you’re softer. And it’s beautiful. It’s sexy. And what these men out here don’t understand is that we’re aging with you. When a man is mature, he appreciates the changes. It’s something to share, not to ridicule. So to answer your question, the only thing you really need is somebody who appreciates the beauty in you.”
She smiled. “You’re so sweet. But can you send me the price list?”
He shook his head at that, but it was a playful gesture. She was still the same old Cici. Bound, determined, and stubborn as an ox.
“I will send you the price list.” He pulled out his phone and stared at the screen before silencing the call. “Just my house manager.”
“That must be nice.”
“It’s amazing, actually.” He glanced at her plate. “Did you get enough to eat? You want dessert?”
She patted her stomach. “I think I’m done. But maybe in a few minutes?”
She went to tuck her hair behind her ear. When she moved, the delicate tie of her halter slipped loose behind her neck. The soft fabric gave way, falling in slow motion down the slope of her shoulders.
Mark’s eyes locked in.
“Oh!” she gasped, her hands moving instinctively, one to the back of her neck, and the other to the front of her dress, holding it in place.
The damage was done, though. The top of her dress had slipped to just under her arms, threatening to give way with even the slightest motion.
Mark wouldn’t have minded.
“Here, let me…” he said as he stood. He made his way behind her, staring reverently at the smooth brown skin of her bare back, glowing in the candlelight. His fingers reached for the thin ties that hung uselessly on either side. He lifted them carefully, accidentally brushing against the nape of her neck as he gathered the straps.
Her eyes fluttered shut. The light touch—the gentle caress—it was all she could take tonight.
“I always loved your shoulders,” he murmured, barely audible over the sound of the waves. “You used to get freckles there in the summertime.”
“I still do,” she said, her voice throaty and strained.
His fingers, surgeon’s fingers at that, fumbled with the knot. His brain couldn’t seem to connect, his thoughts drifting somewhere else, his blood rushing to a familiar spot.
“There,” he said after his task was finally accomplished. But he didn’t move. His hands didn’t move. They lingered, one palm resting at the base of her neck, the other sliding down, tracing the curve of her shoulder.
Her breath hitched.
“You’re so soft,” he said quietly as his eyes closed. He decided to give in to the feeling, letting it wash over him like a tidal wave. He was ready to go under again.
His thumb brushed across her skin, deliberate and sure. She tilted her head slightly, her lips parting…but no words spilled out.
“You okay?” he asked, stilling his fingers.
She nodded slowly. “I am. I just didn’t expect to feel so…”
“Much?”
She opened her eyes, turning her head to meet his gaze over her shoulder. “You feel it too?”
He chuckled softly. “You have no idea.”
She blinked slowly, seemingly entranced by him. He held out his hand, helping her to her feet.
“Will you dance with me?”
She stared up at him and nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck to pull him closer.
Despite his surprise at her forwardness, he had the wherewithal to hit the right button on his phone without looking, filling the immediate area with their song.
His phone went back into his pocket. His arms encircled her. His hands went to her back, where they lingered, tracing nonsensical patterns on her skin.
As they swayed rhythmically from side to side, their bodies and breaths in sync, Mark found the small of her back and pulled her closer. He didn’t stop until he had to.
It was as if no time had passed at all. As if this wasn’t the first time they’d held each other in almost thirty years.
The lyrics swelled around them like a lullaby, threading through every shared memory—late college nights, road trips, and so-called study sessions that ended with their clothes strewn across the floor and their limbs entwined on the bed.
His hand moved slowly up her back, his fingertips tracing the exposed line of her spine. She shivered at the contact. It had been a long time since she’d been touched like this.
Mark was in no hurry. He wasn’t demanding. Not claiming. It felt like he was simply enjoying her like she was a privilege. Cherishing.
Nothing like Orion.
Her ex-husband had always grabbed, impatient and possessive. Pushing, pulling, controlling. She never doubted his desire for her, but his love? His touch often made her question it.
Sunny melted against Mark, closing her eyes, listening to her body. It remembered this. Being cherished. Being revered. Feeling safe.
“We both know what this is, right?”
His voice was deep in her ear.
“What is it?” she asked softly.
He pulled back to gaze into her eyes. “I want you back.”
“Kez.”
“I’m single. You’re single. This doesn’t feel like fate to you?”
She teased the nape of his neck with her nails. “It does, but…I don’t like to get my hopes up. Anymore.”
He put a finger under her chin, tipping her head back, staring at her lips. “Don’t punish me because your ex was disloyal.”
“It’s hard for me to trust.”
“Of course it is. But I ain’t him. I promise you that. And you know me. You know my word is always true.”
She nodded.
“Just give me a chance.”
“I can do that,” she said. “But how? We’re surrounded by people who don’t need to be in our business.”
He nodded. “We’ll keep it close. Whatever this is, whatever this becomes, it’s just for me and you.”
“I like that,” she said with a smile.
“Do you?”
“Mm hm.”
His gaze darkened. “I’m trying to remember the other things you like…”
That made her chuckle. “I don’t think you had enough time to learn.”
“I spent fifteen years in school, my beauty. I’ve always had a love for learning.”
“That’s good to know.”
They leaned in at the same time. Warm, soft lips. The lingering taste of champagne. Her tongue, his tongue, swirling and dancing and caressing. Stroking. It wasn’t sex, but it was the most erotic thing Sunny had experienced in a long time.