Chapter Twenty-Six
Zamora
After receiving the text from Jayden letting me know he was downstairs, I did my final mirror check and headed out the door. When I made it to the lobby, he was standing by the information desk, and I went over to greet him. He was well dressed in a dark blue button-down shirt and black slacks, and it looked like he had gotten a haircut for the occasion. I hadn’t noticed how nice his beard was the night before, but it framed his face perfectly.
“Hi. How are you?” I asked.
He pulled me in for a quick hug. “I’m great. You look amazing,” he complimented.
“So do you,” I returned.
“Thanks. Shall we?” he asked, extending his hand for me to hold.
I took it, and we headed towards the restaurant. We were immediately seated, and most of the staff spoke to me as they passed by.
“You come here a lot, I see,” he commented.
“I do, actually,” I admitted.
“Really? The food has to be amazing.”
“It is, but I’ll be honest. I live here on property, so everyone knows me here.”
“That’s interesting,” he said.
Just then, our server came over to take our drink orders and left as quickly as he had come.
The conversation was easy; we chatted about family and the basics, keeping the conversation light. Right after we put our dinner orders in, my phone alerted me that I had received a text message. Not wanting to be rude, I ignored it, but when it alerted me again, I picked up my cell phone from the table and read it.
Marc: Hey, beautiful. If I ever needed you in my life, I need you now. Some crazy shit went down today, and I need to talk to you, Zee.
Marc: Are you free?
I was about to reply, but the server came over to refill our water and let us know our order would be out soon. With a smile, I nodded and turned my attention back to my phone.
“That can’t wait?” he asked.
“Huh? Excuse me?” I replied, looking at him.
“I’m just asking if you plan to be on a dinner date with me or on your phone.”
I giggled lightly. I hadn’t been on a date in ages, so I guess my action could be perceived as rude, which was not my intention.
Smiling, I said, “My apologies. A good friend needs me, and I was going to send them a short reply if you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t, but I’d like your undivided attention,” he returned.
Something inside me wanted to say something smart in response because I didn’t like to be talked to as if I were a child.
Instead, I smiled and told him, “I got you. Give me a second.”
Me: Out to dinner. Is everything okay?
After hitting send, I put my phone in my purse.
“Now, you were telling me about your new puppy. What is that like? I mean, I love animals but have never had one.”
“Well, he is a handful, very rambunctious. To be honest, I think I’m in over my head,” he said with a light laugh.
My phone went off again, and I knew he could hear it, too.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, reaching for it in my purse.
Marc: Headed to the hotel in a few. I’ll be waiting for you when you get in.
My eyes almost jumped out of my head, and I tried to play it cool while gulping my wine. Why did I feel nervous? It’s not like I was out cheating on Marcus. But why were my palms sweating if I didn’t feel I was doing anything wrong?
“Is everything okay, Zamora?”
“Huh? Oh, yes. Yes, everything is fine. You were saying your puppy is giving you hell?”
As Jayden continued to share stories about himself and his four-legged friend, my mind drifted to Marcus. I wished it was him sitting across from me instead. With every swig of wine I took, I silently prayed Marcus would walk in and save me from this date. The more Jayden talked, the more wine I needed. He was nothing like Marcus. Jayden lacked personality, was cocky, had no sense of humor, and seemed to be narcissistic, centering the conversation around himself. He certainly wasn’t the same man I met at the bar that night. No, this Jayden was an asshole.
“Ms. Zamora, your food is almost ready. Is there anything I can get for you in the meantime?” our server asked after approaching our table.
“Another glass of Cabernet, please, Nick,” I quickly replied.
The two glasses I had already consumed weren’t enough to trick my mind into believing I was enjoying this date.
“Absolutely. And you, sir?” he asked Jayden.
“I’m good, partner. I have to drive,” he said and gave me a look of disapproval. “So, do you always drink this much?” he asked, taking a baby sip of his wine.
“Well, Jayden, it depends,” I told him, past the point of annoyance with this jerk.
“On?” he asked as if my answer would determine whether he stayed or stand to leave.
“It depends on my mood, the company I’m with, and where I am,” I replied and thanked Nick for my refill.
“Can you clarify what that actually means?” he asked.
Before I could reply, I heard a deep male voice call my name. I looked up, and when I saw him standing there, I couldn’t contain myself. I jumped up from my seat and grabbed him into a tight hug.
“Are you okay? I got your messages. We’ll talk as soon as I’m done eating,” I told Marcus. Then, remembering I was there with Mr. Egotistical, I pulled Marcus by the hand closer to the table. “Jayden, this is my good friend, Marcus, who owns this place. Marcus, this is Jayden.”
“Nice to meet you,” Marcus said, extending his hand.
Instead of shaking hands with Marcus, Jayden sat there shaking his head.
“You know what, I’m gonna go,” he said and stood.
“Wait. Why are you leaving?” I asked, puzzled by his reaction.
“You know why,” Jayden answered with a half-smile. “Y’all should work y’all shit out,” he told me before walking away.
Instead of trying to convince him to stay, I let his ass leave. Asshole didn’t even bother to pay the bill before leaving, I thought to myself. As Marcus and I stood there, I fell into a fit of laughter. Marcus looked at me like I was crazy.
“What the hell is so funny, Zee?” he asked three or four times before we sat.
It took me a minute to regain my composure.
“Zamora, you have to tell me what was so funny.”
Just then, Nick came over to the table carrying the food Jayden and I had ordered. When he saw Marcus in Jayden’s seat, his facial expression turned to a look of confusion.
“Mr. Coleman, what a surprise.”
“Hey, Nick. Box it all up and comp it. I’ll take care of your tip,” Marcus told him.
Needing no further instructions from the boss, Nick took the plates and returned to the kitchen.
“You are such a sight for sore eyes,” he said, his eyes glossed over.
I could see the pain etched on his face.
“You have the key. Go head up. I’ll wait for the food. Whatever it is, I’m here. We can talk all night if that’s what you need.”
He wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, and with a nod, he stood up and headed to the elevator. I knew that look of pain on his face. I remember so well because that was the look he had when he told me goodbye.
After Nick returned with the boxed food, I went upstairs. Marcus was on the sofa with his head tilted back and his forearm draped across his forehead. I placed the food on the island and went over to sit next to him.
“You look so beautiful,” he complimented.
I smiled. “Thank you. Now tell me what’s wrong, Marc. What happened?”
He stood and went for the liquor, and I removed my earrings and shoes to get comfortable. He threw back a shot and poured another before rejoining me on the sofa.
“The wedding is off. Eliana and I are done,” he said and sipped.
“Oh, Marcus, I’m so sorry,” I said sincerely.
Yes, I wanted this man for myself, but at the same time, I did not want him to hurt.
“It’s cool, you know. I found out she has been fucking around with her ex, and she’s pregnant.”
My heart stopped momentarily. I know it was selfish to insert myself in his situation, but having to deal with a baby momma is not what I wanted for us if we got back together.
“Well, that’s a good thing, right? At least you’re going to be a dad,” I said as gently as I could.
“The baby isn’t my fuckin’ baby, Zee!” he roared.
Startled by his outburst, I jumped, and he reached for my hand, lifting it to his lips and kissing my fingers lightly. Then he began to sob. I had seen Marcus mad, upset, and hurt, but never had I seen him cry before. Wanting to comfort him, I pulled away and stood to wrap my arms around him.
“She played me, Zee,” he cried into my stomach. “She kept lying to my muthafuckin’ face, and I fucking let her. I’m so angry because I allowed it to happen. Before I saw you at the airport in Vegas, I had a feeling shit was off, but I ignored all the signs, Zee. And for the life of me, I can’t tell you why,” he said, pulling me closer.
His face was pressed so deep into my stomach that it pained me a bit, but I stayed strong for him.
He pulled me down onto his lap and sat back on the sofa. My body was across his, and he silently played with my fingers.
“You’re going to be okay, Marcus. I’m so sorry she hurt and disappointed you, but you will get over her,” I told him.
Looking me square in the eyes, he said, “I never loved her, Zee. I feel angry, disappointed, humiliated, betrayed, and embarrassed, but I’m not heartbroken. I love you. You are the only woman I’ve ever loved, Zamora, and the love I have for you is something I’ll never get over.”
If I were butter, I would have melted completely.
“I…I…I,” I stuttered, and he caught my words with his mouth.
I allowed the kiss. I enjoyed the kiss. I relished his kiss and did not want him to pull away. It was like riding a damn bike because kissing him was all coming back to me. I missed the sensations he imploded on me and never wanted to let this man out of my sight again. When we broke our kiss, he stared into my eyes.
“I still love you, too, Marcus. I want this moment with you. Even if you never come back to me, I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life. I’ve dreamt of kissing you so many nights and never thought I would have this chance again. So, kiss me again, and let me have this moment.”
He kissed me deeply, and my entire body tingled. I felt sensations no other man had ever been able to give me. My core was soaked, and my nipples were hard. When he stopped this time, he pressed his forehead against mine.
“I don’t want just a moment with you, Zamora. This is finally our chance to get it right, and I want to stay with you forever. I don’t love, Eli, and I’m not speaking out of pain or regret. I’ve never stopped wanting you, Zee. Please, can we give it one more try?”
“Baby, you will never have to beg me for anything. I’m yours. I’ve always been yours,” I expressed and put my lips on his. “Make love to me,” I softly whispered.
“I want to, baby, I do. But I can’t trust it. I was with a cheating…”
He paused. I knew a nasty name for her was on the tip of his tongue, but Marcus wasn’t a disrespectful type of man. So, he didn’t dare say what he was thinking.
“Before I make love to you, I want to see my doctor first and make sure she didn’t give me any parting gifts.”
I nodded my understanding. After all, I was married to Evan’s two-timing ass, so I knew exactly how he felt.
“Are you going to at least spend the night with me?”
“Of course,” he said, pulling me into a tight squeeze. “I missed you so much, woman.”
“Not as much as I missed you, man,” I returned as we got cozier on the sofa, where we drank, talked, and caught up until the sun came up.
The next morning, we went downstairs to have breakfast together, and the staff was far from stupid as they greeted us with broad smiles. Marcus took the day off to spend with me since I had no events to cater, and I couldn’t have been happier. As we were eating, he expressed wanting me to move in with him at his house, stating he didn’t want us to be apart other than to work. Although I loved staying in the penthouse, the thought of waking up every morning and sleeping next to Marcus every night was more appealing. However, I wasn’t too thrilled about staying in a place where he and Eliana once shared. Thinking it wouldn’t hurt for me to see his spot before deciding, we went there after finishing our meal.
As soon as we entered the door to his home, I stopped in my tracks.
“This place smells like her,” I said, not wanting to go inside further.
“Does it?” he asked, not realizing her fragrance lingered in his place.
“It does,” I said, tilting my head to look at him.
“Well, can you at least give it a walk-through and tell me what you think afterward?” he gently asked.
Giving in, I followed closely behind him. It was a beautiful place, but despite how much I loved it, I didn’t want to be in the same place where he had shared intimate moments with her. When we reached the main bedroom, I saw personal items of hers left behind. That did it for me.
“Listen, I’m sure I’d grow to love it, but I think if we are going to do this, we need a fresh start––somewhere we can pick out together.”
“Well, I guess this place is going on the market,” he replied without a second thought.
I smiled, and he kissed me. Then we walked out of the front door, ready to start our new life together and love on each other like no one else could do.