Blindsided (Indigo Love Spectrum) Read online

  “Okay. Do you have your phone?”

  Reese touched her purse. “It’s in here. And, yes, it’s charged.” She kissed Gail’s cheek. “See ya later.”

  Norris found himself holding his breath when Reese turned to him and their eyes locked for an extended moment. For an instant he thought she would kiss his cheek, too. He wanted that, but instead she waved and said goodbye. He released the breath, feeling a bit foolish for wanting something he knew was too soon to hope for.

  “You girls have a good time,” he said.

  “And be safe,” Gail added.

  “Will do,” the girls chimed in unison.

  Norris stared at the door after it closed behind Reese and Diana. “I wonder if I can do it,” he said.

  “Do what?”

  “Get to know Reese as well as you. Earn her love.”

  “You will, Norris.” Gail gathered the dessert plates. “It’ll just take time. Today was a good start.”

  “I guess,” he said, helping her with the dishes.

  “I know,” she replied. “You two hit it off pretty well. It’ll only help more when she finds out about you and Dahlia.”

  The saucer in Norris’s hand crashed to the shiny wood floor, breaking in four pieces. Me and Dahlia? He quickly gathered the shattered dish. “I’m sorry, it slipped.”

  “Uh-huh,” Gail grumbled, her arms folded at her chest and doubting eyes boring into him.

  Norris dumped the broken pieces into a waste can in the corner. “I’ll buy you a whole new set of dishes.”

  “It’s not the dish I was talking about.”

  “Then what are you talking about?”

  “Norris, please. Dahlia and I had lunch yesterday.” Norris shrugged. “Dahlia?”

  Gail groaned, exasperated. “Do you see the word ‘stupid’ stamped across my forehead?”

  Norris moved to the couch and sat. He could continue this cat and mouse game, but as the running mouse, he could feel the cat’s hot breath on his back. Gail appeared dead set on discussing this, but before he offered information, he had to know just what she thought she knew.

  “You say you had lunch with Dahlia?”

  “I did,” Gail said, joining him on the couch. “And she was as mum about this as you, but the less she said, the more she told me. She mentioned Uganda. You and my fiancé were the only people who knew about that, and Ben and I decided to keep quiet until I squared things with you. Making you the only person who could have told her.”

  “Okay, I told her. I needed to share it with somebody.”

  “Somebody not Ryan?” she said, lifting a curious brow. “I know you two are still close, our meeting at my office said as much. So, not telling your best buddy this news first tells me there’s someone very significant in your life.”

  Norris released a breath. Caught. He didn’t even feel like denying it anymore. “Yes, Dahlia is important to me.”

  “How important?”

  “Important enough for me to tell about Reese.”

  Gail tucked herself in the corner of the couch, crossed her arms, and stared with those questioning eyes. “Why are you two being so quiet about this? Dahlia is a wonderful woman, and you . . . My goodness, Norris, you are such a good, grounded man. Why are you guys being so hush-hush?”

  “It’s the way Dahlia wants it. As a matter of fact, she doesn’t even want that anymore.” Norris’s guts clenched as he thought of the way they’d left things last night. He’d needed to tell her how he felt, and for that moment in time, her relationship issues didn’t exist. They were of one mind. At least he thought they were. “She ended things,” he said.

  Gail shook her head. “That doesn’t sound right.”

  “It might not sound right, but it’s what happened.” Gail clasped his hands. “Norris, she cares about you. She didn’t tell me so, but I know she does.”

  “I agree, but she doesn’t want a relationship.”

  “I don’t understand. Weren’t you already in one?” Norris stood, feeling the conversation going to a place he didn’t feel comfortable going with Gail. “I should be going.”

  “Norris, I’m sorry if I pried, it’s just . . . The idea of you and Dahlia . . .”

  He held up his hand, stopping her words. “Look, Gail, there’s no Dahlia and me. I’m not happy about it, but that’s the way it is. I would really appreciate if you didn’t mention this to Reese. I know she and Dahlia are close, but what we had . . . There’s no point in talking to her about it. And don’t talk to Dahlia about it, either.”

  “I won’t mention it, but it might be a bit hard to keep it secret when Reese will be living with Dahlia.”

  Norris hid his disappoint at the announcement. “She will?”

  Gail nodded. “She felt it would be best to stay with someone she knew, but she knows being available to you is the criteria. I hope you’re okay with this.”

  “I’m a little let down, but I want Reese to be happy and I want to know her. So, if she wants to live with Dahlia, I’m okay with that.” Norris made his way over to the door. “Thank you for brunch and allowing me the opportunity to meet Reese. Let her know I’ll call her tomorrow.” He turned around, eyeing the albums lying on one of the end chairs. “You think I could . . .” He motioned to the stack of books.

  Gail walked over to the albums and gave them to him. “They’re yours. I have duplicate copies of every photo she’s ever been in.”

  Norris clutched the albums to his chest like the prized possessions they were to him. “Thanks, Gail, I’ll be in touch.” With a wave goodbye he got into his car and made his way to Dahlia’s. Now it was time to make things right with her.

  * * *

  “I hope you don’t mind skipping on the movie, Diana,” Reese said, as she and her friend sipped strawberry lemonade at the Burger Barn. “I don’t think I could’ve concentrated on the screen with everything going on in my head.”

  “No kidding. Mr. Converse is your father.” Diana shook her head. “That blows my mind.”

  “How well do you know him?”

  “Pretty well, I guess. He and my parents are friends, and I’ve been around him enough to gather he’s a cool guy. Just never thought of him as the fatherly type, although he’s great with Lara and Ryan’s kids, and my brothers think he’s a riot.”

  “Your family likes him?”

  “Yeah. He’s a friend.” Diana made a hissing sound as she sucked in a breath. “I can’t imagine him and your mother, though. How did that happen?”

  Reese shrugged. That was one of the many questions she still needed an answer to. “I really don’t know,” she said, sipping more lemonade. “I know he’s fifteen years younger than my mother and they met when she helped him after he hurt his hand. Mom never told him about me. Not until a couple of days ago. What kind of guy is he?”

  “Run of the mill, I guess, except he’s loaded.”

  “Loaded?”

  Diana rubbed her fingers together. “He’s rolling in it, but he’s not overly flashy. He works at his accounting firm downtown, he has a condo, a Porsche, and a Benz. I can’t think of much else.”

  “Is he dating anybody?”

  “I don’t know his personal business, but to hear my folks talk, he likes the ladies, and lots of them. And for an old guy, he’s kinda hot. So, that makes sense.”

  Reese bristled. “Diana! What are you saying?”

  “I don’t want to jump his bones or anything. I’m just saying he’s a nice looking old dude.” Diana laughed. “You know, you look like him.”

  “That’s kind of impossible. I’m black.”

  “No, you’re more a warm honey pecan,” Diana quipped.

  Reese frowned at her friend. “You’re having too much fun with this,” she said. “I’m serious.”

  “What are you trippin’ about?”

  “I don’t know.” Reese groaned. “For so long I wanted to know about my father. Different scenarios of what he’d be like played in my head, but what I’ve thought and
what I’m getting is . . . My mom is getting married in two weeks, and then she and Ben are leaving for Africa for six months. Leaving me alone to bond with my father. My white father. This man I don’t know.”

  “That’s where the bonding comes in. You get to know him. And why are you making race an issue?”

  “I’m not making it an issue. I’ve always known my father was a white guy, but I never had to deal with that. My family has always been my mother’s family. Black people. Now I’m going to have to address this other side of me.”

  “That’s where Mr. Converse comes in. He’s not just white, he’s your father. You haven’t known him your whole life, but he’s always been a part of your life. And now you get to know about that part. Think of it as journey to another world.”

  Reese scoffed. “It’s another world, all right.”

  “You met him today, what’s your first impression?”

  “He’s okay, but he’s trying too hard. He can’t be him self if he’s trying to make himself somebody I’ll like.”

  “Does that mean you like him or not?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think he’s a weirdo, but I do think he wants us to be some happy insta-family. Add Reese and stir.”

  “What’s wrong with him wanting that? You’re his daughter. You don’t think he should want you to be a part of his life? You always wanted to know your father. Now you do. Don’t look for ways to ruin it before you get a chance to enjoy it.”

  “Easy for you to say, you’ve always known your father.”

  Diana groaned, took a long sip of her lemonade, and then pushed the cup to the side. Reese sighed. The intensity and irritation in her friend’s dark eyes told her she wouldn’t like whatever Diana was about to say.

  “You know what, saying you couldn’t watch the movie was the only sensible thing you’ve said today. Your head is all over the place. Who are you angry with? Your mom for keeping Norris from you, or Norris for wanting to be a part of your life?”

  “Both of them. Why couldn’t they be like your folks, and have children when they were married, huh? That way I would’ve had the option of meeting them at the same time. But me, I know my mother sixteen years, and then I meet my father, who I’ll have the pleasure of spending the next six months with, without my mother, getting to know.”

  “I think your parents are handling this the best they can. I promise you this: If I had cut Celeste Monroe the look you shot your mother before you went for your purse, my teeth would be on the floor, and the rest of me would be in the middle of next week. What were you thinking?”

  “I wasn’t.” Reese toyed with the straw in her cup. “I was upset, and I apologized for that. I already feel bad, and you’re making me feel worse.”

  “No, what I’m trying to do is make a comparison. You get away with a lot because your mother, for whatever reason, kept your father’s identity from you. And because of that, I suspect she feels obligated to take your smack. That wouldn’t fly in my house, because neither of my folks have any guilt in regard to their children. I’m your friend, so I don’t feel bad about telling you what I see. You need to cut your parents some slack, and at least try to see things from their point of view. It’s obvious they’re bending over backwards to do that for you.”

  “I should be more open?” Reese said.

  “Try. This isn’t just new for you. At least you’ve always known your father was out there. Mr. Converse never had a clue you existed. And look at him; he’s trying. That’s got to count for something. Plus, I’m here for you. He knows me, and all my family in Denburg. We’re all connected. Heck, we’re practically family now, Reese. Getting to know your dad will be a good thing.”

  “You make it sound like it could be.”

  “Take my word for it.” Diana smiled. “Something else you can take my word for.” She nudged her head toward the door. “Jack Armstrong is crushin’ hard on you.”

  Reese’s heart pumped triple time. Jack Armstrong! “No, no,” Diana said, grabbing Reese’s hand before she turned around. “Don’t look.”

  “Don’t look?” Reese whispered. The cutest, smartest, most popular boy in school had just walked into the restaurant, and her best friend had confirmed a hope she’d harbored for weeks, him to be interested in her, and now she couldn’t look at him? “Why can’t I look?”

  “Because he’s coming over.” Diana brushed her hand over her long ponytail. “Just stay cool,” she said.

  A brief shadow covered the table and then Jack came into view beside Diana. Six feet, one hundred seventy pounds of beautiful, brown muscles showcased wonderfully in a tank shirt and knee-length shorts. Full smiling lips displayed perfectly straight pristine white teeth, and hazel eyes sparkled against his sweat-glistened skin. Reese reached for her cup, taking a long sip of the fruity lemonade. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear she was having a hot flash.

  “Hello, Diana,” Jack said, his unwavering gaze on Reese.

  “Hi, Jack,” she said, grinning at Reese before reaching for her cup. “I’m going to get a refill.”

  Without breaking eye contact, Jack slid into Diana’s chair. “Reese, how are you doing?” he said.

  “Good,” she squeaked out. “You?”

  “Okay, just getting in a run. Decided to dash in for a cold drink. That’s been my best move all day.” He smiled.

  Reese’s heart leapt into her throat. Her lips curled in response. If Jack taking a first step toward her could make her feel this good, meeting her father halfway in their journey to forming a familial bond could only make things easier for them. She couldn’t make any promises, but with Jack’s smile urging her on, she was certainly willing to give her father a try.

  * * *

  Two hours of homebound solitude provided Dahlia the opportunity to shed her tears, shout out her frustrations, and dive headfirst into a bag of chips. It all helped, but now she had to deal with the guilt. She sighed. Why was she the only female offspring of Wilson and Nona Sinclair who had a conscience? Dahlia tossed the empty bag and the mountain of crumpled tissues into the trash. “Treadmill, here I come.”

  The doorbell rang as she made her way upstairs to change out of her church clothes and into workout clothes. Her heart slammed against her chest. That was Norris. She could feel it. A part of her, a huge part, wanted to pull open the door, leap into his arms, and never let him go. But a smaller part, the more vocal part, reminded her of how she’d spent the last two hours, and why seeing Norris wouldn’t be a good idea.

  Norris knocked on the door. “Dahlia, I know you’re in there. Please let me in. We need to talk.” He knocked again after a few moments. “Please.”

  After arguing with herself about the many reasons she shouldn’t open the door, Dahlia pulled it open and stepped back. She immediately regretted her decision upon seeing him standing there. Norris was too handsome and her emotions way too rocky to deal with him now.

  His face lit up, making her want to slam the door even more. She was not strong enough to deal with him now.

  “I knew you were in there,” he said.

  “You were right,” Dahlia said, fighting her natural response to smile back, well aware encouraging him would not be wise. “I really don’t think this is a good idea.”

  “I do.” He moved forward, but she blocked his way. Norris sighed. “You’re not going to let me in?” His gaze swept over her. “Why are you dressed up? You going somewhere?” He looked closer. “Were you crying?”

  “Norris.”

  “No.” He bullied himself in. “I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s wrong.”

  Dahlia closed the door and followed him to the couch. “What are you . . . You can’t just barge into my house!”

  “I’ve already done it.” He sat. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, or am I gonna have to pry it out of you?”

  “Oh, like that love I’m supposed to be feeling for you after you bared your soul last night? You can’t make me do or feel anything, Norris.”<
br />
  His face reddened. “Okay, okay. Maybe I deserve that. But as well as I know something’s bothering you, I know you love me. I don’t doubt that for a second.”

  “Is that why you’re here? To get some heartfelt confession out of me?”

  “Only in my dreams,” he said, settling back on the couch. “No, I came here to apologize. I was a bit brusque last night.”

  “Is that what you were?”

  “I’m not apologizing for what I said. I’m apologizing for how I said it. I never imagined I would tell any woman I loved her. It just wasn’t something I thought was in me. But, Dahlia, for the past couple of weeks, there’s been a change.”

  She held up her hand, using her open palm as a force field to shield her from Norris’s words and everything he made her feel. “Norris, please. We’ve done this.”

  “No, we haven’t. When we were together in my office on Friday, I wanted to say it then. I felt the words bubbling in you, too. I kept quiet for one reason, the same reason I’ve forced myself to be quiet for so long. Because I didn’t want to have my words push you away. I know you’ve been hurt, and you’ve sworn against relationships and love, but we have a relationship, and we are in love.”

  “Damn it, Norris! Stop it! I cannot do this today.” She stomped to the door and whipped it open. “Leave!”

  “No.” Norris moved to the middle of the floor, his arms crossed. “What’s bothering you? I want to believe it’s just me, and what happened between us last night, but not even I am that vain. Something’s hurting you, and I’m not leaving here until you tell me what it is.” He waved his hand in a motion for her to close the door. “If you want to share your air-conditioning with all of Denburg, feel free. But I’m not going anywhere.”

  Dahlia stayed motionless for a long while. Hearing Norris, but not wanting to hear him. Needing him, and hating she did. Loving him, but wanting to scratch his eyes out for making her deal with love when she didn’t want to. Loss of control. That’s what love did to her. And she was supposed to be happy about it?

  The clack of Italian loafers against her hardwood floor signaled Norris’s approach. Dahlia stiffened when she caught a whiff of his cologne, even before the heat of his body burned against her back. His breath tickled her neck as he reached around her and pushed the door closed. Her knees buckled. If he touched her, she would crack. She would lose the last bit of strength keeping her together and fall completely apart.