Blindsided (Indigo Love Spectrum) Page 15

  “Right over there,” said Norris, directing three guys wearing green polo shirts stitched with “Denburg Inn” to his mother’s luggage. “Make sure you don’t leave anything.”

  “Yes, sir,” answered the larger of the three men.

  Minutes later, the men, the bags, and all traces of his mother were gone. Norris thought back to last night and his mother’s reaction to hearing about Reese. She had said very little after repeating, “This isn’t funny, Norris,” several times. Once convinced it wasn’t a joke, Genevieve had grabbed her purse, explained she would send for her things, and stormed out. Norris hadn’t expected her to take the news well, but it didn’t lessen the hurt he felt at being right. She had a granddaughter and couldn’t care less.

  Dahlia had wondered if his parents’ reaction to Reese would be any different than what they’d shown Lara. He’d thought it would. He had thought blood would be the difference. So far with his mother, he’d been proven wrong. And countless calls to his father went unanswered, showing the separated spouses were probably of one mind when it came to this issue. Norris shrugged it off. Their loss.

  At least his siblings were excited. He’d engaged in an impromptu conference call with Lane and Julia the night of the brunch, and they couldn’t wait to meet Reese. He’d even told them about Dahlia. Plans for an extended visit were in the works, and they’d ended the call with a promise to get better at keeping in touch.

  Norris picked up his phone. Who better to keep in touch with than his daughter? Maybe Reese was up for lunch.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Hi, Reese, it’s Norris.”

  “Oh, hi.” Norris heard paper rattling in the background. “What’s up?” Reese asked.

  He tried not to be put off by her lack of enthusiasm. “Are you busy?” he asked. “You seem distracted.”

  “I’m studying. Got a big test on Tuesday.”

  “How long have you been at it?”

  “It’s a little after noon now, so about fours hours.” Norris whistled, impressed. “Aren’t you the studious one?”

  “I have to be. Columbia’s within my sight.”

  “How about food? When was the last time you ate?”

  “I had some OJ when I got back to Dahlia’s this morning.”

  Norris’s ears perked up. “You’re back at Dahlia’s? I thought you were staying over with Diana.”

  “I can hang out with her later. I needed to study.”

  “Is Dahlia helping you?” he asked, playing sly in his attempt to gather information.

  “No, I’m studying alone. Dahlia went to church.”

  “Church?” Probably praying for escape from her love for him, Norris reasoned. “She’s not back yet?”

  “She called to say she was having lunch with her grandmother. Why are you wondering about Dahlia?”

  “I’m . . . I’m not,” he stammered. “I just don’t like the idea of you being alone in a new place.”

  “I’ve been here before. The visit is just longer now. Besides, I’m sixteen, not six. I can be alone.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I just . . . Do you want to go out for lunch? I know you’re studying, but you have to take a break sometime. And orange juice isn’t a meal. You can’t study on an empty stomach. We’ll go wherever you want.”

  Reese said nothing for several moments. “I guess we can have lunch,” she finally said.

  “Great. I can be over in half an hour.”

  “Half an hour?” Reese scoffed. “I’m going to need longer than that. Beauty takes time.”

  “You’re already beautiful, Reese.”

  “I know this,” she said, her confidence never wavering. “Still, I have an image to maintain. I can be ready in an hour.”

  Norris smiled. “Okay, you win. I’ll be there in an hour.” He hung up the phone. One hour. With any luck, Dahlia would be home when he arrived, and he could see for himself if she still wanted to keep things all business.

  * * *

  “Everything smells so good,” Reese said.

  Norris nodded in agreement. “I think Corlino’s Kitchen has some of the best food in town,” he said.

  Having been shown to a table near the front of the restaurant, Norris and Reese sat and perused the menus in companionable silence. Gail’s wedding, exams, and Reese’s plans for the summer had dominated conversation on the ride over, but bummed by Dahlia not being home, Norris did more listening than talking.

  He stared blankly at the menu, his thoughts on Dahlia. She had a close relationship with her grandmother. Could their lunchtime conversation be about him? Gladness peppered his dour demeanor. He could see that taking a long time. Norris smiled, feeling a lot better. That could definitely be the hold up.

  “What are you grinning about, Norris?” Reese asked, her voice shaking him from his reverie.

  “Happy thoughts,” he said. “You know what you’re having?”

  “Yeah. I think I’ll go for the fettuccine alfredo.”

  Norris closed his menu. “I think I’ll have the same.”

  A blue-eyed, brown-haired waiter arrived at the table with two glasses of ice water and a smile. Introducing himself as Mike, he offered the customary Corlino’s Kitchen greeting and proceeded to give Reese all of his attention. Norris could understand young men finding his daughter attractive, but he wasn’t at all happy with the lustful look in Mike’s eyes.

  “Do you have our orders, Mike?” Norris asked, hearing the testiness he’d tried to keep out of his voice.

  Mike cleared his throat and met Norris’s gaze. “Yes, sir,” he answered nervously. “Two fettuccine alfredos.” He placed the order pad in his pocket and retrieved the menus. “I’ll be right back with some breadsticks.”

  “Thanks.” Norris draped the napkin over his lap as Mike retreated to the kitchen.

  Reese frowned. “That was mean.”

  “What?”

  “You intimidated him. I don’t think I’ve ever heard ‘thanks’ sound like an insult.”

  “I asked about our food.”

  Reese groaned. “Gimme a break.”

  “That boy was practically drooling on you.”

  “It’s a natural response.” Reese tossed her straightened hair over her shoulder. “He can’t help it. I’ve discovered I have that effect on men.”

  “You were flirting with him. And don’t try to deny it, because I know flirting when I see it.”

  “Flirting is harmless fun.”

  Norris shuddered. The more time he spent with Reese, the more of himself he saw in her, and the more he wondered if that was such a good thing.

  “Men are like dogs in a lot of ways,” Reese said. “And Mike’s young, so he’s like a puppy dog. You pat then on the head, make them feel valued, and then they’ll trot off with a wagging tail. It’s like paying a compliment. My public service to the male population.” She laughed. “Besides, I’ve seen Mike around school and he’s nice enough, but I’m not interested in him. So, don’t worry, Norris, I have it under control.”

  Mike returned with a basket of hot breadsticks and placed it in the center of the table. “Here you go,” he said, flashing Norris a tight, nervous smile.

  Reese touched the boy’s shaky hand. “Thanks, Mike.”

  The tightness disappeared from Mike’s smile as his gaze met Reese’s. “You’re welcome,” he said.

  Norris cleared his throat, loudly. “That’ll be all,” he said.

  Mike moved on to another table.

  Reese shook her head. “You can’t help yourself, can you?”

  “No, I guess not.” He plucked a steaming breadstick from the basket and dropped it on his plate. “Look, this fatherhood thing is new to me, so you’ll have to bear with me.”

  “Having a father is new for me. We still know so little about each other.”

  Norris reached across the table, closing his hand over hers. “That’s why we’re doing this. We’ve learned some things already. I know you’re smart as a whip, you like
basketball, and you’re not short on feelings of self worth.” He laughed. “That’s a start. You’ve met my closest friends, you’ve been to my condo and office, and you know a few of my likes and dislikes. We’re on our way.” Reese pulled her bottom lip into her mouth. “What? Is there something you want to ask me?”

  “Yeah, there is. Mom’s accused me of lacking tact on occasion, so I’m going to apologize before I ask this if the question comes out wrong.”

  Norris took a bite of the breadstick, not crazy about that preface. “Okay,” he said, drinking some water.

  “Is my mother the only black woman you’ve dated?”

  “No,” he answered, not overly stunned by the question.

  “Are you one of those white guys who have a thing for black women?”

  Norris blinked. That question surprised him, and Reese didn’t even know about his feelings for Dahlia yet. He drank more water.

  “Look, I’m only asking because, well, it begs to be asked,” Reese said. “Your place is loaded with African art. You’re European blueblood, not exactly a commonality there, and your best friend is married to a black woman. Birds of a feather.”

  “You’re straight to the point, aren’t you?”

  “I try to be,” she said, nibbling on a breadstick.

  “I didn’t expect your question, but since you asked it, I’ll answer it. The simple answer is no, I don’t have what you call a ‘thing’ for black women. But I do have a thing for women. Beautiful women. And that runs the gamut of race, creed, and religious orientation. I have not been a saint in my lifetime, and that’s mainly because of my fascination with the fairer sex.” That’s why your flirtation worries me so much, he wanted to say, but thought better of it. “As for Ryan, he followed his heart. He fell in love with Lara, so he married her. Just like he fell in love with his first wife, who was white, and married her. Race had nothing to do with it.”

  “So, Ryan’s motivated by love and you by lust. Is that what you’re saying?”

  Norris detected irritation in Reese’s voice. “I don’t think I can answer this question without you getting angry with me. What do you want me to say, Reese? I was a heel back in the day? Okay, I was. I freely admit it.”

  “Did you love my mother, or was she one of many conquests?”

  Norris drained his glass. “I thought you were going to ask Gail about that,” he said, twirling the misty, cold glass.

  “I never got around to it.” Reese sat back and folded her arms. “So?”

  “Is it my imagination or do I hear something in your tone?”

  “You hear curiosity in my tone. I asked a question and I’m waiting to hear the answer. You’re beating around the bush, so I’m going to assume the latter is the answer.” She shook her head, grunting in dismay. “I don’t get what my mother saw in you.”

  Norris bristled, as if slapped by an unexpected backhand. “You really think a lot of me, huh?”

  “I don’t know what I think of you. That’s just it. I barely know you, and what I do know leaves me with more questions. You’re confusing.”

  “What’s so confusing? I’m doing everything I can to be as open and accessible to you as possible. What more can I do?”

  Mike took this moment to return with the food. “Two fettuccini alfredos,” he said, placing steaming plates before both of them. “Enjoy.”

  Neither Norris nor Reese responded. Mike left.

  They ate in silence for the next few minutes.

  “I deserve some answers,” Reese said, halfway through her meal. “My mother is gone, and she didn’t say much. You can shed some light on things for me.”

  “Reese, there’s not much light I can shed for you. Gail and I were together for a short while. I thought she was a fantastic woman, and she made quite an impression on my life.”

  “But you didn’t love her?”

  “I cared a great deal about her, and as the mother of my only child, she will always have a special place in my heart.” Anger flashed in Reese’s eyes. She wanted an answer, and he had to give her one. “No, Reese, I wasn’t in love with her,” he said after another bite of pasta. “If it’s any consolation, she didn’t love me, either.” He continued eating, hoping he’d appeased her and she would end the questioning.

  “It’s not.” Reese pushed back her plate and met his gaze. “Have you ever loved any woman, or has it always been about sex?”

  Norris lowered his fork. Suddenly the pasta didn’t taste so good. He wanted to tell Reese about his feelings for Dahlia, but her hostility and Dahlia’s being upset made him second-guess making the disclosure.

  “Norris Converse!” Tawny Fisher, one of his many old acquaintances, approached. He hadn’t seen the leggy blonde since before he met Dahlia, but Tawny’s many phone calls had left no doubt about her desire to see him. “Have you been avoiding me?”

  Yes! “I’ve been busy,” Norris said, glancing nervously at a very unhappy-looking Reese.

  Tawny gazed at Reese. “She’s pretty enough, Norris, but a bit young, don’t you think?”

  “This is my daughter, Tawny.”

  “Daughter?” Tawny eyed Reese up and down. “That’s a surprise.” She tapped Reese on the head. “Why don’t you be a sweet little girl and run off and play while I have a little fun-time with Daddy.”

  Norris frowned. “Wait a minute!” He glared at the nervy blonde. “Reese isn’t going anywhere, but you are!”

  “No, I am,” Reese said, standing. “We have nothing more to discuss. My question has been answered.” She glowered at Tawny. “Thank you.”

  “Reese, wait! If you want to leave, I’ll take you home.”

  “Fine. I’ll be outside.”

  Norris dropped a fifty-dollar bill on the table, and pushed past Tawny.

  “Wait, Norris.” Tawny grabbed his arm. “You going to call me later?” She smiled brightly, leaving no doubt in Norris’s mind about what she had planned for later.

  Norris jerked his arm away. Having his randy past thrown into Reese’s face didn’t make the list of things he wanted to share with her, and celebrating the event was even further off the list. He said nothing to the woman and continued on his way, praying he hadn’t lost his daughter for good.

  Chapter 15

  “Reese, talk to me. Tell me what you’re feeling.”

  Dahlia pushed her bag of chips to the side and stood from the sofa as an upset Norris followed Reese into the house. “What’s going on?” she asked, looking from father to daughter.

  “Ask him,” Reese said, glaring at Norris. “I’m going to finish studying.” She bounded up the stairs and locked herself in her bedroom.

  Dahlia turned to Norris. “You want to explain that?” Norris shrugged. “She’s a teenager. I’ve yet to become adept at deciphering teen.”

  “Something caused her to react like this.”

  “Me. I’m not the man she imagined her father to be.”

  “Has she told you what kind of man she expected her father to be?”

  “Not in so many words, but she’s made it pretty clear I’m not it.” He looked toward the stairs and shook his head. “I don’t know what more I can do.”

  The hurt in Norris’s eyes said as much as his words. Dahlia had never seen him so miserable. She ached to bring him into her arms and comfort him, but realized holding him would not be wise for many reasons. “Come into the living room and sit down for a while,” she offered instead. “I can make you some tea.” She smiled.

  Norris smiled back. “Tea?” he said.

  “I understand it’s very comforting.” She followed him into the living room. “It’ll only take a sec to put on the water.”

  He gently tugged on the back of her jumbo T-shirt, halting her trip to the kitchen. “Don’t bother with the tea, Dahlia. Just talking to you is comfort enough. Is everything all right with you?”

  “Me? Sure. Everything is great with me,” she lied, settling into the left corner of the couch and tugging on the ends of her leggin
gs.

  “Really?”

  Dahlia nodded.

  “Then why are you eating these?” Norris asked, retrieving the bag of chips from behind the pillow. “Your comfort food. Grandma Flora didn’t help things?”

  “How did you . . .” Dahlia sighed. “Reese?”

  Norris nodded as he sat. “Yeah. She told me you went to church and then had lunch with your grandmother. Is everything okay? Are things better with your sister?”

  “Leslie is better. My parents are with her.”

  “Something’s wrong. You don’t eat chips for nothing.”

  Dahlia rolled her eyes. That’s what she got for sharing. “I don’t really need an excuse to eat chips. They aren’t my weakness for nothing.”

  “Maybe. But you usually have a reason for diving headfirst into a bag. You don’t want to tell me what it is, do you?”

  “Not particularly,” she said, finding it difficult to look at him as something other than misery flickered in his eyes.

  “All right. I won’t pry,” Norris said. “I hope it gets better soon, whatever it is.”

  There’s no chance of that if I keep seeing you. “Thanks,” she said. “I’ll talk to Reese for you.”

  “And say what?”

  “Whatever it takes. A girl needs her father.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

  “No biggie.”

  Dahlia followed Norris to the door. Their hands brushed as each reached for the knob. Dahlia’s breath caught, the power of his touch awakening every nerve ending in her body. Norris swallowed loudly, not unaffected. His thumb brushed her lower lip. Dahlia trembled, wanting more of his touch. Norris leaned forward. His warm breath tickled her lips. Dahlia closed her eyes, anticipating his tantalizing kisses, but heard only a pained whimper. Her eyes opened just in time to see a flushed Norris pull away.

  “I’m sorry.” Norris opened the door and stepped outside. “Tell Reese I’ll call later.” He dashed to his car without looking back.

  Sighing, Dahlia closed her eyes and pressed her back against the door. Would this ever get any easier?

  “Is he gone?”

  Dahlia jumped, startled for the second time today by Reese’s voice.