When love calls, p.2
When Love Calls, page 2
Classy and sexy.
Dexter removed his baseball cap and nodded when she was a few steps away. “Hello there, Mona.”
A hesitant smile graced her lips. Dexter hadn’t been this attracted to a woman in a long time. Not since the day he had met his ex-wife.
“H—Hi, Dexter.”
Chapter Two
Mona wasn’t good with small talk, and it didn’t help that Dexter was looking at her as if she was a juicy steak he had just taken off the grill. He was older than what she’d had in mind when she told her sister she was ready to date. Yet, there was something about him that sent warmth through her from the inside out. He wasn’t as good-looking as Russell, but what he lacked in attractiveness, he made up for with a deep baritone that had goosebumps traveling up her arm. He also had a cool, laid-back confident demeanor that intrigued her.
“What are you doing here?” she finally asked. The small moving truck he was standing next to spoke volumes, but she didn’t want to assume.
He twisted his baseball cap within his hand. It dawned on her that she didn’t meet too many men who practiced proper etiquette and removed their hat when greeting a woman.
“I’m moving in. I’m the new maintenance man for the building.”
Mona could’ve sworn she heard her sister snicker. She didn’t dare look at Johnette. Right now, it was taking all she had not to fidget under Dexter’s intense gaze.
At least six feet tall and maybe 220 pounds, he was fit, but wasn’t necessarily the type of man a woman would take a second or third look at in passing. Except…he did have broad shoulders. And that smile. Goodness. His smile could light up the darkest day and heat the coldest night.
Her gaze traveled a little lower. She suddenly had an urge to sneak her hands beneath his navy-blue T-shirt and run her hands over his wide, muscular chest. He had a physical build of someone half his age.
Mona wasn’t sure where that thought came from, but she had to admit it was nice to see that he didn’t have a beer belly, like so many men his age.
Her gaze eventually returned to his face. Like when she’d met him months ago at the Jenkins’ estate, there was something so alluring about him. Maybe it was his arresting eyes and his easy, friendly smile.
“Since it doesn’t seem like my sister is going to introduce us, I’m Johnette Gregory.” Johnette shuffled her bags to one hand and shook Dexter’s hand.
“Dexter Jenkins. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Nick and Sumeera have mentioned you on a number of occasions.” Dexter introduced them to his friend Sean before the man left them to carry a few items into the building.
“Johnette, I think I remember Sumeera saying that you had moved to Mexico,” Dexter said. “Have you moved back to town or are you visiting?”
A stab of jealousy sliced through Mona. Of course, Sumeera had talked about Johnette. She was more of a mother to Sumeera than Mona could ever hope to be. The two of them even finished each other’s sentences, and if Johnette and Mona stood side by side in front of Sumeera, Johnette would be the one she’d address first.
That knowledge was something Mona continued to struggle with. If only she hadn’t put Russell’s needs before her relationship with Sumeera.
“I’m visiting for a couple of weeks.” Mona heard her sister explain. As usual, Johnette kept the conversation flowing smoothly, even joking in that effortless way of hers.
Mona glanced away, half-listening while the two laughed as if they were old friends. As a child, she had always walked in Johnette’s shadow. Older by two years, her sister was everything she had hoped to one day be. Independent. Outgoing. Witty. Those were only a few adjectives that best described Johnette back then and now.
“Well, I’ll leave you two be,” her sister said, giving Mona a little nudge as she took a step closer to the door. “Sis, I’ll see you inside. Dexter, it was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Same here.”
Dexter’s gaze immediately returned to Mona and anxiousness swirled in the pit of her stomach. How the heck was she going to get into the dating world if she couldn’t even hold a conversation with a man?
“It’s good seeing you again,” Dexter said.
“You too. I must say, I’m a little surprised you’re here.”
He explained how he came to get the job as the caretaker of the property and told her which unit he would be living in. She appreciated how comfortable he seemed sharing his personal business. An open man. That was something she wasn’t accustomed to. Unless Russell was discussing business, he wasn’t a sharer of information, especially with people he barely knew.
“How long have you lived in the building?” he asked.
“About three months.”
“Do you like the area?”
“I love it. It reminds me a little bit of Greenwich Village in New York.”
Mona didn’t bother telling him she had chosen the neighborhood in hopes of lighting a fire under her lack of a social life. The area provided numerous restaurants, theaters, and she could take the street car to Findlay Market. She was also within walking distance to anything else she needed, which was good since she didn’t own a car. Even having her driver’s license, she rarely drove since she’d had a driver at her disposal while living in New York.
They continued their small talk, with Dexter expertly guiding the conversation until a car pulling into the complex’s parking lot snagged their attention.
“Forgive my manners,” Dexter said. “I’ve kept you out here and I bet those bags are getting heavy. May I carry them in for you?”
“Oh no, that’s…” Mona started, but caught herself. He was clearly interested if his steady gaze, easy smile, and the effort he’d put into getting her to talk with him was any indication. Besides, if he wanted to be a gentleman, who was she to stop him? “Sure, that would be nice.”
As he grabbed hold of all of the bags, his friend returned to the truck.
“Sean, I’ll be right back.”
Sean flashed a schoolboy grin and chuckled. Mona’s face heated at the knowing look Dexter’s friend gave them. She suddenly felt like that awkward teenager back in high school.
“No problem,” Sean said, and walked up the ramp of the moving truck. “It was nice meeting you, Mona. Hope to see you again sometime.”
Mona smiled. “Same here.”
With the handles of the bags in one large hand, Dexter directed her inside. His free hand at the small of her back sent an exciting tingle shooting up her spine.
God. When was the last time a simple touch sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach?
Dexter followed close as she walked up the stairs to the second floor and headed down the hall.
“I’m the last door on the left.” Mona dug her keys out of her pocket. She was glad she had given Johnette a spare set the day before. Otherwise, Mona might not have had the chance to talk with Dexter alone. They hadn’t been outside long, but long enough for her to think that he was a nice guy.
“Would you like to go out for dinner with me Friday night?” Caught by surprise, Mona’s brows shot up. Before she could respond, he continued. “I know you don’t know me, but if you ask your son-in-law, he’ll tell you I’m a stand-up guy. I’d love to get to know you better and maybe introduce you to a couple of hot spots in the area.”
Mona glanced away, folding her bottom lip between her teeth. Nick wouldn’t have introduced them in the first place if Dexter wasn’t a decent man, but still. Though she wanted to say yes, something kept her from opening her mouth. Despite what she had told her sister about wanting to start dating and having some fun, Dexter wasn’t what she had in mind. He seemed like a nice guy, but…
“Don’t say no.” He interrupted her thoughts. “I guarantee you’ll have a good time.”
Mona couldn’t stop a smile from creeping across her lips. “Guarantee? You sound pretty confident, Mr. Jenkins.”
Dexter laughed, and the melodious sound sent a flutter of delight shooting through her.
“You’ll soon learn that I’m a man of my word, Ms. Gregory. So, what do you say? Wanna go out on the town with me Friday night?”
She smiled. Oh, what the heck.
“I’d love to.”
*
“I’m guessing by that goofy grin on your face, the conversation with Ms. Mona went well,” Sean said when Dexter met him at the door of the building. He grabbed one of the last two boxes from his friend and they headed for Dexter’s unit.
“I have a date for Friday night,” he said.
Sean grinned. “Damn, man. You didn’t waste any time.”
Honestly, Dexter hadn’t planned to ask her out at that moment, but there was just something about her. He couldn’t explain the immediate attraction. Granted, she was a stunning woman. But there was something deep inside of him that had been drawn to her from the moment their gazes collided that Sunday at the brunch. Today was no different. If anything, that unexplainable feeling had been even more intense.
“Asking her out must mean you’re finally moving on from Lillie,” Sean said, speaking of Dexter’s ex-wife. He added the box he was carrying to the pile they’d already brought in. “’Bout time you stopped pining over her. The woman has moved on.”
“I'm not pining over her. I've accepted that she's remarried and I'm happy for her. We’re still good friends, and we talk occasionally. It's just that usually after we talk, I start to reevaluate my own life. You're right. She's moved on. It’s time I did, too.”
“And that's exactly what you're doing.”
Dexter grabbed a couple of bottles of water from the refrigerator and handed one to Sean.
“Thanks.” His friend removed the top and took a long swig of the cold liquid before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “You have definitely stepped up your game getting out on your own and moving into this place. Maybe your life is turning around.”
“I hope so.” Dexter finished his water and set the empty container on the counter. “I’m ready to settle down, get married, and live the second half of my life with a wonderful woman.”
His ex-wife Lillie had been the perfect wife. A great cook, excellent mother, and she loved him unconditionally. Shame he couldn’t get his act together in time to save his marriage, making one mistake after another. She deserved happiness, and had found love and now lived in Florida with her husband.
“You’re a better man than me. After splitting with my ex, the last thing I want is to go down that marriage road again.”
Dexter understood his friend’s sentiment. Unlike Sean, he was a traditional guy who believed a man was better off with a wife. Despite how things turned out between him and Lillie, he loved being married.
So many mistakes.
Dexter drew in a breath as guilt lodged in his chest. It had taken him years to believe he was worthy of a second chance at love. He’d had the best life a man could have, but let it slip through his fingers.
Sean clapped his hand on Dexter’s shoulder and squeezed. “Another go-around at marriage might not be for me, but I could see you tying the knot again. You always were a glutton for punishment.”
Dexter shook his head and laughed. Maybe he was, but he had experienced more joy than pain. He planned to make sure the rest of his years on earth were even better than the earlier ones.
“Where are you planning to take Mona?”
“I’m not sure yet, but I promised her a good time.”
“Somehow, my friend, I have a feeling that a good time to you might be different than a good time to her.”
Dexter couldn’t argue with him there. It didn’t take much for Dexter to have a nice time. Eating a burger while watching a basketball game, especially if his team was winning, meant a fun evening for him. Maybe he should’ve asked Mona what she enjoyed doing.
He smiled to himself. Good thing he thought to get her telephone number before he left her at her door. Now he had an excuse to give her a call before their date. He had a feeling he only had one shot with the shy beauty before she moved on to the next guy.
I need to make sure this is the best date she ever had.
“Are you going to tell her about…your past?”
Dexter released an uneasy sigh. “Maybe.”
Having to discuss some aspects of his past with any woman he decided to get serious with wasn’t going to be easy. He’d have to play it by ear.
Hopefully this wouldn’t be his last date with her.
Chapter Three
What was I thinking saying yes to a date?
Mona put the finishing touches on her makeup and fluffed her curls. That question had played over and over in her head for the last few days. At first, she’d been excited, though a little nervous, that a man even wanted to take her out. Now, days later, reality had set in. She wasn’t sure she was ready for this next step. If canceling for no good reason at the last minute wasn’t so tacky, she would call Dexter and do just that.
Who dated at her age?
What would they even talk about?
She’d been kidding herself when she told Johnette she was ready to live a little, have a fling or two. Mona wanted to believe she could be fun and carefree, but now she wasn’t sure she could pull it off. Russell might not have been her first boyfriend, but she could count on three fingers the number of guys she’d ever gone out with.
She shook her head.
Don’t think about that. New day. New attitude.
She had to keep reminding herself she wasn’t the same person. No way was she going to let her age and lack of experience stop her from living her best life.
“This second half is going to be better than my first half.”
She smiled, feeling encouraged. Finding some friends was her first order of business.
“Might as well start with Dexter.”
After one last look in the bathroom mirror, she stepped into the bedroom, grabbed her handbag and exited the room.
“Don’t you have something more casual you can wear?” Johnette asked the moment Mona strolled into the living room, giving her outfit a critical inspection. “You look like somebody’s matronly mother heading out to church.”
Mona huffed. “I am somebody’s matronly mother; and grandmother, for that matter.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to look like it. That blouse is beautiful if you’re going to high tea or modeling for a fashion magazine, and that skirt is cute, but it’s too long…and stiff. All you’re missing is one of those wide-brimmed hats women wear to church, and you would look like a missionary.” She laughed and Mona rolled her eyes. Johnette had always been a straight shooter, saying whatever came to mind. Right now, Mona could do without her tactless comments.
“I think this is perfectly fine to wear for an evening out with a man.”
“Dexter told you to dress casual. That’s not casual, Mona. Besides, if you’re going to wear a skirt, heck, at least show a little leg. And what was the point of us going shopping the other day if you’re not going to wear the outfits you purchased?” Johnette didn’t wait for a response. She marched passed Mona and headed for the master bedroom.
“I know how to dress.” Mona stood in the doorway of her bedroom, her hands on her hips as her sister rummaged through the closet. “I’ve been dressing myself for years.”
“I’ll admit, you do know how to dress…for a person living in New York or Paris. You’re in Cincinnati now. Try to fit in,” came Johnette’s muffled response.
Seconds later, she stood in the middle of the room holding up two potential outfits. One was a light-blue fitted sweater with a V-neck that dipped a little lower than Mona usually preferred, and she paired it with winter-white pants. The other outfit was a white tunic with bell sleeves and a hemline longer on one side. She paired it with skinny black pants.
“You say you want to be this sophisticated single woman who just wants to have fun. It’s time you started looking like one. Personally, I’d go with this one.” She held up the blue sweater. “It’s chic and sexy without looking slutty. Oh, and wear some higher heels. Dexter is tall. Might as well show off a pair of those overpriced wedge heels.”
Mona studied the clothes before glancing at the outfit she had on. An outfit she had only worn once to a charity breakfast months ago.
“Fine. Maybe you’re right. Now get out of my room.”
Johnette laughed. “Fine.”
Mona couldn’t help but smile. How many times had Johnette kicked her out of her bedroom when they were growing up? The last few days together had been wonderful, reminding her of their high school years. Seemed like a lifetime ago, but it also seemed like yesterday, if that made any sense.
“Hurry it up. Dexter will probably be here soon. Oh, and wear silver jewelry. Not those overpriced diamonds dripping from your ears and around your neck.” With that, she was gone.
Mona stared at herself in the full-length mirror and grudgingly agreed with her sister. She did look as if she was going to a formal tea party instead of on a date.
As she quickly changed clothes, she thought about how Johnette would be heading back to Mexico in less than a week. Mona already knew she was going to miss her. The past few days had been fun, and she couldn’t remember the last time she had actually thought of a day as fun. How sad was that?
Now more than ever she needed to make some friends. A daunting task she wasn’t looking forward to.
She hurried and slipped into a pair of off-white wedge heels. Seeing herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but smile. The outfit was perfect.
Her phone buzzed and she dug it out of her handbag. Glancing at the screen, she didn’t recognize the number, but thought that maybe it was Dexter. She hoped he wasn’t canceling.
