When love calls, p.4
When Love Calls, page 4
“Steven Jenkins, Nick’s grandfather, is my first cousin. As a kid, I always looked up to him and he took me under his wing when I was a teenager.”
Even back then, Steven had a good head on his shoulders and had vowed to be a millionaire one day. He had accomplished that years ago with Jenkins & Sons Construction.
“The Jenkins family is one of the largest families I’ve ever been around,” Mona said. “It’s fascinating to see them spend so much time together and to witness how close everyone is.”
Dexter nodded, knowing she was referring to how Steven and Katherine hosted Sunday brunch every week. They expected their children and grandchildren to show up.
“Yeah, Steven’s parents had a ton of children. That’s probably why he and Katherine wanted a large family. I think they have at least seven kids and even more grandkids. It’s getting hard to keep up with everyone.”
“And now they have great-great-grands,” Mona added. “What about you? Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“Yes. My family isn’t as big. I have two older brothers and two sisters.”
“You’re the baby?”
Dexter laughed. “I haven’t been called that in over fifty years, but yes, I’m the youngest of five. None of them live in town. Some are in Georgia and the others are in Florida.”
“What about children? Have you ever been married?”
“Yes, to both. I was married for over thirty years before my divorce. We have two great kids, a girl and a boy. My daughter, Katara, is thirty-four, lives here, and is married with two children. My son, Dexter Jr., is thirty, lives in Florida with his wife and one child.”
They continued eating and talking about their children and grandchildren. Dexter had already known that Sumeera had been raised by Johnette for much of her life. But it surprised him at Mona’s reasons for sending her only child to live with her sister. In his world, mothers would give up a limb before leaving their child to be raised by someone else.
“Letting my daughter live away from me all of those years is my biggest…well, one of my biggest regrets. Don’t get me wrong, Johnette did a wonderful job with Sumeera. I just wished I hadn’t been so focused on her father and growing his property development business. If I could do that part of my life over again, I would.”
On the table, Dexter covered her hand with his. “We all have things in our past we wish we could change.” God knows he did.
“Thank you.” Mona eased her hand from his and released a shaky sigh. “I’m glad Sumeera has forgiven me. Our relationship is growing stronger by the day.”
Dexter nodded, trying not to think too hard about his own past. He had hurt a number of people through the years and had finally mended those relationships.
“Do you keep in contact with your ex-husband?”
Mona sipped from her glass of wine, glancing at him over the rim before slowly setting the glass on the table.
“I've never been married.”
Dexter’s hand stalled on a slice of pizza and he struggled to keep his jaw from dropping. How was it possible she hadn’t married the man she’d been with longer than most marriages last? Where he came from, if you’re willing and in love with a person for so many years, you married them.
“We were together until recently, but we just…” She shrugged. “We just never got married.”
“Was that by choice?”
Her gaze shot up and zoned in on him. They stared into each other’s eyes for a long beat, and Dexter waited impatiently for her to respond.
“No. There was a time I wanted to get married and have more children, but that’s not what Russell wanted.”
Dexter studied her for a long time as she went back to eating. So far, she was nothing like he expected.
“Do you think you'll ever get married? Is that something you still want?” he asked.
“No. I’m over the whole holy matrimony-’til-death-do-us-part shenanigans. It wasn’t meant to be, and I’ve moved on.”
Dexter dropped back against his seat. He wasn’t buying it. She wasn’t the type who enjoyed being single and alone. Or maybe that’s what he wanted to believe about her. He planned to spend the remainder of his life married and in a loving relationship. Apparently, that’s not what she wanted for her life. Then again…
“What does ‘it wasn’t meant to be and I’ve moved on’ mean, exactly?”
“It means I sacrificed everything dear to me—for a man. I’m not doing that again. I’ve moved on from him, and my daughter is grown and has a beautiful family. It’s my turn to start enjoying life and do some of the things I’ve wanted to do.”
Dexter nodded, listening to what she was saying and trying to interpret what wasn’t being said.
“As for my personal life, I plan to date some. I’d love to meet more people, but I’m not interested in being in a committed relationship.”
Dexter wasn’t sure how to respond. Their future goals didn’t line up. Yet, there was still something about the woman that called to him, a strong magnetic pull he couldn’t explain. The sensation had only been experienced one other time, shortly before he’d asked Lillie to marry him. He didn’t have an explanation for the feeling but many in the family claimed that when a Jenkins man identified his future wife, he just knew.
It was too early for him to even be thinking about anything long-term with Mona, but rarely did he ignore a gut feeling.
“What about you? Why aren’t you still married?” Mona asked, cutting into his thoughts.
“I had a wonderful marriage until I screwed it up with one bad decision after another. Couldn’t get my act together fast enough to keep my wife from walking away.”
He hadn’t dated seriously since Lillie. He’d taken women to dinner, but none of those instances led to anything more than a friendly outing. Until a few years ago, he was still learning how to love himself after making such a mess of his life.
“I don’t think God meant for man to be on this earth alone. Now that my life is in order, if the right woman comes along, I plan to get married again someday.”
“Really? You’d try it again…at your age?”
Dexter laughed. “I’m not that old, and I’m not dead.”
“Sorry. That didn’t come out right,” she said sheepishly.
Dexter waved her off, finding it cute how horrified she looked after speaking the words.
“I still have things I want to do, and I have a lot to offer a woman. I can do everything I used to do. I can’t go as long, but I can still hold my own,” he said, making sure to maintain eye contact to ensure she understood what he was saying. Unlike many people his age, he wasn’t on any medication and was in the best shape of his life.
After a slight hesitation, her lips parted in surprise. “Ohhh. I see. Um…good to know.” She glanced down at her lap nervously and after a moment, lifted her gaze to him. “What were some of the mistakes you made in your marriage?” When Dexter didn’t respond right away, she added, “If it’s too personal, you don’t have to answer.”
“No, I don’t mind. We came out tonight to get to know each other better. I might not be proud of some aspects of my past, but I understand those decisions and experiences together make up the person I am today. And to answer your question, I had a drinking problem toward the end of my marriage. I’m an alcoholic.”
Chapter Five
Mona tried to control her reaction, but knew she was failing miserably. Heat rose to her cheeks as he looked at her expectantly. That admission wasn’t what she expected to hear. She assumed his marriage ended for the same reason so many others end. Cheating.
As for him being an alcoholic, she didn’t know anyone who admitted to being an alcoholic and she wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Actually, I’m a recovering alcoholic,” he added, as if reading her mind. “I’ve been sober for five years now.”
She could hear the pride in his tone and rightfully so. Fighting any addiction wasn’t easy and to be sober for that long was definitely something to be proud of. Still, she was at a loss for words.
“Sorry to spring that on you like that. I can assure you I’m harmless, but I speak my mind and I’m always honest.”
Mona nodded. “I can appreciate that. My apologies for my reaction. You just caught me off guard.”
“I’m sure. This…” he paused, trying to find the right word, “…disease is not something I take lightly. I’ve learned to manage it. Unfortunately, I didn’t get clean in time to save my marriage.”
“Oh, Dexter. I’m so sorry.”
He opened his mouth, as if planning to say more, but quickly closed it. And for the first time that evening, he didn’t look her in the eye. His attention was on everything else around them. When he did finally look at her, the sadness in his eyes almost broke her heart.
One of his hands rested on the table and she placed her hand on top of his.
He glanced down, but didn’t say or do anything for the longest time. Eventually, he turned his hand over and held hers tightly. She would be the first to admit that each time she was in his presence, there was an electric sizzle that passed between them. But right now, that powerful force was more potent than ever.
Their gazes met.
Apparently, he felt that inexplicable energy, too.
Mona smiled and eased her hand from his, placing it back in her lap. She had spent most of her life with Russell, and had never felt anything that remotely matched what had just passed between her and Dexter. Then again, maybe she was reading too much into…into whatever this was.
“So, um, what do you do for a living?” she finally asked, at a loss for anything else to say. They were having a great time, and she didn’t want his admission and the awkwardness of the subject to overshadow the wonderful evening.
“Well, I retired from the army after twenty years, and then worked at Jenkins & Sons Construction for many years.”
“Oh, I didn't realize you worked at the family’s construction company.”
He nodded. “I used to. Now I live off of my pension. I also have a small handyman business, and I’m the property caretaker at the condominium. What about you? What do you have going on?”
“Well…right now I’m still getting settled,” she said, not comfortable in telling him she was living off of a hefty savings account. “But I’m hoping to one day open up a fashion boutique.”
He smiled for the first time in the last fifteen minutes, and his whole face lit up. “That’s excellent. Do you think you’ll open it in this area?”
Dexter rattled off one question after another, and Mona grew even more excited about the venture. Granted, she was in the early stages of her business plan, but she had more ideas than she knew what to do with. She had changed her mind about working in retail. Instead, she’d move forward in opening the boutique and hire someone with experience to run the day-to-day operations.
Sharing some of her initial ideas with Dexter, and hearing his thoughts, suggestions, and even encouragement gave her insight into his entrepreneurial knowledge. Johnette had seemed happy about the idea, but for Dexter to show an interest—and he didn’t even know her—said a lot about his character.
They talked while finishing their meal, jumping from one subject to another as if they’d known each other for years. Though Mona had more questions about his marriage, she kept them to herself. This was a first date. Maybe as time went on, she’d learn more about him.
The server set the black folder holding the bill on the table. “No hurry, you can take care of this whenever you’re ready.”
Dexter glanced at his watch and then opened the folder. He pulled out his wallet and paid the bill. “Are you ready for the second half of our date?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Let’s go.”
A short while later, they arrived at the club as another couple entered.
Mona pulled up short, her lower lip twisted between her teeth.
“What is it?” Dexter asked, his arm around her and his hand resting on her hip.
“Are you sure about this? Are you supposed to go to places like this since…with your…” Her words trailed off and Dexter understood. He moved them to the side of the entrance to let others enter the building.
“Sweetheart, I appreciate you looking out for me, but I have no intention of drinking—ever. So you can put that out of your beautiful head. I have lost everything I once held dear, and have finally made peace with my family and myself. There’s no way I’m going back down that road.
“I come here occasionally to listen to music and do a little dancing. Nothing else. I thought you might enjoy it too, but if you would prefer to go somewhere else or call it a night, we—”
She gripped his arm and shook her head. “No. If you’re okay being here, then I would love to join you.”
“Well, all right then. Let’s get this party started. So…do you dance?”
*
Telling Mona about his drinking problem should’ve felt like a load off his chest, but instead guilt weighed Dexter down. In his heart he was ready to date, but sharing pieces of his past with strangers wasn’t going to be easy. The hard part was determining how much to tell.
His AA sponsor had told him he’d know when the time was right and what to share about his past. Dexter wasn’t so sure that was true. He wanted Mona to know everything about him, because he felt something for her that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He wasn’t a fan of secrets. But on the other hand, he never wanted people to look at him the way she had toward the end of their dinner.
In her defense, she handled the news as well as expected. She’d had a few questions, but not as many as she could’ve asked. There was a moment she had started to ask something else. He wasn’t sure what she had seen on his face, but whatever it was kept her from asking anything more. The present guilt he was feeling was because he hadn’t told her everything, even though he wanted to.
Dexter guided her into the small club, determine to shake the melancholy trying to pull him under. He wasn’t letting his past indiscretions and guilt mess up the rest of their evening.
He glanced around, moving slowly through the dimly lit space in search of a table. He rarely sat at the bar that was on the far side of the room, which was a good thing since there didn’t seem to be any seats over there. He hoped to get a little closer to the small stage area where a four-piece band was set up.
Dexter kept a firm grip on Mona’s hand as he nodded at a few people he’d seen there before. He spotted a couple vacating a small round table not too far from the makeshift dance floor and headed that way. It was closer to one of the large speakers than he would’ve preferred, but their choices were limited, especially since people were starting to pour into the quaint establishment.
He placed his hand on the back of one of the chairs before pulling it out. “Is this okay?” he asked close to Mona’s ear.
She nodded. No sooner than Dexter sat in the chair next to her, a server approached the table.
“What can I ge…oh hey, Dex,” Trina said, once she recognized him. She gave him a one-armed hug and smiled. “Good seeing you.” The petite redhead had been working part-time for his friend for years at a different location while she attended college.
“It’s good seeing you too, Trina. This is my friend, Mona.” The women greeted each other, and Trina and Dexter exchanged small talk while Mona glanced at the drink menu.
“Okay, what can I get you guys?”
Mona frowned as she leaned the menu close to the small lamp that was barely illuminating the table. “Do you have anything without alcohol that isn’t soda?”
“We sure do.”
Dexter studied Mona as Trina listed non-alcoholic options. He appreciated her willingness to forego alcohol, but he wasn’t sure how he felt about her doing it because of him. She not only hadn’t finished her wine earlier, but had moved the glass away from him. He hadn’t taken offense, but he didn’t want her treating him any different.
Trina turned to him. “What about you? Your usual?”
“Yep, a club soda would be great.” Dexter waited until she left the table before addressing the drink issue. “Mona, just because I abstain from alcohol doesn’t mean you have to. I’d never ask that of you.”
She leaned forward. “I won’t pretend I know much about alcoholism, but I respect the journey you have made to stay sober. When I do have a drink, it’s usually wine, and only occasionally. So it’s no hardship for me to skip it.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” He had ended many relationships during his recovery for fear of falling back into bad habits. Though he’d had a great support system over the years, he looked forward to building new relationships and hoped Mona would be one of those.
They talked and laughed over their drinks and once again Dexter was amazed at how effortlessly their conversation flowed. Granted the facility wasn’t the best place to converse, considering how loud the music was, but it did give him a chance to be close to her. They had to lean in to hear each other.
“Come on. Let’s dance.” Dexter stood and reached for Mona’s hand, but she didn’t move. She glanced at the dance floor, her gaze wary.
“I don’t know, Dex. It’s been so long. The last thing I want to do is crush your feet and embarrass the both of us.”
Dexter laughed and tugged her out of her seat. “You’re so petite, I doubt you’ll crush my size twelves. As for embarrassing me, at my age, there’s not much that can embarrass me. Tonight is about us having a good time. Let’s not worry about anyone else or what they think of us. Come on. Let’s go out here and cut a rug.”
Mona laughed, the sound throaty and sexy. Dexter decided to make it his mission to keep her laughing.
The moment they stepped onto the small dance floor, where three other couples were hugged up, dancing to Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing,” the song changed. The band expertly transitioned into “Jam Tonight,” an oldie by Freddie Jackson. The lead vocalist sounded so much like the legendary R&B singer that if Dexter hadn’t been looking at the guy, he would’ve thought it was Jackson on stage.
