Page 16 of Only If You Dare

Chapter Six

“What did Dr. Bradshaw say?”

I exited the salon with my purse clutched underneath my arm in a rush to get some privacy before speaking to Fredrick. I’d ignored his call several times. I had no intention of having the conversation that needed to be had in front of Laney and the crew.

“Fredrick, I need to meet with you first thing in the morning.”

“What about?”

“About my career at the Houston Report.”

Fredrick fell silent. I let him take the time he needed to suck that in.

“Come by my office after lunch.”

I didn’t stop walking until I reached my Honda. The alarm chirped as I opened the door. Rearranging the phone, my movements paused as I caught wind of a familiar figure off in the distance. The cell phone slid from my ear as my hand gave way to the gravity holding it upright. I could hear Fredrick calling my name, but his voice sounded further and further away as I continued to stare off in disbelief at what I was seeing.

“Desiree…” came a voice behind me, one that I could never forget.

Casting a glance over my shoulder revealed another surprise. Today was just becoming stranger as the hour went on.

“I thought that was you,” he said.

I turned full circle, coming face to face with a man I thought I’d never see again. “Good afternoon Cameron. Long time.” My voice was even, revealing nothing although my nerves were now frazzled. A smile dashed across his handsome face and memories of late night dinners, movie dates, and heavy debates marched across my mind.

“Desiree!” My eyes snapped to the phone, and I pulled the device back to my ear.

“I’m sorry Fredrick, Im’ma have to call you back,” I said already hanging up.

“You’re on the phone, ah, I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”

Sure he didn’t.

His eyes roamed over me; an approving assessment. I studied him just the same, noting the new film of hair that clouded his jaw, trimming nicely around his face. His dark brown skin oozed out of his gray t-shirt and the toned arms I’d become accustomed to held a tighter bulge, giving me the impression that his days at the gym remained continuous.

“You’re just as beautiful as the first day I met you,” he said.

I folded my arms in a defiant stand. “You don’t look too bad yourself. What brings you to this side of town?”

He rubbed the stubble on his jaw. “I get my hair cut across the street now.” He pointed to the barbershop.

“What a coincidence it is that we’ve crossed paths,” I said wondering if he’d been stalking me.

“Or could it be something else,” he offered.

I arched a brow. “I’m not sure what else it could be.”

His dazzling smile was back. “I tried contacting you a few times, but your number isn’t the same.”

“And why exactly would you be contacting me, again?”

The grin slowly evaporated from his face. “Desiree, I know our relationship ended on a sour note, but I’d like the chance to redeem myself.”

I bit down on my teeth and stared at him, my thoughts; running a million miles a second. They say never to go backward, and Cameron’s betrayal made me inconsolable for weeks. It almost took therapy for me to get over him. I’d met Cameron in the second year of my stay in Houston. It was after I’d nailed my first newsworthy piece that ended up on the front pages of every major newspaper in Houston and even crossed headlines on CNN. I was elated, and my need to celebrate with someone special landed me right in Cameron’s lap. Although I can be headstrong at times, Cameron managed to breach my tough exterior. All it took was some wining and dining, and I thought I had a winner.

But I didn’t trust him completely. I was scared, still am. I knew deep down my father’s disappearance had everything to do with why I was single most of my adult life. But Cameron changed that. His smooth words and promises of forever clogged my mind. I’d given in and let down every defense I owned. Boy, was I a fool. Our relationship lasted blissfully for about two years. At least that’s what I thought. It was our third anniversary when my life changed dramatically. I was leaving his apartment on my way to work when a brunette in a Jeep Cherokee pulled to the curb as I strolled down his walkway.

I stopped walking as she exited her vehicle and approached.

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