Page 4 of Do Me
She smiled. Secure in knowing she’d never see him again, she said, “Maybe.”
He helped her into the car. “Have a good evening, Londyn.”
“You too.” He closed the door and stepped back.
As she drove off, she glanced in the rearview mirror and saw him standing there for several seconds before turning and going back into the hotel. She couldn’t believe she’d stayed at the reception for more than two hours when she had only planned to be there long enough to taste the cake and toast the newlyweds. Then again, as she noted earlier, Braxton could make a woman forget herself.
Londyn hadn’t taken two steps inside her condo when her cell rang. She dug it out of her purse and smiled when she saw her friend’s name on the display. “Hey, Monique. I knew either you or Felicia would be calling me tonight.” She had met Monique Broussard and Felicia Holman in college and the three women had formed a bond as close as sisters.
Monique laughed. “How else am I going to get the details about the wedding? Did you meet any sexy guys?”
“I didn’t go to meet any guys, sexy or otherwise, but the wedding was beautiful.” She walked straight to her bedroom and kicked off her shoes. Dropping down on the side of the bed, she massaged her aching feet.
“Which is code speak for you met someone. Besides, I detected a change in your tone, so you might as well tell me, girlfriend.”
“You’re as bad as my mother,” she mumbled. “Okay, fine. I danced with a guy the entire night. He’s one of the groom’s cousins.”
“Iknewit. What’s his name, what does he look like and when are you two going out?”
Londyn shook her head and chuckled. “You act like this was a date or something. We both just happened to be at the same wedding.” When Monique didn’t comment, Londyn sighed. “His name is Braxton, he’s good-looking and seemed nice enough, and we aren’t. He didn’t ask for my number and I didn’t give it.” She told her about them dancing and him walking her to her car.
“I can’t believe you, Londyn. How could younotgive the brother your phone number, especially after he had the courtesy to walk you out?” Monique asked with exasperation.
“I’m not looking for anyone to date.” She didn’t plan to let another man shatter her heart.
“I know Antoine hurt you, but it’s been almost two years. All men aren’t like him.”
“Maybe not, but I’m not ready to take that chance.” She said the words even as an image of Braxton’s smiling face floated through her mind. Admittedly, she’d had fun with him. Would he have turned out to be different? It didn’t matter because she’d never know.
Chapter 2
“Who was that woman you were dancing with last weekend at Mikel’s wedding? Y’all were out on the floor for a long time.”
Braxton glanced over his shoulder at Debra. “She said her name was Londyn and that’s all I know.” He resumed nailing a board in place. His brother-in-law, Jared, had asked him to help build a two-level deck and the two men had been at it since eight, well before the time Braxton usually left his house on a Saturday morning. Now, three hours later, they had only completed a small portion of the top level. Because of Jared’s construction experience, he’d estimated that it would take about three weeks with the two of them working on weekends and Jared doing some during the week.
“Baby, if you want this deck finished sometime before spring, you need to leave Braxton alone. This weather isn’t going to hold long.”
Debra placed a hand on her hip. “Jared, why are you always taking Braxton’s side? You’re supposed to be married to me.”
Jared stood and kissed his wife. “I’m not taking sides. I’m trying to build the deckyouwanted and you’re messing with my help.”
Braxton chuckled. “Right. And this help is going to want a good meal as payment.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “Andnottakeout. I’m thinking fried chicken, homemade mac and cheese and some of those green beans you make with the bacon in it. Oh, and rolls. At least a half a dozen because nobody makes rolls like you,” he added with a wink.
“Mmm hmm, yeah, right. You just don’t want to tell me what’s going on.”
He threw up his hands. “Sis, there’s nothing going on. We danced a few times, I walked her to her car, and that’s it.”
Debra studied Braxton a long moment, no doubt looking for any sign that he might be lying. Three years older, she was the only one who’d always been able to read him like an open book. “Alright. If you say so. But if you meet someone, I’d better be the first to know,” she called over her shoulder as she entered the kitchen through the sliding glass door.
“Man, you two have been married for seventeen years and you still can’t get your wife to stay out of other folk’s business.”
Jared let out a bark of laughter. “Debra stop being nosy? That’ll be the day.” They continued to work in silence for several minutes, then he asked, “So, is that all you really know about Londyn?”
“Yes,” he answered without looking up.
“Is that all youwantto know about her?”
Braxton wanted to say yes, but knew it would be a lie. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her all week. From her beauty and infectious smile to her sensual voice and the way she moved her sexy body on the dance floor, she had totally captivated him. “No.”
