Part 7 (1/2)

I placed the potpourri in containers and lit my scented candles-not because I was trying to create an intimate atmosphere or mood, but because I had discovered years earlier that candles relaxed me and the potpourri simply made the house smell great. A few minutes later I immersed myself in my soothing bathwater and listened to my Sade CD, the one with all her hits, on which she sings about the ups and downs of love gone wrong and loving someone too much: ”Is It a Crime,” ”Sweetest Taboo.”

I lay back against the tub, closed my eyes and wondered again if I was-if we were-making the right decision. Well, it was too late now. In another hour and fifteen minutes, according to the clock, he would reenter my life, a man I hadn't set eyes on in nearly five years. A man whom I had given everything I had to give and it still wasn't enough. Brice took, took and took. Sade had been there; she could relate. I could feel her pain through her music. I personally knew what it felt like to be a fool for love.

I finally toweled off, rubbed Tropical Nectar Victoria's Secret lotion all over my body, and sprayed on one of my favorite perfumes, Miracle. It was going to take a miracle to make it through this evening. By the time I heard Christian unpacking grocery bags in the kitchen, I had put the finis.h.i.+ng touches on my hair and makeup. I loved my hair in this short, wavy style. It was low-maintenance. All I had to do was spray on some oil sheen, brush, fluff my fingers through it and go. My makeup consisted of a touch of Fas.h.i.+on Fair red lipstick and a hint of mascara on my already thick eyelashes. Sometimes I wore a little blush or eye shadow.

I took one last look at myself in the full-length mirror mounted on the closet door and smiled at my reflection. I must admit, I looked good. Glowing even. I was lucky after having Lyric; my body bounced right back. I still had perky b.r.e.a.s.t.s and a flat, tight stomach. I looked to the right, then turned to the left. Yeah, I looked good. d.a.m.n good! Eat your eyes out, Brice. Your a.s.s won't touch this again. When I walked into the kitchen, Christian did a double take as he finished putting the food on one of our silver platters.

”Did you get everything, baby?” I put my arms around his waist from behind and squeezed hard.

”Yes, baby, everything on your list. Do you want to double-check?” he asked jokingly, squeezing me back.

”No, no, I believe you. I just want everything to be perfect.” I rearranged some items on the platter. There was nothing like a woman's touch.

Satisfied with the arrangement of my platter, I checked on the wine and the cheesecake in the fridge again. Then I wiped off the counter, which was already clean, for the third time. I walked over to the sink to wash a juice gla.s.s that was in there, dried it off and placed it in the cabinet. Christian stood there the entire time, leaning against the counter, watching me move around like I had ants in my pants. Nervous energy.

”Mia, Mia. Baby, come here.”

I slowly walked into his open arms and he embraced me with a kiss on the forehead. ”Chill, baby. Be still; you're making me dizzy. Relax.”

Christian and I both looked at our octagon clock on the wall at the same time. We still had another fifteen minutes or so before they arrived. ”Please, Mia, go sit down. There's nothing left to do. Everything is perfect, baby.”

I followed Christian's advice and had a seat at the far end of our love seat.

”Mia, your moms said not to pick up Lyric until after 2:00 tomorrow. They're going to morning church service at Bald Rock.”

”Okay, baby,” I responded, slightly distracted. Mama loved to dress Lyric up like a doll-baby in frilly dresses, take her to church and show off her granddaughter.

By now, Christian was next to me on the love seat.

”Remember, now, if you feel uncomfortable we don't have to go through with this.”

”Okay, Boo, I remember.” I smiled at him, ”We can do this!”

Christian glanced at me out of the corner of his eye as I fiddled with the throw pillow on the sofa.

”Christian, you're here; there's nothing I fear, baby.”

Christian and I talked for a few more minutes about our summer vacation plans, and I actually felt the tension easing itself slowly away and found myself relaxing. Christian did that to me; he relaxed me, made me feel secure and comfortable wrapped in his enduring love.

Roughly twelve minutes later, time stood still. The doorbell rang right on time. Brice always was prompt to a fault. My heart skipped a few beats, and I vaguely recall Christian smiling to rea.s.sure me and announcing that they were here.

Somehow I made it to the front door holding on to Christian's back pocket for dear life.

”You ready?”

My mouth was suddenly dry, so I just nodded my head because I was scared.

Christian opened the door to my past and I went back in time to five years earlier. To a time when Brice was my universe, the very air I breathed. He was my reason for waking up each morning. I heard the familiar voice and felt his overwhelming presence before I actually saw his face.

”What's up, partner?” Brice asked as he shook Christian's hand and pulled him into a hearty embrace, the kind good friends shared.

”Nothing, man, come on in. Make yourself at home.”

Christian moved to the side and I saw Brice for the first time. Our eyes locked on each other at the same moment. It was a blast from the past. Feelings rushed forward. Memories. Flashes of conversation. Good times. Pa.s.sion, much pa.s.sion. Hands and fists connecting with flesh. Brice smiled that dazzling smile he used to save just for me, and somehow I managed to plaster a fake-a.s.s smile all over my face as well.

I didn't know how to greet him, so I held out my right hand in an effort to shake his hand. Stupid, I know, so stupid. Brice smiled and pulled me into his arms for a warm embrace. He whispered in my ear, ”Mia, you look as beautiful as ever. I've missed you.”

He held me in his arms in a hug that lasted a bit too long, and I felt chills run up and down my arms. As I inhaled his cologne, I remembered the pa.s.sion we used to share. When Brice slowly released me, I just stood there with that same wack smile still plastered all over my face. Then I remembered something-Breathe. I remembered to breathe. Inhale, exhale, that's right ; breathe, girl.

In all the emotional excitement, I didn't see the young lady patiently standing in our doorway waiting for introductions until she softly cleared her throat.

Brice smiled again, the same smile he had just given me, and his eyes lit up. ”Kree, come here, baby. Let me introduce you to some old friends.”

Brice gently pulled his young wife by her arm and I was face-to-face with Kree-for the first time. Eye-to-eye. For a brief second I saw fear flash across her face.

I'm sure I must have stood there with my mouth wide-open for a minisecond. Kree looked like me. It was like looking at myself in the mirror, but five years younger. Sure, she had longer hair, much longer, was taller, not as thin as me, had fuller lips, but all in all, Kree could have been my baby sister. Didn't anyone else see this?

Kree must have noticed the resemblance as well because I saw her give me a quick once over, as women do, from my feet to my face, all within a few moments, sizing me up.

As I got my voice back and held out my hand in greeting, I said in my most sincere voice, ”Hi, Kree, it's nice to meet you.”

”Hi, Mia,” was all she said as she gave me a limp, half-a.s.sed handshake without a hint of a smile on her full lips.

”Baby, this is Christian. This man here is like a brother to me,” Brice exclaimed, putting his arm around Christian's shoulder and pulling Kree closer. It was like old times again. Well, not exactly. It was the same cast, almost, but a different script.

”Hi, Christian. It's so good to finally meet you face-to-face. I feel like I know you already because I've heard your name so often over the years.” She gave Christian a dazzling smile and a huge hug as she pressed up against him.

I stood there and looked on in awe. I was already beginning not to like her. We all kind of stood in the foyer for a few seconds more, not knowing what to say or do after the initial greetings and introductions were over.

Finally Christian broke the awkward silence.

”Kree, Brice, make yourselves at home. Come on in. Have a seat.”

I took Christian's hand as he followed behind them into the living room. Brice and Kree seated themselves on the sofa by the wall and Christian and I sat on the love seat. Because of the position of the love seat, I ended up sitting closest to Brice. It was overwhelming, to say the least, being that near to him after all those years. Brice looked great, though. The years had been too good to him. It was obvious that he was still working out. He looked to be in better form now than when we were married.

Dressed casually in linen pants and a matching s.h.i.+rt, he was too fine. Brice's hair was perfectly cut, mustache trimmed. He smelled good enough to eat, and he exuded s.e.x appeal all over the place. It was seeping out of his pores. The years hadn't taken the edge off his arrogance either, because he was boldly checking me out from head to toe.

I watched out the corner of my eye as his eyes caressed me, lingering on my thighs and focusing on my chest. His eyes revealed that they liked what they saw. Brice kept checking me out while his wife sat there like a stone. Like she'd rather be anywhere but here. I could feel her pain.

”You guys have a lovely home. Very cozy and inviting,” Brice said, glancing around.

Kree nodded in agreement.

”Thank you,” Christian and I responded in unison.

”Yeah, we closed on our house about two years ago. Mia instantly loved it. All the credit goes to her; she did all the decorating herself.”

I nodded my head in agreement.

”Does anyone want anything to drink? We have beer, wine . . .” Christian said.