Snatching paper towels from the dispenser, Summer checked her reflection as she dried her hands. Spotting a stain on her gown, she groaned.
“What’s wrong?”
Pointing to the stain, “This.”
“Summer, it’s not that bad. I can hardly see it.”
“Are you sure?”
Nodding her head, “Yep, now come on, and let’s go so you can get Mr. Hottie’s digits.”
Feeling in a lighter mood, Summer giggled. “Girl, you are crazy out of your mind. But he is fine, ain’t he?”
Now Summer was the one dragging Starr by one hand while snatching the hanky from her with the other hand. Even if she didn’t talk to him, she could stand in the corner, watching the sexy stranger, remembering how good she felt in his arms. Lifting the hanky to Starr’s nose, Summer did a little jig. “Smell this girl, he even smells good too.”
Starr’s dimples popped out as she grinned at her friend. “I already did and if you don’t get the digits then I will!”
Summer laughed. “Don’t even make me cut you, girlfriend, okaaay!”
Scanning the large room, Summer spotted the handsome man talking to a woman who was obviously attracted to him. Summer shook her head. Sistas can be so desperate. Just look at her acting all hoochie. The woman kept inching closer to the sexy stranger sticking her silicone breasts out. Summer bit the inside of her cheek to keep from cracking up. Every time the woman inched closer he’d ease back as if she was emitting a rancid odor.
As Summer made her way over to him, he caught a glimpse of her out of his periphery. Excusing himself, he turned his attention to Summer, strolling across the floor meeting her half way. Summer noticed Miss Desperate was not at all pleased. Mr. Hottie had left her standing alone in the middle of the room. When the woman saw what, rather who, snagged his attention she gave Summer a dirty look before huffing off in the opposite direction.
Summer’s steps began to falter as the fine man swaggered toward her. The man simply embodied sex appeal. Goodness gracious he moved with the grace and agility of a large, strong shiny, black panther.
Summer’s heart beat rapidly as they approached one another standing within only a few inches of the other. Nervously she licked her bottom lip before biting on the corner of it.
“Umm, I just want to give this back to you. Thank you.” Handing the handkerchief back to the handsome stranger, she attempted to make a quick getaway. No way was she going to make a fool of herself again in his presence.
Letting out a low sexy chortle, “No, you don’t.” Wrapping a hand gently around Summer’s elbow, he slowly turned her to face him “I didn’t catch your name, Beautiful.”
♥♥♥
Tears slowly slid down Summer’s cheeks as she replayed that night in her mind again for the hundredth time. Turning off the television, she laid on her side as she quietly cried in the dark. She wanted to know how in the world she had managed to become a twenty six year old pregnant, soon to be single mother. I trusted him, is what she told herself as she finally drifted off to sleep exhausted from crying.
Chapter 2
“Mr. Stiles, the pilot is preparing for takeoff, please fasten your seatbelt.” The flight attendant instructed Nick as he read over the annual report of his current business venture in textiles. Returning the reading material to his briefcase, he fastened his seatbelt settling back into the leather chair. Nick closed his eyes as he listened to the plane’s engines; this is what he loved about owning his own aircraft… solitude.
Back to Philly. That’s where he was headed. Nick missed everything about Philly from the hustle and bustle of pedestrians on Chestnut and Walnut Streets at lunchtime as they rushed in and out of eateries trying to get a quick bite, to the more leisurely elderly folks walking pint size canines in Fairmount Park. Even more than this, he missed watching the Eagles do their thing on their home turf at the Lincoln Financial Field. Yes, he was ready and welcoming the idea of going back home.
To Nick’s amazement setting up the new division of his trucking company in Canada went more smoothly than expected. With all the major kinks worked out, he was able to return home to start up another project. He had his eye set on a major textile company that was in financial turmoil. He was usually fair in his dealings, however, if need be he could be a ruthless and cunning S.O.B. Nick planned to make the company a fair offer, but if they refused he would just have to get down and dirty.
Staring out the window, Nick ran through a mental checklist of all the things he had to do once the plane landed at Philadelphia International. Summer Jackson crept into his thoughts. Nick let out a curse under his breath. He felt terrible about how he ended things with her.