Читать книгу Someone To Love - Karen White-Owens - Страница 12

At 6:00 p.m. Shae opened the door to a freshly shaved and showered J.D. Casually dressed, he looked great in a camel-colored V-neck sweater, a coffee-brown crew-neck T-shirt and rust-colored trousers. White sneakers peeked from beneath the hem of J.D.’s pant legs.

Shae grabbed her bag and headed out the door, trying to push her concerns about the evening from her mind. She clutched the strap of her purse and studied her dinner date, hoping she wasn’t making a major mistake. When J.D. turned away, she regarded him with somber curiosity. Who was J.D. really? After all, they had only known each other for a few hours.

They took the elevator to the lobby, detouring to the reception desk where Shae gave the clerk her door key card. Before leaving the hotel she instructed the woman behind the desk, “If I get any calls, you can tell them that I’m at dinner and to please try again in a couple of hours.”

Flashing Shae a dazzling smile, J.D. cupped her elbow in his warm palm and they strolled out of the Marriott into the sixty-degree weather. Cars, SUVs and busses zoomed by as they made their way along Michigan Avenue.

He stopped in front of a mud-colored brick building sporting a cloth red-and-white striped awning; small, white tables with umbrellas lined the front of the building. J.D. opened the door and guided Shae inside. The mouthwatering aromas of oregano, tomatoes and garlic instantly greeted them.

A chubby man with midnight-black hair slowly waddled from behind a counter. The waiter shifted his large bulk between the tightly packed rows of tables, making his way to the door. “Table for two?”

J.D. nodded, then turned to Shae with a look of dismay spreading across his face.

Shae touched his arm. “What?”

“I just assumed that it was okay. That’s not always true. You might have allergies or problems with milk. Who knows, you may not like Italian food,” J.D. said. “It never occurred to me that you might not like pizza. I wanted to take you to someplace where you would feel comfortable and safe. I figured you’d be a little tired after the flight and wouldn’t want to go someplace glitzy where we had to dress up and be on our best behavior.” J.D. waved a hand around the restaurant. “This seemed a lot better.”

Smiling, Shae patted his arm reassuringly. She wasn’t the only person worried about their date. “Relax. Everything is fine. I love pizza.”

They followed the waiter to a quiet section of the room. A white-and-red checked vinyl tablecloth covered the tiny square table. Two very shiny wood chairs faced each other from across the flat surface.

J.D. helped Shae get comfortable at the table, then slid into the opposite chair, flashing his companion a beguiling smile. “I know it doesn’t look like much. Trust me, this place makes the best deep dish pizza that I’ve ever had.”

“What do you like on your pizza?”

“Meat,” he answered quickly. “I like pepperoni, sausage, chicken. Meat.”

Frowning, the nurse asked, “What about vegetables?”

“That works for me,” J.D. replied nonchalantly.

Together the pair studied the menu before finally selecting a Meat Lovers’ Deep Dish Pizza. Shae added mushrooms, olives and green peppers and an antipasto salad. J.D. ordered a carafe of Lambrusco wine.

All of her adult life, her father’s business associates and the men in her social circle had tried to impress her, hoping to get closer to Albert Weitherspoon. It was nice to be appreciated for herself. Here she was out on an ordinary date with a person who didn’t know or care about her background or her connection to Prestige Computers.

Linking her fingers, Shae rested them on the tabletop; she intently studied the man across the table. “This is nice. I’m glad you convinced me to get out of the hotel. To be honest, I probably would have stayed in my room until the first day of work.”

Grinning, he teased, “See, I’m having a positive effect on you already.”

“Yes, you are.”

The waiter returned with two long-stemmed glasses and a carafe of red wine. He filled each glass before strolling away on short, stubby legs.

J.D. lifted his glass and touched it to hers. “Here’s to new beginnings.”

Smiling, Shae repeated, “New beginnings.”

Shae leaned back in her chair and sipped her wine, enjoying the sweet and fruity flavor. Watching her date closely, she decided to ask the question that had been on her mind since they’d met. “J.D., what do you do for a living that makes it necessary for you to fly all over the country?”

He smiled, swirling the wine in his glass. “I’m a sports agent.”

Surprised, her eyebrows lifted. “Really? What does that mean exactly?”

“I represent new talent in the industry. Most of my clients are basketball players.”

Impressed, Shae asked another question. “Are you allowed to name names?” She giggled, then admitted, “I probably wouldn’t know who they are, anyway. I don’t keep up with sports.”

“The people I represent are new talent. You wouldn’t recognize them. Most are on the college circuit and are seeking an opportunity to move to the pros. It’s my job to help them make that transition. That’s why I travel so much. Part of what I do is make sure there’s a good match between player and team—then I coordinate things with the NBA draft. I have to see how they play, then talk to the teams that might be interested in making an acquisition.”

Nodding, Shae queried, “Is that difficult? Do your clients have any idea where they want their careers to go?”

Everything feels so awkward and stiff. She smiled, thinking, But that’s how it normally is on a first date, until we settle down a bit.

He leaned closer and grinned, “Most times, no.”

Laughing, Shae said, “I imagine that makes things difficult for you.”

“Very,” J.D. agreed, taking a sip of his wine. “They all believe they belong on the top professional teams. Most times my clients have only played in high school and then for a short time in college. Very little pro ball. When I tell them they have to work at their careers, they give me plenty of grief. Kids don’t understand that you have to build a career.”

A smile lit up his face and made J.D. appear younger and more carefree. Shae tapped a finger across her lips. “Once you acquire new talent, how do you market them?”

J.D. reached for the carafe and carefully topped off both of their glasses. “The biggest problem I have is new clients who don’t understand the building a career thing. No one becomes a superstar overnight. I try to explain that it’s like being a movie star. Actors begin their careers with small roles. As they develop a reputation, they move to better, more ambitious roles.”

“Does that work?”

“Sometimes. Unfortunately, I’m dealing with young guys straight out of high school or college who think they should be making what Kobe makes, because they’re legends in their own minds.”

Shae’s shoulders shook as she laughed heartily.

“That’s enough about me. Is this your first time in Chicago?”

Shae shook her head. “I was here about a month ago for a job interview.”

“Did you get it?”

“Yes.” She grinned proudly.

J.D. asked, “Doing what?”

“Nurse practitioner.”

He tipped his head and his glass in her direction. “Very nice.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you going to work in one of the hospitals?” J.D. inquired.

“No. Actually, there’s a new clinic opening on the south side that I’m heading up.”

Nodding, J.D. folded his arms across his chest. “Good. There are some communities there that really need the help.

“What made you decide to become a nurse?” J.D. shifted the condiments on the table to make more room. The waiter wobbled the couple’s way with a large bowl of antipasto salad and two plates.

Shae glanced covertly in J.D.’s direction. She hoped she hadn’t sounded like a Goody Two-shoes. It wasn’t her plan to destroy the pleasant mood of the evening, but he’d asked her a direct question about a topic that she felt passionate about. “When I was sixteen, my family took a vacation to Africa. It’s a beautiful place, but, it’s riddled with poverty and sickness.”

J.D. nodded.

The waiter put the salad in the center of the table and distributed the plates. Shae took the salad tongs and scooped the lettuce, tomatoes, black olives and meat onto J.D.’s and then onto her own. She placed the tongs inside the bowl and shook out her napkin, spreading it across her lap.

Shae elaborated. “I remember thinking that there had to be something I could do—some way that I should be able to help. When we got home, I decided on a career in nursing. After graduation, I worked for Doctors Without Boundaries. We worked in El Salvador and several Africa countries. And you know what?”

Fork poised above his salad, J.D. said, “What?”

“I’ve never regretted it.” Shae shrugged. “This isn’t about money. So many people have so little and can benefit from my help. I can give back a little—maybe make life easier for people.”

“You will,” the young man answered emphatically.

Turning away shyly, she said, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to pick up the bullhorn and preach to the choir.”

Reaching for her hand, J.D. enclosed it between both of his. He began to stroke his thumb across the soft skin. “There’s nothing wrong with being passionate about your work. It’s important to care.”

Before Shae could add a word, her cell phone rang. “Excuse me,” she murmured, wondering who would be calling her. She checked the number, threw an apologetic glance in his direction and answered, “Hi, Mommie.”

“Shae, you didn’t call.” Mrs. Weitherspoon accused in a worried tone. “I was concerned about you.”

“I’m fine.”

“I left a message at the hotel. I was surprised that you were out.”

Shae rolled the edge of her napkin in her lap under the cover of the table. “I’m out for dinner with a friend. I’ll call you when I get back to the hotel. Okay?”

“Friend? What friend? You just got to town.” There was a note of hysteria in Vivian Weitherspoon’s voice.

“Mommie, I’ll call you later,” she repeated firmly.

“But—”

“Bye, Mommie,” Shae said before disconnecting the call. She shoved the phone into her purse and smiled apologetically at J.D. “Sorry.”

“No problem. Your mother was worried that you hadn’t arrived.”

“Yeah. One of the hazards of being an only child. Parents are continually concerned about you.”

J.D. grinned back at her. “I’m one of five and my mother always calls wanting to know when I’ll be home. Will I be home for Sunday dinner? Or what I’m eating? Am I getting enough rest? Need I go on? I’m twenty-eight years old and I’ve been living on my own for at least ten years. I can take care of myself.”

“I know exactly what you’re talking about. I did a turn as a traveling nurse for two years. I thought my mother was going to worry herself into an early grave. The company sent me on some pretty interesting, uncomfortable assignments. I did fine. I can handle myself. Yet when I talk to my mother, I become five years old again.”

He chuckled sympathetically. “You’re not alone. I think that’s how parents behave.”

J.D. and Shae were so engrossed in their conversation that neither heard the server’s approach. He cleared his throat before placing a metal pedestal on the table while balancing the pizza on a tin tray in his other hand. The waiter arranged the pizza on the pedestal and moved away.

Shae sniffed the air appreciatively. “This looks wonderful.” Slicing into the pizza she reached out for J.D.’s plate. Placing a slice of the deep dish pizza on his plate, Shae handed it back to him before serving herself.

The pair fell into a comfortable conversation. J.D. talked about the city and Shae asked questions about the local sites.

“Mmm,” she moaned, wiping her mouth with her napkin. “That was great.”

“The pizza was exceptional and so was the company,” J.D. complimented.

Shae tipped her head in J.D.’s direction. This evening had turned out much better than she’d hoped. “Ditto.”

J.D. settled the bill and guided Shae out of the restaurant. The sun had set and the downtown area was quiet. They retraced their steps back down Michigan Avenue en route to the hotel.

As they strolled slowly back J.D. directed Shae’s attention to local points of interest. He followed her into the Marriott and across the lobby to the front desk. Shae retrieved her door card and the pair took the elevator to her floor. All the while, Shae prayed that this wouldn’t be the only time she had with him.

J.D. halted outside her door and put his hand on Shae’s shoulder. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had such a great time. I really enjoyed tonight.”

“So did I.” Shae smiled shyly.

His hand slid down her arm and he intertwined their fingers. “Would you like to go out again? Maybe we could see a different part of the city. Get you more comfortable with Chicago before you start your new job.”

She squeezed his hand, then smiled before answering, “That sounds wonderful.”

“How about tomorrow evening? Say around eight?” He took a step closer. Shae’s heart pounded as she felt the heat of his body. His subtle scent wafted under her nose, making her tingle all over with anticipation.

“All right,” Shae said after a moment of hesitation.

J.D. dropped her hand and leaned in, gently nibbled on her bottom lip. His lips were soft and encouraging as they touched Shae’s tentatively. A delighted shiver coursed through her at this slight caress. Wanting more, she moved closer, parting her lips to offer him entry. J.D. framed her face with his hands as his tongue darted inside.

A low moan escaped from her as his tongue met hers. At first the kiss was gentle and soft, exploring. It grew more passionate as she stroked his tongue with her own. His hands trailed along the column of her neck, over her shoulders and wrapped her in his embrace, pulling her against the hard planes of his heated body.

Slowly, they separated. He leaned down a second time and kissed her lips lightly, stroking her cheek tenderly with his fingertips.

Dazed, she gazed up at him.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he promised in a husky whisper.

“Okay. Good night.”

“Good night, Shae,” he said softly, softly kissing her lips a final time before releasing her and heading to the elevators.

Shae stepped inside the suite and shut the door, leaning against the wood surface. She’d never felt anything like this before in her life. Making this change in her life might turn out to be the best decision she’d ever made.