7:49 pm

I'm waiting outside Emile's condo. I text her phone an hour ago, informing her to wear something comfortable. Nothing fancy or formal. Where I was taken her for dinner wasn't ideal and I have no intention of making her believe there could be something more.

The movement of what I assume is her living curtain catches my attention. My phone pings.

Is that you waiting outside?

It is.

I'll come now.

Getting out of the car I walk around to the passenger door and open it. Emile steps out of her townhouse locking the door. She stops mid-stride as she takes in my appearance as I do her. She's wearing a white/black stripe dress and black pumps. I told her nothing formal. I'm wearing an all-black sweatsuit and sneakers.

"Do I need to change?" She asks.

"It's up to you. If you're comfortable in this we can go." Emile proceeds to walk toward the car. I should have told her where I was taken her in the first place and the reason why, but when I tell the women why they never want to go. "We're going to my nephew's high school basketball game—would you still be comfortable?" I offer a bit more information.

"Yes, this is fine." She smiles thanking me as she gets in the car. Closing the door I walk back to the driver's side getting in. Every now and then I can feel her eyes on me, yet she says nothing. This goes on for the next ten minutes.

I feel her eyes on me once more "Is there something you would like to ask me?"

"Would we be going to dinner after?"

"We can eat while we're there," I answer.

"At a high school basketball game? You want to eat at the concession stand?" she sounds disgusted almost.

"I have been doing it every Friday for the last two months. I don't see the problem in that." I didn't. The concession stands sold hamburgers, nachos, hot dogs, and various snacks and drinks. I was always full by the third quarter. If any of the guys came with me, we would go out for drinks after, but that's about it. "I can sense this isn't what you had in mind."

"I mean no, but if you wanted to get dinner afterward that will be fine. I mean you did say you would take me to dinner." She's now full force staring at me.

"I never said anything about dinner. I only said I'll pick you up at 8. I wanted you to meet someone."

"I didn't eat all evening...I thought..."

Thankfully, we're already downtown and I see one of our restaurants a few blocks up. Looking at the time I know I'll be cutting close and my sister-in-law will have my ass for showing up late. However, I cant have Emile starving. I pull into the valet. Letting the guy know I'll be right back. Opening the passenger door, Emile steps out in all smiles.

"I've always wanted to eat here." She says as we enter the restaurant.

The hostess's eyes widen as she recognizes my face.

"Mr. Reed, I didn't see a reservation for you tonight. Your normal booth is taken, but I can seat you where Mr. Jackson normally eats." She says nervously and that's the last thing I want. I glance at her name tag.

"Danielle that is already. I just need a table for one, my employee is starving. Whatever she orders add it to my tab." I look at Emile who is almost glaring at me.

"Are you not eating?" She asks.

"I have a basketball game to attend. Don't be shy and order whatever you like. I'll see you Monday at the office." I don't wait for her to reply and walk out. The sounds of her hells are hot on my trail as I near the car.

"So what was the point behind this? To get Alise mad?" she snaps.

"Ms. Anderson watch your tone," I warn her.

"My tone? You're about to have me sit in a restaurant alone to eat dinner. I got dressed up for you." Her voice is getting louder and I need to diffuse the situation before it becomes worse.

"I never gave you any indication that I was into you. I thought you were brave for asking me out to dinner and didn't want to seem like an asshole—but I guess by doing this I already am one. I'm not here to make Alise mad nor do I want to. I don't go after women in relationships. It was never my thing. Now, you can get in the car and come with me to my nephew's basketball game or you can stay here and enjoy. The choice is yours but I will not waste another minute for you to figure it out." I get into the driver's seat.

I watch as Emile looks at me once more in disgust and turns towards the restaurant.

***

"You're late." Erica glares at me as I take a seat next to her on the bleachers.

"Sorry, I had got tied up in something."

Erica turns to look me in the face shaking her head. "You did it again didn't you." She pauses. "I'm going to stop informing you when Derrick is going to be here. The last blind date you tried to set him up with went horrible. The woman thought you invited her here because you liked her. I suppose that is what happened again?"

"It was Alise's secretary."

"Oh my heavens, you're an ass." She shakes her head looking back at the game.

Erica is married to my younger brother Daniel. They became parents at such a young age, but it matured them quickly and sometimes I think I have a lot to learn from Daniel, but then he goes and does some stupid shit, and never mind. However, our eldest brother Derrick went through a nasty divorce a few months ago—Daniel and I have been trying to set him up on dates. None has made it past the basketball games.

Derrick finally joined us during the third quarter and Erica chewed his ass out. We didn't get to see each other that much, so the kids' games we try to make it. I offered Erica and Daniel a house in Croakington Estate, but Daniel said he doesn't want to join a cult so early in his life. Maybe when I get old like you then I'll move there. Erica on the other hand wanted to move there because she was a fan of Charlotte's cooking. I know just last year the two started to hang out more, going to cooking classes together. The guys and I haven't seen much of Charlotte anymore unless it was during the holidays. She took over her parents' restaurants locally and internationally and the rest is history.

The game came to an end. My nephew's time lost by three points. Derrick and I took that as our cue to cheer him up, but also not stick around too long. I love my nephew, but he has always been a sore loser. Something I told Daniel and Erica to fix because as he gets older the tantrums are only going to get worse. They didn't believe me and now at the age of fifteen Caleb is a pain in the ass after a loss. I give Erica a hug letting her know if he gets too out of control call me and I'll get his ass in shape. Daniel is on a business trip so it's just Erica and Caleb. She lets me know she will, but she has everything under control.

I leave out the school and spot a familiar brunette leaning against my car. Stil in her work clothes. Damn, she does look amazing in that dress.

"Alsie?"

She looks at me folding her arms on her chest. Her eyes don't meet mine, she is looking around the area. Is she waiting for someone? Probably her boyfriend has a nephew that was playing here tonight. But that doesn't explain her leaning against my car. I call her name again this time she looks at me.

"Where is Emile?"

"I assume you have her number, call her and find out."

She pushes herself off the car closing the distance between us. "How was your dinner, did you fuck her?"

One word. Jealously.

"At a high school basketball game?" I raise an eyebrow at her. "You're sick." I walk around her not wanting to play this game. She has a boyfriend.

"Where is she?" snaps pushing at my back. I turn around and see the rage in her eyes.

"Call her and find out. She is your secretary, not mine."

"I tried that. She sent me straight to voicemail."

"Wait how did you know I was here?"

"Kenza." She says. I have to talk to Vincent about that. "What did you do with Emile? Is she at your house waiting for you?"

"Alise jealously doesn't look good on you especially when you're taken by another. If you must know, Emile and I did nothing. I picked her up and dropped her off at Withers. Where she had dinner alone and I paid for it. I didn't fuck her nor do I plan on fucking her." I take a step closer to her., leaning over to her ear. "It seems like you want me to fuck you and only you." I take a step back. "Goodnight Alsie, see you Monday morning."

"No." she glares at me. If it didn't seem disrespectful I would have laughed in her face.

"Alsie, I'm not going to have an argument with you in a high school parking lot about who I am and am not fucking. We're not teenagers. I advise you to just go home and forget this ever happened tonight. What will your boyfriend thinks when he learns that his girlfriend is out here doing this. Whatever this is. Hmm?" I run my fingers through my hair exhaling deeply.

"Why do you keep bringing up my boyfriend?"

What? "Well, one of us has to. You're taken, yet you're out here acting like this. I know you're young Alsie, but you're not stupid. Cut the act. Just go home." I turn around and open the door sliding into the driver's seat. I'm not here to cause a scene. I need to take a long shower and relax all weekend. The passenger door opens and Alsie slides in effortlessly.

"One weekend." Is all she says and I wait for her to elaborate, but she doesn't.

"For?" I stare into her fiery brown eyes. I know what she wants but I want her to say it so I can remind her of that annoying fucking obstacle in our way. "Say it."

"Don't make me." She whispers her bottom lip rolling into her mouth.

"As your secretary said—closed mouths don't get fed." Just me mentioning Emile has Alise on edge. She leans closer, her hand grabbing the front of my hoodie.

"One weekend," she whispers. "One weekend and I'm all yours to do whatever you want."

I raise an eyebrow.

"What about the boyfriend?" I ask.

"What about him?" she raises an eyebrow at me. "Didn't think you cared too much about all of that."

"I do. But if one weekend is all you want then I shall give it to you. And you said whatever I want, correct?" I will not be labeled a cheater for anyone.

"Yes." She answers and I nod my head.

"Okay. I'll pick you up at 7 am tomorrow morning. I assume you still are at your old address?"

"Yes." She smiles and so do I.

"Well then. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Wear something comfortable. I want to take you out first before we get into anything heavy." I remove her hand from my clothing.

"Okay, goodnight." She says slipping out of the car. I watch her walk back to her own vehicle driving off. Taking out my phone I call the one person who has been dying to hear my voice.

"Mr. Reed is everything alright. You haven't called me this late at night since..."

"I know Doc. Are you free tomorrow morning?"

"For you yes. May I ask why the sudden visit?"

"Alise and I will be coming to therapy together."

"Well in that case I will have my assistant clear my entire schedule for tomorrow morning." I can hear the excitement in his voice. I've been going to therapy for almost a year now, but stopped a few months ago because talking about Alise wasn't helping me. If anything it just reminded me of how I lost her and she wasn't coming back. But now maybe things are about to change.

"Well, have a goodnight Doc and we'll see you in the morning."