Follow Your Heart (Catalina Cove #4) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,76
can’t see myself falling in love with her. She and I don’t share anything in common.”
“But you and this woman who put an itch in your crotch do have something in common?” Blade asked.
“Yes. In fact, Lyric and I have several things in common,” he said, not denying the itch was definitely there. But deep down he knew it was more than just an itch. It was an intense yearning the likes of which he’d never felt before. He’d discovered she was someone who was easy to talk to and he’d shared things about all the charities he was involved in. On the flight from Crystal Beach, she had mentioned she was involved in similar charities here in New Orleans. Even with her long work hours every day and assisting her parents at the gym on the weekends, she still found time to help in the soup kitchen, to read bedtime stories to the kids at the children’s hospital and assist the vet at the animal shelter on occasion.
“Sounds like there’s more to this woman than her being a bed partner for you, Tanner. That makes my concern for Victoria increase.”
“Why?”
“Because unlike the rest of us, Victoria had no problem letting Mama Laverne select a man for her, which means she expects you to one day get in line and fall in love with her.”
“That won’t be happening,” Tanner said, getting tired of repeating himself.
“Then I can see Victoria getting hurt.”
“I can’t see her getting hurt. Like I told you, the last time I saw her she looked happy and even told me she was seriously involved with someone.”
Bladed snorted. “That’s bullshit. Victoria is not seriously involved with any man. And I told you that she probably just told you that to save face and not have you think she was pining for you, waiting for you to get your shit together about her. If you aren’t the man meant for her then either Mama Laverne made a mistake, or you’re too much of a stubborn ass to accept your fate.”
“I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that your cousin is not my fate.”
“Then somebody needs to talk to Mama Laverne before Victoria’s heart gets broken.”
“Then maybe your family needs to intervene and have a talk with your great-grandmother.”
“She’s on a cruise.”
“Then I suggest you talk to Victoria.”
“That won’t do any good since she thinks Mama Laverne’s word is the gospel, and usually it is. The best person to talk to is Mama Laverne, and my cousins and I will have a talk with her when she gets back from her cruise.”
* * *
“YOU SURE YOU’RE OKAY, honey?”
Lyric looked up into her godmother’s warm eyes, which seemed full of concern. Granted, she hadn’t been as talkative today as she normally was. But that wasn’t cause for any alarm. “I’m fine, Goddie. I just have a lot on my mind.”
She wasn’t surprised when Susan LeBlanc slid into the chair across from her. Lyric had stopped by the bakery to sample a few beignets before heading over to the children’s hospital for story hour. She was one of the volunteers who read to the young patients.
Westley always complained about the amount of time she devoted to her charities instead of to him, trying to make her feel guilty. She was so glad it hadn’t worked. Now she was seeing just what a selfish bastard he’d been.
And why was she still constantly thinking about Tanner to the degree she’d barely thought of much else? Tomorrow was Friday and she would be working at the gym. She didn’t expect a lot of people since most were participating in the New Orleans Marathon. Even her parents would be running in the race. Tanner was to have been her eight o’clock appointment in the morning, but she knew not to expect him since he would not be returning to the gym. In fact, when he’d dropped her off to get her car on Monday evening, he’d again reiterated his position and—not to be outdone—she’d firmly reiterated hers. They wouldn’t be seeing other again. It was a mutual decision.
“Lyric?”
She’d forgotten her godmother had joined her at the table. “Yes?” The last thing she wanted her godmother to do was worry about her. She’d done enough of that after her breakup with Westley and discovering his betrayal with Wendy.
She and her godmother always had that kind of relationship. Susan was someone she’d always been able to confide in. Of course, she didn’t tell her