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“No. I’d really like to pick it up tonight. Thanks again, for everything. Let me know the moment your father has any news.”
Niko nodded. “Call me when you hear from Devante.”
Monique smiled and, fighting the urge to join her lips with his, hurried to get into the town car.
Niko stepped out into the garage, hidden by its darkness. He wasn’t sure whether or not she could see him but waved anyway. Stepping back into his home, he was assailed by a sense of loneliness. He was also keenly aware that having lived in the house for years and waved away many a female from its confines, this was the first time one had left him feeling bereft. Later, sleep eluded him. He tossed and turned with images of Monique and what they would have done had she spent the night. Finally, about an hour later, sleep finally came. And so did Monique…in his dreams.
Chapter 14
Monique reached the city-auditorium parking lot and her car, which aside from the city vehicles was the only one there. After thanking the driver, who refused to take a tip, she got into her vehicle and headed home. With all of the thoughts swirling in her mind, she was thankful for the quiet time. Now that she’d been alone with him, there was no doubt in her mind that the lust she felt for Niko could easily turn into love. He was handsome, thoughtful, successful and smart. What woman couldn’t fall head over heels for a man like him? And those kisses? Good Lord! He hadn’t forced the situation. It was what she’d wanted. Now she wanted much, much more.
“If only…” she whispered, as she turned the corner and took in the desolate streets. Paradise Cove was a lovely town—peaceful, beautiful and nearly crime-free. Her thoughts moved to the fire and its cause. The fire chief had offered nothing tonight and that was understandable. But experience had taught Monique to be suspicious at least and skeptical at best. That way you were left with few surprises. With a heave of her shoulders she sighed and thought of Devante. At the same exact time, her phone rang.
She looked at the caller ID. Devante!
She pressed the button on the steering wheel, gripping it for whatever news would be delivered when she answered. “My God, Devante. I’ve been so worried!”
“I’m sorry,” a cautious-sounding voice answered. “My phone died. I just started charging it and saw the missed calls.”
“Did you listen to my message?”
“About the fire? Yeah, I heard it. Sorry you were worrying about me, but I wasn’t there tonight.”
“You were off tonight? Why didn’t the school officials inform the fire department?”
“Aw, man, you’re going to be upset with me. But I tried to call you earlier today. You were in a meeting.”
Monique remembered the call she’d declined while speaking with Lance. “Yes, right. You did call. To say what?”
“See, I sorta got caught up in a situation and wasn’t able to make it to work by my start time. I was going to make up the hours, just go in later, that’s all.”
“And you didn’t call the school and say you’d be late?”
“My boss is cool like that. He knows I do good work, so he doesn’t trip on what time I get there.”
Having already gone from worry to anger, Monique’s ire went up a notch. “So what is this situation that had you so caught up that your phone died, and you couldn’t recharge it until two in the morning?”
“Ah, Mo…”
“Don’t ‘ah, Mo’ me. I’ve been worried sick! Where were you?”
A loud sigh came through the speakers. “I was over at my girl’s house. She lives about a half hour from P.C. We fell asleep and whatnot, and when I woke up late, I figured I’d just get to the school whenever I got there and do my thing, you know? Like I said, I was going to put in the same hours, just a little later than usual. We heard about the fire on the news, but I didn’t know y’all were looking for me. I apologize, Monique. You’re one of the few who believes in me. I know you always have my best interest at heart and I’m sorry to have kept you up worrying about me.”
“I accept your apology,” she said, after a pause. “Have you called the police or the fire department?”
