Playing for Keeps

Table of Contents

Playing for Keeps

Playing | for | Keeps

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Prologue

His ringing cell phone woke him after midnight. From the happy music playing as his ringtone, he already knew the caller.  His best friend, Toni.  He hoped nothing was wrong.  If it was, he would be on the first flight to Dallas.  Hey, Toni, what’s up?

I did it, Zack, she said in a very excited voice. I finally did it!

He sat up in bed, covers rolling off his naked body.  Was this really the chance he’d been waiting on forever.  Baby, what are you talking about?

I broke up with Edmond.

You woke me up for that nonsense. You know you’re just going to take him back tomorrow.

No, not this time.  I’m tired of being miserable, she insisted.  I deserve better than a man who doesn’t appreciate me.

I’ve been telling you that for at least a year.  He’s an ass and treats you like those shoes you throw in the back of the closet.  He knows you’re always going to be there when he’s ready to use you.

Harsh, but true.  This time, I’m done.

I know you think so, but backsliding is always a possibility. He reminded her.  She’d broken up and taken Edmond back more times than he could count.  He hated she didn’t think anyone else could love her.

Actually, this time I’m taking your advice.  I’m changing my locks on my house tomorrow.  I don’t want to backslide.

Why don’t you come to Boston?

Zack, you can’t be serious.  I do have a job you know, she said weakening. 

I know you have a job.  We work for the same company. You also have a ton of vacay time and you need to get out of Dallas. If nothing, you can clear your head and exercise Edmond out of your system for good.  He hoped she didn’t see through his little plan. 

The line was deathly quiet for a few minutes.  She’d probably think of a million reasons why she couldn’t get on a plane. See you in a couple of weeks.  She ended the call.

He replaced the phone on the table and smiled.  He still had a chance.

Playing

for

Keeps

Copyright2016@Celya Bowers

A New Novel

December 2016

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This is a work of fiction and the characters are a product of my imagination.  Any correlation to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Cover: orangeline

1

She needed this getaway to see her best friend.  After the last break-up with yet another commitment phobic-man child, Antonia Fairchild was done with the brotherhood for the time being. Besides, it was the middle of summer and it was blazing hot in Dallas, Texas. She’d welcome the coolness of the East Coast. 

At 45, it would seem the marketing executive would know what a loser looked like before she embarked on a romance that soon led nowhere. That was where her bestie, Zachariah Young came in.  Zack, as he was known to the advertising world, had been her confidant over the last five years.  They had both worked at Forster and Campbell Advertising.  Zack transferred to the Boston office over a year ago, but they kept in touch.

When her plane landed at the Boston International Airport, Toni, as she was known to everyone, thought she’d have time to check in with her parents, before Zack picked her up from the airport, but he was waiting when she arrived at the baggage carousel.

Zack stood with two women at his side.  Always the charmer, Zack was seldom without female companionship.  He was tall, athletic, light brown eyes, and skin the color of caramel. He was dressed in a dark suit, reminding her of a brown Adonis.  The suit only complemented his physical features, which drove women crazy.  Funny, how some things never changed, she mused as she walked toward him.

Instantly, he spotted her and stepped away from the women.  He marched toward Toni, and grabbed her in a bear hug, lifting her up in the air.  Girl, it’s so good to see you!  He kissed her on the lips.

It’s good to see you too, Zack.  I’ve missed you so much. 

Zack kissed her again, but this time on her cheek.  Me too.  He grabbed her by the hand and marched her to the women.  Toni, these are two of my co-workers, Anna, and Carol.  Ladies, this is my best friend, Toni.  She finally decided to visit me from Texas.

The young women nodded at her.  After the young women determined she wasn’t a threat, plastered on fake smiles, and extended a greeting to her.  I hope you enjoy your visit.  I know Zack was so excited you were coming.  That’s all he’s talked about for the last few weeks.  We had to meet the woman who had him so excited.

Toni glanced at Zack.  He was still holding her hand.  She eased out of his iron grip, and shook the women’s hands.  We haven’t seen each other in a year.  I think I’m excited to see him too. 

The women shrugged, and soon left.  Toni pointed out her favorite red suitcase to Zack.  He grabbed it as it neared them and they left the baggage area of the airport.  After they were settled in his BMW, Toni turned to Zack as he started the car.  I hope I’m not cramping your dating life being in town for five days.  Those girls didn’t look happy to see me, but I just had to get out of Dallas. 

Don’t be silly.  You’re my girl and you’d never cramp my style.  He drove out of the airport into busy Boston traffic.  I took a few days off from work, so we can hang out.

Zack, are you sure?  I mean you just got that promotion to vice-president of branding.  You’re one of the few African-Americans in such a highly-coveted position. And I know how much that job means to you.  I’ll be okay on my own, during the day, she insisted.  She’d wanted some down time and wanted to visit all the art museums she could while she in Boston and art was not his thing.

Today is Wednesday. I just took off two more days.  It’s okay. Besides, no way I’m letting you mope around my house all day over that no-account loser.  I told you, you deserved better and you do.  So tomorrow, we’re doing all touristy stuff.  Right after you fix one of your gourmet breakfasts. He picked up her hand and kissed it. 

She quickly moved her hand when his lips lingered a second too long.  Zachariah, what is going on with you?  What was going on with her was the bigger question.  The man had kissed her twice in less than thirty minutes.  How was she supposed to survive five days under his roof?

Nothing, just happy to see my favorite lady.  Are you hungry?

She laughed.  You know I can always eat.  She patted her rounded stomach.  I love food.  I’m a foodie.

He chuckled.  I seem to remember you always finishing my food when we ate out.

True.  Take me to some good Boston food.

Your wish is my command.

Zack felt his plan was coming into shape.  Getting Toni in his house was the first step.  He parked in front of The Soul Palace and cut the engine.  Here, we are.  Best soul food in Boston.  He glanced at Toni, the doubt etched on her pretty round face.  The building doesn’t look like much, but the food is the best I’ve had.  My mom fell in love with this place when she was here.  He got out of the car before Toni could change her mind. 

She was already out of the car and closing the passenger door by the time he was at her side.  You better be glad I trust you.  She held her purse closer to her body.  "Looks like something from ‘Boys in the Hood’." 

He laughed, easing his arm around her waist.  Girl, you know how picky I am about where I take my meals.  The place has to be all that.

Yes, I do know you.  She let him guide her inside the building. She gasped the minute they entered the restaurant.  Oh, my goodness, this is amazing. She looked up at him with those delicious brown eyes. 

Zack didn’t know when he started looking at his best friend with a different eye, but the damage had been done.  Toni wasn’t anything like the women he dated.  His taste ran to slim, petite women, usually Asian or Hispanic.  Toni was five-feet-ten of all woman.  She had a good solid build to her, long brown hair, light brown skin, which was always blemish free.  And she was a true friend.

When he transferred to Boston office, Toni accompanied him to Boston, helped him find his house, via the Internet.  His parents loved her.  His siblings loved her and were forever asking the dreaded question. What’s wrong with Toni?  Now as he watched her as they walked to their table, he decided there was nothing wrong with Toni.

***

That was an awesome meal, Zack, Toni said as she settled in the passenger seat.  I know I had misgivings, but that place was amazing and food was off the hook.  If I lived here, I’d be eating at that place daily.  They were finally headed to his house. 

Yeah, right.  You know you like to make your own food.  I usually eat there on Saturday afternoons.

Probably, she admitted.  It’s a nice dream, though.  She felt ready for a serious nap, but knew Zack probably wouldn’t let her sleep.  She tried to hide a yawn, but he was watching her every move. 

I know you’re probably tired.  I have a little work to do, so you can take a rest when we get home.

I told you not to take off while I was here, she reminded him as he drove.  I don’t want you to endanger your job just because I’m nursing a broken heart. 

And I told you, I got this.  Just a couple of reports and I can do that while you’re sleeping.  After that we can watch a movie, so we can start your vacay off right.

She knew it was useless trying to argue the point with him.  When Zack wanted to do something, he was going to make it happen.  Sounds great.

He turned on to the quiet street leading to his spacious home, activated the garage door opener and parked the car.  Once they were both out of the car, he retrieved her suitcase out of the car and led her inside. 

Hand in hand, they walked upstairs to the guest room.  Toni wondered at how different Zack was acting from the last time they’d seen each other.  Maybe he just felt bad about her latest relationship fatality.  Everyone told her she was trying too hard to keep that loser, but she didn’t listen. Being on the downside of forty, she thought Edmond was her last chance at matrimony.  He probably was, but she deserved better than a womanizer. 

Here’s your room. He walked further inside the room, hefted her suitcase on the luggage stand at the end of the bed for her. They look at each other, then he cleared his throat. I’ll wake you in a couple hours.  He kissed her on the cheek and left her to unpack.

Toni shook her head and began putting her things away.  Her cell phone rang as she placed her favorite red dress on a hangar. She dug in her pocket for the phone and answered it.  Hi, Mom.

How was your flight?

Quiet, she said, clearing things off the queen-sized bed.  She noticed the blanket at the end of the bed.  She smiled. Zack.  He knew she was cold-natured. 

That’s good, honey.  I hope you enjoy your visit with that handsome Zack.  I still don’t know what’s wrong with him.  He’s always so nice.

You just like him because he always brings you bottles of wine whenever he visits.  Zack had won her mother over years ago. 

I sure miss him, her mother said.  "Anyway, since you’re not looking at