Promises to Keep

Monica tried to reel her husband in, but his fishing expedition was already too deep. Courtney hadn’t taken the bait, yet he felt he had a right to reel her in. Monica looked on as he continued firing questions at her boss, barely giving her a chance to respond.

“J.R., you know I love you, but please put a lid on it. There is nothing between Darius and me. He’s a client and I’m his hired gun, with major firepower. Got it?”

J.R. nodded. “Yeah, and so has he. The man has it bad for you. Don’t be surprised if he backs out of this commitment. He can’t possibly love another woman and look at you like you’re the queen of his heart. Sparks are flying every which way between you two. Mark my words, ladies. Anyone care to make a wager?”

Monica gave Courtney a pleading look, hoping she could ignore her husband and forgive him. It was like he’d suddenly lost all his marbles. Courtney returned a nod of understanding. J.R. wouldn’t say these things in front of Darius. He’d never embarrass his wife or her. The three friends very much respected and relished their closeness.

Upon Darius’s return to the table, he sat down next to Courtney. As his arm accidentally brushed against hers, she felt a rush of heat. If it wouldn’t be so telling, she’d fan herself to cool the hot flames singeing her skin.

Discreetly, Courtney surveyed Darius’s attire. Though dressed more casually than when she’d last seen him, he still looked like a man of means. He wore a black blazer with a gold royal crest and his light blue silk shirt was open at the collar. The revealing bit of thick chest hairs made her want to see so much more of his sexy attributes. A sudden thought of him standing under the shower naked caused her to gasp.

Darius looked at Courtney with concern. “Are you okay?”

She managed a believable smile. “I’m fine. Something must’ve gone down the wrong way. It’s okay now.” Things were definitely going down the wrong way, but she had no clue as to how to redirect them. Gushing over an engaged man was simply insane.

Noticing the tiny beads of sweat on Courtney’s forehead didn’t convince Darius that everything was fine with her, but he thought it best to let it ride. The last thing he wanted to risk was embarrassing her in front of her friends.

“I know Monica works for Courtney, but what about you, J.R.? Are you employed by The Party People, too?” Darius inquired.

“I work for Courtney on occasion. If she has clients who need a band, we accommodate her if we’re free. However, I’m a music teacher at Rutherford Junior College. I also teach private keyboard and drum lessons to youngsters. Writing music is the part of my career I love best.”

Darius smiled broadly. “That’s good to know, man. Have you ever written music for a film or television?”

J.R. shook his head in the negative. “Can’t say that I have, but I’d sure love to give it a try.”

“Let’s set up a meeting before we leave here. I’m the owner of D.F. Film Productions, Inc. My offices are here in Hollywood. Have you heard of my firm?”

“Who hasn’t heard of your company?” Impressed with Darius’s success, J.R. wondered if he might help something extraordinary happen in his music career. “Great things are said about what you’re doing for blacks in theater arts. I’m awed by what you’ve taken on. The power people in Tinseltown are not easy adversaries.”

“I try not to see them as opponents. My desire is to partner with some of the best producers and directors working in this city. There’s enough for all of us in the world of entertainment. And we always need music.”

“I’d love to hear what you’re looking for. Monica always said that might be just the right ticket for me. She’s my wife, and she means everything in the world to me.” J.R. leaned over and kissed Monica full on the mouth.

Darius grinned. “The way you two look at each other made that an easy call. Body language tells its own story. Love between two people reveals itself in a number of ways. The lack of love between partners is just as easy to read.”

“Yeah, I know,” J.R. remarked. “Love is loud and clear, with or without vocals.”

Darius’s eyes suddenly flickered. “I like that! People in love are blessed. It’s a thrill to watch actors communicate love in a romantic story without saying a word.”

Talking about love and romance had gotten to Courtney, a hopeless romantic who had yet to experience a genuine loving relationship. The man of her dreams was out there, but she had no idea when he’d show up. If he did appear, she wasn’t sure she’d recognize him immediately.

Glancing at Darius, she recalled her heart reaching out to him the moment she’d laid eyes on him. Unfortunately for her, his heart and love already belonged to another.

Chapter 3

Gathering together the papers she needed for the staff meeting, Courtney slid them into a manila folder and headed toward the conference room. She was early, but the extra time would give her a chance to sip a cup of coffee and go over her notes again. There was much to discuss this morning and the staff had a lot on its plate, literally.

The months to come were filling up quickly and quite a few dates had been booked up to the end of the year. Several Christmas parties, both day and evening events, were already on the December schedule. Deposits had been obtained.

Remembering when she only had one or two events scheduled in a single month made Courtney laugh. Even when dates were scarce and far and few between, she never thought about giving up. Anything worth having was worth working hard for.

Courtney entered the conference room and set down her briefcase at the head of the table. Monica—sweet, highly efficient—Monica stayed on her toes. From the looks of things, as usual, her assistant had set up the conference room for the staff meeting sometime before she’d left the office on Friday. Copies of the meeting agenda had been placed on the long table in front of each high-back leather chair and cups of pencils and pens were within easy reach.

A quick glance to her left revealed a linen-covered table fully stocked with both regular and flavored tea bags, dry packets of creamer, sugar, various artificial sweeteners, plastic stirrers, regular-size napkins and foam cups.

Mini flavored liquid creamers were kept inside the office-size refrigerator, along with bottles of water and several kinds of regular and diet sodas. Single-serving-size juices, such as tomato, V8, cranberry, apple and orange were available, too, along with fresh lemon, lime and orange wedges.

Pretty sure the coffee station was ready for use, Courtney walked over to the built-in counter and pulled out the coffeemaker’s filter tray, which was indeed filled with dark crystals. After filling the water well, she plugged in the electrical cord then pressed the red on button. Reaching into the cupboard above where the machine was located, she pulled out one of the black ceramic mugs adorned with the company’s gold-embossed logo and waited for the coffee to brew. After pouring her java, she sauntered over to the conference table.

Just as she sat down, her cell rang. “You Are Not Alone” played and made her smile, inviting sentiment to well up in her heart.

As Courtney instantly recognized the voice on the other end, her eyes danced with light. “Good morning, Darius. How are you?”

“I couldn’t be better. Sharing Sunday brunch with you, J.R. and Monica was a pleasure for me yesterday. Listen, Courtney, I need a big favor. Think you can go to a club with me on Thursday evening to hear a band? I’d really like your opinion on the group who call themselves Rest Assured.”

Courtney chuckled. “I already like the catchy name. What time are you meeting them?”

“It’s not an official meeting. I just plan to show up and listen. J.R. already has a gig booked on the event date. Eight or so is when I’d like to get to there. They go on at nine, but I always like time to unwind. They’re performing at Club 21.”

“My employees and I drop in there after work from time to time. Let me look at my calendar and get back to you.”

Unprepared for the jagged disappointment sluicing through him, Darius winced. He was used to women telling him they were available at his beck and call, though it wasn’t something he encouraged, desired or demanded. Courtney, on the other hand, made it seem as if she wasn’t the least bit interested in him on a personal level—and he was more than bothered by that. She was a true enigma, and he actually liked that about her. Generally speaking, figuring out someone instantly wasn’t very challenging or exciting to him.

Getting to know Courtney Campbell outside her corporate persona was a challenge Darius wished he could meet head-on. The lady was so intriguing that it was hard to keep his mind fixed on one of the finest engagement receptions he had to pull off.

Monica was the first employee to pop into the conference room. Dressed in pink designer jeans and a fashionable top in a dark shade of coral made her look cool and comfortable. She smiled as she rushed by Courtney, who was still on the phone, to claim her favorite seat at the table.

“Say, Darius, our staff meeting is about to start. I need to end this call. I promise to try to get back with you before the lunch hour is over. Is that okay?”

“It’s fine. In fact, let’s discuss the reception some more over lunch. I’ve been given a Web site for the band. I’ll check it out and print the important criteria to bring along.”

Sucking in a deep breath, Courtney mentally wrestled with her reluctance to accept Darius’s invitation versus her desire to be near him. It’s only lunch. You do have to eat. “Where would you like to meet for lunch?”

Deep regret assailed Courtney’s common sense the same moment the words left her mouth. Being alone with this irresistible, engaged man was dangerous. The riotous feelings he evoked inside her should serve as a serious warning: Danger dead ahead.

“Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles on Gower and Sunset is the first place I thought of. If Monica is free, please invite her, too. She kept us laughing at brunch. I like both her and J.R. I get the feeling they’re very genuine, down-to-earth people.”

“You nailed that right! They’re the most sincere people I’ve ever met. I’ll share your invite with Monica and see if she can make it. Does twelve-thirty work?”

“Perfect. See you then.”

Wanting to hear his last breath, Courtney kept the phone up to her ear until he’d clicked off. As she looked around the room, it appeared that almost everyone was present. There were a few staffers missing, mostly part-timers, but she expected them to skid into the room any minute now. Everyone knew tardiness was a major pet peeve of hers.

Courtney smiled brightly as Alma and Harrell Campbell came through the door. Her grandmother had said she wasn’t sure if they’d make the meeting or not, but Courtney was pleased to see them. As her grandparents took seats, Courtney blew kisses their way, showing exactly how she felt about Grammy Alma and Papa Harrell. Love was written all over her face and it shone brightly in her eyes.

After demonstratively greeting her family members, Courtney made her way over to them, gave out warm hugs and planted kisses on their cheeks. Smiling with contentment, Courtney watched as Monica dashed around the room to get coffee for the elder Campbells, whom Monica loved as if they were her own kin. Once she filled the mugs, she came back to the table and handed the dark, hot liquid to Alma and Harrell. Monica then returned to the counter to pour a cup of coffee for herself.

Courtney walked over to the podium and opened her manila folder. Another quick glance around the room confirmed that everyone was present and accounted for.