Riding the Storm - Brenda Jackson [53]
Storm sat back down and glanced around at his brothers. They were staring at him, waiting expectantly. He sighed deeply. “Her name is Jayla Cole and yes, she’s Adam’s daughter all grown up and we’re seeing each other. We’re taking things slow, one day at a time, and yes, she’s special. Very special.”
Stone smiled. “When will we meet her?”
Storm leaned back in his chair. “I’ll introduce her to everyone the night of the charity benefit for Kids’ World. Her company is a corporate sponsor and she’s working closely with Tara to pull things together for that night.”
Dare nodded. “And all of us will look forward to meeting her then.” He glanced around the table and grinned. “Now let’s play cards.”
Jayla sat curled up on her sofa and glanced around her living room, thinking the past week had been like a scene from a romance novel. Storm had sent her flowers practically every single day and had wined and dined her to her heart’s content.
On Saturday night, they had gone to a laser show on Stone Mountain and then on Sunday evening, he had taken her to a movie. Because he had been at the station all day Monday, she didn’t see him again until Tuesday night, when he’d dropped by with Chinese food. They had sat eating at her kitchen table while she had told him about how her day had gone and how things were coming together for this weekend’s charity benefit.
They had talked about his day, as well. He had told her that he had been selected to head up the city’s fire prevention program for the coming year and that he was excited about that.
She glanced down at the letter she had in her hand, the same letter that had arrived last week from the fertility clinic reminding her of tomorrow’s appointment. Seeing it and rereading it had reaffirmed her decision to have the procedure.
She nearly jumped when she heard the phone ring. Thinking that perhaps it was Storm, she placed the letter on the table, then quickly moved across the room to answer it. He had called earlier and said he would be playing cards tonight with his brothers rather late and that he would see her tomorrow. “Yes?” she said, after picking up the phone.
“It’s Lisa. How are things going?”
Jayla smiled. Lisa had been out of town most of the week on business. “Everything’s going fine. How was your trip?”
“Wonderful. I love Chicago. You know that.”
Jayla chuckled. Yes, she did know that. Lisa enjoyed shopping and Chicago was her favorite place to shop.
“So, are you planning to keep your appointment tomorrow?”
Lisa’s question immediately silenced Jayla’s thoughts. She frowned. “Of course, why wouldn’t I?”
“Because from what you told me every time I’ve called this week, you and Storm have been seeing a lot of each other.”
Jayla shrugged. “So? What Storm and I are sharing is short-term. I know that and so does he.”
“But it doesn’t have to be that way, Jayla. I believe things could last if you gave them a chance.”
Jayla rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “Lisa, trust me, they won’t. What Storm and I share is physical. I’m enjoying his company and he’s enjoying mine. Why does it have to be more than that?”
For a long moment, there was silence. Then Lisa asked softly, “What are you afraid of, Jayla?”
Jayla flinched. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
“I think that you are. Storm Westmoreland is everything a woman could want in a man and you are in a good position to be that woman. Why are you willing to turn your back on such a wonderful opportunity?”
Jayla closed her eyes. She could never be the kind of woman Storm wanted. Besides, he wasn’t what she wanted, either. At the moment, no man was. She wanted a baby and not a complicated relationship. She’d long ago given up on finding Mr. Right. The “married with children” routine was a fairy tale that might never come true for her. Her biological clock was ticking and she had made the decision to start