Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [37]
“Looks like rain.”
Rome’s observation on the weather pulled Jada from out of her thoughts. “Yes, it does, doesn’t it.”
Rome nodded as he brought his car to a stop at a traffic light. “Where are you from? Do I detect a northern accent?”
Jada smiled. There was also something about him that made her feel comfortable. “Yes, afraid you do. I’m a New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx.”
“What brought you to Texas?”
Pain settled on Jada as she remembered what had brought her to Texas. “My husband.”
Rome nodded. “You mean your ex-husband, don’t you?”
Jada glanced over at him. “Yes, my ex-husband. I just recently got divorced.”
“How long ago?”
“Only a few weeks, but we had been separated for five months.” Jada wondered if Netherland had told him about her particular situation.
“So things are over between the two of you?”
Jada had a reason to smile. For the first time in her life she could answer yes to that question. “Yes, things are over between us.”
“Are you currently involved with anyone?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Jada lifted a brow at Rome’s response. “And why is it good?”
Rome glanced over at her, smiling. “Because I want to get to know you better while I’m here in town.”
“You may not want to do that.”
“Why?”
“There are reasons.”
Rome shook his head when he brought his car to a stop in front of her apartment building. “There aren’t any reasons that matter to me.”
A part of Jada wanted to believe that. She wanted so much to believe what he’d just said was true. “Thanks for bringing me home, Rome.”
“You’re welcome.” And in the next breath he asked, “Would you go to a movie with me tomorrow night?”
A part of Jada wanted to say no, but another part wanted to say yes. It was the part that wanted to put her ordeal with Tony behind her and to get on with her life. She didn’t respond to Rome’s question for a few brief moments before finally saying, “Yes. I’d love to go to the movies with you.”
Chapter 11
It had been the longest week of her life, Netherland thought as she did a quick walk-through of Sisters to make sure everything was in place for tomorrow night’s affair. All week she had battled the flare-up of memories that assailed her at different times. Ashton’s nightly presence in her establishment had become such a norm that on numerous occasions during the week she had caught her gaze seeking him out, only to remember that he’d left for D.C. And then at night when she would close her eyes to sleep, images of him were there in her mind.
When Netherland heard a laugh she glanced across the room to where her brother and Jada were talking. It was unbelievable the difference Rome had made in Jada’s persona in just a few days. The woman was now actually smiling most of the time. Netherland knew that Rome had taken Jada to a movie on Monday night and had taken her to the state fair on Wednesday. But according to Rome, things between him and Jada were moving slow. Although she had agreed to go to those two places with him, they had yet to get beyond just holding hands. Rome had mentioned that he noticed how skittish and nervous Jada was at times around him. Netherland had decided not to mention to him about Jada’s ex-husband’s abuse of her. Netherland felt that information was something Jada would have to share with Rome when and if she ever got comfortable enough to do so.
“They look good together, don’t they?” Rainey observed when she noticed Netherland watching the couple. “That was the first time I’ve ever heard Jada laugh about anything. Rome’s company seems to be good for her.”
Netherland turned around and flashed Rainey a smile. “Yes, and I think he really likes her. She’s all he’s been talking about lately. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he were to find a way to stay in contact with her after he leaves.”
Rainey nodded. “Speaking of staying in contact, have you heard from Ashton any this week?”
Rainey’s question made the pain of missing Ashton that much more profound within Netherland.