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Spencer laughed at Ty’s blunt question. “That’s none of your business.” He pointed in his direction. “But if you must know I’ve been celibate for a while. I just need to meet someone with substance, who I can hold an intelligent conversation with. You know anybody like that?”
“I’ll ask Brielle if she has any friends,” Ty replied. “But all I’m saying is that man was not meant to live alone.”
“And as soon as a beautiful, smart woman walks into my life, I’ll snap her up.” Spencer snapped his fingers.
“You never know, she could be just around the corner,” Ty stated. “Like at Allyson Peters’s party tomorrow for Parkinson’s Research.”
“I’m not up for any rubbery chicken at a charity event.”
Ty eyed him suspiciously, “It’s for a good cause. And who knows? You might meet someone.”
“A socialite?” Spencer rolled his eyes. “That’s exactly who I don’t need to meet.”
“Just come. Brielle and I are going. And look at it this way. At least you won’t be working until all hours of the night. Mona told me you leave here well after the sun goes down.”
“And how would she know?”
“You do know Mona, right?” Ty raised an eyebrow. Spencer’s assistant was sharp and nothing escaped her.
“Oh, all right, I’ll go,” Spencer reluctantly conceded. “But if I have a bad time, I’m blaming it all on you.”
Ty smiled, happy that he’d gotten Spencer to see things his way. “Good. We’ll have fun tomorrow night.”
* * *
Raina drove Zoe to her parents’ the following evening so they could babysit while Raina and Summer had their catering event. Her mind went back to her meeting with the family attorney earlier that day.
“This picture certainly isn’t enough to establish paternity,” the attorney had said. “But it can certainly show that your sister Alexa knew Mr. Davis. Do you have any other evidence?”
Although Raina had been unable to supply him with any other evidence, he’d promised to hire an investigator to look into her sister’s past. He’d also indicated he would be sending a letter to Spencer requesting he either sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity or submit to a genetic test to establish paternity.
“What if he doesn’t want to take a genetic test?” Raina had inquired.
“Then we take this matter to the court,” the attorney had said. “Where he’ll then be forced to submit to a genetic test. Either way, we’ll get results. It’s just easier for all parties if he submits voluntarily.”
Raina had no idea how Spencer Davis was going to feel being served with paternity papers, but she had to know if Zoe’s father would step up to the plate. She wanted her niece to experience life with two parents. As soon as the thought came into her mind, Raina realized the finality of it. She was Zoe’s mother. She would be raising Zoe, potentially with Spencer, a man she knew nothing about other than what she’d read on the internet.
After the funeral, Raina had decided to look him up online. Initially, she’d been stunned by the negative press about Spencer Davis. He was a reformed bad boy who’d been known to womanize, drink and carouse with all sorts of bad fellows, and he’d exhibited the worst behavior in public. The tide had changed, however, and recent press had Spencer Davis leading the straight-and-narrow life. He’d retired and opened his own sports agency. He’d garnered a few big clients as well as a few Olympic athletes. One thing was clear: Spencer could easily afford child support.
But what if Spencer wasn’t Zoe father? What if the photo was a bad lead? Was she prepared to take care of Zoe alone?
Her mind wasn’t able to answer because she’d arrived at her parents’ home. Before she could open the back door, Zoe had already unbuckled herself and jumped out of the car, reminding Raina that she needed to be more cognizant of the child safety locks.
Zoe raced up the steps and rang the doorbell. Raina sighed as she popped open the trunk and pulled out Zoe’s overnight bag. Slinging it over her shoulder, she grabbed her purse and headed toward the now open front door.
In eager anticipation of her only grandchild, her mother had swung open the door and swept Zoe into her arms. Raina found them in the hallway and saw her mother smothering Zoe’s face with kisses.
“Hey, Mom,” Raina said, closing the door behind her.
“Hi, hon.” Her mother barely hazarded her a glance as she removed Zoe’s jacket and led her to the living room, where her father was no doubt watching the nightly world news.
“Hello to you, too,” Raina said, following behind her.
Her mother and Zoe joined her father on the sofa and snuggled together.
“Hey, baby girl,” her father spoke first. He gave her a quick smile before returning to his news program.
It was moments like this that reminded Raina of the indifference she’d always felt from her parents growing up. They’d thought they were having one little girl, Alexa, and had only been prepared for one child. Imagine their surprise when the doctor had told them he heard a second heartbeat during delivery and her mother had gone into labor again to give birth to Raina four minutes later.
And now that their favorite daughter had been taken from them so suddenly, her parents seemed to have gravitated to Zoe like bees to honey. They’d been surprised and deeply hurt when Alexa had indicated she felt Raina would be a better parent for Zoe. They, like Raina, had assumed Alexa was leaving custody to them. They were the logical choice, not a single, career-minded woman.
“Well,” Raina said and shifted uncomfortably from side to side at the doorway. “Here’s Zoe’s overnight bag.” She dropped the bag with an unapologetic thud onto the floor. “I’ll be by tomorrow to pick up Zoe for Caroline’s birthday party.”
Even though she would be dog-tired after an evening on her feet, cooking and serving, Zoe had a schoolmate’s birthday party to attend, and Raina was determined to make more of an effort to integrate herself into Zoe’s life. Sometimes it seemed as if the child had more social engagements than Raina.
Raina was so busy working on making her catering business a success, she had little or no time to go out, much less date someone seriously. Her last serious boyfriend had been two years ago. Eric Thomas had gotten so frustrated by Raina’s long hours and her lack of time for their relationship that he’d hightailed it after six months, leaving Raina alone and celibate the past two years. Now that she was a single mother, Raina’s prospects were going to be even less promising.
Her mother finally seemed to remember Raina was still in the room and glanced up. “Yes, Raina. Don’t worry about Zoe—we’ve got her tonight. And if you need me to take her to Caroline’s party, just let me know.”
Raina shook her head. “Oh no, I’ve got it.” She was determined to prove to her doubtful parents that Alexa hadn’t made the wrong decision when she’d chosen her as Zoe’s guardian.
Raina glanced down at her watch. “Well, I gotta go.” She looked across the room and gave her niece a pleading look. “Can your auntie have a kiss?” She bent down until she was nearly Zoe’s height.
Zoe paused for what seemed like an eternity before hopping off her grandfather’s knee and giving Raina a halfhearted hug.
Raina batted her eyes, refusing to let them tear up. Zoe considered her the disciplinarian. Her grandparents gave Zoe anything and everything she wanted, and she adored them. Raina rose. It just wasn’t fair. “See you tomorrow.” She gave her folks and Zoe a wave and made a quick exit. She was eager to go to a place where she knew she belonged, where she mattered. Her kitchen.
* * *
“What a great turnout for Parkinson’s Research,” Raina commented as she and Summer set up with their staff for one of the largest charity events of the Miami fall season.
They’d already arranged their stations earlier that day and brought all their preparations for the canapés they would serve throughout the evening. Diamonds and Gems Catering was collaborating on the event with Traci Todd, a thriving party planner. Traci had set up a classy affair complete with lighting, decorations and a band.
“I’ll say,” Summer said. She’d never been in the presence of such movers and shakers. She could tell from the way people were dressed in designer tuxedos and vintage gowns that these folks were ready to put down some serious cash for the cause. Their client Allyson Peters was one of the largest contributors, and her company was sponsoring a large team that would run in the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon in January. This event was a precursor to help raise awareness as well as funds. “How much do you think they’ll raise?”
Raina shrugged as she set out individual portions of her signature steak house sushi roll—shaved prime rib, asparagus, horseradish mayo and arugula—on platters. Their temporary staff had shucked hundreds of oysters for Summer’s raw bar of oysters on the half shell with a black pepper mignonette. Their client had requested small bites to be passed around by liveried waiters.
Summer and Raina worked in unison as they rolled out the first course of appetizers. They followed up the sushi and oysters with seared sea scallops, a blue crab cake and spicy lamb meatballs. The night was going smoothly. The fee on the event would cover Diamonds and Gems Catering expenses for the month.
Midway through the second course, Summer moved away from the table. “I’m going to the kitchen for more of the bacon cream sauce,” she told Raina. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll hold down the fort,” Raina said, pushing a wayward strand of hair out of her face as she arranged the food perfectly on a plate. She didn’t notice the two tall men and beautiful woman approaching her table.
“Good evening.” Raina looked up to give them a warm smile. The color drained from her face as she recognized the person staring back at her. It was none other than Spencer Davis.
“So what do you have here?” Spencer inquired as he looked down at the platters of food.
Her mouth moved as if to speak, but no words came out. Raina licked her lips in frustration. How in the world had she come face-to-face with Zoe’s father?
Chapter 2
Spencer stared at the beautiful creature with the almond-shaped brown eyes. She was really quite exquisite with high exotic cheekbones on a delicate face. A pile of wavy hair was curled into a neat bun on top of her head, which made her look slightly prudish but sexy nonetheless. Spencer watched her lick her lips in frustration and a jolt of awareness shot straight through him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt such an instant attraction to a woman.
She blinked at him several times before answering him in the sweetest voice he’d ever heard.
She motioned to one platter. “What I’ve prepared for you here is a drunken sea scallop with a beer-infused bacon cream sauce, a blue crab cake with sun-dried tomato aioli and a spicy lamb meatball with cucumber yogurt sauce.”
“Hmm...” Spencer moaned at the description, and he watched her eyes grow larger in response. “Sounds delicious.” He kept his gaze on hers and neither of them wavered until Ty coughed.
“My wife would like the scallop, and I would love to try the lamb meatball,” Ty said, eyeing Spencer curiously. He could tell when his boy had his eye on a woman. And this woman, whoever she was, had captured his attention.
Raina smiled. “Absolutely.” She handed him a meatball on a small plate, then passed Brielle a small plate with a large scallop on it, but not before sprinkling both with fresh parsley. “Enjoy.”
“I’ll have one of everything,” Spencer said. At her questioning look, he added, “I’m a growing boy.”
Without speaking, she handed him a plate of all her offerings.
“Thank you.” Spencer nodded and reluctantly followed his friends, who’d stepped away from the table to enjoy the first course.
When he joined them several yards away at a small bar-height table, Ty wasted no time calling him out on his instant infatuation. “That was some sexual tension back there,” Ty said, glancing back at the woman behind the table, who was talking to several other guests ready to taste her delicious creations.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Spencer lied.
Brielle laughed as she took a bite of scallop. “You’re a terrible liar, Spencer. We both saw it. No, make that felt the attraction between you two.”
Spencer shrugged. “She’s a beautiful woman. What can I say?” He wanted nothing better than to know what kind of figure was beneath the oversize chef coat she was wearing.
“Get her number,” Ty suggested.
“I can’t.” Spencer shook his head. “She’s working.”
“The night is still young,” Ty responded. “As the evening ends, I’m sure the opportunity will present itself.”
“What do you think, Brielle?” Spencer turned to Ty’s wife.
“She was definitely affected by meeting you,” Brielle said. “I think you have a shot.”
“All right.” Spencer pointed his finger at the two matchmaking culprits. “But if I’m turned down flat, I’ll have no one to blame but you.”
“You won’t,” Ty returned.
Spencer sure hoped not. For some reason, his gut told him that this woman was someone worth knowing.
* * *
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Summer said when she returned with more bacon cream sauce and platters of pork belly. Their second course consisted of pork belly with sweet potato pancake and black pepper shrimp with smoked gouda cheese grits.
Raina pulled Summer away from the tables so no one could hear them. “You will never believe who is here.”
She still couldn’t believe it herself. But she was staring at gorgeous Spencer Davis. The pictures she’d seen online did him little justice. And it wasn’t just his stature. It was everything about him: the big bushy eyebrows, the broad nose, the full succulent lips and the sexy smile. Add his bravado, appealing masculine smell and the way he wore that three-piece suit and she was smitten.
“Is it a celebrity?” Summer looked over her shoulder. Although she couldn’t ask for autographs, she could definitely write about it on their catering blog.
“No,” Raina whispered. “It’s Spencer Davis.”
“Shut the front door!”
Raina shook her head. “I can’t believe he’s here. Over there.” She inclined her head toward the trio standing nearby, munching on food and sipping champagne.
“Oh my Lord!” Summer touched her chest. “Does he know who you are?”
Raina shook her head. “No. I don’t think he’s been served yet by my attorney, but...I never expected this, to meet him in person. Do you see how fine he is?”
Summer leaned back and did a double take. “Mmm...I see your point. He is mighty fine, but what can you do? It’s not like you planned this. We had no idea he’d be here tonight.”
“Like he’s going to believe that when he finds out who I am.” Raina sighed. She couldn’t believe her luck. “He’ll think I was scoping him out.”
“And he’d be wrong,” Summer scolded. “The only reason you’re pursuing this is to find out the truth. Who’s to say he’s even Zoe’s father?”
“But why else would Alexa have a photo of her and Spencer together?”
Summer shrugged. “I don’t know, and we don’t have time to speculate. We have to finish this party. He probably won’t even come this way again. Come on—we have more tables to serve.”
Summer couldn’t have been more wrong, because as the next course was served, Spencer Davis kept coming back to Raina’s table for a taste. And each time Raina became more and more flustered by the attention Spencer was bestowing on her.
If she was serving another person, he would wait patiently until the line dissolved and he could speak with her for a few moments about each course. Any other time, it would have been harmless enough, a little flirtation between adults. But this time was different. This man could potentially be her niece’s father and her attorney was about to serve him with legal documents requesting he submit to a paternity test. Raina highly doubted Spencer Davis would be so enamored with her if he knew what a royal pain she was about to become in his life.
* * *
When Spencer saw a lull at the beautiful woman’s table he decided to make his move. “That pecan bread pudding with whiskey sauce was divine,” he said when he returned to the table.
“Thank you.” The woman smiled at him.
“You’re welcome.” Spencer extended his hand. “Spencer Davis.”
Raina shook Spencer’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Davis. Now, er, if you’ll excuse me, I have to start to clean up.”
Spencer blinked with bafflement. “Are you honestly not going to tell me your name?”
“I don’t mix with patrons,” Raina said. Her answer sounded logical.
Spencer looked around. “The party is wrapping up and after that I won’t be your patron.” He looked into her warm eyes. “I was hoping we could maybe grab a drink later, you know, get to know each other.”
Raina swallowed. “I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.”
“Why not?”
“There’s lots to do, Mr. Davis. Some of us have to work hard for a living rather than throw a basketball around.”
A smile ruffled Spencer’s mouth. “So you know who I am?”
“I’m a native of Miami,” Raina replied, her smile mirroring his larger one. “Of course I would know the great Spencer Davis. You’re a legend in this town.”
“I was hoping I was incognito and you would...” His voice trailed off and he turned to walk away, but the woman called out to him.
“Hoped what?”
“Want to get to know me for me,” Spencer responded, turning back around to face her. “I guess that would be too much to ask.”
The woman seemed to be surprised by his honesty and cocked her head to one side. “Sincerity is not too much to ask. And any other time, I would—” Raina cut herself off. “I have too much going on in my life right now.”
Spencer stared at her, his eyes clinging to hers, analyzing her, inwardly pleading for friendship. Her eyes were wary and he wasn’t sure why. “I understand. Another time?” he said and reluctantly walked away. He’d decided not to push, but somehow he would find out who the woman was.
* * *
“I’m so glad this night is over,” Raina said as she and Summer packed up the company van with all their supplies.
“Yeah, that was a close call with you and Spencer Davis. He was really into you and kept coming back to our table all night.”
“You’re telling me,” Raina replied. “Worse yet, he asked me out on a date.”
“Really? When?” Summer stopped putting boxes in the van and turned to Raina.
“After you’d gone inside after dessert.”
“And what did you say?” Summer helped Raina put the last few boxes in the van before shutting the door. She fished the keys out of her jeans pocket, unlocked the doors and she and Raina jumped inside.
“I turned him down of course. Refused to give him my name,” Raina said, buckling herself into the passenger seat. “I can’t go out with him, Summer. It’s just a matter of time before he finds out who I am, and then all hell will break loose.”
“At least you could have had a little fun before it did.”
“No.” Raina shook her head fervently. “I just courted disaster tonight and narrowly avoided it. I need to stay clear of Spencer Davis until the dust settles. Let our attorneys duke it out.”
“Do you honestly think that’s possible? This isn’t about business. This is personal.”
“I know, and meeting Spencer Davis tonight just made it more so.”
* * *
Spencer woke up with a start. He was bathed in sweat. He dragged his hands over his short curly Afro. He’d had the same nightmare he’d been having on and off for the past four years. It was the same nightmare that, even after years of therapy, he just couldn’t shake.
It was the helplessness, the regret, the guilt, that always greeted him the morning after one of his episodes. He could see himself pinned in Cameron’s car while he stared at his brother, cut and bleeding on the hood. He’d been unable to help him because he’d been trapped by the steering wheel. By the time the ambulance had arrived, it was too late. Cameron had sustained massive internal injuries and hadn’t survived.
Why hadn’t he made Cameron wear his seat belt? Spencer should have insisted, but Cameron had been belligerent that night. Knowing Cameron could have survived if he’d been belted in had caused Spencer to retreat into himself the past few years.
Ty was right; he would have to let go of the past and start to live again. Up until yesterday, he hadn’t been sure he was ready. The woman he’d met last night had him seeing the possibilities.
She hadn’t just been beautiful, either. He’d seen her interacting with the guests and she’d been kind and patient. When an older woman had dropped her cane, she’d rushed over to help her from behind the table. It was that kind of simple action that told him she was someone special.
Which was why he’d made sure he’d found Allyson Peters to thank her for the invite and to ask for the name of the caterer who’d made the excellent food. Raina Martin of Diamonds and Gems Catering. Raina. It sounded lovely on his lips, and he hoped the lady herself would taste as good.
Throwing back the covers, Spencer rose naked from his bed to head into the shower. As the spray pelted his back, Spencer was determined to meet Raina again. This time she would not turn him down.
* * *
After sleeping in late the morning after the Parkinson’s event, Raina should have woken up feeling refreshed. Instead she felt a sense of dread, and it wasn’t because of the kid’s party she was now driving Zoe to.
Meeting Spencer Davis had been a shock, one she hadn’t been prepared for. And to make matters worse, she’d been attracted to him. As she’d fallen to sleep last night, she’d tried to convince herself that it was nothing, but deep down she knew it wasn’t. She’d felt butterflies swarming in her belly each time he’d come near her table. And when he’d asked her out, she’d wanted to jump for joy, but she couldn’t. She was in a quandary of wanting Spencer for herself but knowing that Zoe needed him more.
The thing was men like Spencer Davis were never interested in her. They wanted fun girls, like Alexa had been back in the day. They didn’t want neurotic, workaholic girls like Raina. But Spencer had sparked a desire in her she’d never felt before. None of her past relationships had made her feel the way Spencer had with one look.
“Auntie Raina.” Zoe was poking her arm. “You missed the turn.”
“Sorry.” Raina snapped out of her reverie. She’d missed the right turn onto Caroline’s street. She had to snap out of this. She would never have a chance with Spencer. Once he found out her identity, he would keep her at arm’s length.
Several minutes later, she pulled into the car-lined street. She found a parking space several doors down. This time, Zoe couldn’t jump out because Raina had made sure to put on the child lock. Raina exited the vehicle, pulled the gift for Caroline out of the trunk and came around to open Zoe’s car door.
Zoe wasn’t too happy about being confined, but she didn’t mouth off.
“Here’s your gift for Caroline.” Raina handed her the gift bag with the greeting card. She hoped the little girl would like the video game she’d gotten; Caroline’s mother had noted it on the wish list. Raina had been shocked at how much parents spent on children’s toys. The gift had cost over fifty dollars.
A Caucasian woman opened the door. “Zoe, welcome,” she said. “Come on in. All the kids are in the back on the obstacle course. And you must be Raina.” She leaned over to give Raina a quick hug as she entered the foyer. “So glad to meet you. I’m Cynthia Williams.”
“Thanks for having us,” Raina replied.
“I’m just happy Zoe could attend, given the circumstances,” Cynthia whispered.
“Well, my parents and I are trying to keep things as normal as we can.”
“Is that even possible?” Cynthia blurted out.
It was an honest question that most people might be afraid to ask, but Raina didn’t mind. She appreciated that the woman wasn’t walking on eggshells around her like most of the other parents. When she’d come to school with Zoe a week after Alexa’s death, she’d seen the downcast looks, the pity stares. Lord knew what poor Zoe was going through. She knew kids could be cruel. “We’re doing the best we can,” Raina answered.