Every Chance I Get

Happiness loomed over everyone. Everyone, that is, except the guest of honor’s godparents. Thankfully, a fair share of business-talk intermingled with the afternoon’s events, occupying Talib and Misha just enough to keep their thoughts and eyes off one another.

Such was the case when Misha stood near the bar cooing with her godson/nephew and nuzzling her nose to his cheek.

“Already got the man buyin’ you drinks, huh?”

Misha laughed at Tony Geraldson’s remark and gave the baby a tiny bounce. “A woman’s gotta train a man early,” she told the heavy-set bartender.

Tony laughed when the five-month-old in Misha’s arms cooed as though he were voicing his opinion on the matter. Misha’s dark eyes glinted merrily but she tilted her head when it appeared the baby was looking elsewhere. Turning, she discovered what had sparked the child’s cheerful outburst.

“Talib.” Her glee vanished.

“Misha.” His voice was soft. “You need help here?” He was already leaning close to tickle his nephew’s cheek.

Misha bristled when the scent of his cologne teased her nostrils. “We’re good.” Her voice was tight yet her expression softened when she looked back down at the baby.

It was easy for Talib to take note of the vinegar in her voice and he smiled. Knowing he was playing with fire, he moved a tad closer. “Shouldn’t you ease up a bit?” His dark gaze spanned the length of the bar.

“Counting my visits?” She rolled her eyes. “Could you hurry with that ginger ale, Tony?”

“Got it right here, Misha.”

She turned and gently set Ahmad in his uncle’s arms. Without another word, she took her drink and stormed off.

Talib pressed a kiss to Ahmad’s forehead and watched Misha disappear into the crowd. “Now I’ve done it, haven’t I, mate?” He chuckled as the baby seemed to coo in agreement.

“What the hell do you mean, you’re sorry?” Misha had bolted away from Talib only to have her temper freshly stoked when her best friend forbid her to leave.

Riley cringed and waved her hand to ward off Misha’s frustration. “I hope you don’t whine like that around Ahmad. ’Cause I’ll bring him over for you to deal with if he ever starts it.”

Misha folded her arms over the draping bodice of her dress. “Well, I’ll be happy to take him home with me right now. I just can’t stand to be here for another minute. No offense.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Riley didn’t veer from her task of adding more hors d’oeuvres to a platter while lecturing Misha at the same time. “And is it the party or Talib you’re running away from?”

“Oh come on now, Riley.” Misha reached over to swipe two of the goat-cheese pastries from the platter. “You know, this is some thanks I get after all my understanding about you and Asher.”

“Dammit,” Riley hissed, almost cutting her finger upon listening to Misha. “Right. Understanding. Well, if understanding means feeling kicked around by your best friend, then I guess you were tremendously understanding.”

“Motherhood has made you cold.” Misha’s tone was matter-of-fact.

Riley finally took pity and turned to cup her friend’s face. “What’s this really about?”

Misha pulled Riley’s hands away. “It’s really about him being here. Him being back in my life, so to speak, after six years when he’s supposed to be back in Phoenix. Even if it is just temporary.”

“Right.” Riley puffed her cheeks nervously and turned back to the goat cheese spread.

“Hold it.” Misha grabbed Riley by the chain belt at her waist. “Spill it.”

“I really need to get this stuff out—”

“Riley!”

“All right!” She set the knife on the counter. “Well, you already know he’s here helping Asher with the new office.”

“Right. And?”

“And…he may be here awhile.”

“What’s ‘a while’? Weeks?” she probed when Riley wasn’t forthcoming with an answer. “Months? Months, Riley?”

“Oh, stop it, please.” Riley propped a hand to her hip. “You knew this wasn’t something that could be done overnight.”

“Just tell me he’s definitely going back to Phoenix and not moving out here.” Misha leaned against the counter and rested her face in her hands. She looked up when Riley didn’t respond right away.

“He’s definitely going back to Phoenix and not moving out here.”

“Humph.” Misha’s lashes fluttered as she rolled her eyes. “I’d be better off asking Asher.”

“Ha! Like he’d tell you anything Talib asked him not to. Those two are thick as thieves.” Riley shrugged and turned back to the platter. “I used to think we were thick as thieves.”

“What are you talking about?” Misha’s tone was absent as she worried over Talib’s next move.

Riley tucked a clipped lock of her hair behind her ear and grimaced. “When are you gonna share the real and full story on you and Talib?”

Misha stopped biting her thumbnail and frowned at her friend.

“I know there’s more you haven’t told me.”

“What more is there to tell? You know the messiest part of it all.”

“That you went down an ugly road.” Riley went to put the spread back inside the refrigerator. “That’s all you told me and to this day I’ve got no idea what that means.”

“Jeez, Riley, do you need me to spell it out for you?”

“Yes. You bet I do when I see you this way. Running from a man isn’t something you do. I’ve seen you pounce a lot of brothers but never run from them.”

Misha’s wrapped hair covered her face more fully when she bowed her head again. “They weren’t Talib.”

“Will you promise to come and talk to me if you need it?” Riley decided against putting on more pressure and extended her hands.

Misha accepted the offer and kissed her friend’s cheek before they hugged.

“This is the most important thing anyone will ever tell you, man. Fumble is the worst word in the English language.”

Talib and Ahmad were catching the last quarter of a pre-season football game while they relaxed in the den. Talib occupied one of the deep suede armchairs and propped his feet up on an ottoman. Ahmad was beginning to doze from his cozy position near his uncle’s chest.

“What’s goin’ on, fellas?” Asher greeted when he found the two camped out before the television. “What’s the score?” He tickled Ahmad’s cheek then chose a spot on the other armchair.

“Twenty-eight, twenty-one. Not in our favor,” Talib announced.