A Tempting Proposal

“Baby, you have to get out of this funk you’ve been in. Ever since Gamine’s death, you’ve been like the Energizer bunny, making sure everyone else is okay. I’m worried that you’re not taking care of yourself.”

Her mother was right. She couldn’t explain how she felt and knew that her mother would see through her lie if she told her she was fine.

“I know, Mom. I want you to enjoy the rest of your vacation. When will you get back to the States?”

“Your father and I are thinking about extending our vacation and going somewhere else after Fiji. But we’ll make sure we get back before the family barbecue.”

“Wow, I’m jealous,” Imani said with a laugh. “Retirement suits you both really well. I love you, Mom. Tell Dad I love him, too, and I’ll talk to you both later.”

“Okay, sweetie. I love you.”

* * *

Hope hung up with her daughter and sighed deeply.

“Is everything okay with Imani?”

She turned to her husband, who still looked every bit of sexy at his age.

“I guess she’s fine. I just wish I could help her out of this dismal mood she’s been in lately. I know Gamine’s death was hard on all of us, but Imani has always been the emotional and nurturing one...just like Gamine. It seems that when Gamine passed away and Imani took on her role as the nurturer of the family, she put her emotions on hold. She hasn’t been the same since. She puts up a good front, but I know better. What she needs is a man in her life instead of only focusing on her career.”

“Well, honey...” Her husband’s voice trailed off as she continued to talk.

“You and I both know there’s a reason why she really wants that estate, David. Gamine told her to invest in that estate, and Imani tries her best to fulfill all the dreams Gamine had for her. You know how much Imani hates to fail, and this man she’s working with may not let her get the estate. Even Cyd and the girls avoid her at times now. They say she’s at work twenty-four-seven, and if the girls can’t get through to Imani, I don’t know who can. Both my girls have issues with men. They need to find somebody and not focus solely on the company.”

David draped a comforting arm over her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace. “Your compassion for others is one of the many reasons why I fell in love with you. But you have to realize that Imani needs to find her own way. And in due time, she will. Both of our daughters will. We have to be patient. Don’t you agree?”

Hope listened to her husband. He always knew what to say to calm her down.

“You’re right, honey...you’re right.”

“Well, let me show you just how right I am.”

With a smile, he placed a passionate kiss on his wife’s lips in hope of easing her worries.

Chapter 7

Imani’s hour-long soak in the tub had been much needed. After her bath, she put on her black satin nightgown and caught up on a little reading. Sitting on the balcony of her hotel room with a warm cup of chamomile tea, she listened to smooth R&B music playing in the background.

The night was so warm that it reminded her of a hot, summer night when she and the girls had taken an impromptu trip to Barbados. Ever since the company took off, they hadn’t taken many impromptu vacations. Well, Cyd took trips like that, but they hadn’t taken a trip together in a while. When she got back to Chicago, she’d be sure to mention that to the girls.

They all desperately needed a vacation. She decided she would use any downtime she had in Atlanta to relax and go shopping.

The evening breeze caught hold of her nightgown, causing her to shiver. She had requested to be on a floor with few guests, and a quick glance around the outside perimeter of the hotel seemed to confirm that the hotel had honored that request.

Imani knew she shouldn’t be wearing so little clothing on her balcony, but clothes had always been a bother to her, anyway. She preferred to feel comfortable and free. And she loved looking at the lit city skyscrapers.

Her thoughts drifted to Gamine. She quickly ran into her room and got a feather out of her stash—her personal way of connecting with Gamine. Closing her eyes, she said a silent prayer to Gamine, letting the feather catch in the wind and drift into the night sky.

When Imani opened her eyes, she saw a light turn on in the room next to hers. When the receptionist at the front desk had asked her if she would mind adjoining rooms, she figured it was okay since she was assured no one else was occupying the room. Imani wished she’d made the receptionist guarantee that the room would remain unoccupied throughout her stay because clearly, someone was there now. Since Imani wasn’t decently dressed, she slowly made her way back into her room. She was just about to slide into bed when there was a knock on her door.

Slipping on her robe, she gasped as she looked through the peephole.

“It can’t be,” Imani said aloud.

She rubbed her eyes to see if she was imagining the person on the other side of the door. Only one way to find out...

She exhaled deeply and slowly opened the door.

“Hello, Imani,” Daman said in a deep, husky voice. No one ever said her name like he did.

“Hello, Daman,” Imani stated, her voice full of displeasure. “What are you doing in Atlanta? And more important, how did you know where I was staying or what room I was in?”

“You left that information with Vicky Gordon, the head of the volunteers. She informed me that she set up these arrangements for you and was more than happy to tell me where you were staying. I managed to book myself the connecting room.”

The smoldering look Daman was giving her wasn’t helping to calm the rising heat overtaking her body. Vicky obviously wouldn’t have known that she shouldn’t give out Imani’s room number to her co-gala planner, so she couldn’t be upset.

He was leaning on the outside of her door, smiling at her, knowing that she was annoyed he’d so casually stopped by.

“How long are you staying?” she asked in a dry tone.

“Since it’s the weekend, I’m staying for a few days.”

“Oh.” Imani wasn’t keen on his being in Atlanta at all but figured he knew that much.

“Vicky mentioned that you two had a meeting set up tomorrow morning at the location of the gala, so I took the liberty of inviting myself along. Is that okay with you?”

Imani knew Daman was baiting her to express her annoyance, and she refused to give him the satisfaction. “That’s fine,” she said through clenched teeth.

“Great. I’ll knock on your door at 8:00 tomorrow morning so we can head to the next meeting together. Have a good night.” And with a sly smile, Daman walked back to his room.

Imani slammed her door and went to lie down in the comfortable bed. She disliked anyone telling her what to do and she disliked it even more when she couldn’t get a word in edgewise to protest.

“The nerve of that man!” she yelled out loud.

* * *

The next morning, Imani and Daman walked into the Georgia World Congress Center and were greeted by an older couple and a group of five young men and women.

Vicky Gordon introduced herself to Imani and Daman and then the older woman introduced them to the man beside her. “This is my husband, Pete. Welcome to Atlanta, Ms. Rayne and Mr. Barker.”

Imani and Daman exchanged handshakes with the couple.

“I’m excited to be here, and please call me Imani.”

“And you can call me Daman,” Daman replied after Imani. “I’m happy to be here, as well.”

“That’s great to hear, Imani and Daman,” Vicky responded. “I’m the lead event manager here at the Georgia World Congress Center and my husband manages the facilities department. I will introduce you to a few people who flew in from Black Enterprise later today. As you know, they are hosting the gala and are very interested in discussing plans with you all and the rest of the team.”