Page 15 of Emani's Way

“What?”

“Lord have mercy. Anything could’ve happened to that number. He may have never even seen it for goodness sake. We’re going to find him on social media. If he rocked your world like that, I know damned well he would’ve called.”

“No, Amari. I’m not chasing any man. I’m sure he got the number.”I think. But Amari might be right. I mean what are the odds that he didn’t see my note?

Chapter7

MADDOX

“Mad? What’s up with you, man? It’s my wedding day, and you haven’t been your usual cheerful self,” Zane says, sitting down beside me.

I’m so fucking proud and happy for my twin. He found the love of his life again after he foolishly let her go the first time around. But once she was in his life again, he refused to let her go. After ten years of being apart from Tae, I’m glad my twin had the balls to find her and lock her feisty ass down. It gives me hope that I’ll find Emani again.I mean, damn, Dallas isn’t that damn big!

“My bad Z. You know I’ve been pissed about not being able to find Emani. But that’s no reason for me to dampen the mood. I’m proud of you. The first one of us to get tied down.” I smirk at Zane and aggressively slap his back.

Zane doesn’t even flinch. He just stares at me with a sparkle in his eyes and one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen on his face. I can’t help but feel the happiness radiating from him.

The entire ceremony and the atmosphere of the reception have this overwhelming feeling of love that saturates the air. I watch my brother as he sits back and watches his new bride dance with her friends. I can’t help but feel a little envious of him at this moment. I never really considered what I wanted in a relationship until now. But I know I want that same twinkle.

“Listen, if you want this woman, then find her.” Zane shrugs like I haven’t been looking all over the DFW for Emani.

I hit up one of our clients who can find anybody by any means. Niro Dalonzo is the best at what he does. Anytime I need something done off the books, he’s my guy. I don’t know much about Emani, so I want to make sure I don’t have any surprises. After Niro gave me the names, I realized that there were more Emani’s in the DFW area than I thought. There are so many spelling variations, and I’m assuming it is spelled with an E. Not only that, I told Niro to add occupation, but I’m not sure if teaching Art is her everyday job or if she volunteers. I’m embarrassed to say that even after we talked, I didn’t know much about Emani.

“Do you know how many Emani Jackson’s live in the Dallas Fort Worth area? I’d be a certified stalker if I went through the entire list. I feel fucking insane.”

“Man listen, sometimes you do crazy shit for love,” Zane casually throws out.

I damn near choke on my drink at my brother’s insult. I sputter until he slaps my back hard as hell. I snarl at his crazy ass.How the fuck could he think I’m in love? He must be out of his motherfucking mind!

“Love? Hold the hell up.” I point my finger at him and snarl. “Nobody said shit about love. You’ve really and truly lost it…”

“You’ve been looking for the same woman for weeks. How many dates have you been on since you met her?” Zane’s eyes narrow at me.

“None. But that’s beside the point. We had one night together. I’m not in love,” I vehemently deny, but I refuse to meet his probing stare.

“One night, or one year. That shit doesn’t matter when you find the one.” Zane smirks before sipping his beer.

I do my best to ignore the smug, satisfied look on my brother’s face, but I have to mentally acknowledge that he might be right.I’d never say that shit to him though.

I really take a deeper look. I have never had a connection with a woman like I had with Emani. Logically, I’m grown enough to understand that sexual chemistry isn’t the end all be all, but it was more than that. I’ve never cuddled and talked with a woman after sex. I never wanted to. But with Emani, that’s exactly what happened. And I have to say, Emani is one of the sweetest down to earth people I have ever met in my life. She’s so humble and exudes kindness. It wasn’t shocking to me when she told me that she had never gone home with a man after just meeting him. I’m not an idiot, and that wasn’t the first time a woman said as much, but it was the first time I believed it.

“I don’t know about all of that. Besides, your brain is in a love cloud right now. Your ass thinks everybody is in love,” I loudly dismiss his claims. But inside, I’m reeling with the possibility that my love-crazed twin might have a point.

“Mad, as the oldest…”

“By two minutes, asshole,” I cut in.

“Still counts. You need to listen to me. I regret with everything in me the ten years I lost with Tae. We could’ve already had kids and a nice, comfy life together. I was a miserable prick without her. I just didn’t know it until I got her back. Don’t be me, little brother.” Zane slaps my back before getting up and joining his beautiful bride on the dance floor.

“Damn,” I mumble to myself.

I don’t think Zane has ever been so forthcoming. We have a natural inclination to know when something is wrong with the other, but usually, I have to beat it out of him before he tells me what’s wrong.

I do want to find Emani. I’ll just have to look like a fucking stalker. Who knows, maybe she’ll be flattered that I tried to find her.Either that, or she’ll run screaming ‘cause she thinks I’m a psycho.

With my decision made, I get my ass up and join the party. I’m here to celebrate my brother, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing.

But tomorrow, I’m going to find Emani Jackson if I have to call every single person in fucking North Texas!