Page 18 of Someone Like You

Casimir

“ Y o, you want to run an errand with me right quick?” Jude asked.

I had just arrived to pick up the keys to my new condo.

We were scheduled to have lunch to celebrate.

Although I had closed on it, I had not moved out of Bethany’s and my home yet.

We had called a truce and kept our distance from one another, with her on one side of the house and me on the other.

Now, I was ready to leave Bethany and the home for good.

“Cool. Where are you headed to?”

“My boy’s wife called and asked if I’d be interested in taking on an emergency client. Apparently, her sister’s complex burned down this morning, and she has no place to go.”

“Yeah, I saw that on the news. That’s screwed. One of the residents fell asleep with the stove on, and she had some kids.”

We talked about the fire as I followed him to his car from the condos.

I had just finished doing my walk-through and accepted the keys when he stepped away to take the phone call.

“Man, I don’t know what people be thinking. It’s like, you’re putting more lives at risk than just yours when you do stupid shit like that.”

“True, JR, but I try not to judge. I mean, I’m sure she wasn’t trying to hurt her kids or leave them homeless. Who knows? Maybe she’d worked a double shift somewhere and was tired, but she had to feed the kids. If she hadn’t gotten all her rest and she was worn out, I could see that happening.”

“I hear you, dawg, but still.”

“Yeah, it’s a fucked-up situation. That’s for sure.” I agreed as we pulled out of the complex.

“So, what’s up with you and Beth? You legit leaving her ass?”

“The divorce is final, man.”

“I thought you loved that girl, man.”

“You heard Tina. What’s love got to do with it?” I laughed.

He chuckled, and I continued. “I loved her, but I was never in love with her.”

“Yo! Why niggas always saying that shit?”

“Because that’s really a thing. I used to feel the same way that you do.

You can love a woman, want what’s best for her, and try to be there for her to support her and give her the world.

But as far as feeling that she completes you, that she makes you better, and you can’t imagine life without her .

. . Yeah, I’m not feeling all that when it comes to Beth. ”

Jude glanced at me from the corner of his eyes. “You said ‘when it comes to Beth.’ Then who do you feel that way about, my nigga?”

“Nobody.”

“Come on. This is me.”

“Like I said, nobody. I’m in love with myself these days. That’s why I’m doing the shit that I’m doing. The business. The condo. The divorce. It’s all about me and improving my life.”

“Nigga. How the fuck are you a millionaire a few times over and talking about improving your life?”

“Doesn’t matter how much money you get, JR. There’s always room for improvement. Besides, I don’t think . . . This is where my doctor works.” I peered out the window as we pulled into the medical complex.

“Word?”

“Yeah. Remember I told you that Beth had signed us up for marriage counseling?”

“Yeah. Clearly, that shit didn’t work.”

“Nah, she made it a joke. It appears that it was all about getting me to change. Ain’t that some bullshit?”

“Hey, women have been known to do worse,” he replied as he parked the car.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Aye, I’m gonna run in and check to see if shorty’s ready to roll right now or if she needs some time. You wanna chill here?”

“You know what? I’m gonna drop in and check on my doctor and see how she’s doing,” I replied and climbed out of the car.

“Cool. If you make it back to the car before me, hit me up, and you can come grab the keys from me.”

I nodded and headed inside. Jude followed me and we both stood outside of the elevators.

“So, you plan on turning that condo into a bachelor pad?”

“Nah. I ain’t bringing no females where I lay my head at. I don’t need that kind of energy or trouble right now,” I declared as we stepped onto the elevator.

I pushed the button for the third floor at the same time that Jude reached for the button. He stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets.

“So, how’s Beth handling all this shit?”

“She’s up and down. It just depends on the day, the mood, and the moment. Some days she’s cussing my ass out about it, other days, she’s ignoring me, and then there are some days that she’s begging me to stay.”

“As long as you’re in the same crib, she’s gonna think she’s still got her hooks in you. That piece of paper doesn’t mean shit if you’re in the same space, and she can manipulate you.”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m getting out,” I muttered and pulled my fingers through my beard as I thought about the night before.

Beth had slipped into the bed with me and tried to suck me off. The elevator bell dinged, and I stepped out of the car and headed down the hall.

“I’ll see you in a minute,” I called as he stood in the middle of the hall, checking his phone for something.

“Aye, I’m heading in the same direction you are. What’s your doctor’s name again?” he asked as I pulled the glass doors open.

“Dr. Giselle Champagne.”

“Word? That’s the lady I’m coming to see.”

My heart dropped. No fucking way that Giselle had lost all her shit in that fire. I saw the extent of the damage done to the building on the news. I heard the reporter say that there wasn’t anything salvageable for the affected units.

I turned to Imani who sat behind the desk on a phone call.

She looked up at me with inquisitive eyes before looking beyond me at Jude.

She held up a finger while she finished her phone call, and it took everything in me to stay put.

I wanted to rush through the doors and see Giselle with my own eyes.

I wanted to make sure that she was okay.

Always being strong and being there for others. Again, I wondered who the hell was there for her.

“Hi, Mr. Perez. I don’t have you on the calendar for an appointment today.”

“I didn’t have one.”

“I’m sorry. Dr. Champagne has cleared her calendar for today. She’s not taking any patients.”

“Good,” I replied. “I’m here as a friend.”

She frowned, and Jude stepped forward. “Hi, Ms. Yancy,” he stated, looking at the nameplate on her desk. He extended his hand, and she took it and smiled flirtatiously. “I’m Jude Rome, a friend of his, and I was sent by Dr. Champagne’s sister, Genevieve.”

“Oh, yes, the realtor. She’s been expecting you,” Imani stated and picked up the phone once again.

When I looked at Jude, he beamed at me, and I wanted to knock the smile off that nigga’s face. Imani walked from behind her desk, and we followed her back to Giselle’s office. She knocked, and then I could faintly hear Giselle call out, “Come in.”

“Dr. Champagne, Mr. Roman, the realtor, is here. And also, Mr.—”

“Giselle, are you okay?” I asked, pushing past both Jude and a startled Imani. Giselle’s eyes flew to my face, and shock was etched on hers.

“Casim—” She didn’t finish calling my first name before she looked up and noticed that both Imani and Carter were staring at her.

“Uhm, Mr. Perez, I’m not taking patients today.”

I noticed that her voice sounded somewhat scratchy and low, as though she was exhausted and hadn’t gotten any sleep.

“I didn’t come for an appointment.”

Her eyes pleaded with me not to say anything more, and I wouldn’t say anything in front of her receptionist that was liable to get her in trouble. But I was saved from saying anything the moment that Jude spoke up.

“Oh, he’s with me. Cas and I are good friends, and we were together finishing a deal when I got the call from your sister.”

“Oh,” Giselle mumbled as she broke her stare with me.

She looked as if we had interrupted her in the middle of something. There were shopping bags on the low coffee table in front of the couch that I normally occupied and on the floor.

“Thank you, Imani. Would you please lock up and forward all calls to voicemail? You may leave for the remainder of the day.”

“Are you sure?” Imani asked.

“I’m sure. I won’t be doing anything else here today or tomorrow. Thanks again for everything,” Giselle stated to Imani with a warm and grateful smile.

“Anytime. That’s what friends are for,” Imani replied before she backed out of the office and closed the door behind her.

“Dr. Champagne, was this a bad time for me to come?” Jude asked.

“No. Your timing is fine,” Giselle answered as she stood and wiped her hands down the front of her fitted fuchsia-colored slacks. “I was just going through some items and sorting things out is all.”

“I’m so sorry about the loss of your home and the damages that you incurred,” Jude expressed.

“Thank you.”

“JR, can we have a minute, please?” I asked.

I hadn’t taken my eyes off her since I stepped foot in her office, and I noticed that she had trouble keeping her eyes off me too.

“Yeah. I need to take a call anyway. I’ll be out in your lobby when you’re ready, Dr. Champagne,” Jude stated.

“That’s fine. Thank you,” Giselle replied softly.

I waited until he stepped out of the office and closed the door behind him.

I sat on the couch beside her and took her hands into mine.

“Giselle, I saw it on the news this morning, but I had no idea that it was you. I’m so sorry. Were you injured? Are you okay?” I asked, peering into her eyes.

She pulled her hands free from mine and broke down crying. I immediately reached out and pulled her into my arms. She fit so perfectly in them, and the warm brown sugar and coffee scent that emanated from her made me want to taste her.

Instead, I controlled my desires and just held her while rubbing her back softly. I let her get it all out because I suspected that she needed this. And it made me wonder again who she went to with her problems. Who was that shoulder that she could lean on in times of trouble?

After a couple of minutes, Giselle pulled back and apologized. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to break down on you that way. It’s just that it’s been so difficult, and it’s been such a long day.”

“Don’t apologize, love. This wasn’t your fault. I’m sure that you’ve had plenty of shit to deal with today. Anyone in your shoes would do the same, if not worse.”

She wiped her eyes, and I reached behind me to grab a tissue from a box that always sat on the corner table. I dabbed at her eyes and then stopped as I stared into them, and she stared into mine.

I didn’t know who moved first, me or her. I swear I didn’t. But I would look back on this moment later and realize that I had no regrets. My thumbs and fingers caressed her jawline, and our gazes remained locked until the moment that our lips touched.

Hers were soft and plump and smelled of peppermint. I wasn’t sure if it was the lip gloss that she wore or if it was something she ate, because her breath held that same fresh, sweet scent. I licked her lips, unable to resist the temptation. She tasted like peppermint too.

I nipped at her bottom lip, and she moaned underneath my touch.

My dick grew hard and restless in my pants, but I willed it to calm down.

Unfortunately, it stayed at attention, and I didn’t want to let go of the kiss.

I didn’t want the moment to end. She had me feeling like a sophomore with a crush on the captain of the varsity cheerleading squad.

I pulled back. “My bad. I had no right to take advantage of you that way.”

She shook her head, and she stated, “You didn’t take advantage of me.”

My finger wiped around the corners of her mouth, and our foreheads remained pressed together for a few seconds longer.

“I feel like I did. But I also felt like it was fate that brought me here today.”

She pulled back and stared into my eyes.

“Why? There’s nothing that you can do about this. My townhome is gone, along with it all the memories . . .”

“What memories?” She shook her head. “Tell me. You’ll find that I’m a great listener.”

“No. It’s okay.”

“It’s not, really. I want to hear about it. I told you, Giselle. You need someone you can lean on in times of trouble too. You need to be able to share the load with someone and not take it all on yourself.”

“Don’t you have a business you need to be running, Casimir?” Giselle asked.

“No. I’m where I’m supposed to be,” I replied.

Before she could respond, a knock sounded at the door.

“Hey, just checking to make sure everything is okay,” Jude stated, sticking his head through the doorway. He was mugging the shit out of me, and I knew that it was his warning for me to tread lightly.

“Yeah. We’re good.” I couldn’t hide the irritation in my tone, and he knew it based on his smirk.

“We were just getting ready to call you back in,” Giselle declared, and I knew the moment was over.