Leila, Rayshon, and Devon have been in a warped love triangle ever since Devon’s cold heart and neglect left Leila seeking comfort in Rayshon’s arms. It was a battle for her heart, but Rayshon won, and now he and Leila are happily expecting their second child. The marriage is a little shaky because now that Leila is losing her business, the strain is almost too much for the relationship to bear. Feeling alone again, Leila turns to Devon, who is more than happy to be a shoulder for her to cry on. Who will ultimately win Leila’s heart?
Release date:
September 29, 2020
Publisher:
Urban Books
Print pages:
288
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Leila held her stomach as she glared out the window of her empty store. She was pregnant with baby number three and wondering how she could be losing her store in the middle of what was supposed to be the best time of her life. Rayshon had a booming business and was opening his third location, but eBooks had been the downfall to her store’s success. After four years of so-called making it through the depression, recession, or whatever society was calling folks having no money nowadays, she wondered how electronic books had grown so fast.
“Damn, won’t they miss the smell of the pages? Now, people have to plug in their books. Ain’t that some shit?” she said, shaking her head. She thought about the Kindle Rayshon had gotten her for her birthday that year. It was still in its box. “What would really piss me off is to get to the climax of my book, then my battery dies, and there’s no place to plug in. I would wanna punch somebody, that’s for damn sure.” She watched the shippers load the last boxes of her books onto the truck. “Damn damn damn. This is all I ever wanted, and now I have to wait for online orders. Shit.”
She walked over to the counter and picked up her phone. She knew Rayshon wasn’t available, but she called him anyway. “Hey, babe, it’s me. I just wanted to tell you that I’ll meet you at the house for dinner. I do hope that you can make it this time. My day has been hell, and your daughter has kicked a few field goals in my belly, and I don’t want to put RJ to bed alone tonight,” she said and hung up.
She looked around. Her eyes burned with tears, but she blinked them back. All is not lost, she told herself. My online bookstore has got to bring in some profit.
She did a quick walk-through of her now-empty space. It was still hers until it sold, and she prayed that it wouldn’t take forever. She had no other use for it, and she was fresh out of ideas.
“We’re headed to the storage, Mrs. Johnson,” the driver said.
Leila nodded. “Okay, Chad. You know that everything is labeled. Please inform your workers to place the boxes in their appropriate spaces that are labeled in my storage. As you can see, I’m not in any shape to be moving boxes around.” She held her tummy. She was a week away from being eight months, and the little girl in her womb was a kicker.
“No worries, Mrs. Johnson. We’ll take care of everything. By the way, I am sorry to see your store closing. My wife only comes to your store for her books, and she is torn up too.”
Leila was touched. “Thanks, Chad. Let her know that she can still order on my website. Leila’s Books will still be available online until I’m sold out,” she said with a smile. Behind her smile was a frown, but she didn’t want to show any emotion.
“Will do, Mrs. Johnson,” Chad said.
After he left, Leila looked around and wondered if she should try something else with the space. Maybe a daycare, since she was having another baby or an internet café, she wondered and quickly dismissed the daycare idea. She could do a café because she could tolerate adults, she but had no interest in putting up with strangers’ children.
She grabbed her purse and keys and took one last look before she turned out the lights. Then she locked the door and headed to her truck. She drove a few blocks down to Rayshon’s gym and hoped that he was there. He had just opened a new location, and she was glad that folks cared enough about their bodies to make him a successful business owner since no one cared about reading books with real pages anymore.
While her business declined, her husband’s business was on an incline. In four years, his business had skyrocketed while hers sank deeper and deeper into the ground. Leila congratulated Rayshon, but deep down, she didn’t like that she was going nowhere, and he was pulling business in like a magnet. There had been days when she didn’t even have to open because she’d get only one or two customers, and the first question they would ask after confirming the book was in stock was, “Is it available on Kindle?” Kindle had become a name that Leila despised, and she had wanted to punch Rayshon in the throat when he had given her one.
“No more featured authors, no more visits with the famous authors that had a line around the corner, and no more book release parties. God, I’m going to miss my store,” she said to herself as she parked in the employee’s parking area. She was sad not to see her husband’s Denali, but she parked anyway, just to go inside to check on things.
She walked past the front desk and gave a few brief hellos and made her way back to what used to be Rayshon’s main office. His new manager, Ankwan, was on the phone, smiling like he was engaged in a call that was not business related.
“Hey, look, babe, I’ll hit you back,” he said and quickly hung up the phone. “Leila, what brings you by?” He sounded like he wasn’t too happy to see her.
“Do I need a reason?” she asked and put her purse on the desk.
“Naw, I was just wondering. Ray hasn’t been by here in days, and you popping in is like . . . rare.”
“Well, as you know, my store closed today, and since I’m less than a mile away, I decided to drop in,” she said, rubbing her belly. It was sore from the abuse that was going on from Kung-Fu-master-get-me-the-hell-up-outta-here-baby-number-three.
“Yeah, I heard, and I’m sorry. Ray told me in our last staff meeting.”
“Oh, okay,” she said with a fake smile. “I was just in the neighborhood, you know, and I thought maybe Ray would be at this location, but I see he’s not,” she said, grabbing her purse. “I’ll let you get back to business,” she told him and turned to walk out, and Ankwan didn’t stop her. She knew he was anxious to call back whomever he was talking to earlier.
Leila got into her truck and called Ray again. Voicemail answered once more. She hung up without leaving a message and called Devon.
He answered on the second ring. “Hey, Lei.”
“Hey, Devon, it’s me, Lei,” she said.
“I know. I just answered and said, ‘Hey, Lei.’” He laughed lightly. “What’s up?”
“Ummm . . . I know this is last minute, but since this is your weekend with DJ, do you think you can keep RJ tonight too? I had a tough day with the store closing, and I need a mommy break.”
“Sure, that’s not a problem, but you know how Ray gets when RJ stays with me overnight.”
“I know, Devon, but Ray keeps these long hours now. With the third gym opening, he’s hardly home to help me, and my stomach is so sore. I just can’t do it tonight. By the time Ray gets home, he won’t even realize that they’re both gone.”
“Okay, Lei, no worries. And I’m sorry about the store, sweetheart. I know how much that place meant to you. And so what if Ray is opening his third gym? He should be at home helping you. I know this pregnancy is hard for you, and I wish I could be there to help you.”
“Come on, Devon. Don’t, okay? Ray is a good man and a good husband and a great dad. He’s just been swamped. So, don’t.”
“I know, Lei, and I didn’t mean anything by it. I am not trying to upset you. I’ll get the kids and give you a break. What time will you guys be home?”
“In an hour or so. Deja is already home with Tab, and as soon as I get off with you, I’m going to call her to get their overnight bags packed. I’m on my way to pick up li’l Ray now.” She paused. “Are you sure, Devon? I’m not interfering with any of your plans with Deja, am I?”
“Lei, it’s my weekend to get DJ, so I have no plans with her tonight. But tomorrow, you must get RJ by five, because Deja and I have a date.”
“No problem, Mr. Vampelt. I wouldn’t dare ruin my daughter’s date,” she said with a smile.
She and Devon were like best friends now, and he was the best father on the planet when it came to Deja. Even though she and Rayshon did well financially, Devon paid child support to the max and still did all the extras without complaint.
“Okay, well, I’ll see you in an hour. Make sure you pack DJ’s swimsuit because she’s going to need it,” he said.
Leila chuckled. “Okay, I will, Devon, but you know I need you to keep an eye on her in the water. She thinks she’s Flipper and tries to dive in the deep end.” She pulled into the daycare parking lot.
“Lei, I got this.”
“I know, babe,” she said and caught herself. “I mean, Devon. I know,” she said and hit the end button.
She went inside and picked up her son, and then she headed home.
“Hey, Mrs. J—Deja has eaten, and Li’l Ray’s dinner is in the warmer. I cleaned everything in the kitchen, and the kids’ bags for their sleepover with Mr. Vampelt are by the door.”
“Wow, thanks, Tabitha, but one last thing. I’m going to need you to grab Deja’s swimsuit, please. I forgot to tell you to pack it.”
Tabitha dashed toward Deja’s room. Leila knew she had something going on or somewhere to be because she was short in conversation and exited the room too quickly.
“Hey, DJ,” she said. “Your dad will be here shortly to pick you guys up.”
“You guys? I thought it was only going to be my daddy and me this weekend?”
“Well, RJ is gonna tag along for one night to give Mommy a li’l me-time.”
Deja frowned. “Why can’t Daddy Ray keep RJ for your me-time?”
Leila was about to answer, but Tabitha walked back into the kitchen.
“Deja’s swimsuit is all packed. Is there anything else, Mrs. Johnson?”
“Umm, no, Tab. We’re good. Enjoy your weekend,” Leila said.
Tabitha kissed the kids goodbye and promptly exited. Devon arrived not too long after, and finally, Leila was all alone. She looked to see what Tabitha cooked and turned up her nose at the ground beef and pasta cheese dish that was in the pot. She grabbed a bowl to refrigerate it, then washed the pot and put it away before walking upstairs.
At the top, she sighed. The beautiful three-level home that she and Rayshon had purchased was so lonely lately because he was never home. She took a shower and sat in her baby’s nursery.
“Things are supposed to be better, Ray. You promised me that things would be great, but they are not,” she said aloud, rubbing her belly. “How did we create this distance? No, how did you create this distance?”
She dozed in her rocker, thinking that things were perfect until work came before their marriage. Ray had been her comfort, but now she had to comfort herself.
The countdown to the closing day of her store had approached quickly, and every day, Rayshon treated it as if it were no big deal. “Lei, baby, don’t worry,” was all he’d say. “This will give you more time with the kids and time to enjoy your pregnancy.”
She couldn’t believe that he took it so lightly. Her dream was now a nightmare, and she was starting to feel like she was all alone in her marriage.
“I think I need to see something a little bigger,” Ray told Kennedy and watched her put the two-carat diamond pendant back. “My wife has had a terrible week, and I want to put a smile on her face for a change.”
“I see,” Kennedy said. “I know exactly what would make a woman feel better. May I show you something else?”
“Sure. I just want to cheer her up.” He followed Kennedy over to several cases from where they were.
“Now this,” she said, showing him a diamond tennis bracelet that looked amazing under the store’s fluorescent lights, “would definitely put a smile on my face if I were having a bad week.”
“Yes, it’s beautiful, but I don’t know,” he said. Leila had a tennis bracelet similar to that one already. “You’re the owner of this store, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am,” Kennedy said. She smiled with pride. “I am the first female descendant to get my own store,” she shared.
“Really? That’s great, Kennedy, congrats,” Ray offered.
“Thank you,” she said with the same bright smile graced on her face. “So, tell me, what are you looking for today?”
“Show me something that would help to ease your pain if this store went outta business, and you needed to be cheered up,” he said.
Kennedy showed him another case and then called for her assistant from the break room, and she was out front in a flash. “Teresa, please get Mr. Johnson a glass of champagne while we find a gift suitable enough to cheer up his wife.” She turned back to Rayshon. “Now, this is what we call our High Rollers Case. Anything from this case would make the saddest person happy.”
“Well, let’s see what you got.” Rayshon reached for the glass of champagne the young lady handed him and took a sip. “Wow, this is good.”
“Thank you. We just recently added a refreshment station, and customers now come in just for a drink and a snack.” Kennedy laughed lightly as she unlocked the case. She reached in and grabbed a pair of earrings. “Okay, these earrings are one of our popular items,” she said and went on to give Rayshon more details about them. After she showed him some more items, he asked to see a diamond necklace. Kennedy smiled. “Oh, wow, this is one of my favorite pieces. This would certainly make a woman not only feel better but want to reward you.” She winked.
Rayshon admired it. “This is lovely. I know Leila will love it.”
“Leila . . . Leila. I know Leila is sorta a common name, but I know a Leila who just went out of business. Your wife isn’t from Leila’s Books, is she?” Kennedy asked.
Rayshon was surprised she knew of his wife’s store. “Yes, today was the last day of business for her.”
“Oh, Mr. Johnson, I’m so sorry. I’ve been going to her store for several years. My husband has a restaurant, not even a block down from her store.”
“Wow, small world. The owner of the restaurant—your husband, Julian, of course—is a member at my fitness center down the street.”
“Shut up! You’re Mr. Johnson of Johnson’s Physicals?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I heard you just opened your third location,” she said.
Ray sipped his drink again. “Yes, while my business is growing through the roof, my wife’s barely held on this year,” he said sadly.
“Wow, tell Leila that I am deeply sorry. This place is my baby, and even though we have some restaurants and nightclubs, I still love this store, so I can imagine how she feels.”
“I know. That is exactly why you have to gift wrap this lovely necklace for me, so I can try to cheer her up. Opening my third location has had me swamped, and I work so many hours now. I know my wife thinks I’m the worst guy on the planet, but I’m not. I honestly hate that she had to give up the store, and it kills me that I am having so much success. I can’t even look at her. I don’t know what to say to make her feel better. She’s pregnant with our third child, and I don’t want her stressing, so to keep my sanity, I work. I move around.”
“Well, Mr. Johnson, I can’t tell you how to handle your marriage, but I will tell you that working and avoiding her isn’t going to make her feel better. Even if you simply hold her hand, just show her that you wanna be there for her.”
He nodded in agreement. “Yeah.” He was used to being able to cheer Leila up, but with this one, it was hard because she made him feel bad at times for his business being such a success.
“You finish your champagne, and I’ll have this wrapped right away for you,” she said and moved to the back to have it gift wrapped.
Rayshon left the jewelry store and headed to the flower shop. He looked down at his phone and saw he had missed a few calls from Leila, so he listened to her voicemails, and it was all the same about him not being home for dinner, and she needed him to do this or that. He knew her words were true, but he wasn’t away doing leisure shit. He was working, but that night he was anxious to get home. He hadn’t had dinner with his family in weeks.
When he walked in, he was surprised that the house was so quiet. He went into the kitchen and was a little disappointed because there were no pots on the stove, and he didn’t see any takeout. He put his briefcase on the kitchen island and removed the KBanks Jewelers bag, then took it and the flowers and walked upstairs to find her. He went into the master bedroom first, but there was no sign of her. Then he stuck his head into his son’s room, thinking she’d be there with RJ, but she wasn’t there either. He knew Deja should have been with Devon, but he looked in her room anyway. Leila wasn’t there either. Her truck was in the garage, so he wondered where they were.
He stood in the hall and noticed a light coming from the baby’s room and knew that’s where she was. He gently pushed the door open to find Leila sleeping peacefully in her rocker. He approached slowly to keep from scaring her and leaned in and kissed her forehead. She opened her eyes, and he smiled.
“Ray, when did you get home?” she asked.
“A couple of moments ago. How are you feeling? Where’s RJ?” he asked.
She rubbed her face. “Umm, RJ went to Devon’s with Deja.”
“Where did he take them?”
“Home. I wasn’t feeling well, so Devon agreed to take him overnight for me to get som. . .
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