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Lee Phillips looked at her oldest child with equal parts amusement and amazement. “You sound rather territorial, dear. What’s going on? Are you interested in Ayanna?”
Johnny didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, I sure am. Why shouldn’t I be interested? She’s smart, she’s a great mother, her boys are well-mannered, well-behaved and intelligent and she’s gorgeous. Why are you asking if I’m interested? Don’t you like her? You think there’s something wrong with her?” He had a very defined scowl on his face, which neither woman had ever seen on behalf of a woman.
Lee and Billie exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
“I think he’s serious, Mama,” Billie said. “I’m going to finish cooking breakfast before Daddy comes down here growling like a bear.”
“Come sit down, dear.” Lee invited him. “Have some coffee.”
“I’m not sitting down until you tell me why you don’t like Ayanna,” he said defensively. “She’s a lovely woman. What’s not to like about her?”
“Ooh, you’re really going off the deep end, aren’t you?” Lee’s eyes twinkled with affection for her son. “Now sit your lanky butt down, and let me drop some knowledge on you.”
Johnny sat down at the pub table in the spacious kitchen and crossed his arms on the table. Lee took a sip of coffee before speaking.
“Ayanna Porter is an outstanding young woman, and your father and I adore her. But she’s not like those gangly airheads you normally spend two or three weeks wining, dining, bedding and forgetting. She’s not for you, son. All you want is a good time, and she’s not a good time gal. So unless you’re willing to go the distance, you need to go away.” Her words were kind but firm.
“Don’t hold back, Mama. How do you really feel about it?” he said dryly.
Billie’s giggles could be heard as she took a tray of maple crisped turkey bacon out of the oven. “I guess she told you, big brother. But she’s right. I told you, Ayanna ain’t anybody’s play toy. If you’re looking for a playmate, I think I heard Davina in the shower. She got in late, but she should be rarin’ to go.”
“Well, thanks for the gratifying assessment of my personality,” Johnny said curtly. “I think I’ll just meet you at church,” he added.
“Oh, don’t get mad. I made stuffed French toast,” Billie wheedled. “It’s Ayanna’s recipe. We’re not trying to say that you’re a hound, but you haven’t had any long, sustaining relationships. Unless that’s what you’re looking for, Ayanna’s not the one for you. She deserves someone who’s going to love her unconditionally and permanently and that hasn’t been your pattern, you have to admit.”
Jason came into the room and kissed his wife before going to his mother-in-law and giving her a good morning kiss on the cheek. “I heard you all when I was coming through the dining room. Ease up off Johnny. I was a coast-to-coast hound before I met Billie. When a man meets the right woman, he becomes the right man for her. Am I right, baby?” he asked, looking at Billie.
“Yes, you are,” she answered. “Johnny, there may be hope for you yet.”
Johnny didn’t respond to her encouraging words. “Jason, maybe I can get a straight answer from you. Are Todd and Ayanna involved?”
Jason looked surprised. “No, not at all. They’re friends and occasional dance partners, but Todd is too wrapped up in his work to get into a relationship. If he was, I’d know because his mouth runs like water. They’re totally friends,” he assured Johnny.
Johnny’s face relaxed into its normal smile. “That’s good to know.”
The outside door opened, and Johnny’s father, Boyd, walked in with Sadie, who was glad to see everyone. “What’s good to know? Where’s my breakfast? My grand-dog and I are ready to eat.”
Johnny was fondling Sadie’s ears and didn’t answer. Lee was more than happy to fill in the details, though.
“Your son was finding out whether or not the adorable Ayanna Porter was involved. He’s happy that’s she’s available,” she said archly.
Boyd shrugged his broad shoulders as he went to inspect the spread Billie was preparing. “I’m glad to know that, too. It’s about time you settled down, son.”
Everyone waited for Johnny’s usual declaration that he was going to stay single forever, but it wasn’t forthcoming. “You could be right, Pop,” was all he said. “You want me to set the table, little sister?”
Lee and Billie were shocked by his laconic response, but Boyd and Jason acted as though nothing was amiss. Mother and daughter exchanged a look that said they’d be talking about this at great length once they were alone.
Ayanna’s peace was invaded once again when she saw Johnny at church. She had been enveloped in the serenity that always surrounded her every Sunday, when she got a tap on the shoulder. Turning around to find the source of the tap, she saw Johnny looking even better than usual in a fabulous gray suit. His shirt was pale blue and his silk tie had a rep pattern in shades of blue and gray and to make matters worse, he smelled terrific. He was smiling at her, too, which made her heart give a few extra beats. Great, fine, swell. Here she had just prayed the man out of her mind and here he was in the flesh, temptation personified. She mustered a smile and a greeting.
“I didn’t see you earlier. Where were you sitting?” she asked politely.
“We were sitting about two rows behind you. I saw you,” he said with that darned sexy smile. “You look good from the back, but even better from the front.”
Ayanna felt a bit of heat from his words. She always liked getting dressed up for church, and she’d worn a pink linen Ralph Lauren suit she’d gotten from the consignment shop. It was brand new, too; the tags were still on it. It was her favorite spring outfit, and hearing his compliment was nice but unsettling considering the blazing hot dream she was trying to delete from her mental hard drive.
He took her arm like they’d been walking together for years, and before she knew it, they were outside the church with his family. She greeted everyone and looked around for Alec and Cameron. The sooner they got out of there, the better it would be for her peace of mind.
Cameron came out of nowhere, and she breathed a sigh of relief. “Where’s your brother?” she asked, after he exchanged polite greetings with everyone.
“He’s headed to the car, I think. He said he was starving.” Cameron grinned.
“Well, why don’t you all come on over to the house? We’ve got tons of leftovers, so we thought we’d just have a second-day party,” Billie said.
“Thanks, but I told the boys I’d take them to Dave & Buster’s,” Ayanna said.
“One of my favorite restaurants,” Johnny said. “Mind if I tag along?”
“No, that would be great,” Cameron assured him. “I wanted to ask you some more questions about your foundation, if that’s okay, Mr. Phillips.”
Ayanna looked down at the peep toes of her Payless wedge-heeled beige sandals. Why did her children have to have such good manners? She looked up to see Johnny pointing at his father.
“That’s Mr. Phillips over there. Just call me John,” he said. “Why don’t we go in my car?”
Ayanna finally found her voice and said something about changing clothes. That’s how they wound up in a mini-caravan, with Johnny following her to the small brick home she shared with the boys. Cameron and Alec rode with Johnny, and she led the way, giving herself a pep talk as she drove.
“Quit being a drama queen. It’s just an afternoon with the boys and Johnny. It’s not like it’s a date. He has no idea that you have a dirty little mind, and there’s no reason for him to find out. Just chill, and try to act like a grown woman instead of a schoolgirl,” she mumbled.
She pulled into the driveway and was already at the back door when Johnny and the boys arrived. Alec and Cameron bounded out of the SUV with Johnny following at a more sedate pace.
“Mom, we got an idea on the way over here. Guess what John’s favorite meal is?” Cameron asked.
“I couldn’t possibly. What is it?” she asked faintly.
“Lasagna! We told him what a good cook you are and how good your lasagna is, and I know there’s some in the freezer, so why don’t we all have dinner here?”
Alec joined in the plea, double-teaming her. “Yeah, Ma, that would be fun. Can we stay here, please?”
Ayanna looked at their pleading faces helplessly. They were so hard to resist when they asked for something—and they asked for so little. She bought some time by opening the back door and entering the kitchen. She put her purse and keys on the table and turned to face the three of them. “But this was supposed to be a treat for you guys,” she said. “I’m sure Johnny would rather go to the restaurant than eat here. Besides, I don’t have any Italian bread and, umm…” She vainly tried to think of other reasons why this was a bad idea.
“I can’t think of anything I’d like more than eating here with you and the guys. And if you need anything from the store, we’d be happy to go get it for you. We’ll clean up afterward, too. And,” Johnny added persuasively, “I’ll take you all out to Dave & Buster’s later in the week or on the weekend or whenever you like. How’s that for a deal?”
Ayanna looked at the three pairs of eyes that were all beseeching her to agree, and she caved. “Fine. I’ll get the lasagna out while you guys change clothes, and then you can go pick up a few things for me. And that kitchen had better be spotless,” she said playfully.
“Cool!” Alec and Cameron slapped each other five while Johnny gave her a satisfied smile. She wondered what she had just gotten herself into.
Chapter 5
D inner was actually a lot more fun than Ayanna expected. After the boys went to change out of their church clothes, Johnny surprised her by going out to his SUV and coming back in the house with a garment bag. He explained that he was in the process of moving.
“I just got in yesterday morning, and most of my things are still in the car. I’m going to stay at Nick’s old apartment until I get a house. So if you don’t mind, I’m going to get into something more casual so I don’t get sauce on my good suit.”
“Of course you can,” Ayanna said. “Come on, I’ll take you to the spare room, and you can change there.”
She led him down the hall to a small room that she had set up as a place where the boys could do their homework and she could work from home. It had a chaise lounge, a comfortable chair and a computer desk. Like all the rooms in her house, it was neat as a pin as well as attractive. Warm cocoa walls, bamboo blinds and several colorful prints made it warm and welcoming. There were green plants hanging in the two windows and an African-inspired print rug on the hardwood floor.
“Here you go. You can hang your garment bag on the back of the door or in the closet,” she said, ignoring the warmth that invaded her as he stood close to her body. He took her hand and gave her a look that could have melted a glacier.
“Thanks, Ayanna. I really appreciate you doing this. I don’t want to put you to any trouble, but I don’t get home-cooked food for months at a time, so I really look forward to it when I can get some,” he told her.
The feel of his big hand wrapped around hers was intoxicating, but she forced herself to speak in a normal voice and act casual. “It’s no bother at all, don’t be silly. I’m going to make a list while you change.”
Johnny’s compelling eyes continued to lock with hers. “Is this your grocery list or the list of the desires I’m going to fulfill?”
“Groceries! I’ll need my computer to list everything I want from you,” she said without thinking. She was glad he took it as a joke, and the sound of his laughter followed her down the hall. Her hands were trembling while she jotted down a few things to round out their meal. She went to the refrigerator and poured a big glass of ice-cold water, which she drank rapidly in an effort to cool off the fire that he ignited in her. It’s just dinner. Just one dinner, and then things will be back to normal. Try to act like you got some sense, she chided herself.
In a few minutes Alec, Cameron and Johnny presented themselves in jeans and T-shirts and announced that they were ready to do her bidding.
“Here you go. They boys can tell you where the store is, and they know what brands I like. I think they do, don’t they?” She glanced at her sons, who looked amused.
“Of course we do, Ma. Give us some credit,” Cameron said. “We know everything you like.”
Johnny looked mischievous and said, “Good, you can give me some pointers on how to get on her good side.” They went out the door like they’d been hanging out for years, and Ayanna stared after them until she reminded herself that she had work to do.
She went to the side-by-side refrigerator and pulled open the freezer door. Ayanna liked to power cook, as she called it. If she made spaghetti or chili or macaroni and cheese, things her sons really liked, she would double or triple the recipe so that there were always two or three casseroles in the freezer to be popped in the oven at a moment’s notice. She took out the lasagna and put it on a cookie sheet before sliding it into the oven. She would make garlic bread and stuff some mushrooms with pesto to round out the meal along with a big green salad.
By the time the guys came back from the store, she had changed into some nice fitting jeans and a violet scoop-necked T-shirt that showed off her figure without being too provocative. She was also wearing lavender flip-flops, and her toenails were polished in a pretty shade of pink. “Thank you, gentlemen. Now if you go play some ball or watch the game or something, dinner will be ready in about forty-five minutes.”
Alec stayed to set the dining room table for her while she made the garlic bread and the stuffed mushrooms. The salad took no time, since she used a pre-bagged mixture of romaine lettuce.
“I can do that for you, Ma,” Alec offered.
“Thanks, sweetie. You’re too good to me,” she said.
“Aww, Ma, cut it out. I’m supposed to be good to you because you’re so sweet and nice and you do everything for us. We’re lucky to have you for a mother,” he said.
Her eyes filled with tears, and she started to hug him but he held up the oversized salad forks like a cross. “No mushy stuff, Ma! Step away, or I’ll put something weird in the salad.”
“Like what?” Ayanna smiled. Like typical adolescents, both Alec and Cameron had moments when the “mushy stuff” was just too much for them to handle.
“Grub worms, locusts, lizards, stuff like that. John said people in Africa eat them. They’re a delicacy in some places.”
“Ewwww! My palate isn’t that sophisticated, thank you.”
“John is a really cool guy, isn’t he? He’s really smart, and he’s done a lot of traveling. He’s the kind of guy you should date,” he added innocently.
“Okay, thanks for your help. Tell Cameron and Johnny to wash up and dinner will be on the table in about fifteen minutes,” she said hurriedly. When he left the room, she leaned against the counter and sighed deeply. What next?
Ayanna was used to getting compliments on her cooking, but Johnny looked and acted as though he’d been transported to some idyllic land when he tasted her meal. He praised the garlic bread and the mushrooms, but he declared his love for the main course.
“This is the most magnificent meal I’ve had in a long time. I don’t know how to thank you for allowing me to disrupt your family time,” he said.
“Oh, that’s easy. You guys are cleaning up the kitchen, remember?”
Alec and Cameron were already clearing the table and bringing in dessert, which was raspberry sorbet and some of her homemade brownies, which had been known to make people swoon when they tasted them. Johnny was in that category. His eyes lit up when he saw them, and when he swallowed his first bite, he closed his eyes in bliss.
“Alec, Cameron, I know we don’t know each other too well, but once I marry your mother, we’re going to be good friends. Sound okay to you?”
Suddenly the tension that had been building in Ayanna dissipated, and she started laughing. This was the Johnny she’d been getting to know, and this was his usual exaggerated sense of humor. So what if he’d visited her dreams? Stuff happened, and you got over it. “Johnny, you really do need Jesus,” she said.
“Ma, why do you call him Johnny? He told us to call him John,” Cameron pointed out.
“I can help you with that. My dad named us all after singers. I was named after Johnny Hartman, this amazing jazz singer. So Johnny is my given name, but I usually tell people to call me John because it just sounds more adult, more businesslike,” he admitted.
Alec, ever-curious, had to ask another question. “So why don’t you tell Ma to call you John?”
Johnny looked directly into Ayanna’s eyes. “Because I like the way she says my name.”
“You did an excellent job on the kitchen,” Ayanna said. Dinner was over, and the promise to clean up was fulfilled. Alec and Cameron were at a friend’s house, and it was just Ayanna and Johnny, sitting on the sofa listening to music and talking.
“You did a superlative job on everything else,” Johnny said. “You’re an amazing woman, Ayanna. Besides being beautiful and a perfect mother, you cook like a Cordon Bleu graduate, and you dance like a professional. How did you learn to dance like that?”
“Like what? Oh no, did Billie show you that DVD?” She covered her face and groaned.
Johnny pulled her hands away from her face. “Don’t go getting all shy with me. You could be headlining in Vegas or Miami with those moves.”
“I didn’t think she was going to show it to anyone.”
“She won’t be showing it to anyone else. I stole it from her just so I could keep it to myself,” he said.
“Are you kidding me? You actually took it? Why?”
“Because it turned me on.” He leaned toward her. “You were too hot for anyone else to see. You kept me up all night thinking about the way you moved, the way you looked. You were blazin’ hot, Ayanna. Do you still have that little outfit you wore?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out, if you can,” she said sassily.
“Don’t dare me,” Johnny warned. “I’ve been known to play dirty to get what I want.”
“Don’t threaten me,” she said. “I’m the one with the brownies, remember?”
Johnny held his hands up in supplication. “You win.”
Ayanna turned her head toward the stereo and then looked back at Johnny. “What is that playing? It’s beautiful.”
“That is John Coltrane. The singer is Johnny Hartman. He’s the only vocalist Coltrane ever recorded with. That’s the man I was named for. You like him?”
“I love his voice. It’s like velvet.”
“You can keep that one. I just happened to have it in the car stereo, and I thought you might like it.”
