A Chance with You Read online

  “Thank you.” Spencer nodded and reluctantly followed his friends, who’d stepped away from the table to enjoy the first course.

  When he joined them several yards away at a small bar-height table, Ty wasted no time calling him out on his instant infatuation. “That was some sexual tension back there,” Ty said, glancing back at the woman behind the table, who was talking to several other guests ready to taste her delicious creations.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Spencer lied.

  Brielle laughed as she took a bite of scallop. “You’re a terrible liar, Spencer. We both saw it. No, make that felt the attraction between you two.”

  Spencer shrugged. “She’s a beautiful woman. What can I say?” He wanted nothing better than to know what kind of figure was beneath the oversize chef coat she was wearing.

  “Get her number,” Ty suggested.

  “I can’t.” Spencer shook his head. “She’s working.”

  “The night is still young,” Ty responded. “As the evening ends, I’m sure the opportunity will present itself.”

  “What do you think, Brielle?” Spencer turned to Ty’s wife.

  “She was definitely affected by meeting you,” Brielle said. “I think you have a shot.”

  “All right.” Spencer pointed his finger at the two matchmaking culprits. “But if I’m turned down flat, I’ll have no one to blame but you.”

  “You won’t,” Ty returned.

  Spencer sure hoped not. For some reason, his gut told him that this woman was someone worth knowing.

  * * *

  “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Summer said when she returned with more bacon cream sauce and platters of pork belly. Their second course consisted of pork belly with sweet potato pancake and black pepper shrimp with smoked gouda cheese grits.

  Raina pulled Summer away from the tables so no one could hear them. “You will never believe who is here.”

  She still couldn’t believe it herself. But she was staring at gorgeous Spencer Davis. The pictures she’d seen online did him little justice. And it wasn’t just his stature. It was everything about him: the big bushy eyebrows, the broad nose, the full succulent lips and the sexy smile. Add his bravado, appealing masculine smell and the way he wore that three-piece suit and she was smitten.

  “Is it a celebrity?” Summer looked over her shoulder. Although she couldn’t ask for autographs, she could definitely write about it on their catering blog.

  “No,” Raina whispered. “It’s Spencer Davis.”

  “Shut the front door!”

  Raina shook her head. “I can’t believe he’s here. Over there.” She inclined her head toward the trio standing nearby, munching on food and sipping champagne.

  “Oh my Lord!” Summer touched her chest. “Does he know who you are?”

  Raina shook her head. “No. I don’t think he’s been served yet by my attorney, but...I never expected this, to meet him in person. Do you see how fine he is?”

  Summer leaned back and did a double take. “Mmm...I see your point. He is mighty fine, but what can you do? It’s not like you planned this. We had no idea he’d be here tonight.”

  “Like he’s going to believe that when he finds out who I am.” Raina sighed. She couldn’t believe her luck. “He’ll think I was scoping him out.”

  “And he’d be wrong,” Summer scolded. “The only reason you’re pursuing this is to find out the truth. Who’s to say he’s even Zoe’s father?”

  “But why else would Alexa have a photo of her and Spencer together?”

  Summer shrugged. “I don’t know, and we don’t have time to speculate. We have to finish this party. He probably won’t even come this way again. Come on—we have more tables to serve.”

  Summer couldn’t have been more wrong, because as the next course was served, Spencer Davis kept coming back to Raina’s table for a taste. And each time Raina became more and more flustered by the attention Spencer was bestowing on her.

  If she was serving another person, he would wait patiently until the line dissolved and he could speak with her for a few moments about each course. Any other time, it would have been harmless enough, a little flirtation between adults. But this time was different. This man could potentially be her niece’s father and her attorney was about to serve him with legal documents requesting he submit to a paternity test. Raina highly doubted Spencer Davis would be so enamored with her if he knew what a royal pain she was about to become in his life.

  * * *

  When Spencer saw a lull at the beautiful woman’s table he decided to make his move. “That pecan bread pudding with whiskey sauce was divine,” he said when he returned to the table.

  “Thank you.” The woman smiled at him.

  “You’re welcome.” Spencer extended his hand. “Spencer Davis.”

  Raina shook Spencer’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Davis. Now, er, if you’ll excuse me, I have to start to clean up.”

  Spencer blinked with bafflement. “Are you honestly not going to tell me your name?”

  “I don’t mix with patrons,” Raina said. Her answer sounded logical.

  Spencer looked around. “The party is wrapping up and after that I won’t be your patron.” He looked into her warm eyes. “I was hoping we could maybe grab a drink later, you know, get to know each other.”

  Raina swallowed. “I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.”

  “Why not?”

  “There’s lots to do, Mr. Davis. Some of us have to work hard for a living rather than throw a basketball around.”

  A smile ruffled Spencer’s mouth. “So you know who I am?”

  “I’m a native of Miami,” Raina replied, her smile mirroring his larger one. “Of course I would know the great Spencer Davis. You’re a legend in this town.”

  “I was hoping I was incognito and you would...” His voice trailed off and he turned to walk away, but the woman called out to him.

  “Hoped what?”

  “Want to get to know me for me,” Spencer responded, turning back around to face her. “I guess that would be too much to ask.”

  The woman seemed to be surprised by his honesty and cocked her head to one side. “Sincerity is not too much to ask. And any other time, I would—” Raina cut herself off. “I have too much going on in my life right now.”

  Spencer stared at her, his eyes clinging to hers, analyzing her, inwardly pleading for friendship. Her eyes were wary and he wasn’t sure why. “I understand. Another time?” he said and reluctantly walked away. He’d decided not to push, but somehow he would find out who the woman was.

  * * *

  “I’m so glad this night is over,” Raina said as she and Summer packed up the company van with all their supplies.

  “Yeah, that was a close call with you and Spencer Davis. He was really into you and kept coming back to our table all night.”

  “You’re telling me,” Raina replied. “Worse yet, he asked me out on a date.”

  “Really? When?” Summer stopped putting boxes in the van and turned to Raina.

  “After you’d gone inside after dessert.”

  “And what did you say?” Summer helped Raina put the last few boxes in the van before shutting the door. She fished the keys out of her jeans pocket, unlocked the doors and she and Raina jumped inside.

  “I turned him down of course. Refused to give him my name,” Raina said, buckling herself into the passenger seat. “I can’t go out with him, Summer. It’s just a matter of time before he finds out who I am, and then all hell will break loose.”

  “At least you could have had a little fun before it did.”

  “No.” Raina shook her head fervently. “I just courted disaster tonight and narrowly avoided it. I need to stay clear of Spencer Davis unt
il the dust settles. Let our attorneys duke it out.”

  “Do you honestly think that’s possible? This isn’t about business. This is personal.”

  “I know, and meeting Spencer Davis tonight just made it more so.”

  * * *

  Spencer woke up with a start. He was bathed in sweat. He dragged his hands over his short curly Afro. He’d had the same nightmare he’d been having on and off for the past four years. It was the same nightmare that, even after years of therapy, he just couldn’t shake.

  It was the helplessness, the regret, the guilt, that always greeted him the morning after one of his episodes. He could see himself pinned in Cameron’s car while he stared at his brother, cut and bleeding on the hood. He’d been unable to help him because he’d been trapped by the steering wheel. By the time the ambulance had arrived, it was too late. Cameron had sustained massive internal injuries and hadn’t survived.

  Why hadn’t he made Cameron wear his seat belt? Spencer should have insisted, but Cameron had been belligerent that night. Knowing Cameron could have survived if he’d been belted in had caused Spencer to retreat into himself the past few years.

  Ty was right; he would have to let go of the past and start to live again. Up until yesterday, he hadn’t been sure he was ready. The woman he’d met last night had him seeing the possibilities.

  She hadn’t just been beautiful, either. He’d seen her interacting with the guests and she’d been kind and patient. When an older woman had dropped her cane, she’d rushed over to help her from behind the table. It was that kind of simple action that told him she was someone special.

  Which was why he’d made sure he’d found Allyson Peters to thank her for the invite and to ask for the name of the caterer who’d made the excellent food. Raina Martin of Diamonds and Gems Catering. Raina. It sounded lovely on his lips, and he hoped the lady herself would taste as good.

  Throwing back the covers, Spencer rose naked from his bed to head into the shower. As the spray pelted his back, Spencer was determined to meet Raina again. This time she would not turn him down.

  * * *

  After sleeping in late the morning after the Parkinson’s event, Raina should have woken up feeling refreshed. Instead she felt a sense of dread, and it wasn’t because of the kid’s party she was now driving Zoe to.

  Meeting Spencer Davis had been a shock, one she hadn’t been prepared for. And to make matters worse, she’d been attracted to him. As she’d fallen to sleep last night, she’d tried to convince herself that it was nothing, but deep down she knew it wasn’t. She’d felt butterflies swarming in her belly each time he’d come near her table. And when he’d asked her out, she’d wanted to jump for joy, but she couldn’t. She was in a quandary of wanting Spencer for herself but knowing that Zoe needed him more.

  The thing was men like Spencer Davis were never interested in her. They wanted fun girls, like Alexa had been back in the day. They didn’t want neurotic, workaholic girls like Raina. But Spencer had sparked a desire in her she’d never felt before. None of her past relationships had made her feel the way Spencer had with one look.

  “Auntie Raina.” Zoe was poking her arm. “You missed the turn.”

  “Sorry.” Raina snapped out of her reverie. She’d missed the right turn onto Caroline’s street. She had to snap out of this. She would never have a chance with Spencer. Once he found out her identity, he would keep her at arm’s length.

  Several minutes later, she pulled into the car-lined street. She found a parking space several doors down. This time, Zoe couldn’t jump out because Raina had made sure to put on the child lock. Raina exited the vehicle, pulled the gift for Caroline out of the trunk and came around to open Zoe’s car door.

  Zoe wasn’t too happy about being confined, but she didn’t mouth off.

  “Here’s your gift for Caroline.” Raina handed her the gift bag with the greeting card. She hoped the little girl would like the video game she’d gotten; Caroline’s mother had noted it on the wish list. Raina had been shocked at how much parents spent on children’s toys. The gift had cost over fifty dollars.

  A Caucasian woman opened the door. “Zoe, welcome,” she said. “Come on in. All the kids are in the back on the obstacle course. And you must be Raina.” She leaned over to give Raina a quick hug as she entered the foyer. “So glad to meet you. I’m Cynthia Williams.”

  “Thanks for having us,” Raina replied.

  “I’m just happy Zoe could attend, given the circumstances,” Cynthia whispered.

  “Well, my parents and I are trying to keep things as normal as we can.”

  “Is that even possible?” Cynthia blurted out.

  It was an honest question that most people might be afraid to ask, but Raina didn’t mind. She appreciated that the woman wasn’t walking on eggshells around her like most of the other parents. When she’d come to school with Zoe a week after Alexa’s death, she’d seen the downcast looks, the pity stares. Lord knew what poor Zoe was going through. She knew kids could be cruel. “We’re doing the best we can,” Raina answered.

  Cynthia touched her shoulder. “Well, if there’s anything that I can do, babysitting and the like, please let me know. Alexa was always such a help with Caroline.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate the offer.”

  Raina stayed in the kitchen with the other parents, sipping coffee and eating coffee cake, while the kids played outside in the inflatable obstacle course complete with pop-ups, a slide and a tunnel. She didn’t have much to share with most of the women in the room because they were married homemakers. There were only two single parents in the bunch. Most of them were sympathetic and offered words of wisdom here and there, but Raina quickly realized she had a long road ahead of her if she didn’t have Spencer Davis to help her. She just hoped he wouldn’t hate her too much, but she didn’t have any choice. She had to know the truth.

  * * *

  “Spencer, Chad Gray is on the phone,” Mona told him on Monday morning.

  “Did he say what it was in regards to?” Spencer pressed the intercom button down.

  “No, but if you’d like me to twenty-question him, I can,” she replied in her usual Mona-like manner.

  “That won’t be necessary. I’ll take it.” Spencer reached for the receiver. “Chad, what can I do for you?”

  “Well, as your lawyer I was served with a request for you to submit to a paternity test.”

  “What!” Spencer sat up in his ergonomic executive chair. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Why don’t you tell me?”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Spencer replied. He’d always been an advocate for safe sex. Even if a woman claimed she was on the pill, he didn’t care; he still put on a condom. Always. He wasn’t going to take the chance of becoming a father before he was ready.

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “Yes,” Spencer stated emphatically. “Matter of fact, I’ve been celibate of late.”

  “Well this is going back seven years,” his attorney replied.

  Spencer became silent. Seven years ago, he’d been knee-deep into partying and alcohol. Although he always stressed safe sex, was it possible that one time he could have slipped? “Who is she?”

  “Does the name Alexa Martin ring a bell?”

  Spencer’s mind wandered, trying to recall his heyday of partying in the clubs with Ty and Cameron. The memories were fuzzy, but the name sounded oddly familiar.

  “What does she want?”

  “It’s more like what her sister wants.”

  “Why would her sister care about paternity?”

  “Because Alexa Martin passed away and her sister, Raina, has guardianship of her daughter, Zoe Martin.”

  Raina. It couldn’t be his Raina, could it? “What’s the sister’s name again?” But even a
s he asked the question, Spencer knew the answer. It was as if someone had just punched him in the gut.

  “Raina Martin. She’s petitioning you to submit to a paternity test on behalf of her niece.”

  Spencer’s heart sank. Raina. The first woman in years that he’d been attracted to, the first woman in a long, long time that he’d thought didn’t have an ulterior motive in meeting him. He’d been wrong.

  Raina Martin had connived her way into catering a party that she knew he would attend. For what? What had she hoped to gain? Had she been looking to see if she could have the same chance with him her sister might have had? If so, she’d sure played it close to the vest, acting all sweet and innocent. She’d really duped him.

  “Well, the name Alexa Martin doesn’t ring any bells. I don’t recall having sex with her.”

  “That’s all fine and good, but you don’t want to push this, Spencer. It could get real ugly if she decides to take her story to the press. She could do a real smear campaign on you. I did some research and Alexa recently died of cancer. Beating up on her grieving sister whose only trying to take care of her niece would shine a negative light on you, especially when your agency is taking off.”

  “So she’s a do-gooder?” Spencer asked bitterly, upset with himself for liking the fact that she was raising her sister’s kid.

  “If you want to call it that. Quite frankly, you can put this whole matter to rest by taking the paternity test and ruling yourself out.”

  “That sounds reasonable enough, Chad, but what if I am the girl’s father?” Spencer inquired. “What then?”

  “Then you’d better be ready to pay up. Raina Martin is requesting child support and is open to visitation rights.”

  “Visitation rights?” Spencer said. “If I’m the father, why would I leave my child to be raised by someone other than me?”

  “You’re right. The courts do prefer to leave a child with the birth parents, but you didn’t even know she existed. And listen, at this point, this is all purely conjecture. You need to take the test.”

  “I’ll give it some thought,” Spencer said and quickly hung up the phone. But he was going to do more than give it some thought. He was going to find Raina Martin and give her a piece of his mind for her deceptive ways. Allyson had given him Raina’s business card and he was about the pay the lady a visit.