Suzetta Perkins - Déjà Vu

“I’m glad to hear this.” Margo began to choke up. “Angelica, I have loved Jefferson from the first day I met him. We were a team; we were one. There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for him or he for me. I don’t know what went wrong, but I still love him and always will.

“I bore this man four beautiful children whom we have nourished and given the best years of our life together so they would be good people. It was the family I always dreamed I would have. Things happen in life, but I wasn’t ready for Jefferson’s indiscretions and illegal activities. Linda was one thing but you, my best friend, are another. I couldn’t digest it, but I hope you’ve been upfront with me today. You’ve paid your dues, and now I’m looking forward to the day Jefferson comes home.”

“I pray that you and Jefferson will heal from all that has happened to you.” Angelica looked up and smiled at Margo. “Thank you for giving a girl a second chance.”

“We still have a long way to go on our friendship, but welcome back, friend. Now let’s eat.”

Angelica smiled again and squeezed Margo’s hand. She had her friend back.

Malik was busy explaining the ins and outs of the computer system his customer was picking up. When he looked up, his eyes shifted between Margo and Angelica. Surprise registered in his eyes, and he lifted a finger and mouthed one minute. Malik helped the customer take the computer to his car and returned.

“So, what brings you two to SuperComp Technical Solutions?” Malik asked, directing his question at Margo.

“Angelica is in need of a job,” Margo began, “and I think you told me you needed office help.”

It was soon clear to Angelica that, while Malik might have an opening, she wasn’t going to be the recipient of it-Malik’s body language said as much.

“I do, and I’ve already interviewed a few ladies for the job.”

“What if I donated my time?” Angelica spoke up. “It’ll keep overhead down.”

“It’s not that, Angelica.”

“It’s because I’m a felon. Is that it, Malik?”

“Okay,” Margo interrupted. “Bad idea. We’ll go.”

“When can you start?” Malik asked.

Margo smiled.

“Tomorrow,” Angelica said, not wasting another precious moment.

“The hours are nine to six, and don’t be late. If it works out, maybe we can think about permanent.”

“It’s a deal.”

“Margo, what you fixing for dinner tonight?”

Angelica looked between the two of them. She knew there had to be something going on.

“Malik, there isn’t going to be any cooking at my house tonight. Angelica and I are going shopping and we’re not sure what else the night holds.”

“Nine o’clock,” Malik said to Angelica.

“Gotcha, brother. I will be here on time.”

There was something about Malik that Angelica couldn’t put her finger on. He always deflected her advances, even when he was a serious, single bachelor. He was Jefferson Myles’ best friend, but that could not have been it. Angelica was sure Malik didn’t want her around, but she planned to be all up in his face.

Angelica was up early. She was like a schoolgirl in love. The thought of being with Malik for eight or nine hours excited her. Maybe Fayetteville had something to offer after all.

She picked out a lime-green, lightweight suit. The skirt hit an inch above the knees, and the jacket had a fly-away collar that buttoned just below her cleavage. She found a pair of two-anda-half-inch heels so she could look up into Malik’s eyes. It was going to be a good day. She could feel it.

Malik smiled when he saw Angelica standing at the front door, waiting to be let in. She smiled back and moved away from the door so he could let her inside. His cologne was intoxicating, and she fought the urge to run her hands through the curls in his hair.

“I am so ready to get started,” Angelica said, trying to cut through the slight strain or whatever it was that settled over the office.

“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll show you where you’ll be working after I put on a pot of coffee.”

“Let me make it, Malik. That’s one thing I’m good at.”

“Okay, help yourself.”

Angelica felt Malik watching her. She made sure her best side was in view at all times. Although Malik was turning on computers and setting up for the day’s business, his eyes were trained on Angelica.

The morning passed quickly since business was a little slow. All receipts were filed and inventory entered into the system. Angelica waited for Malik to give her further instructions.

“Lunch time,” Angelica said heartily.

“I brought my lunch. I rarely get a chance to get away from the shop, except to deliver computers and help with setups. We can share a sandwich, if you like.”

“No, that’s all right. I’ll go out and get something.”

Malik walked to where Angelica was sitting, took a chair and sat down. He ignored the smile on Angelica’s face or the legs that extended beyond the short skirt she chose to wear.

“I’m not sure what your agenda is, Angelica, but I hope it doesn’t include hurting Margo.”

“Why would you say that? Of course not,” Angelica said with a frown.

“I want to believe you. Margo has been through enough without having to look over her shoulder every moment to make sure that she hasn’t made a mistake by letting you back into her life.”

“Are you and Margo seeing each other?” Malik’s eyes widened. “You were always friends, more Jefferson’s than Margo’s,” Angelica continued, “but I’m wondering if all the preoccupation with Margo is because you are more than a big brother.”

Malik got up out of his seat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Angelica. Margo loves Jefferson, and that’s where her heart is.”

“What about yours? I see how you look at her.”

“You’ve got it all wrong. There’s nothing between Margo and me except friendship. She’s my best friend’s wife and I happen to care about her and want to make sure she’s all right.”

“Whatever. You can tell me what you want, but I know what I see.”

“Draw your own conclusions. Fact is fact.”

“Look, I appreciate you letting me help you out, Malik. While I’d rather get paid, this will do for the moment. I’m going to be real with you. I want to get on with life, and hurting Margo is the last thing I want to do. I missed her very much. If I was half the woman…” Angelica stopped, lowered her head and then raised it. “If I was half the woman Margo has been, my life wouldn’t have turned out this way.”

“I appreciate hearing that, Angelica. You are beautiful.”

Surprise registered on Angelica’s face. “Thank you. Where did that come from?”

“Just stating what is.”

“I’m a little confused. All the times I’ve tried to get you to notice me, you’ve never given me a moment’s glance.”

“How do you know?”

“I’m stating what is.”

“Let’s say I thought about taking you on a road test.”

“A road test? You say that as if I was a piece of meat that you take out of the freezer if you get a little hungry.”

“I didn’t mean it like that, Angelica. I apologize if it sounded harsh.”

Angelica got up from her seat and stood directly in front of Malik. “What is it that you don’t like about me? I know you think that Jefferson and I were together when he had the accident. We weren’t together the way you think; I had gone to warn him about the hit on his life.”

“So you’ve never been with Jefferson?”

“No,” Angelica said too quickly.

“Well, Ms. Angelica Barnes the Beautiful, my frat and best friend Jefferson must be a liar.”