Spending the entire morning in the beauty salon wasn’t exactly her idea of fun. But Latonya was happy when she finally left with auburn hair again. She didn’t know if she wanted to grow her hair back as long as it had been, but she’d missed her old hair color. Her hair had grown a little. So instead of the flat style Latonya had been wearing, the stylist put flipped curls all over her head.

By the time she breezed into Soka’s, the lunch crowd had died down. She was glad she’d told Jeff to meet her for a late lunch. She really wanted to be able to thank him for all he’d done to help her.

“Well, if it isn’t the most beautiful girl in the world.” Suave as ever and still a flirt, Jeff stood and held his arms open for a hug.

Latonya broke into a grin.

“Give me a hug, girl. And then tell me what the hell are you doing here?”

Entering his embrace, she smiled. “It’s a long story. Let’s just say it proved impossible to hide forever.”

“Are you okay with that?” Although he kept a wide grin on his face, he didn’t mask the deep concern in his voice.

They took their seats as Latonya pondered that question. A week ago, she would have said no. The only thing she wanted then was to take her kids and get as far away from Carlton as possible. Now she only knew that she sensed a change in Carlton that she couldn’t put her finger on and she had no clear idea how she felt about any of it.

Given her confused state of mind, she felt it best not to answer Jeff’s question. “What are you up to now? I heard that you’re no longer with Harrington Enterprise?”

“That’s right. I finally stopped rebelling and went in with my dad at the family business. To be honest, once your husband came bursting into my town house when I was sick from the allergic reaction, scaring my poor mother half to death, and then I found out what he’d done to you, kicking you out because of some crazy accusations, I decided it was time to move on.” Jeff shrugged.

She did a double take. “What do you mean he came to your town house looking for you? He came to see you after he kicked me out?”

Shaking his head, Jeff replied, “The same day. He was shouting and yelling about how I had best stay away from his wife, and he wouldn’t leave when my mom told him I was ill. He wouldn’t leave until he saw how ill I was for himself.”

Stunned and perplexed, she could hardly believe that Carlton had actually gone to confront Jeff after throwing her out. Each and every one of the emotions that ran through her head must have shown on her face.

“I probably should have told you back then. But honestly, after the way he kicked you out, I really thought he didn’t deserve you. Are you okay?” Jeff touched her arm reassuringly.

“I’m fine, I’m just…I just hadn’t known that Carlton went to your place that day. That he’d seen how sick you were.”

“Yeah.” Never one for somberness, Jeff teased. “So, how is the newest little Harry? I guess I need to think of a nice descriptive name for him, huh?”

“I don’t think so. You can call him Terrence,” she said in mock admonishment as she playfully wagged her finger at him.

“Hey, Harry-Terry. How does that sound?” Jeff rubbed his hand across his chin in mock consideration.

“Sounds like you want a nice pop upside the head,” she warned as she smiled at her friend. “You know, I want to pay you back the money you gave to help me. You were a good friend to me and I’ll never forget it.” She took a sip of her water.

Jeff waved his hand dismissively. “Your money’s no good here. Just keep it somewhere safe in case you ever need to make a quick getaway. And know that you’ve got a friend with deep pockets if you ever need help like that again.”

“But, Jeff, that was a lot of money. I have to—”

Cutting her off, he admonished, “No, no, no.”

She shook her head. “Fine, but—”

Jeff arched his eyebrow and gave her a weary stare.

Seeing that she was fighting a losing battle, Latonya decided to just enjoy lunch with an old friend.

Carlton glanced at his sister-in-law pleadingly as she sat there with her arms folded across her chest. He had asked Cicely to meet him at Soka’s for lunch so that she could help him figure out how to make things right with Latonya. Clearly, Cee Cee wasn’t going to help him. He was on his own.

After squirming in his seat the entire meal and making case after case for himself, Cicely just stared at him with that icy glare that the Stevens women must’ve had a patent on. Just as he was about to say thanks for at least agreeing to see him, Cicely spoke.

“I really shouldn’t offer you any advice at all, bro. You messed up big time. And you broke your promise to me.” Cicely let out an exaggerated sigh. “But I’m feeling generous. Who knows why? First, I need to know, do you love my big sister?”

Carlton’s lip dropped. “Can’t you tell? Of course I do.”

Sighing in exasperation, Cicely replied, “Sometimes we women need to hear the words, bro. So tell me, do you love her?”

Staring his sister-in-law in the eye so that there would be no misunderstanding, Carlton stated, “Yes, I love Latonya.”

Cicely smiled and shook her head. “Well, like I said, I’m feeling generous, but I can’t give you any confidential information. Can’t break the sister-to-sister code of ethics, you understand. But I will say this. You might want to consider starting with a simple apology.”

Carlton couldn’t believe that was the advice Cicely offered. “What? That won’t work, Cee Cee. Plus, anyone can see that I know I was wrong. That’s why I want to make it up to her. That’s why I’m here having lunch with you. Hoping you will give me some good advice about how to win your sister’s heart again. Trust me, ‘I’m sorry’ is not a big enough gesture.”

Cicely smirked at him and spoke in a tone that suggested she thought he was more than a little dense. “Like I said, bro, sometimes women need to hear the words. You need to figure out why you can’t say them.”

Indignant, Carlton argued, “I can say them!”

Tilting her head defiantly, Cicely challenged, “Say them, then. Go ahead, say them.”

“I don’t have any reason to say them to you,” Carlton mumbled.

“I rest my case,” Cicely said gleefully as she took a sip of her iced tea.

“You haven’t made a case,” Carlton grumbled. He glanced around the slowly emptying restaurant and did a double take. Latonya was there with Jeff Weatherby. Talk about déjà vu.

Cicely noticed his stare and asked wryly, “Tell me you’re not going to do anything crazy or stupid.”

Carlton smiled. “Actually, I’m not. I owe that man a thank-you. He helped my wife when she needed it.” He took out some bills and placed them on the table. “Thanks for your help, Cee Cee.”

Latonya couldn’t believe it when Carlton came waltzing up to their table.

“Hello, Latonya, Jeff,” he offered calmly.

“Hi, Carlton,” Latonya responded.

“Hello,” Jeff added, a slightly startled look crossing his face.

Carlton took a deep breath. If Latonya didn’t know any better, she would have thought that he was nervous. But surely Carlton wouldn’t have been nervous.

“So, I saw you two having lunch and I wanted to come over and personally thank you, Jeff, for all that you did to help Latonya when she needed it.” The sincerity in Carlton’s voice caused Latonya’s eyes to widen.

Momentarily shocked, Jeff responded, “No problem, man. I was glad to help. That’s what friends are for.”

Carlton nodded. “Well, I’m just glad that she had someone in her corner during her time of need. I’d like to repay—”

Jeff cut him off. “Like I just told Latonya, you can put it in a trust fund for little Har…Carl and Terrence.”