A year later, almost to the exact day they met, Siri stood in the lobby of The Crown Plaza Hotel where her book release party was being held. The book, Night of Seduction, had received rave reviews prior to its release. Crimson Publishing executives were ecstatic with the pre-sales on this unknown author. Of course it didn’t hurt that her husband, musical genius, Silk Davies released his CD, Heaven’s Gate in conjunction with the book. In fact, everyone that attended the release party was given the CD and front row tickets to Friday’s At Sunset to see Silk Davies perform.
Maxine Long watched as the camera shy Siri posed for picture after picture with executives and fans. “She has certainly come a long way from, ‘the press and I don’t get along’, stage.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Kiki replied without taking her eyes off the man standing with Eric.
“Why don’t you just go over there and tell the man you were wrong. You can and will move to Atlanta and take all of us out of our misery.”
The words Latoya said would not leave her. As liberal as she was, there was one thing that she was just old fashioned about—she believed in love, marriage, children and the white picket fence. Tyrone did not want the wife and kids. He did not believe in love. Kiki turned to Max. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“I’m talking about the fact that that gorgeous, successful man, Tyrone Pendleton asked you to move to Atlanta and you turned him down. Why I don’t know and you don’t either.”
“He could move to Richmond just as easily as I could move to Atlanta.” Kiki pouted. “Why is it always the woman that has to sacrifice her job and family to be with a man?”
“Did you ask him to move here? There is no sacrifice worth the love of a good man,” Maxine stated.
“I agree,” Siri said as she walked up. “Besides, I feel responsible for Ty being so miserable. I introduced you two. Why can’t you move to Atlanta? I’ll be there most of the time and TeKaya is there permanently.”
“It’s all happening to quick,” Kiki declared.
Siri laughed. “TeKaya married Jason after one month. I married Eric after two.”
“That’s different, both of you fell in love at first site. Ty and I are different. He’s never—said anything about—love.”
Siri looked over at Tyrone. “Emotions are hard for Tyrone. But he loves you, I’m sure of that.”
“I’ll tell you the same thing I told him. I’m not going to uproot my life, to move in with a man that can’t express himself.”
“How is he in bed?” Maxine asked while raising an eyebrow.
“How is who in bed?” TeKaya walked over holding Sierra’s hand.
“Tyrone,” Siri replied.
TeKaya, Siri, and Maxine all turned to look at Ty. “Mmm-hmm.” They all said in unison, and then laughed.
Ty looked over at Kiki who was acting as if he did not exist. He didn’t understand why she’d left in such a huff. Didn’t she understand the sacrifice he was making by asking her to move in with him? He never wanted to share his life with a woman—until now. Hell, he didn’t even allow people to get close to him. The only ones that had were standing there next to him. He turned to find Eric and Jason both grinning at him like Cheshire cats. “What?” he asked in an irritated voice.
They laughed. “Looks like you’re the topic of conversation over there,” Jason answered.
“It appears you are a little on edge. What’s wrong—need a woman?” Eric asked with a smile.
“I don’t need anyone, especially a woman—that woman,” Ty declared.
Both began to shake their heads at him. “I don’t understand what happened. The night Latoya was locked up you two couldn’t keep your hands off each other. What did you do?” Eric asked.
“I don’t want to talk about this.”
“Look man, we’re here to help,” Jason grinned.
“I don’t need your help. Just leave it alone.”
“Alright man, but I’m going home with TeKaya,” Jason said as he smiled at his very pregnant wife.
“Yeah, and I’m going home with Siri. And look, both of us are smiling.” He hit Ty on the shoulder. “I’m available for serenades whenever you need me.”
♫
Miriam and Kerri sat in front row seats as they waited for the concert to begin. “Can you believe we have a grandbaby and another on the way?” Kerri smiled. “Life is good.
“I’m a little sad,” Miriam said as she looked around the crowd.
“Why?” Kerri looked at her friend, concerned by the statement.
“When we leave for Paris, I would like to have seen all three boys settled. It seems Tyrone is my lone holdout.”
“Give him time. He’s a little more intense than Jason and Eric. He’ll come around.”
The lights went down on the stage and the announcer came to the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen” the announcer began. “The moment has arrived. If you came with a special someone, now is the time to pull him or her close. If you came alone, grab your neighbor. If you are still alone, I have the number to an escort service. When you leave here tonight, no one is going to want to be alone. The man referred to as, “the baby maker,” “the guaranteed panty dropper” and “Mr. Get Her Wet.” The man with the voice so smooth, they had to change his name. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the incomparable, Silk… Davies.”
Silk appeared on stage in his white linen shirt and pants, sat at the baby grand piano and serenaded the crowd with music so sensual and soothing that it brought a hush over the crowd. During the concert, not a sound was made as he mesmerized the fans with song after song about love found and conquered. When he reached the last song, the video that had won just about every honor there was in the music industry throughout the year, played as he sang. The crowd watched and listened as he sang about the love of his life. The video consisted of pictures of him and Siri tastefully making love, then pictures of their very private wedding, followed by pictures of them together and their pregnancy. The last frame appeared and the crowd all said the same thing, “Aww.” It took them a moment to realize the music had stopped and he stood at the microphone. “Allow me to introduce you to the inspiration for my music--ladies, and gentlemen, my wife Siri.” The crowd applauded as Siri took center stage with her husband. The crowd erupted when he took the bundle from her arms and held the child up, for all to see. “Meet my daughter, Heaven.”