Twisted by Imari Jade Page A

heard a feminine giggle coming their way. Both she and Alexis looked up just in time to see Erik walk past them with the blonde from the hair salon.
    Erik didn’t even see them because he was too busy holding her hand as she led him to a table.
    “Isn’t that Erik?” Jerome asked.
    “Yes,” Alexis answered. “And his bitch du jour.”
    Tina bit her bottom lip to keep from screaming.  Why was God doing this to her? It was bad enough Alexis knew Erik was cheating; now Kevin and Jerome knew too.
    “You’re not going to make a scene, are you?” Kevin asked her.
    “No,” Tina said. “That wouldn’t be ladylike. In fact, I’m going sit here and eat my lunch and pretend I don’t see them.”
    “The woman has the patience of a saint,” Alexis said. “I’d be all over her ass.”
    The waitress came back with their drinks and Tina reached for a straw at the same time as Kevin. Their hands touched and she felt the warmth from his radiating through her. He picked up both the straws, opened them, and put them into their drinks.
    “Thanks,” Tina said.
    “Any time,” Kevin told her.
    She smiled at him, knowing he was trying to make her feel better about the situation. She was so glad she was leaving for San Francisco tomorrow.
    Erik came home late that night and didn’t even bother coming up to see if she was home. Her telephone rang a few minutes later. “Hello?”
    “Hi, Tina, it’s me, Kevin. I’m just calling to confirm the time of our flight.”
    “Six a.m,” she replied with a sigh.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” she lied. “I’m just tired.”
    “Why don’t you go to bed?” he said. “Do you want me to pick you up in the morning and we can ride in to the airport together?”
    “That would be nice,” Tina said. “Do you have something to write down my address with?”
    “Yes,” Kevin answered. “What is it?”
    Tina gave him her address.
    “I’ll be there at five,” he told her.
    “Okay, see you then.” Tina hung up the phone, crawled into her bed, and went to sleep.

Chapter Four
     
    “Where would you like to go for dinner?” Kevin asked Tina after their first meeting ended in San Francisco.
    “I don’t know,” Tina replied. “I usually just order room service.”
    “Nonsense,” he said. “This is San Francisco.” He paused. “I tell you what, change, and we’ll take in some sights.”
    “Okay,” she finally said. “I’d like that.” Alexis was right. What good would it do her just to sit in a hotel when they had a beautiful city to explore?
    “Don’t get too dressy,” Kevin told her. “We’ll be doing a lot of walking.”
    “I heard that about San Francisco,” Tina said. “Are we going to ride the trolley?” she asked excitedly.
    “What is a trip to San Francisco without a ride on the famous street car?” he said. “I’ll take you on a street car and anywhere else your heart desires.”
    Kevin was so nice, and she wondered why some lucky young woman hadn’t latched on to him yet.
    “I’ll meet you in the lobby in thirty minutes,” he told her as he walked toward the door.
    Tina nodded. “I’ll be ready.” She mentally scanned her closet for something appropriate to wear. “Are you opposed to being seen with a woman in pants?” she asked.
    “I said dress comfortably, didn’t I?” Kevin asked. “I imagine that stockings and heels are a bit bothersome.”
    Tina agreed. “If you think they’re bothersome, you should try wearing a bra.”
    Kevin turned and smirked at her. “Don’t wear one of those either if you don’t want to. I will not complain.”
    Tina chuckled. “You’re so silly. Go to your room and change out of that suit. I’ll see you in thirty minutes.”
    Kevin smiled at her and left her room.
    Tina hopped out of the chair, tugging off her business suit and heading toward the closet. She found the perfect outfit, laid it out on the bed, and then dashed into the bathroom for a quick shower before she got dressed. Her