Infidelity by Pat Tucker Read Free Book Online Page B

herself it wasn’t the time for tears, she didn't want to break down like some silly little girl, but she couldn't help it.
    When Clarke reached for her hands across the table, it was as if he opened the floodgate. Tears quickly rolled down her checks and she couldn’t do a thing to stop them.
    "Hey, hey Shorty, what's wrong? Whassup?"
    "I'm sorry, Clarke. I haven't been feeling well, and with work and everything else, I guess I need you and, um… I-ah, I just don't know," she stammered.
    He immediately got up and sat in the chair next to her.
    "I know this isn't easy, but don't worry about it. We'll work it through. I had a little talk with Kelsa just last weekend and she knows things just aren’t working between us. She asked me to give her some time. Her mom or somebody's real sick, so she's got a lot going on."
    Clarke put his hand on Persha’s shoulder and rubbed her back.
    "Why don't we eat and then bounce up outta here?" he said.
    With a look of sheer shock on her face, Persha didn't quite know what to say. She didn't want to over react and force him to take back his offer, but she didn't want to seem desperate either.
    "You mean you'd come over like right now?" Her eyes brightened slightly.
    "Yeah, if you'll have me, Shorty."
    "Well, we don't even have to stay. We can pick up something on the way and eat back at my place," she offered longingly.
    Clarke glanced at the dude’s table he had stopped to talk to earlier and hesitated before speaking.
    "You want to do that?" Persha asked. Her mind had already started thinking about the great sex they could have. They’d cap it off by falling asleep in each other's arms. She'd even muster up enough energy to cook something later, once they got up.
    "Clarke?" He quickly turned to face her. "I asked if you want to just pick something up on the way back to my place."
    "Oh, well, since we're here, why don't we order then leave after we eat. I thought you liked Landry's."
    "I do, but I'd much rather be at home with you." She waited again for his response. Clarke picked up the menu and didn't say another word until the waiter came back.
    "You know what you want?" he asked Persha when the waiter appeared.
    She was too embarrassed to say anything other than her selection. After the waiter gathered the menus and worked his way to his next table, Persha adjusted the linen napkin in her lap.
    "So you didn't have any plans for this afternoon?" Clarke asked.
    "I did, but nothing I couldn't reschedule if we’re going to my place," she tossed in, hoping to refresh his memory.
    "Well, I tell you what, why don't you take care of what you need to after lunch, then we'll meet back at your place." He looked at his watch then continued. "Say about five. How does that sound?"
    The question lingered on the tip of her. She wanted to ask so badly, but couldn't bring herself to utter the words. Instead she shook her head in agreement and fumbled with her napkin again.
    Clarke's cell phone broke the silence. At that moment, Persha felt her heart sink at an unbelievable speed. She swallowed back tears as he looked down at his waist. She had a strong feeling he wasn’t going to show up. She could all but feel it, despite the knowing feeling; she still refused to ask whether he would.
    "Damn, what now?" he cursed as he picked up the phone and began pushing buttons.
    "It's the office paging me," Clarke’s eyes were still on the phone. "Shit! It's 911!" He moved his chair back to get up. "I need to call them back, excuse me for a moment. If the food comes before I get back, start without me."
    Persha' watched him walk toward the restrooms. A part of her felt relieved that she would still make her doctor's appointment. The last thing she needed was this sickness to turn into something worse. So she decided she'd have lunch with Clarke, go to the doctor, and then meet him back at her place.
    Her heart wanted to believe he'd show up this time. She noticed him approaching the table with a look of