When Love Comes Around (Love Conquers All) Read online

  Not only did she have that to worry about, but what would her family and friends think of her getting pregnant with the aid of artificial insemination? And if she did, what would she tell her child when he or she asked, “Who’s my daddy? Where’s my daddy?” Starr felt a sharp pain pierce her heart. How many times had she and Karen asked their mother, “Where’s daddy?” Would she be able to put a child through the pain of not knowing who, let alone where his or her father was?

  “Decisions, decisions, what is a girl to do?” She mumbled under her breath as she steered her way to the shoe department. Buying pretty shoes always made her feel better.

  Chapter 2

  Holding up a different shoe in each hand, her wrists rotated, giving her a view of both at different angles. “Which one of you do I want?”

  “If you ask me, I like the black stiletto,” rumbled a deep, sexy familiar voice.

  Starr spun around; embarrassed she had been caught talking to herself like a madwoman. Momentarily, irritation pricked at her that some man had invaded her afternoon of solitude. That was until she gazed up into the handsomest face she’d ever seen.

  Kevin Dawson. Sexy as sin, Kevin Dawson. Starr had finally met Kevin at NJ’s christening four years ago. He along with her and Ava were godparents to both NJ and Autumn.

  That particular Sunday morning, Starr had to concentrate double time on what the pastor was saying during the sermon. Kevin was absolutely gorgeous in a chocolate Hugo Boss suit. He had that whole Boris Kodjoe thing going on from the caramel coloring, to his six feet-four, well chiseled hard body. As the minister was preaching, Starr kept imagining her fingertips seductively gliding over his bald, shiny head. Yes, Kevin definitely was a hottie.

  If that weren’t bad enough, the entire service she had to squeeze her thighs tight together and pray the throbbing between her legs would go away. She thought for sure God would strike her down, right there in the pew. Her death certificate would read: Cause of Death: Due to lusting in a house of worship.

  The prettiest smile broke across Starr’s beautiful, cocoa brown face, showing off a set of deep dimples.

  “Hey, Kevin.”

  “Hey, yourself. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing much. Just doing some last minute shopping before we head off to Vegas.”

  Henry Stiles was marrying Joan Williams, Nick’s housekeeper. After that Christmas everyone spent together in Upstate New York, they all suspected it would be a matter of time before Henry wooed Joan.

  Although she was still employed by the younger Stiles, Joan was viewed as family and not hired help. Even Nita Jackson, Summer’s mother, relied on her as family. She had become a second mother to Summer with Nita’s blessing. “Joan, please watch over my baby as if she was your own.”

  Nita had requested this of Joan as she and her husband were planning to return to North Carolina after spending six weeks with Summer. Nita was worried sick. Things were still rocky between her daughter and Nick after the birth of NJ. It killed Nita that she was so many miles away from her child and grandson. Her husband, James, had to remind her, “Nita, Summer’s a big girl, and she’s a mother now. You have to let her go. It’s time she made her own way in life.” Everything her husband said was true, but still she worried about her only child, so having Joan as her eyes and ears had been a blessing. It certainly helped her to sleep at night.

  The minute Nita met Joan they became fast friends. Mostly because Summer had told her mom how kind the older woman had been to her, taking care of her while she was on bed rest during her last month of pregnancy. How could she not befriend a woman who had taken such good care of her daughter?

  Starr and Ava had also taken to the matriarchal figure as well. On several occasions, the elderly woman shared her pearls of wisdom. “I’m just telling you babies this because I don’t want you to go through the things I had to coming up. You girls have so many more opportunities than I did when I was your age. Take advantage of every one of them. And whatever you do, don’t let a good for nothing man stand in your way.”

  Summer, Ava and Starr cried like babies when Joan bared her soul to them about her past. Each of the young women was heartbroken for Joan as she told her story of the botched abortion that changed her life forever. How she had never gotten over the fact that she would never have her own biological children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. How her past experience with one man left her so shaken, she could never give her heart to another. Because of this, Starr and her friends were ecstatic Joan had finally found true love after so many years of being lonely.

  Having met Henry Stiles, it was certain this time around, he would cherish his second wife. Married to Nick’s mother he had been a younger man and not cognizant of what it meant to be a good husband and father. Years faded away with him taking his first wife and son for granted, all for the sake of his ambitious career goals. His desire to achieve the status of a federal judge had been his main focus in life, which over time, he had accomplished. The shame of it all, when he felt as though he was ready to pay attention to his wife, it was too late. Misery ate at him after losing the wife of his youth to pancreatic cancer. This misery was further compounded by having to contend with a son who despised and wanted nothing to do with him.

  This was going to be one joyous, monumental occasion. The elderly couple would be getting a second chance at love. A chance that neither of them expected, nor believed would come around again.

  Henry and Joan would be joined in holy matrimony in Las Vegas on Friday, June fifteenth at the Bellagio, seven o’clock in the evening. The invited guests were close friends and family, which included Nick, Summer, NJ, Autumn, Ava, Starr, Kevin, Nita, and James. After Joan’s shameful past so many years ago, she became estranged from her family; not her choice. It was her family who felt she had embarrassed and disgraced them. The only time she had returned home to the small southern town was to attend her mother’s funeral, and then a few years later, her father’s. That was well over twenty years ago. So as far as Joan was concerned, her family would be in attendance to share in her special day.

  That’s right; Starr would be there since she and Summer are practically sisters. Too bad. We could’ve gotten into some things. Kevin was immediately drawn to Starr the first time he saw her at the christening. At five feet-six inches, Starr was a curvaceous size twelve, bombshell. Usually he was attracted to women with longer hair. However, he’d become a fan of short hair the first time he peeped Starr’s cropped haircut. Whenever he saw her at different functions, she always sported a fierce precision cut. Today was no different. Her hair was styled similar to Halle’s in that James Bond flick, showcased by perfectly arched brows, sparkling dark brown eyes, full sensual pouty lips, and a gorgeous set of dimples. If Nick hadn’t firmly warned him that Sunday afternoon, “Starr and Ava are off limits. Period,” he would have pursued her years ago.

  Kevin folded his arms across his broad chest as he grinned at Starr. “Now, why does a woman always find a reason to buy shoes?” He teased, mischief gleaming in his eyes.

  “What? Man, don’t you know a woman needs a new pair of shoes for every occasion?” Starr threw over her shoulder, a saucy smirk playing at her lips, before turning her attention back to the shoes she held. “You should know,” she softly mumbled, for his ears only.

  Starr suppressed a giggle. She couldn’t believe she had just put Kevin on full blast. Thanks to Summer, she was very much aware of all the women he ran through. Shoot, the man had sampled more booty than Starr had shoes. And that was saying a lot. Starr had nothing but some shoes all up in her closet and under the bed.

  “Ouch! I see I’ve been the topic of somebody’s conversations.” Kevin was certain Summer had told her about the numerous women who accompanied him on several double dates and dinner parties over the years. Whatever. It wasn’t his fault he loved beautiful women and lots of them.

  “No, my brotha, nothing like that,” Starr denied, lying through her teeth as she moseyed over to a p
air of Coach stilettos.

  On her heels, he challenged, “You mean Summer hasn’t told you how much of a dog I am?”

  Starr wasn’t quite sure how to read Kevin. He seemed somewhere between joking and serious, she couldn’t decipher which it was. Just as she was about to respond to him a sales lady interrupted. “Would you like to see that shoe in your size Miss?”

  “Um, yes. A seven and a half please.” They’re sure gonna look sooo cute with my dress. Just because she was down in the dumps, didn’t mean she was going off to Vegas looking like it. After this, she was heading over to Ladies Apparel to pick out a couple new outfits for the trip.

  Turning her attention back to Kevin as the sales lady walked off, “Now, you know my girl better than that. She would never refer to you as a dog. She loves you like the brother she never had.”

  Tilting his head, scratching his chin he agreed that’s true. Summer and Kevin were tighter than some blood brothers and sisters. Nevertheless, women always stuck together. He didn’t want to call her a liar to her face, however, he knew better than to believe he hadn’t, at some point, been the topic of conversation. This is one time he felt uneasy about his reputation with women.

  “Well, she may not have called me a dog, but she had to say something for you to make that little smart comment.”

  Starr look surprised, almost offended. “What little smart comment?”

  Kevin stared at her holding her gaze before letting out a short chuckle. This woman is a trip.

  “No, seriously, Summer has never called you a dog. She just said...umm…how should I say this?” Starr put a manicured finger to her lips as if in deep thought as she searched for tactful words. It would have been extremely rude of her to tell him her friend had referred to him a womanizer.

  When she didn’t answer after several seconds, becoming inpatient he said, “Well?”

  A bashful grin curved Starr’s full lips. “She said you have a lot of lady friends.”

  “A lot of lady friends, huh?”

  “Yup, that what her said.” Starr teased, bobbing her head up and down like her seven-year old niece.

  Again, the sales lady intruded on their conversation. “Here you are Miss, a size seven and a half.”

  “Thank you. Would you please ring them up for me? I don’t need to try them on.” Starr didn’t feel like being hassled with trying the shoes on. If they didn’t fit, she’d just bring them back tomorrow. She was having too much fun watching Mr. Sexy squirm.

  Kevin followed Starr, hypnotized by the sway of her hips as she went to the register to complete her transaction.

  Before she could reach for the bag from the sales associate, Kevin had smoothly taken it, as they headed to another department. Walking side by side, she didn’t know what had come over her. Here she was supposedly spending some alone time with herself, but somehow ended up shopping with a playa. How did that happen? Shrugging her shoulders, she didn’t give it another thought. She went with the flow as she kept up with his long strides.

  After a couple moments of silence, it didn’t take long for Kevin to pick up where they’d left off. “So Starr, you’re a lady and my friend. Does that make me a bad guy?”

  “First of all, Kevin, I never said you were a bad guy. And second, we’re not friends.”

  Feigning hurt, he clutched his chest near his heart. “Ooh, double ouch! Girl, you’re killing me!”

  Starr giggled, rolling her eyes. “You know what I mean. The only thing we have in common is that our best friends are married and we’re godparents to their children.

  “So that doesn’t make us friends?”

  “Uh-uh, not really.” She confirmed wrinkling up her nose, shaking her head.

  “Why?” Kevin questioned, raising a thick, dark brow.

  “‘Because it doesn’t. We’re more like associates, not friends,” she clarified.

  Kevin frowned. “Associates?”

  “Yes. Don’t sound so offended.”

  “I’m not,” he lied, his tone indifferent. He’d never had a woman to call him an associate, at least not to his face. The title made him feel so insignificant.

  “Good.” Starr said, offering up a smile to his handsome gaze. Wanting to change the subject she inquired, “So what brings you to Macy’s?”

  “My mom.”

  “Your mom?” Star parroted bunching up her brows. Could brotha man elaborate just a little bit more?

  “Mom’s birthday is tomorrow,” he sheepishly admitted.

  “Shame on you, Kevin. waiting until the last minute to get your momma a gift.”

  Kevin thought Starr was too cute as she playfully wagged her finger at him as if he were a naughty boy.

  Well, he was a naughty boy. She’d probably smack his face, if she could see the vision of herself, in his head sprawled out naked on his head.

  “I know, I know. But I’m a busy man,” he chuckled, defending himself as he struggled to erase the image.

  “That’s right. I hear you’re starting up your own investment firm.”

  “Yes. I’ve been doing a little freelancing here and there.” Hunching broad shoulders he said, “I might as well start my own firm.”

  Curious, she looked up at him and tilted her head. “So what made you want to go out on your own?”

  For the last two years, Kevin had assisted others with making investments decisions. Initially, it started off small with answering questions for his mother’s friends and their children. Before long, they were referring friends and other family members to him for advice. Within a short span of time, a substantial clientele base had been established.

  When the firm he worked for got wind of his side hustle, they weren’t pleased. “You’re taking potential clients from the firm,” one of the partners had casually mentioned over a business lunch. Kevin read very well between the lines. His firm wanted him to either convince his clients to come aboard, or to stop providing services to them all together. He wasn’t having any of it. Hell would freeze over before he’d charged hard working families outrageous fees to help them invest money for retirement or their children’s education. Sure, the larger company accounts he dealt with were able to afford the fees without batting an eye. This was hardly the case with everyday working folks. He firmly believed everyone, no matter how much money they made, had a right to be given guidance on how to plan financially for the future.

  Despite his firm’s subtle warnings, he continued to provide his services. It hadn’t surprised him when he was called into a meeting by the partners and given an ultimatum. “Devote a hundred percent of your time to the firm or resign.” Kevin never batted an eye at the blunt threat. Didn’t they know? Kevin Dawson was his own man.

  Shrugging broad shoulders, he called their bluff. “Fine, you’ll have my resignation first thing in the morning.”

  Several weeks later the head partner offered Kevin back his old position. “Dawson we need you back on the team.” Kevin wanted to laugh in the man’s face. The partner hadn’t disclosed that a number of Kevin’s big corporate accounts were threatening to walk if he was no longer handling their accounts. In fact, every one of them personally contacted him wanting to know where he had set up shop. This is how Dawson Investments was created.

  Starr was impressed as he shared with her why and how he decided to branch out on his own. Having had financial troubles in the past, she admired his commitment to bring financial stability to everyday folks. Without thinking, she had placed a delicate hand on his massive bicep. “That’s great Kevin. I wish you much success.”

  Kevin momentarily was thrown off kilter by Starr’s soft touch. He hadn’t expected to feel the jolt that shuddered throughout his large frame. For some inexplicable reason, he wanted to take her in his arms and hold her. Where did that come from?

  Slightly stepping back before he did something crazy to embarrass himself, he simply said, “Thanks that means a lot.”

  Looking at her watch, she decided it was time to get going. She’d
spent too much time with Mr. Sexy. Talking to him was becoming too comfortable. “Well, it was nice running into you, but I have to get going.”

  Kevin nodded his head in understanding. Yeah, it was time to go. His thoughts were running places they had no business going. Handing her the bag, he gave her a lopsided grin, his intense gaze caressing her. “It was good seeing you again, Starr.”

  “You too, Kevin.” Starr said as she reached for the outstretched bag, butterflies fluttering in her belly from the warmth of his stare. When their fingers grazed, she nearly dropped the bag from the surge of electricity. The tingling sensation dispersed from her fingertips traveling throughout her body. Turning quickly hiding heated, flushed cheeks, she began walking in the opposite direction not quite sure where she was going. One thing for sure, though, she was getting as far away from Kevin Dawson as possible. The man was too virile for his own good.

  She wasn’t alone in feeling the electrical current. He felt it too. So much so, he wanted to run after her, begging her to stay just a little longer. Instead he called out, “Hey Starr.”

  Squeezing her eyes shut, she prayed for strength as she stopped in her tracks at the sound of the deep, sexy rumbling voice behind her. Why did he have to call her name like that? Slowly she looked over her left shoulder. The sexy grin he wore made her knees slightly buckle.

  Man, why’d she have to be so fine? And off limits? “Are we friends yet?”

  Smiling, her trademark dimples came out to play. “I’ll let you know the next time I see you, Mr. Dawson.”

  And with that, Kevin watched as Starr sashayed away putting a little extra sway in her hips, until he could see her no more.

  Chapter 3

  “I’m coming, I’m coming.” Starr called out to the unidentified caller in a singsong voice as she jingled the keys in the front door of her Manayunk home. Kicking off her shoes, she hurried to the phone, the smile she wore all afternoon remaining in place. Running into Kevin had taken her mind off her troubles for the moment. Dr. Neal had laid some heavy stuff on her. Stuff she didn’t want to face let alone deal with. Spending the short amount of time she had with Kevin had lightened her mood.