“Have you been to Oakland before?”
“A few times. Last time was two years ago when Terrence performed here and in San Francisco. That’s where he met Janae.” They stopped to stare out over the water.
“I remember Janae mentioning that. They seem really happy.”
“They are. Terrence loves Janae and Nadia so much that he would do anything for them,” he said, holding her eyes. Simona didn’t reply, but he could tell she was thinking about what he said. He slung his arm around her shoulders, and they continued their walk.
“Simona? Is that you?” someone called out from nearby.
Donovan felt Simona stiffen in his arms.
Simona turned. “Amber.”
“Hey. Um...I thought that was you. How’ve you been?”
“Fine. How’s the acting going?”
Amber’s gaze darted between him and Simona. “It’s going good,” she answered with a nervous chuckle. “I’ve done a few commercials, and I just landed a small part in a new television series. And I’ll be going to New York next month.” Amber paused. “So, um, are you back?”
“No. I’m just visiting my grandmother,” Simona answered.
“Oh.” Amber stuck her hand out to Donovan. “Hi, I’m Amber Rayne.”
Donovan shook her hand. “Donovan Wright. Nice to meet you.”
“Same here. Well, I’d better go.” She gestured over her shoulder. “My friends are waiting. It was really good to see you, Simona. Maybe...maybe we can talk sometime. My number is the same.”
Simona nodded.
Amber stood there a moment longer as if she wanted to say something else, but in the end turned and hurried off.
“What was that all about?” Donovan asked.
“Amber was my best friend and the one who introduced me to Travis. She was also one of the few who knew the truth about how and why we parted, and yet, when she was interviewed about our breakup, she lied so it wouldn’t interfere with her career.”
He brought her into the circle of his arms and kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry, baby. You don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
“I know. It’s just that we had been friends since elementary school.”
Donovan nodded understandingly. “You ready to head back?”
“Yeah.”
As soon as they arrived, Simona got Yasmine ready for bed. She came back to the family room where Donovan sat with Nana watching television and announced that she was going to take her shower. His gaze followed her until she was out of sight. She had been quiet since seeing Amber, and all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms.
“Did you two have a fight?” Nana asked.
Donovan turned and met her challenging stare. “No, ma’am. She saw her friend, Amber, and I think it brought up some bad memories.”
She eyed him for a moment. “Simona told you about that fiasco.”
“Yes.”
She pointed a finger his way. “My granddaughter went through a lot with that mess, and I won’t stand for it again.” She then proceeded to ask him about his job, what he thought about children and what his intentions were toward Simona.
So, this must be the overprotectiveness Simona warned me about. He answered her rapid-fire questions easily. “Nana, I love your granddaughter. I can assure you I will never hurt Simona or Yasmine,” he said fiercely.
Nana leaned back in her chair, narrowed her eyes and scrutinized him with an intensity that would have made a lesser man turn tail and run. But Donovan’s gaze didn’t waver. He wanted her to see the truth in his words.
Finally, a slow smile spread across her lips. “I do believe my Simona has found herself a champion. All right, Donovan. You have my blessing.”
He rose from his seat and hunkered down in front of her. Taking her hand, he said, “I promise to take good care of both my girls.”
She patted his hand. “I like you, Donovan. Well, this old lady is going to bed. I have church in the morning and a dinner guest afterward.”
He stood, helped her up and kissed her cheek. “Good night, Nana.” Now alone, he shook his head. He thought his mother was bad. Donovan turned off the TV and the lights, then went to check on Simona. He knocked softly on her door.
Simona opened the door wearing a skimpy shorts set that exposed more than it covered, and he groaned. “You don’t have anything else to sleep in?”
She smiled. “This is how I sleep in the summer.” She stepped back so he could enter.