Everything That Glitters Ain't Gold, Danielle Martin [best books to read all time .TXT] 📗

finally showing interest in someone. Getting rid of that bad seed and starting something new in her life was the exact thing Jade needed… If only… If only it were as easy for me as it were for Jade…If only I took my own advice and learned to practice what I preach…If only… .

 “Come on, let’s go.” Ava stepped off the curb and began to walk across the street headed in his direction. Jade followed closely behind her as they trailed up the sidewalk towards the door where he was standing. Ava nervously looked down at her feet, fearing if she looked up she would make eye contact with Blake again. For some reason, the intenseness inside his gaze made her uncomfortable. She didn’t like feeling that way.

Stepping up on the curb, she politely slowed down her pace so Jade could walk ahead of her. Ava held her breath, wandering why the hell she had agreed to come here in the first place. Initially, she believed Lance would be tagging along and had agreed to attend a sympathy date with him for Jade’s sake, but from the looks of things, Blake stood at the entrance alone. She was a third wheel. Together, the ladies approached Blake who stood with a smile on his face as both ladies walked up. His manly aroma floated throughout the night. He wore Clive Christian. A fragrance that had always been one of Ava’s favorites. She shuddered, the smell sending shivers down her spine. Desean never wore cologne… He said it irritates his skin… If only he knew how well a fragrance compliments a man…

“Hello ladies.” He greeted them both, interrupting her thoughts.

Jade eagerly spoke back. “Hello.” She smiled from ear to ear, flashing her pearly white teeth. Ava turned her head, deciding it would be rude not to greet him. She smiled a half smile. “Hey Blake.” She greeted him casually.

In response, Blake nodded his head at her. “Hello, Hazel…” he spoke in a casual tone. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Her body quickly stiffened. She froze, her stomach twisting into knots upon hearing her presence wasn’t expected. “Oh really?” she looked back and forth in-between Jade and Blake. “I thought this was a double date... Jade said Lance would be here.” She shot her a crazy look wandering what the hell was going on.

“Uhhh….” Jade stammered. She began to tap her foot on the concrete as she looked over at Blake. “I thought you mentioned it… I thought you said Lance would be coming…” she quickly turned towards him hoping he would back her up.

   Ava awkwardly stood by, feeling her existence shrink even smaller and smaller by the second. She glanced over at Blake who appeared just as confused as Jade. “Yeah, I mentioned it… But I never set anything in stone… Lance had plans tonight.”

Ava continued to stand by quiet, the embarrassment was written all over her face. Blake looked over at her. “My bad, Hazel. This was all a miscommunication.”

Quickly, Jade jumped into the conversation. “Definitely a miscommunication!” she intervened. “But it’s no problem! We can all go see the movie together!” she spoke in a chipper tone, hoping to do some damage control.

Blake took a deep breath. He dug into his front pockets and retrieved two movie tickets. “Unfortunately, our show is sold out… I just bought the last tickets.”

Immediately, Jades face formed into a frown. She looked over at Ava with a worried expression on her face. Blake stepped forward. “I’m really sorry, Hazel. I can take these back and trade them for a later show so we can all go.”

Ava stood dumbfounded at a loss for words. She had never felt so awkward and out of place in her life. “No, no…” she finally spoke while shaking her head. “No please, don’t do that…” she stopped him.

“Really, Hazel… It’s no problem.” He continued.

“No, please!” she spoke more sternly hoping he would hear the firmness in her voice. She stepped forward. “Go see your movie. Please have a good time. This is your date not mines.” She flashed them a smile, letting them know she would be fine. Blake on the other hand had a disappointed look on his face. Jade appeared worried and nervous as if Ava would be mad at her. But she was not mad. Uneasy, but not mad…

“Are you sure???” he asked, narrowing his gaze at her as if attempting to read her true thoughts. Ava flashed her fakest smile and patted him on the shoulder. “Absolutely.” She lied and began to back away, leaving the two standing there watching her leave. “Blake, please have my girl home at a decent hour.” She spoke jokingly as she waved goodbye. Blake didn’t appear too convinced but he waved anyways. Taking one last look, Ava examined Blake and Jade standing next to each other underneath the large, red sign as they watched her walk away. Blake’s figure was about 6 feet. Jade was around 5’6. They looked good standing next to each other.  Indeed, they would make a good looking, attractive black couple. But looks could be deceiving. For some reason, something felt off. Something didn’t feel right leaving them together…. Ava waved one last time, fighting off her instincts and turned to walk away. Her mind had been playing tricks on her these last few days, causing her to think about things she shouldn’t be thinking about. Things she never would have thought of before. After 11 years of constant badgering, Ava had finally fallen victim to a curious mind. What’s so different this time??? I’ve hooked Blake up with plenty of women! Why do I care??? Why am I second guessing hooking him up with Jade??? Why do I care so much??? Ava rolled her eyes. She had too much on her plate right now and not enough room to worry about a man that wasn’t hers. I’m just being overprotective… They are both my friends… I have to let it go… I have to take my mind off of it…. Taking a deep breath, she stuck her hands in her back pocket and began the long walk back down the street heading back to her parked car.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 11.

Chapter 11.

 

Knock Knock Knock

 

 Ava jolted awake as the sound of a knock at the front door erupted throughout the room. The bright sunlight beamed into the living room, placing a nice morning glow around the house. Ava rubbed her sleepy eyes and yawned. It was early in the morning. She knew because she could still hear the birds chirping outside the windows.

Knock knock knock.

Ava stretched and threw her legs over the sofa. She hated answering the door when Jade wasn’t home but she did anyways. She stood, pulled her pajama shorts out of her ass and began to walk towards the door to see who was knocking. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror as she approached the foyer. Her hair was a scrambled mess on the top of her head. She had finally gotten a good rest last night and could care less what she looked like. Ava wasn’t trying to impress anyone and was not concerned what others thought of her. Reaching for the door, she twisted the lock, removed the chain and swung it open without asking who it was.

Immediately, her eyes widened upon seeing who was standing on the porch smiling at her. “Blake!” she shouted out in a startled tone. Immediately, Ava used her hand to cover up her cleavage which was extremely visible in the two-piece pajama set she was wearing. She used her other hand to brush down her hair sticking up on the top of her head. “Blake what are you doing here???” she shrieked.

Blake smiled casually at her. He stood on the other side of the door dressed in all-black with a gold Jesus chain hanging from his neck. Ava wasn’t expecting to see him.

“Hello, Hazel…” he greeted her calmly.

In return, Ava’s breathing was heavy. She stared at him as if she were staring at a ghost, confused why he was here. “What’s up???” she asked eagerly.  “Jade isn’t here… She left for work over an hour ago.” She was halfway out of breath while speaking.

Blake nodded his head. He looked up at her and smiled. “I wasn’t here to see Jade.”

Immediately, her heart stopped. Her entire body began to waver. “You weren’t???” she asked with wide eyes.

Blake didn’t respond. Instead, he stepped closer while being careful not to step in too close. “I felt really bad about last night.”

Ava continued to stare at him with an unnerved look on her face. “Okay???? And???” she asked dramatically. “You couldn’t call me and tell me that??? Why are you here???” she jumped straight to the point, hoping he had a good damn answer for showing up at her best friend’s house while she was not home. Blake cleared his throat as if attempting to buy time. They both went silent, neither speaking immediately. He gazed into her eyes quietly, practically gaping into her soul. His gaze was intense. The same intensity he gave her last night at the movies. The same gaze from the other night at the bar. Ava shuddered against her will. She could smell his cologne again. The silence and his smell combined was getting to her. She couldn’t lie, he smelled dammit good. So good that it was suddenly beginning to turn her on…

“Stop it! That’s enough!” She abruptly shouted out. Frustratedly, Ava pushed him back onto the porch, stepped out of the house and slammed the door behind her shutting them both outside. She turned to Blake and threw her finger into his face. “What the hell is your problem Blake????” she shouted aggressively. He appeared taken aback by her sudden reaction but it didn’t stop her. “This is just flat out disrespectful! You have no right showing up here unannounced! Tell me why you are here and tell me NOW!”

Blake threw his hands up in surrender. His demeanor was calm. Her shouting didn’t bother him at all. “You know why I’m here Hazel…” he stepped forward, refusing to take his eyes off her. “I’m not giving up on you baby girl… I want you in my life… I want you bad, Hazel…. I can’t stop wanting you… Trust me, I’ve tried….”

Ava gasped. She stepped back, walking slowly and pressed her back against the front door. “What???” Her voice was shaky. Blake’s serious expression did not budge. The further she stepped back the closer he inched his body to hers. “Wha---What did you just say???” she stammered apprehensively.

Blake continued in a deep, seductive voice. “Last night after you left the movie theater, I couldn't stop thinking about you... It's like I couldn't get you off my mind... Hazel, my feelings for you are not going to change…” Blake took one last step. Now, they stood extremely close, their chests lightly brushing together. She had never stood this close to him before. At least not without pulling away. Ava closed her eyes and inhaled his scent as he spoke. “I come to Whiskeys every Thursday night just to see your face…. Even though you never give me the time of day…. I still don’t give up…. I still show up for you…. That’s