Indiscretions by Donna Hill Page B

something.”
    â€œI know,” she replied resignedly.
    â€œWell, you know what you have to work with. In the meantime, I’d just say the hell with him.”
    â€œYou’re right. I shouldn’t let him shake me up like this. It was just that I felt so trapped. The way he looked at me.” She wrapped her arms protectively around her body.
    Charisse got up and stood beside her. “You’re getting yourself all worked up again. Let’s get out of here so you can take out some of that hostility on the court. Anyway, I’m dying to see the man that finally plucked those rusty heartstrings.”
    Khendra’s face softened in a smile of gratitude as she embraced Charisse in a warm hug. Then, holding her at arm’s length, she asked, “What would I do without you?”
    â€œIs that a trick question?” Charisse teased, twisting her face in mock confusion.
    â€œCome on, you,” Khendra said, grabbing her small duffel bag and giving Charisse a playful shove. “Let’s get out of here.”

    Sean stood in a phone booth at the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, listening to the hollow ringing of the phone on the other end. He checked his watch. It was two-thirty. His heart sank. She wouldn’t wait, he just knew it. He helplessly watched the steam rise from the hood of his car, and looked at the twisted metal of the car that had cut him off.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Khendra sat on the long wooden bench and looked up at the huge wall clock. They had been at the club for nearly two hours.
    â€œHe’s not coming, Cee Cee,” she said finally. “This was probably just a tactic to make me feel like an idiot, and it worked. I knew I shouldn’t—”
    â€œCome on, Khen. Maybe something happened,” Charisse reassured her, no longer sure she believed it herself.
    â€œSure.” Khendra sighed in disgust, trying to hide bruised pride. “Come on. I’m not going to stay any longer. If he does show up, which I doubt, he won’t find me here waiting with bated breath.”
    She grabbed her bag, marched down the carpeted corridor and out the glass doors. Charisse followed close behind, feeling almost as bad as her friend. Khendra had been so reluctant to involve herself with anyone. Now, when she finally took a chance again, she’d gotten humiliated. Charisse wanted to wring Sean’s neck herself, but she had to keep her own spirits up for Khendra’s sake.
    As the doors swung shut behind them, the pert receptionist flipped on the microphone. “Would Ms. Khendra Phillips please come to the front desk? You have a phone call. Ms. Phillips—”
    Khendra slunk back into the passenger seat of Charisse’s Mustang, feeling completely humiliated, as Charisse gunned the engine and drove out of the parking lot.

    A warm, early evening breeze gently stroked the patrons of the outdoor café. Khendra absently picked at her plate of shrimp and rice, the sting of Sean’s stunt lingering behind her dark brown eyes. She should have trusted her instincts. He was no different from any of the other men who had tried to ease their way into her life. And to think she had been willing to give him a chance. What a fool she was.
    Charisse watched the array of emotions flit across Khendra’s face. She had to find a way to snap her out of her dismal mood. Especially since she felt partially responsible.
    â€œListen, why don’t we drive downtown, do some shopping and then crash at my house? I haven’t been on a wild shopping spree in ages, and I feel daring,” she said with as much gaiety as she could summon.
    â€œNo, I really don’t feel like shopping,” she mumbled.
    â€œWell, you ain’t gonna sit around sulking all day. And anyway, I’m driving.” She dangled the car keys tauntingly in the air.
    Khendra sighed in resignation. “All right. I give up. Let’s go shopping.”
    â€œA