Places in My Heart by Sheryl Lister Page A

you.” She unconsciously brought a hand up and smoothed down the sleek, straight strands. Most times she left it curly. “It started as a bet between Malcolm and me two years ago to see who could grow their hair the longest—mine straight and his with locs.” Malcolm’s locs had reached his shoulder blades before he trimmed them to just below his neck. Morgan had continued to let hers grow, and her hair now reached the middle of her back.
    â€œI guess you won, huh?”
    â€œYes. But, I’ve been thinking about cutting it.”
    â€œDon’t do that,” he said quickly. Omar’s eyes left the road briefly and found hers. “It’s beautiful.”
    Although they shouldn’t have, his words pleased her. He smiled over at her, and she felt the heat rising between them. To distract herself she asked, “So tell me about the center. How long has it been open?”
    â€œThey just broke ground, and it’s projected to open next March.”
    â€œDo you know the people who will run it, or are you just going to support it?”
    â€œBoth.”
    She waited for him to elaborate, but he said nothing else. Silence slipped between them. A moment later, soft music filled the car’s interior.
    â€œIs there too much air on you? I tend to run hot and I’m usually the only one in the car, so I forget to turn it down.”
    Morgan was running a little hot herself, and it had nothing to do with the ninety-degree July weather. “It’s fine.”
    â€œHow are you feeling about tonight?”
    Her brows knit together. “What do you mean?”
    â€œDealing with the questions and comments.”
    â€œI’ll be fine. I’m sure there will be at least one person who has something negative to say, but as a lawyer, I deal with it all the time. I have two strikes against me—I’m a woman and I’m only twenty-seven.”
    â€œWell, I’d better not hear one disrespectful comment.”
    She chuckled. “Before you go all caveman, remember, I’m your agent. It’s my job to protect you, not the other way around. Save that for your girlfriends.”
    â€œI don’t have any girlfriends . I haven’t dated anyone seriously in almost four years.”
    Her head snapped around. “What about all the pictures that have been popping up of you with one woman or the other? And the media—”
    â€œWe’ve already been down this road,” Omar said with a slight edge. “Don’t believe everything the media says.” He sighed heavily. “Look, Morgan, I’m not saying I’ve lived my life as a saint. I’ve made my share of mistakes just like everybody else, but that was when I was younger.” He pulled into the valet lane at the hotel, put the car in Park and turned to face her. “When you open yourself up to someone and find out that she only wants to use you, it makes you grow up fast. And you’re not too eager to do it all over again.”
    It had never occurred to her that he might have had his heart broken in the past. “I’m sorry. As an attorney, I should know better than to judge without all the facts.” Morgan stuck out her hand. “No more judging. Deal?”
    He smiled and reached for her hand. “Deal.”
    He lifted her hand to his lips, and she snatched it away. “What do you think you’re doing? No. Kisses.”
    â€œThat was just a...” He trailed off at her look.
    â€œDid you ever kiss your other agents?”
    Omar lifted a brow. “My other agents didn’t look like you.”
    Morgan skewered him with a glare.
    He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. You’re right.” He glanced over his shoulder and saw the valet standing outside the door. “I guess we should get out. Ready to face the masses?”
    She smiled. “Let’s do it.”
    Shaking his head, Omar got out and came around to