Priceless Passion: At Arm's Length

By V.C. Westbrook

When Nia Roge received the news that the business proposal she had
submitted to the city council of Atlanta was approved, she was elated.
She had dreamed of opening her own law fi rm in Atlanta with her best friend,
Zoe. The women were well on their way to a new life, when everything they had
dreamed of came crashing down. Between the betrayals from Nias husband to
the secrets that they both kept from each other, the ladies realized that life was a
lot more complicated than they had bargained for. Nia soon found herself falling
in love with one of her business associates, and it turned her world upside down.
She was unsure as to what to do when he did not want the same things she did.
He took her on a whirlwind ride, then left her wanting more. Feeling like she
was being kept at arms length, she vowed to move on with her life but found
that she kept on coming back. The ladies learned to adjust to what life had
thrown at them and roll with the punches. In this novel, you will be on the edge
of your seats from start to fi nish, wondering who will win in the end.
Will Nia fi nally get the man she dreamed of? Will Zoe be content
with being in Atlanta? All these questions and
more will be answered in this novel, where
love, romance, family, career, and
betrayal all meet at the
same time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479754274

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by V.C. Westbrook.

Picture taken by Ashley Hamm of Picture People Davenport Iowa.

Make up by LaVonda Parks of Eye A'dore Davenport Iowa.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2012922058

ISBN:

   Hardcover   978-1-4797-5426-7

   Softcover     978-1-4797-5425-0

   Ebook          978-1-4797-5427-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

123830

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Summary

The Author

Chapter 1

It had been a cold day in New York City. The traffic was horrible, and the rain did not help matters at all. I had just left work and was trying to head across the city to meet my husband Craig, my best friend Zoe, and her husband Sean. I was running late, unfortunately, and I knew I would be cutting it close. But leaving clients hanging in the balance is just not something you can do when you’re a partner at a law firm. I had made partner two years ago and still felt like I had to work twice as hard as my male counterparts did. I tried calling Craig to inform him that I was on my way, but his phone must have been turned off since it went straight to voice mail. We were celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary, and everyone was excited. We had just been through a rough patch with deciding on whether starting a family was the best choice for us well, for me rather. I had worked really hard to make partner at a firm that was male dominated, and I could not stand losing that respect by becoming pregnant now. I would prove them right that a woman’s place was not only to have babies.

Finally, the cab pulled up outside the restaurant where everyone was waiting. I saw my friend Zoe, who was pregnant with her third child, sitting at the window and staring into space while the two men talked. Craig and Sean did not particularly like each other, but they had tolerated one another since Zoe and I were best friends since childhood. You could almost cut the resentment with a knife whenever those two were around. However, tonight was about us, and they were on their best behavior.

Hi, everyone, sorry I’m late. The traffic was a nightmare and this rain isn’t helping either. Zoe got up and embraced me for what seemed like an eternity. Happy anniversary, my dear. Five years, you did it!

Craig looked up, clearly upset about something. Hi, honey, couldn’t you have left earlier?

Happy anniversary to you as well, Craig. Sorry that my job kept me. I’ll try to put my clients on a short leash next time. The silence was so noticeably tense that the waiter kept on walking. That was a smart move on his part because the mood did not get any lighter. Zoe tried her best to change the conversation, but whatever was going on with Craig had gotten a hold of everyone at the table.

Just five years ago, Craig and I seemed so happy. We had thrown the wedding of the decade. Everyone that was anyone was invited, and it was featured on the cover of People magazine since Craig had started a business and had had a successful first year. I had worked for the state attorney’s office, and together, we were the power couple. Thanks to a college friend who was the editor at People magazine, our wedding was a featured item. People came from everywhere to join us as we exchanged vows. It was a sight to behold. So much had changed since then, however, and now all we ever seemed to do was fight. Whenever we were out in public, it seemed more like pretend. I smiled and played the part of the perfect wife, and he held my hand and acted like the supportive husband. I had given reason after reason as to why I should wait to have a baby, and Craig had grown increasingly impatient. I had promised that after three years of marriage, we would start trying. Since then, I had only been godmother to two of Zoe’s children instead of becoming a mother myself.

Dinner seemed like it lasted forever. Hardly anything was said at all while we ate, and the sight of the check was a welcomed interruption at that time. We’ll cover it, Sean said. Zoe gave him a puzzled look as she clearly did not understand why he would make such an assumption. He had not kept a steady job for three years, and he had no idea what their finances looked like, much more to offer to pay for a $400 tab.

It’s okay, Sean, I’ll get it. I invited you guys, so it’s only fair I take it. Maybe next time, if there’s another anniversary. No one said a word until finally Zoe got up to get her coat. Finding a cab was not going to be easy tonight. There was not a cab in sight, and having to walk to the subway in the rain was not a thought that sat well with any of us. For once, we all agreed that this was the worst night to be in the city. It seemed that the city that never slept had taken a sleeping pill and had called it a night. It looked like the N train was going to have to be our mode of transportation tonight.

The train ride back to the condo was long and quiet. Something was definitely eating at Craig, and he did not want to share it with me. He worked on his phone the entire time and answered all my questions with one-word answers. What had happened between us? We were celebrating our five-year anniversary, and he seemed so preoccupied. I knew work took a lot out of him, but I worked as well, and I still made an effort. I had often wondered if I was the cause of the demise of our marriage. I was so driven to be successful that maybe I had neglected to put the time in to making my marriage work. I had spent a great amount of time trying to secure a deal to open up a law firm in Atlanta. Between the traveling and my job at the firm, I was hardly home. I had tried my best to always keep him informed on what was going on, but he never seemed interested. We did dinner and movies, and sometimes he accompanied me to the theatre, although it wasn’t his idea of fun. I knew it must have been hard on him, but he had to understand that I had dreams of working for myself. I had to do this for my momma. Now that my momma had gone on, I had to ensure that all my aspirations were made real. I could not settle for just being a partner; I had to open my own firm. Craig had not seemed to be interested in that part of my life at all. It felt like my business venture ideas fell on deaf ears with him. If the deal did go through, it would require me to relocate to Atlanta. He had a business here in the city that did somewhat all right, but my vision for us would take us down South. I could only hope that he would see things my way, and maybe it would be the fresh start that our marriage so desperately seems to need.

Tomorrow was an important day. I was waiting on a call that could change our lives forever. I had made a proposal to the city council of Atlanta for a group of properties that I wanted to turn into my new firm. With being partner at my current firm, I was ready for a new start. Zoe was also ready. Being home for the last two years had taken its toll on her, and she was ready for change as well. This could be the break that we both needed. I knew she would be on board, if only I could get Craig to see that. There was still no baby for us, and the condo we shared had grown colder and darker. I understood his need to want to be a father, but I had plans. I wanted to be successful. I wanted my own firm. Why couldn’t he understand that? Why couldn’t we just adopt? There were so many kids with no homes.

He had come from a home with just one sibling and felt the need to share that experience with a child. I had been the first of eight kids and have no intention of having a house filled with kids. I had done my fair share of raising kids, and I was going to take my time in that department. I had grown to love the silence and solace of an empty nest. Besides, there was little closet space for all the shoes and purses I had acquired over the years. The study was filled with books; the other room had his workout equipment and man stuff. Where would a baby fit in? There was no room in the condo. Space was limited in New York City, and buying another condo was out of the question. If I could convince him that going to Atlanta would be great for us, we could start working on a family then. The real estate in Atlanta was absolutely gorgeous, and it was a buyers’ market. We could get so much more bang for our buck in Atlanta. Surely we could wait till we got to Atlanta, then maybe adopt. I did not realize I had already made that decision on my own, but I had, and I was sticking to it.

I turned on my iPod and found a music channel that would soothe my soul. All Tied Up by Robin Thicke echoed in the back. Now that’s an interesting title for a song. Wouldn’t mind being tied up now, but those were the good old days when Craig was head over heels in love with me. Now all we ever did was fight about the last fight and the next fight. Where had all the love gone? Was there ever love there? We seem to be so distant now. We had become strangers in our own home. It seemed like he was never home, and when he was, that meant it was a late night and I was already asleep. Maybe he had found another woman. Maybe I just didn’t do it for him anymore. Maybe he didn’t find me attractive anymore. Instead of beating myself up, I decided to do some rearranging in the condo. There were boxes of files everywhere, and I needed to get a handle on the clutter before I ended up on an episode of Hoarders. I cleaned for as long as I could before I was exhausted. I was staying home tomorrow to do some cleaning up so I called it a night. Craig had already been asleep and the bed felt cold. I would go to sleep alone, again.

The next morning I woke up to an empty bed. Craig had left for the office early. I sat up in bed thinking of the times when he woke me up to say goodbye. Those times had now been a distant memory. I made myself some coffee and read the paper. So much was going on in the world that was more pressing. I shrugged off the loneliness I was feeling and tried to think of something happy. I would spend the day doing everything to make our house feel like a home today. I would prepare a great meal, wear something sexy to surprise Craig when he got home. Maybe I would get lucky tonight. We hadn’t had sex in a long time and I was craving his touch.

I moved all the boxes around, did some organizing and was able to clear up quite a bit of space in my office. It had been a while since I spent time cleaning the condo. Could that be why he was being so cold? The day had gone by so quickly. I looked at the time and it was already 5 o’clock. I had to shower and find something sexy to wear. I wanted to impress him. I found a cute little dress and decided on that. He loved that dress and maybe he would see I was making an effort. I looked in the refrigerator to start getting things ready for tonight. I was a great cook but work kept me from the kitchen. Maybe I would make him a steak; he loved when I made him steak.

Walking past the tall mirror in the living area, I caught a glimpse of myself. There were definitely bags under my eyes, my waist was a little wider, but all in all I still looked great, if I could say so myself. I shrugged off the idea that I was not as attractive anymore. Touching my face, I smiled. I’m still attractive. I still got it. Laughing, I started singing out loud to Anita Baker’s Giving You the Best that I Got, which was now playing in the other room.

Glad to see you’re in a good mood, Craig yelled. I had not heard the door shut or hear him walk in. How long had he been standing there looking at me with that smug look on his face?

Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in. Short day today? I asked, surprised that he was home before 7:00 o’clock. Can a man not come home when he feels the need to anymore? Craig responded. Choosing to not have an argument with him, I walked up to him to give him a kiss on the cheek. Instead, he shrugged me off and headed for the kitchen.

I’ll cook us dinner, what are you hungry for? There was no answer. Turning to get a response, I saw that Craig had already left the room. Why does he do that? He had left me standing there with the refrigerator door still open. Another silent-treatment night, I imagined. Oh well, what was one more night with no talking? I started fixing a salad for myself, when the phone rang. I quickly ran to the office to get the phone. Could it be the call I had been waiting all day for? Crossing my fingers for good luck, I whispered a quick prayer. If only one prayer was answered this year, I sure hoped it would be this one.

This is Nia, I said.

Hello, Mrs. Roge, my name is Gabriel Hunter, and I’m calling on behalf of the city of Atlanta. I wanted to talk to you about your business proposal that you presented to the city council. Did I catch you at a bad time?

An eternity seemed to have passed before I answered. Uh, uh, no, it’s not. Sorry, I was just waiting for this call so I’m a little shocked. I looked at the clock, and it was a bit late for a business call, I thought, but it didn’t matter.

There was an awkward silence before he spoke again. I am in town for the next three days. Should we meet and discuss this over lunch? I thought about it for a moment. There was something about his voice that captivated me, but I could not quite put my finger on it. Was it the Southern accent? What was it about his voice?

Sure, Mr. Hunter. How does tomorrow work for you? I asked. I waited for his response and was pleasantly surprised when he said, Call me Gabe, and yes, tomorrow will work. I’ll have my assistant call your office with the time and place. I’ll send a car to get you, Mrs. Roge. I started to say, Call me Nia, but I just smiled instead. It was beginning to look brighter already, and I could not wait. I was going to call Zoe, but first I had to wash my face and collect my thoughts. It was already 7:40 P.M., and I knew she would be putting the baby to bed soon, so I had to hurry. Putting the baby to bed was a long process for Zoe, so I needed to catch her before she started it.

Chapter 2

By the time I was done washing my face and wrapping my hair, it was already 8:00p.m. I decided to shoot Zoe a text instead and ask her to meet me tomorrow. Maybe talking to her in person would be a better idea. Besides, I needed a hug from such a draining day with Craig. Maybe I would just go to bed early. Craig was already in bed, so I settled for cuddling up next to him. Maybe tonight would be different. I searched for my short silk nightgown and thought that would definitely do the trick. He would have to notice me tonight. I was going to make it impossible to ignore me. I climbed into bed, and before I could say a word, Craig turned off the television. He did that to inform me he was going to sleep. I tried cuddling with him, but he pulled away, and I felt his body become stiff. Why would he not talk to me? We certainly wouldn’t be starting a family this way if he refused to sleep with me. Since it was only a little bit after 8:00 P.M., I decided to go into the study and get some work done. Zoe had responded to my text by then, and we had decided to meet at her house.

Zoe was sitting in her home office, thinking about where the last two