Free Unexpected Interruptions by Trice Hickman Page A

He’d always found fault with the men she dated, no matter how suitable they seemed to be. She once teased that she could’ve dated Jesus Christ and Tyler would have said he needed a haircut, shave, and a new pair of sandals!
    Victoria knew that Steven was city slick, but that was part of his appeal. He excited her, especially in the bedroom. He sexed her the way she wanted it and needed it—slow and steady, bold and uninhibited. The bedroom was the only area where Steven was completely unselfish, always attentive to her needs. Many nights he wouldn’t let her rest until she came several times, sufficiently satisfied.
    But Victoria started to grow suspicious of Steven, thinking more and more about Tyler’s comments. Despite her doubts, she didn’t want to give up on their relationship. She felt she’d invested too much time and emotion to walk away from someone she loved. And to make matters worse, Steven’s mutual dislike of Tyler didn’t serve to help the situation.
    â€œSomethin’ must be wrong with him if he’s known you all these years and he’s never tried to sleep with you,” Steven once told her.
    â€œNot all close relationships between a man and woman have to be sexual,” she countered.
    â€œVic, let me break it down to you, baby. It’s impossible for a man and woman to remain as close as you two are, and not have somethin’ goin’ on. It just doesn’t happen.”
    â€œWhat’re you getting at?”
    Steven shrugged. “I’m just sayin’ . . . it’s a very unusual friendship.”
    â€œTyler’s like a brother to me. And besides, he has a girlfriend. Remember Allison? He loves her, even though she’s wrong for him.”
    â€œThat don’t mean nothin’, baby,” Steven smirked in his city slick street vernacular that he allowed to slip out on occasion. “Every man gets a lil’ taste on the side.”
    Victoria eyed him suspiciously but refused to follow up on his comment. The fact that she didn’t confront him both shocked and scared her. Deep down, she knew that was a sign to end things, but instead, she tried to hold on....
    Victoria had been soaking in the tub so long her fingertips looked like raisins. She thought about what her therapist had said after the breakup. Her family and friends had been supportive, but she needed someone else to talk to. She needed someone who’d be objective, who wouldn’t say, “It’s a good thing you didn’t marry that asshole. Count your blessings,” as Denise had told her. Or, “Screw him, it’s his loss,” as Debbie had offered, giving her a pat on the back. Tyler simply took her out to dinner, supposedly to console her, but Victoria believed it was really to celebrate—he even ordered champagne.
    â€œDon’t run away, confront your fears. Only then can you operate in truth,” her therapist had said during one of their sessions. In her professional life, Victoria was direct and in control, not letting anything ruffle her feathers, never wavering from a position. But in her personal life, her desire to please others nearly crippled her. She’d compromised her dreams to please her father, and had subjugated herself in her relationships with men to appease them too. She knew that a change was in order.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with me?” she shouted out loud, pounding her fists against the porcelain tub, splashing water onto the floor. She hopped out of the tepid bath and wrapped herself in her robe. She took a deep breath, picked up the phone and began to dial by memory.
    â€œHello,” said the male voice on the other end. Victoria knew from experience that Steven always checked his caller ID, just as she did. So she knew that he knew that it was her.
    â€œHello, Steven . . . it’s Victoria.”
    There was silence until Steven’s voice broke through. “Vic, it’s been