Free When Solomon Sings by Kendra Norman-Bellamy Page B

matched the tan of his living room furniture. He wore no tie. Instead, the first two buttons of his shirt were undone, giving him a casual yet dressy appearance. This man was just too debonair for words. He came to a stop on the other side of the coffee table, appearing to be careful not to stand too close in the presence of Chase. Shaylynn’s mind told her to follow her son’s lead and stand up to greet Neil, but her legs wouldn’t cooperate.
    â€œNa-ah.” Chase shook his head and grinned up at Neil, seeming clueless to how thick the air in the room had grown. “You let me win, and you know it.”
    â€œWhat I know is that you’re a whole lot better than you think you are,” Neil replied. “You’re gonna be a heck of a quarterback one of these days.” Then he turned his eyes to the place where Shaylynn continued to sit. “Good evening, Shay. You look ... lovely, as usual. How are you?”
    She swallowed. Hard. It had been over a year now. How was he still able to do this to her? There was just something about those eyes ... and that voice. She swallowed again. Harder. “Thank you, Solomon. I’m fine.”
    â€œYes. Yes, you are.” His eyes seemed to reach into her soul.
    Shaylynn blinked. She couldn’t believe he’d said that. Her eyes darted to Chase, and then back at Neil. With her eyes, she tried to tell him to cut it out. In return, his eyes seemed to be daring her to try to make him. Shaylynn hoped Chase couldn’t read morse code.
    â€œI hope you’re hungry,” Neil said.
    Shaylynn released a nervous laugh. “Why? Could you hear my stomach growl from upstairs?”
    Neil laughed too. “No. But I’ll take that as a yes.”
    â€œRight on time,” Ella said, emerging from the kitchen. “Food is all ready, and the table is all set.”
    â€œThanks, Ms. Ella Mae.” Neil kissed his mother’s cheek and pressed a few folded bills in her hand. “Let him eat whatever he wants, okay?”
    â€œHe done already told me that he wants chicken fingers from Zaxby’s,” she replied. Then she looked at Chase. “Ready?”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” He bounced with excitement.
    Shaylynn’s legs quickly found their strength and stability, and she rose to her feet, looking from one of them to the other. Ready? Ready for what? Where were they going? She was totally lost. Had she missed something? “Wait a minute. You’re leaving?” She reached for Chase’s arm.
    â€œIt’s okay, Shay.” Neil’s voice was soothing. “Please let him go with Ms. Ella Mae. I’m sorry I didn’t ask earlier, but my plans ... I mean, the dinner ... it’s just for the two of us. I’ll drive over to her house and get him and bring him back here to you once we’re done. It’ll only be a couple of hours. I promise.”
    This would be groundbreaking in their relationship. If Ella and Chase left, it would leave only the two of them. Neil had to know that she wouldn’t have agreed to this had he mentioned it when he first asked her to come over for dinner. Of course he knew. That was probably why he didn’t mention it. Shaylynn didn’t like being put on the spot like this, but she liked the man who had put her on the spot far too much to deny him. Something in Neil’s voice and eyes was pleading, and Shaylynn couldn’t stop the nodding of her head that granted the permission that he requested. She could visibly see his body relax as he breathed a sigh of relief.
    â€œThank you,” Neil said.
    Shaylynn quietly hugged Chase and again kissed his forehead, all the while praying that God would help her to keep her vow and her virtue tonight. “You behave yourself, you hear me?” She knew Chase wouldn’t misbehave. That charge was more to herself than her son.
    â€œYes, ma‘am.” The glee could be heard in his voice when he