Free The Other Side of Divine by Vanessa Davis Griggs Page B

hold the door open.
    Darius walked past her, took one step back, leaned backward on his heels, and gave her a soft peck on the cheek. “See ya, baby. I love you.”
    That conversation had taken place at the beginning of January before he’d shown back up again in late January asking if he could at least stay the night on the couch. Two nights of sleeping outside in his vehicle with Tiffany knowing it had not moved her in the least. The Connors magic was not working. He’d then made up his mind that he was going to see Pastor Landris and try doing things their way. And that was when divine intervention had just happened along, and he’d met Divine, as he called her, or Miss Delilah Vine as she was legally known.
    He and Divine had hit it off from the first bite of omelets and grits before topping things off with chocolate-dipped strawberries they devoured for breakfast.
    â€œI like the way you clean up,” Divine had said when he stepped into the kitchen after showering and shaving.
    â€œWell, thank you. And I love your home. This is yours, isn’t it?” he said. “You never did answer me earlier when I asked.”
    She smiled. “It’s mine, all four thousand five hundred square feet of it.”
    â€œSo is there a Mr. Vine somewhere?”
    She laughed. “Nope. Just me. No ties, no strings, no headaches.”
    â€œSo you consider a man to be a headache?”
    She brought a plate with breakfast over to him and, cutting off a piece of the omelet with a gold-plated fork, placed it gently on his tongue. “Not at all. I just don’t care to be owned or possessed. It’s the possessiveness that I don’t care much for.” She watched his mouth as he chewed the omelet, which was perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked. “Are you a possessive man, Darius?”
    He smiled as he swallowed. “You want an honest answer?”
    â€œAlways,” she said with a slight Eartha Kitt–like purr to her voice.
    He grinned. “I don’t like much sharing what’s mine. So I suppose you can say I am possessive in that way. I suppose that means you and I would never have a chance together.” He tilted his head slightly as though he’d asked a question and was patiently waiting for an answer.
    â€œI hear that possession is nine-tenths of the law. You’re here with me right now, eating my food, instead of home with your wife and children. So I suppose there’s always a chance for anything in this life.” She set the plate down on the table and sat down. Darius followed her lead and sat as well. She picked up a slice of bacon and held it up to his mouth. “Is pork okay or are you a turkey man?”
    He laughed, then bit the crispy bacon that almost made him release a moan, it was just that good. “I’m pretty flexible and somewhat easy to please,” he said. “And you . . . you, Miss Delilah, are certainly living up to your name. You keep doing what you’re doing and I will be divulging all my secrets as to where my strength lies in no time at all.”
    It had been three weeks since that first day when he had been graced to meet Divine. He thought for sure he’d died from exposure outside his house and gone to Heaven, merely dreaming of the subsequent encounter with this woman called Divine. She was the most perfect woman he’d ever met. She didn’t put requirements on him. She owned a mansion that he was allowed to stay in without having to fork over one red cent. There was always more than enough to eat. And after only two weeks, she’d given him a new iPhone with all the great things he normally couldn’t afford with his and Tiffany’s phone service.
    Tiffany had called him after not hearing from him in two weeks.
    â€œI was just checking to be sure you’re okay,” she had said.
    He knew she was worried about him since he generally checked in with her at least twice a week.