4. True friends keep it real

"That was a nice visit. It was so nice to see your mother and grandmother.”

"No comment. I can't believe my family is all in my business. I thought I made myself clear about this when we got married!" Copeland says.

"Momma Olivia and Gigi are something else. Well, I certainly enjoyed seeing them tonight." I said, giving him a warm, slightly sarcastic smile.

Copeland stood there with his hands in his pockets, looking at me. His calm, detached manner piqued my interest. He didn't exchange a word with me, yet I could tell he wanted to engage me in conversation or something else. 

I know you want to get that alcohol smell off your body. Did Lizzy splash her drink all over you? I'll go run you a nice hot bath."

I could feel his eyes lingering over my face and traveling down my neck. He seemed to be drinking me in. I felt myself blush, but underneath my slight confusion, I felt a burgeoning sense of confidence; feelings I thought were long dead were coming back to life. I sensed I held a specific power over Copeland. And that sense of power excited me. 

I knew his eyes would follow me once I turned and walked away. Now that I'm sure that his eyes are on me. I take my long, flared, tailored dress and pull it close to my soft, plump bottom as I take the stairs. 

Wanting to test my newfound idea, a sensation of pleasure triggered a slight tremor starting deep within me that shook me slightly. Yes, for a second time tonight, Copeland stared at my departing figure until I disappeared from his field of vision. Oh yes, something is happening between us. Is it an attraction? Lust? Or love chemistry?

I went ahead of him and flipped on the lights in the bathroom. I can't believe Copeland, and I will go to a family function together. As husband and wife for the family's sixth-anniversary party tomorrow night as a married couple. I smiled as I turned on the water and sat down on the side of the large tub, perfect for a man over six feet tall. I sat down on the side of it to calm my frazzled nerves. I wanted to pinch myself because I'd finally captured the attention of Copeland, my husband. Finally, a man I happened to be so attracted to, and at the same time, he made my blood boil. 

When we were together, alone like this, I tried not to think about the overwhelming issues that hung over our relationship. Right now, all I can think about is what Copeland would look like wearing absolutely nothing. He has an incredibly muscular chest, shoulders, arms, and belly bare that she desires to touch. Thoughts like this have fueled many fantasies since I married him. I sighed. 

"Oh well, a fantasy it will remain," I said as the steam from the semi-hot water filled the bathroom. I stood and reached over the tub to open the window above, letting the soft evening breeze in off the lake. I became startled when I heard the door click open, lost my balance, and was about to fall into the tub of water. That's when I felt these strong hands and arms wrap around my waist, pulling me tight to a solid body, breaking my fall. He lost his footing, and his large body went down into the water with me on top of him as it splashed all over the bathroom floor!

"Ohhh, Copeland!" I yelped as we plunged into the tub of water. When my hands flattened against his chest and my body wedged between his long muscular legs. 

He lay there. I could see him watching me struggling to get up. Finally, I looked away from his sexy stare and cleared my throat. 

"Are you going to help me get up?"

He was shaking his head yes with a mischievous smile on his face. He willed himself to lift me. As if I weighed no more than a feather in his large hands. My dress clung to my body, showing every inch of my curves. I could see his eyes feasting on my flesh. 

"This is so embarrassing." 

"It's endearing. I've never seen you quite in this light before.

"It's embarrassing."

"Fine, have your way, but you don't have to be embarrassed around me. I think you look…." 

"Don't say what you don't mean. Before this goes any further." 

"You're right to go dry off," Copeland said as his heart was beating within him thunderously.

When I stepped out into the bedroom, Copeland's phone began to ring. I picked up, and I just happened to see who was calling. I stuck my hand in the door, reaching for Copeland's phone to him.

"You have a call."

I couldn't hear the conversation, but it was Lizzy. I knew that much, and no doubt she was asking him to come to her. And doubt he was going to comply with her wishes. All I knew was by the time I dried off and had put on a new set of clothing. Copeland emerged from the bathroom in his robe. He began getting dressed again. Once he was fully dressed, I sat on the bed, shaking my head. Then I asked him. 

"Are you leaving again?" 

He paused. I could see he was uncomfortable with me asking him that question. I never did that before. So I kept quiet and let him do whatever he wanted to—trying to think what he would say to me. 

"Uhmm, I won't be gone long. I'll be back." Copeland left out the room quickly. I hated that he would drop everything and run to Lizzy's side!

But little did I know, he didn't go to Lizzy. Instead, Copeland went to the nightclub to hang out with Joel.

"Hey, Copeland, I didn't think you would ever come back. I'm sorry about earlier. The spilled drink on your suit. I'm glad you are here. I wanted to ask you something. I know how much you want to be with Lizzy. And I know you will get that divorce you have desired soon. Meanwhile, how do you feel about Tameka dating someone else since you have chosen Lizzy?

With narrow slits in his eyes, Copeland became furious. "Jeez, Man! Where is your respect? Tameka is still my wife!" Copeland's phone begins ringing. 

"Hey, I can't talk right now." Click the hung-up on Lizzy.

Lizzy stood there, shocked. Repeating over and over again. "Hello, hello, Copeland, hello!" She couldn't believe he had hung up on her that way.

"Who was that, Lizzy?" Joel asked. 

"Why?" 

"Man! Copeland, you got a lot of nerve talking about respect! Do you respect Tameka or Lizzy? Better yet, do you respect yourself?" 

"What! How can a slut like you tell me about respect!" 

"There's one big difference between you and me. I'm single, and you are not! And If I Tameka, I would know I had a good woman!" 

"Forget you, Joel!" Copeland got up and left the club feeling guilty, knowing his best friend was right.

Copeland sat in his car, staring at his phone as Lizzy continued to call nonstop.