When Love Returns

I

Jada Jones
November 17th, 1993

New York City, New York

"So you like banana pudding that much?" Will squeezed my hand tightly, smiling ever so softly, "Duly noted."

I blushed, rolling my eyes, "What's your favorite dessert?"

His comforting grip released as he sipped from his glass of wine slowly, "I'm lactose intolerant, so I don't indulge in sweets often. Chocolate milkshakes get me every time, though."

"Duly noted," I mocked him, earning a slight chuckle.

He stared at me, holding his gaze briefly before leaning back in his seat, "Our daughter will love both desserts. Our son will eat just about anything."

"Wow," I replied, sipping my wine as well to hide my shock, "Date one, and you're already talking about kids?"

"You wanna get out of here?" he nodded his head towards the door of the restaurant.

"How are we going to slip my security?" I questioned lowly, glancing at my bodyguards.

"Excuse me," he flagged down our waiter, "Can I get the check, please? Also, I overheard that the nice gentleman over there is a big Fresh Prince fan. I want to cover the birthday boy's meal for his entire family. Put sparklers on the cupcake, too, please."

"Of course, Mr. Taylor," she winked at him slyly, walking off.

I sighed, sitting back in my seat to observe my surroundings for at least the fifth time tonight. My father taught me to be aware of what was happening around me at all times. After getting stuck hunting with him on the Ranch during one of his mania episodes, I learned the hard way never to let my guard down—sharp arrows nearly missing the side of your face usually did that to you.

I sized up my parents' selected bodyguards once more, checking the time on my grandmother's watch to calculate how long we'd have if we escaped. My quick wit and intelligence often scared off many men, but this one was skillfully hanging around. It intrigued me enough to follow him out of here.

We waited patiently until everyone's attention was on the grand gesture Will put together for the young twelve-year-old kid. I got lost in his excitement as his eyes perked up happily, searching for his idol amid the large crowd that gathered to sing him Happy Birthday.

Will grabbed my hand, swiftly guiding us out of the back entrance unnoticed. I shivered, and he quickly took his jacket off, wrapping it around me. My lips involuntarily curled up into a slight grin as just the touch of his fingers against my skin warmed me.

"You don't mind walking, right?" he asked politely, switching our positions, so he was closest to the fairly busy road.

"Not at all," I spoke truthfully.

Right now, I was so focused on unraveling this mystery in front of me that nothing else seemed to matter. Not even the fact that I slipped my security for the first time in my life without Rochelle or Jason. His welcoming embrace clung to me, and I reluctantly settled into it, somehow feeling comforted.

"Good," he looked out further down the street with me, "How much time do we have?"

My body tensed up anxiously, "45 minutes tops before the choppers come looking for me."

"I got ways of hiding from the choppers too," he pinched my cheek lovingly, "Ima make sure you have a nice night. Don't worry."

"Why don't you executive produce your own show?" I uttered bluntly, wanting to know his reasoning since our date started.