A test of Love - Navaura Campbell (best management books of all time .txt) 📗

was really important. After listening to all the messages, she walked to the bathroom and opened the door to turn on the water for a shower.
Jordan knocked on the door first. When there was no answer he took out his key and unlocked it himself. Opening the door, he heard the shower running. Shutting it, he went into the kitchen and checked the cabinets for food. There was some left over food from the dinner they'd had at Catino's, an Italian restaurant they'd eaten at the night before. Grabbing a bowl, he dumped the food in there and then put it on one minute in the microwave. Just as he was getting ready to fix their plates, the shower stopped and he heard the sliding doors open. A few minutes later, Denise came out with her hair and body both wrapped in separate towels. She walked up to him and kissed his cheek. "Hey baby," She greeted.
"Hey, De-De. You hungry?"
"Starving." She went out the kitchen to the area where her closet was. She grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt from the closet.
Jordan finished dishing out the food and then threw the containers in the trash can. Denise came back to the table and sat down in front of him. She grabbed her plate and one of the forks next to it. "How was your day?"
"It was good. I got a job today."
"Really?" Denise perked up. "Where at?"
"A company Called Wallace Packaging Corporation."
"Are you a meat packer?"
"No, I'm a delivery driver for them. I will be going around to stores within the state delivering meat."
"That's cool. Sounds like fun."
"Yep, it should be interesting. It's something new." He replied.
"That's good."
"So, how about your day? What's it been like?" He asked, switching the subject to her.
"My day has been alright. I had three classes. I had a Renaissance History course, An English Literature course and a College Algebra course. My professor for College Algebra assigned the whole class partners to work together with. It's just my luck that Trey's in my class and he and I were assigned to be partners. We have to get together at-least once a week for group work assignments."
Jordan nodded. He was tempted to inquire more about this but didn't. Instead he held off. "So, you guys will only be required to work together one day a week?"
"At minimum, yes."
"He said, ok. My classes don't start until Tuesday of next week."
Denise sighed and grasped his hand, "I wanted to go to the mall today because I want to get a new outfit. Do you want to go?"
Jordan furrowed his brow. "How is it that you're getting money? From what I can tell, you've been doing school year round."
Denise shrugged her shoulders. "The past summer I worked enough hours to save up for stuff I needed for this semester. I also have been getting money sent from Garrett, my dad and mom."
He brought her hand up to his mouth and placed a kiss on it. "You are a very special girl indeed."
She smiled, "Am I?"
He stood up and walked over to her, pulling her up on her feet he said, "Yes, you are." He took her in his arms and pulled her close. "From the top of your head to the bottom of your feet."
Denise sighed with a smile on her face. "So, why don't you show me already."
"I thought you wanted to go to the mall?" He inquired his face seemingly innocent.
"I still do, however, we have some business to tend to first."
Jordan shook his head. "We better get started then."
Chapter Thirty Five

Chapter Thirty Four:
Two weeks later.

Denise was in the Library, looking up homework for her first research project that had been assigned in her renaissance course on Tuesday. She had to research different people who contributed to society during that time, whether they were an artist, scientist or mathematician or any other type of person who had a pivotal role in history during that time. She'd narrowed it down to St. Clare of Assisi and Michelangelo. Although she knew St. Clare of Assisi was not necessarily part of the renaissance, she decided to do one on her anyway. Her real interest was in the Poore Clares, who were a group of nuns who were active during the renaissance. Sighing, Denise looked for literature on the Poore Clares and St. Clare. After finding it, she chose a table to sit down at and opened the book to read. About an hour into her book, she heard a chair being moved out from under the table. Thinking nothing of it, she continued reading the book.
"Is that book good?"
A smile immediately forming, she sat the book down face up on the table. "Well, here I thought basketball players never came to the library."
"Why would you assume that?" The young man who sat down in front of her inquired. Denise inhaled softly, taking in his features. He had a beard that was trimmed along the face. He had dark brown eyes that were the same coffee brown as hers and dark skin as equal to hers. His mouth was full and luscious with a nice trimmed mustache. He was now leaned down to get his book out of his bag.
"I haven't met one ball player that went to the library on his free time."
The young man laughed, "Well, Denise, I guess you can say I'm not the average basketball player."
Denise chuckled, "I guess not huh. What are you here for?"
"I actually come here to get my work done."
"Oh yeah?"
"My room mate is always playing his music too loud, so I had to get out of there. He likes rock, so naturally, I had a splitting headache."
"Hmmn. I just came here because I needed to do some research for my Renaissance course."
Trey nodded, "Oh, ok. I know you always be hitting the books."
"It's like an internal clock. I have to do my work or else I get antsy toward the due dates."
Trey nodded at that, "You sound a lot like my little sister Shania."
Denise looked up to him again, "Really?"
"Yep, she's just entering her senior year. She has nothing but straight A's. She's going to go to John Hopkins University to become a doctor."
Denise raised a brow. "Impressive. Isn't that where Dr. Benjamin Carson studied?"
Trey nodded, "Yeah, I'm impressed that you know that."
"Dr. Benjamin Carson is the most famous Pediatric Neurosurgeon in the country and not to mention the fact that he's black."
Trey agreed, "Right, that's awesome isn't it?"
"Yep, so your sister's determined to become a doctor at John Hopkins huh?"
"Yep, she wants to become a doctor and figure she'd do her registry there after she complete's her undergraduate at the University of California."
"She already knows where she's going?" Denise asked, curious.
He nodded, "Yep."
Denise nodded and sighed, turning back to her book. Looking back up at him after a minute she said, "So what are you going for?"
"My bachelor's in Business Accounting."
Denise narrowed her brow, "An accountant?"
"Yes, surprised?"
Denise laughed, "Astonished."
"Didn't expect that from a basketball player?"
"Not necessarily. Most of them want to go into the pros."
"Is that what Jordan wants to do?" He asked.
Denise's heart fluttered at the mention of his name, a grin formed wide on her face, "He wants to go into Law."
"That's interesting..." He stated, sitting his pencil down, knowing that he wouldn't get that far at this point.
"What?" Denise asked.
"I just never saw him as that type."
"What did you see him as?"
"I don't know. I thought maybe an officer and only this because of his field. I also thought maybe a teacher or something."
Denise raised a brow, "How weird. I can see him as a teacher. He has a great amount of patience and he's a good tutor."
"See that's what I mean, he's kind of soft." He quickly added, "Not in the bad way, just sensitive."
Denise sighed, "You have no idea."
Trey nodded, "That doesn't sound too good."
"It's not a bad thing, but he can get quite emotional at times. I love it but I hate it too."
Trey laughed, "Women. you guys always say you want someone who's sensitive and caring, and loving, and all that jazz and then you change your mind when you get it."
Denise reached out and touched his hand, "That's not true. I absolutely, positively, love Jordan and I think he's a wonderful guy, but sometimes he can be a bit much."
Trey's eyes darkened and he said, "So what you're saying is that you need someone who's not as sensitive, caring and loving." Denise sighed, "You're mixing my words. I'm just saying that he's not the type of guy I'd normally go for."
"What's your type, Denise?"
Denise cleared her throat. "I am usually attracted to the type of guy who can hold their emotions in check. The kind that can take charge."
"Someone who can take the lead every now and again?"
"Yes."
Trey nodded his head, understanding.
Denise looked up into his eyes and when she did, there was a strength there she hadn't noticed. Removing her hand from the top of his, she placed them on her lap, "You know what I mean."
Trey nodded, "I know exactly what you mean." Somehow, the tone of his voice unnerved her. Grabbing her bag, she picked up her book.
"Where are you going?"
Denise shrugged her shoulders, "I have some stuff I need to take care of."
Trey leaned back in his chair and took in her demeanor. Her body language said she was lying, but he let it slide, "Alright Denise, I'll see you on Monday."
Denise glanced up, "We don't have class till Wednesday."
He nodded, "I know, but we have that worksheet that's due before class and if you need any other help, I'd be glad to assist."
Denise felt as if her throat was dry. She had the feeling it wasn't just work he was talking about. "Thanks Trey, I'll see you on Monday." She put the bag over her shoulder and was about to walk toward the door when he stopped her, "What time on Monday?"
"I'm free about twelve."
"I can do twelve."
"Cool, Monday at twelve."
He nodded, "Monday at twelve."
On that note, Denise made her way toward the exit.

Trey thought as she left the library, wondering what type of partner she would make. Just as easily as this thought entered, he immediately was filled with guilt. He thought of Jordan who was a friend and for his sake, he didn't want to even go down that road and not to mention the fact that Denise seemed to really love him. Another thought entertained itself into his mind. What if she wasn't in love with him? If she was in love with Jordan would she have been so kind to him? Would she have put her hand on his and then removed it once she realized that on some deep level he was hinting at her that he was the type of man she was looking for?
This, among other things had him seriously thinking about her.


Before Denise decided to go home, she made a stop at Jordan's place. When she got there, immediately his 2000 Pontiac was noticed in the parking lot. She parked her vehicle, got out and then walked up to the door. Once inside the building, she made her way to his dorm room. Although she had a key, she chose to knock first,