Real Love

by Tracy Reed

  “Mother, let’s not start.”

  She stood up and hugged Kyla. “Let’s start over. Your father and sister send their love.” She stepped back and looked Kyla up and down. “What’s going on with you?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You look different. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but…”

  “Well, when you do, let me know. In the meantime, let’s go look at furniture and then have lunch.”

  “Fine, but I know you’re hiding something.”

  “Let me call the showroom and tell them we’re on our way.” She picked up her phone and pressed the button to Sean’s showroom. She waited for someone to answer. “Hi, it’s Kyla. I want to bring a VIP client over in about twenty minutes…we’ll be looking for sofas…good…is Simon there today…okay…see you soon, bye.” She hung up. “Mother, get your bag and let’s go.”

  Kyla reached down and picked up Winnie and placed her in the leopard carrier. “What are you doing?” her mother asked.

  “I’m taking Winnie with us.”

  “Kyla…”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  Twenty minutes later they arrived at Sean’s showroom and walked inside. Kyla opened the carrying case and Winnie jumped out.

  “Kyla, don’t you need to put that thing on a leash?” her mother asked.

  “No mother, this is a dog friendly showroom.”

  She shook her head. Kyla walked around the showroom greeting everyone as usual.

  “Hey Winnie,” said Ryder, Sean’s assistant, as he walked over and rubbed the little dog’s neck. “Hi Kyla.”

  “Hi Ryder,” Kyla smiled.

  “Simon,” he called out. “Simon, your girlfriend is here.” A few seconds later the cute little black terrier came running out and nuzzled Winnie’s face.

  “Oh you have got to be kidding me,” said Nadine. “This is the Simon you were making sure was in today?”

  “Yes Mother. Simon is Winnie’s boyfriend.”

  “So we are chaperoning your dog’s date before shopping for furniture?”

  “No. My dog is on a date while we shop for furniture.” Kyla turned and started walking away. “What about this one?” she said pointing to the sofa in front of them.

  “It’s nice, but I’m not sure it’s right for…”

  “I agree,” said the deep voice. Mrs. Henderson turned and looked at the tall, dark, athletic looking gentleman standing behind her smiling. “If you are anything like your daughter, I think you might like something a little less traditional.” Mrs. Henderson stood with her mouth open staring at the very handsome man extending his hand to her. “I’m Sean Prescott.”

  “Nadine Henderson…Kyla’s mother.”

  “And I thought God didn’t have favorites. How unfair to lavish so much beauty on one family,” he said, followed by a kiss on her hand.

  “My, my, my…Kyla he’s a charmer.” Nadine smiled from ear to ear.

  Kyla stood smiling, observing the cute exchange between Sean and her mother. “Hi Sean.”

  “Please tell me you’re single,” Nadine asked Sean.

  He stepped back and replied, “Yes, I am.”

  “Thank God.”

  “Mother stop it. I’m sorry Sean.”

  He shook his head smiling. “So what are we doing today?”

  “My mother needs some things. Mother,” Kyla pointed to another sofa. “What about this one?”

  “I like it but your father might think the back is a little too high for his study.”

  “We can change that,” Sean spoke up. “When I designed…”

  “You designed? He’s single, handsome and talented. Kyla why haven’t you snatched him up?”

  “Mother!” Kyla slapped her forehead. “Oh my God, Sean, I’m sorry.”

  He laughed. “I see where Kyla gets her frankness.”

  “What? Is there something wrong with you Sean?” Nadine asked.

  “She is definitely your mother.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Kyla apologized again. “Mother, please behave yourself or we won’t be going to lunch.”

  “Fine. I wasn’t that hungry anyway.” She looked to her left. “I like that chair over there.” She pointed.

  “That would look good with this sofa.” Sean lead the way to the chair. Mrs. Henderson stared at his backside shaking her head.

  “My, my, my,” Nadine mumbled softly.

  “Excuse me,” Sean asked.

  “Nothing.” Mrs. Henderson replied.

  “If we lower the back on the sofa, they’ll complement each other nicely.”

  “I agree. Looks good to me.” Nadine smiled.

  “What color?” he asked.

  “Do you want to show it to daddy first?” Kyla asked. “After all, it is going in his office.”

  “He’s not good at visualizing furniture.”

  “We could send it out on spec. Let me explain…,” Sean began to explain.

  “I know what on spec is.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean any disrespect, ma’am.”

  “None taken.” Nadine smiled.

  “I’ll have it brought to you and placed in the room along with some fabric options.”

  “Perfect. And when you do, send up a couple of lamps and some pillows.”

  “I guess you don’t need me. I’m going to play with Winnie and Simon,” Kyla announced.

  “My daughter promised me lunch if I behaved myself,” Nadine announced. “I think I blew that when I started grilling you.”

  He laughed. “How about you and I go to lunch and we let Kyla tag along?”

  “That would be wonderful.” She turned and called out. “Kyla get my grand-dog, this handsome young man is taking us to lunch.”

  Chapter 37

  “SO WHAT’S YOUR STORY SEAN?” Nadine asked.

  “Ma’am?” He wasn’t sure how to answer her question. “I’m not sure what you mean?”

  “Why aren’t you married? You said you like women, what’s the deal?” she asked.

  This grilling session felt like the first time Sean had lunch with Kyla.

  “Mother, Sean doesn’t have to explain himself to you,” Kyla jumped in.

  “No, he doesn’t. But if he has nothing to hide then it shouldn’t be a problem answering my question.”

  “Kyla, I don’t mind. I was engaged but she called it off,” he confessed. “She didn’t like being second in my life.”

  “To your business?”

  “To God.”

  “God?” she questioned his answer. Kyla’s phone started ringing. She pressed the ignore call button. “Huh, that’s interesting.” Kyla’s phone rang again. “Kyla please answer that, it’s annoying.”

  “Excuse me.” Kyla started to get up. Sean stood up, pulled her chair out and watched as she walked to the bar before sitting back down.

  Nadine turned around to make sure Kyla wasn’t close by. “Okay, we’ve got a little bit of time. You just confirmed what I sensed.”

  “Excuse me.”

  “Look, I know you like my daughter. Heck, everyone in this restaurant can see that. So what are you doing about it?”

  “I—I—”

  “I take it you know about the boyfriend?”

  “Yes.”

  “And?”

  “I don’t like what she’s doing and she knows it,” he answered. “However, she’s been dropping hints she might be ready to leave him. I’ve been spending as much time with her as I can. I told her I was going to show her how much better her life could be without him.”

  “And how’s that working for you?” she asked sarcastically.

  “It’s been a challenge.”

  She looked over at Kyla. “She got that body from me and I know firsthand how powerful it is.” She turned back to Sean and he was smiling. “Her father says my body was the first thing he noticed about me. Try raising two girls that look like that. Thank God, my younger daughter is married. Now if Kyla would just�
��”

  “She’s beautiful and she knows it. But she doesn’t realize how much she has to offer.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. She knows she has a lot to offer, she just doesn’t want to share it.” She took a sip from her glass. “My daughter saw some of the women in my family involved with married men and thought it was very glamourous. A relationship without commitment…sex without love. On the outside, it seems like the perfect situation…a man who supposedly cares about you, who is willing to do anything to be with you. The reality is, he’ll never leave his wife and once he’s done with you, you’re left alone and heartbroken.” She took another sip from her glass. “Enough about Kyla. Where do you go to church?”

  “Phillips Christian Center.”

  “Pastor Wayne Roberts, I’ve heard good things about him. Pick me up Sunday at…”

  “I thought you and Kyla had plans?”

  “I want to visit your church and I know she won’t take me.” He nodded in agreement with her. “So what time are you picking me up?”

  “Nine-fifteen?”

  “Perfect and we’ll have Kyla meet us for brunch afterwards.”

  “It’s a date, Mrs. Henderson.” They clinked glasses.

  Kyla walked back to the table and Sean stood up. “See Kyla, a gentleman always knows how to treat a lady.”

  “Mother,” Kyla said sternly.

  “So, let me get this straight, your dogs are dating, but you two aren’t?” Nadine asked.

  “Mother!”

  “I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on. He’s very handsome, single, successful and smart. And you’re a prize for any man, yet your dogs are the ones in the relationship.”

  “Sean gave me Winnie and…I don’t have to explain this.” She flagged the server.

  “Yes Miss?” the server asked.

  “I need a glass of champagne, please.” She remembered the promise she had made herself not to drink in front of Sean. “Scratch that. Mineral water please. Thank you.”

  “I don’t understand you Kyla. If I were single, I’d be all over this fine, chocolate man.”

  “Mother,” she barked. “Sean, I’m so sorry.”

  He laughed. “Kyla, it’s okay. I know she’s just kidding.”

  “That’s what you think,” Kyla replied. He reached over and patted her hand.

  “Kyla, can’t you take a joke?” Nadine teased. “Sean, do you like macaroni and cheese?”

  “It’s my favorite.”

  “Why don’t you come by and join me and the girls for dinner?”

  “The girls?” Kyla questioned.

  “Yes, you and Winnie,” Nadine replied.

  “I’d love to ma’am, but I have a meeting tonight I can’t miss.”

  “Can’t you reschedule it?” Nadine asked.

  Kyla knew Thursday evenings Sean went to his AA meeting. “No mother, he can’t. Sorry Sean.”

  He looked at Kyla, rubbing her hand. “Tell you what, how about I come by after my meeting, around nine, unless it’s too late?”

  “No, that’s perfect. We’ll see you for dessert and coffee and you can take your mac and cheese home for later.”

  “I’ll bring some gelato.”

  “I brought a buttermilk pound cake that’s looking for a little something extra,” she added.

  “Sean, you don’t have to do that.” Kyla jumped in the conversation. “I know how Thursdays are for you.”

  “Ky, it’s okay.” He smiled trying to reassure her.

  “Hey Sean,” the sultry voice on the other end of the phone sang.

  “Hey there Miss Kyla. What’s going on?” The deep voice asked.

  “I want to thank you for being so nice to my mother. She really enjoyed herself.”

  “That’s what she said when she called me.”

  “You spoke with my mother?”

  “Yes. She called me yesterday to confirm the day for me to bring the pieces up to her.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Yes. She said she had already spoken to you.”

  “I talked to her yesterday and she said she was going to call you, but I had no idea she’d already…”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause a problem,” he apologized.

  “You didn’t.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Actually, things are pretty great.”

  “Yeah?”

  “This was the best visit my mother and I have had in quite a while. We didn’t fight and we really enjoyed spending time together.”

  “Good.”

  “Of course, she kept singing your praises…did you put her up to that?”

  “No. She and I talked and she thanked me for being your friend. And I told her it was my pleasure and that you are fun to be around.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Yes. What, did you think we concocted some plan to gang up on you?”

  “Yeah, I did…do you want to have dinner tomorrow?”

  “I kinda have plans.”

  “Got a hot date?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “You’re seeing someone?” She wasn’t prepared for his response.

  “It’s a blind date.”

  “Since when do you go on blind dates?”

  “Since, Trina said her friend was new to town and didn’t know a lot of single people and thought we might hit it off.”

  “Oh.” His answer surprised her. “Well, if you’re busy, we can get together some other time.”

  “What about breakfast on Saturday? I’ll bring Simon and we can make it a double date.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “We’ll come by and pick…”

  “That’s okay. We’ll meet you at Soho Grand.”

  “Okay, see you at nine-thirty.”

  “Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  Kyla sat staring out the window trying to figure out what was happening to her, and why she was upset Sean had a date. They were just friends. But since she’d started spending time with him, she was feeling a little off kilter. The problem was, she was beginning to think. Winnie barked and she looked down at her smiling face. “It’s all your fault. You and Sean.” She knew why Sean gave her Winnie and as much as she tried not to admit it, his plan worked. His care instructions had forced her to open her heart to love. Not only had she fallen in love with the cute little dog, she also fell in love with herself.

  She looked at Winnie and smiled. “Well, it seems it’s just you and me tonight. How about we split a bottle of mineral water and call it a night?” Winnie barked and followed Kyla into the kitchen. As they walked into the kitchen her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID “Liar.” She let the call go to voice mail, just like she did the other twenty-three messages. There was no need answering the call, because the message was probably just like the others. “I miss you and I’m trying to work something out.” That was a joke and a lie. Eric said he had an ironclad pre-nup and all he had to do was give Olivia the divorce papers and the agreed upon settlement, and their marriage would be over.

  “Come on girl, let’s get that drink.”

  Chapter 38

  KYLA STOOD IN FRONT OF the building, looking for the address. The numbers on the stone building said 175 West Ninety-Third Street. She reached into her bag for her cell phone and began dialing her office. After two rings, Antonio answered.

  “James and Company, how may I help you?”

  “You can help me by giving me the right address,” Kyla barked back.

  “Hold on Chica, don’t bite my head off. Where are you?”

  “I’m on Amsterdam and Ninety-Third.”

  “Where exactly are you?” he asked again.

  “I’m at 175, but…”

  “You’re in the right place. What’s the problem?”

  “Am I meeting the client at their home or—”

  “Hold on, let me call him.”

  She walked up the steps to the building, pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Looking around the space, it became obvious that she was in the wrong place. There was no doorman or directory of offices on the wall. She turned to walk out, when the beautiful music coming through the speakers grabbed her attention. She started walking down the hall in the direction of the music, and placed her hand on the knob to open the door, when Antonio came back on the line.

  “Chica, hang tight, his assistant is on her way to get you.”

  “So I’m not at the right place?”

  “Sort of…they own both buildings and he didn’t realize his office is in 177, not 175.”

  “Can I—”

  “No, you cannot access his office from where you are.”

  She let out a sigh. “Fine.”

  “Hey, it’s not my fault. I gave you the address he gave me.”

  “I know.”

  “I’ll see you later.”

  “Oh, Antonio…”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you and if I’m not back by two, would you please walk Winnie?”

  “I told you I don’t do dogs.”

  “Antonio…”

  “Don’t look at me like that,” he replied.

  “What are you talking about I can’t see you?”

  “Your child is sitting at my feet giving me the sad eye look. Did you teach her that?”

  “That’s my girl.” She laughed.

  He reached down and picked Winnie up and placed her on his lap, and she licked his face. “Stop that.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Yes, I’ll walk Winnie.”

  “Thank you.” She pressed the button ending the call and walked back out to the sidewalk waiting for her client’s assistant. She looked to her right and saw a woman walking toward her.

  “Kyla.” The woman called out as she approached her.

  “Trina?” Kyla was surprised to see Sean’s friend. “What are you doing over on this side of town?”

  “My boss sent me to get his meeting.”

  Kyla looked vexed. “You’re Mr. Matthews’ assistant?”

  “Yes. Come with me. I’m sorry about the mix up, he made this appointment himself.” Kyla followed her down the street.

  “That’s okay. I thought you worked at the church.”