by Reese Ryan
Chapter 3
Lita sat down again, still regarding Trey Hampton suspiciously. She couldn’t help being a little resentful that he’d known about the kids’ relationship all along, while she was just learning of it.
She was jealous Meeka felt comfortable enough to hug the man. Yet, she hadn’t even spared her own mother a casual goodbye.
But he’d made a good point. Now that there was a baby involved, there’d always be some sort of connection between them. Whether the kids stayed together or not.
If Trey was as good and as dedicated a father as he’d claimed, he’d likely want to be involved in his grandchild’s life. That meant they’d see each other. A lot.
And since she’d pissed her daughter off and she’d gone off to the beach with her fiancé instead of returning to Charlotte with her, she certainly did need an ally.
“So maybe you’re right. Maybe I do need to treat Meeka more like an adult,” Lita admitted. “My father was a pastor, and my parents were super strict. They didn’t allow me to date, and my father was awful to any boy who came sniffing around. Even at church. That’s how I ended up seeing Dale—my ex—instead of some nice boy at my church or school.”
“How old were you when you two got married?” Trey asked.
“I was twenty-one, he was twenty-six,” she said. “I hid the relationship from my parents because I knew they wouldn’t approve. And then when I got pregnant, I was determined to get married and prove to my father just how wrong he was about Dale.” Lita shook her head. “But he wasn’t wrong about him. And now here I am, making the same mistakes with my daughter.” Her voice broke, and tears burned her eyes. She shook her head. “I promised myself I’d never be the kind of parent who insists on blind obedience to the rules. That my kids would be able to talk to me about anything, and that I’d give them the tools to make their own decisions. But I’ve become just like my father, haven’t I?”
Trey covered her hand with his and gave it a comforting squeeze. Suddenly, Lita understood why her daughter had hugged the man so hard. There was something about Trey Hampton’s touch and soothing voice that instantly eased her tension and made her hopeful everything would work out all right.
“I know Meeka is angry right now, Lita, but she adores you. When she visited last summer, she gushed about what a good mother you are and all the sacrifices you’ve made for her and her brother. She’s so proud of you for starting your own business and forging ahead with a new chapter of your life. Meeka is genuinely happy for you.” Trey settled back in his chair and smiled, withdrawing the warmth of his strong hand. “One disagreement certainly won’t erase all of that.” He picked up his glass and sipped his wine.
“I hope not. We’ve always been so close.” She paused, thinking about the fact that her daughter had kept all of this from her. “At least, I always thought we were close.”
“You’ll always be her mother, Lita,” Trey assured her. “Just give Meeka some time to calm down.”
Lita released an uneasy breath and picked up her glass. She swirled the wine with its deep, rich, purple-red hue, then took another sip. It was light and sweet, and the taste of blackberries, cherries, and plums burst on her tongue. She inhaled deeply, then took another sip.
“I figured you for a red wine drinker.” Trey chuckled. “Seems like the Malbec was a perfect choice.”
“Especially tonight.” Lita took another healthy sip, draining her glass.
At this rate, they were going to need more wine.
The server brought out their small plates, and they dug into the vegetable tempura, ceviche, beef carpaccio, sweet potato gnocchi, seared scallops, and crab cakes. There was enough food on that table to comfortably feed four people, but Trey and Lita were going in on the delicious tapas with no problem.
He wasn’t a skinny guy and he loved a good meal. But tonight he was ravenous…and not just for the delicious array of tapas they’d been sharing over polite conversation. He’d captured a glimpse of his gorgeous dinner companion whenever he got the opportunity. And she’d caught him looking more than once.
Trey took another bite of the beef carpaccio, followed by more of the refreshing Malbec wine—which they were on their second bottle of.
So maybe he was a little more stressed about the situation than he cared to admit.
Lita sank her teeth into her lower lip and stared longingly at the last mini crab cake left on the plate, but didn’t reach for it.
Trey picked up the dish and slid the crab cake onto her plate.
“Thank you.” Lita smiled as she broke off a piece of the last crab cake with her fork. “I forgot to ask you, Trey, what is it that you do for a living?”
“I have my own real estate firm specializing in coastal properties.” Trey smiled. It was something he was proud of. After more than ten years of struggling to raise his family, working two jobs much of that time, he’d gone into real estate. First as an agent, then eventually he became a broker. Five years ago, he’d established his own brokerage. “I specialize in coastal properties in North Carolina. In fact, my house in Pleasure Cove was one of the first investment properties I acquired. It was supposed to be a long-term flip that the boys and I lived in while the renovation was being done. But when the project was complete, we loved it so much, I couldn’t bear to sell it.” Trey took another sip of his wine. “Honestly, it’s more house than I need now that Jason is in the military and Jamil is off at school. But every time I think of selling it—”
“It’s the place that feels like home to your boys.” Lita smiled softly. “There must be a lot of memories there. I can understand why you’re reluctant to part with it.”
Trey pulled out his wallet and pulled out one of the two photos he kept there. He showed it to Lita. “That’s my oldest, Jason, Jamil, and me out in front of the house.”
“My God, the place is gorgeous. And how close is it to the beach?”
“It’s just a short trip across the street.”
“No wonder you don’t want to get rid of it. I wouldn’t, either.” She sipped the Malbec.
“And I think I remember Meeka saying your business had something to do with computers.” Trey dabbed his mouth with a napkin.
“I’m a web designer.” She removed the napkin from her lap and put it on the table. “It all began when I wanted to help a friend who didn’t have a website for her hair salon. I taught myself how to do the basics. I enjoyed the creative process and the project turned out so well that my friend couldn’t stop telling people about it. So I kept getting referrals. Eventually, the kids encouraged me to leave my office job and start my own business. I took courses to improve my technical skills, so I could create fancier, tricked-out websites, and a few business courses. Then I hung out my shingle, so to speak. Business has been booming ever since. Recently, I hired two more designers to do most of the work while I focus on building the business and taking care of our high-end clients.”
“Hmm…I didn’t realize you designed websites. I would’ve asked Meeka for your business card. Jamil set up my website a few years ago. It was a good start. But I need something more robust.” Trey picked up his phone and pulled up his agency’s website and handed it to her.
He could swear she cringed. Trey couldn’t blame her; it was pretty damn basic.
“If your house is any indication of the real estate market you’re going for, then they’re going to expect something much better than this.” Lita was direct, but not unkind. Besides, he knew what she was saying was true. It’s something he’d known for a while, but he’d been too busy with the agency to worry much about it, since it didn’t seem to be affecting the business.
“Agreed,” he said simply. “Do you have a portfolio?”
“I do.” Lita pulled her phone from her purse, pulled up a website, then handed the phone to him. She sat silently as he scrolled through the client websites.
He liked the clean, uncluttered simplicity of the websites for clients ranging from salons, to romance aut
hors, and real estate agents. Yet, each site looked unique and on brand, while offering all of the necessary bells and whistles.
“Your firm’s work is incredible. Just the kind of thing I’m looking for.” Trey handed the phone back to her. “Do you have room on your calendar to revamp the website for my agency?”
“You want to hire me?”
“Absolutely.”
She’d seemed pleased at first, but then her expression changed to one of hesitance. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. We don’t know how things will work out with the kids. And then there’s…” Her words faltered, and her cheeks turned crimson beneath her warm brown skin.
For a woman who was so outspoken, Lita Woods was just as given to blushing. Which Trey couldn’t help but find adorable.
“You’re worried about working together when there’s an attraction between us,” he said.
“Yes.” She seemed surprised he understood her hesitance. “It feels like there would be too many moving parts that might complicate the client relationship.”
“I respect that, and I certainly wouldn’t want to do anything to make you uncomfortable. But this is a project I need to get done. I’d much rather the contract go to you. Might as well keep it in the family, Nana.” He winked.
Lita stared at him, blinking. As if the reality that she’d soon be a grandmother was just hitting her.
“Too soon?” he asked.
“Definitely.” She drank the last of her Malbec.
“Sorry.” He chuckled, stroking his beard. “But if you change your mind, just say the word, and the contract is yours.”
“I appreciate that.” When Lita smiled at him, he could swear his heart skipped a beat. “But you don’t even know how much I’d charge you.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Trey shrugged. “I love your work, and I’m sure your pricing is fair.”
“I’m not cheap,” Lita said.
“I didn’t say cheap…I said fair. Excellent work demands a commensurate fee.” He grinned. “Dessert?”
“Everything was delicious, but I honestly couldn’t eat another bite.” Lita rubbed her belly. She reached in her purse and pulled out her credit card and put it on the table.
“I’ve got it.” He waved his hand.
“This isn’t a date, Trey. It’s only fair that we split the bill.”
“True, but I’d still like to pay this time,” he added, hoping it would quell her objections.
“Okay, thank you. But next time, it’s my treat.”
He was glad she was open to having dinner with him again, even if this wasn’t exactly a date.
Lita glanced at her phone and gasped. “I had no idea it had gotten so late. I’ve got a long drive ahead of me.” She shot to her feet and gripped the table as she wobbled slightly.
“Whoa.” He stood, holding onto her waist. “Perhaps you shouldn’t hit the road just yet.”
Between their drinks at the bar and the two bottles of wine they’d shared, they’d had a considerable amount of alcohol as they’d gotten to know each other. While they’d also consumed their fair share of food, it obviously hadn’t been enough to counter the alcohol.
“I guess I didn’t realize how much I’d had to drink. I’ll book a room and stay overnight. Then I’ll head back home in the morning.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Trey agreed, releasing her once he was sure she was steady on her feet. “Only, good luck finding a room tonight. There are a few conventions going on right now. I heard the woman at the front desk saying just about every reputable hotel in the Triangle is booked for the next few days.”
“Then how’d you get a room?” Lita eyed him suspiciously.
“Foresight.” He tapped his temple. “I booked the room well in advance. I’m a planner,” he explained. “I don’t leave things to chance.”
Lita propped a fist on her hip. “And I suppose your next move is to invite me to stay in your room?”
“It’s not a room. It’s a two-bedroom suite with a split bedroom floor plan. I have a meeting in Raleigh tomorrow, and that was all they had left when I booked it a month ago. Since the kids are headed to the beach, Jamil’s room is free. But you’re welcome to try to find an available room at a spot that doesn’t charge by the hour.” He sat down. “I’ll wait.”
Lita frowned and folded her arms as she stared at him, one eyebrow raised. She sighed. “Fine. But I’m sending your name and photo to everyone I know. If something happens to me, you’ll be dead by dawn.”
“All right, gunslinger.” Trey couldn’t hold back a laugh. He held up his hands. “Don’t worry, Nana. You’ll be safe with me.”
“Fine, Grandpa.” Her scowl turned to a smirk when he reacted to being called grandpa for the first time. Lita laughed. “What, Trey, is it too soon?”
They both dissolved into laughter. Lita Woods was a pistol. And he was going to enjoy getting to spend more time with her.
Chapter 4
Lita couldn’t believe she was doing the very thing she’d taught her daughter never to do. She’d gone to a hotel with a strange man.
She’d just met Trey Hampton a few hours ago, and now she was standing in the middle of his hotel suite, prepared to spend the night. It wasn’t an ideal situation, to be sure. But driving under the influence wasn’t an option. Neither was staying in a seedy hotel that looked like it belonged in a low-budget horror film. So she’d gone with the lesser of the evils.
Still, she’d taken proper precautions. She’d sent Trey’s name and photo to her three best friends and to Meeka. She’d also informed them of the hotel they were staying in and their room number.
Trey slipped off his jacket, providing a better view of his strong arms and broad chest. The brother worked out. That was for sure. He smoothed down his tie, his heated gaze trailing over her momentarily.
Her skin tingled beneath his stare. Too bad they hadn’t met under different circumstances.
“Can I get you anything?” He offered. “A late-night snack? Dessert? Another bottle of wine?”
“Actually, I’d love a bottle of water,” Lita said, despite the fact that she could really go for another glass of that incredible red wine Trey had ordered at the tapas restaurant. It was her new favorite.
“You’ve got it,” he said. “You sure I can’t interest you in anything else?”
You?
She shook the thought from her head quickly. Sleeping with the daddy of her daughter’s baby daddy? That was a recipe for disaster, if ever she’d seen it. “Actually, maybe I’ll go downstairs and get it myself. I need to pop into the gift shop and see if they sell pajamas or a college T-shirt I can sleep in. I obviously wasn’t prepared for a slumber party.”
“Maybe I can help you out there.” He disappeared into his bedroom, returning a couple of minutes later. He held up a white T-shirt. “Will this work?”
She accepted the crisp, white North Carolina Central University T-shirt imprinted with the college name in maroon lettering and the gray-and-maroon logo. She held it up to her body.
It wouldn’t cover much, but no one else would see it in the privacy of her room.
“This will do fine. Thank you, Trey. I appreciate it.” Lita smiled.
“When I get back, I plan to catch a movie or something. If you’re not quite ready to turn in for the night, I wouldn’t mind the company.” He indicated the couch and large-screen television in the shared space. “No pressure, of course.”
Trey slipped out of the room before she could answer.
Lita inhaled the scent of the clean shirt. It smelled like a combination of her favorite laundry detergent and the cologne he’d been wearing. She couldn’t help smiling at the thought of being surrounded by Trey’s scent as she slept just across the way from him.
Lita honestly wished she didn’t like the man so much. He was tall, but not too tall. Enough man to hold on to and keep her warm at night. A grown man of at least her age. A dedicated father with two adult sons who were out of the hou
se. A fellow entrepreneur with good taste in food and wine. A generally nice guy who was generous and had a good sense of humor.
What was there not to like about this man?
If Jamil was half as charming as his dad, it was no wonder her daughter had fallen for the boy. Maybe she would’ve come to like Jamil too; if only Meeka had given her the chance to get to know him.
Then again, maybe her daughter was right. She’d been so set on Meeka not making the same mistakes she had. Would she have given Jamil a chance?
She sighed, raking her manicured nails through her hair. “Meeka, baby. What have you done?” she whispered, wondering where her daughter was and if she was okay.
Lita went to her room, tossed the shirt Trey had loaned her on the bed, and sat beside it. As much as she hated the thought of talking to her ex again for any reason, Dale had the right to know what was happening with their daughter.
Dale Woods hadn’t been a great husband, and maybe he hadn’t been an award-winning father, but he did love his children. She felt obligated to call him and give him the news that he was going to be a grandfather by the end of the year.
Lita sucked in a deep breath and dialed her ex-husband’s cell phone number, hoping he didn’t answer. She’d be content to leave a voice message telling him he needed to call their daughter as soon as possible.
Only it was Dale, and he never did what she wanted him to, so he answered the phone on the second ring.
“Lita? Well, this is a surprise.” Dale sounded a little too proud of himself. As if she’d called just to hear his voice.
“What’s she doing calling you so late?” a voice demanded in the background.
“Will you just chill a minute, Alayna?” His words were muffled, as if he’d covered the phone, but she could still hear him. “If she’s calling at this hour, It’s for a good reason. Probably something to do with the kids.”
Alayna was his latest live-in girlfriend. Like the others, she was much younger than Lita’s ex-husband. Dale had just turned fifty earlier that year while Alayna, according to her daughter, was only twenty-seven.
