Covert Affairs

by Rhonda Laurel

  “What do you think it was that put you on the agency’s radar?”

  “I was told my IQ, coupled with athleticism and observation skills.”

  “Oh, yeah? Me too.” She put her hand on her hip. “Well, not the athleticism part. I take spin classes with Trina, but we mostly chat about the donuts we’re going to eat when we’re done.”

  He laughed.

  “I can read people really well,” she said.

  “I know you can.” He caressed her arms.

  “Come on, I’ll show you a mystery I’ve been working on since we boarded in Baltimore.”

  “Who does it involve?”

  “Mr. Stewart,” she said matter-of-factly. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

  “Figures. What’s that old hound dog up to? Harassing more young women on the ship?”

  Theresa pulled his hand. “It’s ten thirty. Let’s go see what he’s doing.”

  She really did feel like a spy skulking around the casino floor in search of Mr. Stewart. As she’d predicted, he was at the casino cage, cashing in his ticket. After he’d counted his winnings, he stuffed the money into his pocket and headed outside. They kept a safe distance as they watched him make a stop at the candy story to buy a box of chocolates. Then he went to the ship’s guest services and waited for fifteen minutes for a bouquet of flowers.

  Trevor raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me Mr. Stewart found a new woman to pester?”

  “No. He’s finally making the moves on the true object of his affection.” She linked arms with him. “He’s on the move.”

  They continued to move as the elderly man made his way to the karaoke lounge. There were a group of women sitting at a table. One of them was his grandmother. She watched as Trevor’s jaw dropped when Mr. Stewart marched over and gave the flowers and candy to Grandma Reed.

  His jaw ticked. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Mr. Stewart only compliments me when your grandmother is around. I suspected he had a thing for her during the cruise meetings at the center.”

  “Well, she’s going to just shoot him down.”

  “Maybe. But would it be so bad if your grandmother had a friend?” They looked on as Grandma Reed continued to give Mr. Stewart a curious look. Theresa tugged on his hand. “We’re done here.”

  “Wait, I want to see—”

  “Your grandmother is a grown woman who can handle herself.”

  “That was pretty good. The way you deduced Mr. Stewart’s actions.”

  “You’re not the only one who can do surveillance and gather intel. Speaking of covert affairs, you owe me an explanation. Can we talk now?”

  “Fire away.”

  She guided him to less heavily populated area of the deck. There were only a few people there, so she felt comfortable that they could continue to talk.

  “Do you carry a gun?”

  “Only when I have to.”

  “Do you use nifty spy gadgets like in the movies?”

  “Most of those devices you see in movies are Hollywood embellishments, but some are working tools that the rest of the population just isn’t aware of yet.”

  “Wow,” she said. “Do you do any dangerous stunts?”

  “Again, Hollywood embellishments. Going around doing martial arts and charming every woman I meet would bring too much attention. The most important part of my work is blending in.”

  “I can’t imagine you blending in anywhere. You kind of stand out. You’re tall, have an athletic build, dress like a fashion model, and you’re good looking. People notice you.”

  “But there’s a difference between people looking at you and making people pay attention to you. Good-looking, eh?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I see your ego doesn’t feel the need to lie low.”

  “It’s always nice to know someone desires my body as well as my mind.” He grinned.

  “When were you recruited?”

  “Junior year in college. It seemed more organic that a college student would opt to do some traveling after graduation. I took photography electives in school, and I was pretty good.”

  She waved her hand. “You were quite the shutterbug in high school. I remember all those pictures you used to take of me.”

  “You were always my favorite subject.” He moved a rogue lock of hair out of her eyes.

  “What gave you the idea to send those packages?”

  “I was missing you. We always said we’d travel together, and in a way we were. You were always in my thoughts.”

  “Well, I like the trinkets and journal entries. They were informative and fun.”

  “Have you ever visited these places based on the recommendations?”

  “A few.”

  “What was your favorite place to eat?”

  “I’d have to say the Notre Dame de Grace in Montreal. The nightlife, coupled with the awesome restaurant choices, was just a wonderful experience. I had a blast, and I’ve taken a group of ladies for a bachelorette weekend. We drank, ate, and enjoyed the atmosphere.”

  “I’m glad you were able to get out into the world. Has there been anyone serious since Tony?”

  She could play coy. He looked stricken from asking the question. “No. I decided that if I kept on looking for certain things, I’d end up with another Tony in my life. So I started being more discerning about dating.”

  “I know it sounds awful to say, but I’m glad you didn’t meet someone.” He rolled his eyes. “I can’t believe I actually just verbalized that selfish bullshit.”

  “I was hoping you’d taken a vow of celibacy. There, that makes two selfish idiots.”

  “No one in my life ever compared to you.” He caressed her cheek. “I never stopped loving you for a minute. I love you, Reese.”

  “I love you too.” Her eyes teared up.

  “You do understand that you can’t tell anyone about any of this?”

  She nodded. “I’d never repeat a word to anyone. I promise.”

  “Good. I don’t want you or anyone else I love in danger again. It would kill me if something happened to you.”

  “Why are you telling me this now?”

  “If I have even the slightest chance of a do over with you, I want it. And I know that means telling you the truth of why I stayed away. Do I have a chance?”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  She stood on her tiptoes as Trevor leaned in for a kiss. It was what she’d wanted for so long.

  CHAPTER TEN

  A few days later, Theresa put money in the meter and hustled down the street as fast as her heels would go. She had only a few minutes to make her hair salon appointment at Seraphim’s Dream, and she didn’t want to be late. Ethel, her stylist, was a sweetheart, but she knew the hectic pace of the place. She and Charisma both needed to see the stylist for their night out, so she opted for an appointment with Connie, another stylist in the shop, instead. Three minutes late and you’d be waiting an hour to get your hair shampooed. Tonight would be her and Trevor’s first official date since returning from the cruise, and she wanted to get glammed up for a night out at the Slap Shot to see Trina’s performance.

  She rushed in and hung up her coat. “Connie, I’m here!”

  Heather, the receptionist, handed her a glass of champagne. “Thank you again for taking care of my Grammie Pearl. I haven’t been able to get to her house yet, but my mother said she brought back lots of presents and can’t stop talking about the fun time she had. You’re going to get blessed for handling that crowd.”

  “They weren’t so bad.” Theresa laughed. It was amazing how many people thought the elderly people in their lives were troublesome. What she wouldn’t give to have her mother back. “You should visit her some time. She couldn’t stop talking about you on the cruise.”

  “My grandmother can’t stop talking about it either,” Charisma said as she and Trina entered the salon. She moved in close to Theresa, gave her a hug, and said so only she could hear, “Neither can my brother.”

  “Cha
risma. Trina.” She hugged them both then turned to Trina. “Are you ready for your performance tonight, songbird?”

  “Yes. We just went shopping for a new dress.” Trina held up a garment bag. “I gave you a few days to get settled, but now I want the details on the cruise. Were you surprised when—?”

  “We’ll talk later.” Theresa gave Trina eyes to keep it down. She didn’t want to be the beauty salon gossip for the afternoon.

  “She’s right,” Charisma replied. “If we don’t jump into some chairs, we’re going to be here for hours. Normally I wouldn’t mind but we have big plans tonight.”

  The ladies grabbed magazines off the counter and hustled to their hairdressers’ chairs. Theresa just wanted a wash and blowout to save time. She also had to make a trip to the mall get a tube of her favorite lipstick. Connie put an apron on her and sent her to be shampooed. She nestled back, closed her eyes, and as soon as the shampoo girl began to work the shampoo in a lather and massage her scalp, she drowned out the chatter going on in the front of the salon.

  Since they were back on dry land and back to reality, it was time to assess where they were going in their renewed relationship. The plan was to take it day by day, but the excitement of the possibilities had her giddy every day. Trevor was still on home leave, but he did tell her that he’d have to talk to his boss eventually. She knew it couldn’t be easy to just walk away. She just hoped they wouldn’t ask the impossible of him.

  The water nozzle moving over her hair pushed those pesky thoughts to the back of her mind. What mattered right now was that he was keeping his promise and he wanted to be with her. All too soon, the conditioner was being rinsed out, and she was getting toweled off.

  “Thanks.” She gave Nicola a five-dollar bill for the great scalp massage and went back to Connie, but the conversation monopolizing the room made her stop in her tracks. They were talking about Trevor.

  “Charisma, I saw that handsome hunk of a man Trevor at the supermarket the other day. Why didn’t tell us he was back in town? Gorgeous as ever, and he still has that nice, tight ass that I remembered. He’s gotten better with age.” Stylist Crystal spritzed herself with a small spray bottle with water in it.

  “I always thought that he was a hot, sexy combo. He was cute, athletic, but he was kind of nerdy too,” Lacey, a customer who was sitting in a chair with tin foil all over her head, said.

  “Not to mention the bulging muscles and still has that impeccable since of style. I tried to take a photo of him with my cell phone, but he moves really fast, like the world is on fire.”

  “Maybe he was just trying to get away from you,” Ethel, Charisma’s stylist, said.

  “Please do not refer to my brother as a ‘hunk of a man.’ It’s bad enough you objectify Derek, half his hockey team, and my relatives.” Charisma pointed to Derek’s autographed photo that was still draped on the wall.

  Theresa carefully took her seat in the chair. She was trying to tell Connie what she wanted done, but her stylist, too busy listening to pay her any attention, handed her a magazine instead.

  “I always had the biggest crush on him.” A woman lifted her hairdryer and sighed. “Well, him and Jared. It was a toss-up, but I wouldn’t have minded being in a Reed sandwich.”

  “You should see him now.” Crystal fanned herself. “I don’t know what he does when he’s away, but he’s built like a brick wall.”

  Trina whipped her head around. “Why don’t you give yourself another spritz and wash your mouth out with soap? Those are my cousins.”

  “Trina, you dish about men all the time.”

  “Yeah, but when it’s your cousins, it’s gross and rude,” Trina retorted. “Jared’s married, and Trevor’s taken.”

  “I would love to trash Autumn.” Ethel sighed. “But Charisma brought her here for a haircut, and we like her. However, I still have a big gripe with Jared. He didn’t have to go all the way to Texas to find somebody.”

  Charisma laughed. “Technically, they met on an exclusive tropical resort while on vacation, so save the Lone Star hate.”

  “Theresa, did you have a hand in making that dream come true?”

  “I was not responsible for sending him on that vacation.” She kept flipping through the magazine, trying not to lose her cool over the crude comments about Trevor.

  “Is Trevor single?”

  Theresa’s cheeks began to sting, like they did whenever she felt like she was being watched. It was Charisma and Trina staring holes into her. Was she supposed to speak up and say she and Trevor were dating again? She didn’t have to, Trina did it for her.

  “Get back, ladies,” Trina said. “My cousin Trevor’s taken.”

  “He’s been in town for two minutes. Don’t tell me he brought someone home?”

  “No. She’s a local.” Trina grinned like a Cheshire cat.

  “Who wiggled their hips fast enough to lock him down?”

  “Theresa,” Trina said proudly.

  The heat was really on as Theresa continued to browse her magazine while the entire shop gazed at her.

  “If you weren’t my travel agent, I’d call you a bitch right now,” someone said.

  “All that matters is that you’re not bitter about it,” Charisma announced.

  Everyone in the salon erupted in laughter.

  “Good for you, Theresa,” Connie said. “You and Trevor make a great couple.”

  “Who makes a great couple?”

  This time everyone in the salon went silent. Debra Reed had walked in, and no one had noticed.

  “Hey, Mom.” Charisma waved. “I didn’t know you’d had an appointment today.”

  “I’m just here for a mani-pedi. I didn’t know I’d be treated to hot gossip about my son,” Debra said.

  “Sorry, Mrs. Reed.”

  Theresa shrank back as much as she could behind the magazine, hoping Connie would whip her seat around and start blowing her hair out. One of the not-so-great memories of her youth was Debra thinking she wasn’t good enough for her son. She didn’t say it in so many words, but Theresa remembered the looks of disdain she used to shoot her way. Charisma had said her mom had done a lot of growing the past few years. She hoped for Trevor’s sake she had.

  She let out a sigh of relief when Debra went over to talk to Charisma. Connie turned her to face the mirror and started clipping her ends. She peeked over the magazine to see Debra was now talking to Trina. Maybe she’d be spared.

  “Put your game face on,” Connie whispered. “She’s coming over here.”

  “Theresa. It’s been so long.” Debra announced as she walked over.

  “Hi, Mrs. Reed. How nice to see you.”

  “It’s good to see you too, Theresa.”

  “How was the vacation to Hawaii? Were the accommodations to your liking?”

  Charisma and Derek spared no expense on that getaway. They had a private bungalow that overlooked the beach and twenty-four-hour chef and concierge services. No one from the resort had called and said she was shouting from the rafters, so she thought they’d had a decent vacation.

  “Everything was perfect. You planned a perfect vacation.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. I like to keep my clients satisfied.”

  “I’ve been meaning to bring you a housewarming present. How do you do with plants?”

  “No worries.” She’d noticed Debra visiting Grandma Reed plenty of times since she’d moved in but who was counting? Three times she’d seen her. “I don’t have much of a green thumb but thanks for the offer. I think I’ve killed every plant I’ve ever had.”

  “I’ll find something you couldn’t possibly kill.” Debra’s voice raised an octave.

  “But—”

  “Take the damn plant,” Connie said quietly as she bent down to pick up something imaginary off the floor.

  “OK. Maybe something basic like a Boston fern or an aloe plant?”

  “None of that basic stuff for you. After all, you’re a homeowner. You need something to ten
d to and add to your garden. You are planting a garden, right?”

  “It’s on my list of things to have done by spring.” Theresa gulped. Suddenly she got the feeling they weren’t talking about plants anymore.

  “I know. I’ll get you an orchid. They’re pretty, fragile, and needs lots of nurturing and love. I’ll bring it by this weekend.” Debra walked away and sat down at the manicurist’s table.

  Charisma and Trina rushed over. “What did she say?”

  “I think I was just put on notice,” Theresa muttered. “Careful. Charisma, didn’t you say your mother could read lips?”

  “I don’t think so or my hide would have been tanned ages ago.” Charisma snickered.

  “Trina. Charisma. Get back in your chairs,” Debra bellowed.

  “Yes, ma’am,” they grumbled.

  “We’ll talk later,” Trina mouthed.

  The Reeds were as sweet as cherry pie, but Debra was something else. Still, she expected a more aggressive conversation when Debra finally learned about her and Trevor dating again.

  * * *

  Trevor put the paint brush in the can and stepped back to survey his work. The beige and periwinkle blue color scheme for Theresa’s new office space was fantastic. All that was left to do was clean up the room and be finished for the day. That would give him plenty of time to get ready for their date tonight. He enjoyed doing odd jobs around the house for her. It gave him time to mull over how fast his life was changing. Since they’d got back from the cruise, they’d spent every possible moment together. The old feelings were back full force, but there was also something new budding between them.

  In addition to spending more time with Theresa, he’d enjoyed getting reacquainted with his family members too. He spent his days playing with Alexis and running errands with his grandma. He’d even dropped by his parents’ house to watch the football game with his dad. Life was now interactive, not something he watched from afar or recapped through updates from Charisma and Charles.