He tossed his bag back in the trunk. He knew that it might take a lot more than a beer to numb the effect Reanna had on him. I wonder if she’s facing the same thing.
Slamming the trunk angrily, he walked to the driver’s door and got back inside. Who the fuck cares? We’re not going to see each other again.
As he pulled out of the parking lot, he knew the one good thing about going out for drinks with Clark was, he wasn’t going to be spending the night talking about himself. Clark asked questions, but usually did most of the talking.
Just let the topic not be women.
Chapter Three
It had been a tearful goodbye to Brenda. Reanna thought for sure she’d have been able to hold it together better than she had. If anything, Brenda was in better shape than Reanna had been. But the deed was done. Her sister was off to make a life for herself. It was good. It was what should have been a long time ago. Yet, it was still sad. She was used to Brenda needing her, and she would run to her rescue. How could she do that when Brenda was more than three thousand miles away?
The tears started again and she quickly brushed them away. If she went into the house with puffy eyes, Bobby would try to console her, and right now, that would only piss her off. She wanted to be alone to let it all out and have a good cry. But as she pulled into her driveway, she noticed another vehicle there. One she didn’t recognize.
If you have a woman in my house, your ass is out the door.
Granted, she and Bobby weren’t together, but this was not his place and she wouldn’t tolerate him disrespecting it. She shut off the engine to her Ford and walked up to the stranger’s car. Peeking inside, she saw lipstick and a brush sitting in the cup holder. Hell no!
Reanna stormed up the stairs, yanked open the door—which was once again unlocked when it shouldn’t be—and yelled. “Bobby!” She might be angry, but she also didn’t want to walk in on them in the middle of having sex, either.
Bobby called from the living room, “In here.”
She tossed her keys on the counter and headed to confront him. When she entered, she saw him on the couch, and a woman with long blonde hair beside him. Not for long.
“Sorry to break this up, but I need to speak to you privately,” she stated firmly.
Bobby nodded, got up, and said, “Excuse me. We’ll be right back.”
I will, but not so sure about you.
Bobby followed her into the kitchen and she shut the door. She had no problem laying into him, but she didn’t want to embarrass the young lady. For all Reanna knew, she might think this was Bobby’s house. He had after all, once upon a time, liked to call himself a ladies’ man. That was the downfall of their marriage. Bobby might not have cheated, but he liked the attention from all the women. Guess he still gets it too.
She turned to face him and growled, “You have a lot of nerve, do you know that?”
Bobby shrugged. “So you have told me before. What for this time?”
“How dare you bring another woman into my house. You’re damn lucky I didn’t send your sorry ass packing last week. I get it. You’re hard up and need a place, but this ends now. I want you and what’s-her-name out of here.”
“But—”
“I don’t want any of your lame-ass excuses either.”
“Reanna, you can’t be serious.”
“I sure as hell am,” she said firmly.
Bobby nodded. “I guess this is what I get for answering the door when your friends come knocking.”
She didn’t have any friends who drove an expensive vehicle like that. Crossing her arms she said, “My friend? Not yours?”
“Hey, I’d like to be her friend, but that diamond on her finger says she probably isn’t looking.”
Reanna still had no idea who had paid her a visit. Standing here wasn’t going to resolve that, either. “You stay here.”
As she went to open the door to leave the room, Bobby asked, “And do what?”
She didn’t even turn around as she snapped, “How about do the dishes for a change?” Then she headed back to the living room, this time catching her breath and trying to calm herself. If this person was here to see her, she might want to be a bit more pleasant. “Hi, sorry to keep you waiting.”
The blonde turned around and smiled. “I should’ve called before stopping in.”
Shanda. A sigh of relief was followed by a quick scan of her living room. She’d avoided this room since Bobby started sleeping in it. She could’ve given him one of the bedrooms upstairs, but she didn’t want him that comfortable, or that close. Thankfully, he didn’t have anything like his underwear lying around. Dirty dishes and take-out containers, on the other hand, were everywhere.
“Don’t mind the mess. I have a…guest who doesn’t seem to know how to pick up after himself.” Which won’t happen again.
“Bobby told me he was staying with you for a while.”
What else did my dear ex have to say?
She didn’t want to talk about him. The less said, the better. “Can I get you something to drink? I have raspberry iced tea and fresh-squeezed lemonade.” At least I did before I left.
“No. I’m good, thank you. I actually had stopped by to talk to Brenda. Bobby told me she moved to California. I can’t believe it. She didn’t even come to see me and say goodbye,” Shanda said. “We’ve been friends for a few years, but lately, I guess, we’ve grown apart.”
Reanna understood that feeling. “Brenda has been very quiet lately about what she’s been up to. It was a shock to me as well when I found out last night. But she really seemed…happy, if that means anything.”
“It does. I feel like it’s my fault. Like I haven’t been a good friend to her lately. Before, we would meet up for lunch or she would stop by the shop and we would chat then. But since Kenneth has been around, we didn’t get to spend as much time. Maybe she felt like a third wheel or something.”
Reanna chuckled. “My sister never would’ve even gotten the hint that she was intruding, so it couldn’t be that. I think she was just really looking to do something for herself.” I just wish she felt like she could’ve talked to me about it too.
“I kind of feel stupid now for coming by. I know you and I spoke about the wedding last night, and that’s why I am here now. To talk to Brenda about it.”
She sat down beside Shanda and said, “I’m free if you want to talk to me.”
Shanda nodded. “My sister DeeDee would be my go-to, but she is pregnant.”
“I know, I saw her at the grocery store the other day. Guess her back has been giving her problems.”
“And her feet swelling, and now they said she needs to watch what she eats because her sugar is high. She said not to worry, that all this is normal when you’re pregnant, but I just don’t want to add any more stress onto her, if you know what I mean,” Shanda explained.
“I do. I wish Brenda were here to help you, but I’m more than happy to help wherever I can be of assistance,” Reanna said. Helping. Serving. It’s what made her happy.
Shanda smiled brightly. “You have no idea what that means to me.”
Reanna reached out and grabbed hold of Shanda’s hand. “That’s what friends are for.” Even though they were newly friends, she had a feeling they were going to become very good ones quickly. “Should I get a pad and pen so I can start jotting down some notes?”
“Okay, but the first one is simple. What is your favorite color? I mean, for your dress,” Shanda said. “I really don’t have a preference. I like yellow, but that wouldn’t look good on you.”
“My dress? I don’t know. Guess I’ll find something in my closet that would look good.”
Shanda laughed. “Have you been in that many weddings that you have a collection?”
Reanna wrinkled her nose in confusion. “Never stood up in a wedding.”
“Great. Then mine is the first. So, I see you in something maybe a deep purple. What do you think?”
“You want me in your wedding par
ty?” she asked.
“I want you to be my maid of honor. Guess I didn’t explain that very well. Just you said you’d do anything. I was here to ask Brenda, and you seem to be the logical next choice.”
She wasn’t sure what logic Shanda was using, but Reanna had avoided being in anyone’s wedding, because she didn’t feel comfortable with all eyes on her in that way. “I…well…I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes by taking that role.”
“DeeDee would be my other choice, but you already know why she can’t. Please say yes. I would ask my friend Krissy, but Kenneth is asking his brother, and I don’t want to break up a couple.”
“His brother? You mean Jerry?” Reanna asked. Her heart raced.
“Yes. Hope that is okay. I mean, you two seemed to get along last night,” Shanda said.
“We did, but…but…” she had really no excuse to say no. “I guess you have a maid of honor.”
Shanda shrieked, reached out, and wrapped her arms around Reanna. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She pulled out of Shanda’s tight clasp, then added, “I guess now I can go and get the pen and paper.”
Shanda let go and said, “I think I’m the one who should take notes. I kind of feel like planning a wedding is somehow like running a business. If you asked Kenneth, you’d know that isn’t my strong point.”
“But you have two businesses,” Reanna said.
“Both of which I would’ve lost if it weren’t for Kenneth. He’s everything that I’m not,” Shanda stated.
Reanna said, “And I think you’re everything he’s not as well. You two complement each other. That’s what makes you two work. Think of how boring it would be if you were the same. There wouldn’t be any…”
“Spark. And you’re right. It does work. Of course, I didn’t think so at the beginning. I was attracted to him, but never did I think one day we would be getting married.”
“It was meant to be,” Reanna replied.
“That is what DeeDee said too. Even now it seems like a dream: a hot, sexy, wild dream,” she giggled. “Sorry, too much information.”
Reanna understood that type of attraction. She felt it last night with Jerry. Never before had she wanted to rip off a stranger’s clothes after just one kiss. But he ignited something almost primal within her. A need, want, like never before. Hell, maybe it’s just been too long. She closed her eyes for a second, and the feel of his hands on her flooded back. No. It was definitely him.
“No. It’s what happens when you’re in love.”
“Have you ever felt like this before?” Shanda asked.
“No. Not like that.” Reanna had been married, but she married Bobby right out of high school, against her parents’ wishes. But like Brenda, she had to find herself before she knew what she wanted. And when she figured it out, she knew it wasn’t Bobby. He wasn’t driven by anything other than waking up the next day. There was more to life than that. She had dreams and goals and wanted someone in her life who did too.
“It’ll happen when you least expect it. Actually, I thought last night you and Jerry had a connection. But I guess I was wrong. I didn’t know you were involved with someone already.”
Involved? That wasn’t a word she would use to describe herself. The only thing she was married to was her job. Damn it. “Do you mean…Bobby?” Shanda nodded and Reanna stated firmly, “We are not involved. He needed a place to stay for a short time and that is all.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. He talked about the two of you like you’d been…well, it’s none of my business,” Shanda stammered, obviously embarrassed.
“No. Bobby shouldn’t have said anything to give that impression. I’d speak to him, but he won’t be staying.”
“I hope I didn’t cause any problems between the two of you,” she added.
“We’ve had problems for years.” That’s why we’re not married anymore. Unfortunately, she had to say something about him. “Bobby and I used to be married.”
Shanda’s eye widened. “Like husband and wife?” Reanna nodded and Shanda asked, “And you still live together?”
“No. I was serious. He needed a place to stay and here he is.” She could’ve told Shanda it was actually Brenda’s doing, but this was her house. She made the final decisions. Reanna could’ve kicked him out at any time. But I’m always helping someone somehow. Saying no in her personal life seemed difficult for her. Good thing that trait didn’t follow through at her job, or she wouldn’t have one.
“Well, that’s…different. Not that I’m judging or anything. It’s just I couldn’t do it. And honestly, I think Kenneth would’ve flipped out and kicked the guy out even if he was just on my couch.”
“Since I’m not seeing anyone, I guess I don’t have to worry about that.” She wished that weren’t the case.
“Single? Really?” Shanda said with a smile on her face.
“Don’t go getting any ideas.”
“Me? I wasn’t…oh heck, I was. You should go out with Jerry. He’s not seeing anyone. Well, I mean…nothing serious, from what I know.”
Reanna stood up and said, “I will only be your maid of honor under one condition. You do not play matchmaker with me and Jerry. Or me and anyone else. Is that clear?”
Shanda pouted but finally nodded. “But if it happens naturally, don’t blame me.”
“If it happens with Jerry, I’m definitely blaming you,” she warned. “Now, do you want to talk wedding plans or not?”
Shanda sighed. “Since the clock is ticking, I’ll let you win this one. Wedding plans it is.”
Reanna didn’t feel as though she’d won anything. No matter what, she was going to see Jerry again. If not sooner, then at least at the wedding. No matter how long it was, she knew the fire between them wasn’t going to diminish. There was only one thing to do: limit the exposure at all costs.
Play with fire and you get burned. And my heart can’t take another break.
“What do you mean we need to have dinner again? I just saw you last night,” Jerry said.
“I know. I know. Shanda said things have changed and she wants the bridal party to all be on the same page. She’s not normally like this, but after speaking to Mother, I hear this is normal bride-to-be behavior,” Kenneth said.
“I don’t have time to drop everything and run down to Hope Valley every time she wants to update me. You actually just caught me coming out of a meeting.” There was a day Kenneth used to work seven days a week too. Now it’s Saturday afternoon and Kenneth is expecting his family to want to talk wedding stuff. He might have changed, but we didn’t. No way in hell was he going to lose any more time on this. A wedding was just one day. These business deals were what guaranteed Jerry’s future.
“How did it go?” Kenneth asked.
“Mr. Lee has come to understand the benefits of signing the contract today.”
“I thought you were just sending your attorney. What changed?” Kenneth asked.
It was simple. He had little to no sleep last night, and all his built-up frustration had to be good for something. Jerry may have been a bit more forceful than he wanted, but the end results were all that mattered. The company was his, free and clear.
“Not all of us sit back and just hope things go as we want,” he said sarcastically
“Is that what you think I’m doing? Because you’d be dead wrong. I might have altered my investments, but I am just as active as before. If anything, Shanda’s inputs have helped me grow my portfolio.”
Jerry laughed. “The woman who can’t manage her own company is providing you with advice on yours? You really have lost your fucking mind.”
“And yours is still closed off,” Kenneth said flatly. “I have learned that by surrounding yourself with like minds, the answers always seem the same. Shanda doesn’t think at all like I do, therefore her suggestions make me re-think how I do certain things. Not all, but a few. And I’m going to give you this one warning. Shanda is going to be my wife.
I’d appreciate it if you remembered that when you speak of her,” he warned.
That speech didn’t change what Jerry thought in the least, but Kenneth was correct on one thing: he should be more understanding, where Shanda was concerned. She didn’t grow up like us, needing thick skin because someone was always ready to tell you when you fucked up. Jerry had been on the receiving end of it many times. He’d even done it to Kenneth several times over the years too. It’s your life Kenneth. Do with it as you please.
Jerry opted to revert back to the reason why Kenneth had called in the first place. “I can’t make it tonight.”
“So you already said,” Kenneth responded.
“I’m not saying I don’t want to be…involved, but I believe the information can be discussed another way, rather than in person. Why don’t you have her send a text? I promise not to delete it,” Jerry said, trying hard to hide the frustration over this ridiculous request.
“That’s pretty much what Reanna said too,” Kenneth laughed. “Are you sure you two haven’t talked about this behind our backs?”
“What does Reanna have to do with this? I thought Brenda was the one in the wedding,” Jerry said, wondering if he should have been listening more closely.
“Sudden change of plans. And if you think you’re having a hard time keeping up, you should be in my shoes,” Kenneth said.
“Not too late to elope,” Jerry reminded him.
“If I suggest it, it won’t be a wedding you’re attending, but my funeral. Shanda was talking to her sister DeeDee, and between the two of them, I had to get the hell out of there fast before I became a target,” Kenneth said.
“So why don’t you stay in Boston tonight?”
“Simple. Just because you and Reanna don’t want to be there to talk about the wedding, doesn’t give me an out.”
“I feel for you, but—”
“So you’ll come?” Kenneth asked.
“No fucking way. It might have something to do with your sales pitch, but you make it sound…painful,” Jerry joked.
Just Trust (The Reluctant Heart Book 2) Page 4
