Tickled Pink

by Schultz, JT

  Richard turned to his wife. “How are you doing?”

  "I'm good." her brows furrowed. "I still don't like the fact that Hank is going to be here."

  He couldn't blame her. "He is one of the owners so it's not an option. I wish he didn't have to be here either. I worry that Hank and his dad are going to blow this."

  "That's understandable from what I have read and heard."

  "Katerina is very picky about who she and Denshi do business with, it's true. Thankfully Manny won't be here." Felix added as he walked over to the bar.

  "It just creeps me out Hank is going to be in our home," Toni confessed.

  He loved the fact she considered this home, he hated the thought it unsettled her to have someone who forced himself on her under their roof. The last thing he ever wanted was for her not to feel safe or comfortable, even though it had been months. Richard hadn't shaken what he walked in on or let go of what could’ve happened.

  "It'll be okay and I promise, I won't let you out of my sight."

  "Richard is right love," Felix agreed as he walked over with a glass of scotch for Richard and a goblet of red wine for Toni. "Your husband will be here and if that ignorant pig does anything, polite company or not, he’ll most certainly realize fast that I can be the biggest bitch of them all."

  Richard wanted to laugh at the comment, but it warmed him, knowing Felix was protective over Toni. "Thank you for everything."

  Their friend grinned. "Don't thank me, actually praise your wife. She's brilliant you know."

  He smiled broad. "Oh yeah, the complete package." He turned to Toni. "What did you do now?"

  Toni sipped from her glass and a sparkle filled her dark eyes. "Well, I had a phone call this morning. Kerry and Sally Sutherford were passing through tonight on their way back out to Dallas. They were hoping we'd be free." Her full lips twitched into a smile. "I explained we had plans but we would love them to come by and I told them the Singh's would be here and they were thrilled. So I figured this way it's equally as social as it is business and good for you all round."

  He was floored; she truly was the best thing to ever happen to him. "I..."

  Richard caught himself in time. He'd almost told her he loved her. Even though, he knew she loved him too, he couldn't bring himself to say the words. Afraid the simple three word statement might jinx what they had and he didn't want anything ruining that.

  “Well played.” He covered her mouth with his. The flavor of the wine met his tongue and he knew he had to stop before he wanted more than a kiss. He lifted his head and she gazed at him. He could tell she wanted to say something, but remained quiet. “What is it?”

  “I should get ready.”

  He understood and she stepped around him. Toni walked toward the bedroom and he sighed. He lifted the glass and sipped the scotch. Again, he hoped that the Stewarts were on their best behavior.

  “You look like you’re stressing.”

  He met Felix’s gaze. “I am; the Stewart name in Stewart Locke Investments is a disaster. I don’t want to worry Toni, but I already know the Singhs are not going to like them.”

  The other man waved a hand and lifted a martini glass. “Really, gorgeous, how bad could it be?”

  Could this possibly get any worse?

  Toni glanced across the dining room table at Richard, who wore a displeased expression on his face. Oh yeah, her husband wasn’t amused. At this point, it could be from a variety of factors. The fact Hank had felt up his dad’s wife, or the fact his own wife had remained silent and had not spoken a word the entire night.

  “So, Richard, tell me about this hotel casino proposal of yours,” Kerry Sutherford prodded.

  “The location is prime and directly across from where you’re building another tower community.” Sally, Kerry’s wife laughed. “Clever and genius.”

  Her husband turned to the woman. “No. Completely marketable. Your husband is an astute businessman, I’m just following suit.”

  “I like casinos,” Denshi chimed in. “The location is indeed prime.”

  “Stewart Locke Investments only represent money,” Hank interjected. “We don’t do loans and we don’t build, nor do we hold interest outside of financial investment in companies.” He cast Richard a sardonic smile.

  It took every lady-like ounce of control not duct tape the pig’s mouth shut. Richard flinched. “What Hank is saying is we haven’t joint ventured a project at this point.”

  A strange moan escaped Hank’s father’s wife who sat across from Stewart Sr. and next to the man in Toni’s crosshairs. Neither of Hank’s hands were in sight.

  “For Christ sake Hank, for once in your life, keep your hands to yourself.” Patricia finally spoke and Toni wasn’t sure who she wanted to maim and silence first.

  “Why do you always have to be so accusing?” Hank glared across the table at his wife.

  “Because I’m tired of you acting like an ass.” Patricia snarled and cast Hank a lethal glare. “Spare me your infidelity and get your hands off your father’s wife.”

  Jesus! Grant me strength.

  Richard paled. Toni had no clue what to say or do.

  “Who is ready for another drink?” Felix asked, rising to his feet. “Richard and Toni have a wonderful merlot from Italy.

  “Sign me up,” her mother-in-law groaned. Her father-in-law remained silent. The Bryson patriarch’s silence spoke volumes; it was more than obvious he didn’t want to be there.

  Kerry and Denshi exchanged a look and Sally lifted her glass. “Sounds wonderful, I’d love to try it.”

  Mona emptied her glass and passed it to Felix while she smiled at Sally Sutherford. “I’ll join you.”

  This is screaming bloody hell.

  A heavy weight settled on Toni’s chest. She wanted nothing but success for Richard. He wasn’t going to have it now. They both knew it.

  Denshi and Kerry engaged in quiet conversation and Felix exited the dining room, hurrying over to the bar.

  “You have sweet peas blooming in April,” Katerina’s voice held awe and Toni turned to see her staring out of the large floor to ceiling window. She wasn’t sure if it was an observation or an attempt to change the subject. “They’re my favorite.”

  “I love our balcony.” Toni stated, almost whimsically. She wished she could escape the tension in the room and the ridiculous antics of Hank and family.

  Mrs. Singh faced Toni and blinked. “Show me—it’s like a secret garden out there.”

  Okay, a strange twist to the night—but a welcome relief. “Of, course.” Toni turned to her other guests. “If you’ll excuse us please.”

  She met Richard’s gaze and saw the defeat in his blue eyes. He forced a smile and nodded then turned to Mrs. Singh. “I do hope you enjoy.”

  Katerina smiled. “I believe I will.” She turned to Toni and rose from the table. “I’m ready.”

  Felix returned with filled goblets for both her mother-in-law as well as Sally Sutherford.

  Mona darted a hopeful glance, then lifted her wine goblet. She couldn’t blame her mother-in-law. Toni was ready to grab a bottle and shove a straw in it herself. She wasn’t sure at this point what was worse, Hank and Patricia arguing at the table or Hank feeling up his—younger than him—stepmother.

  Toni stood and placed her cloth napkin on the chair. She opened the patio door and motioned Katerina through the door.

  The moment she stepped outside Mrs. Singh inhaled deeply and scanned the area taking every detail from the sweet peas blooming, then across to the pool and separate hot tub. Her gaze settled on the cherry blossom tucked safely in a large planter at the far end of the cement, where the railing connected. “Amazing,” she breathed and walked over to the tree.

  “You have an amazing eye for beauty and detail.” The older woman stated as she turned to Toni.

  “Thank you.”

  “You don’t like your husband’s partners.”

  Oh God! Just lie.

  She wanted to plaster
a smile and pretend everything was fine. However, things were terrible. She was ready to throttle Hank and the Stewarts with her bare hands. She should lie, but that wasn’t who Toni was. She also knew any flaw in the company and the Singhs would never invest and all of Felix’s and Richard’s work would be for naught. “No, I don’t like them.”

  Katerina laughed. “You’re not stupid. Everything in your control has been flawless.”

  “I have no control over the Stewart name.” Toni ran her fingers over the delicate flowers of the tree. “I already know you and your husband are good people, you function and do business with a select few.” She inhaled deeply and walked across the tile between the pool and hot tub, making her way to the sweet peas. “My husband is a good man.”

  Mrs. Singh crossed the patio and stood next to Toni. “I already know that. Why does he stay with such soulless rats?”

  “His grandfather was one of the founders of the company, on his mother’s side.” Maybe she shouldn’t be talking; however, after what Toni had witnessed tonight, she understood why her husband had been worried. “Richard was close to his grandfather. I think he stays for his grandfather’s memory.”

  A slow smile crossed the other woman’s lips. “You know my husband and I will never invest with Stewart Locke Investments.”

  Her heart broke. “Yes.”

  Katerina Singh glanced to the sweet peas then again turned to Toni. “You could have lied to me when I asked about his partners.”

  “Yes.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “But you didn’t. You love your husband very much.”

  Toni hadn’t admitted the truth to Kayla or Piper—or even herself. She’d never told Richard her true feelings and yet standing there, she knew what she had to do. Be honest and tell her deepest secret to a woman who was not much more than a stranger. “I do, more than the air I need to breathe.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Everything is perfect…but something is missing.

  The days turned into weeks and eventually months. Toni’s parents 4th of July get-togethers were always an event people talked about as much, if not more than the Christmas Toy party. This year the weather had hit record highs as well as a heavy dose of humidity. Small groups of people talked and mingled around the red, white and blue decorated yard.

  However, instead of being social and circulating with the company, which she should be doing not only as Richard’s wife, but also networking for her own business, her attention was fixed on the large pool where Andrew and Richard, with the help of Lauren, were trying to teach Gabriel to swim.

  A slow smile tugged her lips and a warm feeling reached down to her soul. She was happy to see how the scared little boy had changed over the last few months and had come out of his shell. His English improved daily and he looked to Lauren more as an older sister than a family friend.

  “We’ve been looking all over for you,” her sister-in-law exclaimed.

  Toni turned to Piper and a now very pregnant Kayla. “I’m not feeling up to mingling with people.”

  Again she glanced toward the pool. Lauren and Gabriel looked so happy and Andrew had taken to being a full time parent well. What still held her captivated is how Richard had been there for him through it all. Watching the group splashing around, she had to admit he was amazing with the kids.

  “Interesting smile,” Kayla noted with a hint of amusement.

  “Agreed,” Piper giggled. “So have you told him yet?”

  She blinked and stared at her two friends. “Told who what?”

  “My brother.”

  “Tell him what?” Toni still wasn’t clear. Her mind was elsewhere. Lately, that happened a lot.

  Kayla laughed and rested her hands on her round stomach. “Have you told Richard you love him?”

  “Oh, no.” She waved a hand and shook her head. “It’s not like that.”

  “So you’re still in denial?” Piper asked blatantly.

  Kayla nodded her head and offered a small smile. “Contrary to what you think, it is like that.”

  True. She was, but other than confessing to Mrs. Singh at the dinner party months back, she hadn’t admitted it to anyone. Not even Richard. She knew he talked to Denshi periodically, but Singh Capital Trust hadn’t invested, nor would they. Her husband had taken things better than she thought, though she knew he was disappointed, he carried on with his other clients and had built quite the rapport with Kerry Sutherford.

  Kayla laughed and glanced at the pool then back at Toni. “You’re in love with him.”

  How did she respond to that? Was it an observation or an accusation? She weighed her words carefully. “I’m not denying that I am crazy about him or that I adore him, but…”

  Piper’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?” She exchanged a worried expression with Kayla then both of them turned concerned looks on her.

  “Nothing is wrong.” It was true. Everything was great—damn near perfect actually.

  “Why don’t I believe you?” Kayla asked quietly. “You’re doing it again, Toni, you’re shutting us out. Piper and I are your friends.”

  “She’s right, we won’t judge you, but we both know something is troubling you.” Her sister-in-law smiled. “So tell us why you haven’t told him you love him. Has he told you? Because anyone who sees the two of you together knows the pair of you are head over heels for each other.”

  A small amount of sadness touched her heart. “Yes, I do love him, but we only have just over three months left of this…and then…” She didn’t want to think of October, or what it may hold. She still functioned day to day, but lately things had been different.

  “Are you guys having problems?” Piper finally ventured with trepidation.

  “Nope, we’re fine. Better than fine, but I’m not,” she confessed with a sudden weight on her shoulders. “Do you want the truth?”

  “Of course,” Kayla encouraged.

  “I swear, as much as I love you both, I will maim you if you tell a soul.”

  “You have our word.” Piper nodded then continued. “Something is eating at you; you’ve been lost in thought for a few weeks now.”

  Kayla nodded in agreement. “She’s right, what’s bothering you?”

  Toni blinked at her friends and wasn’t sure she should say anything, but knew if she didn’t she might lose her ever-loving mind. “I wake up five out of seven mornings during the week. I see this incredible man in bed beside me who is so remarkable and treats me so well. He’s a wonderful husband, a strong and supportive friend and amazing with the kids. Then I get out of bed, and I stumble into the bathroom and want to drop my birth control pill down the drain.”

  “Oh, boy!” Kayla sighed.

  Piper’s brows lifted and surprise registered over her face. “Okay, I admit, I didn’t expect that.” She shook off the dazed expression. “Have you actually done it?”

  Toni cast her sister-in-law a leveled look. “Are you crazy? Of course not.” She exhaled a drawn out, heavy sigh. “I want a family and kids.” Fear, uncertainty and another emotion she couldn’t name filtered over her. “I never thought I’d say that. Hell, I never thought I’d even want those things, but I do.”

  “Does my brother know this?”

  Toni met Piper’s gaze. “Of course he doesn’t. Love a duck! He isn’t happy at work these days; I don’t even think he wants to work at the company anymore. I don’t think he knows what he wants. He spends a lot of time in the garage, more so as of late. He is content with the kittens and has nicknamed them the kids. Having a baby is not where his head is. We haven’t told each other we love each other, as if I’m going to bring up something like this. He had life all figured out before we got married.”

  “Maybe, but he is happily married and he does love you, Toni, even if he hasn’t told you so.”

  She absorbed and digested Piper’s words, but they gave her little comfort. “I do love him, but I’m not sure if it’s enough.” />
  “Toni, honey…” Kayla offered a small smile. “Don’t give up on him just yet. I think you need to talk to him. Maybe not today, or next week, but before the sentence is up. I see you two lasting—maybe he’ll surprise you.”

  “Maybe,” she told her friends. In her heart though, she wasn’t so sure.

  Or maybe he’ll shut down and what if he doesn’t love me too?

  Richard stood in the living room and stared out to the balcony where Toni sat bent over her tablet. He took in her long tanned legs stretched out and exposed by the faded cut offs. Her baggy t-shirt hung slightly off her shoulder exposing her swimsuit ties beneath. Life had taken an usual twist. For a man who had turned against weddings and commitment, now he wouldn’t trade his life. Well, parts of his life, but not his marriage to Toni.

  He glanced down at the two kittens lying by the doors staring out. Having the penthouse suite automatically created the rule the curious black and white fur balls weren’t allowed on the balcony. Boxter looked up at him with big green eyes and meowed.

  “Sorry, buddy, you can’t go out there.”

  If cats could frown, Boxter frowned, then lifted a paw to the doorframe and clawed helplessly. There was no way, with the weight of the door, the kitten had a hope in hell.

  He rested his gaze on Toni again and knew he should tell her he loved her and why he was scared—yet something held him back. Richard should be past this, they’d been married ten months to the day. He could handle multi-million dollar accounts, but here it was August and he couldn’t say three little words.

  It had been awhile since he’d spent time on the balcony. He walked down the hall to the bedroom and quickly changed out of his suit and tie and into his swim trunks and a t-shirt. After grabbing a beer out of the fridge he carefully removed Boxter from where he was blocking the door and stepped outside, quickly closing the heavy glass before either kitten could make an escape.

  Toni glanced up and smiled at him. “Hi.” She blinked down at her tablet then returned her gaze. “You’re home earlier than usual.”