All the Things I Meant to Tell You

by Tiffany L. Warren

  “Smart. Corden’s idea?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “You’re blessed to have him on your team.”

  “I am.” I kissed Sam softly on the lips. “And I’m blessed to have you on my team as well.”

  I left the comfort of my man’s arms to go and talk to my potential tenant. I hoped that the lawyer wasn’t an arrogant prick, or worse, a sleazeball. This space had been powered by black girl magic, and I wasn’t ready to share.

  As I descended the stairs, Corden chatted with DeAndre Williams, Esquire. That was the signature in his email. A little pretentious if you asked me. I had a bet going with Corden that he probably attended an Ivy League law school. Those were the only guys I knew who put Esquire in their signature.

  They both looked up at me and smiled. Mr. Esquire was easy on the eyes, that was for sure. I guess that would’ve been a bigger plus if I were single, or maybe an even bigger distraction. But since I had my own personal chocolate buffet still hanging out in my office, DeAndre Williams was just an attractive black brother.

  “Mr. Williams,” I said as I walked off the last step. “Corden gave you the tour?”

  “He did.” DeAndre extended his hand, and I shook. “It’s a beautiful space. Where do I sign?”

  I chuckled. “You don’t need to talk to your other associates?”

  “It’s just me. I’m a one man show.”

  Corden looked at me with eyebrows raised. He wanted me to seal the deal immediately, but we hadn’t spent enough time around this man yet. I needed to feel comfortable before giving him the keys to my queendom.

  “Is there a gym nearby?” DeAndre asked. “I do like to work out in the mornings and it would probably be better if I choose a location close to the office instead of near my house.”

  DeAndre clearly used a gym daily. I could see his tight abdominal muscles through his skin-tight dress shirt. And his thighs were almost too bodacious for the slim-fit designer dress pants he wore.

  “How far out are you?” I asked.

  “Duluth.”

  “Yikes. That is far. There is a gym at the country club you passed to get inside the community. We get to use that for free. Corden will get you a pass.”

  “Do they have free weights?” DeAndre asked.

  I laughed, and Corden laughed harder. The extent of my working out was swimming a few laps in my pool from time to time. I needed to do more, but I had my genetics to thank for my muscle tone.

  “Doesn’t Twila work out there?” Corden asked.

  “She does. I’ll ask her about the free weights.”

  DeAndre looked at me and then down at the phone in my left hand.

  “Oh, you want me to call her now?”

  “If you don’t mind,” DeAndre said. “I really want to close this deal today. This place is perfect. I can’t wait to bring my clients here.”

  “What kind of law do you practice?” I asked.

  “Entertainment law primarily, but I do take other types of cases from time to time. When it comes to my family, they think I can do everything—landlord/tenant, labor, and going to get Ray-Ray out of the county lock up.”

  I could tell that DeAndre was waiting for a laugh. I couldn’t give him one.

  “I have a cousin named Ray-Ray. He’s never been to jail, though.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that,” DeAndre said. “Just a little joke.”

  “Can I talk with you for a second in your office, boss lady?” Corden asked me. “I want to make sure we have everything spelled out in the rental agreement. DeAndre do you mind waiting for us in your new office? We’ll find out about those free weights too.”

  DeAndre beamed. “My new office. I love the sound of that.”

  “We’ll be right down in a second,” Corden said.

  Corden glared at me all the way up the stairs. I didn’t care about his attitude. I was just fine with this, until I thought about this man being up in my space every day.

  Corden held the door for me as we walked into my office. Sam was finishing up with the lunch dishes.

  “That was quick,” Sam said. “You’re already done with your meeting?”

  “She’s trying to scare off the tenant by acting crazy,” Corden said. “That is what you’re trying to do, right?”

  “I don’t know him, and he seems just a little too pumped to move in here.”

  “I did a background check on him. I checked all his social media. I even checked out some of his clients on his law website. He’s got some A-list celebrity clients, Hahna. He’s legit.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Is there a clause in the lease to cancel if we don’t need his money anymore?”

  “The first lease is for eight months,” Corden said. “He pushed for a year, but I told him we might be looking to sell in that time. He was interested in being considered for the purchase.”

  “You told him I want to sell my property? I didn’t tell you to say that.”

  “I had to explain your crazy lease terms.”

  I looked at Sam for help, and he was packing the final food items and dishes into the picnic basket.

  “Sam.”

  Sam looked at me and shrugged. “I’m with Corden. You won’t hear anything about selling, so this sounds like it’s the best option. Corden has done his research.”

  I sighed and sat at my desk. Of course, they were both right. Corden had my approval to proceed, and he did what was best for The Data Whisperers.

  “Are you sure you think I should rent to this guy?” I ask Sam. “He looks like a body builder.”

  “Muscles on top of muscles, huh?” Sam said with a hint of laughter in his voice.

  “You don’t care, do you?”

  “I do not.”

  Corden laughed too hard. If I’d had something to throw at him, I would have.

  “Come on and let’s get this lease signed,” I said.

  “Can you ask Twila about the gym?” Corden asked.

  I called Twila’s phone number. She answered on the first ring.

  “What’s up?” she asked. “But make it quick, I’m on my way to the office. I’ve got a patient waiting.”

  “Hey girl. Do they have free weights at that gym you go to over here?”

  Twila laughed out loud. “Why the hell you wanna know? You bout to start working out for the wedding? Trying to get some Angela Bassett arms?”

  “Um, no. They bout to get whatever arms I already have. My new tenant wants to know.”

  I hated the way tenant sounded as it rolled off my tongue.

  “Oh. Yes, they have everything. Is your new tenant a man?”

  “Yes.”

  “He fine?”

  “He’s all right.”

  Both Corden and Sam smirked.

  “I’m on speaker phone, aren’t I?” Twila asked.

  “Yep.”

  “You can tell me about your fine new tenant later. Find out if he’s single and straight. Or bi, shit. And stop putting me on speaker phone. You know good and damn well I’m not speaker phone appropriate.”

  “Bye, girl.”

  I disconnected the call and both Corden and Sam hollered. I couldn’t help but join them. It was good to hear Twila making jokes. I hoped that meant her therapy was already working.

  “Come on, Corden. Let’s go get this over with. We’re landlords now.”

  “You’re the landlord, boss lady,” Corden said. “I’m just your right-hand man.”

  Sam gathered all his picnic supplies and walked to the door with us.

  “I’m proud of you babe,” he said. “I know this was hard for you. I’ll reward you later tonight.”

  “I’m right here,” Corden said. “Right the hell here.”

  I kissed Sam again and followed Corden back downstairs to sign the lease. The proof that my success was waning. The evidence that I was failing and needed to go to Plan B. Why couldn’t anyone understand why this was heartbreaking except for me?

  DeAndre didn’t
need to get too comfortable in that office space. He wasn’t going to be there long. The Data Whisperers were coming back—not with a whisper, but a roar.

  Chapter 8

  KIMBERLY

  Kimberly squeezed Ron’s hand tightly as they walked into Pappadeaux’s. He squeezed back and kissed her cheek. Though she appreciated Ron’s assurance, she didn’t know why she was nervous. Meeting with Ron’s ex-wife, Sabrina, shouldn’t have bothered Kimberly at all. If anyone should’ve been nervous it was Sabrina. She was the one watching her ex-husband marry his longtime love.

  “We should’ve taken her somewhere cheaper,” Kimberly said in jest. “I bet she gonna order an appetizer and dessert.”

  Ron laughed. “And cocktails. Don’t forget the cocktails.”

  “And she gonna add extra shrimp on her entrée.”

  They both stopped talking when they saw Sabrina sitting in the waiting area. She’d grown her hair out some and darkened it. She had an almost olive glow to her skin, either gotten on a beach vacation or by spending time baking in the sun. Sabrina stood to her feet and smiled at Kimberly and Ron. She looked like she wanted to hug them, but Kimberly held her arms firmly at her sides as she squeezed Ron’s hand again.

  There would be no hugs. This woman was not her friend.

  And yet, Sabrina wasn’t an enemy either. She existed in a weird space between friend and foe. She couldn’t be trusted, but Kimberly had no choice but to have Sabrina in her orbit.

  Kimberly gave a weak smile back. “Hi, Sabrina,” she said.

  “How’s it going?” Ron asked as he gave Sabrina a smile as well.

  Kimberly loved how Ron matched her energy. If she wasn’t hugging, then he wasn’t hugging. Even though he shared children with Sabrina, he was going to reserve a hug until Kimberly led the way.

  The hostess signaled that she was ready to take them to a table. They were silent as they walked to the dining room. Perhaps the warmth that Sabrina had arrived at dinner with had been cooled.

  Sabrina sat at the round table first. Kimberly and Ron sat next to one another directly across from Sabrina. The table was too big for the three of them, and the empty chairs on either side of Kimberly and Ron made it clear that they were on one team, and Sabrina another.

  The waitress came to take their drink orders. She gave their little dinner party a curious look. Kimberly was sure they seemed strange.

  “Would you like to order beverages this evening?” she asked. “The house white wine is on special. The whole bottle is only nine dollars.”

  “We’ll have one of those,” Ron said, “and I’ll have a double of Maker’s Mark.”

  The waitress nodded. “I’ll be right out with your drinks.”

  Sabrina said, “You like white wine too? It’s my favorite. We probably should’ve gotten two bottles.”

  “One is enough,” Kimberly said. “We wouldn’t want you to have trouble driving home.”

  “Oh, Ron can just take both of our drunk asses home, right?”

  Kimberly’s nostrils flared a little, but she was determined not to give Sabrina a reason to feel like a victim.

  Sabrina opened her menu and scanned. Maybe she didn’t want to know why Ron had asked her to come to dinner, but she couldn’t have missed the big ring on Kimberly’s finger.

  “What are you guys going to eat?” Sabrina asked. “I’m thinking fried catfish.”

  Kimberly gave Ron a look and he nodded. It was time to introduce Sabrina to the big gray animal who’d joined them in the room. The one with the trunk and wrinkly skin.

  “So, we asked you to come here tonight because we’re getting married,” Ron said.

  Sabrina looked up from the menu with the fakest smile plastered on her face. “Congratulations, you two. That’s awesome. Are you going to have a big wedding?”

  Ron nodded. “Yes, in Jamaica. We want the girls to be a part of the ceremony.”

  She shifted in her seat. “I . . . I don’t know about that. What will they think of you marrying someone?”

  “What do they think of you and your husband?” Kimberly asked. The question had to sting because of the history, but Kimberly still felt it was valid.

  “I’ve explained to them why their daddy lives somewhere else now, and they have accepted it. I just think the wedding is a whole different thing. Kids are so literal.”

  “I think we can all talk to them together and explain what’s happening,” Ron said. “But I want my family standing with me. That part is not up for debate. You’re welcome to come to Jamaica as well.”

  Kimberly had a nervous moment where she thought Ron might invite Sabrina to stay in their vacation rental. They could share a Caribbean island, as long as they weren’t under the same roof.

  “Do you mind if I bring Frank?”

  “That’s a tough one, Sabrina.”

  “You two have been cordial over the years. Since you’re getting married now, maybe it’s time to let go of your anger toward him.”

  “My anger was never toward him,” Ron said. “It was toward you. And you’re right, I’m not angry about you leaving me anymore. You were making room.”

  “Wow,” Sabrina’s face reddened with embarrassment.

  Kimberly bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Sabrina had brought Ron’s harsh response on herself though. She was audacious enough to sit in front of the new fiancée and suggest that Ron was still butt hurt over their breakup? That was bold.

  “Look, I can’t stop your man from getting on a plane, but he’s not welcome at the ceremony. As the mother of my children who are in the wedding, you may attend.”

  “But I’m not really welcome, either.”

  Ron looked at Kimberly and smiled. “Kimberly, how do you feel about Sabrina and her husband coming to the wedding?”

  Kimberly turned her gaze to Sabrina and gave her a slow smile. Sabrina seemed like a woman who wanted to be the center of attention. Even though she had a new husband and no longer wanted Ron, she wanted Ron to consider her feelings above all. Why would he do that?

  “It doesn’t matter to me who witnesses our joy.”

  Ron brought Kimberly’s hand up to his mouth and kissed it. “Well, Sabrina, my future bride has spoken. You and Frank can come to the wedding.”

  “Why don’t you come to the engagement party too?” Kimberly asked.

  Sabrina squinted with suspicion, but Kimberly held her composed smile. She would never let this woman see her flustered at all.

  “W-when is it?”

  “Next Saturday, at the Bailey Wine Cellar. Eight o’clock. We’d love to have you.”

  “I’ll see what Frank has on his calendar. Thank you for the invite.”

  Sabrina stared at Kimberly and Ron for a moment, with their own plastered-on smiles. Then, she grabbed her phone out of her purse. She scrolled through as if she’d gotten a text. Then, she looked back up at their still-smiling faces.

  “I’m so sorry you guys. I have to go. Emergency.”

  “Everything all right with the girls?” Ron asked. “Do we need to go with you?”

  “No. Nothing like that. The babysitter has to leave early. Hopefully, I’ll see you two at the engagement party.”

  She stood and so did Ron. Kimberly kept sitting and grinning. Sabrina paused as if to hug Ron goodbye, but then seemed to think better of it. She rushed out of the restaurant and Ron sat again.

  “We ain’t have to do her like that,” Ron said.

  Kimberly and Ron both burst into laughter. Even though they had been extremely petty to Ron’s ex, it felt good to Kimberly. She and her man were a team. And once they exchanged vows, two would become one.

  “That was you. I was just an innocent bystander,” Kimberly said.

  “Eh, I know. She pissed me off acting like I was mad about her husband.”

  “Yes, that was something else. Why would she think that you’re still angry?”

  Ron scoffed. “I am not angry, but I want nothing to do with the guy. I don’
t consider him a stepfather to my kids. I call him the man who lives in the house with my children.”

  Kimberly was happy for the distraction of the waitress bringing the wine. She understood how Ron felt. Who wouldn’t hold a grudge against the man who’d slept with his wife? But she didn’t want Sabrina treating her like the woman who lived with her ex-husband. Kimberly wasn’t all that concerned about being a stepmother to Sabrina’s children, but she wanted Ron to feel like she was his partner in things concerning his daughters.

  “So, how will this work when we’re married?” Kimberly asked.

  “How will what work?”

  “I am trying to be cordial with Sabrina, for the sake of the babies.”

  “As long as Frank treats my children well, he has nothing to worry about. I don’t have to be cordial with him.”

  “I know and I’m not suggesting that you should. I’m just saying it might be awkward for Sabrina if she and I are cool, and her husband is the enemy.”

  Ron took a swallow of his bourbon. “You care about things being awkward for Sabrina?”

  “Hell naw. I just don’t want her giving you any drama about seeing your children.”

  Ron shook his head and frowned. “She wouldn’t do that.” He set his glass on the table, punctuating his thought.

  Kimberly wanted to trust Ron’s judgment on this one, but she wasn’t so sure about what Sabrina would or wouldn’t do. Kimberly hoped the diamond ring on her finger didn’t bring out another side of Sabrina. A side that might try to use those two beautiful girls as pawns.

  “Well, it looks like we’ve got two extra guests for the wedding. She better not show her ass, because you know my line sisters are going to get her all the way together.”

  “I would pay money to watch Twila go upside her head. I’d record it on my phone so I could watch it over and over.”

  Ron laughed, but Kimberly didn’t join him. She thought about Twila’s demeanor at Hahna’s house. There was something seriously wrong with their friend.

  “You don’t think that would be funny?” Ron asked.

  “Babe, Twila is having problems. I don’t know what, but she’s moved in over Hahna’s. She says she can’t stay at home.”