by Candace Shaw
“Well...the other one is similar, just a different location. It’s in the Stone Mountain area. However, we’re also contemplating a famous restaurant chain here in Atlanta. Rumor has it they want to expand to adjoining states.”
Broderick nodded as he soaked in the information. He was most interested in the restaurant chain. “I am searching for something new to invest in, but you know I don’t just put my name on anything or write a check until I have every detail. Send Josh the information so he can start gathering data to determine the best choice to go with. Anything else?”
Carl shook his head. “Nope, that is all for now. We’ll contact Josh if anything else comes up.”
“Great.” Broderick stood as his cell phone vibrated in his shirt pocket. He withdrew it and saw a text from Tiffani. “If you gentlemen would excuse me I need to take this. Help yourself to the food in the dining room. Chef Crenshaw really outdid himself this time.”
He retreated outside on the veranda so he could read her text in private.
Made it to KJ’s tournament just in time. Talk to you later. J
Broderick smiled at the cute smiley face. It was so like her and her girlie personality. Rejoining his guests, he chatted for the rest of the evening, but he wasn’t really focused on discussing any of their money-making opportunities. He kept thinking about Tiffani’s scrumptious lips on his and the soft purrs from her mouth. He didn’t know how long she expected them to just be friends before he was able to kiss her again. But he also understood her husband had died not too long ago, and she probably wanted to take things slowly. However, it was the sweetest kiss he’d ever tasted and he was hungry for more.
* * *
“Thank you for saving me a seat, Preston.” Tiffani plopped down between her brother, two years her senior, and their dad on the bleachers at the karate tournament. “Has KJ gone yet?” She bit into her chicken and pecan salad, sighing with relief. She hated the days when she was too busy to eat, and she also hated buying a salad from a fast-food restaurant, but it was that or remain hungry.
“No, his group is next,” Preston said, then whispered, “Why do you smell like cologne?”
Darn it. She’d been so busy inhaling the remnants of Broderick’s enticing scent embedded on her skin that it never occurred to her that others could smell it, too.
“Huh...what?” Tiffani tried to stare straight ahead. If she looked at her brother, he’d see right through whatever lie she told. She also sensed her father’s eyes on her.
“You heard me. You were late. You’re never late. Did you have a date?”
“Shh. We’re being rude.” She took a bite of the salad and chewed slowly so she wouldn’t have to speak and hopefully he’d leave her alone. At least for now.
Tiffani continued to stare straight ahead as the kindergarten group did their routine, but she wasn’t paying attention. Instead, her thoughts led her back to Broderick’s strong, manly embrace and his wicked tongue dancing with hers while his sensual hands cruised over her body. He’d driven her insane with his handling of her and in just a short time, he’d unearthed a passion she didn’t know she possessed, and she wanted more. More of him. His intoxicating scent that still lingered, only added more to the erotic feelings she was experiencing. She couldn’t believe she’d had the nerve to reach for his tie and belt and had had to restrain herself from doing so. She’d been on a couple of dates since her husband’s passing and had a few first kisses but nothing to the point of being blown away. Broderick’s kiss made her feel like a desired woman, which was new, exciting and scary.
Tiffani had met Keith their freshman year of college and he’d been her first and only sexual experience. However, she wasn’t turned off by the idea of having sex with another man. Far from it, and earlier Broderick confirmed that. She was grateful she’d had to leave and that he had a party to host. If not, things may have gotten more intense, if that were even possible. She may have also done something that in her heart she wouldn’t have regretted. Being with Broderick was awakening, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so sexual and free.
Have I ever? she pondered. Because of Keith’s treatment of her during their marriage, she’d fallen out of love with him and sex became a chore that she hated but only did because she felt obligated.
Even though she never wanted to remarry, the option of a male companion was fine as long as it was understood that their relationship would never lead to marriage or living together. She enjoyed her independence and control over her life and couldn’t fathom another man tearing her down with his words and ridicule. When she’d told Broderick she wanted to get to know him better on a friend level before proceeding further, she meant it. A man with his power and money could be a controlling jerk like her husband had been. She had to make sure he wasn’t before venturing into another relationship. She’d witnessed male chauvinistic signs with Keith while they were in college but they’d been subtle and didn’t become full-blown until a year into their marriage. She had been contemplating divorce when he’d had a heart attack while driving home from work and died on the way to the hospital.
Tiffani had felt awful about it for awhile. She’d never wished death on him because their son had been four at the time and worshiped the ground he walked on. If she’d gone through with the divorce, she would’ve made sure Keith saw his son whenever he wanted.
“He’s up next,” her father, John Chase, stated.
Tiffani clapped and grabbed her cell phone out of her purse to record her son’s part in the tournament. Even though KJ didn’t have a father, he had plenty of father figures. Her father, brother and her cousin Braxton Chase were all very present in her son’s life. They took him to get his hair cut, attended Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Falcon games, played sports at the park and enjoyed other boy activities that a father normally would do with his son. She was grateful. Even though his dad was dead, KJ never missed a beat and was a fun-loving, intelligent and well-rounded eight-year-old boy. Tiffani sometimes feared he would eventually begin acting like Keith as far as the male chauvinist side, but so far he hadn’t. Considering his three father figures weren’t, she hoped he would take after them.
“There’s my handsome grandson!”
“Let’s go, nephew!” Preston clapped loudly.
“That’s my baby!” Tiffani cheered and then pressed play on the video app on her cell phone.
An hour later, Tiffani ran out to the gym floor to meet KJ halfway as he sprinted toward her with his second-place trophy. She picked him up and twirled him around.
“I’m so proud of you! We’ll add this to the collection,” she said, putting him down. He may always be her baby, but he was no longer small and was too heavy to hold for too long.
“Thanks, Mommy. You think Daddy was watching?”
“Of course,” she answered sincerely. “He’s your guardian angel and will always watch over you.”
“And he watches over you, too,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“Yes, me, too.” I hope not after that steamy kiss today. “Let’s show Grandpa and Uncle Preston and then we’re off to a celebratory dinner at wherever you want to go!”
“Now that sounds like a plan,” KJ said, pulling her by the hand toward her father and brother as they walked out to the floor.
While KJ showed his grandfather some of his karate moves, Preston pulled Tiffani to the side, and she prayed he wasn’t back on the topic he had started before the tournament. Ever since she’d told her brother what really had gone on in her marriage, Preston had been furious that she hadn’t confided in him before Keith had died. However, she knew if she would’ve, he and the rest of the Chase men would’ve pummeled Keith. So, instead she acted as if everything was peachy and had only told Megan bits and pieces when she needed to confide in someone.
“I noticed some of the mothers checking you out,” she starte
d before he could even open his mouth.
“Well, you know they can’t help but notice all this fineness,” he teased.
She reached up and ruffled his curly, silky hair. “Geez, you’re so modest. How’s Kay?”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t know. Not seeing her anymore. Talking to this other chick I met at Phipps Plaza last week.”
“You think it may get serious?” Tiffani wasn’t one of those sisters to nag her big brother about settling down, but he had always talked about having a wife and family one day. However, he wasn’t dating women he would consider marrying.
“Nah...she’s cool, though. And I haven’t forgotten our conversation, sis.” Preston’s expression and tone turned serious.
“What are you talking about?” she asked as if she had no clue.
“The cologne you’re wearing.”
“I’m not wearing cologne. It’s from a perfume sample I was given at the mall and it’s just strong. I’m definitely not going to buy it. You know I prefer light sweet fragrances, and this one is just entirely too much for my pheromones. It only smells good in the bottle.”
Tiffani hated lying to Preston, but she knew how overprotective he was when it came to her dating life. Plus, she wasn’t ready to discuss Broderick with him or anyone else for that matter.
Preston raised an eyebrow followed by a snicker at her long, drawn-out answer.
“Okay, you don’t have to talk about it. I just want you happy,” he said sincerely, kissing her forehead.
She interlocked her arm with his and stared up at her brother as they strolled behind KJ and their father. “Trust me, I am.”
Chapter 4
Broderick tried to read over Supreme Construction’s financial information in the back of his Bentley, but he couldn’t concentrate on business. He was on his way to have lunch with Tiffani. They’d been having a friendly courtship for over a week, chatting on the phone and him stopping by to see her using the excuse of buying Danishes or a slice of cheesecake. No more sweet kisses, but he’d noticed a glimmer in her eyes whenever he entered the shop. They’d mostly discuss their daily lives and long-term plans. She loved talking about her son and all of his accomplishments in school as well as his karate tournaments. She hadn’t mentioned much about her marriage. He had decided not to pry, fearing the subject may upset her. He assumed a part of her missed her late husband and still grieved.
After grabbing a few sandwiches and salads from a deli in the same shopping plaza, he entered the bakery, which was half full of customers. He spotted Kendall at the cash register but didn’t see Tiffani. He figured she was in her office.
“Hey, Kendall. Where’s your boss?” he asked in an upbeat tone.
She shook her head as a grim expression formed on her face. Once a lady she was assisting left, Kendall leaned over the counter and whispered, “You really don’t want to see her right now.”
“Why not?” he asked. Tiffani was always in a great mood.
“Um...she’s mad... No...angry.”
He wrinkled his brow. “Where is she?”
“In her office. Enter at your own risk.”
He walked through the kitchen where Tiffani’s other employee and assistant baker, Mindy, was making cheesecakes and knocked lightly on the office door. He didn’t know what could be wrong. He’d spoken to her that morning before she’d headed into a meeting and she’d been her usual chipper self.
“I don’t want to be disturbed,” she sobbed out.
“It’s Broderick with lunch.” He tried the door handle, but it was locked. “Let me in, Tiff.”
The lock clicked and the door opened. He was astonished to see tears—and mascara—streaming down her face. Something tugged at his heart as he closed the door, and he immediately drew her to him.
“What’s wrong, beautiful?”
Her face crumpled as more tears flowed. “Everything,” she croaked out. “Everything I’ve worked hard for...is gone. Just gone.” She beat her hands on his chest before backing up and pacing around the small room. “It’s not fair. I’ve worked so hard to get here. Saving every damn penny and clipping coupons. I’ve sacrificed so much and now there’s a strong possibility I could lose it all.”
Taking a few long strides toward her, he turned her around to look at him. “What happened?”
Sniffing, she ran her hands through her hair as a frustrated exhale escaped her lips.
“You remember the meeting I had to go to this morning? It was with Harvey Stewart, owner of the plaza, and all of the store owners. He wants to sell Premium Village because his wife is retiring soon and they’re moving to Hawaii or something like that. I’m happy for them, but he informed us there are about six different bids on the table for this property. Some of the companies want to tear the place down and start over or remodel, while some plan to leave well enough alone. He said it won’t happen until after all of our leases are up in regard to the possibility of this space being torn down. What if I have to start over, find a new place for my business? Even though there may be an option of coming back here, I’m sure the lease would be higher and I can barely afford the one I have now.”
Tiffani began sobbing again, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her, rocking her back and forth. Stroking her hair, he kissed her forehead and whispered, “I’m here. Let it all out, beautiful.”
Digging her hands into his upper biceps, she buried her head into his chest to muffle her crying. Her shoulders heaved up and down while she stuttered out “it’s not fair” over and over. Broderick hated seeing her cry. He hated that she was hurting and wished there was something he could do.
She lifted her head and looked up at him and then down to his suit jacket. “I’m so...sorry. I’ve got tears and mascara all over your expensive coat.”
“Don’t worry about that, precious.” He kissed her forehead tenderly. “When is this all supposed to take place?”
After wiping her tears followed by a series of sniffing, she looked back up at him. “I don’t know. I guess within the next six months or so. His wife is a teacher so she’s retiring this upcoming May. I would assume he’d want everything over and done with before that time.”
“Things like this happen all the time. It’s kind of what I do, but this is a really nice plaza in a great location. I doubt whoever buys it will tear it down anytime soon. I mean, it could use some new signage and other cosmetic improvements but tearing it down would be drastic. It doesn’t appear to be older than ten years. Tearing it down wouldn’t be feasible for any party involved unless businesses weren’t flourishing and it was time for a change. Every time I come over here the parking lot is packed.”
“But what if...”
“Stop with your what ifs and think positive. These things take a long time to happen. Appraisals, assessments, inspectors, money and a whole bunch of other stuff. During the interim, start looking for other spots, if that will make you feel better. It’s always great to have the next plan or idea in place just in case the first one doesn’t work out.”
“I searched for other places, but this one was the most conducive because KJ’s school is less than ten minutes away. Plus, mine and my parents’ homes are around the corner. The other locations I considered are a little farther out. Even though they were slightly cheaper, I needed to be closer to home.”
Pulling away from him, she sat in her desk chair and rested her head on the back of it. Closing her eyes, she exhaled as silent tears poured down her stained cheeks. Sliding his silk handkerchief out of his coat pocket, he retreated to the adjoining bathroom and ran the material under the cool water. Upon his return, she was still in the same position but the tears had slowed some. He kneeled in front of her and grabbed her hand.
“Hey, beautiful.” He wiped the tears and the mascara off of her face.
She sniffed a
nd smiled weakly. “Thank you, but you’re ruining your handkerchief. It matches your tie.” Running her hand along his tie, she sniffed and blew her nose in the handkerchief. “You know there are paper towels in the bathroom.”
“I know, but I figured they’d be too scratchy for your delicate face and the silk would be better against your soft skin.”
“You’re so sweet and thoughtful, no matter what anyone else has ever said.” She winked and stood, and he did the same. “I’ll be okay. You’re right. I need to think positive, but I also need to plan just in case.”
“Yes, that’s a good decision. Hungry?” He clutched her hand and led her to the little bistro table in the corner of her office. She sat down and he grabbed the deli bag from her desk. After they ate in silence for a moment, the businessman in him couldn’t help but want to know more.
“Who invested in the bakery with you?”
“No one. I used some of the insurance money from my husband’s death, tutored on Saturdays at the Monroe Community Center and basically pinched pennies.”
“No bank loan? No family members contributed?”
“Nope. Megan, my dad and my brother offered, but I didn’t want to owe anyone anything or have an investor in control of my business. It’s just me, myself and I...and KJ of course. He gave me fifty dollars for the paint.” She giggled and popped a pickle slice in her mouth.
“Where did he get that kind of money?” When he was KJ’s age he barely had fifty cents.
“Birthday money, allowance, chores, etcetera. He saves it in a safe in his closet. Something his dad started doing with him when he was three. Keith was a CPA and had begun teaching KJ how to count and save money. Of course, I didn’t really use his money, but he thinks I did, so he says he owns one percent of Sweet Treats.”
Broderick smiled. At eight years old the only thing on his mind had been keeping his mother from doing drugs. “I like the way this kid thinks. I’ll have to sit down with him and give him some more advice.”
