The Sweetest Kiss

by Candace Shaw

“Oh...yeah...one day...” She shrugged and casted her eyes down to her half-eaten turkey sandwich.

  He balled up his empty sandwich wrapper and tossed it in a nearby trash can. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “Um...no. I just... I mean I don’t know if I’m comfortable yet with you meeting KJ.”

  “We’re friends. Remember?” He still couldn’t believe he’d let her put him in the friend category.

  “Yes, but he’ll think differently. He’s always asking me if I’m ever going to replace his father. I’m not the type to bring different men around for him to meet and then when it goes nowhere, he has a bunch of uncles who aren’t blood-related, you know.”

  Broderick chewed his food as his thoughts floated to his mom and her so-called boyfriends. Most of them were drug dealers who were in and out of their small one-bedroom apartment in a rough neighborhood on the outskirts of downtown Atlanta. He would be in the bedroom while his mother and her male companion would be getting high in the living room. Sometimes there was laughter and other times he heard his mother’s tears. When he’d go to comfort her, she would be in a corner crying, sometimes even wearing bruises.

  He understood Tiffani’s stance. He’d wished his mother had thought the same, but his environment and experiences had only made him tougher and stronger. He trusted and loved no one. He’d had girlfriends but had never given his heart to anyone. However, something about Tiffani struck a chord in him and for once in a long while his heart beat again.

  “I understand, Tiff. Whenever you’re ready.”

  “I’m glad you understand and thank you for lunch and for comforting me. I sincerely appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome. Is your break almost over?”

  “Yep. I gotta go make a last-minute batch of bat-and spider-shaped cookies for KJ’s Halloween sleepover tonight.”

  “House full of kids. Sounds like fun,” he said sarcastically, rising to his feet, grabbing his suit jacket from the back of the chair and swinging it over his shoulder. Time always flew when he was with Tiffani.

  “Nope. House full of silence. KJ is going to his best friend’s house. I’m chilling on the couch with a glass of merlot, pizza and the remote control.”

  “You know I’m having my annual Halloween party for my employees and some business partners at my home. You should come. You’ve had a long, stressful day.”

  “Nah... I just want to unwind and relax. I don’t get much alone time once I’m home.”

  “Well if you change your mind, let me know. I have a meeting, but I’ll call you later to check on you.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “And don’t stress, beautiful. It’ll work out.”

  “Thank you. Have fun tonight. Are you dressing up?”

  He wrinkled his forehead. Was she serious? “Um...hadn’t planned on it.”

  She smacked her lips and swished her lips to the side. “How are you hosting a Halloween party and not dressing up in a costume?”

  “I’ll go as a businessman.”

  “There’s no fun in that.”

  He laughed and was glad she was smiling again. “I’ll pick up a mask or something on the way home.”

  “Take pictures and text them to me.”

  “Right.” Twisting the doorknob, he looked back over his shoulder. “Talk to you soon. And everything will work out. I promise.”

  As he rode to his next meeting, Broderick couldn’t help but think about what had happened with Tiffani. Besides his mother, he’d never comforted another woman like that before. He’d seen women cry, usually when he was breaking up with them. But it had never made him feel so awful, even when they’d yell out he was a coldhearted bastard and the most unloving man they’d ever met. He’d shrugged and carried on with his life, but Tiffani crying in his arms pulled on his insides. He was sad for her and it stirred his emotions. That wasn’t normal and it scared him. However, he felt a strong connection with her. Strong enough to confide in her about parts of his life he had never wanted to share before, but he sensed Tiffani would understand.

  * * *

  Tiffani sipped her wine and sat at the kitchen island running her fingers along the bouquet of pink and purple peonies that had arrived to the bakery as she was leaving with a card that simply read, “Smile, beautiful.” It was signed BJH. She indeed did smile. In fact, she couldn’t stop. It was totally unexpected, and after the long day she’d endured, Tiffani appreciated the thoughtful gesture. He’d been full of surprises that day. An hour before the peonies arrived, he’d sent a picture text to her cell phone of a simple black mask and a caption that read: “I’m going as a mysterious businessman.” And it wasn’t far from the truth. He had remained a mystery to her. He hadn’t discussed anything about his personal life other than his day-to-day business. She knew nothing of his family, where he was from or his childhood. He seemed guarded at times but not standoffish as Megan had stated. However, Broderick was definitely a private person.

  Lifting the vase in one hand, she slid her wineglass off the island with the other and headed to the media room to catch up on some television shows saved on her DVR. She set the flowers on the coffee table, settled on the couch and released a long sigh. Pulling her cell phone out of her pajama shirt pocket, she decided to call Broderick before his party began. The phone had barely rung before he answered it.

  “Hey, gorgeous. Changed your mind?”

  Goodness, his voice sounded like heaven in her ear. She hated to admit it to herself, but she wanted to see him.

  “No. I called to say thank you for the lovely peonies. They definitely brightened up my day.”

  “You’re welcome. I had hoped they would. Is KJ at his sleepover?”

  “Yep, I’m relaxing with my wine and remote. Has the party started?”

  “The first few guests have arrived. I’m in my study watching them on the security monitor. People are actually dressed in costumes. I can’t tell who some of them are except the fellas from the mailroom. They’re dressed like basketball players. A few others are dressed like vampires and zombies. They have on makeup and shredded clothes like extras from Michael Jackson’s Thriller video.”

  She laughed. “Cool. Take pictures and send them to me.”

  “Or you can come.”

  “I would love to, but I’ve had a glass of wine. I don’t drink and drive.”

  “I’ll send my driver.”

  “No. Besides, I don’t have anything to wear.” Her mind drifted upstairs to her closet as she tried to jog her memory of what she could wear...unless she went dressed as a baker. But where was the fun in that?

  “You need some excitement. Plus, I bought you a pink mask just in case.”

  “No you didn’t.” As soon as she said that, her cell phone chimed, and she switched over to her text messages to see a pink sparkly mask similar to his black one.

  “You were saying, Ms. Lake?”

  She couldn’t help but laugh loudly. “Okay. I’ll come.”

  “Is an hour enough time for you to get dressed?”

  “Yes, that’s fine.”

  “Perfect. I can’t wait to see you.” His tone was casual, but a shiver ran over her. She didn’t know why she was so nervous all of sudden. They were becoming good friends, and she enjoyed his company. However, at the same time she knew she could easily fall for him more than she already had. Their heated kiss and being in his warm embrace had pretty much solidified that. She’d never felt so comfortable and content in a man’s arms as she had with Broderick earlier that day or the time before. He seemed genuinely concerned and didn’t say anything that would hurt her worse or tear her down as Keith would’ve surely done. He would’ve found some way to make it seem like it was her fault that the ownership was being taken over by someone else. Then, he would’ve called her every dumb name possible, unlike the sweet ones Broderick
had bestowed upon her. Beautiful. Precious. Sweetheart. The few times Keith even formed his lips to say those words was when he was Dr. Jekyll, begging for forgiveness, then he’d go back to being Mr. Hyde the next day.

  As she rummaged through her closet, Tiffani thought about how thankful she was that that part of her life was over. But in order for her to have peace of mind, she couldn’t be in another serious relationship that would lead to marriage. The tight grasp that Keith had had on her nearly ruined her as a person. She had started to become out of touch with who she was as a woman. That couldn’t happen again. Even though she really liked Broderick, she felt it was time to let him know what she did and didn’t want. She needed to avoid him becoming invested in a relationship that wasn’t leading to a long-term commitment, at all costs.

  Chapter 5

  Broderick chatted with his secretary’s husband while his eyes diverted to the door every time Matilda opened it. As instructed, his driver had sent a quick text when he’d arrived at Tiffani’s home. Broderick couldn’t believe he was antsy over a woman, but he wanted to see her and was curious to see the costume she’d put together at the last minute.

  “I appreciate you giving Leslie the week off during spring break so we can take the kids to Disney World. I know it was a spur of the moment trip...”

  Broderick tuned back into the conversation. “Nonsense. You won a contest, and that’s great. Besides, Leslie could probably use a vacation away from me.”

  The chime of the doorbell interrupted his conversation once more as Leslie approached to say something, but he didn’t hear her. Instead, his vision was focused on the woman in the pink sparkly mask who sashayed in wearing a clingy red pencil skirt and a black off-the shoulder blouse. A short curly wig adorned with a red rose pinned behind her ear, huge gold hoop earrings and a pair of black stilettos completed her outfit. Raking his eyes over her, a strain against his pants emerged when he noted how the mask emphasized her luscious, red lips and the sexy skirt pronounced the curves of her hips. He had to restrain himself from reaching out and grasping them.

  Broderick turned to Leslie and her husband, who were still chatting about their upcoming vacation.

  “If you two would excuse me, I need to say hello to one of my guests who has just arrived.”

  He dashed straight to the beauty he’d been waiting for. Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed it softly.

  “Hello, Ms. Jones. So glad you could make it.”

  A sly smile cross her delicious lips. “Thank you, but please quit with the formalities. Just call me Carmen,” she said in a seductive voice.

  “The sexy siren herself,” he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her through the crowd in the foyer.

  “I’m impressed you know who I am.”

  “Of course. Dorothy Dandridge was one bad lady, and I must say you’re definitely doing her justice tonight.”

  “Thank you,” she said, scanning the room. “There are a lot of people here.”

  He nodded as they trekked over to the bar that was draped in black tulle decorated with silver cats and orange pumpkins. “About two hundred and I expect a few more.”

  “All these people work for you?”

  “Not all. Some of them brought their spouses or significant others and some are business partners or golf buddies. I invited Bryce and Sydney, but they weren’t able to make it.”

  “Yeah, they’re at the Monroe Community Center. I baked a lot of goodies for that event. Instead of trick or treating, it’s a safe-night lock-in with games and kiddie movies.”

  “Great idea. Let’s grab a drink, some food and retreat some place in private where we can chat.”

  She studied him with puzzlement. “Aren’t you hosting a party?”

  “My guests will be fine.”

  After filling their plates, they moved to his private quarters upstairs and into his home office. She placed her food on the coffee table in the sitting area by the fireplace but she didn’t sit. Instead she strode to the mantel, picked up the picture and studied it before placing it back.

  “That’s my mother,” he said, settling on the couch.

  “You two have the same smile and eyes. She’s beautiful.”

  “Yes, she was,” he said quietly.

  “Was? I’m so sorry to hear that.” She was silent for a moment as she eyed him carefully. “How long ago did she pass?”

  “I was eight years old.”

  “Oh...you were KJ’s age.” She sat on the chaise longue in front of the fireplace and curled her feet under her. “Do you have any siblings?” She reached over and grabbed a mini quiche from her plate.

  “I’m sure my father has some more children somewhere.”

  “Did he raise you after your mother died?”

  “Nah...he’s been in and out of my life. In a way, I raised myself.”

  “No grandparents? Aunts?”

  “I lived with my maternal grandmother but she was ill and died soon after. My aunt took me in but she had six children and issues of her own. I was a burden, as she told me over and over. I stayed with different family members who felt the same way and even in a few foster homes after I ran away from another aunt who refused to let me return when the police found me. Things turned around when my guidance counselor in high school persuaded me to take the college entrance exams. My grades were decent. They would’ve been better if I hadn’t moved around so much. Luckily I was in a group home owned by a Lutheran church my senior year so I had some stability and security. I went to the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and majored in business. After I received my MBA, I started working for a consulting firm here in Atlanta. I got my big break when I invested fifty thousand of my retirement savings into a restaurant franchise, and after a few more investments, here I am. That’s my rags to riches story.”

  She smiled like a proud mother. “Well, you definitely have a success story. Are you close with your family now that you’re an adult?”

  He chuckled sarcastically. “I’m somewhat estranged from them. Growing up they told me I’d amount to nothing. That all my silly dreams of becoming a millionaire were unrealistic and that I’d never make it out of the hood except behind bars or in a casket.”

  “Oh, Broderick. I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be, beautiful. Their negativity made me more determined to succeed and prove them all wrong. My mother wasn’t like that, though. She was encouraging and loving. She never doubted for a second that I would accomplish my goals even when I was just a kid. She used to say, ‘Son, fly with the eagles and not the turkeys.’ That’s been my motto my entire life. I just wish she was here to experience all of this with me. I’d spoil her rotten,” he said, laughing and wiping a few tears away.

  Rising, Tiffani leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m sure you would and I bet she’s in heaven smiling down on you.”

  “I know she is. I can always feel her love. She’s the only person in this world who has ever truly loved me.”

  Tiffani’s expression turned solemn as she frowned with sad eyes. “Really? No girlfriend or best friend...?”

  “I’ve had girlfriends if you want to call them that, but I’ve never been in love with any of them. Don’t think I’m even capable of doing so. My mom has been the only person I’ve ever loved.”

  “Oh.” She sat back on the chaise and was silent for a moment. “Do you know where your father is?”

  “Oh yeah. He’s in a retirement community about an hour outside of Atlanta. I pay for it.” He shrugged, strolled over to the wet bar and poured a scotch.

  “Are you cool with your dad?”

  “No. He’s in the same category with the rest of them. I tried to have a relationship with him when I moved back to Atlanta, but he just kept telling me I’d fail. He’s the reason I pretty much emptied my 401
k and made my first investment. I wanted to prove him wrong.”

  “Do you visit him?”

  He leaned on the edge of his desk and crossed his feet. “No, not really. We talk on the phone every once and awhile when he needs or wants something. His doctor sends me updates on his health.”

  “Well, the holidays are coming up. Maybe you should go see him.”

  “I don’t know.” He stirred the ice around in his glass. “Perhaps.”

  The grandfather clock in the corner chimed nine times, interrupting their conversation, for which he was grateful.

  “Oh my. Your guests are probably wondering where you are.” Standing, she grabbed her mask from the mantel and placed it over her eyes. “Why are you just sitting there casually drinking your scotch? You have a party going on downstairs.”

  “Trust me. There’s plenty of food and booze. They’re not looking for me, and if they are, it’s probably to discuss a business idea. I’m not interested in that at the moment.”

  “But aren’t some of your friends here? I’m sure they’re wondering where you’re hiding.”

  “I don’t have family and friends surrounding me all the time. My life is pretty much business. Most of my friends, as you say, are colleagues. Sure, we play golf, meet for drinks and attend parties, but it’s all business.”

  She slipped the mask off and placed a hand on her hip. “Oh, I see. So hanging with me is all business?” she asked in a firm tone.

  “Honestly, I don’t know why I’m hanging out with you, but I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. When I’m with you, I never even think about business. My mind turns clouded, and I get lost in your sweet smile.”

  Her stern expression softened a tad and then she spoke softly. “You know my life hasn’t always been perfect.” She strolled over to where he was and sat in one of the Queen Anne-style chairs in front of his desk.

  “Do tell.” He sipped his drink and wondered what her story entailed.

  “I was married to the devil.”

  * * *

  Tiffani surprised herself with the words she’d spoken out loud. Maybe it was the wine or the fact that Broderick had opened up to her. She hated talking or thinking about her life with Keith because that book in her past was closed and sealed shut.