Tell Me Lies

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  “Quit the games. We both know why I care what you think.”

  Belinda turned away.

  Lance took her hand. “You know very well this is for—”

  She cut off the rest of his words. “Don’t you dare say what I think you’re going to say!”

  Lance wouldn’t let up. “What was I going to say?”

  Belinda’s chest heaved as she held his gaze. It was like he was daring her to admit … No. She twisted out of his hold and moved toward the master bedroom. When she entered the vast space, her insides quaked. It was all too much.

  Still, she felt compelled to tour the other four bedrooms and bathrooms. With each step, her heart squeezed against her chest. She could see herself here with Lance.

  She slipped through the sliding doors to stand by the pool. She closed her eyes and allowed herself the luxury of dreaming this home was theirs to share forever. She saw her children wading in the pool and her and Lance relaxing together in the Jacuzzi. She saw it all before tears threatened to cloud her dream.

  “So, what do you think?” She heard him behind her.

  “It’s beautiful.” A tear welled, but she shook it off.

  “I know,” Lance agreed. “I fell in love with it the moment I saw it.”

  “It’s secluded. The kitchen is a chef’s dream. It’s the best of the best.” She choked the words out.

  Lance seemed relieved. “I’m so glad you like it. When I saw it, I thought it was perfect. But I needed to know how you felt.”

  He reached over to take her hand again and asked, “Do you want to try out the pool?”

  “No, I don’t.” She was telling him lies. The beautiful water was calling her name.

  “I purchased it.”

  She lifted a chin and simply said, “Oh.”

  Lance was avoiding her eyes when he asked, “Will you help me decorate?”

  Belinda snatched back her head. “Are you out of your mind? I’m not going to help you choose furniture like we’re setting up house. Hire a decorator or something. You can afford it.”

  “But I want you to do it. You have good taste.”

  Belinda opened her mouth to tell him no, but she loved decorating. She’d enjoy it. “What’s my limit?”

  “Huh?”

  “How much can I spend?”

  “I don’t care.”

  She gave it some thought. It would take her mind off her problems. She could make sure to come and go when Lance was working. “I’ll do it.”

  Lance seemed more excited then he should be, but maybe it was because he was saving money on a decorator. He gave her an American Express card. The second the card touched her hand she felt used again. Lance was getting free interior decorating for his mini-mansion. It was the story of their lives together. He was getting something else from her for free and she wanted to give it to him. Disgusted with herself, she left to go home.

  Belinda trudged up to the main house with her arms curled around her midriff. She needed to see her dad. She needed his guidance. At the same time, she dreaded her father’s reaction when he learned of her betraying Sydney. Sydney was like another daughter to him. It’d been a month since Sydney had seen her with Lance at the theater. Though Sydney helped with Carmela’s Closet, the distance between them was as wide as the Caloosahatchee River.

  Belinda approached the carved mahogany double doors with three banana leaves etched on each door. She tried one of the doors, knowing she’d find it unlocked. With a flick of the wrist, she opened the door and went inside.

  “Papi! How many times do I have to tell you to lock the front door?” Belinda walked the short path to her father’s study. She peered through the door. Vincent Santiago sat behind his desk. Belinda had many fond memories of playing hide and seek under there. She loved to run her hands over the solid wood molding, the ornate edge details and the brass handles. Her favorite was the hidden lockbox underneath. She’d hidden so many of her special treasures – a tool, a comb, and earrings—in that drawer.

  “The door was unlocked again,” she said.

  “I always secure everything before bed.” Vincent peered at her through his wire-rimmed glasses.

  Belinda hugged him and fluffed his full head of black hair. She pulled one of his hairs.

  “Ouch! Stop messing with my grays. I’ve been waiting years for them to show up,” he said, rubbing at the spot. At sixty, he only had a few strands. He looked more like a man in his forties. “I earned every single strand, so stop pulling them out.”

  Belinda smiled. “I pull them because you blame me for them.” She pointed at the opened law journals. “Don’t you have people to do your research?”

  He nodded. “Yes, but it keeps my mind sharp.”

  And fills your lonely nights. Belinda shook her head. “You should start dating.”

  His eyes saddened. “Not this again. You know how I felt about Carmela. She was the love of my life, my soul mate. No one can fill that spot.”

  “I miss Mom, too,” she whispered. “But you can date just for fun. You don’t need to make it all about finding a replacement.”

  He shrugged. Lowering the glasses across the bridge of his nose, Vincent eyed her. Belinda knew he was about to change the subject. “Was that your tires screeching in the driveway?” He chuckled. “Your tires look like you live in the back woods.”

  “Actually that was a friend’s car this time,” Belinda clarified. She flittered over to the library unit.

  “What have you been up to?” Vincent asked. “I’ve barely seen you.”

  Belinda ran her hands across the worn leather-bound books, savoring the smell of old leather. “I’ve been running like a madwoman trying to find a building. Carmela’s Closet now has a home. It’s a huge property and I paid pennies on the dollar to own it. Now, I have to oversee the renovations.”

  “That’s great. I’m proud of you.” Her father beamed.

  Belinda nodded. “Thanks for the big contribution. Besides what you gave me, I received donations from Sydney, Noah, and one other person. More organizations are also pouring in funds and Lowe’s is donating all the materials I need to fix up the inside.” She waved her hands with excitement. “It’s remarkable how much people are willing to help. The Beulah Belles are helping me sort through the clothes and get set up.”

  “Hija, I’m impressed. But what’s wrong?” he asked. “Don’t think I missed the dried mascara on your face.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “I didn’t think you noticed …” She raced over to his desk and flung herself at Vincent’s feet.

  “Aye… Why so dramatic?” He patted the top of her head. “Tell me, hija.”

  Belinda’s shoulders shook. She felt tissues on her cheeks. “Thank you,” she said and used them to blow her nose. “I’ve lost Sydney as a friend.” She hiccupped the words out.

  “But didn’t I hear you mention that Sydney contributed to the foundation?”

  “She is still chipping in and helping with the charity ball and with Carmela’s Closet. She just doesn’t want to have anything to do with me personally.”

  “Why isn’t she speaking to you, Moppet?” he asked, reverting to his childhood nickname for his only child.

  “I slept with Lance.”

  He lifted her head. “Lance?” he asked with furrowed brows. “Which Lance?”

  “Sydney’s fiancé, Lance. From two years ago.”

  His eyes widened. “What? You slept with him?”

  Belinda nodded. He dragged his hands through his hair and stood. Belinda lost her balance.

  “I can’t believe you would do something like this.” Vincent broke off in a smattering of Spanish. He didn’t look her in the face.

  Belinda stood. “I didn’t sleep with him on purpose.” She swiped under her eyes. “You can’t even look me in the face.”

  Vincent glared. “If your mother were here—”

  If she had a penny every time he used that line … Belinda interrupted, “She’s not here. I am. And I need
you now.” Belinda made a tentative step toward her father. “Please don’t hate me. I messed up. I just lost my best friend in the world because of it.” She lowered her head. “She hates me.” Belinda buried her face into her hands. “It’s okay if she does because I’m hating myself, too.”

  She felt her father draw her close. She welcomed the smell of his Marc Jacobs cologne. The lingering, woodsy smell comforted her.

  “You and Sydney have been friends too long for this to come between you. I’m sure you both will soon sort things out.”

  Belinda curled her lips. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I know Sydney. She’s never going to forgive me because I did the unthinkable. I broke the unspoken code between friends. Even if she did forgive me, our friendship would never be the same.”

  “Why did you do it?”

  “I honestly didn’t plan on it happening. I just did it and now I can’t seem to shake him.” She shook her head. “This was a stupid fling.”

  Her father was quiet for too long. Belinda avoided his eyes, but then swept them in his direction. She hoped she didn’t see more disapproval.

  “You’re blushing. Everything on your face is telling me this thing with Lance isn’t casual,” Vincent said. “Are you in love with him?”

  Belinda suspected it, but she was not prepared for her father’s blunt questioning. She shook her head again. “Why would you ask me that?”

  “Answer the question. I know women and I know you. Belinda, are you in love with Lance?” Vincent peered into her face as if he were looking into her soul.

  “I … I don’t know.” She broke eye contact and fiddled with her blouse. She couldn’t admit how she felt for Lance. She’d rather tell herself lies. The truth would end her and Sydney’s relationship.

  Her father pushed. “Come on, you’ve seen enough cross-examinations to know that ‘I don’t know’ means yes. Say it. Say how you feel.”

  His words pierced the small resistance around her heart. The truth flowed from deep within her belly until it overflowed.

  “Oh, Daddy,” Belinda cried, nodding her head. “I’m in love with him. I love him so much I can’t function. I thought if I didn’t say the words it would make it less real, but my feelings keep growing. I can’t control them.” Relief mixed with dread filled her being after her admission. She twisted her hair and admitted, “You know why I changed my hair? Because he said it was like Sydney’s. That’s how much what Lance thinks affects me.”

  “I wondered…” Vincent rubbed his chin.

  “I wanted Lance to see me. How stupid is that?”

  “I don’t think that’s stupid. Your heart has a mind of its own.” Vincent paused. “I wish it hadn’t settled on Lance. He caused Sydney a lot of heartache.”

  “I know how he hurt her. That’s why I’m so ashamed. But there’s another side to him I see at times. It’s rare, but he’ll confide in me things he hasn’t told anyone. Not even Sydney. Lance is the anonymous giver I mentioned earlier. He gave me an obscene amount of money to help the foundation.”

  “Sounds like you’ve been bitten by the love bug real bad, hija,” Vincent said.

  She nodded. “What am I going to do? How did I get myself into this mess?”

  Vincent lifted a brow. “I think the question is how will you get out of it?”

  40

  Sydney stopped short at Portia’s desk. She looked around. Her assistant was nowhere to be found. She squinted. It was unlike Portia not to be waiting with lunch or some other treat on days when Sydney spent all day in court. Sydney dropped her briefcase by Portia’s desk and walked toward the restroom. On the way there, she heard the unmistakable laugh unique to her assistant in Jack Green’s office. Sydney’s mouth dropped open at the sight of Portia and Jack holding tennis rackets. She stood at the door undetected by the two of them. They were caught up in their match on a new Wii system, judging by the empty cartons tossed on the floor.

  Sydney scrutinized Jack. Something looked different about him, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

  Portia turned, spotted Sydney and dropped the racket like it was a fireball. “Sydney! You’re back.” She looked at her watch and her eyes widened. “I can’t believe all this time went by. I’m so sorry. I got caught up in this…” She glared at Jack before looking back at Sydney. “I missed getting your sandwich order in. I can run out and grab you something.”

  Sydney shook her head. “No worries. I’ll go to the Caribbean restaurant and get some Jamaican food before I go home.”

  Portia rushed off.

  Sydney was intrigued and curious about the possibility of a burgeoning office romance between the “nerd” and her “sassy” assistant.

  Jack followed Sydney as she walked back into her office. “It was my idea for Portia to show me the new system. I guess we just got a little carried away.”

  Sydney ignored his defense and checked out Jack’s wardrobe instead. For once, he looked impeccable. “You look—”

  “Stylish,” Jack said with a rueful grin. “Portia suggested I bring a few extra shirts in the office. Well, let me rephrase. She decided to use my Amex card to purchase me apparel she deemed suitable for my office.”

  Sydney nodded. “That sounds just like her.” What she was busy calculating was when Portia and Jack had become friends. Sydney tapped her chin, “I can’t figure it out. It’s not the clothes. It’s something else.” Sydney observed Jack intently trying to figure out the puzzle.

  Jack blushed before smiling. “It’s my teeth.”

  “Your teeth?”

  “Yeah, Portia found a dentist and scheduled me for the works, which was why I was out for two days.”

  Sydney had been too busy with her own drama to notice Jack had taken some personal days. “That sounds like Portia has made you her project. Good luck.” She grinned and shooed Jack out of her office.

  Her cell phone rang. Sydney pressed the end button so Belinda’s call would go straight to voicemail. She was tempted to change her telephone number, but she’d had that number for years. She was not going to give it up because of a backstabbing, former best friend.

  There was a rap on the door. “Come in,” she bellowed.

  Noah strutted in. “I came to surprise you and to drop off the check for the ball.”

  “You could’ve given it to Belinda. You’re just trying to throw us together.”

  “Guilty as charged,” he said, holding up a hand in mock surrender.

  Sydney noticed Noah was also wearing a gray suit and navy blue shirt. What were the odds of that happening? She pointed at their matching outfits. “We’re in sync.”

  Noah scanned her from head to toe. He caught sight of Sydney’s shoes and his eyes darkened. “Those shoes are smoking hot.”

  Sydney stood and opened her arms. Noah not only looked good, but he smelled wonderful. She inhaled his scent and ruffled his hair. “You look amazing.”

  “Thanks.” Noah’s chest expanded from her compliment. “I met with the television station in Sarasota this morning.”

  “And?” She squealed.

  “We begin taping next week.”

  Sydney clasped her hands together and squealed again. “Thank God!”

  “I’d love for you to come for the first show. I could use the support.”

  “Of course. There’s no way I’m missing that.” Sydney jumped to her feet to kiss Noah fully on the lips. “I’m so filled with joy for you.”

  Noah pulled Sydney away from her desk and led her to the loveseat tucked away in a corner of the room. Sydney crashed there to take power naps in between clients. He clasped her hands into one of his.

  “Aside from coming to share my good news, I came to see if you want to go rock climbing.”

  “Rock climbing?”

  She held up her ring. “I already have a rock and I’m content. Thank you very much and uh, black people don’t climb rocks.”

  Noah let out a hearty chuckle. “I happen to know for a fact that that’s not
true, but if you want to play the race card we can do something else. How about golfing or snorkeling? It’s a great day to go out on the water.”

  Sydney nodded. “Let’s do miniature golf. I’m not trying to get my hair wet. I have a meeting with the partners and then I’m all yours.” Caught up in her euphoria, she asked. “What did I do to get such a perfect man as you?”

  Noah pulled back. “I’m a man, honey, and far from perfect.”

  “You’re perfect. Perfect for me.”

  Noah shook his head. “How soon do you want to get married?”

  Sydney snatched back her head. “Talk about changing topics.”

  “Long engagements are for people who need them. I know I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you, so I have no intention of drawing this out.”

  Sydney touched her chest. “Give me a chance to breathe. Besides, you have to marry my parents, first.”

  Noah’s voice held an edge. “You do want to get married?”

  She nodded. “Of course. I want to plan the wedding.”

  “Janine and Irving set the date. I can wait until then. But I’m ready for my wedding.” His eyes narrowed. “You’re not going to make me wait all year?”

  Sydney saw Noah’s face and knew that she was going to have a fight on her hands. She chuckled at his eagerness. Noah was ready to drag her to the altar when it was usually the other way around. Sydney wanted to be his wife. She was just … cautious. She’d been a jilted bride before and now seeing Lance with Belinda made her feel insecure.

  Noah took her face in his hands. “I’m not Lance,” he said, reading her mind. “I’m not going to bail on you. Ever. I’d marry you tomorrow and post it on YouTube, if you’d let me.”

  His words were like a balm to her wounded heart, sealing away the painful past for good. Her voice caught. “I appreciate your reassurance more than you could ever know. I have no doubt how you feel about me. I know I can trust you…it’s just the whole wedding planning thing is…I don’t know.”

  “It doesn’t hold the same excitement,” Noah offered.

  Sydney nodded.

  “That’s not just because of Lance you know.”