by Liwen Y. Ho
Bria was beyond grateful to her old friend. God was certainly blessing her and Seth through Brandon. He was such a good guy with such a good heart. He truly deserved a good woman. Amazingly enough, no one had snatched him up yet. Perhaps it was because he hadn’t put himself out on the playing field because of her. She sighed, knowing that was the case. She’d seen the disappointment in his eyes when she’d revealed the real motive behind their kiss. He truly was a romantic, innocent and optimistic. A man like him was hard to find; a woman who could compare to him, even harder. No wonder he hadn’t met his match. But surely, God could provide someone suitable for him.
With this prayer for Brandon in mind, Bria made her way around a couple of small piles of hair lying on the linoleum floor to the front of the salon. There, she flipped over the Open sign on the door, which blocked out the afternoon sunshine streaming in through the glass. She was grateful for these long summer days. She felt safer at the salon alone when it was still light out. There would also be plenty of time to spend with Seth after she finished sweeping and tidying up the place. She gripped the doorknob, ready to turn the lock, when her cell phone sounded.
She hurried over to the back of the shop where she’d left her purse. She fished her phone out and immediately cringed. The number that flashed across the screen caused her blood pressure to rise. She answered the call with a curt hello. “Yes?”
“Sweetheart, where are your manners? It’s customary for people to return phone calls and texts in a timely manner.” Richard’s low voice dripped with sarcasm. “I sure hope you’re teaching our son to behave better than this.”
“What do you want?”
He cackled, unmoved by the coldness of her tone. “You know very well what I want. I’ve made myself clear. It’s you who keeps dodging the question. So, what will it be? Are you ready to marry the next mayor of Newark?”
Bria scoffed. “Not if you were the last man alive. You have no idea what marriage, or love for that matter, is about. I’m not interested in your political schemes. And you have no right to blackmail me to do your bidding. I’m sure the city would never vote for you if they knew what you were up to.”
“My, my, Bria, do you hear yourself? Look who’s blackmailing who now. I would be careful with what you say. The judge presiding over our custody battle would be very interested in hearing this conversation.”
Bria felt her pulse pounding in her ears. The nerve of this man! “I’m not dumb, Richard. I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to record phone conversations without consent.”
“Yes, but it’s considered a gray area if the conversation is held in a public area, such as a place of business.”
The hair on the back of Bria’s neck stood up. Richard’s voice sounded awfully clear and close now. She spun around and spotted his Cheshire cat grin five feet away. Her phone slipped out of her hand and dropped to the ground with a loud clatter. “What—how did you get in here? Didn’t you see the Closed sign?”
Richard shrugged then placed his phone in his suit pocket. “The door wasn’t locked.”
“You are unbelievable.” Bria chastised herself for not locking it when she had the chance. Now she was stuck inside the salon with the one person she feared the most. Lord, help! She prayed for protection and wisdom. It would take an act of God for her to get the upper hand in this situation.
“You always did find me astonishing,” he touted with a glint in his green eyes.
Bria didn’t even want to justify his comment with a response. Instead, she picked up her phone and purse and set her eyes on the front door. She moved quickly, skirting her way around her ex-boyfriend. This was one time Richard’s large six-foot-four frame worked against him. He moved much slower than Bria did and only turned around when she was already through the door. Once she was on the other side, she allowed herself to breathe. She held the door open and narrowed her eyes at Richard. “We are officially closed. I suggest you get out of the salon, unless you’d like to be locked in.”
Richard lifted his chin defiantly as he sauntered outside. “You may think you’re funny, but the judge certainly won’t. He’s going to side with me in our custody case.”
“How are you going to show your involvement as a parent when you don’t even make time for Seth? I’m the one who helps him with his homework and tucks him in at night. I take him to all his appointments and attend his parent-teacher conferences. You don’t have anything to show for, and you know that.” She let the door swing shut then locked it. “I suggest you give up now. Seth is my son, and he’s not going anywhere.”
Richard reached inside his suit jacket and pulled out a white letter-sized envelope. He handed it to her with a haughty smile. “You may want to rethink your decision, Bria.”
She accepted the envelope with shaky hands. As she pulled out the letter inside, her heart sank. Across the top of the form read the words Complaint for Custody. “What is this?”
“The papers you’ll be served Monday when our custody case is opened.” Richard crossed his arms. “Unless you’ve decided to change your mind about my offer.”
His offer? It was more of an ultimatum. She stared up at him, wondering what she had ever seen in this man. Richard might appear strong and confident on the outside, but he was weak and insecure on the inside. Only a bully would pick on someone much smaller than himself. What he had—the name, wealth, and social connections—couldn’t make up for all that he lacked, namely, a heart. He had nothing on Brandon in terms of compassion and generosity.
This thought took her aback. For once, Bria recognized the power and strength a gentle man could offer. Brandon would never back her into a corner or demand something from her that she couldn’t give. He was such a kind man, and any woman would be blessed to have him in her life. Including her.
The sudden realization caught her off guard. A whirlwind of emotions—from surprise to confusion to contentment—bombarded her. She stood paralyzed in place, trying to make sense of everything going on in her heart.
Richard bellowed, “What’ll it be?”
Bria bit her lip then sputtered, “I-I can’t marry you. I’m engaged to someone else.” The words left her lips before she realized what she’d said. She swallowed hard, not believing the Pandora’s box she’d just opened. She tried hard to keep her hands steady as she stuffed the letter into the envelope and handed it back to Richard.
Richard threw his head back with a loud laugh. When he calmed down, he narrowed his eyes at Bria. “You expect me to believe that? When have you had time to date, let alone meet a man?”
“I reconnected with an old friend recently. Everything came together quickly, but it made sense since we already knew each other so well. His name’s Brandon. You might remember him from our English study group.” An inexplicable peace overcame her as she said Brandon’s name. She found herself standing up straighter with more confidence. “Seth likes him, too. They get along really well.”
“Brandon?” With his brows high on his forehead, Richard remarked, “That skinny kid you kissed to make me jealous? You want me to believe you’d rather be with him than with me?”
“Of course.” Bria crossed her arms, her bare skin hot from the summer sun shining overhead. The heat, however, didn’t compare to the anger burning inside her. How could Richard dismiss Brandon just because he wasn’t as tall or brawny as him? She spoke her next words with conviction. “There’s a lot more to a man than his looks. Brandon has character, something you sorely lack. He treats me and Seth with care and respect. You have no clue how to treat a woman or your child. It’s a no-brainer who I’d choose.”
He scoffed. “You’re telling me this guy’s so in love with you that he proposed already?”
She nodded readily, knowing this part—at least half of it—was true. “Yes.”
He eyed her suspiciously. “Then where’s the ring?”
“Huh?”
“The engagement ring. If this guy’s as crazy about you as you say he is, he would’ve given
you a ring.” He paused as a sly grin spread across his lips. “Unless you’re making all of this up?”
The rational part of her brain wanted to confess this was all a scam, but the fearful part spun even faster as it conjured up more imaginary details. “It’s at the jeweler’s being resized. But seriously, I don’t need a piece of metal to know Brandon’s committed. He already asked me and Seth to move in with him. We’re staying there now as a matter of fact. Separate bedrooms, of course, until the wedding,” she added with a bit of haughtiness herself.
“When exactly is the big day? Because come Monday, things are going to get messy. However, if you are married by then, I’ll certainly back off. That includes all child support as well,” he finished with a sneer.
Bria gasped. What had she done? Without Richard’s monthly checks, she wouldn’t be able to provide Seth with a home. But with his money, she might not have a son to come home to. Either way, she couldn’t win.
Oh, she needed the Lord’s help more than ever. How would He come through for her this time?
Chapter Thirteen
Brandon
Brandon turned the faucet to low as he rinsed off a dinner plate. He strained his ear to listen in on the conversation going on in the next room or half of the conversation. Bria was on the phone with her friend, Amy, talking in a hushed voice. An occasional sniffle punctuated her words. It was the latter that caught his attention and led him to eavesdropping. It wasn’t his finest moment, but he couldn’t help himself. He cared too much about her to not be concerned.
She hadn’t been herself since she returned from the salon. When Seth recounted their day’s activities to her, she’d forced out a small smile. Gone was her relaxed demeanor from yesterday, and he wanted to know why. But being the quiet, low-key guy that he was, he didn’t know if he should come straight out and ask. He’d just started feeling more comfortable around Bria; in other words, he’d stopped blushing in her presence. If he stuck his nose in her business, who knew how she’d react?
He put the last of the dirty dishes into the dishwasher, stuck a detergent packet in, and turned on the machine. With a kitchen towel he grabbed off a hook, he dried his hands then wiped up some traces of milk on the counter that Seth had spilled earlier.
Brandon smiled, remembering the fun they’d had together that day. It was amazing how alike he and Seth were. When there were books around, neither one of them needed to talk. Yet, their conversation also flowed freely at other times. The server at the pizza place had even remarked how much they resembled one another. He hadn’t had the heart to correct her, especially with Seth beaming by his side.
His chest ached thinking about the young boy. How could a father not want a relationship with his child? Knowing how much his own dad cared for him and his brothers made him dislike Richard even more now than he had in college. The only reason he made nice with him back then was because of Bria.
Speaking of Richard, Brandon thought he heard Bria mention his name. He edged closer to the doorway leading to the living room and peeked over.
“Please pray for him, Amy. Only God can change his heart.” Bria glanced in the direction of the kitchen. “I have to go. Thanks for listening.”
Brandon heard footsteps approach and quickly stepped back inside the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and pretended to look inside. The air escaping the interior brought relief to his warm cheeks. Hopefully he didn’t look as guilty as he felt.
Bria’s face appeared over the top of the door, her eyes puffy and red. “Brandon, can we talk?”
“Of course.” He shut the door behind him and motioned for them to go to the next room. He had no idea what Bria had in mind, but he assumed it’d be a long conversation based on her emotional state. “Do you want to sit on the sofa?”
She glanced over her shoulder toward the guest room where Seth was sleeping. “Do you mind if we go to your room? I’d appreciate the privacy.”
“Oh, y-yeah, that’s fine.” He led the way down the hall, his heart pounding with every step. He’d never had a woman in his apartment, much less in his bedroom. This wasn’t just any woman either; it was Bria. The thought of the two of them alone in the tiny space made his palms sweat. He wiped his hands along his khaki shorts as he entered the room and flipped on the light.
Bria entered and closed the door behind her. After taking a few steps inside, she reached the queen-sized bed and ran her hand along the navy bedspread that Brandon had laid out neatly that morning. She smiled and remarked, “You still make your bed every day?”
He nodded. “Of course. My mom taught us boys well. It’s so ingrained in me, I do it without thinking.”
She sat down and glanced around the room. “You were always the responsible one. Too bad I didn’t listen to you when we were younger. It would’ve saved me a lot of heartache—” she choked on her words “—then and now.”
Brandon rushed to her side and sat down beside her. By now, her tears were falling fast and furious. He’d never seen her cry like this. Sure, he’d witnessed her tears of frustration after flunking a midterm, but this was on a whole new level. She wept as if she were grieving. He grabbed a tissue box sitting on his nightstand and offered it to her. “Here. Take your time. Sometimes it’s good to just cry it out.”
She grabbed a tissue and offered him a small smile of gratitude. “You always know the right things to say.”
He shrugged, not knowing how to receive her compliment. He was only doing what he knew how to do, be her friend. “It’s something my dad used to tell me when I was a kid. I tended to take things too personally sometimes. It’s one of the downsides of being sensitive.”
A pained look crossed her face. “I wish some people were more sensitive.”
“Are you referring to someone in particular?”
“Richard.” She spat the word out in disdain. “He stopped by the salon today with more threats. It’s like he won’t give me a break. And I think I made things worse, a lot worse.” Turning toward him, she hung her head. “I know this isn’t your problem to deal with. I just didn’t know what else to do. Amy suggested I talk to you and see if you have any ideas. She said you always figure a way out for your characters when they’re in a conflict.”
“I can try. I certainly don’t mind listening.” He faced her, causing their knees to bump. The simple touch of her bare skin against his made his mouth go dry. He needed to get it together, for Bria’s sake. He scooted back a little and nodded for her to continue. “What happened?”
“He came by with a copy of the custody letter he’s going to have served to me if I don’t fall in line with his plan. Seeing it made everything that much more real, so I panicked. I said something crazy.”
He nodded for her to continue.
“I told him I couldn’t marry him because I’m already engaged to someone else.” Meeting his gaze, she quietly added, “To you.”
“To m-me?” Brandon almost fell off the bed. “You told him you’re marrying me?”
“I know it was a stupid thing to say. I didn’t mean to drag you into this. I just had to find a way out. And now—” she wiped a tear away “—he expects to see a copy of the marriage certificate by Monday.”
“Monday? That’s in four days.”
“Richard’s smart. He knows I’m lying so he’s not making it easy for me to get out of this. But that’s not the worst part. He basically wants nothing to do with Seth after that point. If I marry someone else, he’s going to sign away his parental rights and stop paying child support.” She crumpled the tissue in her hands. “It’s not so much about the money—though we need it—it’s more about him not wanting a relationship with his own son. It’ll break Seth’s heart to know this. How am I supposed to tell him his own father doesn’t want him?”
Brandon took a deep breath. His head was spinning at all that Bria had confessed. He didn’t know which part concerned him more—the fact that he and Bria were supposedly engaged or that Richard would forsake his only child. Qu
iet sobs interrupted his thoughts, drawing his attention to the woman next to him. Already a petite woman, Bria appeared even smaller and more vulnerable. The sight of her moved him so much, he surprised himself by drawing her into his arms. With her tucked against his chest, he rested his chin on her hair. “It’s okay. We’ll figure something out. We’re not alone, Bria. God is on our side. In the book of Psalm, it says He’s a father to the fatherless. He’ll always be there for Seth. And he’s a much better father than Richard ever could be.”
She nodded but continued to sob.
Not knowing what else to say, Brandon held her. He rubbed her back the way his dad used to rub his when he’d had a bad day. He understood the power of a gentle touch and the value of giving someone the space to just be. Sometimes that peace and support meant more than words could say. So he allowed Bria to rest in his arms.
He had to admit he was enjoying the moment too, probably more than he should. The sweet scent of her shampoo, the softness of her skin against his—this moment was like his dreams, except better. He never imagined one day being able to offer security and protection to Bria like the alpha males he wrote about. It felt surprisingly natural. Perhaps there was a part of his characters in him after all.
After a few minutes, Bria drew back and looked up at him. Her smile was genuine and hopeful. “Thank you, Brandon. Thanks for reminding me I’m not alone, that Seth’s not alone. It’s so easy to rely on myself; that’s what I did all through my twenties. Even though I knew God was there, I didn’t feel like I deserved His help after the ways I’d disobeyed Him.”
“But don’t you still love Seth even when he doesn’t listen to you?”
