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“Felice, let’s not discuss that yet.” “Why?” Felice’s voice rises to an offended shriek. “Can’t I mention Sasha’s wedding now? One of the happiest moments of my daughter’s life and I’m expected to brush it under the rug?” I dig my fingers into the laminated page until it crackles. Dad clears his throat. “Let’s talk about that after we eat.”
“Talk about what?” I snap. “What exactly are you here to talk about, dad?”
forward. “Sasha doesn’t have a lot of friends.” “Gee? I wonder why? Maybe she slept with their boyfriends too.”
“What did you just say?” “Felice.” Dad tries to tug on her arm.
“Why can’t you just let that go, Kenya? It happened so long ago!” “Let that go?” My eyes nearly pop out of my head. “How do you expec...
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“Sasha cries herself to sleep every night. It’s tearing her up the way you’re treating her. She’s supposed to be joyful and excited. Instead, she has to worry about you.” Felice shakes her finger in my face. “How selfish can you be? Don’t yo...
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“It’s not fair to me,” I speak through clenched teeth, “to expect forgiveness so soon. I’m still working through my feelings. It’s only been a few weeks.” “And her wedding is in four months.” My eyes flicker up to her. “Why is it so soon?”
“The point is, Sasha really wants you to be a part of it. For the sake of your sister, you should get over whatever issues you have and be there for her.” Her eyes gleam wildly. “That’s what family does.” I want to toss out a dig. Something about the fact that she’s not my family. That she’s not my mother.
“Dad?”
“Is that what you think too? That I should just forget about Sasha betraying me, lying to me and hurting me? Do you think I’m selfish too?” Dad remains silent.
“Do you, dad?” “I think Sasha needs you right now,” he says. “This isn’t the time for our family to be divided.”
I’m not Felice’s little girl. I get that. I understand that, sometimes, blood is thicker than water. But it doesn’t seem to be true in dad’s case. He chose Sasha. His baby girl.
“I’m not hungry anymore. But you two enjoy yourself.” “Kenya,” dad calls my name. I ignore him.
“Will you be at the dress fitting?” She’s delusional. I stomp out into the bright sunshine. It’s Sunday afternoon, but the sidewalk is filled with people enjoying a stroll or heading into restaurants. My heart aches so much it feels like it’s brushing up against a thorny gate. I brush away the tear that falls down my cheek. It’s followed by another and I smack that down too.
glance around for a bench to sit and catch my breath, when I notice a little girl seated alone. She’s small and adorable with two pigtails tied at the end with yellow ribbon. The dress she’s wearing is fluffy, almost like a tutu.
“Hi, sweetie. Why are you crying? Where’s your mommy?” “I don’t know,”
“It’s alright, sweetie. We can find her.” “No we can’t.” The child sniffs. Her eyes are familiar. I stare into them, trying to place where I’ve seen them before. “Why not?” “Because my mommy is in heaven.”
“My mommy’s in heaven too.” She blinks and finally stops crying. “Really?” “Yes.” I nod. “You think our mommies are together in heaven?”
“Oh definitely. I think our mommies are best friends. They probably have coffee together every afternoon. And read books. And play games.”
“Sweetie, do you know your dad’s number by chance?” She opens her cupid’s bow lips and starts to sing a jingle. I realize she’s reciting a phone number. Her dad must have taught her how
“Hold on, baby.” Excitedly, I rush to open my phone and touch the call button. “Go ahead?” She sings it again.
Evil Boss My head whips up. It’s Alistair’s number. I stare at the precious little girl with new eyes. So this must be… Alistair’s daughter, Belle.
“Why would you let go of Mrs. Hansley’s hand? Huh?” “I was looking for mommy,”
“And I found her,” Belle says excitedly.
“She’s with Miss Kenya’s mommy.” Belle gives her father a brilliant smile. “They’re having coffee.”
“You sweet girl. You almost gave me a heart attack. Never do that again, you hear me? Never.” “I’m sorry.” Belle pats the older woman’s back as if she’s the grown up. “Thank you for finding my daughter,” Alistair says to me, his eyes glistening like the sunset. “Of course.”
“Thank God. Are you alright, Belle?” “Uncle Darrel.” “Is she okay?” Uncle Darrel asks Alistair.
“Kenya found her.”
“My mom and Miss Kenya’s mom are reading books in heaven,” Belle announces. “Miss Kenya told me.”
I wince. She’s adorable. But I don’t normally go around broadcasting that I lost my mother.
“You’ll stay, right?” My jaw drops. I don’t think I’ve heard Holland Alistair ask me for anything since I’ve known him. Growl at me? Yes.
“Hi, I’m—” “Kenya Jones.” His expression gives nothing away and yet, I can tell that he’s pleased. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” “Oh? From… Alistair?”
“Alistair’s been on a long, hard path. If I’ll be honest, I thought he’d never find a new direction. But he found it in you. You’re his light at the end of the tunnel, Miss Jones.” My heart skips a beat.
mean… we can have tea.” “I thought you hated tea?” Alistair says. I slant him a sharp look. “I’ll put sugar in mine. It can’t be that bad with artificial sweeteners added.” He looks amused.
“It’s alright with me.” He arches an eyebrow in my direction and gives me a hot look. “Miss Jones, would you like to have lunch with us?” I can’t catch my breath. With the sunshine bouncing over his thick hair and his arms wrapped so protectively around his daughter, he looks like he could be the father of my children.
“She’s so cute.” “She’s my daughter. Of course she’s cute,” he says. “All the people who belong to me are perfect in every way.” I blink rapidly.
“The client with the kids?” He nods slowly. “Has their mom been found?” Darrel shakes his head, his lips tight. A story’s there, but I don’t get to ask because Alistair ushers me into his fancy car and whisks me away to his castle.
want to stay with Miss Kenya.” My eyes widen in surprise. Alistair smirks. “I do too.” He leans toward his daughter. “What do you say we don’t let her go home tonight?” My mouth hangs open.
on earth is he talking about in front of his daughter? Mrs. Hansley pushes to her feet. “Come on, Belle. Let’s brush your teeth.” “No.” She squirms. “I want Miss Kenya.”
Alistair rests his chin on his palm and gives me another hot look. “If you stay and put Belle to bed, I’ll return the favor.”
“Alistair.” “It’s a good deal.” He nods at his daughter. “Right, Belle?” “Yeah!” “Continue, Alistair, and I’ll put you in time out,” I spit.
hair is mussed and his shoulders are relaxed. It’s like seeing a different side of him. A privilege. And one that’s still so confusing. Why is it being offered to me? I shake my head because Alistair is not going to see how much he’s affecting me.
“There are my girls.” I arch an eyebrow at him.
Ahhhh
again?” Alistair glances at me. “If I have my way, you’ll see Miss Kenya at breakfast tomorrow.”
Flames light up in my veins.
“Goodnight, Belle.” “Goodnight.” She raises her arms to me. I lean down and hug her. With that last embrace, what’s left of my ...
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“I wanted to help you clean up.” “Oh, you’re such a sweet girl. But there’s no need.” “I have to do something to repay you for that meal,”
“My soul left my body at least twice during dinner.”
“You’re a sweet talker. No wonder Alistair adores...
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“You’ve got it wrong, Mrs. Hansley. It was her dirty mouth that got me.”
