My mind is awhirl. Mr. Cole. "Who the fuck is Mr. Cole? What is recent?"
"I don't know what they mean by recent. I did however have Sara pull up Mr. Cole's file." Mike hands me another paper. "Timothy Cole, still employed by Buchanan and Willis in distribution..."
I stop listening as I realize that Mr. Cole isn't someone Kimbra has seen recently. He was her date at the company Christmas party. He's the jerk who cheated on her on New Year's Eve. He's the one her family expected at the wedding.
The connections pop into place like magnets on a toy train.
Timothy Cole cheated on Kimbra with Carla Toney. Carla Toney made a play for me. I made a play for Kimbra. Kimbra and I are together and Carla... "This is bullshit. Plain, unadulterated bullshit."
"Back to their evidence," Mike says. "If we supply them with security footage from late May, what will they see?"
My lips form a straight line as I cross my arms over my chest. "I already told you this. She'd been offering for some time. I'd refused. Until...that morning, I was frustrated with more than a few things. Seeing Kimbra in the coffee shop had me unsettled. I accepted Carla's invitation to the bathroom." It is the first time I've told the story with her name inserted.
"There are cameras outside the stalls."
I let out an exasperated breath. "She took me out. Is that what you want to know? My dick is on tape. She never got it in her mouth. Fuck, I don't think I was even hard, not really. I was thinking about Kimbra, not her...Carla..." I force myself to say her name for the second time. "And then I heard the sound of a woman's whimper. If I got hard, that was when it happened.
"But then all hell broke loose. She asked if anyone was there. We closed up shop and got the hell out of there."
Shaking his head, Mike asks, "Not before seeing the shoes?"
Despite the heated discussion, my grin returns. "I fucking love those red shoes."
"We need to let Eric know what's happening. He's the manager in charge of human resources. Even if we agree to the demands for damages, our legal team will need to follow up with him."
"Damages? What kind of damages?"
"I think, despite the surveillance," Mike says, giving me another look. "...we could put enough holes in their case."
"And put Kimbra through all of that? No. We have insurance to pay this shit. I just want it gone."
Mike takes a deep breath and for the first time since our meeting began, smiles. "After all these years, it's nice to think that maybe you're over that bullshit."
"As long as there are no cameras in my office, we're good."
"Christ, Duncan, put a ring on her finger and at least make it legal."
"You know, for the first time, that doesn't seem like a bad idea."
As Mike collects the papers, he says, "I'll set up a meeting tomorrow with legal and Eric. Let's get this settled before it goes any further."
"I know I don't say it enough, but thanks, man."
"No. Don't thank me. All of this, and I don't mean this legal bullshit, I mean all of this, Buchanan and Willis, is because of your drive. My life and Kel's is because—"
"Because you've kept a tight leash on me."
His laughter fills the room. "Fuck, I just had a vision of Kimbra holding that leash."
"Not quite my thing, but I'm always up for new challenges."
"That's been the problem, man. But now it's her problem."
"I haven't heard her complaining."
"See you tomorrow." Mike reaches out and grabs my arm. "This place isn't that big. Rumors fly and people talk. Don't you think your involvement in this lawsuit would sound better coming from you? Doesn't Kimbra deserve that?"
"She deserves that and more. Besides, you know that I don't do secrets."
Mike nods as we head our separate directions.
I let myself in to Kimbra's apartment with the key Shana left behind. It isn't like I took it. Well, I did, but with Kimbra's permission. My hope is to find her in some compromising position, perhaps with a glass of moscato and a bathtub full of bubbles.
Hearing noises from her bedroom, I lock the door behind me and make my way down the hall. She has this great headboard and there's always her old vibrator in the bedside stand. My mind fills with ideas guaranteed to drive her nuts before we find something for dinner.
I know what I'm hungry for.
As I turn the corner, I stop dead in my tracks. Kimbra's eyes are red and she's pulling clothes from her dresser, filling a small suitcase.
"What the hell is happening?"
Her entire body quakes as her eyes close and she sinks to the corner of her mattress. "I-I...tell...I...need...you were busy. I told Eric."
Rushing to her, I fall to my knees. "Told Eric what?" That fucker. If he said something to her first, we'll have another termination on the books at Buchanan and Willis.
"Duncan, I can't stay. I have to go back to Indiana."
"What are you talking about? If Eric told you about the lawsuit, it's not an issue. We're meeting with legal tomorrow. The whole thing is bullshit anyway." I wipe away another tear from her cheek with the pad of my thumb. "You don't have to leave. This isn't going to affect your job."
Kimbra sits taller. "Lawsuit? I have no idea what you're talking about. My mom called me late this afternoon. I told Jorge to have you call me."
"I didn't see Jorge. I was in a hurry to get to you. He wasn't at his desk, and I didn't check in with him before I left. Your mom?" Panic takes root. "What? What happened? Why do you need to go to Indiana?"
"Duncan, it's Grandma Helen..."
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kimbra
My heart races and my skin feels cold and clammy as my shoes squeak upon the shiny tile of the hospital hallway. The doors open as I make my way down another corridor in search of her room.
I have no idea what's happening. My damn phone died partway through my forever travels. I could have waited for Duncan, but I didn't want to. I wanted to get here as fast as possible. In hindsight, I made the wrong choice. You would think that finding a last-minute flight to Indianapolis from New York wouldn't be difficult, but apparently, that isn't always the case. Even though I made it to JFK last night, it's now Thursday morning, nearly sixteen hours and two delays later.
Besides, I couldn't expect Duncan to drop everything and join me. Not after he'd explained the whole mess with Carla. Mike wanted him present for the meeting with legal. His company takes precedence. Grandma Helen is my family, not his. She isn't his responsibility.
My feet still and mouth goes dry as I find the right room number on a small plaque beside the door. Taking a deep breath, I push the door inward, unsure what to expect. The last I'd heard she was in surgery. The details were sketchy at best.
The overpowering blare of a television drowns out the beeps of monitors.
Gritting my teeth, I steel myself for the worst as I step farther into the room.
"Kimberly Ann!" my mom yells as she rushes toward me.
Her petite frame swallows me before I can take a good look at Grandma. "How...?"
"Look at that!" Grandma Helen says, pointing to the television screen filled with The Price Is Right. "I wouldn't have bid so high. Maybe they don't buy their prizes on Amazon."
Tears fill my eyes as I rush to her bedside. "Grandma, I was so worried when Mom said you fell."
"Damn ankle broke. That's the problem with getting old. The balance isn't what it used to be."
I scan her up and down. Her arm is bruised—a nasty, dark color. The lower part of her right leg is outside the covers, with some type of air boot that hums. ""You're okay? Just your ankle and a few bruises?"
"Just my ankle? Do you realize I'll be out for this whole square-dancing season? The whole season! I suppose old Fred McKinney will find another partner."
"Mother!"
"McKinney, as in Darrin's grandpa?" I ask, more than a little shocked and grossed out.
"Judy, we only dance. And yes. That Darrin is a nice boy. He
always asks about you.
"Besides," she goes on, talking to Mom, "your father wouldn't want me wasting away all alone. We talked about that." Grandma Helen looks at both of us. "And Fred..." Her eyebrows—currently, nonexistent because they're not painted on with makeup—dance. "...has some great moves. The doctors say I'll be up on one of those little scooters soon, but I'm sure Betsy Harmon—you know, from Fruitdale, right outside Cartersville—will be more than happy to take my place. She's always been a catty one. You can't trust women who lure men with homemade jams.
"In my day, my jelly was the best. Your grandpa used to say—"
The night of traveling and sitting in airports takes its toll as I collapse into a chair. I let out a deep sigh. "No one can take your place, Grandma. I'm sure Fred is too old to enjoy jams anyway."
Grandma Helen waves her hand. "No man is that old. Besides, it ain't no never mind. Look at me. Once I have two working ankles, I'll woo him back. By next season we'll be cutting the rug. Betsy isn't as wiry of an old broad as yours truly. I have moves too."
"No jelly though, Mom," my mother says.
"Well, you know, the strawberry seeds do tend to get caught." She squints my way. "Child, you look like something the cat dragged in. Where's that man of yours?"
My smile returns as I reach for the remote and turn down the volume of the TV. "He's still in New York. But he's good."
Grandma reaches for my left hand and shakes her head. "I thought the next time I saw you, there'd be a ring..."
"Stop, please."
"Honey, you know we just want you to be happy," Mom says.
I let out a long breath. "I am. Duncan wants me to move in with him."
"Do it!" Grandma says as Mom's lips purse. Grandma turns to my mother. "Oh, Judy, that's the way kids do it nowadays. It's not getting the milk for free—it's sampling. And even though I'm hard of hearing and my room was two doors down, I can tell you, I think he's sampled, and if he's asking Kimberly Ann to move in, he likes it."
Heat fills my cheeks. "Grandma!"
"That man loves you. It was all over his face."
Maybe it is the lack of sleep, or maybe the truthful way Duncan approaches every subject, but I can't go on lying to my family. "There's something you should know."
"You're pregnant," Mom says excitedly.
"No. Duncan and I didn't start dating last Christmas."
Both women look my direction in a strange unity of silence.
"We started dating after Scarlett's wedding."
Mom's expression fills with question as Grandma shakes her head. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she says.
"It wasn't real—when we were here before. We pretended."
"Child, like I said, I could hear your pretending all the way to my room. My teeth haven't ever been so clean."
I shake my head, pushing unwanted images of Grandma and her electric toothbrush out of my tired head. "It was pretend. It's not now."
We all turn as the room fills with the swish of an opening door. From where they're seated, Mom and Grandma can see the visitor first. As whomever it is approaches, their smiles grow. It's the flowers I see first.
Duncan extends the bouquet to my grandma. "Helen, for you."
As his cologne moves through the stale hospital air, I take him in. Duncan Willis is absolutely breathtaking. He's the GQ model compared to my rumpled appearance, courtesy of a full night of travels.
He leans down and kisses my grandma's cheek before turning my way and handing me a single daisy. "And for you. My first cross-country, mad search for my girlfriend. You could answer your phone."
I can't stop the smile. "It's dead."
"I had you chased down from JFK to Boston to Philly. Why would anyone have three layovers from New York to Indianapolis?"
"Because some of us don't have private planes."
"You would have if you'd have let me get it all set up."
I shake my head.
"Duncan," my mother says, "we were just talking about you."
"Judy, good to see you. And Helen..." He lifts her hand and kisses her knuckles. "You had us frightened."
"Son, I told you not to bullshit an old woman. I need a straight answer from you."
Duncan stands straight, his broad shoulders back and chest out. "Yes, ma'am."
"That story you told me about Kimberly Ann coming in your office. My granddaughter is telling us another story. Which one is true?"
His Adam's apple bobs as he looks from Grandma to me and back. "Both, ma'am. And...only one."
Her wrinkles grow deeper as she narrows her eyes. "Talk."
"The day your granddaughter walked into my office was the best day of my life, until the day when she thought she tricked me into coming with her to Scarlett's wedding as her plus-one, and every day since.
"The honest truth is that I let her think we were pretending so she'd notice me." He turns my way. "And I hope she notices me now."
Tears cascade down my cheeks as I nod. Damn sleep deprivation.
I gasp as all at once Duncan Willis turns my direction and falls to one knee.
What the hell is he doing?
In my grandmother's hospital room.
In front of my mom and grandma.
"Kimberly Ann..." His deep voice echoes through the room. "...I don't want to wait another minute to say this. I don't want you to move in with me for one day, plus-one, and plus another. I want you to live with me forever. I want to wake beside you and fall asleep there." He tilts his head toward the four large eyes watching from over his shoulder. "I want to be able to call your grandma Grandma Helen instead of just Helen. I'd like to be able to call Judy my mother-in-law. I want to be your plus-one forever and never, ever pretend again."
His eyes sparkle as my exhausted cheeks fill with pink. Obviously, our minds have gone to the same scene, one where we tried role-playing. I wasn't sure where it came from, but we both went with it...and well...
"Except when—" he says with a smirk.
I touch his lips, fearful he'll finish that sentence in front of my family.
I look around the small hospital room. The light green walls are slightly scuffed. Beside the bed is a bank of monitors with tubes. Outside the window, the sun shines bright in a sapphire blue sky as the Indianapolis skyline shimmers with the summer's heat. My mom has the tips of her fingers covering her lips while Grandma Helen is silent for what may be a record.
I swallow. "This isn't exactly how I pictured being proposed to."
Duncan's sexy smirk quirks as he reaches for the flower I forgot I was holding. "Our first proposal." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring. The band is bright gold and the stone is large and plastic. "I promise something nicer. This was the best they had in the gift shop and I didn't want to wait." His smile widens. "Do I get an answer?"
My head bobs as I reach for the inexpensive costume jewelry, wrap my arms around his neck, and breathe in his spicy cologne and cinnamon breath. "Yes. I want all of that, too."
When I loosen my embrace, I look into his eyes. "How did you get here so fast? I thought you had a meeting."
"Mike is taking care of everything. I tried reaching you. When I couldn't, I decided to come directly here."
"But how did you know where to come? Which hospital and room?"
"Kevin told me," Duncan says matter-of-factly.
My tired mind tries to process. "Kevin? You have my brother's number?"
"And mine," Mom says.
"And mine," Grandma chimes in.
"You've been talking to my family?"
"I should have asked your dad in person, but when I make up my mind, I don't wait. I seize the opportunity."
Chapter Thirty
Duncan
Nearly a year later
The stained-glass windows cast colorful hues over the congregation as I take a deep breath and steady my stance.
"Don't faint," Mike whispers.
I shake my head as Mike and Kevin laugh at their own
personal joke.
Shana smiles at us as she steps to her designated maid-of-honor spot.
"You're supposed to be here supporting me," I remind both Mike and Kevin in a whisper as the music grows louder and everyone stands.
"Dunc, man. You'll make this."
Kevin's nickname makes me smile as I take in the crowd. My parents are standing at the front pew, smiling approvingly my way. Trevor and his latest girlfriend are seated one row back with Kelli and the kids. In true, unattached-Willis style, my brother's eyes have been on Shana more than on the woman by his side.
On the other side of the aisle is Judy, her cheeks ready to split from alternating between smiling and crying. She has Grandma Helen beside her on one side and a space for Oscar on the other. Susan and baby Matthew are one row behind. Out farther, I see other familiar faces and many tiny heads. In the last year, Scarlett and Kurt have had a little girl, while Jimmy and Sheila had a boy. Jimmy can't stop talking about him, and neither can his big sister.
A lump forms in my throat as the door at the back of the church opens and Kimbra and Oscar come into view. It's my vision from over a year ago, but better. That's what Kimbra is to me, my every fantasy but more.
My mouth goes dry and pulse races as they come closer. Kimbra is absolutely stunning in her long, flowing white gown, a vision of radiant beauty, better than any model and more spectacular than my imagination. The woman walking my direction is my fantasy and my friend, my past and my future.
With each step, she's the epitome of a blushing bride. Damn, I love how her cheeks glow. For only a moment, I break eye contact. My chest fills with a deep breath as I take in the scooped neckline of her dress.
All ONES: The Complete Collection Page 20