Real Love

by Tracy Reed

  “What do you mean?”

  “Two weeks, with you, alone.”

  “If we go to Mexico we’ll be alone.”

  “Not really, there’ll be a lot more people there.”

  “You don’t trust yourself to be alone with me?”

  She pecked him on the lips. “When I was with Eric, towards the end, I would fantasize about you.”

  “Oh.”

  “That’s how I was able to deal with having sex with him.”

  “I’ll tell him you’re not available and get someone else.”

  “No, don’t do that. I want to go on vacation with you and I love working with you. It’s just, if we take this job, I really need to be in a separate bungalow,” she threw her hand in the wind, “way on the far end of the resort.” He laughed. “I’m glad you find my honesty funny.”

  “Baby, there’s no way I could share a bungalow with you. I don’t care how big it is. I’m not dead.” They both laughed. “I know we spend a lot of time together, but I agree, sharing a bungalow would be bad. If we do this, the same rules would apply, separate rooms or in this case, separate bungalows. It’ll be fun. We’ll work during the day and hang out at night.”

  “So where’s the vacation part? What about spa time and hanging out on the beach?”

  “About that.”

  “What? Don’t tell me we won’t have time to hang out at the beach.”

  “No, there’ll be time for that.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Uhm, have you gone shopping?”

  “Shopping…what are you talking about?”

  He stood up and looked at her smiling. “You look pretty.”

  She looked at him smiling. “I was thinking we probably need to establish a dress code. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to spend two weeks with you in a Speedo,” she confessed. “Is that all right with you?”

  “God, yes.” He smiled.

  She cupped his face and kissed him. “Don’t worry, I bought a few modest one piece suits.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You said we would have to go back, when?”

  “Around April or May when all the furniture is ready. We’d go back for a couple of weeks and do the install.”

  “I better get at least one massage and a salt scrub.”

  “Baby, this is going to be fun.” He kissed her.

  “I still want our non-working vacation.”

  “I promise, if you don’t have a good, relaxing time, I’ll take you on a relaxing vacation.”

  “Deal.” He hugged her. “When do we leave?”

  “December thirtieth and return January thirteenth.”

  “Seems like we’re going on vacation.”

  Chapter 57

  SEAN STOOD IN FRONT OF the Twenty-One Club waiting for his lunch date. He looked to his right and there she was, his best friend’s wife. Lately, Trina had taken on the role of relationship advisor. She was bundled up in a fox-trimmed, black cashmere coat and was walking fast. She looked up and waved, and he waved back.

  Trina and Kyla had become very close in the past few months, and if anyone could help him, it was Trina. She stopped next to him and he hugged and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Thanks for meeting me,” he said smiling.

  “Are you kidding? There’s no way I’d pass up a chance to have lunch at one of my favorite places with one of my favorite people.” She smiled.

  “Come on, let’s get out of the cold.”

  They walked in and sat down, ordered lunch and exchanged small talk over burgers. During dessert Trina opened the can of worms that had been sitting on the table. “So, I take it you want to talk to me about Kyla?”

  His smile covered his face. “Where do I start?”

  “Let’s try the beginning.”

  “Kyla and I are working on a project together.”

  “Uh-huh?”

  “It’s a resort in the Maldives.”

  “Really?” she replied sarcastically.

  “She told you?”

  “Yes and I think you’re both playing with fire.”

  “I think we’ll be okay.”

  “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “Here’s the thing. I would really love to go as…has she said anything about us?”

  She nodded her head. “I thought that’s what you wanted to talk about. What do you want to know?”

  “Has she said anything about…the future…us…”

  “The subject has come up a couple of times. You know girl talk.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Why aren’t you having this conversation with her?”

  “You know that saying, don’t ask a question you don’t have the answer for.”

  “Uh-huh.” She looked at him and he looked lost. “She’d better not find out about this meeting.”

  “I promise.”

  “Okay, she said she’s in love with you.”

  His face lit up like the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. “Then why hasn’t she said anything?”

  “Do you love her?” His silence was worth a million dollars. “You’re as bad as she is. So instead of talking to her, you’re talking to me. Well, do you love her?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you haven’t told her because…” He shifted in his seat. “You can sit here and ask me questions, and we both can speculate, but the only person that can answer your question, is Kyla.”

  “Being in love with me is great, but has she said anything about wanting to get married?”

  “Not exactly. But not all relationships lead to marriage. Some just get you ready for the one that will.” She sipped her coffee.

  “I thought you wanted to see us together?”

  “I also want my husband to be more compassionate, but I can’t make that happen, either. It’s up to you two. What is your Spirit telling you? Is it telling you Kyla’s your wife? Or are you trying to make something happen because you’re desperate?”

  “I’m not desperate,” he protested.

  “No, you’re just a man in love who’s afraid to talk to his girlfriend.”

  He nodded. “You’re right.” He looked at his watch. “I’m in love with her and I need to tell her, and I will. Do you have to hurry back?”

  “What do you need?”

  “I want to show you something.”

  They walked south on Fifty-Second Street to Fifth Avenue, made a left and walked down to Harry Winston. They stopped at the first display case. “Please tell me we’re not going inside to look at what I think we are?”

  “Come on,” he took her hand and dragged her into the store and headed over to the counter and waited. He looked around and spotted the gentleman that had helped him earlier.

  The salesman recognized him. “Hello, Mr. Prescott.”

  “Hello, Dennis. Do you still have the ring?”

  “Yes, let me get it.”

  Trina waited for Dennis to walk away before addressing Sean. “Are you sure about this?”

  “No. That’s why I brought you.”

  Dennis returned and put the tray on the counter.

  “You can show me every ring in Manhattan and the answer is always going to be same, I don’t…,” Trina’s mouth dropped open as she watched Dennis place the beautiful diamond ring on the velvet tray.

  “Would you like to try it?” Dennis asked Trina.

  “Oh, God yes.” He slipped the ring on her finger and she held her hand up admiring the it.

  “Is this a four carat emerald cut, set in platinum?”

  Dennis smiled. “Seems your fiancée knows what she likes.”

  Sean smiled. “This is my godsister…my girlfriend’s best friend. What do you think?”

  “I’d marry you.” She stared at the ring. “Sean, this is beautiful, but it’s not Kyla.”

  “What?” Sean questioned her comment.

  “It’s a gorgeous ring, but it’s not her. Sorry, Dennis.”

&n
bsp; “I understand. Rings are like husbands, you want to get it right the first time, so you don’t have to do it again,” Dennis replied.

  “Exactly,” Trina replied.

  “So what do you think she’d like?” Dennis asked.

  “I’m not quite sure. I just know this is too traditional.”

  “What’s she like?” he asked Sean.

  “She’s funny, beautiful, red is her favorite color. She’s a shoe junkie, an interior designer and she—”

  “Let me. He’s being modest. Here,” Trina pulled out her phone and opened Kyla’s website. “This is her.” She handed her phone to Dennis.

  “Wow, you’re right, he’s being nice. She’s beautiful,” Dennis commented.

  “I told my husband, if I were a man, I’d go after her. Sean didn’t want to say it, but she’s very sexy, and frank. At the same time, she’s got this strange innocence and a big heart.” She looked at Sean. “Did I leave anything out?”

  He smiled. “No, that’s her.”

  “Why didn’t you say that when you came in? Of course this ring isn’t her. Excuse me.” Dennis walked away.

  “Are you ashamed of Kyla?” Trina asked.

  “No.”

  “Then stop acting like you are. Most men would jump at the opportunity to say their girlfriend is sexy, beautiful, funny, and a successful business woman. And, you have an added bonus, she loves God. Dude, you’ve hit pay dirt. So act like it.” She socked him.

  “Ouch.” He rubbed his arm.

  Dennis returned with a tray of rings, and Trina’s eyes got wide and glassy. She picked up the ring in the middle. “Now, this is Kyla.” She handed the ring to Sean.

  “Are you sure?” Sean asked.

  “Sean, this is a four carat ruby with, I’d say about a half carat of pave diamonds surrounding it in a pave and platinum band.”

  “I looked at something similar on line, but wasn’t sure. I thought she might want something a little more traditional.”

  “When it comes to buying jewelry, always go with your first mind,” Dennis commented.

  “I thought a traditional stone would be better.”

  “But she’s not a traditional woman. This is her. She stands out in a quiet way. When someone sees this on her hand, they’ll know she’s not available and that the man who put that ring on her finger loves her. For men, an engagement ring is marking your turf.”

  “Trina, Ky isn’t a piece of grass.”

  “I know that. To women, engagement rings are our way of bragging without saying a word.”

  “I want everyone to know how much I love her, and after everything she’s been through, she deserves to be pampered.” He held up the ring smiling. “Dennis, I’ll take it.”

  “Yes, sir. Will you be taking that with you or do you want it delivered?”

  “Deliver it. Thank you.” His smile drooped a little.

  “What’s wrong? You’re getting the right ring. Forget what I said about it being too soon. You two have been in love with each other for a while.”

  “I’m thinking about what I’m going to say to her father.”

  “Excuse me? You’re both adults, you don’t need approval.”

  “It’s a respect thing. I wouldn’t feel right proposing without speaking with him…and her mother.”

  She smiled and shook her head. “So how are you going to do it? Propose I mean.”

  “I haven’t got a clue.” He laughed.

  Chapter 58

  HE WAS SURE OF HIS feelings for Kyla and pretty sure she felt the same way about him, but Sean was starting to have second thoughts. He’d been praying and felt he was doing the right thing, but with a woman like Kyla, you never assumed.

  He looked at his watch, it was about ten-thirty on the west coast. He picked up his phone and dialed.

  “Hey big bro.” He tried to sound up beat.

  “What’s up lil’ bro.” His brother always sounded up beat and relaxed even though Sean knew he was probably worn out from having spent the day in surgery. Being a heart surgeon was an art that only a few mastered and his brother Jordan was one of the best.

  When Sean had his drinking problem, Jordan was the one who took him to his first AA meeting. Jordan hated seeing Sean like he was, because he knew he was a much better man, he just needed someone to push him. It was a long road, but when Sean recovered, he never took another drink.

  Now almost twenty years later, he had just about everything he wanted, a perfect relationship with God, a successful business and good friends. The only things missing were a wife and children.

  Looking at the ruby engagement ring, he told Jordan a half truth. “Nothing much.”

  Jordan knew there was a problem because Sean didn’t ask about his nephew Jordy or Zoë. “Up a little late…what’s on your mind?”

  “Uhm…I’ve been seeing someone.”

  “Is this the woman you mentioned a while back, because I thought that wasn’t going anywhere?”

  “Things changed.”

  “Must have, if you’re calling me late on a week night.”

  Sean and Jordan talked frequently, but every Saturday morning, they made it a point to spend about an hour catching up. Late week night calls usually meant there was a problem.

  “So what happened? How did she go from an impossible situation to a problem?” Jordan asked.

  Sean caught Jordan up on the details of his and Kyla’s relationship, and capped it off with his confession about the ring. “So am I being a fool?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thanks, bro.”

  “I’m sorry, but it’s too soon. This is your first serious relationship since Francesca.”

  “No, it isn’t,” he blurted out.

  “Excuse me?” Jordan asked.

  “There was someone a few years ago.”

  “And?”

  “Obviously we broke up.”

  “Because?” Another one word question.

  “She wanted to get married and I wasn’t ready.”

  “How long?”

  “Almost a year.”

  Baby Jordy started cooing loudly. “Wow, even Jordy is shocked. Talk about a closely guarded secret. Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “It wasn’t a secret. I just didn’t feel the need to share details.”

  “Because…”

  “I don’t know.”

  “But, this one you want to marry? Wow, that’s a big leap.”

  “Not really.”

  “Lil bro, you have always been a sucker for a beautiful woman with problems.”

  “That’s what Chris said.”

  “I don’t know if I should be happy or worried that Chris and I agree about this woman.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Sean said defensively. “And her name is Kyla.”

  “I saw…Kyla’s website, she’s beautiful and from what you told me about her past, she’s the holy grail of troubled women.”

  “No she—”

  “Sean…let’s cut to the chase. You want someone to tell you what to do.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Yes, you do and that’s okay, but I’m not the one. And you should be leery of anyone else that tries to tell you what to do in this matter. Picking or committing to someone for the rest of your life should be your decision alone, and no one else’s.”

  “I guess I should say thanks?”

  “Yeah, you should, because no matter what anyone says, you’re ultimately going to do what you want to.”

  “I guess.” He looked at the clock on the night table. “I better get some sleep. I’ll get with you later this week. Give my love to Zoë and kiss my nephew. Good night.”

  “Good night.”

  Sean pressed the button ending the call. He got up and walked into the kitchen and Simon jumped up to follow him. He opened the refrigerator looking for something to fill the hole in his stomach. Instead, he settled on a bowl of cereal. He looked down and Simon barked at him. “So you think I’m do
ing the right thing?” Simon barked again. “Yeah, I know it’ll be nice having both of them here all the time.” Simon barked and Sean handed him a treat. He looked at Simon whose tail was wagging and he barked again. “Quiet down. I’ll think about it.” He put the bowl in the sink, turned the lights off and went back to bed.

  Knock, knock, knock. “Come in,” Sean called out. He didn’t look up immediately. “I’ll be right with you.”

  “I’ll wait.” The voice was familiar.

  He turned around and looked up. “Jordan, what are you doing here?” Sean asked as he walked over and hugged his big brother.

  “Zoë and I are here for an extended weekend.”

  “Where is she?” Referring to his sister-in-law.

  “She’s out in the showroom, trying to figure out how she can get that bed in the corner shipped to us.” He laughed.

  “Come on, let me see what I can do.” They walked out to the showroom and Sean walked up behind Zoë. “Ma’am, I’m not sure if that will fit in your suitcase.”

  She turned around and smiled. “Sean.” He wrapped his arms around her and she kissed him on the cheek.

  “If it isn’t my favorite sister-in-law.”

  “Funny. I’m your only sister-in-law.”

  “Jordan says you’re here for a short visit.”

  “I know, isn’t it romantic…the other night he said let’s do something spontaneous and here we are.”

  Sean looked at Jordan. This sudden impulsive trip conveniently coincided with their phone call the other night. “You don’t say.”

  “I know, isn’t he something?” She kissed Jordan.

  “We’re going to check into the hotel,” Jordan informed him.

  “What are you talking about? You’re staying with me.”

  “We don’t want to put you out,” Jordan replied.

  “I insist.”

  “We won’t be in the way?” Jordan asked.

  “No.”

  “And Kyla?” Jordan asked.

  “I’ll call her and we’ll do dinner tomorrow.”

  “Honey, what do you say?” Jordan looked at Zoë.

  “Works for me. We can take that money along with our family discount and get the bed,” she declared.

  “We’ll see. Little brother, we’re going to grab some lunch.”