by Tracy Reed
“What did you do while you two were apart?”
“I dated some, but mostly I sat around kicking myself for letting her go.”
“You’ve got to stop blaming yourself. I think the reason you’re having a problem is because you blatantly went against God’s direction. You’ve allowed your guilt to turn into something else.”
“I don’t…”
“When I slept with Francesca, I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyway. The guilt wasn’t because of what happened, but because I knew I had disobeyed God. I had temporarily broken that tie.”
“You think that’s what it is?”
“Yeah. You didn’t listen to me and Jordan when we told you to stop running, and marry Trina. Instead, you broke up with her. Maybe she was vulnerable, maybe she was angry, I don’t know. And the only way you will, is to talk to her. Trust me. You’ll both feel better.”
“Yeah, well, we’ll see. We’re going to counseling.”
“Good. So are we.”
“You’re not married.” He was surprised at Sean’s statement.
“Considering our pasts, we thought it was the best thing to do. It’s been helpful.”
The door opened and Simon and Winnie ran in, and Sean helped them up onto the sofa. “We’re back.” Kyla walked down the hall to her bedroom before coming into the living room and kissed Sean.
“How was your walk?” he asked.
“Short. It’s cold. Simon and Winnie were shaking and dragging me back home.” She walked around, sat next to Sean and he wrapped his arm around her. “So is everything settled?”
“We’re getting there,” Sean replied.
Kyla got deeper into Sean’s side and wrapped her arms around him, inhaling his chest. “You smell good.” She shifted a little to get closer to his side. “I can’t wait until we get married and we can stay like this all the time.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Well, we can settle that in a couple of days if you want.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, we can get married in a couple of days and have this all the time, not just a couple of nights a week.”
She sat up and brushed her hair behind her ear. “What?”
“We can call Mike and have him come over and marry us.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah and then you and Winnie can move in with me and Simon and we can sit on the sofa like this every night.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yeah, aren’t you?”
She wasn’t quick to respond. “Yeah, but why a couple of days?”
“Because we don’t have a license.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We can’t get married without a marriage license.”
“I know, but where do you get the couple of days from?”
“The waiting period.”
“And you know this how?”
“I’ve been doing my homework.” He proudly informed her.
“Really?” She smiled.
“Yep. We’ll call Mike and have him come over or we’ll go over there and get married.”
“You’d do that?” she asked.
“Yeah, if we had a license.” She shook her head, laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m thinking how out of character that sounds for you.”
“What are you talking about, I’m impulsive.”
“Yes, you are, but on a scale of impulsive actions, that’s about a forty-five and you’re usually around a seven or eight.”
“Tell you what. Tomorrow, we’ll get a license and when you’re ready, all you have to do is call me.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yeah.” He was very calm as he answered all of her questions.
She stood up with her hands on her hips, looking at him. “So, if I called you at, say nine o’clock at night or six in the morning and say let’s get married, you’d do it?”
He stood up and wrapped his arms around her. “Yes. I told you, we’re doing this marriage our way. What do you say?”
She looked into his eyes, searching for confirmation. And then the voice. This time it was loud. SAY YES. “It’s a date.”
Chapter 72
THE HOSTESS LED THE WAY to the booth with Kyla following behind, stepping high like a prized thoroughbred. The wind in the room caught her hair as she walked. She paid no attention to the people around her as she followed the hostess to her table. She gently tugged on the fitted red knit dress as she slowly entered the booth. She took the menu from the hostess and smiled. “Thank you.”
She placed the menu on the table, took her phone out of her bag and pressed the programmed number. After two rings, a friendly voice answered, “James and Company. How may I help you?”
“Good morning, I mean afternoon Peanut Head.”
She and Sean ran into a little bit of a crowd at the city clerk’s office. They were hoping to be done earlier, but there were quite a few people there doing the same thing…getting a marriage license.
“I have a name, you know.” Antonio shot back. He pretended he didn’t like his pet name, but secretly he loved knowing Kyla thought enough of him to place the moniker on him. “Where are you?”
“I’m having lunch with Sean.”
“Did you forget about Janet Edelson this afternoon?”
“I moved her to tomorrow at four.”
“So now you’re booking appointments without me?”
“I thought I was qualified to do that.” She said sarcastically. “I need you to reschedule the rest of my day.”
“Why, did you get married?”
“No, but we’re planning our engagement party.”
“Really, and when and where are we having our party?”
“Not sure, that’s what we’re having lunch about. Where do you suggest we have our party?”
“The roof top at the Gramercy Park.”
“Really? Well, I’ll be sure to let Sean know you like his choice.”
“In that case, I’ll give you today off.”
“I appreciate that, thank you.” She laughed. “I’ll see you tomorrow, bye.”
“Bye.”
She set her phone to vibrate and began looking over the menu when she sensed someone standing in front of her. She looked up from her menu and saw someone she hadn’t seen in almost a year.
“I saw you walk in and you owned the room. There’s not a woman in here that can hold a candle to you. You’re still as sexy as I remember.”
The sound of his voice made her ears bleed. She looked right through him, searching the restaurant for Sean. Kyla stared at the man speaking to her. She figured when she walked out on Eric, she would never have to see him again. However, she didn’t bother to clear that with God.
She should have known God wasn’t going to let her start her new life without hammering the last nail in the coffin of her old one. She understood she couldn’t move forward without completely closing the door on the past, but why would God choose today for her to have this encounter? This was the day she and Sean had set aside to start celebrating the next step in uniting their lives.
Scratch that. It wasn’t unfinished business from God, but a temptation from the devil. One last attempt to get her to change her mind, to slip back into her old ways.
Sure, shortly after dumping Eric she had had a few rough nights there when she missed the touch of his hands traveling along her body, and the feel of his hard body pressing against hers. But her support group and learning to redirect her attention, and spending more time with God got her through those rough months.
Now, looking at Eric standing before her, she wondered how she could have been so dumb. Seeing him with a fresh pair of eyes and a new spirit, she pitied him. She thought, it’s one thing to lie to your wife, it’s a whole other level of deceit to lie to your mistress. How can you lie to the person who is helping you create a lie? Not only did he lie to her about his relationship with Olivia, he lied to her about his relationship with G
od. Telling her that God was fine with what they were doing, and that he had a tight relationship with God. He even went so far as to blame her for his having to go to church, saying, “Since you wouldn’t marry me, I have to do what my wife wants, and she wants us to go to church every week.” Just another one of the many lies he told her during their relationship.
His sneering made her feel dirty. It was like he was replaying one of their trysts in his mind. “You look good.” He waited for her to respond. “Do you mind if I sit down?” He walked around the table to slip into the booth.
“Yes, I do.”
He backed up defensively. “Okay, I get it. I’ve missed you.” He waited for a response to his lame apology, but she didn’t say anything. He tried another approach, “I’m sorry.”
“I’m glad you know that.”
“I’ve missed your mouth.” He smiled as he licked his lips. “I mean your sense of humor.” He tried laughing off his poor joke. “Olivia knows all about us so…and I haven’t found anyone who can satisfy me like you did.”
She wanted to throw up. The nerve of this man standing in the middle of a five star restaurant propositioning her.
“I still have the apartment. What do you say sexy, what do I have to do to get you back into our bed?”
“Become someone else.”
“Oh, role playing, I can do that.” He looked like a dirty old man salivating at the site of something he wanted, but knew he couldn’t handle. “I heard you found God.” She didn’t blink. “You know, just because you’re playing the church girl role, doesn’t mean you and I can’t play.”
Kyla’s eyes lit up, and a smile covered her face. Eric stood up straight, thinking he had worn her down. She looked passed him to the tall, dark, athletic, sexy gentleman…her protector, her fiancé. He looked regal walking towards her in the beautiful grey mohair suit she helped him pick out. As Sean got closer to the table, her smile grew wider.
“Excuse me.” The sound of Sean’s voice soothed her spirit.
Eric turned to see who was trying to get his attention.
“Bro, give me a second and I’ll be right with you, I’m almost done here,” Eric replied.
Sean slid into the booth next to Kyla and kissed her. Eric’s eyes got wide as he watched Sean. “Baby, who’s this?” Sean asked.
“Eric King.”
“Olivia’s husband?”
“Yes.”
“Have we met?” Eric asked Sean.
“No, but Kyla told me all about you.”
“I doubt that,” he said cockily. “Sexy here was very closed mouth when it came to talking about us.”
“Kyla, her name is Kyla.” Sean put his napkin in his lap and then took a sip from his glass. “And yes, she did. I know all about you, the apartment, the financial arrangement and your wife.”
He smirked. “So you’re the one I have to blame for Olivia’s finding out about me and Sexy.”
Sean leaned across the table, staring into Eric’s face. “Kyla, my fiancée’s name is Kyla.” Sean was secure in his place in Kyla’s heart, and his role as her protector. He was proud to be seen with her and refused to let anyone disrespect her.
“Fiancée? Well, well, well, I guess it is possible to turn a ho into a housewife.”
Sean quickly stood up. He towered over Eric by several inches. He bent his head and not blinking, lowered his voice so Eric could understand the power of his statement. “I believe you owe the lady, my fiancée, an apology.”
Eric swallowed hard and looked around the room. He couldn’t afford to make a scene that could be photographed and sent to the press. Appearing on Page Six of The Post was a direct violation of his agreement with Olivia. He straightened his tie and looked at Kyla. “I’m sorry about the comment. Congratulations on your engagement.” He looked at Sean and left.
Sean sat back down, brushed his tie and placed the napkin back onto his lap. Kyla gently turned his face to her. “I can take care of myself…but it’s nice having someone who wants to.” She gently placed her lips against his, letting them linger. She pulled back and wiped her lipstick from his lips.
“It’s a job I’m glad to have,” he smiled and cast his eyes back to the menu. “So what are you having?”
“A future with you.”
He didn’t look up from the menu. “Wanna get married tomorrow?”
“I don’t know, let me sleep on it.”
“The veal ravioli sounds good.”
“I spoke to Antonio and he said to tell you he agrees with your choice of the rooftop at the Gramercy Park for our engagement party.”
“Really?”
“But I like the Penthouse Suite at the Surrey.”
“That’s nice, too.”
“It has a terrace which would be perfect for our wedding. I think I’ll have the salmon.”
He turned to face her. “What did you say?”
“I said I’m going to have the salmon. Oh, you mean the thing about the Penthouse terrace at the Surrey being the perfect place for our wedding?” She turned to face him.
“Yeah. I thought you wanted to elope?”
“I do, I did. But I know you want a few more people there besides just us. So, I think we stick to our plan and tell everyone it’s an engagement party, but surprise them with a wedding.”
“I’m fine eloping.” She gently stroked the side of his face.
“I know. I also know you would love to have your parents and Jordan and Zoë there. And you know my parents would have a fit if we got married without them. So I made an appointment at the Surrey for us this afternoon. It’s available a week after we get back from the Maldives and if you like it, then we’ll book it.”
He looked at her, trying to read her. “Miss James, will you marry me a week after we return from the Maldives?”
“Yes, Mr. Prescott. I will marry you a week after we return from our trip.”
He kissed her. “I think I’ll have the sea bass.”
Chapter 73
KYLA AND SEAN SPENT THE holidays shuffling between their families, and a lot of holiday parties. They agreed the holidays could be a very vulnerable time and were careful not to spend too much time alone.
Tonight, they were attending the last of their holiday parties, dinner with Mike and DeeDee. The black car pulled up in front of the Westside pre-war building. Sean opened the door and helped Kyla and the dogs out. Mike and DeeDee’s daughter, Michelle, was going to doggie sit until Kyla’s parents returned from vacation.
They looked like the perfect little family as they walked inside the lobby. After several visits, the doorman and concierge recognized them and waved them through to the elevators.
Sean noticed Kyla was very quiet. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just a little sad.”
“What’s got my future wife upset?”
“It’s silly.” She stared at the elevator doors.
“You’re gonna miss Winnie?”
She tossed her head back and then forward. “Yes, I am. I know it’s silly, she’s just…”
“Your baby.”
“Yeah.” Simon barked. She knelt down and rubbed Simon’s neck. “And you too, Simon. What am I going to do for the next couple of weeks without you two?” Both little dogs barked and smiled. She stood up and leaned on Sean’s shoulder.
He smirked as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. He followed her down the hall with his eyes fixed on her backside. They stopped in front of the door and he kissed her neck. She turned and playfully chastised him. “Behave yourself.”
“What?” He smiled. “I thought I saw mistletoe.”
She rang the door bell and Mike opened the door. “Merry Christmas,” Kyla and Sean said at the same time.
“Honey, the Prescott family is here,” he called out. “Come on in. Merry Christmas.” He hugged Kyla and she continued walking inside followed by Sean with Winnie and Simon. “Hey, man.” He hugged his long time friend and closed the door. “DeeDee is in the kitchen and Mich
elle is still setting up Simon and Winnie’s things.” They walked down the hall. “Babe, look who’s here.”
“Merry Christmas,” DeeDee said as she greeted the happy family.
“Merry Christmas,” Kyla replied.
“Merry Christmas, Sean.” She kissed him on the cheek.
“Merry Christmas.”
“Michelle,” DeeDee called out. “She is so excited. Michelle, Winnie and Simon are here.” She knelt down and petted Simon and Winnie. “These sweaters are adorable.” Simon and Winnie barked at the same time. “You’re welcome.”
“Babe, give me your coat.” Kyla slipped her coat off and handed it to Sean.
“Thank you.”
She was wearing a beautiful red jersey dress, with a full skirt, fitted at the waist with a deep scoop back. Sean told her he loved watching her enter a room almost as much as he loved watching her exit in front of him. There was nothing about her body he didn’t like. Every chance he got, he’d rub her back, as his way of showing her she was safe. He kissed her shoulder and started walking away when he heard tiny footsteps running into the kitchen.
“Uncle Sean.” The little girl wrapped her arms around his legs.
Mike reached for the coats. “Here, I’ll take those.”
“Thanks.” He bent down and picked her up. “How’s my girl doing?” He kissed her on the forehead.
“Fine. Where’s Simon and Winnie?” the little babysitter asked.
He placed her back on her feet. “Look over there next to Kyla.”
“Hi Auntie Kyla.” Kyla bent down and hugged her neck, and felt a lump in her throat.
Michelle was another unexpected surprise in Kyla’s life. Michelle wasn’t like the children of some of her clients. The unruly, rambunctious, spoiled children whom she would have to see when she was at her clients’ homes. For a six year old, Michelle was very sophisticated. She didn’t like dressing down, but always wore pretty dresses and matching shoes. DeeDee said she tried to put her in jeans and she pitched a fit. Instead they made a compromise, leggings and ballet flats. Not normal for such a small child. Michelle reminded Kyla of herself at that age…marching to her own beat.