by Reese Ryan
Trey stopped running suddenly, as if he’d hit a wall. He bent over, his chest heaving and his muscles groaning with exhaustion. He’d run a considerable way down the beach. Much farther than he normally walked.
He wiped the sweat from his brow with his forearm, his eyes stinging with salty perspiration. Then he sucked in a few deep breaths before turning and running back up the beach at a slower pace.
He was too damn old to be pining over a woman like he was some lovesick little boy.
Besides, Lita was right—they had much bigger issues to address right now. A parents’ job was never done. Not even when your kids thought they were grown. So he needed to make sure his son and his new family would be all right.
If he and Lita weren’t meant to be, so be it. He would still be glad he’d met her. And if they couldn’t be lovers, he hoped they could at least be friends.
As he jogged toward his house, where the lovely Lita Woods was asleep in his guest bed, he hoped that would one day be enough.
Lita rolled out of bed, tired and groggy, her stomach doing flips. Today was the day she and Meeka would finally talk.
Would her daughter be open to a discussion? Or would she insist she wanted Lita to leave?
The latter would never have seemed like an option before last week. But her daughter had been holding firm. Meeka hadn’t answered any of her emails or text messages which had ranged in tone from simple logic, to outrage, to desperate pleading. Nothing had moved Meeka to pick up that phone.
Meeka had blocked her on her social media posts. But Nicole and Jillaine had kept her posted. Meeka had posted pics of her shiny new engagement ring, photos of the beach, and photos of her and her fiancé lounging by the pool.
By all accounts, Meeka was living the life. Yet, in the photos Jillaine had sent her via text, Lita could see the sadness behind her daughter’s smile. Was it because she already regretted her choice? Or was it because the two of them were on the outs?
A knot tightened in Lita’s stomach and her heart beat hard against her ribcage. She would soon find out.
Lita got dressed in a casual sleeveless dress, stuck her feet into her slippers, and spritzed on a little of her signature scent. She sucked in a deep breath and shut her eyes for a moment, hoping everything would be fine between her and Trey this morning. That he wouldn’t be pouty or angry about her indecisiveness last night. Honestly, she couldn’t blame the man if he was. She knew she shouldn’t have kissed him, but in a moment of weakness, she hadn’t been able to help herself.
Everything about Trey seemed so perfect. Like he was meant for her. The universe clearly had a sense of humor. It had sent her ideal man to her, wrapped up in the perfect package, then made him the one man she couldn’t have.
Lita was not amused.
When she opened the door and descended the stairs, she was hit by the savory smell of bacon, onions, and garlic. Someone was making magic in the kitchen, and her belly rumbled in response—despite the feast she and Trey had eaten last night.
She walked into the kitchen, where Trey stood over the stove, stirring the contents of a skillet with a spatula. He wore an apron that said Kiss the Cook, and she couldn’t help smiling.
“Good morning, Trey.” Her stomach knotted as she awaited his reaction.
“Good morning, Lita.” He flashed her a quick smile, but it wasn’t the deep, genuine smile she was accustomed to. The one that crinkled the lines around his eyes. “I hope you’ve got an appetite this morning, because I cooked enough food to feed an army.”
Lita patted her belly. “I could definitely eat. But by now, you probably know I can always eat.”
He laughed, and this time it seemed more genuine. “A woman after my own heart.”
A zap of electricity rocketed down her spine when his eyes met hers for a moment. She sank her teeth into her lower lip and shivered in response, her pulse racing.
“Anything I can do to help?” Lita moved to where Neeko was lying on the floor. She stooped and scratched the dog’s belly, laughing when he stretched and kicked his paws.
“Got everything covered. Besides, I’m almost done. But if you’d like to set the table, the plates are over there.” He indicated a stack of plates on the counter.
Lita washed her hands in the sink and dried them before putting out four place settings. She stood there, staring at the final plate, when Trey’s voice shook her from her daze.
“Nervous about how things will go this morning?”
“I’ve never been in this position with one of my kids before.” She folded her arms. “I mean, things were contentious with my son for a while when he was in his rebellious stage, but it didn’t feel anything like this.”
“Whatever happens this morning, just know that in the end, everything will be fine.” His warm smile was the lift she needed.
Lita nodded her thanks. “Anything else I can do this—”
“Hey, Dad, have you seen my…” Jamil entered the kitchen through the beautiful French doors that faced the pool.
Where she was standing in the kitchen, she hadn’t seen him approaching, and he obviously hadn’t seen her standing there, either.
“Ms. Woods, good morning. I didn’t realize you were here. Maybe I should—”
“Good morning, Mr. Hampton.” A sunny, bright voice entered the kitchen, and Lita turned toward her daughter.
Meeka looked beautiful; her long, black faux locks were pulled into a top knot and she looked regal. Her skin practically glowed. Lita’s baby girl really was going to be a mother, and she missed her so much.
“Mama?” Meeka muttered the word, her hand going to her mouth. “What are you doing here?” There were tears in her daughter’s eyes.
“I came to see you, of course. I couldn’t go another day with things like this between us, sweetheart. I’m hoping you’ll at least—”
Before Lita could finish her statement, her daughter launched herself into her arms, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. “I love you, Mom. And I’m so sorry.”
Lita hugged her daughter, tears welling in her eyes too. She rubbed circles on her baby girl’s back. “I know, sweetheart. I love you and your brother more than anything in the world. And I’m sorry too.”
Meeka pulled back, her eyes going wide. “Really?”
“Yes, sweetie. I treated you like a child, and that was wrong of me. I promise to treat you like an adult from now on, but in return, I expect you to behave like a grown woman and be honest with me. Even when the conversation is going to be difficult for both of us.” Lita brushed the tears from her daughter’s cheek. “Can you do that?”
“Yes, I promise.” Meeka nodded eagerly, a soft smile crinkling her dark brown eyes. Then suddenly she frowned, her neat brows drawing together. “I was awful to you, Mom, and I regret that. But I love Jamil, and we’re going to be a family. You wouldn’t even listen to what we had to say. I snapped. I shouldn’t have done that, but if you’ve come here hoping I’ll change my mind about getting married…I won’t. And I’m not sorry about that.”
Her daughter’s words felt like a punch to the gut, but Lita forced a smile and nodded. “That’s fair. And if, in the end, that’s what you want to do, I’ll do everything I can to support your decision. But I won’t tell you it’s going to be easy, Meeka, because it isn’t.”
Meeka sucked in a breath and nodded. She looked back at Jamil and reached for his hand. “We know it won’t be easy, Mom. But we both grew up with one parent, and we don’t want that for our baby. Even if that means things will be a little tougher in the beginning.”
A small part of Lita couldn’t help being proud of her daughter for standing up for herself and her husband-to-be.
“All right then.” Lita squeezed her daughter’s free hand. Then she turned toward Trey. “Mr. Hampton has been slaving in the kitchen all morning for us. We’d better eat before the food gets cold. After all, you’re eating for two now.” Lita winked at her daughter.
Meeka smiled broadly, the tens
ion in her shoulders easing. She rubbed her stomach. “Good, because baby and I are starving this morning.”
Jamil went and helped his father with the food in the kitchen.
“Thank you for coming out here, Mom,” Meeka said quietly. “I didn’t know how to talk to you about this, so I just kept putting it off. That’s why I haven’t answered your calls. I didn’t know how to tell you. Or maybe I did, and I was afraid of disappointing you.”
“I know, baby. I’ve been there before with your grandparents when I was pregnant with your brother.” Lita’s heart ached, remembering that awful period in her life. Her parents hadn’t been willing to come halfway. And their already rocky relationship had never recovered.
“How long can you stay? Please say you aren’t going back home today. There’s so many things I want to talk to you about.” Meeka looked at her eagerly.
Lita smiled. “Actually, Trey has offered to put me up here for the rest of the summer. And in exchange, I’m revamping his website.”
“You’re staying the entire summer?” Meeka asked excitedly. “What about your work and your Living My Best Life Club meetings?”
“Trey set me up with a desk in the guest room. I can work from there. And as for the ladies, they understand there’s nothing more important to me than my babies.” Lita caressed her daughter’s cheek.
Meeka wrapped her up in a tight hug, and Lita had never felt so relieved.
She glanced over at Trey, and he nodded encouragingly. A broad smile spread across his handsome face. She could almost feel the warmth radiating off his brown skin, and her heart felt even more full.
Whatever happened with the kids, she was grateful her grandchild would have a sweet, solid, reliable man like Trey in their life. And she couldn’t help being glad that meant he would be part of her life in some capacity too.
Chapter 11
Trey loaded the last of the steak, chicken, and shrimp he’d been marinating onto a metal skewer along with cherry tomatoes, onions, and red and orange bell peppers.
“Those kebabs look gorgeous.” Lita nodded approvingly as she stirred her homemade garlic parmesan mashed potatoes. She’d made green beans, a lovely tomato-and-cucumber salad, and homemade banana pudding with a gorgeous meringue.
His mouth was watering already.
It’d been two weeks since Lita had arrived in Pleasure Cove, and he was glad she’d accepted his offer to spend the rest of the summer there with him and the kids.
Tonight, they’d decided to make a special meal while Meeka and Jamil took a nap before dinner. They’d cooked his son’s and her daughter’s favorite dishes. They hoped to put the kids in a relaxed, open frame of mind. He and Lita had come up with a proposal, which they’d planned to make over dinner.
Meeka had been so much happier since her mother had arrived in Pleasure Cove. She and Lita had gone for long walks together on the beach and spent lots of time sitting out by the pool talking. According to Lita, Meeka had countless questions about childbirth and motherhood. And while she was determined to make their impending marriage a success, Meeka was also concerned about the challenges that lay ahead for them.
He’d had similar conversations with Jamil. His son was equal parts thrilled and terrified about becoming a husband and father. And he was much more concerned about the road ahead for them than he let his fiancée know.
Trey hated that Jamil’s mother wasn’t in his life. That he couldn’t go to Ellen for support and advice. So it was good to see Jamil and Lita slowly building a tentative relationship. And he was grateful Jamil had close relationships with his paternal grandmother and aunt.
Maybe Lita’s ex-husband, Dale, wasn’t the best husband or father. But at least he communicated with his daughter regularly. Meeka had even introduced him to Dale during one of her video calls with her father.
Trey inhaled the savory scent in the air. “That smells delicious. If you need a taste tester for those mashed potatoes, I’m your man.” He winked.
Lita grinned, her cheeks turning crimson.
Things between them had gradually gone from being awkward to relaxed. Enough that they were able to joke with each other and even flirt a bit, knowing it wouldn’t lead to anything more.
He was disappointed, of course. Lita Woods was the most fascinating woman he’d met in a long time, and he enjoyed her company. He looked forward to coming home to her each day. And he often came home at midday to have lunch with her.
Most nights, the four of them ate dinner together, then took Neeko for a walk on the beach. When the kids returned to the pool house for the night, Trey and Lita would watch television or play cards. But his favorite way to spend time with her was when they’d sit by the fire pit and talk until the wee hours of the morning.
None of which cured his desire for this woman.
The more time he spent with Lita, the surer he was that she was truly special. That what was developing between them was more than just friendship. But Lita had made her position clear, so he hadn’t revisited the issue.
Lita got a spoon out of the drawer, scooped up some of the mashed potatoes, and held it out to him. “Tell me what you think.”
Trey let her feed him a mouthful of the creamy mashed potatoes. “Mmm…mmm…mmm.” He pressed a hand to his chest and shook his head. “Those are damn good mashed potatoes. Better than my mama’s.” He shook a finger. “But if you tell her I said so, I’ll deny it.”
Lita laughed, and the sweet sound of her laughter did things to his chest that he still couldn’t explain. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
“You two are sharing secrets now? I don’t know if I like the sound of that.” Meeka grinned as she stepped through the screen door with Jamil on her heels. She rubbed a circle on her growing baby bump. She hugged Lita tight before greeting him. “Good evening, Mr. Hampton, I hope my mother hasn’t been causing any trouble.”
“Nothing I can’t handle, Meeka.” Trey chuckled. “How was your nap?”
“Great. Thank you.” Meeka and Jamil exchanged a guilty glance.
Yep. That’s what he thought. A nap was code for having sex in the pool house.
He and the boys’ mother had taken lots of naps when she was pregnant with Jason. In fact, there was a point when he could barely keep up with his ex’s libido while she was pregnant.
“Wait…I know this trick.” Jamil assessed all the food set out on the stove and on the island. “This is the make-all-of-their-favorite-foods-and-then-drop-the-bomb trick. My dad has been pulling this one on me since I was a kid.”
Jamil and Meeka shifted their gaze first to him and then to Lita.
Meeka propped a hand on her hip. “Is that why you made my favorites: garlic parmesan mashed potatoes with dill butter and banana pudding?”
Lita narrowed her gaze at Jamil, and his son quickly shifted his gaze.
Trey couldn’t help snickering at that.
Be afraid, son, be very afraid.
“Relax, kids. We recognize the two of you are adults, so what you ultimately decide to do is up to you. But we do have a proposal for you.”
“What kind of proposal?” Meeka asked suspiciously.
“We were hoping to discuss it over dinner,” Lita interjected as she carried the dish to the back deck, where they’d decided to eat their dinner this warm evening.
“I’d feel better if you just told us now,” Meeka said. “Please.” She put her hand on her baby bump. “The anxiety isn’t good for me or the baby.”
“Oh, this heffa is good,” Lita told Trey, playfully, as she jerked a thumb toward her daughter. “She’s using our grandchild against us already.”
“C’mon, Mom,” Meeka whined.
Lita nodded to indicate it was okay to go ahead and make their proposal to the kids now.
“All right.” Trey leaned against the kitchen counter. He leveled his gaze with Jamil and Meeka, who stood together holding hands. “We’re proud of you two for being so committed to each other and to giving yo
ur child a solid, two-parent home.”
“But?” There was tension in Jamil’s voice and in his shoulders.
“But that doesn’t mean you need to make a mad dash to the altar. Just hear us out,” Trey added in response to the growing agitation on both of their faces. “We’re not suggesting you shouldn’t get married. We just hate to see you two rushing into a thrown-together ceremony. “Is that what you really want, Meeka?”
Tameeka’s scowl softened as everyone in the room turned toward her. She tucked one of her loose locs behind her ear. “I mean, it isn’t the wedding I hoped for, but it’ll be fine. You didn’t have a big wedding, Mom.”
“And neither did you, Dad,” Jamil added.
“And look how that turned out for us.” Lita cradled her daughter’s cheek. “You probably thought I cried at weddings because I was sappy and sentimental. But going to other people’s weddings always reminded me of what I missed out on never having the wedding I’d dreamed about. I don’t want you to have that kind of lifelong regret, sweetheart.”
Meeka didn’t respond right away. But then she said, “You’re saying our marriage won’t be successful if we don’t have a big, expensive wedding?”
“Of course not,” Lita said. “There are lots of people in long, happy marriages who had simple, civil ceremonies. I just don’t want you to look back on your wedding with regret, and you don’t need to. You two are engaged, and that’s great. Why not make it a long engagement? Give yourself a year. Then your dad and I can save up and give our only daughter the beautiful wedding she deserves.” Lita smiled.
“We don’t want to live apart for a year.” Meeka clutched her belly defensively. “We want to experience this pregnancy together.”
“And you will,” Trey said. “We’ll help you find off-campus housing.”
“And you two are already taking a second summer mini-semester online. So rather than dropping out of school, Meeka, why don’t you consider continuing online?” Lita suggested. “I know school will be challenging with a little one to take care of, but I’m willing to relocate for a year or two and help out with the baby while you take classes online.”