by Jacki Kelly
“How are you settling in?” Simeon asked.
“Good. I’m getting organized. Thanks for offering the office space. Now, when I have several meetings here, I won’t have to squat in a conference room. I’m already talking to your staff about other projects.” Bishop held his hands together to contain his excitement.
“Catherine has the key for you. Also, I’m scheduling a meeting for next week to discuss the finishing touches on the Community Center. And my wife’s is doing a fashion show in New York in a few weeks. I’d like you to check out the set and make sure everything is safe and well built. I don’t want any accidents.”
Bishop jotted notes. “No problem.”
“I don’t have much time this afternoon. I really need to talk with my sister-in-law. I don’t want to keep her waiting.” He glanced at his watch.
“Your sister-in-law?”
“Dakota, yes.” Simeon stood up and hesitated for a moment. “This is going to be really tight. I may have to do some juggling.”
“Is something wrong?”
“I’ll need to give her a ride home after we talk, but I have a meeting with legal in less than an hour. I don’t know how I’m going to—”
Bishop stood up. “Let me help. I can take her home for you.”
Simeon looked at his watch again and winced. “I don’t know. Would you mind doing that for me?”
“No problem. I don’t have any appointments until later this afternoon.”
Simeon jotted her address on a slip of paper and handed it to him before escorting him to the door. “Thanks. I really appreciate the help. If you can wait for her, we shouldn’t be too long.”
As they walked out, Dakota sprang out of her seat, so startled that the magazine in her lap fell at her feet.
Bishop walked over, picked it up, and handed the glossy to her along with his brightest smile.
“Thank you.” Her voice was lyrical.
He nodded and watched her follow Simeon into the office. She wasn’t long and slender like most of the girls he dated, but her butt was nice, round, and the perfect size. She looked like she was smoldering just beneath the surface. All she needed was someone to ignite her blaze. She would probably make good company.
“Bishop, here’s the key to your office. It’s located down the hall, the first door on the left after the big conference room.” Catherine dangled the key on a Harper Enterprise keychain in front of him.
“Thanks. Simeon asked me if I would hang around and give his sister-in-law a ride home.”
“Well that’s no way to spend your day. Running errands for your boss.”
“No, it’s not like that. He was going to, but I offered so he could make his meeting this afternoon. I don’t mind. She’s very pretty.”
Catherine lifted one eyebrow, studying his face. “I see. Well, I guess you know what you’re doing. But you should know she’s dating Simeon’s brother.” She turned back to her computer and began tapping on the keys.
“Oh…I-I…” He turned around to glimpse the closed door to Simeon’s office. He took the seat he’d occupied earlier and intertwined his hands. One less beauty on the market. Too bad. How he’d never noticed those striking features before was odd. Even now, he couldn’t wait for her to come back.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. Hard. At least he hadn’t said anything to Dakota that could’ve been considered inappropriate, and he planned to make sure he didn’t. The job with Harper Enterprise was too lucrative to screw up. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and scanned his contact list. He’d find someone else to keep him warm as the weather grew colder. The sudden vibration of his cell phone jolted him back to the present. Sharon’s name was displayed on the screen. He shoved the phone back in his pocket. Not now. Not her. Not ever.
§§§
The moment Brian had left, Dakota become invisible. Nobody ever noticed she was in the room. But Bishop Contee had looked at her like she mattered. For the first time in months, she felt her heart racing and the accompanying guilt for wanting more washed over her.
She blinked and focused on her brother-in-law. “I can’t wait to find out what was so important that I had to trek down here during the busiest part of my day.”
“I hope I didn’t inconvenient you too much, but I wanted to talk to you in a private place where we wouldn’t be interrupted.” Instead of taking the seat behind his desk in the large leather chair, he sat beside her in the straight back chair facing his desk.
“What is it, Simeon? You’re starting to worry me.”
“How have you been?” He placed his hand on her arm. This was bad news.
She pulled her arm away, crossing them over her chest and glared at him. “Just tell me. Has something happened to Brian?” She unfolded her arms and gripped the sides of the chair. Her head suddenly felt light and unanchored.
“Brian is fine. He sent something for you to listen to.”
“What is it? Why did he send it to you?” Her voice sounded high-pitched and squeaky.
Simeon’s face tightened. He averted his eyes. Dakota moved to the edge of the chair. The fuzzy feeling in her head thickened. He rounded his desk and opened a drawer. He pulled an old cassette recorder out and set the contraption on the desk in front of her.
“What is this about?” She looked around expecting to see balloons or a clown. This had to be some kind of joke, but Simeon wasn’t smiling.
She shifted in her chair to get closer to the desk. The grim look in Simeon’s eyes pleaded for understanding. Her thoughts cleared, like someone finally lifted the curtain exposing the stage. She shot out of the chair. “Are you telling me Brian is breaking up with me by way of you? What did he do, send you a text message to tell me we’re through?” She chuckled hard.
“Please sit down, Dakota.” Simeon rubbed her shoulder. “He sent me a tape that he wants you to listen to. He said he wanted to tell you the other night, but your call was disconnected.”
“We haven’t been able to have a decent conversation in months. He’s in some remote area.”
“He didn’t want you to be alone when you heard what he had to say. He thought this would be a better way. But if you prefer, I can leave the room.”
“No, please stay. I’m already humiliated, so what does it matter now? Let’s call your assistant in too and anybody else who might like to witness the most embarrassing thing in my life since I tripped across the stage at my high school graduation.” She started for the door, but Simeon pulled her back.
“Are you going to be okay?”
She sighed and motioned for Simeon to sit.
He popped a beat-up cassette tape into the recorder that was just as ancient, then looked over at her.
“This was the only thing he could find to record his message.”
“Have you listened to the tape, yet?”
“No. He sent instructions on how he wanted this done. I shouldn’t be in here listening to this either. You know how meticulous Brian is.”
“Not meticulous enough to do this in person, but if you leave me alone, I’m going to scream like a banshee.” She huffed and flopped back in the chair.
After nodding, Simeon started the tape. Brian cleared his throat several times. “Dakota, I know this is a horrible way to communicate something so important, but I had no other choice. I’ve been trying to tell you this for weeks.” He paused. “I’ve accepted another mission assignment. In Central America this time. I’m leaving Haiti in two days. I don’t expect you to understand, but I have to do this. The need is so great. I really care about you. More than I thought I could care about anyone. But you deserve more than I can offer.” His voice dropped. “I’m not husband material. I think I always knew that and hoped I could change for you. But I can’t change over thirty years of dysfunction. Go on with your life. Our paths might cross sometime in the future.”
Dakota looked over at her brother-in-law. His head was down, studying the crease in his slacks.
“Please find it in y
our heart to forgive me for telling you this way and…and for leaving.” The tape ended and the only sound was a whooshing like a big wind. No “goodbye”. No “I’ll miss you.” No “I love you”. Nothing. Pretty much the same way she felt. This had been coming for months, like locusts returning to a field.
She should be more upset. Throwing something across the room or kicking the desk might have been an appropriate response, but she didn’t feel emotional. Maybe she’d let him down by not being supportive enough of his philanthropic efforts. Had Brian been upset as he recorded the message? Did he worry that his farewell might make her sad? He was too pragmatic to really care about such things. He saw the world as one big picture instead of realizing everyone had an individual snapshot.
Dakota straightened her legs in front of her, resting the tips of her boots on the base of Simeon’s desk. They sat in silence for several minutes. She drummed her fingers against the chair while waiting for the tears or the aching in her chest.
“Has he found someone else?” she asked.
“I don’t think he has. He’s honest, he would have said so. I think he’s crazy about you. He’s just not the kind of guy who can stay put for long.”
“You’re taking up for your brother. You know this is wrong.” She pointed her index finger at him.
He shook his head. “I’m not saying this is right. If he were here, I’d pop him upside his head. I just want you to be fine with the way this turned out.”
“I’m going to leave now.” She stared at the ceiling.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” He embraced her.
She bit her lip, contemplating her reply. She should be in tears. The hollowness in her chest wasn’t because of Brian’s message. She should have been brave enough to do the same thing months ago, while they could still use the phones like normal people. But she was a coward. She’d planned the same conversation when he came home. Anything was better than sending a Dear John letter. She lifted her hair off her neck.
“We were drifting apart. So this isn’t a surprise. Even if I don’t approve of his method, I’m glad he finally pulled the Band-Aid off. I feel like I can breathe now.”
“Do you want to take the tape? It’s yours.”
She paused and gave him her full attention. “No. I don’t need a reminder. I got the gist of what he wanted to say. Why don’t you keep it? If he ever comes back to Bristol, give the damn thing to him.”
He nodded. “I’ll keep it in case you change your mind.”
“Who else knows about this, Simeon?”
“No one. I haven’t even told your sister. This is your story to tell.”
“Your brother is a jerk. But I won’t hold that against you.” She kissed his cheek and left the office.
Chapter Four
The door to Simeon’s office opened and Dakota walked out first. Instead of the big, bright smile she wore going in, her mouth was pinched tight.
Bishop knew enough not to ask questions. With the unhappy look on her face, she obviously didn’t want to talk. If she wanted a ride, he’d take her where she needed to go. Nothing more. This one he had to leave alone. Her beauty was undeniable not sewn on, glued in, or baked on. A lot of good that would do him now since she was off limits. He shoved his hands in his pockets.
Simeon draped his arm over her shoulder and gave her a reassuring hug. “Bishop is going to take you home. I hope you don’t mind, but he’s doing this for me so I can get to a meeting.”
“I can walk back to the bookstore.” All the animation was gone from her voice. What could have happened in those few minutes in Simeon’s office to short circuit the laughter he’d seen in her eyes?
“Let Bishop take you home, Dakota. I don’t want you to be alone right now.”
“Simeon, I’m fine. Really, I am. I don’t like being away from the bookstore.”
“Take some time,” Simeon persisted. “Go home.”
“Okay. If you insist.”
Bishop held the outer door open. Dakota walked in front of him, leaving the scent of roses in her wake.
She gave Simeon a two-fingered wave before proceeding to the elevator. Bishop wanted to support her elbow, but decided against touching her. She appeared fragile and ready to flee. Her boots squeaked against the tile floor.
While they waited for the elevator, she rocked back and forth.
“Can I carry your backpack for you?” He wanted to assist her somehow.
“No. This is really my pocketbook. So I better handle it.” She adjusted the bag on her shoulders and tightened the straps. “I’m sure you don’t want to be seen carrying my purse.”
“I’d carry you if that’s what you needed. I don’t care what people think.”
“I’m okay.” She stepped into the elevator and backed into a corner Bishop pushed the button for the lobby.
“Bad news, huh?”
She glanced at the ceiling of the elevator while tracing her tongue over her lips. He couldn’t look away. Her gesture wasn’t sexual, but it stirred him, as if she’d looked him in the eyes and dared him to watch her.
“Expected news.” She finally looked at him. “Look, I know Simeon was being nice, but I really don’t need a ride home. I’m fine. You can go do something more important.”
“I’m sorry, but a promise is a promise.” He led her out to the parking garage. After she was settled in the car, he closed the door, and walked to the driver side. Usually, troubled women sent him sprinting. But something about her vulnerability made him want to help. Be supportive. She was like magnet, pulling him closer.
“I live on Pocahontas Avenue.
“I know. Simeon gave me the address.”
“How did you get stuck with taxi duty?”
“Not stuck. I volunteered. Simeon was in a pinch. I wanted to help him.” He shrugged, hoping she wouldn’t read anything more into his comment.
“Here I thought you were helping a damsel in distress.” Her voice softened.
“Don’t get it twisted. I’m where I want to be.”
“I see. I could take that several ways.” She managed a smile.
“Let me clarify for you. You look like you could use a friend right now. I’m being your friend.” He glanced at her legs, but quickly returned his attention to the road. Good thing she didn’t live far. The sooner he delivered her home, the better. He wasn’t use to having women as chums, pals, or buddies.
“Oh, what about my car? I left it parked at Harper Enterprise.” She glanced out the rear window as if she expected to see her vehicle following them.
“Don’t worry.” I’ll make sure you get your vehicle back.” He assured her.
She readjusted in the seat. “Do you mind if we stop and get a cup of coffee? I don’t usually drink caffeine this late in the day, but I really need a jolt. There’s a little coffee shop on the next corner.” She pointed.
“Sure. No problem.” He slowed the car, then parallel parked into the open spot.
Bishop escorted her inside the store. The smell of espresso welcomed them. After placing their orders for two large mocha lattes, Bishop reached for his wallet.
“This is my treat. I can’t expect you to drive me home and buy me coffee. I think you’ve endured enough for one day.”
She pulled her purse off her shoulder and opened the zipper. He placed his hand on top of the bag to stop her. “I can’t let you pay. I’ve got this. Why don’t you get us a seat? I’ll bring the drinks over.”
She meandered through the maze of tables to one near the window. Her colorful boots were the only thing cheery about her now. The twinkle in her eyes from earlier had disappeared, along with her ready smile. She unraveled the long yellow scarf around her neck and draped it on the back of the chair.
With their orders in hand, Bishop made his way to the table. Dakota had her chin propped in the palm of her hand and gazed out the window.
He slid the cup in front of her. “Here you go. It looks like you could use a pick-me-up.”
“Thank you. This is very nice of you.” She held the cup between her hands. “Tonight is going to be cold.” She could have been talking to anyone because she wasn’t looking at him.
“You don’t have to make small talk for me. It’s obvious you don’t feel like chatting.”
“That’s not true. I do feel like talking. I feel like screaming.”
“Then go ahead. Let loose.”
She looked around and shook her head. “I don’t think so. Not here.”
“Okay, we’ll do things your way. Yes, the temperature is dropping. But that’s okay, right?”
She faced him. “Cold is good. I will have an excuse to hibernate without having to explain my whereabouts. No one expects too much when the weather gets chilly.”
“You sound like you want to go into hiding.”
“I just want to be alone with my thoughts for a while.” She looked into his eyes. “Have you ever started your day one way and then something happens to turn everything upside down?”
“Yes. That happens to everybody at least once.” He nodded.
“Yeah, but it stinks.”
“After a good night’s sleep, whatever happened is never as bad as you thought.”
Without replying, she smirked.
“Would you like to talk about what happened back there?”
“We are talking about it.” She took a sip of coffee.
The late afternoon sun fell across her golden-colored skin, illuminating her even complexion. He wanted to run his finger along her jawline to see if she was as soft as she looked. The contrast between her smooth skin and her naturally curly hair made her look unique. Her large brown eyes searched his face. He could see pain behind her long dark lashes. Why was he just noticing her today?
“Tell me again how many times we’ve met.”
“We were never formally introduced. But I’ve seen you at every party or public meeting held by Harper Enterprise over the last year. You’re working on the community center aren’t you?”
“I am. But I can’t believe I never noticed you before.”