by Tina Martin
“You knew I’d find out about the engagement. That I’d have a direct hand in the booking process.”
“I did. Now, the ball is in your court, Kenton. I have a lot of money and a lot of influence, but unfortunately, I don’t have control over another man’s heart. Oh, and FYI, you don’t need to ask me for my daughter’s hand. You’ve been pre-approved.”
Kenton was almost speechless but managed to ask, “Do you feel this strongly against your daughter marrying Evan that you would secretly sabotage their union?”
“As I stated, Evan has his reasons, and he’s a fine young man. I’ll give him that. My problem with him is, he doesn’t light up my daughter’s soul the way you did. And another thing…one of the problems Lauren’s mother always complained about with me was that I worked all the time—was always away on business. Going here and there, especially when the girls were younger. I don’t want that for my daughter. Evan is a workaholic – the type of man who would put his career before his family. I can see that right now and they’re not even married yet.”
Kenton could see it, too. After all, Evan had stood Lauren up at the restaurant last night. Certainly, she wouldn’t go to a five-star place like Sullivan’s alone, dressed to impress only to have a glass of wine by herself. Well, he had gone solo for dinner, but that wasn’t her style.
“Lauren’s happiness is my ultimate concern,” Harvey said. “Until you get her back, I’m going to continue making arrangements for her and Evan’s three-day wedding weekend. So, I suggest you get to it.”
“Harvey, you’re forgetting one important piece of the puzzle here.”
“Yeah, and what might that be?”
“That not only is this outrageous but what makes you think I’m any different now from the way I was then? I didn’t want marriage.”
“Well, maybe now that you’ve had a couple of years to think about it, you’ve changed your mind. I’ve been asking around, Kenton, and the general consensus is, you haven’t been attached to a woman since Lauren. She must’ve made somewhat of an impression on that stubborn heart of yours.”
Kenton looked around the lush, deep green, well-manicured grounds, leaving Harvey’s comment open.
“The way I see it is, you owe it to yourself and her. Give it some thought.” Harvey whipped out his business card as casually as he would have handed one to a potential client. Handing it to him, he said, “Call me if you need to discuss anything.”
Kenton took the card, looked at it and slid it in the front, inner pocket of his suit jacket.
“I gotta hand it to you,” Harvey said. “This is a phenomenal location for a wedding. The upkeep is up to par and there’s ample space to do just about anything. I wouldn’t mind having a few business meetings here myself.”
“Then keep us in mind whenever you want to schedule something,” Kenton told him.
“I will, and you keep in mind what we’ve discussed today.”
Kenton pushed out a deep breath and gave Harvey a single nod.
Chapter 6
Lauren strolled along the sidewalk on the eighty-degree day, passing familiar shops, all of which she’d visited before – having been from this area originally and all. Today, she was heading to Island Street Deli for lunch and would grab something light that would hold her until dinner with her parents this evening. When she stepped inside the deli, she saw two familiar faces – Jessalyn and Davina Lennox. She smiled while watching the two of them conversing amongst themselves. She wasn’t close to them, but they had good, respectful relationships when she and Kenton were an item. When the relationship ended, so did the commonality that linked her with his sisters.
Deciding to be cordial, she walked over to their table and said, “Hello, ladies.”
Jessalyn’s mouth fell open. “Lauren!” She stood up from her chair and embraced her. “I heard you were back in town.”
Lauren wondered who she’d heard that from.
“It’s so good to see you,” Jessalyn said, releasing her. “You look gorgeous as always.”
“Thank you. So do you.”
And now Davina followed up with a hug. “O-M-G, how long has it been?” Davina asked.
“It’s definitely been a minute,” Lauren told them. “Hey, let me go grab a sandwich, and I’ll be right back. Do you mind if I join you two for lunch?”
“Are you kidding? You don’t even have to ask,” Jessalyn said.
“Yeah. Just come on back when you get your food.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
Lauren continued to the counter to order her food, then was back at the table shortly thereafter.
“How have you been?” Jessalyn asked.
“Good. Been working. Hanging in there. You know how that goes. Oh, and I’m engaged now.” Lauren took a bite of her turkey sub after she dropped the news.
“You are?” Jessalyn asked, bright-eyed and attentive.
Lauren nodded, then wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I am.”
“That’s awesome,” Jessalyn said.
“Yeah, awesome because she just recently got married, Lauren,” Davina told her.
It was Lauren’s turn to light up with surprise. “Jess, you’re married?”
Jessalyn was all smiles as she held up her hand, showing off her diamond. “I’m Jessalyn Wakefield now…married to the incredible, ever so fine, Spencer Wakefield.”
Davina playfully rolled her eyes. “You know Spencer, right, Lauren?”
“I know he’s friends with your brothers. I’ve seen him with them a few times when you know—when…um…when me and um…Kenton were together.” Dang it. She had to say his name. She hoped that didn’t trigger a full-fledged conversation about him.
“Oh. Right.” Jessalyn took a sip of water. “So, what’s your guy’s name?”
“What guy?” Lauren asked.
“Uh…the man you’re engaged to.”
“Oh, sorry. I spaced out there for a moment. His name is Evan Kaizer.”
“Evan,” Davina repeated. “Is he white or black?”
Lauren grinned. “He’s black, not that it matters.”
“Oh, no. I didn’t mean it like that. I was just curious…never met a black Evan.”
Lauren grinned. “Well, I can assure you…he’s definitely black.” Lauren took a sip of tea. “And I’m talking that rich-flavored, sweet black.”
The women chuckled together.
“Spencer is light-skinned, but he’s just as sweet,” Jessalyn said.
“Ay, don’t nobody wanna hear nothing about knucklehead Spencer,” Davina said. Spencer was like a brother to her and he loved him just like she loved Jessalyn, but she didn’t want to hear anything about their personal, private relationship.
“How long have you been engaged, Lauren?” Jessalyn inquired.
“Three months. Evan and I dated for nine months and have been engaged for three. Our parents plotted to have this outlandish, over-the-top engagement party at The Mountain Chateau Resort.”
Jessalyn glanced up at her. “That’s a Lennox Hotel.”
“Don’t I know it…”
“Then, I’m sure Kenton is aware that your party is booked there,” Davina said.
Lauren shrugged. “Maybe he is. Maybe he isn’t. I have no idea.” She took another bite of her sandwich.
“Have you seen Kenton?” Jessalyn asked.
Lauren glanced up at Jessalyn, taking the time to finish chewing her food. She knew her conversation with Jessalyn and Davina would inevitably turn into a discussion about Kenton at some point. It looked like they’d reached that point. “I saw Kenton twice and kept it moving both times. Listen, ladies, I realize you only know the person I was when I was with your brother, but I’ve moved on. I’m engaged now, and I’m happy with Evan.”
“Well, that’s all that matters, right?” Davina asked.
“Right,” Lauren responded, her voice lacking conviction.
“But something has always puzzled me,” Jessalyn said. “I thought
you and my brother were happy.”
Lauren hunched up a shoulder. “We were.”
“Then why’d you break up with him?”
Lauren’s brows raised. “Why’d I break up with him?”
“Yeah. I mean, if you were happy and all…?”
“Okay, let’s set the record straight. I may have been the one who walked away, but I wasn’t the one doing the breaking. Kenton didn’t want a commitment, and I wasn’t about to waste my time, so—”
“So, you just ended it?” Jessalyn asked. “Just walked away like he wasn’t worth your time?”
Lauren took a breath. “It wasn’t like that, Jess. I didn’t want the relationship to end, but I did want a man who could commit to me. Even after we broke up, I tried calling Kenton and he never returned any of my calls. He gave no indication, whatsoever, that we could talk about it or nothing like that. It was just…well…over and I had to come to terms with that. Granted, it wasn’t easy, but what choice did I have?”
Jessalyn took a sip of water. “You could’ve waited.”
Lauren raised a brow. “Waited?”
“Yes.”
“And what exactly would I have been waiting for?”
“For Kenton to realize how much he loved you and didn’t want to lose you.”
Lauren shook her head. “If he loved me, or cared just a smidgen, I would’ve heard from him don’t you think?”
“Not necessarily,” Davina replied. “Kenton is not the best when it comes to emotions and expressing his feelings.”
“Well, it’s all a moot point now.”
“Not particularly, at least from his end. My brother hasn’t been involved with a woman since you two broke up.”
Lauren grinned, then laughed. “You want me to believe that smooth-talking, charming, Kenton Lennox hasn’t been with anyone since we broke up.”
“It’s the truth,” Davina said. “He talks a good game, but I’ve never seen him with another woman. And I think I know why.” She narrowed her eyes.
“Well, whatever the reason, there’s nothing I can do for him now. I hope he’s happy with his job and whatever else he’s pursuing in life.”
“I’m sure he wishes the same for you,” Jessalyn said. “But, enough talk about Kenton. I have more exciting news to share.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yes. I’m opening my very own souvenir shop! Summit Souvenirs and Gifts.”
“Congratulations, Jess,” Lauren said. “That’s amazing.”
“I know. I’m over the moon excited. I would love for you to come to the grand opening this Saturday.”
“I’m there. Well, I’ll have to confirm it with Evan first.”
“Yeah. Of course.”
“But I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”
“Cool. I’m so glad you’re back.”
Lauren smiled. “Thanks, Jessalyn.”
Chapter 7
Kenton opened the door to Remington’s office. He didn’t give his brother any indication of his presence. He just barged in to find Remington on the phone. And since Remington was smiling, he must’ve been talking to Emory.
“Anyway, sweetheart, I have to run,” he was saying. “I’ll see you this evening. I love you, too.” Remington hung up the phone and gave Kenton his attention.
“What are you smiling about?” Kenton asked. He was in a funky mood and Remington looked like he was high on love or something closely related to it.
“Emmie always makes me smile,” he said, glancing at a picture of them on his desk.
Kenton rolled his eyes. How did marriage make his brother so happy when he was once dead set against it?
“What brings you by this morning, charging into my office and interrupting a phone call between me and my lady? Do you have a solution to the dilemma surrounding Jessalyn’s shop?”
“I do, and it wasn’t much of a dilemma to begin with, but hold your thoughts on that because it’s not why I’m here.”
“No?” Remington crossed his legs. Gave his brother his full attention.
“No.” Kenton suspired and covered his face briefly.
“Then, do you care to enlighten me?”
Kenton glanced up at his brother. He was in full, CEO mode today he could tell. “I had an interesting meeting yesterday.”
“I heard you left the office. Do you have some new clients on the hook?”
“Not particularly. I was at The Mountain Chateau. Jarrod was scheduled to give Harvey Chandler a tour of the ballroom and the grounds. I thought I’d step in and do the honors.”
“Oh. I see.” Remington threaded his hands behind his head and listened.
“I figured it’s the least I could do since he was spending so much money on the place.”
“Right,” Remington said, offering up an enigmatic smile. “And I’m sure that’s the only reason you wanted to meet with him, right? Even though we both know that Jarrod—one of, if not the best salesman on the team—is perfectly suited to handle a high-profile businessman like Harvey Chandler.”
Kenton’s jaw twitched, but he should’ve seen this coming. Remington was smart enough to read into any situation, and he’d read this one right out the gate. “You’re right. Jarrod could’ve handled it, but I wanted to take care of it. I didn’t expect that I’d have a conversation with Harvey about Lauren, though.”
“What kind of conversation?”
“One where he tells me that he doesn’t know what happened between me and Lauren and, in not so many words, he said he didn’t think Evan was right for his daughter.”
Remington lifted a brow. “He told you that?”
“He did. Said she still loved me.”
“Whoa. That’s mighty bold of him to say. How would he know if she was still in love with you? That doesn’t come across as father-daughter conversation to me.”
“According to his way of seeing things, when I was with Lauren, she was genuinely happy. Now, he doesn’t see that between her and this new guy, Evan, and he thinks it’s because she’s still in love with me. In fact, he proceeds to tell me that the only reason he booked The Mountain Chateau is because he knew it was a Lennox hotel and I would get wind of Lauren’s engagement.”
“Wow,” Remington said, rubbing his chin.
“Wow is right.”
“Chandler’s bold. I’ll give him that.”
“Yeah. Bold…” Kenton said, shaking his head. “I wasn’t prepared for any of this, Rem. What am I supposed to do now?”
“Nothing.”
Kenton raised a brow. “Nothing?”
“Yeah. Nothing. There’s no need to stress yourself out about it. It’s not like you want Lauren, right? So, skip everything her father said and just do you. Live the life you’ve been living without her. You’ve been doing just fine these past couple of years. Am I right?”
“I know you’re being sarcastic, but I have been doing fine.”
Remington smirked. He knew better. “You know what’s really crazy about all of this, Kent? Even more outrageous than Harvey approaching you with this?”
“What’s that?”
“I knew how much you loved Lauren. In many ways, I think you still do, which would explain why there hasn’t been a woman since her. The only advice I can give you without actually telling you what to do is, be honest with yourself. If it were me, I know I couldn’t watch the woman I love walk down the aisle with another man.” Remington threw up his palms. “But, hey, that’s me being real with myself.”
Kenton threaded his hands together and dropped his head. “I just—” his voice faded. “I don’t know how you and Giovanni were able to give your hearts away so easily.”
Remington’s brows darted up. “You think it was easy for me?” He chuckled.
“Okay, not necessarily, but look—Emory is wonderful for you, and I know how much Giovanni loves Joelle. I just don’t see how you two could be those kind of men—husbands and whatnot—after all we’ve been through. Growing up without a mother, a father.
No guidance.”
Remington lowered his arms to his desk, leaned forward and said, “I was there for you as much as I could be, Kenton.”
“I know that Rem, and I’m not discounting anything you’ve done for me. I just—I don’t know how to be a family man because I was never taught to be one. What example do I have?”
“You have me. You have Giovanni. Spencer’s married to Jess. You have us as examples.”
“Well, now, yes. I was referring to when we were growing up. What example did I have then? There was none, and now I’m supposed to be this person that I’m not. I have to be honest with myself. I couldn’t be the man Lauren needed me to be back then and I can’t be that man now.”
“Okay. As long as you can live with that, then fine. But, as your brother, I’m asking you to at least consider having a conversation with her. She’s a nice woman. Back then, I thought she was perfect for you. Gosh, the girl did everything in her power to impress you. To make you happy. All she wanted was you. And you knew that. So, talk to her. Once she’s married to Evan, it’ll be much more difficult to convince her of your true feelings. You still have time now. That’s all I’m saying. That’s all I will say.”
“Well, I guess that’s my cue to head on back to my corner of this building,” Kenton said standing, heading for the door.
“Yeah and think seriously about what I said while you’re in your corner.”
* * *
As soon as Kenton stepped inside of his office, his desk phone was ringing. He rushed to grab it. “Hello?”
“Hey, Kent.”
“What’s up, Jess?”
“Nothing much. Just giving my brothers a friendly reminder that there will be no football being played this Saturday.”
Kenton cracked a smile. “I know. Your grand opening is Saturday, and yes, I will be there.”
“Great. That’s all I wanted. You can go back to staring at your computer now.” She chuckled.
He could envision her rosy cheeks as she did so.