Sabrina patted Kacey’s cheek. “I know. And you know why? Because I never let the narrow minds of this town convince me otherwise. I turned my life around for you, your brother, and your sisters. Not for anyone else.”
“I know, Momma.”
“And if you want to spend a night with a sexy trucker, fine. Just don’t get your mind all wrapped up in happily-ever-after. Go in, scratch that itch, and move on. As long as you keep your heart out of things, you’re fine.”
A lecture she’d heard repeatedly since her ill-advised teenage stint with love. “Momma, I didn’t hook up with that guy. I stayed out late and went out early. That’s all.” She walked away and flipped the pages of the magazine on the table. Mostly because she couldn’t lie and look her momma directly in the eye. “Good thing, too. Turns out he’s Reggie’s friend Aaron Henderson.”
“The guy Reggie is always bragging about?”
Kacey nodded and turned away from the magazine. “One and the same. Reggie’s letting him stay in the apartment upstairs while they work out the potential merger.”
“That was nice of him.”
Nice wasn’t the word Kacey would use to describe her brother’s actions. Rash and inconsiderate topped the list. “Yeah.”
“Well, if that’s the case, then I hope you didn’t sleep with him.”
“I didn’t!” she said with enough emphasis to almost convince herself.
“Good. Reggie will cancel the entire deal if he thought his friend was sleeping with one of his sisters.”
Cancel the deal was an understatement. When Reggie found out about her “relationship” at seventeen, he’d come home and beaten Dewayne to a bloody pulp. So much so her momma had almost not called the police to report the guy for having sex with her underage daughter. In the end she did, and the police had ignored the bruises after everything was explained. Reggie had become hypervigilant about Kacey and her sisters’ reputations and the guys they dated ever since.
Boyfriend cheating: Reggie handled him. Guy at the bar being too handsy: Reggie handled him. Falling in love but not quite sure the guy felt the same: Reggie would force the confession or get him to break things off. Kacey thanked heaven for Camila every day. She’d kept him busy since they’d gotten married so that his warden-like tendencies hadn’t been as bad.
“Reggie can stop defending our honor,” Kacey said. “None of us are virgins waiting on marriage.”
Sabrina chuckled. “True, but your brother is old enough to remember the way people talked about me after I had your youngest sister. Add to that the fights he got in over you girls, and I guess he has the right to be overprotective.”
“Fights he started.”
“You’d rather he didn’t try to look out for you, Monique, and Ashlei?”
Kacey huffed, but she didn’t contradict her momma. Reggie was overbearing and way too protective, but he’d kept a lot of assholes out of her and her sister’s lives. “He’s not our daddy.”
“No, he’s not, he’s just your big brother. Speaking of daddies, did you call yours?”
“No, is he okay?”
“Yeah, I think Brenda is sick again. Or at least that was the word in the restaurant last night. You might want to call and check on her.”
Kacey would rather summon the dead than talk to her dad’s wife. Brenda had long stopped blaming Kacey for the brief affair he’d had with Sabrina. Now her momma, dad, and his wife had formed a tentative alliance. Her dad refused to stay out of Kacey’s life, something her brother and sisters didn’t have. So even though Kacey was uncomfortable with the friendship, she wouldn’t begrudge what her siblings didn’t have.
“Brenda doesn’t want me to check on her.”
“Then call your daddy and let him know you’re checking on her. He’ll appreciate that.”
“Fine, I’ll call Daddy.”
“Good.” Sabrina handed Kacey a few papers that were on the counter. “I also came by to drop off my answers to your interview questions.”
Kacey skimmed through her momma’s handwritten answers to Kacey’s questions about why she’d started Momma’s Kitchen and her ideas for the second restaurant. Kacey’s master’s thesis involved putting together the plan to open another location in Chattanooga. Though she’d worked at Momma’s Kitchen since she was a teenager, and she knew the ins and outs of the place, she hadn’t known enough about branching out into a second or possibly third location. That was why she’d gone back to graduate school.
“You could have e-mailed them.”
“Then I wouldn’t have gotten to see my shining star.” Sabrina beamed at Kacey. “I’m so proud of you, Kacey. You’re the first one in the family to go so far in school. Don’t let nothing stop you.”
“I won’t, Momma.”
“That’s my girl. Even though I’m glad you didn’t sleep with Reggie’s friend, I’m still not sure you didn’t spend the night somewhere else.” Sabrina clasped Kacey’s face between her hands. “You need to get laid, sweetheart.” She let Kacey’s face go.
“Sorry to disappoint you,” Kacey said with sarcasm.
“Never that. What time are you coming in tonight?” Sabrina grabbed her clutch bag off the table.
“I’ll be there at seven. I really need to get started on my outline for my project.”
“Take your time. Now that school’s starting again, you’re back on flex scheduling.”
“Thanks, Momma.”
“No problem, baby.” She went to the door, opened it, and peered up at the apartment. “Good thing you didn’t take him home. That’s a whole lotta temptation up a couple of flights of stairs.”
“Tell me about it,” Kacey said under her breath.
Sabrina looked back with a raised brow. “What was that?”
Kacey smiled and shook her head. “Nothing.”
Sabrina raised a brow. “Sure. See you later, baby.”
Chapter 9
That evening, Aaron got out of Reggie’s shiny burgundy Toyota Tundra into the parking lot of Momma’s Kitchen. Much like the night before, there were plenty of cars in the lot, and the sound of music along with the smell of great food drifting from the building. After he’d checked out and moved his stuff into the apartment above Kacey—he still didn’t know if that was good or bad—he’d met up with Reggie back at R&H Transportation. Instead of going over business, they’d spent the last two hours just catching up before their growling stomachs had them off in search of food.
Reggie grinned at Aaron. “Hope you don’t mind eating at the same place two nights in a row.”
“Nah, I’m good. The food was great.”
They crossed the threshold. The same cute young woman stood behind the hostess stand. Her eyes lit up when she saw Reggie. She hurried around the podium and flung her arms around him.
“Reggie, what brings you in here tonight?”
Reggie pulled out of the woman’s embrace and pointed his thumb at Aaron. “My friend Aaron is in town. Thought I’d show the place off, but he came in here last night.”
She looked at Aaron and her smile turned wicked. “Came back for more, cutie?”
Reggie’s brows drew together, and Aaron chuckled. He slapped his hands on Reggie’s shoulders. “Just for the food.”
“Too bad,” she said in an inviting voice.
Reggie pushed her shoulder. “Stop it, Ashlei.”
Aaron’s eyes widened. “This is your baby sister, Ashlei? The last picture I saw of her she was just a little thing.” Between Monique, Kacey, and Ashlei, Aaron understood Reggie’s need to be protective of his sisters. The three had their own brand of sexy going on.
Ashlei’s face, with deep dimples and expressive light brown eyes, eyes that were full of mischief, turned his way. “I’m not so little anymore.”
“Just show us to a table and let Momma and Camila know we’re here,” Reggie grumbled.
She led them to a table close to the stage. She kissed Reggie’s cheek and ran her hand across Aaron’s shoulders as
she walked away. Respect for his friend kept Aaron from watching her walk away—his normal reaction if a cute waitress had done that to him.
“Your sister is funny,” Aaron said. Reggie grunted and Aaron laughed. “I feel your pain, dude. I’ve got a baby sister, too.”
“You’ve got one, I’ve got three.” Reggie looked around the room with a scowl. “And every man in here is trying to get to know them better, if you know what I mean.”
“They’re all grown women. I’m sure they can handle things.”
“Maybe, but I’ve also made it known to the regulars. Screw with one of my sisters and you have to deal with me.” Reggie cracked his knuckles.
Aaron decided against commenting. His baby sister was one of the biggest flirts he knew, and while Aaron definitely tried to avoid knowing everything about her dating history, he’d trusted her judgment. Even when she’d started dating his longtime best friend, instead of getting upset he’d been glad to see both of them happy. He doubted Reggie would extend the same reasoning toward Aaron and Kacey.
Not like Aaron was planning to marry Kacey or anything. But he definitely wouldn’t mind a repeat of their fiery night—if it wouldn’t cost him the biggest business merger of his life.
“Hey, baby, you came in,” a female voice came from behind Aaron.
He and Reggie turned to see a beautiful, pregnant Dominican woman Aaron immediately recognized at Camila. Camila’s thick, dark shoulder-length hair was pulled into a ponytail at the base of her neck, and there was a blush beneath her light brown skin. She wore a pink V-neck Momma’s Kitchen T-shirt that clung to her round baby belly and black leggings. Reggie stood to wrap his arms around her shoulders. Compared to Reggie, she looked like a munchkin.
Reggie placed a hand on her very round belly. “I decided to have dinner here tonight. How are you feeling? I wish you’d stop working in the kitchen.”
“I’m no good a waiting tables, Reggie, you know that. I’d much rather help out in the kitchen.” She turned to Aaron and held out a hand. “You must be Aaron. I’m glad to finally meet you.” He took her hand, and she tugged on it until he stood. “We’re practically family. Give me a hug.”
Aaron laughed and returned her tight hug. “It’s great to finally meet you, Camila.”
“Same here. Reggie’s told me all the crazy stories about you two in college. I can’t believe that’s the same man that I married. He’s so straight and proper now.” Love and affection for Reggie filled Camila’s voice.
Reggie ran a hand over his head. “College was the time for that. Now I’m a man with responsibilities.”
Camila pinched his cheeks. “Responsibilities doesn’t mean you can’t let go every once in a while. Or try to come in here and not scowl at every man in the building.”
Aaron glanced around at the other waitresses. “I don’t blame Reggie for being overprotective. He’s got a family full of beautiful women.”
Reggie’s soft punch still tipped Aaron to the side. “Eyes in your head and off my family’s assets.” He grinned at Aaron, who held up his hands.
“You two sit down and enjoy the show while I put together something for you to eat.” She kissed Reggie. “I’ll come sit with you in a little bit.”
Reggie kissed her again, an adoring look of love on his face. Camila whispered something to him in Spanish before winking and strolling back to the kitchen.
Aaron shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day when you were smitten by a woman.”
“I never thought I’d see that day either. Being on the road was my love for so long I didn’t think I’d ever give her up. Plus, driving gave me an escape from my family.”
“I get that.” Aaron loved his family, but getting away and doing whatever he wanted without them poking their noses in his business was another perk of his job. “Your mom has a nice setup in here.” He glanced around the restaurant.
“Yeah, she does. Building this place took a lot of hard work and sacrifice. When she first opened the place, so many people in town underestimated her, but she showed them. What sucks is that there are enough people who remember her rocky start and still try to bring it up every now and then.”
“That’s their problem, not yours.”
“Easy for you to say. You don’t have a mother with a reputation.”
“That was years ago, Reggie.”
Reggie shifted in his seat and looked uncomfortable. “She stopped having babies, but she didn’t become a nun. I’ll leave it at that.”
Aaron decided to leave that alone.
The bartender from the night before headed their way—Monique, if he remembered what her name tag had said—Reggie’s other sister.
She had two bottles of beer in her hand, and she placed one on the table in front of Reggie. “What’s got you frowning now, big brother?”
“The usual. Monique, meet Aaron.”
Monique’s long lashes fluttered as she turned dark eyes his way. “Oh, I remember you. Decided to return and take the path of least resistance, huh?” She leaned over to place the beer on the table before Aaron, providing a generous view down the vee of her shirt. Aaron was proud of the way he pretended not to notice.
“Just came back for the food,” Aaron said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Reggie asked.
“Put up your shotgun, Reggie. I tried to take him home, but he turned me down and left alone.” She rubbed Reggie’s shoulders.
Reggie glared up at his sister. “Don’t you have work to do?”
“Going back to the bar now.” She smiled at Aaron. “I get off at eleven, in case you wanted to know.”
“He doesn’t,” Reggie said.
Aaron chuckled as she walked away. “I think your sisters do this to you on purpose.”
“I know they do it on purpose. They think I’m overprotective.”
“Didn’t you break one guy’s arm for messing with a sister?”
Reggie shrugged. “That guy deserved it. He was older, and Kacey was still in high school.”
Aaron leaned back in his chair and his brows drew together. “That’s what happened?” Aaron remembered when Reggie hurried home from college to “handle” a guy messing around with Peanut. When Reggie came back, he glossed over most of what happened, only saying he broke the guy’s arm during an altercation.
“Yeah, the jackass had her thinking he was in love. That he would marry her after she graduated. To say the family was pissed is an understatement.”
“Okay, now I get the overprotective vibe.” Especially when it came to Kacey.
“I’m not as bad as I was after that. And they flirt, a lot, but for the most part it’s just for show. They tend to turn things up a notch when my friends are involved.”
“Have any of them ever dated one of your friends?” Aaron tried to sound casual and sipped his beer.
Reggie scowled. “Hell no. That’s much too close to home.”
“I used to think the same, until Janiyah married my boy Fred.”
“You were cool with that?”
Aaron chuckled and lifted his shoulder. “After watching them pretend not to like each other for years, it was kind of a relief.”
That broke Reggie’s scowl and he chuckled. “That sounds like an extreme case.” Reggie’s gaze shifted and his smile widened. “Aaron, this is my mom, Sabrina Holmes.”
Aaron turned in his chair and met the warm golden eyes of a woman he would never have guessed to be Reggie’s mother. Average height, but that was the only reason that word could be used. Her golden brown skin barely showed a hint at her age, a short and sassy haircut highlighted honey blonde, and a toned body that put women half her age to shame.
“This is your mother?”
“It is.” Reggie stood again and gave her a hug when she reached the table. “Momma, this is my friend Aaron.”
Aaron also stood and smiled. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Ms. Holmes.”
She waved a hand and shook her head. “Don’t
you dare call me Ms. Holmes. I’m Momma to Reggie, but you can call me Sabrina.”
Aaron held out his hand for her to shake; instead she gave him a big hug. “Boy, we hug around here.” When she pulled back, her amber eyes swept appreciatively over him and slim fingers clutched his upper arms. “So you’re Aaron. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Her hands squeezed his biceps. Is she sizing me up? Aaron cleared his throat and stepped back. “Likewise, Ms. Hol… Sabrina. Reggie is very proud of you.”
“That’s nice of you to say, Aaron. Let’s have a seat.”
Aaron gave Sabrina his chair and sat in the one on the other side of the table with Reggie.
“I am proud of you, Momma,” Reggie said.
Sabrina patted Reggie’s hand. “I know, baby.” She looked between Reggie and Aaron. “You boys making plans for your merger?”
Aaron nodded. “We’re going to spend the next few weeks discussing the possibility. And I’ll get to see how Reggie runs the business.”
“Sounds fun.” Her voice was chipper, but somehow Aaron knew she didn’t consider talks of merger fun at all. “In the meantime, you’ll be on top of Kacey?”
Aaron was sipping his beer and nearly chocked at Sabrina’s words. A devilish gleam lit up her eyes. “Pardon me?”
“I came by this afternoon. Kacey let me know you’re in the apartment upstairs while you’re in town.”
He cleared his throat and shifted in the seat. “Yeah, I’m staying there.”
Sabrina tilted her head to the side. “I’m surprised Reggie did that.”
Reggie sat straighter. “Why? Aaron is a friend of mine. I can’t let him sleep in a hotel when Camila and I have space right near us.”
“I’m not doubting your hospitality, sweetheart.” She patted Reggie’s arm again. “Just, hearing the stories about you and Aaron and your wild times in college, I didn’t think you’d trust to put such a handsome, sexy young man so close to your sister.”
“Aaron is my friend, and he knows how I feel about my family. I trust him.”
Aaron almost choked on another sip of beer. He’d thoroughly agreed with Kacey earlier when she brought up keeping what happened from her brother. Despite how alluring her eyes were, or how the sway of her hips momentarily hypnotized him, or, as if he’d ever forget, that she was the best sex he’d ever had, he wouldn’t knowingly disrespect his friend like that.
From One Night to Forever Page 7