From One Night to Forever

by Synithia Williams

  Tonight was beyond messed up. Liz coming over unannounced, drunk no less, was not typical for her. Love made people do foolish things. How many women had he brushed off over the years? Had they done something similar? Would Kacey do the same if she found out a big part of his declaration had been to save the merger? He thought of her and that guy from the bar. Hugging, kissing, making love, all so that she could get over what Aaron had done.

  “Damn,” he muttered to himself and picked up the phone to call Kacey. He needed her to know he was thinking about her, and not because of the damn merger.

  Chapter 23

  “Today is my last day,” Camila said with a heavy sigh and dropped the profits from the bar onto the desk next to Kacey.

  Kacey looked up from balancing the books for the night to grin at her sister-in-law. “I know, your maternity leave starts tomorrow.”

  Camila rubbed her lower back and moaned. Kacey eyed Camila’s rounded belly and wondered how she’d possibly managed to work tonight with all of that going on.

  “I appreciate you helping out this long.”

  Camila continued to massage her lower back and lifted one shoulder. “I would have gone crazy if I’d sat at home for a moment longer than necessary. I could work at least two or three more weeks, but Reggie insists that I take my last month off. You know, so I can prepare to be the perfect stay-at-home mom,” Camila said with an exaggerated eye roll.

  “He’s a worrier.” Kacey picked up the money from the bar and added it to the rest of the money she was counting. “Don’t worry, the baby will come and he’ll get back to normal.”

  Camila looked doubtful, but waved a hand. “Well, he needs to be more worried about people tearing up our house than me working.”

  Kacey swung around. “What are you talking about? Did someone vandalize the house or something?”

  “Not the outside. It had to have been during the cookout the other weekend.”

  “What happened?”

  “Nothing really, just that someone was in the laundry room and spilled something red all between the washer and dryer.”

  Kacey’s face burned, and she worked hard to keep her features neutral. “Say what?” Her voice rose with mock surprise.

  “Yes!” Camila continued, not even noticing Kacey’s embarrassment. “They tried to clean it up, but there is a red stain all down the side that won’t go away. Who in the world would be in the laundry room anyway?”

  Kacey shrugged and spun back to the stacks on money on the desk. She straightened the already organized piles. “That’s crazy.”

  “I know. Anyway, Reggie doesn’t seem to care.”

  Camila went on with her rant about people’s lack of manners and Reggie’s ability to care about her going out with friends more than someone spilling crap in the laundry room. Kacey’s embarrassment slowly slipped away after realizing Camila didn’t suspect either her or Aaron as the culprit for the red washer incident. Soon she tuned out Camila and Reggie’s drama of the moment and got lost in memories of the way Aaron had made her spill the drink. She squirmed in her seat and smiled, then immediately her smile drifted away. How could they possibly make this work with him living in another state?

  Does he really want us to work out?

  It was the thought she’d tried to avoid pondering too long since he’d left the other day. On the one hand she didn’t want to be the person who believed that a one-night stand could actually turn into a long-term relationship. But the long-neglected romantic Kacey, the one who’d dehydrated into nothing after having her heart broken so young by an older man, really wanted to believe.

  Camila finally left and Monique came in. “The tables are clear and the floors are mopped. Are you done with putting together the deposit yet?”

  Kacey zipped closed the bag of cash and receipts, then placed it in the safe. “Yep.” She pushed the safe door closed and locked it. Jamelah had called in sick, so Kacey had jumped at the chance to fill in. Otherwise she’d be at home trying to study but really missing Aaron.

  “Look, if you have a problem with me, then just tell me,” Monique said.

  Kacey stood and faced her sister. “What are you talking about?”

  “You haven’t spoken a word to me all night. Are you still pissed about the cookout thing?”

  “No.”

  Monique crossed her arms and her long lashes fluttered. “Then what’s the deal?”

  “Did you tell Reggie about me and Aaron?”

  Monique scowled. “No, Reggie came and asked me, point-blank, if you and Aaron were together.”

  “So you told him?”

  “I told him that I didn’t know what, if anything, was going on with you two. He suspected, and you gave it away when he came to your house.”

  “That sounds too easy.”

  “It wasn’t hard for him to figure out. You two disappearing around the same time. Aaron saying he was with Tara but then we see her all by herself. You not answering your phone and just taking off for the night. It’s almost like you wanted to get caught.”

  “I didn’t want to get caught,” Kacey said. She just hadn’t thought spending the night with him in Chattanooga through. She’d hated the thought of him leaving so much that, when he’d asked, she’d just turned off her phone and gone with her feelings. No thought of her family or how they’d see things.

  She ran a hand across her head and tugged on her ponytail. “I’m sorry for accusing you.”

  Monique propped her hip on the desk. “Why are you mad anyway? It worked out.”

  “No, it didn’t.”

  Monique nodded. “Yes, it did. You were all giddy and falling in love over the guy. He admitted he felt the same, and now you two are together.”

  Obviously Reggie had decided to fill Monique in on the particulars. “I wasn’t giddy and falling in love.”

  “Yes, you were. Yes, you are. Don’t be embarrassed, he’s feeling the same.”

  “I don’t know if he really feels that way,” Kacey blurted out. Monique raised a brow and Kacey slumped back into the chair behind the desk. “Everything was so rushed. I’ll admit I didn’t want to see him go. That a part of me hoped he was feeling something a little bit more and that he’d try to keep in touch.”

  “Like he does with all those other women he hooks up with,” Monique said.

  Kacey leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling. “Stupid, I know. I don’t want to be one of the women he hooks up with when he rolls through a town. But I also didn’t want that day to be the end. When he said all that stuff, I let myself believe him.”

  “Now?”

  “Now I’m wondering if…if he only said it to save the deal with Reggie.”

  “If he did, he’s a dick and doesn’t deserve you or to go into business with Reggie.”

  Kacey chuckled. “I agree. But how do I know?”

  “Ask him.”

  “As if he’d tell the truth.”

  “Then ask in a roundabout way. Keep your eyes open and rein in your heart. I know he’s fine and obviously knows how to please you, but if you don’t think you can trust him, you need to know sooner rather than later.”

  “You think I don’t know that?” Kacey snapped then sucked in a breath. She already knew everything Monique said. Had gone through the same arguments with herself after Aaron left. The only problem was if she found out that were true, she’d once again have been played for a fool. Something she’d long thought she was smart enough to avoid.

  Kacey shook her head and stood. “I’ve got studying to do tonight. I’m meeting with my professor tomorrow to go over my progress on my thesis.”

  “Are things getting better with her?”

  “Yes. I got what I needed last weekend, but I was able to get a lot more done this week.” Further proof that she met her goals much easier when there wasn’t a guy around to distract her. Another reason to find out whether or not Aaron was only using her. If her last semester of school suffered because of a farce of a relatio
nship, she’d never forgive herself.

  “I’ll open up tomorrow if you’re going to be up late tonight,” Monique said.

  “Thanks.” Kacey’s cell phone rang. Frowning, she picked the phone up from the desk. “It’s Aaron.”

  Monique checked her watch. “Nearly midnight and he’s thinking about you. That’s a good sign.”

  Kacey couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “It could be.” She answered the call and Monique slipped out.

  “You do realize how late it is?” Kacey said.

  “Yes, but I knew you’d be up. Are you studying?”

  “No, closing up the restaurant.”

  “I thought you got nights off.”

  “I do, but I’m filling in for a sick employee.”

  “Well, that puts a damper on this call.”

  “Really, why?”

  “I’d hoped for some hot and heavy phone sex to help me sleep.”

  Kacey’s body heated. “You called for phone sex?”

  “And to see how you were doing.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Her smile was so big it hurt her cheeks.

  “And to ask you out on a date.”

  “I think we’ve already been out on a date.”

  “This is an important date.”

  “What is it?”

  “I’m coming up for Marcus’s ball game next Thursday. I want you to ride back with me on Friday.”

  “You want me to come to South Carolina?”

  “Yes, I’m inviting you to my sister’s gender reveal party.”

  Kacey couldn’t speak for a second. An invitation to meet the family wouldn’t come from a guy who’d only blurted out he cared to save a deal. Would it?

  “Why do you want me to meet your family?”

  “Actually, my brothers are interested in meeting you. The woman who convinced me to tame my wild ways. They’re dying to get a look at you.”

  “You told your brothers about me?”

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”

  He asked the question so easily, with a dash of confusion about why she wouldn’t think he’d discuss her with his brothers. The dehydrated romantic Kacey plumped up with joy. Maybe he did mean what he’d said.

  “Sure, I’d love to meet your family.”

  “Awesome,” Aaron said with enthusiasm. “Now, how about that phone sex?”

  “I’m at work, Aaron.”

  “The place is closed. Shut the office door and let’s have some fun.”

  Kacey bit her lip and glanced around the office as if someone could overhear the conversation. She pushed the door closed and slid the lock.

  “You’ve got five minutes.”

  His excited groan revved her up as she sat in the chair and slid her hand down her pants.

  Chapter 24

  Aaron leaned over with his hands on his knees. His heart bumped against his rib cage and he held his breath. Scanning the baseball field, he gave a signal to one of his boys on third base. He was glad he’d decided to come back. Not only because he got to see Kacey, but because he was back in time to coach the team. Just his presence alone gave the boys the extra bit of confidence they’d needed. At the top of the ninth, the game was tied at two and if they kept their opponent from scoring, he knew his boys would score and win.

  The kid at bat for the opposing team, whom Aaron swore should be playing in a higher age group, shook out his shoulders and glowered at Marcus pitching. The kid had more strength than skill. But with a runner on first and second and with one out, if the tall kid hit a homerun, the game was over.

  Marcus threw the ball. Tall Kid swung and hit the ball straight down the middle. One of Aaron’s boys caught the ball and immediately pitched to Lonnie, whom Aaron had moved to the shortstop position. Lonnie easily outed the kid running from second to third before throwing to first. The first baseman caught the ball and outed the hitter. Aaron pumped his fist and clapped with the rest of the parents at the field. He waved to huddle his boys together.

  “Great job, boys. Now all we’ve got to do is score to win this game.” Aaron looked to Marcus. “Marcus, it’s your turn. Their pitcher likes to throw high fastballs. Don’t try to be a hero and knock one out of the park. If we’re deliberate about what we’re swinging at, we can win this.”

  “I got you, Coach,” Marcus said.

  Pride swelled in Aaron’s chest as the rest of the boys looked to him for direction. He could blame his pride on being an avid baseball fan who had missed the game, but it was a lot more than that. He was proud of his team, his boys, and the progress they’d made.

  The boys went back into the dugout, and Aaron gave Marcus another pat on the back. “You’ve got this, Marcus.”

  Marcus gave him a nod, then grinned and ran out to bat. Aaron once again held his breath and watched. Marcus did watch the first two pitches, both high fastballs that thankfully he didn’t rush to hit. The third pitch was a beauty, Aaron sucked in a breath and hoped Marcus saw the sweet spot. When Marcus’s bat hit the ball, Aaron couldn’t hold back his yelp of pride. The ball flew over the heads of the opposing team and out of the park.

  The smile on the kid’s face as he ran the bases was priceless. The team rushed to Marcus as he came around home plate. It was all “great jobs” and “way to go” statements after the game. Aaron accepted the pats on the back and well wishes from the parents of the team members. He glanced over the heads in the crowd to where Kacey leaned against the fence. Her grin struck him straight in the chest.

  I could love her.

  The thought made the noise of the field fade away. His palms sweated and his heart pumped crazily. He wasn’t good at love, and he damn sure couldn’t fall in love. Loving her didn’t mean he’d want to stay in Resilient; it only meant he’d see her cry when he realized he ultimately loved his life more than being the guy she wanted.

  One of the boys bumped him and Aaron cleared his thoughts. He lifted his chin, motioning for her to come over.

  “All right, boys,” Aaron said, pushing thoughts of love aside and raising his hands and voice to talk over their excited voices. “Who wants some pizza?”

  A round of “yeahs” was his reply. Kacey strolled up to his side, and he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his side.

  “Then let’s head over to Luigi’s for pizza and cannolis.”

  Kacey looked up at him. “Luigi’s?”

  “He’s Marcus’s uncle and he helped me with another surprise.” She pursed her lips, and Aaron couldn’t resist brushing his lips across hers. Kacey’s arm around his waist tightened, and a spark flared in her eye. He did feel more at home than he’d ever felt in his life. But love?

  She wore a cute green and blue maxi dress that he really wanted to get his hands beneath on the ride from the field to the restaurant. But several of the boys begged to ride with them. He, Kacey, Marcus, and Lonnie loaded up in her car.

  He noticed she still hadn’t changed her tires, but he decided not to get into that right now. They arrived a few minutes later at Luigi’s, where a long table was set up for the boys.

  “How did you know they would win?” Kacey asked.

  “I’d love to say it was intuition, but I wasn’t sure. I planned this pizza dinner for them win or lose.”

  Luigi came over and grinned. “Aaron, the boys tell me you all won. Great job! I hope you’ll be in town for the rest of the season.”

  “I’ll try to make as many games as I can,” he said.

  Aaron ordered enough pizza and cannolis for the boys and their parents. After everyone had eaten, Aaron stood and silenced the group.

  “And now for the surprise.” He looked at Luigi, who grinned. Luigi moved a piece of paper blocking a projector connected to a laptop.

  Marcus jumped up and pointed at the screen. “Dad!”

  Marcus’s dad, dressed in army fatigues in a tent, waved. “Hey, Marcus! Hey, guys!”

  Marcus looked at Aaron with a huge grin, then turned back to the screen. “We won!”
/>
  “That’s great. I knew you guys would turn things around.”

  The team huddled around the webcam and started spouting off questions. Kacey grabbed Aaron’s hand and squeezed. “How did you set that up?”

  “I asked Marcus’s grandmother for his dad’s e-mail address and started chatting with him. I’ve been telling him what I’ve done with the boys coaching-wise, and then we worked it out for the webcam after the first game.”

  Her eyes went soft and loving. “You are wonderful.”

  He shrugged and tugged on the front of his shirt. “I know.”

  Kacey laughed and playfully hit his shoulder. He pulled her against him and kissed her, enjoying the pert fullness of her small breasts against him, and the fact that he could pull her into his arms without hesitation.

  Someone cleared their throat. “Hold up, you two, there are kids around.”

  Aaron and Kacey broke apart to grin at Sabrina.

  “Good to see you again, Aaron,” Sabrina said.

  Aaron nodded at Sabrina. “I’ll be around.”

  “I know, now that things are all in the family.”

  Aaron glanced between Kacey and her mom. “What do you mean?”

  “You and Kacey being together while you and Reggie are in business together. At first I didn’t like the idea, but as long as you two are happy, it’s fine with me. Plus, it keeps all the business in the family. That’s the way I like things. Why do you think I only want my girls or my nieces handling the money at Momma’s Kitchen?”

  Kacey shook her head. “That’s because no one else runs the place better than us. Not because we’re family.”

  “You run it well because you’re family,” Sabrina said, then grinned at Kacey. “I’m guessing you’ll be in late tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be in at the normal time.”

  Sabrina hugged Aaron. He lifted the corner of his mouth in a half smile that he really didn’t feel like giving. Sabrina’s keep it all in the family speech was too damn close to what Kareem suspected.