Roger’s hard stare landed on Aaron. “Now, you two need to work this thing out between yourselves.”
Aaron watched Kacey and she stared at her plate. She glanced at him. “Why are you going to see her?”
He let out a deep breath; he looked tired of the entire conversation, and that hurt more than the panties at his place. “Because I have to know if this thing I feel for you is real.”
“Why wouldn’t it be? You said you never felt this way before.”
“I lied,” he said. Kacey sucked in a breath, and Aaron rubbed a hand over the coils on his head. “I felt this way about Denise, but then I broke up with her and never went back. I was about to do the same thing with you, but…”
Kacey frowned. “But what?”
He lifted his chin. “I didn’t want Reggie to break the merger.”
The pain in Kacey’s chest was terrible. A Mack truck of pain that slammed into her heart and turned the muscle into roadkill. Tears sliced the backs of her eyes. “You said all of that just to save the deal.”
For once, his good-natured smile was missing. “I meant what I said about my feelings for you. But keeping the deal alive was a part of it.”
Kacey blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears from falling, but one escaped. She hastily wiped it away and slid her chair back from the table. “Well, good thing you finally signed the papers and the merger falling through is not an issue anymore.”
She stood and Aaron jumped up with her. “Kacey, that wasn’t the only reason. I do care about you. I just don’t know if I’m ready to do the wife and family thing.”
“Who’s asking you to do the wife and kid thing, Aaron? I’m not ready for that either. I’ve got school to finish and the second restaurant to open. But I still took the chance on believing we might actually work. Stop using having a family one day as an excuse to avoid a real relationship. You either want to be with someone or you don’t. That’s all there is. No major switch clicks, or force of nature shifts the universe. It’s just that simple, and you’ve proven that you really don’t want to be with me.”
She glanced around at his family. “I’m sorry this happened today. You all have been great.” She looked at Aaron. “If you’ll take me back to your place, I’ll get my stuff and rent a car to take home.”
The anguish on his face almost mirrored what she felt inside. But she couldn’t believe it was anything more than a show put on for his family. “You don’t have to do that. I can take you home.”
Kacey shook her head. “Sorry, but I don’t want to be near you any longer than necessary.”
Chapter 27
Aaron took Kacey to his place to get her stuff and then to the car rental office. He didn’t apologize again, because the words seemed too simple for the amount of pain he saw in her eyes. He didn’t say much of anything because he didn’t know what to say. Knowing how much he’d hurt her caused him more agony than he expected. He didn’t want her to leave, didn’t want this to be the end of their relationship. Didn’t want to know that when he saw her in the future, the friendly atmosphere between them wouldn’t be there.
He wanted her in his life, but the discomfort with the idea of one day becoming the old married man kept him from begging her to stay.
“I won’t ruin your and Reggie’s business deal over this,” she’d said after the rental agent put the keys in her hand. “I’ll tell him I broke up with you because I wasn’t in love with you.”
She hadn’t met his eye when she said the last part. Aaron had a sneaking suspicion she might love him, which only made him hurt worse.
“Kacey, we can get through this. We can try.”
She shook her heard. “No, I don’t want to try. And you’re not ready to really try, Aaron. Not yet.”
She turned away, got in the rental car, and drove away. Aaron stood in the lot for several minutes after wondering what his next step would be, only to end up back at his parents’ house.
His mom was sitting in the den reading a magazine. She glanced up at him when he came in and gave him a sympathetic smile. “He’s in the sunroom.”
Aaron walked over and kissed his mom’s cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”
He squeezed her shoulder and then went to the sunroom, where Roger sat staring out at the now empty back porch.
“I kind of ruined brunch, huh?” Aaron said, trying to sound lighthearted.
“I haven’t had a tantrum from one of my kids in a while,” Roger said. “I guess this one was overdue.”
Aaron chuckled and sat in the chair next to Roger. “I wouldn’t call that a tantrum.”
“I would. All my kids arguing with their spouses over nothing. That’s a tantrum.”
They were silent for several minutes. Aaron leaned forward resting his arms on his knees, not sure of the exact question he wanted to ask, but knowing he needed advice. That he needed the epiphany Kacey said didn’t happen. Was she the one, or not?
“I don’t know what to do about Kacey,” Aaron said.
“Go see Denise,” Roger replied.
Aaron sat up and turned to his dad. “I didn’t expect that.”
“What did you expect?”
“That you’d tell me Kacey is great. That I should do right by her and that being with her is the right thing.”
Roger shrugged. “Okay, I can tell you all of that, but then it’s me telling you to settle down with her. You need to decide that for yourself.”
“How is seeing Denise going to help?”
“Because Denise was the first woman you really cared about. You need to know if all of that is gone before you settle down with anyone else.”
“Why can’t I just…I don’t know, see a woman and know that’s who I want to be with? It happened with Fred, David, even Kareem. It should be that simple.”
Roger chuckled and shook his head. “It’s never that simple, Aaron. You haven’t been able to sit still your entire life. You were always looking for the next thing to do. The next toy to play with. I couldn’t understand it, but you found a way to channel that energy into creating a business. And for that I’m proud of you. But you treat women the same.”
“I’m not some womanizer, Dad,” Aaron said.
“You’re not the guy out there looking to take advantage of women, but you’re the guy who won’t settle down and who also won’t let go.” Roger looked at Aaron. “Why do you have all the numbers of your ex-girlfriends in your phone? Why do you still text them?”
Aaron shrugged. “We’re friends.”
“Son, you’re holding on without committing. It was the same way when you were younger. You didn’t want the things you were tired of, but you didn’t want me to throw them away either. Sometimes you have to let go of the old to make room for the new.”
Aaron slumped in the chair and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was getting a headache. “Were you happy, Dad? I mean, really happy, being married and having kids.”
“Why would you think I wasn’t?”
Aaron dropped his hand and said something he’d never dared to before. “Because of the way you flirted with other women.”
Roger sat up in his chair. Aaron shifted and held up a hand. “Wait, before you get mad, I know you never cheated on Mom. But I saw the way you were with women. I know part of it was being a salesman, but you seemed to turn on a little extra charm with women. And I even saw you check out a few.”
“What are you trying to say, Aaron?” Roger asked, his voice heavy with a warning that Aaron was going too far.
“What I’m saying is that you’re the most straight-and-narrow guy I know. You’re more rigid than I’d like, and the only time that wavered was when you had to deal with beautiful women.”
“Looking and enjoying the attention of a beautiful woman is one thing. I would never be unfaithful to your mother.”
“How did you know that? How did you know that harmless flirting wouldn’t turn into a one-night stand?” Aaron sat up suddenly and tapped his chest. “That’s where flirting
goes for me.”
“I love your mother, Aaron. No matter how much I might flirt, those women weren’t worth breaking up my family over. No woman, no matter how long I may have known her, is worth the chance that I might lose your mother.”
Aaron nodded and sat back in his chair. He let his dad’s words sink in. “It sounds like losing a bit of freedom.”
“Maybe it is. That’s why some people are forever single. Marriage isn’t for everyone. Long-term relationships aren’t for some people.”
“I still want to be with Kacey.”
Roger stood and placed a hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “Go see Denise. Then figure out if giving up your ties to the women in your past are worth a lifetime with her.”
Chapter 28
“I know that look,” Monique said when Kacey came in to help with the lunch shift.
She’d just met with her professor and spent the rest of the morning in the campus library working on her thesis project. She couldn’t work at home. Being alone gave her too much time to think of Aaron and the debacle of the previous weekend.
“What look?” Kacey dumped her bag on the end of the bar and sat on one of the stools.
“Your ‘the professor’s ripped me a new one’ look.” Monique poured a shot of tequila and slid it across the bar to Kacey.
“It wasn’t that bad today.” Kacey sipped from the shot.
“Hmm…you sipped instead of telling me to quit wasting the liquor. So that must be your ‘I’m still hurt over Aaron’ look.”
Kacey scoffed. “I’m not thinking of him.” She got up, grabbed her bag, and headed for the kitchen.
“Oh yes, you are,” Monique’s voice followed.
Kacey pointed to the door. “You can’t just leave the bar unattended.”
Monique looked to Jamelah, who was talking to one of the cooks. “Hey, Jamelah, watch the bar for me for a second.”
Jamelah nodded. “Sure.”
Kacey rolled her eyes and went into the office, Monique fast on her heels. “What did he really do?”
“Nothing. I told you, once I went to South Carolina and met his family, I realized I’d rushed into things with him. That’s all.”
“No, that’s what you told Reggie so he wouldn’t go down there and break Aaron’s arms and legs before withdrawing on a legally binding contract.” Monique sat on the edge of the desk. “Tell me what he really did.”
Kacey sighed and leaned back in the chair. She had kept this pain to herself too long. Monique might have her secrets, but Kacey could no longer keep her thoughts a secret. “Being with me was about saving the deal.”
“He lied.”
“He claims he meant what he said, but saving the deal was also a part of it. But that’s not the worst.” She told Monique about what happened with Liz, the texts, and the phone calls.
“That dog!”
“Should I really be surprised? I mean, we both know when he came in that night that he was looking for a hookup. We heard the stories from Reggie. I knew what I was walking into, and still I fell…” Her words trailed off. She turned away from Monique, and the pain of what she couldn’t admit pressed inside her chest.
She had fallen in love. That was why this hurt so much. Why his admission and the jealousy over the women he kept in contact with made her so crazy. She was no smarter than she’d been at seventeen—still falling for a smooth man’s lies.
“Kacey, I’m sorry. Aaron is a dick and you’re better off without him. I have half a mind to go tell Reggie so that he can go break his legs.”
“No, we are not telling Reggie. This isn’t all Aaron’s fault. I saw the warning signs and I chose to ignore them. Besides, despite his personal flaws, he’s a good businessman. He and Reggie working together will help them both.”
“Yeah, but you’ll still have to see him every once in a while. And how will you do that without wanting to kill him?”
“Because he’s not worth it. My focus is back on Momma’s Kitchen, finishing my degree, and opening the second restaurant. To hell with Aaron Henderson. The best revenge is to do better and move on.”
“I still think slashing his tires is pretty good revenge.”
“But not worth it.” Kacey stood. “I’m pissed, but I’ll get over him. Let’s just move on and worry about the lunch shift.”
Monique sighed and stood. “Wait, I need to tell you something. And after hearing what happened with Aaron, I kind of hate to.”
Kacey slowly sat back down. “Why?”
“Because I’m happy about the news, but you may not be.” Monique twisted her hands before her.
Oh, God, please don’t let this be about Julio. “Just tell me.”
Monique took a deep breath, then pulled a sheet of paper out of her apron and handed it to Kacey. “I’m going to culinary school.”
If Kacey hadn’t been sitting down, she would have fallen over. She scanned the paper, which welcomed Monique to the culinary program at Maryland’s School of the Arts, then looked back at her sister.
“Culinary school? In Maryland?”
Monique grinned. “I know, can you believe it?”
“Why didn’t you tell me you applied?”
“You know. What if I didn’t get in? I didn’t want you all to think I was a fool for trying.”
“Monique, I’d never think you were a fool.”
“Well, you’re learning the business side to make the second restaurant a success. I figured I’d learn more about the culinary side to make the Chattanooga restaurant stand apart. I’m good in the kitchen, but I can be a lot better.”
“Does Momma know?”
Monique shook her head so hard her long hair swung from side to side. “Not yet. I wanted to tell you first.”
“Is this in any way related to those secret phone calls?”
Monique took a deep breath and shook her head. “Yes and no. I was talking to Julio, but only because I remembered him mentioning a cousin in culinary school. He gave me his cousin’s number and we’ve been talking.”
Kacey didn’t like that Monique had gone to Julio instead of her, but she wasn’t in any position to give advice. “Why Maryland?”
“I need to get out of Resilient.” Monique held up her hand. “Not forever, mind you, but just for a while. I can go to Maryland, visit D.C. while I’m there. It’ll be good. But I hate leaving knowing you’re heartbroken.”
Kacey jumped up and hugged her sister. “Go and do a great job.” She pulled back. “My heart will heal, and this opportunity is more important.”
Monique grinned, revealing her deep dimples. “I’m so excited. Thank you for understanding.”
Kacey and Monique talked about the school and her ideas for the menu at Momma’s Kitchen. She’d never asked Monique for many of her thoughts about running the place. She’d underestimated her sister, something she wouldn’t do again.
Chapter 29
Aaron had been in Tyler, Texas, a few times since he’d broken up with Denise, but he’d never visited any of the places they’d frequented. As he waited at the bar in the Mexican restaurant they used to go to, he wasn’t sure why he’d avoided those places. He felt no sense of loss or remorse being there.
“Aaron?” Denise’s voice came from behind.
Aaron put down the beer he’d been nursing and spun on the bar stool. She hadn’t changed much. Average height, clear light brown skin, and bright whiskey-colored eyes. Her hair was shorter, framing her face in a small bob instead of the shoulder-length style she’d worn before, and her curvaceous build was even more pronounced by the dark pink jumpsuit.
“Hey, Denise.” He stood to greet her. He held out his hand and her face twisted with confusion, so he opened his arms and gave her a hug, which she quickly backed out of.
They stood staring at each other for a second, an awkward silence building despite the mariachi music and conversations going on in the background.
“I saved you a seat.” Aaron pointed to the stool next to his.
&nbs
p; “Thanks,” she said.
He stood back while she slipped into her seat. Her perfume was the same; he used to love lying beside her and breathing in the apple-scented body spray she favored. For the longest time after they split, the smell of apples would get him aroused in a second. Now his body didn’t react.
He sat on his stool and gave her his easygoing smile. “Want a beer?”
She nodded and glanced around the place. “Sure.”
He motioned to the bartender and ordered a beer for her. There was another long silence while Aaron glanced at the televisions behind the bar. What the hell was he doing here?
“Getting married, huh?” Aaron asked after he couldn’t take the silence much longer.
Denise nodded and grabbed the beer the bartender set before her. She lifted it to her mouth and took a sip.
Aaron raised a brow and slowly shook his head. “Are you excited?”
“I am. Anthony is a great guy. I haven’t felt this way about anyone since…” She sipped her beer and took a deep breath. “I haven’t felt this way about anyone since you.”
And that was why he was here. He and Denise were both going through the same thing. “What’s different this time?”
“Nothing’s different. He’s funny, he’s smart and successful. We get along well together. I love him. Just like I loved you.”
“Then why did you want to see me?”
“Because, Aaron, it’s just like it was when we were together, but then we just ended abruptly. One day we were happy. The next day you were giving me some excuse about needing space right before you left town.”
Aaron turned on the stool to look Denise in the eye. “Did you ask me here for revenge?”
She shook her head. “No, I asked you here because I had to see you. I don’t know how to explain it, but the closer I get to my wedding day, the more I think about you. And I wonder…”
She frowned and lowered her eyes. Aaron hesitated before placing his hand on hers. “If it was real or just your imagination.”
She lifted her eyes and nodded. “If I imagined everything that happened between us, how will I know if I’m imagining the same thing now? Am I supposed to marry Anthony, or is this just a big delusion and one day I’ll wake up and he’ll be ready to walk out the door?”
From One Night to Forever Page 22