by Mia Kayla
The ride home was quiet.
I had to break the uncomfortable silence in the air. “So, I can’t believe we’re engaged,” I said. “You were very convincing, especially the part about me being a virgin.”
He laughed once. “I thought of that on a whim. Pretty good, huh?”
“Priceless,” I replied.
“No, my father’s face was priceless. His face was not of anger. It was of realization. Yeah, he and my mother were friends for a long time, but as soon as they became romantically involved, he married her as fast as he could because she wouldn’t let him seal the deal beforehand.” Both dimples emerged. “I might not look like my father, but we are alike in more ways than I’d like to acknowledge.”
He stared at the open road in front of us. “He was starting to really get on my last nerve. He asked if getting married was your idea. I didn’t want him thinking that you wanted to get married quickly to trap me, so I told the truth—that this was my idea, that I wanted to propose, and that I wanted to get married. When my mother went to the restroom to get you, that’s when the real party began.”
Kent rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, while the other remained on the wheel. “He started rambling on about how I was irresponsible and how I couldn’t take care of a family if I didn’t hold a job. He started to tell me how money was not everything and that holding a job was part of the responsibility of being an adult. He firmly asked me to work for the company. He kind of demanded it.” He ran one hand through his hair, gripping at the tips. “After I blatantly told him no, the waiter came to our table to tell him to quiet down, and he asked us if we’d like a private room. That’s the part that was truly priceless,” he said, pressing his foot on the brake as the yellow light turned red.
If I were a parent, I’d want the same thing for my kids. I’d want them to hold a steady job and have a family of their own to grow old with. Isn’t that what every parent wants? And when that happened, I’d feel like I had done my job and that I’d raised my kid well. I’d feel like an accomplished parent. I couldn’t help but sympathize with Mr. Plack, who wanted what any normal parent would want for their child.
“Why don’t you just work for the company?” I prodded.
My question surprised him, and his jolly mood turned sour.
“Because I won’t,” he said as the corners of his mouth turned downward. He pressed on the gas as the light turned green.
“You’d rock it. I know you would. Your grandfather and father have already set up the groundwork. Plack Industries is a top company in its industry. I just don’t understand why you don’t want to be a part of that legacy.”
“Because I don’t,” he huffed.
I could see the whites of his knuckles as his grip tightened on the wheel.
“I mean, it would take time, but in the end, if you just learned the business from the ground up, you’d excel. You could lead the company to greatness.”
“Please, Beth, not you, too.” Kent turned to face me as he pulled the car to the right, outside of my apartment. “I have no idea how to run a company, let alone how to lead thousands of employees. Do you think it’s easy? I see my father work his butt off, day in and day out. I see him frustrated at work before coming home, only to be frustrated again the next day.”
“I’m sure he gets frustrated, but there is a level of frustration at every normal job. It’s a cycle. I know running a company can’t be easy. I mean, you are leading a whole corporation. It can’t be easy, but you’ll learn. You’ll learn, just like your father learned. You’ll have a whole team to help you, to back you up. I think if you would just try, then you’d be amazing. What are you afraid of?”
“I’m afraid of failure! There, I said it.”
Real fear filtered through his eyes. It was the first time I’d seen him so exposed.
“I’ve excelled at sports and school. I was sure of those things when I started. I didn’t have any doubt that I would do well. I can’t see this one, Beth. I can’t see where this road will lead me, if I take it. I’m afraid of running this great company that’s doing fine into the ground. My father and grandfather have such high hopes for what they’ve built. I can’t bear to let down that legacy.”
The image of the confident, arrogant man was no longer present. In front of me sat a typical guy afraid of normal life things, like not living up to expectations. It was the first time I realized that regarding this part of his life, he put up a front. He looked so vulnerable and lost. As many times as he’d done it for me, the only thing I wanted to do was comfort him.
I placed my hand over his. “I don’t know what you’re afraid of. You’re so capable, Kent. I know you are. If you would just try to be as great as I know you can be, as your family believes you can be, I know you can do just that. You could take this company to new heights. I know you would never, ever stop until you did just that. I believe in you.”
He was silent as I spoke, and when I finished, he placed his free hand over mine, sending sparks up my arm and down to the bottom of my toes. There was an electricity in the car, and it was so palpable that I could taste it. The connection between us was so strong that I had to close my eyes to break it. I pulled myself from his touch and reached for the door to leave. I had to get out of the car, away from him, and away from this feeling inside me.
He took hold of my hand again and pulled me toward him.
I closed my eyes and shook my head. I was a good girl, and I was already spoken for. I thought it was going to happen. I thought he was going to kiss me.
And the crazy thing was that I wouldn’t stop him.
But he kissed my forehead instead. When he pulled away, he gazed at me with a look of intensity that warmed me all over.
“Good night, Beth.”
I nodded once and stepped out of the car, feeling his eyes following me into my apartment.
Wide eyes stared back at me in the full-length mirror. Only two weeks later, and Mrs. Plack had organized an engagement party. I stared at my black Alexander McQueen cocktail dress and bright red pumps, and sighed outwardly.
Taking a step toward the balcony that overlooked the backyard, I watched everyone below mingling among themselves. Cocktail tables and tents spanned the back of the Plack estate.
When Mrs. Plack had said she was throwing us a quaint engagement party, I didn’t imagine that everyone from the city and my work would be invited. She’d even surprised me by inviting Aunt Diane and Kendy. I scanned below me and looked upon Brian as he stood by Caroline. I knew this must be especially hard for him. The buzz around the office had been bad enough, and here he was, at my engagement party. Inwardly, I cringed.
I’d felt the tension rising between us as this day approached. I wondered if he’d imagined all this when I’d initially told him about the deal. Not only was I living a lie, but by choosing me, he was also living in it too.
“You look stunning.”
I turned around, and Kent loomed behind me. I wondered how long he’d been standing there, watching me. I hadn’t heard him enter.
“Thanks.” I took in his sharp black suit and skinny tie. “You look dashing yourself,” I said, giving him a melancholy smile.
He offered his hand. “Ready? Everyone has been waiting for us.”
I took a deep breath, and when his hand met mine, I found comfort in his touch once again.
When we were downstairs, I socialized with the guests. At Kent’s side, Mr. Plack introduced me to hundreds of people. All their faces were a blur, and I forgot their names the moment after I’d been introduced.
When I finally distinguished Aunt Diane and Kendy among the crowd of unknowns, I excused myself from the Plack men and made my way toward them, almost running to their familiar faces.
Kendy jumped up and down as I approached, and she wrapped her arms around me, squeezing me so tightly in one of her trademarked hugs. I could barely breathe in her hold.
“I’m so happy for you, Beth Boo!” she said, using her squ
eaky voice.
I stifled a laugh because with all this pretending, Kendy played the part very well. I wondered if she was secretly enjoying the acting. It was Aunt Diane’s turn to engulf me into an embrace, and I squeezed her back tighter, realizing I’d missed them so much. They were the only family I had left.
Continuing to make my rounds, I tore myself away from both of them and searched for Brian. In the corner, right by the bar, I found him staring at the drink in his hand while Caroline and Jim conversed next to him. When Brian saw me, his face lit up.
“Hey, engaged one. Congrats!” Caroline said, stepping in to reach for my hand.
“You owe me one. I introduced you to your future husband,” Jim said, raising his wine glass.
“Thanks. Yeah, I owe you big time,” I said, my eyes drifting to Brian’s.
Caroline continued to talk about how grand the party was and how Karen Plack had gone over the top with the planning. I couldn’t agree more. I’d had no idea that this was what Mrs. Plack considered intimate. Caroline pointed behind me, directing my focus to Kent, who was trying to get my attention. “You’re one popular girl tonight,” she said before tipping her wine glass back.
I said my quick good-byes to Caroline and Jim.
I gave Brian a small hug and whispered discreetly, “Just a little longer.”
He said nothing as he nodded.
I maneuvered through the crowd toward Kent, who was standing on the top of the steps, holding a wine glass. When I approached him, he took my hand. When I felt his fingers against mine, I instantly relaxed.
“My mother asked me to say a few words.”
Kent cleared his throat, and one by one, everyone turned to his direction.
“I’d like to take this time to thank everyone for coming. It means so very much to us that everyone we care for, who has impacted our lives in one way or another, is here to celebrate with us. I never thought I’d be up here, saying this speech, and about to get married. But then, I met Beth.”
I glanced at Mrs. Plack, and tears were in her eyes while Mr. Plack’s arms surrounded her.
“And to my beautiful fiancée and future wife…”
I looked to him as he continued to speak. His gaze raked my face with such intensity that it sent butterflies straight to the pit of my stomach.
“Thanks for being there for me and for being who you are—innocent, fun-loving, and honest.”
His voice dropped slightly, and when his eyes fixed upon me, I felt that undeniable connection, that electricity between us.
“You make me look at everything in a new light. You’re the reason I get up every morning and the reason I laugh every day.” He leaned into me and framed my face with both of his hands. “I will never care for anyone the way I do for you. My life began when I met you.”
His speech left me breathless. The intensity of his brown eyes consumed me. Absolutely consumed me. I was drowning deep into a sea of chestnut and for a moment, I forgot that we were surrounded by a mass of people. When he bent down, I held my breath, closed my eyes, and let his lips meet mine for the first time.
My body responded automatically, and I was free-falling into an empty space of bliss. I didn’t want it to stop—ever. My heart raced in my chest, and I couldn’t think of anything but this kiss and his lips, but I needed more. I wanted more. I gripped his shirt, fisting it with one hand and pulled him toward me until my body was flush against him. I heard myself moan against his mouth as I tasted mint on his lips. His masculine cologne filled my nose. I was engrossed by everything that was Kent Plack, and it was not enough. We were not close enough even though we were basically molded into one body.
His kiss was all-consuming, touching my whole mind, body, and soul and I swore, if he released me, I’d die.
I tilted my head, wanting more of him, because our nearness was not enough. I felt just the tip of his tongue against mine, and before I opened wider to let him in, his hands moved from my face to frame my shoulders. He began pushing me, moving away. My eyes were still closed as my brain screamed, No!
His body was no longer flush against mine. He took a step back, and the only thing left touching was our lips. He slowed his movement to a few pecks, and he distanced himself slowly as if he didn’t want to break from our connection either.
Opening my eyes just confirmed my thoughts. His eyes told me that he wanted more, that he needed more of me and what I could give him. His look alone, a look of desire, transformed the butterflies in the pit of my stomach into something else—something deep, dark, and not so innocent. We stared intently at each other, his chestnut brown locked onto my emerald green. His breathing was hard and labored as if he had just run a race, and all I could feel was the pounding of my heart in my chest.
And then, I heard it all around me.
Applause.
The applause broke me from my trance. I blinked, noticing the consistent hollers around us, and I blushed pink, feeling as if everyone had interrupted something that passed between us. Immediately, my senses heightened. I realized where I was, and what I just did. My head flipped up to scan the crowd for Brian. I saw him standing next to Kendy. His mouth was set in a straight line, and his hands were fisted in front of him. Emotions rushed through me in that one instant. Confused, dazed, and angry with myself, I wanted to hit something.
Kent pulled me to his side. “Once again, thank you for coming,” he announced.
My arm wrapped around his waist, and I pressed my fingertips into his side. “Yes, thank you all for coming,” I said, facing the crowd.
I dug my fingers a little harder, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Kent’s teeth clench through his smile.
How dare he! How dare he kiss me in front of this crowd and how dare I kiss him back.
It was the WTF moment, and I had absolutely no idea what had just happened or what had just passed between us. When the applause and commotion died down, I disengaged myself from Kent. I ignored him as he yelled out my name while I walked away before half-running through the crowd to look for Brian.
People stopped to congratulate me once again. My body went through the motions of nodding my head and accepting half-hugs, but my eyes were scanning the crowd for Brian.
I walked the grounds, but I couldn’t find him.
“He left.”
I wheeled around, and Kendy was standing behind me.
My stomach dropped as I took in the discouraged look on her face. “Where did he go?” My voice was barely a whisper.
“Probably home.”
“Okay.”
I made my way to leave, but Kendy reached for my arm, drawing me back.
“Beth, you can’t leave your party. He’s upset. Just let him be for now.”
“I’m not sure why Kent did that, but I have to apologize to Brian. I have to talk to him,” I said, clenching my dress with both fists.
Kendy shook her head and exhaled a heavy sigh. “You’re so blind. For someone who had straight As all through high school and college, you have no idea, do you?” she huffed, scanning my face. “Kent is in love with you, Beth.”
I reeled back as if her words had slapped me in the face. “He’s just that believable. He has more to lose than I do, so he has to be,” I contested.
“He’s believable because he’s living the truth,” she said, exasperated. “You should start living yours,” she said, taking a step closer. “I’ve known you all my life, Beth. No one knows you better than I do. I know how you are, how you think, how you’ve tried all your life to be perfect, to make the right decisions, so you don’t turn out like Jamie.” Her face was sympathetic. “You’re not her. You can’t control everything, and you especially can’t control who you fall in love with.”
At her words, I blanched. Stepping back, I shook my head. “I’m not in love with Kent,” I whispered, staring at her in disbelief.
“Then, why did you kiss him back, Beth? Why, when you look at him, it’s as if he’s the only guy in the room? Why, whenever we ar
e on the phone playing catch-up, you briefly mention Brian, but your voice hitches a tone higher when you talk about Kent?”
“Stop! Kendy, whose side are you on?” I yelled, pulling away from her.
She reached for my arm again. “Beth, I’m on your side. I’ve been on your side since you were six. I will forever be on your side. I just wish, instead of doing what you think is right, for once, you would do what’s going to make you happy. Follow your heart.”
“I’ll fix this,” I said mostly to myself.
I left Kendy and stomped back to the foyer. Kent was surrounded by a group of people when I walked up to him. Engrossed in the conversation, he barely noticed my arrival.
I tapped him on the shoulder. “Can I talk to you?”
He cast me a glance and smiled. “Sure, baby, one second.”
I waited the longest two seconds of my life, and I tapped him again. “Hey, can we talk now?”
“One sec.”
I widened my eyes. “Now,” I demanded.
The group of four stared in my direction. I didn’t care if I looked like the controlling psycho fiancée. We needed to talk and it needed to happen on my terms.
Kent smiled, entertained by my reaction. “Sure.”
I took hold of his hand, ignoring the warmth I felt, as I pulled him through the crowd, into the house and in the study. I shut the door and locked us in. “I’m sorry, but what was that?” I asked, exasperated, pointing to the door behind me. I was determined to get things back in control.
“What was what?”
When the dimple emerged on his face, I lost it. How Kendy could believe I would fall in love with a man who could possibly drive me to jump off a cliff was insane.
“That kiss!” I said. “What was that? You can’t do that. Why did you do that? You just can’t,” I said in one breath.
He scanned my face. “I had to make it believable, Beth,” he whispered.
“It was believable all right. Brian believed it, and he left.”
At Brian’s name, his eyes dropped to the ground. “I forgot about him,” he said, talking mostly to himself.