by Nia Arthurs
“Nope.”
“Slept together?”
“Nope.”
“Kissed? Not even once?”
“Not even once.”
Her countenance brightens. “Okay!” she says jubilantly. “I guess I can go home now.”
“Just a minute.” I pull her back and then ease the door open, glancing down the hallway. “You better take the back door. And never come back.”
“Why?” Lauren asks, fluffing her hair.
My voice is flat. “Because if my best friend sees you again, she’s going to kill you.”
Lauren’s eyes widen.
“With a pair of cutting scissors.”
She trembles and says nervously, “Where’s that back door?”
I see Lauren out and then return to the salon. Tanya spots me and sprints over, yanking my arm and hauling me to a quiet corner. “Who was that? And where is she?”
“She’s gone.” I pry Tanya’s fingers off my arm. “You don’t have to worry about her coming back.”
“What did she want?”
“Harry.”
Realization dawns in Tanya’s dark eyes. “That was Harry’s ex?”
I shrug.
“No wonder you were so upset. Damn, that girl is gorgeous!” Tanya catches my expression and dutifully amends. “Not as pretty as you though.”
I push her away. “Ben must have told his dad that he’s staying in Belize. From the look of things, I’m guessing he didn’t take it well.”
“You should call him. Better yet, why don’t you take off now?”
“Really?” I study her face.
“Yeah.” She grins, her braids bouncing. “Girl, that’s the least I can do for you and your new family.” Tanya nudges me in the side. “Go. Be free.”
I grab her face and give her a big kiss on the cheek. “Thanks.”
“Whatever.” Tanya wipes her cheek with a palm.
I grin over my shoulder as I fly through the front door and sail into the bright Caribbean sunshine. It’s after five so the traffic is bumper to bumper. It’ll take forever to get home at this rate.
I frown and turn to go back inside when I spot Tanya’s bicycle resting against the side of the building. A few minutes later, I take off, blowing past the cars stuck in a gridlock.
I pedal the bicycle like a maniac. Some kid even points and laughs at my short legs pumping like a machine. I ignore him and lean forward, letting the wind pummel my face and blow my hair back.
The sky explodes with color as dusk settles on Belize City. Coconut trees arch toward the sky. The Caribbean Sea rushes in the distance, the waves singing their own songs and filling the air with the scent of salt and seaweed.
It’s almost nightfall when I spot Harry’s house up ahead. I pedal faster and toss the bicycle into the yard.
Ben’s rental is parked on the side of the road. That means he’s here. So why are there no lights on in the living room or the porch? He normally leaves the lights on for me.
Panic starts in my stomach and winds its way up to my head. I pull my keys out of my pocket, struggling to fit it into the keyhole. My hands are trembling too violently. It takes me three tries before I’m successful.
I blow the door open and storm through. Ben’s on the couch. His eyes are closed. He’s still. Unmoving. I sprint to his side and drop on my knees. Why is his face so pale? Why isn’t he waking up?
“Ben? Ben!”
He doesn’t respond. Doesn’t even flutter an eyelash. Tears form in my eyes. I hover over the couch and shake his shoulders, desperate to wake him. “Ben! You can’t go like this! Reece needs you! I need you! Ben! Ben! Wake up!”
Suddenly, the living room light flips on. Reece steps into the room, feet bare. She rubs her eyes and studies me. “Logan? What’s going on?”
I feel Ben shifting beneath my hands and glance down to find his gaze on me. I yelp and fall back, landing hard on my rear. He sits up slowly.
I blink, struggling to make sense of his seemingly miraculous recovery. Adrenaline is still pounding through my veins. My chest heaves. “Ben?”
He pulls earphones out of his ears. I hadn’t seen them because it was so dark in here. He smirks. “I was resting my eyes for a bit. Did you think I’d killed myself or something?”
I slap him on the arm, tears streaming down my face even though I’m relieved. “You scared me.”
He nurses the spot where I hit him. “Sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Clearly.”
“Why would you jump to the conclusion that I hurt myself?”
I glance up and find Reece listening intently. I force a smile. “Reece, do you mind getting me a cup of water?”
She drags her feet, but obediently saunters into the kitchen.
When she’s gone, I lean in. “Lauren stopped by the store earlier. She was angry. Demanded to know what I’d done to convince you to stay in Belize. I figured your father must have exploded too and came straight over to find you unresponsive. What was I supposed to think?”
Ben chuckles and swipes my cheek to wipe my tears. “You have a very active imagination.”
Reece returns to the living room and hands me a glass of water. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, honey.” I smile at her and hold the cup, making no moves to drink it.
“Grandpa says he’s leaving the country tomorrow. He wants us to take him to the airport. Will you have time to come?”
I shake my head. “Sorry. I have to work.”
She nods. “When school starts, can I get my old job back?”
“What job?” Ben asks.
“She comes in once a week to help us clean and reorganize.” I squeeze Reece’s shoulder and take a sip of my water. “She’s very good. Our salon wouldn’t function without her.”
Reece beams proudly.
Ben pinches her cheek. “Are you sad that my dad is leaving?”
“I am.” Reece nods. “Having Dada around was fun.”
“Would you have,” Ben glances at his hand and casually asks, “wanted to go with them?”
“Where?” Reece scrunches her nose.
“To the US?”
I hold my breath. If Reece says ‘yes’ will that change Ben’s mind?
Reece thinks long and hard. Finally she shakes her head. “Dad’s stuff is here. So is Logan and Miss Lydia and all my friends. I would like to visit him sometime though.”
I grin. “That can be arranged.”
Reece jumps to her feet. “Logan, can we make garnaches for dinner?”
“Spanish food?” Ben rubs his stomach. “Sounds delicious.”
When Reece scampers off to her bedroom, I climb to my feet. Ben joins me, his smirk still firmly in place.
I arch an eyebrow. “What?”
“You need me, huh?” He rubs his chin, looking pleased.
I turn on my heels and head to the kitchen. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I heard it with my own ears. You were bawling and begging me not to leave you.”
I wince. “You’re imagining things.”
Ben follows me to the kitchen where he proceeds to tease me all night.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ben
Despite Lauren’s attempts at attacking Logan and pleading with me to change my mind, Dad leaves Belize without a fuss. I was, frankly, stunned by his composure. There had to be a catch. Some mysterious plot working in the background that would leave him the ultimate victor.
But there wasn’t. On the day of his flight, Dad hugged Reece. Squeezed my shoulder. Told me to send Logan my regards. Then he and Lauren boarded the plane. All without a backward glance.
Two weeks have passed and, though he’s called to talk to Reece, there hasn’t been so much as a peep of disapproval from him.
Which means one of two things.
(A) Dad has matured beyond my wildest imagination or…
(B) Dad is choosing not to alienate me the way he did Harry. After all, it’
s his stubbornness and pride that drove Harry away and forced him to keep Reece a secret in the first place.
Whatever the reason, Dad isn’t getting in my way. He’s not rooting for me either, but I can use all the support I can get right now, even if it comes in the form of a truce.
Things have changed drastically since Reece started school and I got the job at Sara and Hilton’s studio.
Maybe I’m just terrible at multitasking. Or maybe having all that free time while Reece was on summer vacation lulled me into thinking this parent-thing would be easy.
Man, was I wrong.
Taking care of another human being is tough. And I’m not even doing it alone.
Logan helps me out in the mornings. Big time. I’ve never been much of an early-riser and the concept of a class that starts at eight is one I left behind when I graduated high school. If not for Logan and her crazy commitment to keeping a schedule, the kid would probably be late for school everyday.
Thankfully, Reece is always clothed, fed, and ready for school by seven. That’s when I force myself out of bed and take a shower.
Logan usually bangs on the bathroom door and curses me out in the most PG way possible until I finish. When I open up, she’ll scream at me for a minute or two and then barge inside to brush her teeth or fix her makeup.
It’s my responsibility to get Reece to school. Which is a daunting task in Belizean morning traffic.
I secretly suspect that all Belizean drivers are preparing to audition for the Fast and Furious franchise. The fact that we don’t have more traffic accidents continues to baffle me.
By the time I get to my job, I’m usually swearing, stressed, and a few minutes shy of the hour. But at least the work itself is calming. I get to sketch for most of the morning and then I meet with Hilton to hash out details of the launch.
I eat lunch by myself since Sara and Hilton are stupid in love and their cheesy smiles and sappy lines aren’t good for my digestion.
In the afternoons, I complete my marketing checklist, send emails, and call our international suppliers. It’s a task I’ve taken over since Hilton hates dealing with the contractors, and I have no problem with it.
I want this launch to go well almost more than Sara and Hilton do.
At three, I pick Reece up from school and listen to her detailed explanation of everything she did, saw and heard that day. I’m pretty sure I can pick out every one of her peers by her descriptions alone.
Most of the time, I let her voice become background noise. If I bob my head and mumble ‘that’s cool’, she seems none the wiser.
After school, I take Reece to work with me. She’ll do her homework in the small conference room while I finish up for the day. Then we’ll either drive or walk home together. Depending on the weather.
Once a week, I take her to Logan’s salon for her ‘job’. While Reece sweeps and completes the various odd tasks Tanya and Logan assign her, I sit in the office and relax with a webtoon until both women are ready to leave.
Today, I sink into the office chair and skim through the episodes I need to catch up on. There’s a knock on the door. I glance up, head cocked to the side.
“Uncle Ben?” Reece’s voice filters through. “It’s me.”
“Come in.”
I hear a click and then Reece eases her body into the room. She’s wearing her school uniform—a white polo with blue trim on the sleeves and a short navy skirt. Logan braided her hair again so now it lays in neat rows on top of her head.
“What’s up?” I ask, putting my tablet on the desk.
“Well,” she wrings her hands, “there’s some guy in the store talking to Logan. He brought his mother in to do her hair and he’s being real friendly. I just… thought you should know.”
What guy? Anthony?
I frown. Logan’s been texting him on and off for a month, but I never thought it would lead to anything serious. She didn’t seem that interested in him. Was I wrong?
I school my features so Reece can’t read my thoughts. “Why would you tell me that? It’s none of my business who Logan talks to.”
“That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”
I shrug.
“Fine. Sorry for bringing it up.” She turns toward the door.
“Reece.”
“Yes, Uncle Ben.”
I round the desk and kneel in front of her, taking her hand gently so she looks at me. “You know Logan and I are just friends.”
“Why?”
Unprepared for her question, I pause. “Why?”
“You’re so great together. You both love me. So why can’t you love each other?”
I run a hand over the back of my neck. “It’s more complicated than that.”
“Daddy said the same thing.” Reece yanks her hand out of mine and stomps her little feet. “What’s wrong with Logan? What about her do you both find so complicated?”
I lean back, soaking in her words. Slowly, I ask—“Reece, did your dad have feelings for Logan?”
“Yes.”
It’s like I got punched in the gut. I’ve always suspected, but to hear a confirmation like that…
So Harry really was into Logan.
“He wouldn’t admit it though. Not even to me. I overheard him one night talking with Miss Lydia. He said Logan was beautiful, but that she deserved someone better than him.”
Reece and I snort in tandem.
“Who’s better than Harry?”
She smiles bravely. “You’re not so bad, Uncle Ben.”
“No one can compare to your dad, kiddo. I won’t even try.” I squeeze her shoulder and then open the door. “Alright. Let’s go see what this guy’s deal is.”
Reece brightens. “Yay!”
I take her hand and we walk down the hallway into the brightly lit salon. The women in the styling chairs stare at me with confused expressions. I’m used to the looks by now so I block them out and head straight over to Logan.
She’s standing next to a tall man who looks as out of place as I do. He notices me coming and for a brief, static moment, his expression shifts to pure relief. When Logan smiles brightly at me, however, that expression shifts again.
“Ben!” Logan takes a step toward me. “What are you doing out here?”
“Just checking up on things.” I look pointedly at the man standing behind her.
“Oh.” Logan turns and beckons him forward. “This is Anthony. Anthony, this is Reece’s uncle.”
“Hey.” Anthony shakes my hand. His grip is firm. Bordering on painful. I squeeze his palm harder in retribution. He winces.
“Aren’t you gonna let go?” Reece whispers to me.
I break off first and chuckle. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Likewise.” Anthony’s voice is deeper than an empty oil barrel. Geez. Is he Morgan Freeman’s long-lost Caribbean love child? Anthony grins, revealing a row of brilliantly shining teeth. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Ben.”
“All good things, I assume.” I arch an eyebrow at Logan.
She looks away. “As you can see, everything is good out here. Why don’t you return to the office?”
“Are you ready to go home?” I ask, ignoring her obvious attempt to brush me off.
Anthony lifts his chin and slips one hand into his pocket. The light catches in the buckles of his fancy silver watch. It’s expensive. I know because Dad owns one just like it. “Logan’s already got a ride. I’ll take her home.”
“What now?” Reece yells.
I chuck my chin toward the counter, a clear instruction for Reece to beat it. She scrunches her nose but dutifully disappears.
“What my niece meant to say is there’s no need for that. We’re all going to the same place anyway.”
“Ben,” Logan hisses.
“What?” I mouth.
Anthony’s lips twitch. “Do you guys live in the same neighborhood?”
“No, man. The same house.”
“That’s enough.” Logan link
s elbows with me and pulls me away. “There’s something I need to get from the office so I’ll escort you back there. Anthony, it was great seeing you. Don’t worry about your mother. We’ll take good care of her.”
“Yeah.” Still blinking like a man in a daze, Anthony turns on his heels and heads for the door.
I pump my fist in victory. Unfortunately, Logan catches me and sears me with a look so scathing, my arm shrivels from the heat.
“What exactly are you doing?”
I follow her down the corridor. “Getting to know your customers.”
“You gave Anthony the impression we were living together.” She shoves the office door open and hauls me in. “Want to explain why?”
“Not particularly.”
Her glare darkens.
“It was Reece.” I rat my niece out. “She made me do it.”
“Why would Reece care about whether or not I’m talking to Anthony. Unless…” She chews her bottom lip.
“Unless…?” I prompt, suddenly taken by the sight of her plump lips between her teeth. Her lipstick is a rich pinkish purple. It suits her dark brown skin like it was made for her. For the hundredth time, I wonder how soft Logan’s lips would feel against mine.
Logan claps, snapping me out of my trance. “Is she afraid I’ll start dating Anthony, eventually marry him and move out of the house?”
“What?”
“That’s it, isn’t it?” Logan grins like she’s pleased with herself for figuring things out. “She’s already lost her father. She doesn’t want any more things to change.”
“Wait.” I step toward her. “Is there a possibility that you and Anthony might start dating?”
“I’m going out with him Friday night.”
Horror envelops me. “You can’t.”
“Why?”
My gaze darts about as I look for something to say. “Reece wanted to go bowling Friday.”
“She didn’t tell me anything,” Logan muses.
“Well, now you know.”
“We’ll just have to reschedule.” Logan tosses her hair over her shoulder. It’s back to being silky straight. I prefer her natural hair, but this style is nice too. “I’ve already promised Anthony. I can’t go back on my word.”
“Why not?”
She laughs. “Because I’m a woman of principle. And… his mother was right there. I can’t flake when he’s related to one of my customers.”