Healing Her Heart

by Kimberly Smith

  “What? I just call them as I see them.” Lily said looking at her grandchildren.

  **

  Oliver caught up to his wife as she entered the living room. Meredith stood in front of the Fireplace with her back to him. He closed the double doors and approached her. “Don’t let her get to you.”

  Meredith spun to him. “She is the most infuriating person on the planet! Its as if her entire goal is to embarrass me at every turn. Why can’t I have a normal seventy-year-old mother? One who knits and bakes cookies.”

  Oliver smiled, “She does bake cookies.”

  His wife glowered at him, “Pot cookies!”

  Oliver chuckled. His mother-in-law was a card and a handful, but she meant well, and she loved her daughter. “Calm down,” he said putting his hands on her shoulders.

  “Don’t tell me to calm down,” Meredith said moving out of his hold. “She’s going to ruin everything. We have a lot riding on this business deal with the Westlakes. We are having enough trouble. We don’t need my mother creating more problems for us, encouraging Edwin to see this other woman.”

  Oliver faced his wife, “Maybe we need to look for another way to get what we need. Edwin is not interested in Tiffany any longer. His trip was proof of that. Besides we shouldn’t be using our son to make a business deal.”

  “We are not using Edwin. He and Tiffany have known each other for years. She’s perfect for him. It just so happens that her father can fund your research and wipe out the debt we’ve acquired and as part of the deal, Edwin and Tiffany get married. I don’t see this as a bad thing. We just have to give him a little nudge in the right direction, that’s all.”

  10

  “Sweet cheeks, you got that info for me?”

  Alec stood in the doorway between the front office and the hallway leading to the other offices and the war room. “Yeah,” Denise dug through the files on her desk and held a folder out to him.

  Alec took the file, winked at her and strolled away. Denise shook her head. Didn’t he know that in today’s world, he was flirting with disaster? In the wake of all the men being busted for sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior with women in the workplace, didn’t he think that it might be a bad idea to continue to flirt with her? It didn’t bother Denise. She knew it was harmless and she didn’t think that Alec would ever cross the line, but he might want to dial it back a little.

  Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to find a new message from Edwin. He had sent her a few in the last few days. Denise felt horrible because she hadn’t responded to him.

  Ms. M.I.A.,

  I feel as though we are playing Where’s Waldo and I can’t find you. Please show yourself.

  Dr. Sexy

  Denise smirked at his message. It was cute. She hadn’t responded to the last messages he sent because it would have broken another rule. He’d sent messages telling her how much he missed her and that he was thinking of her. She could not respond to them because they were filled with emotion and you never gave value to emotional messages by responding. This message, however, was playful and she could reply to it without breaking any rules.

  Denise took a minute to find an image of Waldo. Using an app she found on google play, she merged her face into the picture and then sent it and a message to Edwin.

  Dr. Sexy,

  Was the sex that good, that you’re searching high and low for me?

  Ms. M.I.A.

  A few minutes went by before she got another message. This time there was a picture of Liam Neeson on the phone with the words.

  Sex so good, that I will find you and I will have you again.

  Denise snickered. This was on a level she could handle. She typed a response and hit send.

  When?

  A few minutes later she got an answer.

  Tomorrow, have dinner with me first. Yes, it is a date.

  Denise was willing to concede that it was a date as long as it ended in an earth-shattering climax.

  When and where?

  Her response came quickly.

  I’ll pick you up at seven — casual attire.

  Denise sent him an emoji of kissing lips.

  **

  Friday afternoon, Denise entered the bridal boutique behind everyone else. “Welcome ladies, I’m Hanna, what can I help you with today,” The tall brunette in a classic black suit asked?

  “I’m looking for a wedding dress,” Felicia said. Caroline and Renee had wandered off to look at dresses on display. Denise sat in a chair in the corner, listening as Felicia described what she wanted.

  Hannah asked a few questions to get a feel for what Felicia wanted for her dress. While they talked another assistant in the store offered them champagne. Felicia had decided that she wanted her bridesmaids to have simple dresses that they could reuse. Something in black and she didn’t want them all to have the same dress unless they agreed to it.

  They sat as Hannah brought out a few dresses that fit Felicia’s description. Felicia picked one of the first group, and two from the second group. Hannah then took her to the dressing room to try them on.

  While Felicia tried on dresses, Denise, Renee, and Caroline looked through racks hoping to find a bridesmaid dress they could all agree on. They found one and were ushered into dressing rooms of their own.

  Denise was trying on a dress when she heard the women cooing over Felicia. She stepped out along with the others. “Aww,” Caroline said looking at Felicia.

  Denise looked Felicia over and said, “Honey that dress is beautiful, but that’s not you. Take it off. The first dress is always a throwaway.” Denise turned her back and took another drink from the tray sitting on a side table. Then she went back to remove her dress.

  Felicia smiled and went back to the dressing room. Denise put her clothes back on and waited with the others for Felicia’s next dress. When she came out and stood on the pedestal, she looked at herself first. The dress was cut deep in the front and molded to Felicia’s full breasts. It was a bit tight in the hips, and Felicia wasn’t a fan of the fishtail bottom.

  She turned and let her family and friends see her. Again, Denise was the voice that told the truth, “The top is to die for, but honey, you’ve got way too much ass for the bottom. I’m surprised you can walk in that. Next.”

  Felicia laughed at the expression on everyone’s face. They didn’t understand Denise the way she did. Felicia blew her bestie a kiss and went back to the dressing room. The third dress was strapless, and while Felicia wasn’t feeling the top, she loved the flowy, silky skirt. It billowed as she walked. Her family and friends looked at her expectantly, “I love the bottom of this dress and the top of the last one.”

  “Well you don’t have to choose one from those,” Renee said with a smile. “You will know when you have found the perfect dress.”

  Denise agreed with Renee. Felicia had plenty of time to find a dress that was perfect for her. Denise continued to pull out dresses to examine. She found one that she thought was extraordinary, but it was not something you wore as a bridesmaid. It was a dress that you wore when you went out with a hot guy and planned to blow his mind. Not something I have a need for, she told herself and slid it back on the rack.

  They had eaten lunch before coming to the bridal shop. Denise checked the time and realized that she needed to get back to work. A two-hour lunch was all she could afford to take.

  11

  “Where are you taking me?” Denise asked as she and Edwin entered a tall high-rise building in downtown Dallas. “I thought we were going to dinner.”

  Edwin spoke to the concierge, “Edwin McAlister for Max Quinn. Edwin then turned to Denise. “We’re having dinner with my friend Max and his wife, Victoria.” Denise cringed at the word friend. One of her rules was not to meet the guy’s friends or family. Technically she had already broken that rule the night Edwin and his sister had dinner at the restaurant where she used to work. Edwin sensed her displeasure, “Are we breaking a rule?”

 
Denise didn’t speak to him, she ran her hand over the skirt of her dress, smoothing the non-existent wrinkles. “You can go on up. Just hit the PH button in the elevator,” the concierge said with a smile. Edwin started to walk to the elevator, grabbing her hand and held on tight as she tried to pull her hand from his.

  Denise wasn’t happy, and she knew that Edwin could tell, by how tightly he held her hand. He must have thought that she was going to bolt if he let her hand go. They stepped inside the elevator and turned. Edwin held onto her until the doors fully closed, and the elevator went up. He tugged on her hand moving her from his side to stand facing him.

  He wrapped his arms around her still not letting her hand go. “Don’t be mad.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. She pushed against him with her free hand. “I know you have these rules that you think will keep you from getting hurt, but I don’t want to hurt you. I…”

  “Don’t say another word,” Denise said looking into his eyes. She didn’t want to hear whatever it was that he was going to say. She sighed, “It’s too late for me to do anything about it now. Let’s forget about it.” This was a big rule for her. The minute you start meeting the family and friends of a guy that you’re sleeping with things change. She knew that after tonight expectations would be put on her. Edwin would expect her to attend dates and family events with him. It meant that he was making her a priority and his life and that he would expect the same of her and she didn’t think she was capable of that. She didn’t want to fight with him, so she’d bury her feelings for now.

  Edwin was surprised at her resignation. He pressed his lips to hers in a sweet, quick kiss. He’d expected her to say something snarky to him. The elevator doors opened into a very grand foyer outside of Max’s penthouse. The door opened, and Max welcomed them. “Hey, come on in.”

  “Max, this is Denise.”

  Max smiled at her, shaking her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Denise. Can I get you a drink?”

  “Sure,” Denise said. “I’ll take a beer if you have it.”

  “Domestic or import?”

  “Domestic,” Denise said with a smile.

  “And what about you?” Max said to Edwin.

  “The same, but I’m driving, so no more than two, total.”

  “Deal. Have a seat. Make yourselves at home. Tori will be down in a minute.”

  Denise looked around the apartment. It was huge, but it had a very homey feel. It was clear that Max was rolling in dough. Denise sat on the sofa facing a long wall of windows that looked out over the city. Edwin sat down close to her. “He’s handsome,” She whispered to Edwin. “Are all of you sexy white guys friends with each other or what? Did you have to join the hunky, honky club in school?” Denise giggled as she said it. Edwin’s friend Perry was handsome, and so was Renee’s husband.

  Edwin chuckled but didn’t answer. Denise could only imagine what his wife must look like. She probably looked like a runway model. Denise hoped she wouldn’t feel intimidated by her. Max returned, handing them glasses and sitting with them. “Edwin, I have to tell you that I was a little worried when you said you wanted to bring a date.”

  “Why,” Denise asked?

  Denise didn’t get an answer to her question. Before anyone could tell her why Max would be concerned about Edwin bringing a date, Max’s wife joined them. “Sorry, we have three fussy babies, and we gave the nanny the night off.”

  Denise tried to keep the shock off her face, but she was sure that it was evident that Max’s wife was not what she’d been expecting. “Edwin, Denise, this is my better half, Victoria.”

  “Call me Tori,” She told them as she shook their hands. “Sit down. What were we talking about?”

  Tori was a thick, beautiful African American woman. Nothing at all like what Denise had envisioned. Were all the white men in Dallas experiencing jungle fever or what? Denise tried not to be rude, but she knew that she was staring at their hosts. She didn’t expect a billionaire hot guy to be married to a full-figured black woman.

  “Denise wanted to know why I was concerned when he said he was bringing someone,” Max said as Tori sat on the arm of his chair. Denise noted the look on her face.

  “Okay, somebody tell me what the deal is,” Denise said looking around at their faces and smacking Edwin’s thigh.

  “Max was afraid that I would bring a woman named Tiffany Westlake,” Edwin said before taking a drink of his beer.

  Max took over from there. “Tiffany doesn’t like my wife and Edwin’s been out of the country for a while, so he doesn’t know the details. Tiffany and I dated for a while, and it didn’t’ work out. I moved on, and so did she, but when she found out that I planned to marry Tori, she started rumors and said a lot of awful things. Let’s just say that she’s not a nice person.”

  Denise shook her head, “Have you been dating her?” From what was said Edwin had to have been seeing her for Max to think that he might bring her tonight.

  “Tiffany and I dated, but that’s been over for a while. My mother and Tiffany don’t seem to agree with me on that. Our parents have been friends for years, and you know how it is. My mother and hers have plans that include having mutual grandchildren.”

  “I had no idea that Edwin was dating someone else when I called him a few days ago.”

  Denise took it all in, but she was curious about the Tiffany chick. What was it about her that was so special that Edwin and Max had been involved with her? Denise tried not to contemplate it too much. She didn’t like thinking of Edwin with someone else.

  A baby crying could be heard faintly. It sounded like it was in the kitchen. Tori smiled at her husband, “Be right back. Denise, come with me. I like showing off my beautiful babies.” Denise set her drink on the table and went with Tori.

  **

  Denise followed Tori up the grand glass and iron staircase and down the hall of the second floor to the nursery. “This place is bigger than the house I was raised in.”

  “It took me a while to get used to it,” Tori said as she went to one of three cribs in the room. “Now, that it has grown on me, we’ve decided that we want a house with a yard, for our little ones,” Tori picked up the fussy baby who reached for her. “Oh Cali, momma’s right here,” She cooed kissing the baby’s face.

  Denise watched as Tori soothed her daughter as she moved to sit in a rocking chair. Denise peeked into the other cribs where the other two children slept peacefully. “How do you do it? Three babies at one time, it’s got to be hard.”

  Tori situated her daughter in her lap and exposed her breast for Cali to latch onto. “I have a lot of help.” She smiled down at her feeding child. “I have to admit that I never thought I would have triplets, but considering my age,” Denise looked at her quizzically. “I’m older than my husband. I didn’t think that we’d have more than one, but God had a different plan and if it is his plan, I can accept it. I wouldn’t change anything about my life. The hardest part is leaving them to go to work.”

  “From looking around, you don’t have to work.”

  “No, I don’t, but I’ve been working since I was in high school. I don’t think I could live without working and Max gets that. Sure, he tried to convince me to stay at home after they were born, but I like working.” Denise smiled at her. “How long have you and Edwin been together?”

  Denise took a deep breath. “Not long.”

  “Well, the two of you look happy. Hopefully, you’ll stay together. I’ve met a few of Max’s friends, and they are polite, but not very accepting of me. I feel like an outcast sometimes. In front of him they’re all smiles and friendliness, but when I’m standing alone at some function, and he’s across the room, I suddenly don’t exist, or I hear the whispers from women like Tiffany, who think that he could have done better. The sad part is that Max had dated another woman, well a few, but one seriously before we met. So, it’s not like he dumped Tiffany for me. I don’t understand her contempt. She likes to tell everyone that the only reason he married
me was that I got pregnant.”

  “That’s bullshit. Anyone can look at him around you and see that you are his world,” Denise said shaking her head. “I say fuck them. People always hate what they don’t understand, and love is one of those things most people don’t understand,” Including me, she added silently to herself.

  Tori smiled at her, “I like you, Denise. I think you and I are going to be good friends.”

  Denise liked Tori as well. Tori tested Cali’s sleep level by raising her chubby little arm and letting go. When it flopped down with heaviness, Tori removed the child from her breast, adjusted her clothing and lay the sleeping baby back in her crib. As they tipped out of the room, she whispered, “That one is good at playing possum.”

  **

  After a delicious meal cooked by Tori, the women sat in the kitchen talking about girl things. Edwin and Max slipped away to Max’s home office off the living room. Max closed the door while Edwin took a seat in one of the high-backed leather chairs a few feet from the desk. “I was sorry to hear about your father’s business problems,” Max said as he sat in the chair next to Edwin.

  Edwin made a face, “What problems?” His father never talked business with him, but Edwin hadn’t heard anything about any problems. Oliver was a bio engineer and had taken over his father-in-law’s laboratory and research company when he died. Even though Edwin was in the medical field, he had nothing to do with the business.

  “Your father was looking for investors, and I’m always looking for a new great investment. When I heard about the break-thru he had in his cancer research, I looked into it, but someone said that he was involved in a merger with Bradley Westlake, so I dropped the whole thing and moved on to something else.”

  “I hadn’t heard anything about it.”

  “Your father is a genius, leader in his field of bio-engineering. If he has found a better way to treat cancer, it will mean billions of dollars for his company. That would surely get him out of the financial bind he’s in right now. It was shocking to hear that his accountant had been embezzling money from the company.” Edwin sat listening to his friend. He had no idea that his father’s business was struggling. “I know that your father knows what he’s doing, but he should be careful with Westlake.”