Special Mission

by Debby Mayne

  Tell Brian thank you for being such a gentleman and watching out for you. I owe him big-time. And I appreciate how much you’ve been able to help get him through the days following what he calls “the wedding that didn’t happen.”

  I love you and miss you very much.

  Your future husband,

  David

  Kim chewed on her bottom lip as she thought about David’s e-mail. He said all the right things, but something about the tone of the message bothered her. She could be wrong, but it looked like he was leaving something out. Because she had harbored romantic thoughts of Brian, it bothered her a little to read his words of love.

  The temptation to call Brian nearly overwhelmed her, but she resisted. There was no news—good or bad—in this e-mail, so what was the point? Brian was a busy man who’d shoved enough of his own life aside to cater to her moods. He’d always been there for her, and she knew he wasn’t likely to stop anytime soon.

  Too bad she couldn’t be more like him. Brian not only lived his faith, but he accepted what Leila did without anger. Kim didn’t think she could do that. The fact that her love for David had faded was proof.

  ❧

  The next twenty-four hours were rough for Kim. She refrained from calling Brian every time her mood changed, and that was one of the most difficult things she’d ever done. It also showed her how much she’d come to rely on him.

  She had just come home from work when her phone rang. It was Brian.

  “Don’t make any plans for three weeks from tomorrow,” he said.

  “Why?” she asked. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m, uh. . .having a little get-together for some close friends.”

  Kim picked up a pen and tapped it against the desk. Brian had an odd tone to his voice. “Are you okay, Brian?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  “So what’s this all about? Your birthday isn’t for a couple more months. Did you get a promotion?”

  “Don’t ask questions, Kimberly.” He cleared his throat. “Just pencil me in on your calendar, okay?”

  Seven

  Kim laughed. “Okay, consider it done, but only because it’s you. Anyone else would have some explaining to do.”

  “So, how was work today?” he asked.

  “Are you changing the subject?”

  “Yes, and don’t ask any more questions.”

  Again, she laughed. “Okay, okay, I won’t. Work was fine. We’ve been busy—mostly with cuts. People aren’t getting as many perms as they used to, and most of my customers are coloring their own hair.”

  “You never really did like working with chemicals, so that’s a good thing, right?”

  Kim knew he was avoiding something, so she played along. “Yes, it’s a very good thing. I prefer cuts over everything else.”

  Silence fell between them for a couple of seconds. Normally, that would have been fine, but Brian cleared his throat, and her insides constricted.

  “You and I need to talk soon,” he said.

  She forced a laugh. “You make it sound so serious. Why can’t we talk now?”

  “Maybe because it’s too serious to discuss over the phone.”

  “C’mon, Brian, this is me. We’ve been through a lot together.”

  “Yes,” he agreed as his voice lowered. “And that’s what makes this so difficult. Mind if I stop by tomorrow night?”

  “Sure, that’s fine. Want to come for dinner?”

  “No, I’ll eat something before I come. I just want to talk.”

  After Kim hung up, an overwhelming sense of dread washed over her. She didn’t want to keep worrying Brian with doubts about her relationship with David.

  All night and the next day, Kim pondered what could be so serious that Brian couldn’t bring it up on the phone. She felt Jasmine watching her until the last customer left. Jasmine finally laid down her scissors, turned to face Kim, folded her arms, and tapped her foot. “Okay, what gives?”

  Kim avoided her friend’s glare. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You’ve been acting weird all day. Did David e-mail you with bad news or something?”

  With a quick roll of the eyes, Kim shook her head. “No. In fact, he wants his mother and me to get together soon.”

  “Oh, that should be fun,” Jasmine said with a wicked laugh. “Not.”

  “I’m sure we’ll get along over time. It can’t be easy for her to deal with her son getting involved with someone she barely knows.”

  “True,” Jasmine agreed. “So why have you been so—I don’t know—pensive all day?”

  “I don’t know how you can say that, Jazzy. We’ve had a steady stream of clients from the moment we opened.”

  “True, but you’re still not acting like yourself.”

  Kim lifted her arms and splayed her fingers. “I can’t always be Miss Suzie Sunshine.”

  Jasmine cackled. “You’ve got a point. Having your fiancé and best girlfriend leaving so close together must be hard.”

  “Yes,” Kim agreed. “Very.”

  “Just remember that you can talk to me about anything. I’ve probably been through almost everything.”

  “Thanks, Jazzy.”

  Kim finished cleaning up and headed home, stopping off for a burger on the way. She didn’t want to mess with cooking and cleaning, as eager as she was to find out what Brian wanted to talk about.

  Time seemed to drag before he finally arrived. She flung open the door seconds after he rang the doorbell. Seeing him significantly brightened her mood.

  “Whoa,” he said as he lowered his hand. “You must have been standing right there.”

  “I was waiting for you,” she admitted. “So come in and tell me what’s going on.”

  Instead of heading for the living room, he turned toward the kitchen. She followed.

  “Want something to drink?”

  Brian shook his head and pointed to the kitchen chair. “Just sit down, okay?”

  She silently obeyed. He was obviously in no mood for argument or ceremony.

  As soon as she sat, he paced a couple of times. Suddenly he stopped, placed his hands on the back of the chair, and leaned forward. “Kim, I don’t think it’s right for you and me to. . .well, you know. . . .” His voice trailed off, but he continued staring at her.

  “No, Brian, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She frowned, and he remained silent. “What are you talking about?”

  Brian pulled his lips between his teeth and looked down. When he lifted his head, he offered a half grin. “Kimberly, you’re an engaged woman.”

  His closeness nearly took her breath away. “So? We’ve been friends forever.”

  “Well. . .” He took a step back and shook his head. “Things have changed.”

  “Changed? How?”

  “I don’t know. They’ve just changed.”

  “Have you met someone new?” That must be it. Disappointment shrouded her as she forced a grin. “You have a new girlfriend, and she doesn’t understand about me. Want me to talk to her?”

  “No, I don’t have a new girlfriend. I haven’t been anywhere to meet a girl.”

  “What’s the problem, Brian?”

  He lifted his hands. “I’m just not feelin’ this whole friendship thing with you anymore.”

  Kim suddenly went numb. “Okay,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s fine.”

  Brian’s stone-cold face softened, and he let out a snort. “It’s not fine. I have to admit, I have feelings for someone, Kim.”

  Kim felt like her eyes would bug out of her head, and she had to steady herself. “So there is someone else—someone besides Leila?”

  Brian hung his head. “Yes, I’m in love with someone else.” When he looked back at her, a sad expression had clouded his eyes.

  “Who?”

  He pursed his lips and shook his head. “Can’t tell you.”

  “That’s insane, Brian. You can tell me anything.”

/>   “Nope,” he replied. “Not this.”

  He’d rocked Kim’s world way more than she ever thought he could. “Maybe it’s just displaced feelings from Leila,” she offered. “I’m sure that had a huge impact on you.”

  “Nope. It’s the real thing. In fact, deep down, I think I was relieved when Leila didn’t show up.”

  “That’s crazy. Why did you get engaged to Leila?”

  “The girl I love is off-limits.”

  Kim lifted her eyebrows. “Is she married or something?”

  “Not married.”

  “Then she’s involved with someone else?”

  “Yeah, very involved.”

  “Like I said earlier, that’s insane.”

  Brian chuckled and shrugged. “Probably, but it’s the truth.”

  “Why have you never told me about. . .this girl you think you love?”

  “There’s no way you’ll ever understand this, Kim.”

  “Then why did you tell me?”

  “I thought you needed to know. From me.”

  “You’re not going to get away with this, Brian,” she said, forcing a smile. “This is me, remember?”

  “Let’s just drop it, okay?”

  “That’s impossible.”

  “Try, okay?”

  She closed her eyes for a moment then opened them to find Brian staring at her. “You make me nervous just standing there.”

  He sat and fidgeted before looking her in the eye. “Now I’m doubting myself for telling you.”

  “You can tell me anything.” She traced her finger along the edge of the table, trying to hide the jealousy that had bubbled inside her chest. “Why are you afraid to confide in me about this girl?”

  “It’s really complicated.”

  “And I’m pretty smart, ya know,” she said. “Maybe I can help you figure out how to deal with things.”

  “There’s nothing to figure out.” He studied his hands before looking back at her. “So how are things going with David?”

  “I told him we need to talk.”

  “That’s good,” Brian said. “At least it’s a start,” he said without an ounce of conviction in his voice. “I think it’s best if I stay out of your relationship with David.”

  “Okay.”

  Brian had never acted this strange before, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to fill her in on what the real problem was. Or who the girl was. Everything in her life suddenly seemed so off-kilter.

  “So what now?”

  “I bow out of your life—at least for a while.”

  Kim wanted to touch Brian, but she didn’t dare. Instead, she stood and pushed her chair under the table.

  Brian took the hint and got up. “I’d better head on home now.” He turned and walked to the door but stopped and turned back to face her. “Kim, there is that little get-together in three weeks. I, uh. . .”

  “That’s okay, Brian. I understand if you don’t want me there.”

  “No!” He spoke so quickly, it startled her. “I do want you there. You have to be there.”

  “But I thought—”

  “There will be a lot of people, so it’s different. You have to come.” His gaze met hers. “Please?”

  “Okay,” she said, nodding her head.

  “It’s important.” He frowned, adding to her confusion.

  Kim held up her hands. “Okay, I’ll be there. I just don’t understand.”

  “You will,” he said as he reached for the doorknob. “I’ll see you around.”

  She stood at the door until he got in his car and pulled away. When she closed and locked it, she felt as though she’d just shut the door on the best friend she’d ever had in her life. How could such a solid friendship change so quickly and without her having a clue what had just happened?

  ❧

  The next day, Brian stayed in his office with the door closed until Jack e-mailed him and asked where the report was. Brian shot him an e-mail right back letting him know it wasn’t due for another couple of days. This elicited a return note, requesting an impromptu meeting ASAP. Brian wasn’t in the mood for this, but he agreed to meet in the conference room in ten minutes.

  This gave him time to say a prayer, grab the paperwork he had ready, and swing by the break room for a soft drink. Jack was sitting at the head of the table, waiting for him when he walked into the conference room.

  “So what gives, Brian?”

  Brian grabbed a coaster and carefully placed his soda on it; then he spread the paperwork out in front of Jack. He was about to sit down when Jack started laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” Brian asked.

  “I didn’t want to see all this.” Jack gestured over the papers. “I just wanted to find out if you’re okay. You haven’t been yourself lately.”

  Brian raked his fingers through his close-cropped hair. “I’ve just been swamped with all the reports and—”

  “Don’t give me that, Brian. You can handle your job with your eyes closed. Something else is going on.”

  “Everything’s fine.”

  “Okay, let me guess.” Jack leaned forward. “Girl trouble?”

  “C’mon, Jack, you know what happened. A guy can’t get over being jilted this fast.”

  Jack tilted his head and folded his arms. “I don’t think this is about Leila. It’s Kimberly, isn’t it?”

  If Brian hadn’t already confided in Jack when they first started working together, he would’ve been angry for the man sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. He’d regretted it ever since.

  “C’mon, man, that was a long time ago. David’s coming home soon, and he wants me to have a party to surprise Kim.”

  Jack made a face. “David wants you to have a surprise party for him? That sounds rather presumptuous to me.”

  “Nah, it’s not like that. He just wants to see some old friends, and while we’re at it, we’ll surprise Kim. That’s all.”

  “Take some advice from a man with a few years on you, Brian. If you love Kimberly, and it looks like you still do, even though you refuse to admit it, don’t stand back and let her go without a fight.”

  “David’s one of my closest friends,” Brian argued. “Don’t forget I introduced them.”

  “That’s beside the point. This is serious business. Your entire future is at stake.”

  “Thanks, Jack, but I’m fine.”

  “Kim’s future is at stake.”

  Brian nodded. “David is a good man, even if he doesn’t know how to show it. If anything, I should probably talk to him about improving communication with his future wife.”

  Jack leaned toward Brian. “Have you told her how you feel?”

  “Discussion closed.” Brian glared at his co-worker, willing him to stop pressing.

  Jack stood, walked over to Brian, and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Man, I wish I could make things better for ya, buddy.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Think about what I said. Have a talk with David. Let him know how you feel about Kim.”

  “Good-bye, Jack.”

  Jack snorted. “Okay, fine. Do what you need to do.”

  “Thanks.” Brian smiled. “I appreciate your concern.”

  “Anytime,” Jack said. “Today’s meeting should be a barrel of fun.” He rolled his eyes upward.

  “I’m sure.”

  After Jack left the conference room, Brian stared down at the papers he’d brought. Until Leila stood him up at the altar, Brian was able to keep his feelings for Kim in check and his life mapped out in a very logical manner. However, that one act—or nonact—turned everything upside down.

  ❧

  Kim couldn’t put her finger on it, but she knew something was going on—some sort of secret. Everyone around her seemed to be in on it. Last time she visited her parents, they kept exchanging surreptitious glances. David’s mother called and asked if she’d like to go shopping for a new outfit. Even Jazzy kept looking at her, snickering, and shaking her head, like she
knew something but wasn’t telling. Normally, she would have called Brian and asked him to help her figure things out, but after their talk, she knew she couldn’t count on him to be straightforward.

  Everything was just too bizarre.

  Each day that passed brought even more strange events. She accepted David’s mother’s shopping invitation, and the woman insisted they go the following weekend. That never would have happened before, because every time Mrs. Jenner made an offer in the past, it was hollow, and nothing ever came of it. Jazzy grew silent and only smiled when Kim commented about David or Brian.

  Then she called Carrie, who tried to get off the phone. But Kim wouldn’t have it.

  “Okay, what gives? Everyone’s acting like I have a disease.”

  Carrie laughed. “I think everyone’s just really busy.”

  “The people I want to see don’t have time for me. But David’s mother actually wants me to go shopping. I can understand everyone else being busy, but Mrs. Jenner hates me.”

  “Oh, I’m sure she doesn’t hate you,” Carrie said. “I bet David finally convinced her that you’re a nice girl and that she really should get to know you.”

  “Oh right.” Kim couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

  “Guess what!” Carrie said.

  “I can’t imagine. What?”

  “I’m coming home the day after tomorrow.”

  “Then let’s get together this weekend.”

  Carrie cleared her throat. “Sorry, I can’t.”

  “So what are you so busy doing?”

  “I, uh. . .I have to clean my house.”

  “I’ve known you a long time, and you’ve never put a clean house before having fun.”

  Carrie laughed. “Okay, I’ll level with you. Something is going on, but I can’t talk about it now.”

  So Kim’s hunch was right. “When can you talk about it?”

  “Um. . .not for a while.”

  “Just answer me, Carrie. When?”

  “How about a week from Monday?”

  “Now that’s just weird.” Kim let out a sigh of frustration. “Looks like the only choices I have are to keep agonizing over this or coming over there and beating it out of you.”

  “Right. As if you’d ever resort to violence.”