The Unexpected Affair

by Monica Richardson

  “Really? Wow. It’s beautiful. And my birthstone.” She admired the ring. “It looks custom.”

  “It is. It’s engraved, too.”

  She read the engraving. Whitney and Lane for now.

  “For now?” she asked.

  “For now, until we get to forever.”

  “That’s sweet.” She leaned over and kissed him.

  He took the ring from her fingertips. Placed it between his lips and slid the ring onto her left ring finger with his mouth. Her finger lingered in his mouth for a moment. Tears formed in her eyes.

  “Don’t cry, baby. This is a happy moment,” he whispered.

  “I am happy. I was so unhappy when you were gone. I don’t ever want to be without you again.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  She placed her hands on each side of his face. Her touch was gentle against his five-o’clock shadow. He reached over and brushed the tears from her eyes.

  Chapter 32

  She wore a sexy red dress. It hugged her hips seductively and the back was dangerously low. She pulled her hair into a bun on her head. Pearls were wrapped around her neck and the ruby ring sparkled every time she waved her hand. And she waved it a lot! She held on to Lane’s arm. He looked dapper in his tailored gray suit and red tie.

  “You’re more lovely than he described,” said Max after Lane introduced them.

  “Thank you. It’s wonderful to finally meet you, as well,” said Whitney.

  “Well, you’ll be seeing a lot of me, now that this guy is my partner.”

  “Congratulations to you both!” She smiled. “I’m quite proud.”

  “Thank you, baby.” Lane kissed her cheek.

  “I think I see Kenya over there. I’m going to run over and say hello.” She excused herself.

  As she walked away, she had a feeling that Lane was watching the swing of her hips. She turned around. He was, in fact, watching. When she caught him, he winked his eye at her. She blushed and then gave him a seductive smile. There was no denying she loved that man.

  “Well, well, well,” said Kenya.

  “Well what?”

  “You and Lane found each other again, I see.”

  “Yes, we did.”

  Kenya had no idea how she and Lane had reconnected. Whitney hadn’t shared the details of what happened with Jason, and obviously he hadn’t either. She hadn’t heard from him after that night, and she was fine with that. She didn’t care if she never heard from him again.

  “Honey, you are glowing!” said Kenya.

  “I am, aren’t I?”

  “And you’re blinging, too!” Kenya grabbed Whitney’s left hand and observed the ring. “What’s this? Did you forget to tell me something?”

  “It’s a promise ring,” said Whitney. “He promised he would never abandon me again.”

  “Aww! That’s sweet,” said Kenya. “Didn’t discuss marriage?”

  “No. Neither of us is ready for that.”

  “That’s good. Take your time. Don’t run into anything too soon like I did.”

  “Have you talked to him?” Whitney asked.

  “Not since that day,” said Kenya. “But I’m happy that Max decided not to sell the place. And I’m glad that he didn’t lose it to Will.”

  “Me, too. I’m happy for Lane. He’s now a business owner.”

  “You know what that means, right?” asked Kenya. “He meets another criteria on your Man Menu.”

  “I don’t care about that stupid Man Menu,” said Whitney. “I don’t care if he doesn’t meet anything on it. I love him endlessly.”

  “I’m so happy for you, Whit. You finally found love.”

  “I finally did.” Whitney rested her head on Kenya’s shoulder.

  “What’s this about love?” asked Tasha as she walked up.

  “Our girl is in love,” Kenya explained. “She found the real thing.”

  “Really?” Tasha asked skeptically. “I hope he doesn’t disappoint.”

  “He won’t!” said a confident Whitney.

  “Well, I’m happy for you.” Tasha grabbed Whitney’s hand.

  “And, darling, did you see the ring?” Kenya grinned like a proud parent. “That boy has taste.”

  “Yes, he does,” said Tasha as she observed the ruby. “Is this what I think it is?”

  “It’s a promise ring. We’re taking it slow.”

  “Well, if he makes promises with rubies, what will he do for lifetime commitments, honey?” asked Tasha.

  “I don’t know, but I’m looking forward to finding out.”

  “Looks like he might be a keeper, sweetie.” Tasha gave Whitney a strong, genuine hug. “I’m gonna go work the room.”

  Lane approached Whitney and Kenya. He handed Whitney a glass of Riesling and gave Kenya a smile. “Thank you for coming, Kenya.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Congratulations to you!”

  “Thanks!”

  The three of them chatted for a moment. Lane’s best friend, Melvin, walked up and patted Lane on the back.

  “Good evening, ladies,” said Melvin.

  “Hello,” said both Whitney and Kenya in harmony.

  “Hey, brother,” he said to Lane. “How are you?”

  Lane’s face was hard. He didn’t crack a smile and didn’t seem happy to see his friend.

  “I’m good. What are you doing here?”

  Whitney’s and Kenya’s eyes met in confusion. She pretended to observe the crowd. Max’s was filled with people there to celebrate the men’s new venture.

  “I’m going over here to see what Tasha’s up to,” Kenya excused herself and then disappeared into the crowd.

  “I heard about your partnership with Max. Wanted to come by and say congratulations,” said Melvin.

  “Thanks,” said Lane unenthusiastically.

  Whitney was confused by Lane’s indifference toward his best friend.

  “Can I talk to you for a moment?” Melvin asked Lane. “In private.”

  “Anything you need to say can be said in front of my woman. We have no secrets.”

  Obviously they did have secrets, because she hadn’t a clue about what was going on. She felt a bit of discomfort, but she was curious to know what had transpired with Lane and his friend of many years. He hadn’t shared anything with her. She stood there.

  “I’m sorry about the way I came at you the other day. I was completely out of line.”

  “You absolutely were.”

  “I’m thankful that you even gave Tyler a chance. And that you stuck your neck out for him.”

  Lane just bobbed his head in agreement.

  “Tyler caused his own problems, and he’ll find another job soon. He just needs to get out there and look.”

  “Well, you’ll be happy to know that I was able to get him his job back. I had a chat with the owner.”

  “Wow! Really, man?”

  “I planned on giving him a call in the morning,” said Lane.

  “Do you mind if I tell him?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Thanks again, man. You’re really a true friend. And I’ve been an ass. I hope you can forgive me,” said Melvin. “I’m going to go over and holler at Max.”

  “Tell the bartender to give you a Rémy on the rocks. Put it on my tab,” said Lane. He shook hands with his friend and the men embraced.

  Melvin headed toward the bar.

  “And what was that all about?” asked Whitney.

  “Old wounds,” said Lane. “This night is about new beginnings. Come on, let me show you off.”

  The two worked the room, and Whitney felt very confident with Lane. He made her feel as if she was the most beaut
iful woman in the room. He held her hand in his and introduced her to several people. Eventually, her feet hurt and she took a seat at the bar and continued to watch him work the room. She glanced across the room and noticed that Melvin and Kenya had become quite cozy in a dark corner. She smiled. Her friend needed some fun in her life. Tasha was running her mouth with Max. Whitney knew that she was probably lecturing him about his financial portfolio and offering her services.

  She looked at the ruby on her finger and then glanced across the room at the man who gave it to her. She was happy—truly happy.

  * * *

  At the end of the night, Lane drove them home. When he hopped onto Interstate 35, she reached into her purse and pulled out the typewritten copy of her Man Menu. She’d carried it folded in her purse since college. The paper was worn and somewhat falling apart. She gave it a quick glance and then ripped it to shreds, tossed it out the window and watched as the pieces blew in the wind. She looked at her imperfect man and gave him a smile. He was all the man she needed.

  * * * * *

  Check out the previous books in the THE TALBOLTS OF HARBOR ISLAND series by Monica Richardson:

  AN ISLAND AFFAIR

  A YULETIDE AFFAIR

  SECOND CHANCE SEDUCTION

  Available now from Harlequin Kimani Romance!

  Keep reading for an excerpt from LOVE IN LOGAN BEACH by Shirley Hailstock.

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  Love in Logan Beach

  by Shirley Hailstock

  Chapter 1

  David Thorn stood on the seawall in Logan Beach, New Jersey, his arms stretched out. The salty wind blew against his face and the open neck of his white shirt. The Atlantic Ocean stretched from here to the Scottish shores and beyond. Overhead, gulls cawed and swooped to the water in search of today’s lunch. David thought about his family vacations in this very spot. And now he would be here daily, working and making the House of Thorn’s new Logan Beach store the best he could.

  “You’re going to work here?” his brother, Blake, shouted with envy over the roar of the waves. “I’d be at the beach every day.”

  David checked the sky, lowering his arms. It was blue and cloudless, and reminded him of his carefree days as a barefoot boy running through the sand along this beach. David gave his brother a quizzical look. “When you reported the finances, how would you explain your actions to the board?” The board being the family, since Thorn’s had always been a family-run business. Their mother started it by selling cakes and pastries out of the family kitchen when her children were barely out of diapers.

  Blake looked at the beach. “There is that,” he said with a degree of regret in his voice. “I remember some fun days on this beach.”

  David laughed. “More likely it’s the nights you remember. And a certain busty teenager named—”

  “Stop.” Blake put up his hand. “Let’s stay in the present.”

  Turning around, the two brothers looked at the town. A huge house, now a school, sat in front of them. It had stood there as long as David could remember. Since their vacations here were in the summer, the school was always closed. David wondered what the view was like from the upper floors. Thorn’s department store was nowhere near this house, but it too would have a view from the top of the building.

  Two floors of the House of Thorn Logan Beach were dedicated to administrative offices and would have full 360-degree views. David believed that sunlight not only fostered production, but also contributed to better attitudes. His law office in Manhattan had huge windows.

  The lower floors of the store were dedicated to merchandise.

  “Have you reached her yet?” Blake asked, interrupting his thoughts.

  “Not yet,” he said, shaking his head. He didn’t need to ask whom Blake referred to. David had been trying to reach Rosanna Turner for a week, but to no avail.

  “I’d forget about her. There have to be other people with experience who can fill her spot.”

  “I promised the Bachs,” David insisted.

  “You called her how many times? Twelve? Thirteen? And she doesn’t answer, doesn’t return your calls. She’s probably moved or taken another job. It’s not up to you to send out the dogs.”

  “I’m not calling her again,” David said.

  Blake smiled. “I knew you’d see reason. That lawyer mind of yours knows when a case is lost.”

  David didn’t reply. And his case wasn’t lost. Not yet, David thought to himself, but he wasn’t going to debate it with Blake. Promises meant something to David. He’d try one more time, but not by phone. Rosanna Turner had to be somewhere and he’d find her.

  They started walking in the direction of the store. It was a couple of miles from the ocean. He could walk it on a good day. Thorn’s wouldn’t open for at least three more months. The exterior was complete, but the inside needed building, furnishing and stocking. David had relocated from New York City to Logan Beach and secured temporary office space next to the store. He’d toured the construction of Thorn’s and spent one day at the shore. He didn’t think he’d get many days to spend walking on the sand. Without a boardwalk, Logan Beach still had crowds of sun worshippers dotting the area. While Blake loved the ocean, when David swam, he preferred a pool to the salty sea.

  “When do you leave?” David asked his brother when the two reached David’s car.

  “Next week. I have to go back to New York tonight. My meetings with Dad and Mom take place in the next three days.”

  When their parents told the family they were planning to retire, David jumped at the chance to take over the conversion of the Logan Beach property. Blake was headed for San Francisco.

  David nodded. He remembered the last-minute instructions from his parents before he left for the shore property. Blake’s conversation would be different since the San Francisco store was fully operational.

  The Logan Beach store needed extensive renovation. And David’s first order of business was to find Rosanna Turner and see why she wasn’t living up to the person the Bachs had gushed about.

  * * *

  As the sun sat high in the afternoon sky, David parked at the curb and stepped out of his BMW i8. The bluish gray vehicle was incongruously lavish in front of an apartment building whose glory days had probably been before he was born. Punching the lock button on the key f
ob, he strode around the hood and checked the building’s address on his cell phone.

  He was in the right place. The structure’s door was ajar and unlocked. Three young boys careened out of the opening, laughing in youthful exuberance, and ran toward the main road. David entered. The hall was dark, lit by a single bald bulb that couldn’t expend enough light to clear the shadows.

  There was no elevator, but a staircase, nearly devoid of paint, led to second and third floors. Rosanna lived in apartment eleven, undoubtedly on the top. Her door had obviously been replaced with a salvaged one. It was a murky yellow against walls that were dark and in need of refinishing.

  David knocked.

  “Who is it?” someone called.

  “David Thorn,” he replied, his voice seeming to boom in the empty space.

  David thought he heard a sharp intake of breath. A few moments went by before he heard the rhythmic click of several locks being opened.

  The door was widened by a few inches and a woman cautiously poked her head through the narrow space, her arms grasping the door in readiness to slam it shut.

  “What do you want?” she asked. Her hair was pulled back severely, and she had high cheekbones that showed the hollows of her face. Wearing no makeup, she had the most incredible eyes he’d ever seen—large, brown and watery. He wished she’d smile. He’d like to see how her eyes changed when she did. Her dress was faded and too large, as if she’d recently lost a lot of weight.

  “You are Rosanna Turner, right?”

  She nodded.

  “I’d like to talk to you about Bach’s.”

  “Don’t you mean Thorn’s?” she asked flatly.

  He waited a second before nodding. “I suppose I do.”

  “Not interested.”

  She pulled her face back and moved to close the small rectangular opening. David stuck his foot in the door to stop her. It was the first time in his life he could remember doing something so impulsive.

  “At least give me a moment to explain why I’ve been trying to reach you. You haven’t answered any of my calls and I’ve come this far.”