by Tina Martin
“How did you know?”
“My sister was one of his students. She told me.”
“He was a teacher?”
Bryson nodded. “A college professor. She said he often mentioned you. Said he was proud of you and your accomplishments.”
“That’s what Martha said, too.”
“Martha?”
“Yes. She’s his widow. He had married her after he left my mom.”
“Did you get a chance to sit down and talk with her?”
“For a few minutes. She told me my father was troubled. She said he created a fake Twitter account so he could follow me. That’s how he stayed up-to-date with my life over the years.”
“Wow. That’s a little crazy.”
Kalina grinned. “It baffles me why he didn’t reach out to me.”
“He was probably ashamed to. Or maybe he didn’t think you would accept him.”
“And I probably wouldn’t have.” She took a sip of water. “Oh, I almost forgot…” Kalina stood up to get her purse from the nightstand, took the envelope from it and returned to the table. “Martha gave me this.”
“What’s that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t opened it yet. Martha said my father wanted me to have it.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Open it.”
“Alright, if you insist…” She took her time opening the envelope, sliding out a folded piece of paper. “It’s a handwritten note.”
“What does it say?”
“It says: ‘If you’re reading this, Kalina, then you’ve already taken the first step to find out who you really are and why I did the things I did. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I love you. Dad.’”
“Is that it?”
“Yep, and looks like he wrote a number behind his name. One thirty-three.” She handed the note to Bryson.
Bryson skimmed over it and asked, “There’s nothing else in the envelope?”
Kalina turned the envelope upside down and was a second away from saying no when a key fell out onto the table.”
“A key?” Kalina said.
Bryson picked it up, looked at it and said, “It looks like a key that belongs to a safe deposit box.” He handed the key to her. “And I bet the one thirty-three is the lockbox number.”
Kalina analyzed the key and said, “It doesn’t say what financial institution it belongs to, and he didn’t leave it on the note. How do I know where to look?”
“Tomorrow morning, we’ll have to ask Martha what bank he used.”
Kalina beamed after hearing Bryson say we’ll have to ask. He wasn’t going anywhere.
“What?” Bryson asked when he saw her smiling.
“Nothing.” Kalina studied him harder, watching him wipe a napkin across his lips – lips she remembered pressed against hers briefly.
“Did you call your aunt yet?” he inquired.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I will before bed…wasn’t in the mood earlier.”
Bryson took a sip of water and said, “I have to tell you something about her.”
“About Edith?”
“Yes.”
“What about her?”
“Well, she sort of encouraged me to talk to you.”
Kalina grinned. “What are you talking about?”
“She told me you needed someone so I made myself available to you.”
“She told you I needed someone?”
“To talk to…to confide in and, yes, she told me about the bet, too. I hope you’re not upset.”
Kalina shook her head. “No. I’m not upset. Aunt Edith always try to do what’s best for me.”
Bryson grimaced, but nodded at the same time. Her aunt surely didn’t tell her that her father had died. That wasn’t what was best for her. But he left the subject alone because it wasn’t his place to tell Kalina that. He did, however need to tell her the truth about how else he knew her – about the email Felicia had sent to her a little over two years ago seeking advice. He kept that email in his wallet, waiting for a moment like this.
“Kalina, I have something else to tell you.”
“Okay…”
“I sort of knew you, well a little about you, when I first came across your blog two years ago.”
“Two years ago?” she asked with bright eyes. “You knew about my blog?”
“Yes, and before you ask, I wasn’t seeking any marital advice. I was looking at your site to find out who you were since I stumbled across an email you sent to Felicia.”
Kalina frowned as she watched Bryson remove a folded piece of paper from his wallet and hand it to her. She quickly unfolded it and quietly read it:
From: Kalina Cooper
To: Anonymous
Subject: Torn
Hi Confused in Wilmington,
I can’t say I understand exactly what you’re going through, but I will say this. You’ve been married to this man for six years. That has to count for something. All too often people, men and women alike, are so quick to walk away from their relationships when they think that someone else can give them what their ‘missing’ in their current situation. And guess what…a few years from now, you’re going to be feeling the exact same way about this strange man you’ve been dating. If you’re bored within your marriage, you need to look within yourself, not into the eyes of another man to give you a feeling of excitement. Why don’t you try to go away with your husband? You said you manage the household finances, so schedule a trip together. You better believe that there are plenty of women out here who would want a man like you have. Why not take the time to show your husband that you appreciate his hard work – providing you with the financial stability that enables you to get massages and manicures whenever you want? When was the last time you cooked a meal for him? Or surprised him at his office with lunch? Better yet, when was the last time you had an actual conversation with him, looked him into his eyes and really asked him if he was okay? When was the last time you told him you loved him? Try it. If nothing else I said has struck a chord with you, remember this – don’t throw your marriage away because you think someone else can make you happy. Happiness starts within.
All the best,
--
Kalina Cooper
Editor | CEO
The Cooper Files
_____
When she looked up at him, he asked, “Do you remember typing that?”
“I…I do. Oh my God…that…that was Felicia who wrote me?”
Bryson nodded.
“Jeez, I’m so sorry, Bryson.”
“Why are you sorry? You gave her the best advice I think anyone could have given her and I was so impressed with your response, I went to your website, read all about you and when I saw you in Edith’s coffee shop, I asked Edith if she knew you and the rest is history.”
“I…” Kalina said. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s nothing to say, I guess. Like I said, I appreciated your words to her, but when a person has their heart set to do something, it’s hard to convince the mind otherwise.”
Kalina nodded. “That’s true. The heart is treacherous, right?”
“Right, but not all hearts are disloyal, and I’m certain the heart of the woman who typed this email knows what loyalty means, knows how to treat a man. Only thing is, her heart isn’t ready and it probably never will be.”
Kalina smiled shyly, then shook her head. Speechless. He was right. Her heart wasn’t ready. She stood up and said, “I think I’m going to take a shower, and afterwards, I’ll call my aunt and go to bed. What are your plans?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you staying? Going home?”
“I’m staying. You need me, remember?” He smirked.
Yes. I need you. She took her overnight bag into the bathroom before closing and locking the door.
CHAPTER 37
“Where on God’s green earth have you been, Kalina?” Edith asked. “Bryson was l
ooking for you, I was looking for you and—”
“Edith, I’m fine. I’m in Fayetteville and Bryson has already found me,” she said, rubbing lotion on her legs while sitting at the foot of the bed.
Bryson had been watching TV before his attention was averted to her. She came out of the bathroom, wearing a pair of loose cotton shorts with the matching top – a comfortable pajama set for bed. Now, watching her rub lotion down her long legs and to her feet, he couldn’t look at the TV if someone forced him to.
“Why are you there?” Edith asked.
“I was looking for my father. I wanted to talk to him, but I found out he passed two years ago. Why do I get the feeling you already knew that?”
Edith sighed. “Because I did know, Kalina. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything about it. I assumed you didn’t care to know anyway.”
Bryson got up from his chair. He had enough of just watching her rub lotion on her legs while she struggled to hold her cell phone to her ear. So he stooped down in front of her, took the bottle of lotion from the bed, and after squeezing a little in his hands, he took over massaging her left leg – the one she has been trying to rub lotion on.
A whimper escaped her throat at the feel of his hands constricting around her leg.
“You okay, Kalina?” Edith asked.
“Oh…mmm…um...yes. Yes, I’m okay.” What were they talking about again? Oh, that’s right…her dad. “It’s not like it would’ve mattered…he was never in my life anyway. It just…mmm…oh…seemed odd for you not to…to tell me. Anyway, enough about that. How’s mom?”
“She’s still the same. No changes.”
Kalina threw her head back as she nibbled on her bottom lip, feeling Bryson’s hands squeeze her thigh. This leg massage was pure bliss. And Bryson seemed to enjoy the fact that he’d made her whimper. “Have they…ah…um…have they spoken to you about when she’s going to be leaving?”
“No, they haven’t.”
“Well, I’ll be back tomorrow. I’m going to…to spend majority of the day with her, so if you have oh…o…ah…other things you need to do, just know I’ll be there.”
“Kalina, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. I’m fine,” Kalina said, struggling to hold moans deep in her throat.
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then, sweetie.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Kalina placed her cell phone on the bed while Bryson began on her right leg.
“How’s your mother?”
He had the nerve to ask her a question while he was massaging her leg – turning her words into mush?
“Edith said she was the same…I’m going to be there tomorrow so I’ll see for myself.”
“So, in the morning, we’ll go to Martha’s house and—”
“No, Bryson…I was thinking about what you said when I was in the shower.”
“You were thinking about me in the shower?”
Kalina giggled. “No. You didn’t let me finish.”
“Okay. Continue.”
“I was thinking that you don’t have to come with me tomorrow. I appreciate your concern, but I’m capable of handling this on my own.”
He stopped rubbing her leg and gave her his complete attention. “I know you are, Kalina. I just want to be there.”
“Like I told you before, you have your own company to run.”
“Yeah, and I have it covered. I’m concerned about you right now and it’s not because your aunt asked me to help you. It’s because I genuinely want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I appreciate that, Bryson.” Kalina took the lotion and phone, placing them on the nightstand. Then she slid under the messy covers.
Bryson returned to the chair.
“Hey, Bryson,” she said.
“Yes?”
“Where are you going to sleep?”
“I’m fine in this chair…not quite ready to go to sleep anyway.”
“Okay, well, come lie next to me and keep me company.”
“No…I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“It is a good idea. You’re not doing anything else, now come here.”
Bryson walked over to the bed, lying on top of the covers, facing her. “Is this better? Huh? Am I close enough now?”
Kalina giggled. “Yes, you are.” Kalina gripped his hand, interlocking their fingers.
“What are you doing?” he asked, amused.
“I’m making sure you’re not going to sneak my laptop out of my bag and attempt to do some work. You’ve answered enough emails for me, so don’t even think about staying up tonight and working. Work can wait.”
“Wait…I must be hearing things because I know Kalina Cooper didn’t say work can wait.”
Kalina laughed along with him before bursting into a yawn. “I did, and it can wait, especially considering all that’s been going on in my life. I need a day off.”
“I agree. You’re the hardest working woman I’ve ever met.”
Kalina smiled lazily and closed her eyes.
“Goodnight, Kalina.” He pressed his lips against her forehead and felt her hand squeeze his tighter. He looked at her face after leaving the kiss and saw her eyes were open. “I thought you were sleep.”
“I was,” she said, groggy. “Your lips woke me up.” She yawned and closed her eyes again. “Bryson.”
“Yes?”
“The feelings you think you have for me, I need you to erase them.”
Bryson smirked. “I can’t do that.” He used his free hand to stroke her soft hair.
“You have to. You were right not to invite me to dinner. I can never fall in love with you or anyone else for that matter.”
“You can if you try hard enough.”
“No. I’m thirty years old. If I was going to fall in love, it would’ve happened by now.”
“Not necessarily. Maybe you were waiting for the right person to come along…waiting for me.”
She opened her eyes and their gazes locked. “While I would like to believe that, Bryson, I know it’s not true. I’ve never been in love and have no intentions on falling in love because I don’t have any feeling left in my body. I’m completely numb to a lot of things around me. My heart has been growing calloused since I first learned my mother had Alzheimer’s disease and that’s been years ago.”
Still stroking her hair, Bryson asked, “You know what I wish?”
“What’s that?” she asked, with Bryson hovering over her. She could feel the heat of his body radiating against hers, and his raw, manly smell of cologne and testosterone fusing into her nose. His scent was as calming as a lavender-scented aromatherapy candle.
“I wish I had the power to absorb all of your pain inside of my heart, so I can finally see you happy for once, Kalina.”
Kalina opened her eyes, releasing a tear in the process, staring up into Bryson’s eyes.
He lowered his mouth to her face, kissed the tear away before taking her lips, kissing her, feeling a strong current rip through his abdomen. He shifted his body on top of hers, feeling her hands settle at the back of his head while she opened her mouth, fully taking his lips. His kiss.
He felt her struggle for air, heard the moan that caught in her throat, so he stopped kissing her so she could breathe a moment. With their eyes connected, he wasted no time dipping his head and continuing where he’d left off, savoring her lips, then leaving kisses on her face, down to her neck. Her moans became louder. Her breathing, heavier.
“Make love to me, Bryson.”
Struggling to catch his own breath, he stopped kissing her neck and looked at her, not believing those words floated between those lips he’d just kissed. He couldn’t make love to her. He wanted to. Every cell in his body was urging him to. But he couldn’t. He respected her too much, and she wasn’t ready. Besides, she was the type of woman who deserved a man who’d actually wait for her. Wait until the time was right. Until they said vows. Vows? Why was he thinking about vows? Looking at her, he said, “Baby
, I can’t.”
“You don’t want me?” she asked, tearfully.
“I do,” he admitted. “I do want you, but not like this. You’re in pain and I can’t…I won’t do this to you, Kalina. And if I’m going to be your first, I’m going to be your last and it won’t happen this way. It can’t happen this way.”
He rolled back to his position on the bed and pulled her into his arms, listening as she whimpered. “I love you, Kalina.”
“I know,” she said, tears rolling out of her eyes.
Bryson closed his eyes tight and let out a distressful breath, because he knew he was in love with a woman who couldn’t love him back.
CHAPTER 38
He wanted her to ride with him. Bryson had no idea what the envelope contained and he wasn’t about to let her drive. Her nerves were bad enough already. So after they’d dressed and she checked out of the hotel room, she threw her bag in the trunk of her car and left her vehicle parked at the hotel.
Bryson drove her to Martha’s house and, after they received the name of the bank Stanley used, he drove her there. Now, they were sitting in the parking lot while Kalina braced herself. She was nervous about getting out, unsure of what she would discover.
She pulled in a deep breath and repeated the action five times over. Her eyes were closed.
“It’ll be alright, Kalina,” Bryson assured her. “You have me to support you. If you faint, I’ll catch you, baby.”
“I’m sure you would, Bryson,” she said. “Um, listen…about last night—”
“Don’t worry about it,” he told her.
“But—”
“Kalina, don’t worry about it.”
“Bryson, I just want to apologize. I don’t know what came over me last night and I shouldn’t have come on to you so strongly. I’ve never done anything like that before.”
“What part of don’t worry about it, don’t you understand?” he asked, then smiled. “Come on. Let’s go.”