by Dara Girard
Logan had shielded her from one of her aunt’s blows, which he’d received instead. Tanna felt devastated and humiliated. Why did she have to come at the worst time? “Aunty!”
Aunt Violet moved to try to have another whack at Tanna, but he blocked her again.
“Aunty I was just—”
“I don’t care.” She grabbed for Tanna’s wrist, but when Logan blocked her a third time, she glared at him. “You’ve done your job, now go,” she said with a quick flip of her wrist.
“We’re still saying goodbye,” he said.
Her aunt narrowed her eyes. “In a few minutes you weren’t planning to say anything.” She rested a fist on her hip. “Goodbye Mr. Gibbs.”
He looked at Tanna, who he still had safe in his embrace. “She’s going to hit you real hard when I let you go, isn’t she?”
“I’m used to it. It’s a cultural thing.”
He pressed a kiss on her forehead. “Bye, Tanna. It’s been fun.”
“Bye, Logan. I’ll never—”
Aunt Violet clapped her hands together. “Are you filming a Nollywood drama? You’ve said your ‘goodbyes’ now go!”
He released Tanna then turned to Aunt Violet with a cold smile. “Saying goodbye to you is a pleasure,” he said, then walked down the hall and disappeared down the stairs.
“I’m ashamed of you,” Aunt Violet said, shoving Tanna inside her room.
Tanna stumbled in then caught herself on the armoire. “I was just—”
Aunt Violet raised her hand. “If you say ‘trying to be funny’ I’ll hit you and I won’t miss.”
Tanna sat on her bed. “It doesn’t matter now.”
Aunt Violet stood by the door as if afraid Tanna would escape at any minute. “You sound disappointed.”
“He saved me, Aunty. I had a wonderful time.”
“He’s a charming, dangerous man.”
That was the best part. Who else would have pulled off a deception so smoothly? “I’m grateful to him all the same.”
“You’re smiling.”
“I know.”
“Do I need to lock you in your room?”
Tanna’s smile fell. “I’m not that grateful.”
“A few moments ago you looked pretty grateful to me,” Aunt Violet said with a sniff.
Her face started to burn. How much had her aunt seen? “We were just saying goodbye.”
“Those kind of goodbyes get women in trouble.”
“Well, now he’s out of my life so you have nothing to worry about.” Tanna fluttered her lashes and wagged her finger at her aunt. “How could such a pretty woman wear such a sour expression?”
“You’ll not contact this man again.”
“I don’t know anything else about him and I’m not interested to be honest. He’s getting over a breakup and I don’t fall for men on the rebound.” She’d learned her lesson. The last two men she’d gotten on the rebound had ended up marrying other women. “I’ve never met him before and I know I’ll never meet him again.”
Her aunt pressed her finger against Tanna’s mouth. “Shh…never tempt fate like that. You can never be sure of anything. Just say you don’t think you will.”
“Aunty. It’s a big world with billions of people. What are the odds of us ever meeting again?”
Chapter 6
Two Years Later
There was nothing rosy or sweet about Rosemarie Lockley. She was a demanding, exacting, smart and impatient woman who liked to wear tailored suits in bright bold colors like purple and mauve. Today, neon green complemented her pecan colored skin, and heels like spikes exaggerated her height while diamond stud earrings glittered in her ears.
Tanna had taken the job on a referral, although she’d been warned by the estate agent that ‘the bitch is an absolute nightmare’.
Tanna didn’t see her that way. She saw a woman coming out of a divorce ready to move on with her life, but wanting to feel she was still in control. Tanna patiently answered Rosemarie’s many questions, didn’t feel offended when Rosemarie questioned her decisions or nitpicked at her suggestions. She didn’t know the logistics of the divorce, but knew it was bitter and it was affecting Rosemarie hard. Tanna liked clients like Rosemarie, they kept her on her toes, they pushed her to be better and pleasing one of them was more gratifying than the ones who gushed at everything she did. Rosemarie wouldn’t gush. She barely even offered faint praise, gaining her approval would be monumental.
But professional prestige and success wasn’t the only reason she’d been grateful for the job with Rosemarie. Difficult clients like Rosemarie came with a healthy profit. The money she’d make would help her surprise her friend, Ambrosia. Ambrosia’s daughter was facing a series of medical tests, to diagnosis an illness that continued to baffle her doctors, and her friend couldn’t afford to cover them all. The money Tanna would be able to give her, would put her halfway there. She just needed another four thousand to reach her goal of getting the tests fully paid for.
Tanna waited in the family room while Rosemarie did her inspection of the changes, not that much needed to be done. Any identifying photos of the couple had already been stored—thrown?—away. The Dutch colonial, tucked away in an expensive Washington DC suburb, was lovely, with only a few personal distinctions such as Rosemarie’s Japanese mask collection which had to also be put in storage. Tanna had improved on the landscaping to give the house added curb appeal. She hadn’t had to deal with outdated furniture or old appliances. Her main job had been moving pictures and re-painting some rooms. Rosemarie had one large painting of a dark, disturbing landscape, over a couch. When Tanna had offered to move it out of view, underneath it she’d found a hole in the wall—the size of a fist.
“My ex liked to throw tantrums,” Rosemarie said, as if on the verge of a yawn. “You’ll see more of his little tantrums that will need to be cleaned up.
Tanna found more than a few. There had been a large wine stain in the upstairs bedroom and another hole that appeared to have been made by a foot. It was a gorgeous house filled with horrible secrets. What kind of man had she put up with? Tanna knew she’d never know and truthfully, wondered how such a sophisticated woman could have fallen for such a man, but knew it wasn’t her place to ask.
“He only touched the walls,” Rosemarie said one day as she finished a glass of red wine while Tanna inspected another hole hidden by the hanging pots in the kitchen. She hadn’t asked, but she had been curious. Over the several days she worked on staging the home, Rosemarie absently shared some of her tales. Most times, Tanna didn’t know what to say, so she pretended not to hear her. Today, however, there would be no more revelations. Everything was in place. The house was ready for buyers, but first it had to pass Rosemarie’s inspection.
Minutes later Rosemarie appeared in the entryway wearing a frown. Not that it mattered much. She was still stunning with smooth skin, a pert nose, high cheekbones and the nonchalant beauty of the wealthy. She didn’t look as if she’d reached forty yet, but moved with the tired, burdened movements of someone much older.
Tanna pulled out her pen, ready to take notes. Rosemarie usually frowned like that when she had a complaint. Had she changed her mind about the neutral tones in the sitting room? Did she want less lighting in the hallway?
“You’ve done a magnificent job.”
Tanna blinked, not sure she’d heard correctly. Had Rosemarie actually praised her? She’d said the words so quickly and in such a dry, disinterested tone, she wasn’t sure. “I’m sorry?”
“I said you’ve done a magnificent job.”
Not good, not great, but magnificent. Was she feeling okay? “Thank you.”
Rosemarie sat down and crossed her legs. “Everything they say about you is true. You do work wonders. If I didn’t live here, I’d buy the house myself. You made it feel like a home.”
“I’m glad you’re pleased.”
“I’m more than pleased. You’re a miracle worker.”
Tanna felt a little l
ight headed. Rosemarie was pleased? Happy? It was hard to take because the other woman’s expression didn’t change, her mouth still curved down at the corner, her tone still held a note of ennui but her words…her words were like firecrackers bursting in beauty among a dark sky. She’d succeeded!
“Thank you.”
Rosemarie turned towards the window when she heard a car drive up. “That will be my brother. I wanted him to see the changes you made.”
Tanna put her pen and notebook in her handbag. “Then I will leave you two. Good luck on the house sale.”
Rosemarie sighed and shook her head. “I never need luck when it comes to business, it’s men where my luck falls short.”
Tanna cleared her throat feeling uncomfortable, again not knowing what to say. “Then best of luck in the future.” She gathered her handbag as she heard the front door open then close.
“I’m impressed, Sis,” came a deep male voice from the foyer. “I see what you mean. The landscape looks great.”
“Doran, we’re in the living room,” she called out to him.
The owner of the voice then appeared in the entryway and froze.
Tanna saw him and jumped to her feet as if propelled by springs. It couldn’t be him. Him! But it was. And suddenly two years felt like minutes. Minutes ago they were in a castle, the moonlight whispering along the corridor while he held her in his arms and kissed her as if he’d never let her go. As if there would be no tomorrow.
“Oh my God!” She didn’t mean to speak. The words escaped before she could hold them back.
He stared at her, his expression enigmatic. She knew he recognized her, but she doubted he remembered their kiss. His gaze was too distant and calculating to hint at any brief remembrance of passion, making it clear that only she felt the burden of a flood of emotions—desire, disbelief, regret. Not much had changed about him except that he wasn’t bald anymore, although he kept his dark hair short, and had a mustache.
How could this be? What were the chances? And did Rosemarie call him Doran not Logan?
“You two know each other?” Rosemarie said. “I ask that knowing that you do,” she said, offering her brother a smile that was as cuddly as a crocodile, “so don’t try to lie to me.”
“Yes,” Tanna said when Doran remained mute. “We met...” She stopped when she saw him tense his brows and give a brief shake of his head. “…at another house showing.”
Rosemarie turned to her brother surprised. “You didn’t tell me you were looking for another property.”
“Just browsing,” he said.
“Like you do everything. No sense of commitment. And why didn’t you tell me about her? Planning to keep her all to yourself?”
He leaned against the doorframe. “I got busy.”
“That’s my brother trying to be funny,” she said to Tanna. “He’s never busy.”
Tanna gripped the strap of her handbag. “I should go.”
“And he’s never serious about anything,” Rosemarie continued. “He’s not serious about the family business, he breezes through women and changes residences like they’re shoes. If you could change men as well as you do houses, I’d hire you again.”
Tanna cleared her throat, wary. “Yes, well—”
“It’s better to change than to stay with something too long,” Doran said.
“I wanted my marriage to work.”
“You mean you wanted your image to last.”
Rosemarie’s lips tightened. “I did what I had to do.”
“You mean you stayed in hell so that you could keep the devil off your back.”
Tanna shifted sideways towards the door hoping they wouldn’t notice.
Rosemarie shrugged without care. “I did my part, you’re in Mom’s sights now.”
“She won’t get me in her clutches.”
Rosemarie’s crocodile grin returned. “She already has a woman in mind.”
“Who?”
“I wasn’t going to tell you this because it was supposed to be a surprise, but I just can’t wait to see the look on your face.”
Tanna shifted another few inches as Doran’s gaze sharpened.
“What?” he said.
“Megan has been asking about you. She’s single again and Mom’s determined to get you two back together. So don’t be too surprised when she makes an appearance at the lake house for Mom’s summer party.”
Tanna halted. Megan? The same Megan who’d broken his heart and run off with her father’s lawyer? That Megan wanted him back? Tanna stole a glance at his face, sensed his iron-clad control, but his expression gave nothing away.
“She’s too late,” he said. “I already have a woman.”
“You always have a woman,” Rosemarie said with a sniff, unimpressed. “Do you think that will make a difference?”
“Yes, because this woman is my fiancée.”
Rosemarie shook her head. “That’s a likely story.”
“It’s true.”
She patted the empty space beside her. “Come and sit down so you can lie to me in comfort. You know I don’t bite.”
He didn’t move.
Rosemarie uncrossed her legs and leaned forward in amazement. “You’re actually considering marrying one of those long-legged numbskulls you like showing off at parties?”
“No. She’s not like that. She’s not my usual type.”
“Have I met her?”
“Yes.”
“Who is she?” Rosemarie asked for the first time not sounding bored or disinterested. “What does she do?”
Doran nodded at Tanna who now stood only two feet away from him. “She works miracles.”
Chapter 7
Oh no. This was not good. Tanna felt Rosemarie’s keen, razor sharp gaze, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. What was he doing? No, she knew what he was doing. But why was he doing it? No, she knew the answer to that too, but it still didn’t make her feel better. She felt trapped. Unlike at her sisters’ wedding where she knew the role to play, here she felt unsure. He was a master deceiver, but she wasn’t so sure she could do the same. Especially with a woman like Rosemarie
“I was going to tell you,” he added. “But was waiting for the right moment.”
Rosemarie glanced at Tanna’s hand. “Where’s the ring?”
“I haven’t bought it yet.”
“How long have you known each other?”
“Six months.”
“You’re lying.”
Doran nodded. “You’re right. We’re not engaged yet. The truth is, Tanna didn’t know about this moment. She didn’t know that I was going to ask her to share her life with me. We’ve been seeing each other quietly and that’s all I can say.”
Tanna stared at him dumbfounded. How could he lie so convincingly? He’d fooled her family, but could he fool his sister?
Rosemarie was silent for a long moment then said, “I don’t believe you. You expect me to believe that you’re with her?” She turned to Tanna. “No offense, but you’re just too smart for someone like him and he’s just the kind of person to play a trick like this.”
“It’s not a trick. I’m serious.”
“He likes his women the dumber the better,” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken, “so that he doesn’t have to work that hard to impress them. He’s all flash and no substance.”
“Tanna knows me better than you do.”
“Is that right?” She studied Tanna’s face. “Then tell me something I don’t know.”
Tanna froze, her gaze darting between them. He’d put her on the spot. Why had he put her on the spot? What did he expect her to say? “Well…umm…I’m sure you know as much as I do.”
“Such as?’
“The fact that he’s really smart—”
“Doran? Smart?” Rosemarie threw her head back and laughed.
Tanna cringed wondering where she’d went wrong. She wasn’t trying to be funny. She looked at Doran who had his hands in his pockets, his jaw tense.
&n
bsp; “Street smart,” he said. “That’s what she meant.”
Tanna shook her head, “No, I meant—” But his sharp gaze stopped her from finishing. She didn’t know why he didn’t want his sister to think he was smart. “Yes, that’s right. Street smart.”
“Which street?” Rosemarie asked, wiping away tears. “Wisconsin Avenue? Park Avenue? Rodeo Drive?” She laughed harder.
Tanna glanced at Doran again expecting to see him upset, instead he looked bored and when he caught her staring, he winked.
Rosemarie patted the couch again. “Why won’t you two sit down?”
Tanna sent a desperate look at Doran then past him at the front door out of reach. “I really have to go.”
Rosemarie sat back and crossed her legs again. “Before you give him your answer?” she asked, her tone sounding bored again, but this time it held a touch of cruel amusement.
“My answer?”
“Yes, my brother just admitted that his proposal is spur of the moment and caught you by surprise. So will you marry him or not?”
Tanna swallowed then licked her lips. “Well…yes. Of course.”
“You don’t sound sure.”
“It’s a little overwhelming.”
“I bet it is,” Rosemarie said with a knowing look. She leaned back in her seat. “Don’t let me stop you.”
“From what?”
“When my ex asked me to marry him, I fell into his arms. I realize that was a mistake now, but I still did it because I was so happy.”
“Tanna’s shy,” Doran said. “She doesn’t show affection in front of an audience.”
“Very well,” Rosemarie said with a shrug. “Mom is going to have a coronary when she meets her.” She rubbed her hands together as if gleefully anticipating something awful. “Tell me she’s first generation at least.”
“Came here when she was seven.”
“Salt into the wound.”
“Is that a problem?” Tanna asked.
“Mom’s a little testy when it come to immigrants,” Rosemarie said. “Not that I care, dear, I’m sure my brother sees it as part of your charm.”