by Dara Girard
Ambrosia sighed. “I know, but you rearranged your schedule for him and if I were you—”
“You wouldn’t have done this in the first place, remember? You thought this was beneath me. That he was insulting me.”
“I know but—”
Tanna held up three fingers. “Three more days. Let the countdown begin.” She began to fold the clothes. After a few moments she realized her friend hadn’t made a move to help her. She turned and saw Ambrosia with her arms folded looking at her. “What?”
“Don’t under estimate your charm.”
“What?”
Ambrosia took a step forward, her tone serious. “You keep talking about Megan, but why give him up so easily?”
“Because I don’t want him.”
“Why not help heal his broken heart?”
Tanna turned away from her and continued to pack. “I’m not interested.”
“I don’t know what it is, but there’s something different about you since you met him. Before it was all about work, but you look younger and more carefree somehow.”
“When a wealthy man takes you on trips around the globe as eye candy, you’d start to glow too. But after this weekend it’s over and I’m going to forget all about him.”
“But—”
Tanna threw down a roll of socks and glared at her. “I thought you were my friend.”
“I am,” Ambrosia said surprised by Tanna’s tone.
“Then why are you trying to get my hopes up? Of course I’m a little attracted to him, but I’m not blind. I have more sense than to fall completely for a man like him. If he wasn’t paying me to be by his side, he’d never look at me twice. I’m very aware that he chose me because I’m the exact opposite of the type of woman he’d be attracted to. So don’t even hint at us being a couple again.”
Ambrosia’s eyes glistened with tears. “Tanna, I didn’t mean—”
“I know,” Tanna said with a quick smile to soften her words. “You look at me through the eyes of a friend who loves me. You don’t see the flaws the world sees.” She tilted her head towards the suitcase. “Now come on and help me get this over with.”
She regretted her terse tone with Ambrosia, but she was angrier with herself because her friend had spoken as if she’d peered inside her heart. Tanna liked Doran more than she should. It was foolish to feel this way. He’d warned her and she’d heed his warning. Three more days. She’d count every minute like it was a prison sentence.
Any true feeling for him would cause her nothing but pain. She was just a prop to him, he was using her to pretend he was over his ex and to annoy his mother.
She had to keep that forefront in her mind. It didn’t matter that when he’d first kissed her he’d made the world fade away, that the touch of his hand made her skin tingle, that she liked making him laugh. He was all charm and no heart. At least no heart to steal. Megan had it under lock and key and Tanna knew it. He was wounded and hurt, but in time if Megan wanted him, she could persuade him to come back to her.
No, falling for Doran would be crazy. He was totally off limits.
“Tanna, darling!”
Ambrosia and Tanna stared at each other frozen as they recognized the owner of the voice. What was her mother doing there?
“Tanna, I brought over some egusi for you! I’m putting it in the fridge.”
“It’s your mother,” Ambrosia said, stating the obvious in a stage whisper.
Tanna quickly packed up the rest of her clothes, grimacing at the thought of them being wrinkled and crushed in her haste. Her mother couldn’t see what she’d chosen or she’d start asking questions. “I know! How did she get in?”
Ambrosia briefly shut her eyes then said, “Hallie, come here!”
Moments later her daughter showed up in the doorway. “Yes, Mom?”
“Did you let Mrs. Ariyo in?”
“Yes.”
“What have I told you about opening the door to strangers?”
“But she isn’t a stranger.”
Ambrosia blinked, not having a ready reply to that. “Never mind. Go back and play.”
“Tanna,” Mrs. Ariyo shouted from another room. “Why is your fridge so bare!”
“Coming Mum!”
“Have you not been eating? Oh my poor baby.”
“I’ll be right there.”
But Mrs. Ariyo couldn’t wait, she walked into Tanna’s bedroom just as Ambrosia jumped on top of the suitcase.
She sent the two women a curious glance. “What are you two doing?”
“Just getting ready for my trip,” Tanna said. “I leave in a few hours,” she said, hoping her mother would understand the urgency.
But Mrs. Ariyo didn’t appear to be in a rush. “You’ve been very busy this month.”
“Yes, well...I like to be kept busy.”
She studied the suitcase. “It looks quite big. Where are you going?”
“Slowly insane?”
Her mother frowned. “It wasn’t funny the first time you said it.”
“I told you. Just a weekend trip away to refresh my mind.”
“And yet you won’t tell me where you’re going. Are you afraid I’ll follow you?”
Tanna smiled. “It’s crossed my mind.”
Mrs. Ariyo made a motion with her hand as if gesturing Tanna closer. “If your aunt were here, she’d put a halt to that quick mouth of yours.”
“I’m just teasing.”
“Well, I’ll let it pass because I have to ruin your plans.”
Tanna paused, her stomach clenching. “What?”
“You’ll have to go on this trip another time.”
“But Mum, I can’t—”
“I made a promise to Mrs. Layeni that I would help her clear up her daughter’s room today. It’s been three years since her passing and she’s finally ready to put her daughter’s things away. I wanted to help her, but then I realized that I also promised to be at the Lee’s christening. It’s the first child and it’s important so I told Mrs. Layeni that you’d help her instead. You should have heard the joy in her voice. She’s looking forward to it. You’re always so comforting and it’s been so hard for her.”
Tanna gripped her hands feeling miserable. “I can’t.”
“She’s been so unhappy these last few years and you always lift her spirits. She actually finds you funny and you make her smile when few things do. That’s why I knew you were the best for her. I know you need your rest, but this would mean so much to her.”
Tanna looked at Ambrosia silently pleading for help. Ambrosia shrugged her shoulders. Tanna sighed then looked at her mother again, calculating how much time she could spare. It wouldn’t take her too long to get to Mrs. Layeni’s place, quickly help her and then dash back.
“I’ll do it, but I can only give her an hour,” she said.
And at the same time, Ambrosia spoke up. “She’s meeting a man, Aunty,” she said using the respectful address for an older woman.
Mrs. Ariyo’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Tanna spun around and mouthed ‘Why did you say that?’ before turning back to her mother. “No, it’s—”
“You’re meeting a man? Are you going off with him this weekend?” She playfully hit Tanna in the arm. “Why haven’t we met him yet? Who is he?”
“It’s nothing. Ambrosia is mistaken.”
Mrs. Ariyo walked up to Ambrosia and nudged her off the suitcase. “What are you packing?”
Tanna rushed forward. “I’m all done now.”
“No, you’re not.” Her mother gave her a hard shove towards the door. “You can go. I’ll finish the rest for you.”
“But—”
“You don’t have much time. Mrs. Layeni will be waiting.”
“Waiting?” her voice cracked.
“Yes, I told her you’d be there within the hour. Don’t look at me like that, you’re usually not busy, although you have been of late and now I know why. So you can explain that you can’t stay long once you�
�re there. When you come back I’ll have everything ready for you and leave it by the door. It’s the least I can do.”
Tanna looked at Ambrosia who stared back at her helplessly. It was a battle she wouldn’t win and she did want to help Mrs. Layeni. Hopefully, by the time she returned she’d be able to undo whatever choice her mother made. “I’ll only do this once,” she said then turned and left but not before hearing her mother say to Ambrosia, “Tell me all that you know.”
Chapter 13
“I didn’t tell her anything,” Ambrosia assured Tanna when she called her after finally escaping the Layeni house. She’d spent a lot longer—nearly three hours!—helping Mrs. Layeni pack away her daughter’s things in a respectful way. Helping her decide on what to keep and what to donate. It had been heart wrenching seeing the images of the bright smiling face of the twenty-four year old her parents kept proudly displayed who’d met the wrong boyfriend. A twenty-six year old who’d killed her when she’d tried to breakup with him.
Tanna had listened to Mrs. Layeni’s stories of her only daughter, at times fighting back her own tears. She tried to move quickly and efficiently rather than hurried, so that Mrs. Layeni wouldn’t feel rushed in her grief. Then she’d offered to feed her and Mr. Layeni joined them and had stories of his own that he wanted to share. Before Tanna knew it, she realized she had only an hour to get back home, change and be ready for when Doran would pick her up. But first she had to make sure Ambrosia hadn’t ruined anything.
She gripped the steering wheel with both hands as she sped through a yellow light. “Why did you have to mention a man?”
“She wouldn’t let you escape for any other reason.”
“But what did you tell her?”
“That you were going to a business retreat and that there was a man there you hoped to impress.”
“So she doesn’t suspect a thing?”
“What could she possibly suspect? What mother would think that her daughter would take money from a stranger to pretend to be his fiancée so that he can annoy his mother and get back with his ex?”
“You don’t need to put it that way.”
“There’s no other way to put it.”
“How are the tests going for Hallie? Any news?”
“No, we’re still waiting for the results. Hopefully we’ll hear this coming Monday.”
“Ah, another reason I can’t wait for this weekend to be over.” She turned the corner and saw Doran waiting in the parking lot of her apartment complex, staring down at something on his phone. He wore dark shades, a black jacket and dark jeans looking like a model in a luxury car ad. She could imagine the voiceover saying, ‘This is what power looks like.’ Her foolish heart leapt at the sight of him. She would miss him even though she still didn’t know him well. It was better that way. She could no sooner get close to him than cross the Grand Canyon in one leap. “He’s here,” she told her friend. “I’ve gotta go.”
“Just wait.”
“What?”
“If you get even the smallest chance, take it.”
Tanna scowled and disconnected. Sometimes Ambrosia could push too hard. Dream too much. Tanna drove her car into a parking space a few cars away then raced over to him. He looked up when he saw her
“Sorry I’m late,” they both said at the same time.
“What?” they echoed. “I said—”
They both stopped then Doran pointed to her signaling that she should go first.
“An emergency came up.”
He tucked his phone away. “Same here.”
“I’m glad. Whew,” Tanna said making a gesture of wiping her brow. Although she really was sweating. She’d parked farther away from him than she’d thought and she didn’t know how he could wear a jacket when she felt like the summer sun was hot enough to cook the black asphalt. “I’d hate to think I’d kept you waiting.”
He shrugged. “I don’t mind. A woman should always think she’s worth waiting for.”
“Oh,” Tanna said, not knowing how to reply. Did he like waiting for Megan? She probably turned it into an art form. But she didn’t like wasting time. “I’ll be right back.”
He grabbed her arm. “Slow down.”
“But you said we needed to be on the road by—”
He kept his hand on her arm and started to walk, forcing her to follow his pace. “I know what I said. I just don’t think you need to sweat more than you already are.”
Tanna’s face burned as proof that there was no chance between them slapped her in the face. How could he mention her sweaty face like that? She knew she looked a sight, but she’d just helped the Layenis move boxes of their daughter’s beloved hardcover art books that seemed to weigh a ton each. She’d also helped them take out the bed and dresser. But it didn’t matter. She tried to pull her arm free as they approached the front entrance to her apartment. “You don’t have to follow me.”
He tightened his grip. “I’ll help you with your bags,” he said, then opened the front door for her.
“Thanks,” Tanna said, wishing she could close it in his face. She’d wanted to take a quick shower and change before seeing him again, maybe even refresh her makeup even though he wouldn’t notice. She inwardly groaned; she wouldn’t have time to repack. Fortunately, she didn’t think whatever her mother had packed would make much difference, his mother still wouldn’t approve of her no matter what she wore.
As her mother had promised, Tanna saw her suitcase ready near the door. Tanna dropped her handbag and keys on the couch then hurried towards her bedroom. “I won’t be a minute.”
“Tanna, I said—”
“I know, you don’t mind waiting. That doesn’t matter.” She pointed towards the kitchen. “If you need anything to drink I think there’s juice and some malt.”
Doran took a seat. “I’m fine.”
But she wasn’t. She didn’t feel comfortable having him in her place. Would his gaze skim over the handcrafted, hardwood furniture and oriental rug and only notice the wood carvings and large painting of a man playing a talking drum? Or would he also notice the iron work on the side table that she’d picked up in Iceland on her trip to see the Aurora Borealis?
Why did she care what he thought? Tanna chided herself as she quickly washed up, before she slipped into a fresh pair of jeans and loose green blouse. He likely wouldn’t notice anything accept that she no longer looked like a melting chocolate bar.
“Okay, I’m ready,” she said, heading to the door. She stopped surprised not to see him where she’d left him—sitting on the couch—but instead standing by a table, looking at the picture of her in the park with her one year old niece and nephew.
He pointed at the picture. “Was it as you predicted?”
She frowned. “Predicted?”
“Yes, did your sisters get pregnant at the same time?”
He remembered that? “Yes,” Tanna said with a laugh, wondering what else she’d shared with him. Clearly too much. “And they’re a joy,” she said feeling silly. What else would she say?
“So are—” He began.
“I’m ready to go,” she said at the same time. “Don’t want to be late.” She paused when she saw his expression change and realized she’d interrupted him again. She briefly closed her eyes. Why did she keep doing that with him? “I’m sorry. What were you going to say?”
His jaw twitch. “Nothing important.”
She pressed her hands together. “I didn’t mean it. I just have a lot on my mind. Please don’t be angry.”
“I’m not angry,” he said then headed towards the hall.
“Where are you going?”
He gestured down the hall. “To get your other bags.”
“What other bags?”
Doran glanced at her suitcase, stunned. “Is that it?”
“You said it was only for a weekend.”
“I know but my sister takes a traveler’s trunk with her wherever she goes. And I once had a girlfriend who never travelled with less th
an three bags.”
“You’ve traveled with me before, when have I ever had a lot of bags?”
“I thought this weekend would be different. I thought you’d want to put on more of a show.”
“Okay, wait a minute,” Tanna said then disappeared and returned with two more suitcases of smaller size. “Is this better?”
He grinned. “Yes, that’s more like it.” He picked up the suitcases with more force than needed and stumbled back. He stared at her. “They’re empty.”
“Of course they’re empty. I didn’t have time to fill them. It’s just for show. If you want, I can pretend that they’re heavy.” Tanna made a face and feigned struggling to lift one of the bags.
A quick grin touched the corner of his mouth. “Forget it, you won’t be carrying it anyway and it will just confuse staff. We’ll go with the one suitcase.” He lifted her luggage and left.
“Is there anything else I need to know?” Tanna asked once they were on the road.
“No. Just follow my lead.”
“I like to be prepared.”
“Your job is easy. Just pretend to be completely in love with me.” A vicious grin spread on his face. “Is that really so hard?”
“When you smile at me like that, yes it is.”
His grin faded. “What’s wrong with my smile?”
“Aside from its sadistic tinge?”
“I’m hardly a sadist.”
Tanna glanced down at her engagement ring and said with a note of innocence, “What’s this trip all about again?” she asked, knowing how much he’d enjoy irritating his mother. She fluttered her eyes at him. “I forgot.”
He pulled the car over to the side of the road and parked. “Then let me remind you,” he said in a deep tone then claimed her lips with his, shattering her resolve to keep him out of her heart. He hadn’t kissed her like this since…
She pushed him away. “What are you doing?”
“Addressing your memory lapse.”
“You didn’t need to. You know I was just joking.”
“I had to make sure.”
“By wasting three kisses?”