Finding Mrs. Right

by Kalani Zoldyck

  "Sorry." Romero whispered. His deep voice was low, yet vibrated through out her whole body. She shivered involuntarily and slapped on a smile to hide her obvious attraction to the man.

  "Thanks for the save, but I'm curious to know why are you here?" she grinned. Natalie pushed against the thick shoulders, although more than comfortable remaining in those arms of his, she needed the space. Romero seemed to hold tighter, but then released her, making sure she was safely on the floor before stepping back completely.

  Natalie picked up the stool to put it away while Romero followed her as she placed it in a corner and walked toward the front of her store. He was still a bit put out by the reaction to her. He'd held many a woman before, but none of them made him not want to let go. He was sure that Natalie wouldn't have liked the kiss he was contemplating on laying on her and if she hadn't pulled away, he wouldn't have cared. Those soft brandy colored irises were enough to just drown himself in and the fire that began to burn in the pit of his stomach was seconds away from wanting to be put out. He didn't know what it was with this woman, but Romero was having a hard time figuring it out. Instead he focused on something else. Why he was there? That in itself was another problem that he wasn't sure about, but he liked Natalie and frankly, they both could benefit from his proposal.

  "Have you had lunch yet?" he asked, ignoring her question. Romero wasn't ready to be thrown out her store or laughed at in public, but Natalie didn't seem the type that would make a scene in front of people. He watched as she turned to look at the clock on the wall and shook her head. "Good, my treat." he encouraged and picked up her sweater and purse before Natalie could say another word.

  xxxxxx

  "Okay, do you want to tell me why I just left my store unattended so that I could have lunch with you?" she asked. Romero and she were walking along side the rest of the small shops that were situated near her quilting store. It was located in a plaza that housed other small businesses, along with a coffee shop that Romero led her to. He opened the door for her as they entered it and stood in line before ordering.

  Romero waited until they were seated with their food before he started the conversation. Patience was something that he was happy Natalie had, because he needed a patient woman right now. He had no idea how to deal with his situation. He waited until she'd taken a bite of her sandwich and asked.

  "I need a wife. So, um, will you marry me?" Romero bit into his own sandwich as Natalie wrinkled her brow, stopped chewing, and remained quiet before she took a sip of her soda.

  "Say that again?"

  "I want to know if you'd marry me?" he repeated. "In name only, just for show, that kind of thing." he waved it off casually.

  "Oh...uh...okay..." Confused didn't even begin to describe what she was feeling. Along with surprise, and the thought that Romero was crazy out of his mind was the second and possibly first thought. "You're joking right?" she gave a short laugh.

  "No, Ms. Natalie, but...um...is that a yes or a no?" he asked.

  "HOLD ON A MINUTE!" Natalie cried and looked around before leaning toward him. "You cannot just ask a stranger to marry you without an explaination! What is wrong with you, Romero. I thought you were normal?" she pushed her chair back and Romero thought she was leaving.

  "No! Wait! Here me out, this isn't...damn. I'm doing this for my mother!" he hurried through. Natalie looked at him strangely.

  "Your mother?"

  "Yes." he took a deep breath and sat back in the chair. "Look, it's a long story, but basically, this heart attack scared her. She feels it is her fault that I haven't gotten married and had children yet. In reality, I really don't have the time to go through all the dating mess, believe me. Besides, I like being single, so I'm not ready for a family yet."

  "Oh." Natalie pulled her chair back up, a wave of disappointment went through her and she didn't know why she was upset by the honest statement.

  "Anyway, I like you, Natalie. I mean, what I've seen so far and I know you're Grandmother thinks we got something going on anyway, so maybe she should be happy too. Besides, I just want to make Mami happy so she'll stop worrying and get better. She won't leave the hospital if she doesn't pass her stress test and I don't want her worrying about me or anything. If she thinks I've found a woman and am getting married, she will be alright. Look, I thought about it."

  "You have...?" Natalie still was trying to soak in what Romero was saying, but wasn't sure she would be considered sane herself. Romero relaxed and felt confident that Natalie was willing to hear him out.

  "Yes. I introduce you to Mami and tell her that I proposed, you agreed. You start planning the wedding, etc. Go through the whole sha-bang. Once it's done, you can continue what you were doing?"

  "So a marriage of convenience basically is what you're saying?" Romero nodded. "You want me to lie to a sick woman, Romero!" she argued. Romero flinched at the accusation and wrinkled his face at how disgusting it sounded.

  "You're not lying, per se." he said slowly. "Just playing along." he tried. "Look, I'll do anything for my mother."

  "Even marry a stranger?"

  "Even marry a stranger, but you're not a stranger, Natalie. I know enough about you to say you're good people and would only be a plus if I added you to my list of friends." Natalie felt flattered, but still she was not feeling the arrangement. Romero could see that he would have to step up his game on this one.

  "Okay, what would make you say yes?"

  "Nothing, Romero, this is upsurd!" Natalie cried. She decided to finish her sandwich and go back to the shop. Romero exhaled and finished eating with her.

  "I already told Mami about you." he added quickly. Natalie looked up at him and Romero could feel the daggers shooting at him.

  "That has nothing to do with me." she whispered.

  "Please, Nat, I really need someone that I know Mami will love. She will love you. If I bought home a random chick, she would tell her to get steppin'." Romero sighed and his shoulders slumped. "I just know you are exactly the type of woman that she would love."

  "Type of woman?" Natalie poked out her lips feeling slighted.

  "Not like that." Romero quickly said. "The way you are. Your personality. I haven't known you but a hot minute, but I know what I do like about you, so if you've already made an impression on me, I know you would do that with Mami. Besides..." he looked away.

  "What?" Natalie could feel the dread rising. "What the hell did you do?"

  "I kinda asked your Grandmother for your hand in marriage."

  6

  "You did what!?" Natalie screamed, not caring that she was making a scene. The man in front of her had lost his mind and she was sure he was an escapee from the insane asylum. "I'm going to walk out of here and pretend that I didn't just hear what you said. Thank you for lunch, good-bye, Mr. Jones."

  "Nat, look..." Romero looked around and made an apologetic face to the patrons that looked on at the two of them. He got up as Natalie hurried to leave the coffee shop. He followed after her cursing that his plan was backfiring. He really was getting turned on by her reaction, which made him think that "he" was crazy too. "Nat, stop...please." She was already out the door when she turned around causing Romero to nearly run into her.

  "You had no right to assume that I would just say yes to this ridiculous scheme. This is my life you're messing with, Romero. All so you can please your Mama..."

  "Okay, alright...I'm sorry, Nat." he held up his hands. "I just don't want to ask anybody and ...alright, forget it." he ran a hand over his head feeling stupid for assuming she'd just say yes and talking to her Grandmother too. But then again, Romero watched as Natalie turned around and stomped back to her shop. A small smile played on his lips as he went back in the coffee shop and finished his lunch. He looked at his phone to make sure it was charged.

  Natalie was livid, no, she was everything at that moment. How dare he take it upon himself to go to her grandmother and ask for her "hand in marriage". They didn't even have it like that. She'd only met him
three days ago. Granted she liked the man, but he was slowly becoming unlikeable. And although she knew he just wanted to make his mother happy, he couldn't expect everyone else wanting to either, especially something as serious as marriage. Natalie had her own issues when it came to family and marriage, but Romero didn't know about those and she had no intention of telling him. She finished her day at the Quilt shop and stopped at the store for dinner. She hurried to the hospital to sit with Grandma Lyn, needle and thread in hand.

  Natalie was surprised to see her grandmother awake and was relieved that she looked a bit better over the course of a few days. It meant the medications were doing their job and she would be coming home soon. Natalie sat down beside her and touched her hand. Lyn smiled happily at her granddaughter.

  "Nat, baby..." she greeted her.

  "Hi Grandma Lyn, how was your day?"

  "Boring, I watched television, and got poked and prodded. I'm ready to go home." she breathed. "How was yours?" she asked. Natalie didn't miss the sparkle in her eyes and knew she was expecting her to tell her about Romero and his proposal.

  "It was..." Natalie looked upwards for a moment. "Interesting." she finished.

  "I'm so happy for you baby!" she held Natalie's hand tightly.

  "Mmmhhhm, what are you talking about, Grandma?" Natalie feigned ignorance.

  "Don't play with me, Nat!" she started, then captured her granddaughter's eyes. Natalie saw the worry that had been in them a few days ago replaced with a softness that she recognized. "I'm so happy that you finally will get what you always deserved. Your granddaddy and I gave you as much as we could, but I know you needed something to fill that hole that is still sitting unfilled."

  "Grandma..." Natalie whispered. Her grandmother knew her well and Natalie felt exposed at how intuitive the older woman was.

  "No, baby. You let Romero fill it up!" she said. "Fill it up until it's overflowing with it! He said it hadn't been long since you've known each other, but let me tell you something, Nat baby. Sometimes it doesn't take but a moment, a second, to know when you've found the one person that will fulfill every dream you've ever dreamed of. I want to see you happy, honey."

  "I am, Grandma." Natalie told her softly.

  "I know, but Grandma Lyn ain't gonna be here much longer..."

  "Stop talking like that!" Natalie repeated.

  "I'm speakin' the truth!" she huffed. "Stop pretending that everything is going to be okay, Natalie! Stop hoping you can fix something that you cannot. It's not and you can't, Nat baby! It's not okay and I ain't got much time on this earth to make sure my baby girl is taken care of. I feel so much at peace knowing that you have Romero. I feel that I can leave with a light heart and proud that my job, that was a pleasure, was done and done well." she finished. "Just trust Romero, Natalie. Trust in him that he'll take care of you and fill that hole. Let him fill it with love, guidance, acceptance, and everything else that you need and want." Natalie listened to her grandmother and felt her heart literally fall.

  "Grandma." she whispered. Natalie wanted to tell her that Romero was a liar, a wolf in sheep's clothing. He was not as he appeared, but what would it accomplish? He'd already wormed his way into her grandmother's heart and good graces. Now all she could do was pretend it was as she thought. Lyn took a deep breath that Natalie saw was a struggle for her to do and worry began to seep in her mind once more.

  "Well, I just am so relieved, baby. So relieved. That nice young man of yours has visited me a few times since and his Mama is next door. Did you know that?' Natalie nodded, dreading where this was headed.

  "Well, I bought a pattern that I'm working on." Natalie started, trying to divert the subject to something besides Romero and his ingeniousness. She could strangle the man. If he wasn't so damn handsome and charming, she would.

  Two hours later, Natalie sat in the waiting area of the hospital floor. Not necessarily waiting for Romero. She was thinking of her visit with her Grandmother. Even though she was successful in changing the subject, her Grandmother seemed like she had a burst of energy at the knowledge that Natalie was getting engaged or married. She was more talkative and when she tired, it was as if she didn't want Natalie to leave. She thought about Romero's proposal and although she still felt it was silly and made no sense, she couldn't help but go through the why's and why not's again. She had more than enough time to get to know him and they didn't have to live together, nor do anything besides be in the same place. She was sure that even getting married, a real wedding, was not needed.

  Natalie shook her head. She had convinced herself that this was good idea. Getting up from the armchair, Natalie walked out the waiting area, looking back at the room she just left. What if Grandma Lyn got better just because she knew she was happy? What if she had something to live for and not leave her too? Natalie turned away and placed her hands in her jacket pockets. Her fingers found the smooth plastic and metal surface and she took a deep breath as she closed her eyes. What if this worked not only for Romero, but her too?

  "There seems to be a lot of "what if's" Nat." she muttered.

  xxxxxx

  Romero paced his office a hand constantly running over his head. He checked the clock on the wall and cursed. It had only been two minutes since he last checked it. He stopped in the middle of the room and looked around. Besides the large reddish toned mahogany wood desk that had neatly stacks of files on it, the office was uncluttered. Marcie had decorated it and it had stayed the same. Beige and red stripe wall paper blended in with the brick red solid paint that was separated by engraved wood in the middle of the wall all around. A large floor to ceiling bookcase had been specifically built to house his law books, business codes, and other research material he rarely used. Marcie had added greenery to the corners and on top of the small stainless steel refrigerator that was near a door to the left of the book case. That was where he showered when time didn't permit him to go home at night.

  Romero looked down at the dark navy office carpet. He finally decided to just sit in his large leather office chair, moving the two arm chairs that sat off to the side back in a slant in front of the desk, he sat down and placed his fingers in a steeple. Why was he so damn nervous all of a sudden, he questioned, then checked the clock once more. At that moment he saw the figure approach his door hesitant, but Romero managed to stay seated as the handle on the door turned a small gentle knock resounded on the heavy wood.

  "Romero?" He had to close his eyes as he let her voice sweep over him. From head to toe, leaving it's warmth in the center of his chest. As the days wore on since their dinner together, all he could think about was her and even knowing he didn't have the ability to provide the time she deserved, he still couldn't resist the pull. Now he'd placed himself in her constant presence for the sake of his mother's health. Would it be so bad to at least be able to indulge a little every now and then? Romero let out the breath he'd been holding and stood up as she entered the lighted office.

  "I'm here, Natalie." he watched as she came further in, her curious eyes taking in every nuance of the room before their brown depths landed on him. Romero felt it again, and he also saw the uncertainty in her face. "You didn't have trouble finding the place, did you?" he asked coming from around the desk to meet her in the middle of the room. He gently took her purse and small jacket that she had draped on her arm and laid it on one of the chairs.

  "No, um, it was fairly easy. The business district isn't far from the hospital." she stated. "Look...um..." Romero gave her a wide smile that stopped whatever thought she had formed in her brain from being realized. What was it about this man that made her speechless? "Um..." she said again. She'd somehow forgotten the English language and wished she had some water at the moment to quench the dryness that had gathered in her throat.

  "Look, if you want we can lay down some ground rules." Romero turned from her and headed toward the small refrigerator. "Would you like something to drink while we discuss everything?" Natalie nodded, the baritone in his voice sent h
er senses on edge. It was soft and open, giving her no reason to be intimidated by it. "Have a seat, Ms. Natalie." Romero encouraged before turning back to the task of retrieving her bottled water along with one for him. He picked up a tablet off his desk and handed both items to Natalie.

  "What's this for?" she asked, taking the pad and sitting it on her lap while she opened the water bottle and took a deep drink. Romero stood silently watching her before he had cause to sit down too.

  "Take about five or so minutes to jot down what you don't want to do while in this arrangement." he said simply.

  "Oh, well, what about you?"

  "I asked you, Natalie, remember?" he grinned. "I need you to be comfortable and safe while we do this. I don't want you thinking I have ulterior motives." he told her. Natalie nodded and began writing thoughtfully. "Why did you change your mind?" Romero asked after a few seconds.

  "I'm not sure." she said. "No, that's not true." Natalie inhaled deeply and released it. "Grandma Lyn really seemed happy and much better when she believed I was getting married to you.' she began. "I didn't have the heart to tell her you were a psycho maniac and had played on her affections." she accused. Romero gave her a wounded look as he scratched his head.

  "That was harsh..." he chuckled. "Sorry. Again."

  "What's done is done. Romero, I just need to keep this simple, alright. Only until she comes home and is better." she looked at him. "I'm saying "Yes" to this plan and that should make you happy." Natalie looked down at the pad that Romero had given her. He looked curiously over his desk to see what was written, then had a thought.

  "You don't have to worry about me asking for…you know…" Natalie's head quickly shot up and she prospectively blushed at the insinuation. She hadn't gotten that far, but Romero's mention of it definitely now made her aware that he was every inch male personified. Natalie cleared her throat.

  "I never thought that far, but it's obvious you have." She raised her eyebrow in accusation and hid a smile when Romero's skin began to deepen in reddish hues.