Finding Mrs. Right

by Kalani Zoldyck

  "No, I ….well, have you seen yourself lately??" he cried. "You're a good looking, no I take that back, damn sexy and beautiful, I'm a man, what can I say." He shrugged it off and began to look through some folders that he had no idea what they contained.

  "Well, it's the last thing I'm worried about. I don't know you well enough and I'm not the type of woman to just go sleeping around with the first man I see or pays me attention." She said. Romero nodded, somewhat glad that she hadn't thought he was pervert.

  "Alright, then, we can go through some basic things then. Meeting my mother is one of them."

  "Yes, I'm sure it is."

  "On top of that, you are going to have to get to know me...well." Romero went through more of his personal life with her, something that he'd done somewhat already when they'd had dinner, but she was aware of more as he talked. "I think we should continue this tomorrow over dinner. Can you come by here after you close your store?" he asked.

  "Yes." Natalie's gaze took in the nice sized office before settling back on Romero. "What is it that you do that takes up so much of your time that you can't have a normal social life?" she asked.

  Romero grinned and sat back in his office chair placing his hands behind his head as he did so. Natalie watched his dress shirt stretch over the wide chest that had to be cut underneath. The light pink cotton/silk blend material was unbuttoned showing a splatter of dark hair before the white of his t-shirt came into view. He'd already had his sleeves rolled up and the muscular arms that led two big wide hands made her thoughts go back to what he'd mentioned earlier. Him and her in his bedroom, office, any damn where as long as those hands of his were touching her. Aware that she'd missed some of what Romero was saying, she snapped back to see him staring back at her.

  "What?"

  "I asked you how you got into the Quilting."

  "Wait, you didn't tell me about your job!" she cried.

  "Yes, I did!" he smiled. "I own and run a global business management company, a few companies overseas and here in the U.S. It requires me to sometimes do business at crazy hours. It can be three o'clock in the morning here, but in China it's a one o'clock meeting. Most of the time, I'm here."

  "Oh….sorry." Romero's smile grew wider as if he knew what she was really thinking and why she wasn't paying attention to him.

  "So, what about you?"

  "Grandma Lyn started the business years ago. Grannie's Quilts was the name. When she began getting sick, I took over and it became Lyn's Heirlooms."

  "You like what you do?"

  "Love it, I wouldn't do it if I didn't." she laughed. "You?" Romero nodded.

  "Sometimes." his eyes held hers for what seemed like minutes as he soaked in their color and Natalie felt a bolt of deep longing invade her body. His dark eyes seemed to just get darker and she found it difficult to tear away from them. His sudden movement snapped her out of it and she stood with him.

  "I...I have to go." she said quietly.

  "Wait, let me see you out." Romero came around the desk and helped her with her jacket before opening the office door. Natalie was very aware of how close he was to her. The heat from his skin meshed with the smell of his cologne that lingered and what she could only discern was his natural scent. It sent a quiver deep in her belly and she hurried past Romero.

  The two walked quietly to Natalie's car, each lost in their own thoughts, but both really had not much to say about the situation. There would be more than enough time to talk to one another. The parking meter flashed red as she approached and given the time, she was happy that she didn't have to worry about a meter maid giving her a ticket. Natalie took out her keys and stood on the side walk, the night are surrounding them both as the quiet seemed to get quieter. She could have sworn the insects and light sounds of the nearby highway were still audible, but heard nothing but the constant beat of her heart. Natalie went to the driver's side of the small two door sedan.

  Romero placed his hands in his pockets while she opened her door and got in. He leaned down near the window, his right arm resting on the roof as he stuck his head down near hers.

  "Natalie..." he began and she turned her face up towards him. Romero was close enough to smell the light scent of the perfume she wore, along with strawberry scented lip gloss that still was on her lips. His eyes automatically went to them and he wondered how they'd taste. He shook the mental image from his over sexed brain and concentrated on the task. "Thank you, again."

  "You're welcome, but don't' say I never did anything for you." she teased and Romero chuckled. "Good night, Mr. Jones."

  "Good Night...Mrs. Jones." he winked at her and strolled off, his walk relaxed as he placed both hands back in his pockets and headed back into the building they'd come out of. Natalie sat in her car and tried to place the parting words in her head.

  "Mrs. Jones..." she whispered. Placing her car in gear, Natalie drove off still wondering if she'd done the right thing and if she was biting off more than she could chew when it came to Romero.

  7

  Nervous didn't begin to explain what Natalie was feeling at the moment. Standing outside the hospital room where Romero's mother and him waited for her to come made her suddenly feel self conscious. How was she going to pull this off? What did Romero tell her? They'd went out to dinner the next evening and he'd gave her the run down on his entire childhood, family, past, present, and what he hoped to accomplish in the future. Romero and she had seemed more like friends getting to know each other more than two people contemplating a scheme.

  In his office he'd rolled up his sleeves, undid his tie and gotten comfortable enough to put his feet up as they talked. It was well into the early morning hours where he didn't get much work done and she went home tired, but deliriously happy and satisfied with the company she had been with. It didn't seem like they were planning a fake relationship and wedding at the time, until now.

  "Why are you standing out here, Natalie?" Romero's voice made her jump, including her heart, as it came from behind her. She turned surprised to see him.

  "I-I thought you were in there with your mother?" He grinned openly.

  "She went to have some tests done, hopefully she'll be out of here by tomorrow. I went to check on some things at the office." He held up his cellular. "She should be back now." he placed a hand on the small of her back turning her around. He leaned down near her ear and Natalie could smell the fragrant aftershave. "Ready?" he whispered and a shiver went through her. She barely turned her head toward him, their lips inches apart and their eyes level with one another. Natalie could see the glint of something in his that made her feel like he was the wolf and she was the sheep. Except it was in a way that she wouldn't mind being caught.

  "No." she responded saucily. Romero laughed and opened the door pushing her in.

  "Mami!" he called out. "I want you to meet someone." he looked down at Natalie who took a deep breathe and wished she had not agreed to this at all.

  xxxxxx

  "I will be honest with you, Natalie, when Rome said he was getting married I thought he was lying. He never talked about you or any woman at that." Rosario sat against her pillows with her hands folded in her lap. Romero reclined on the bed next to her as Natalie sat in the chair beside him. Rosa looked at him as he looked at Natalie with a grin that hadn't left his face since they walked in the room. Natalie thought his face must be hurting by now, but she wasn't sure.

  "I was surprised too, by the proposal that is." she smiled as she looked Romero. It was the first time his shit eating grin faltered. "He never let on that he wanted more in the relationship. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't happy with just "living in sin" as my Grandmother would say. I'd gave him a choice, his job or a life with me. Either make a decision about us or I was leaving. I don't know if I could have, but I am glad I did stand my ground. He knew what he was losing." Rosa nodded and smiled while Romero's eyes squinted at her. Natalie figured she would not make this easy for him.

  "Well, I'm glad he came to his senses
." she breathed. "And such an independent minded woman at that. Romero, you should have never made her wait like that. You can be so spoiled, you might have passed up a one in a million because of your shenanigans."

  "It's not my fault." Romero argued. "You made me compare every woman to you." he laughed as she sucked her teeth and swatted him.

  "So, have you both set a date?" she asked. Natalie looked at Romero and he shrugged.

  "No, but since my Grandmother is also in the hospital, I'd like to wait until she can witness me getting married. She was delighted also and I don't want to leave her out."

  "Oh, that is sweet. When you do then, come see me. I won't have much to do and I would love to get to know you better since you will be apart of the family soon." Natalie's heart warmed when Rosario took her hand in hers and patted it affectionately with a happy look on her own face.

  "I love to get help. I don't know the first thing about planning a wedding." they both laughed and Romero looked on in wonder at Natalie. He hadn't expected his mother to take to her so quickly, but then again, he'd found Natalie attractive, sexy, and much more. He didn't know what it was about her, but she definitely had his attention from the get go.

  "Well, Mami, Nat has to get back to her store, so I'm going to walk her out to her car." he stood up and kissed his mother. "I'll be back in a bit." Romero held out his hand to Natalie and she took it without hesitation. It's warmth engulfed hers as it sent a surge up her arm and through out her. She'd never get used to the feeling just a touch from him envoked.

  "Alright, it was nice meeting you Natalie. Please stop by whenever you visit your Grandmother. Hopefully, I'll be out of here soon and I can invite you to dinner."

  "I'd love that. Thank you, Mrs.

  "Call me Rosa, mija." she smiled.

  Natalie turned on Romero as soon as they got to the car. He was too happy to notice how upset she was in the elevator, and to him everything went perfectly.

  "You are so going to pay for this, Mr. Jones."

  "What! What did I do? If anything, it went perfectly."

  "Yes, too damn perfect and now your mother thinks she's getting a daughter!" she yelled. "How could you do that to her!? And why did I not think that this was just wrong!?"

  "Nat, honey, please." he put his hands on her shoulders and Natalie shrugged them off, not because she was annoyed because she couldn't think coherently when he touched her.

  "Don't please me!" she growled. "This is insane...your mother is sweet, Romero, and I know you love her and you want her to get better, but do you think this is the best way? I mean she is like all mothers. They always worry about their children, but I don't think she'll like being lied to, by you of all people, no matter what the reason is for."

  Romero stepped back and twisted his mouth. She was right and no, he hadn't thought about what the consequences would be if his mother found out that this was all an act.

  "I just want her to get better, Natalie, and feel that she doesn't have to worry about me."

  "Well, that's her job, Romero." Natalie shook her head and leaned on the car before she let her body slump. "Look, I have to go then come back later to see about my grandmother." she turned to open her door when Romero touched her elbow. Natalie looked up at him, not sure if he could see how much he affected her.

  "How about I take you out tonight?" he said. "To make up for all this and then some."

  "Aren't you a busy man?" Natalie raised her eyebrow. Romero blew out a breath and shook his head.

  "Yes, but I'll switch my schedule around. Look, I'll meet you here at the hospital tonight. Say hello to you Grandmother, then we can leave."

  "Whatever Romero." she gently tugged her arm out of his grasp and slid into her car. Glancing a look at Romero, she could see the confliction in his handsome features. He was second guessing, but they'd already bit the bullet. There was no going back now. She hated the look and she wanted to kick herself for how she was. She needed to stand her ground more often. "Look, I'll be there, alright?"

  "Natalie..." he started, but saw the look in her eyes and decided to wait until tonight.

  8

  Deann and Natalie worked diligently the rest of the day quietly. Deann noticing the way Natalie's thoughtful eye kept going to her watch and then sewing before re-sewing the same spot. She had something on her mind and Deann wondered if her friend would bother to tell her or hold it in. Unable to take it anymore, she put down the items she was restocking and walked toward the sewing counter.

  "What is wrong?" she asked, her hand on her hip. Natalie was startled, but then relaxed as she went back to her task.

  "Nothing." She said quickly.

  "You're lying." Deann responded just as fast. Natalie hid a smile and shook her head.

  "You know me so well." She laughed.

  "I would hope I do, as long as we've known each other." Natalie let out a loud exhale and put the quilt she was working on down. She slid off the stool and began putting away the work.

  "It's a long story." She said quietly.

  "Don't worry, I have time to listen." Deann wasn't backing down, no matter how much Natalie would make excuses for her to let it go. The truth was, she felt dumb and was afraid of what her friend would think when she told her.

  "I met this guy." She started and looked away bashfully.

  "Okay, what, he's married?" Natalie shook her head. "He has a disability?" Natalie thought about Romero's arrogance and how that was disabling. Instead she said no again. "Okay, what, damn Natalie, I don't have time for twenty guesses." She yelled. Natalie laughed out loud at the frustration in her voice.

  "Sorry, Deann. I met this guy, really handsome, last week while visiting Grandma Lyn. He was really nice. So, we started talking and I found out his mother is also in the hospital right next door to Gran. I guess he was curious, so he visited Grandma Lyn and she thought he was my boyfriend." Deann started laughing and Natalie thought it was funny also as she said it. "Anyway, to make a long story short, he loves his mother, strictly a Mama's boy. He basically will do anything for her and right now, that means he wants to get married to make her happy and feel better so she won't worry about him any more. Well, after a dinner and lunch, suddenly, I'm wifey potential."

  "Okay, hold up, I need to sit down for this." Deann said holding her hand up before pulling the stood Natalie had just vacated over to sit on. "Continue, please." She said. Natalie took a deep breath.

  "Long story short. I am now his fiancée and we are getting married sometime in the near future." She muttered.

  "Okay, now did you say you were getting married?" Deann raised her eyebrows in wonderment. Natalie nodded. "Please tell me why I shouldn't check to see if you lost all your gotdamn marbles, woman!" she began low, before her voice rose by the end of the tirade.

  "No, I haven't. He'd already asked Gran and when I told him "no" and went to see her…" Deann realized where Natalie was headed.

  "She was happy, huh, Nat?"

  "Yeup." Natalie nodded. "So damn happy, I think she would get better and leave the hospital just to attend the damn wedding. If it was really going to happen."

  "So, you aren't going to get married?" Deann asked.

  "Not for real. Hell, not at all. I just played along…" Natalie's shoulders slumped as she remembered yesterday. "That is until I met his mother, Deann." She whined.

  "Ahhh…I see the issue with that."

  "Yes, and I told Romero…"

  "Romero?" Deann cut her off. Natalie nodded. "Mmm, sounds sexy…"

  "Deann! Listen!" Natalie cried. "Anyway, he's a mix of both worlds, let's just keep it at that." She cleared her throat. "Anyway, I told Romero that it was wrong, although he loved his mother, we could hurt her feelings if she found out. He hadn't thought that far, but it's been bugging me, Deann. I don't think I can look that wonderful woman in the face again." She finished.

  "Well, I see why you're all tied in knots. Pardon the pun." She giggled. Natalie sucked her teeth. "So what are you going to do
then."

  "I meet up with him tonight at the hospital. I just wish there was a way out of this, but we both have people we love and want to make happy."

  "Sounds like it's a match made in heaven." Deann teased. Natalie swatted at her in frustration.

  "See that is why I don't tell you anything!" she muttered, walking away with Deann's laughter still behind her.

  xxxxxx

  Romero waited for her in the empty chair that sat beside her grandmother's bed. He wasn't sure she would be happy when he talked to her, so he felt he'd do it here. At least she couldn't yell at him.

  Several minutes later, Natalie walked in casually. As usual, that familiar feeling washed over Romero and he still had no idea what to make of it whenever he saw her. It was like seeing her for the first time all over again. She made him just want to look at her all day. When she realized he was sitting there, she gave him a small cautious smile.

  "What are you doing here?" she whispered. "I mean, in the room."

  "Thought I'd try and prevent a scene if I talked to you here." Natalie started as her heart did a slight leap at the prospect of another surprise offer from Romero. She wasn't sure she could bear whatever he had to say at the moment. Placing her tote down on the floor, she looked at her sleeping grandmother. Her serene face made her calm and she took a deep breath at the thought that everything would be alright no matter what.

  "What do you want, now?" she asked, pulling up another empty chair that was located in the corner of the private room.

  "I want to set a date for our wedding."

  "Romero!" her eyes widened as she rubbed her forehead. 'How did I know this was too good to be true?" she muttered under her breath.

  "I thought about what you said, and you're right. Look…" he glanced at Grandma Lyn for a moment, then back at Natalie. "I will let you finish visiting with your grandmother and I'll explain later."

  "Romero, I'm liable to call this whole thing off if you come at me one more time about…." She was cut off at the sound of her Grandmother waking up.

  "Nat, baby?" she whispered and held out her wrinkled hand. Natalie hurried to her grandmother as she peeked at Romero who'd quietly slipped out the door.