“Thank you. You really didn’t have to go to so much trouble,” Mia told her.
“It’s no problem at all. I’ll be right back with a few outfits for you to consider.” She disappeared behind a black curtain.
“Girl, this is good.” Sandra took another sip of her wine. “I’m glad we waited to go shopping in the afternoon and made this our last stop, because I’m going to need a few more glasses of this. Where’s Colby?”
“He’s with my uncle. It’s their day for male bonding.”
“Cool. What all are you getting here?” Sandra glanced around the room. “I’ve never been to a store where there are no racks or clothes, just a few well-dressed mannequins and books.”
Mia followed Sandra’s line of sight, taking in the store’s contemporary gray-and-white furnishings, the expensive paintings and Oriental rugs that covered the slate flooring. “Me, either, but Keylan asked me to come here. It’s certainly not what I expected.”
“Rich people.” Both women laughed and nodded.
“Here we are,” the saleswoman announced, rolling in a rack of outfits. “There are several things here for you to choose from. I’m sure I got the size right, but if not, we can take care of it.”
“Nice,” Sandra replied.
“Mr. Kingsley would like for you to select at least three complete snow suits, boots and a coat.”
“Girl...” Sandra started, checking out the food.
Mia rose and walked over to the rack to take a closer look at the outfits. “Oh, wow, these are all very nice. They feel warm, too.”
“They are, so you’ll be very comfortable in the harsh winter weather,” the saleswoman assured her.
Mia nodded.
Sandra joined her at the clothes rack. “This one is too cute.” Sandra pulled out a red snowsuit.
“Excuse me for one moment.” The saleslady went to help the other customer in the store.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
“What’s wrong?” Sandra placed the snowsuit against her body as she stood in front of a trio of mirrors.
Mia’s shoulders dropped. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“Do what?”
“This...all of this.” Mia flopped back down in her chair. “I’m not the type of woman who lets a man, a rich man at that, buy her clothes.”
Sandra turned to face her. “I don’t know why the hell not. That man is crazy about you. So what if he wants to spend a little cash on you?”
“You don’t think it makes me seem like I’m...I don’t know. Like some gold digger?”
“No, it doesn’t, because you’re not. You’re a twenty-six-year-old single mother who works hard and deserves to have a guy like KJ who wants to do nice things for you. If I was you, I’d sit back and enjoy it.” She winked at her friend.
“Thanks, Sandra.”
“Anytime. Now, I’m going to go try this on. In case you want to get me something else for Christmas.”
“Girl, please, these clothes don’t even have prices on them.”
“One can always dream.” Sandra stepped into the dressing room.
A tall, fair-skinned woman wearing a black and white Chanel suit, a pair of matching Chanel heels and a cluster of pearls around her neck took the seat next to Mia. “Your friend’s right, you know.”
“Excuse me?”
“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. If your man wants to buy you clothes, you should let him. After all—” she sat back in the chair and crossed her legs “—he is a Kingsley and can most certainly afford it.”
Mia turned in her chair to face the stranger. Who the hell is this woman? “Do I know you?”
“No, but I know you, Mia Ramirez.” Mia gave the woman the once-over as she reached for her purse, contemplating if she should use her panic button. “No need to call for your security, my dear.”
“Who are you?” Mia frowned.
“Just someone who’s been where you are and thought I’d offer some friendly advice. My name is Lisa Barrington.”
Mia’s expression dulled. “I see. So, what, you once dated Keylan or something?”
“Heavens, no.” She laughed and raised her left hand, flashing what had to be an at-least ten-carat diamond ring. “He was an unwanted guest at my wedding last year.”
Mia’s brow puckered. “What?”
“Keylan plays on the team with my husband, Clay. Just before we got married, he told Clay that they were too young to be tied down and that he should run while he still had the chance.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” Mia wasn’t sure how she felt about this woman’s assertion about Keylan’s thoughts on marriage.
Lisa laughed. “Don’t be. Clay was too smart to listen to KJ. Besides, he was drunk at the time and he has since apologized. He’s been a good friend of ours for years. Now let’s see if you’re smart enough to listen to me.”
Mia felt a sudden sense of relief to hear Keylan’s revised feelings about marriage, even though they were a long way away from even the idea of such a commitment. “Okay, I’m listening.” Mia folded her arms across her chest.
“Keylan’s a good guy, and when he first joined the league he had a lot to prove.”
“What do you mean?” Her curiosity was piqued.
“Well—”
“What do you think, Mia?” Sandra called as she entered the room. “Oh, sorry.”
“Sandra, this is—”
“Clay Barrington’s wife.” Awe transformed Sandra’s face.
“Lisa. Her name is Lisa,” Mia amended, shaking her head. She still couldn’t believe how much Sandra knew about basketball and all the players.
“Pleased to meet you,” Lisa said, offering her hand.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Sandra shook her hand before she reached for the bottle of wine. “Care for some?” She poured herself another glass.
“I’d love some, thank you. That outfit looks great on you, by the way,” Lisa noted.
“Thank you.” Savoring the compliment, Sandra filled another glass and handed it to her. “Mia, you want more?”
“No, I’m fine. Can you give us a few minutes?”
“Oh, sure, I’ll just go change.”
Mia waited for Sandra to leave before asking, “What did you mean when you said Keylan had a lot to prove?”
“It didn’t matter how good his stats were, how high or which round he came out in the draft. He was a privileged billionaire’s son. He had to prove himself on the floor, which he did.” Lisa took a drink from her glass. “Personally, I think he took on that playboy and bad boy persona to fit in and just ran with it.”
“I can understand that.” Mia nodded.
“So when I see him standing up for you, claiming you, wanting to take care of you, it tells me that this is real.”
Mia smiled. “I hope so.”
“Ignore any rumors and don’t worry about the groupies. Keylan is an honorable man, just like my Clay. Just be careful of the media. They can be brutal.” Lisa checked her watch. “I should go.”
Both women stood. “Thank you. I appreciate the advice,” Mia remarked.
“Anytime.” Lisa pulled out a business card and handed it to Mia. “Call me so we can all have dinner.”
“Will do.”
Lisa collected her packages and walked out of the store.
Mia sat and let Lisa’s words take root. She was determined to make things work with Keylan. He had her heart and she was more than ready to give him the rest of her, too.
“What’d I miss?” Sandra asked, hanging the snowsuit back on the rack.
“Not much.” Mia pulled out her phone. “Can you get the saleslady? I finally know what I want.”
Chapter 22
The week had moved at a snail’s pace for Mia. She was counting down the days until the weekend, when she’d finally be alone with the man she loved. Keylan had returned to his life before he’d met her and Colby, and Mia was determined to not let his absence cripple her by keeping busy. She found herself watching the clock each day, willing the hours to pass. Her daily video conference calls with Keylan were the only thing that got her through the long nights, although after she’d hung up and gone to bed, she usually woke wrapped in moist sheets after Keylan paid her a visit in her dreams. They had found ways to deal with the distance together.
Keylan taught Mia how to use her imagination, hands and the sound of his voice to combat the lonely nights apart. Mia had never considered doing such things, especially with her partner watching from a video screen. Keylan, on the other hand, had no reservation with showing Mia how much he missed and needed her. The fact that they shared such intimate moments only heightened the anticipation for when they would finally be together.
Those moments, not to mention the thoughtful daily gifts he sent her and her son, took the sting out of his absence. With the exception of the flowers, everything Keylan sent Colby was practical: additional shoes that matched his own and a video system with games loaded that catered to his age and specific needs. By far, her favorite thing he would do was acknowledge her and Colby during interviews or whenever the camera was on him. Keylan developed a secret message for them. He would tap two fingers against his heart, signaling how much he cared for them and that they were always with him. The weekend couldn’t get there fast enough for either of them.
Friday had finally arrived and Mia sat quietly flipping through a magazine in the VIP lounge for private plane boarding in Houston Hobby Airport. She was trying to keep her excitement in check but she was losing that battle. She kept imagining all the wicked things Keylan had promised over the past week that they would do; she was finding it hard to sit still. She couldn’t believe how all right she felt about leaving Colby for two whole days. Yes, she had left him with her aunt and uncle many times, but usually for no longer than a day and even then, she’d felt bad. Fortunately, Colby never felt that way; he loved the independence it gave him. Mia, on the other hand, wasn’t sure how she felt about that, either.
Mia heard her name being called and was surprised to see where that sound came from. “Kirby, what are you doing here? You going somewhere?” She noticed the small roller bag Kirby held with one hand and the rather large phone she had to her ear.
Kirby stopped in front of her and smiled. “Yes, sir. She’s right here.” Kirby handed Mia the type of device she’d only seen in movies: a satellite phone.
“Hello...?”
“Hi, baby.” Keylan released an audible breath.
“Keylan.” Mia’s mouth curved into a wide smile and Kirby stepped away from her.
“I’ve been trying to reach you.”
Mia could hear the worry in his voice. “Sorry, my phone died and my charger is in my checked bag.”
“I guess that explains it.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m stuck in Atlanta a bit longer. We have some NBA promotional work and a few more interviews I have to do before I can leave.”
“Oh.” Mia’s smile slipped. “I understand.”
“Stop, don’t do that. The only thing that’s changed is that I’m going to have to meet you there and I won’t get to see the look on your face when you find out where you’re going,” Keylan explained.
“What?”
“Kirby’s going to fly out with you and I’ll meet you at the resort this evening.”
“Are you sure we just shouldn’t postpone things?”
“Absolutely not!” His voice was firm, which only excited Mia more. “We need this weekend, baby. I need you.”
“I need you, too,” she whispered.
“Good. They will get you there and settled. I’ll be by your side before you know it, I promise.”
They. “Okay.”
“See you soon, my love,” Keylan said before ending the call.
Mia loved it when Keylan called her that, although he had never told her he loved her. She had yet to say the words to him, either, but she planned to this weekend. Mia was done holding back.
“Here you go.” Mia tried to hand Kirby back the phone.
“No, that’s for you,” Kirby insisted.
“I don’t need this thing. My charger is in my bag. I’ll charge my phone when I get to the resort. By the way, where is this resort?”
Kirby frowned. “Mr. Kingsley didn’t tell you?”
“It was going to be a surprise,” she murmured, pushing down her disappointment.
“It’s in Aspen. Actually, it’s above Aspen...in the mountains,” Kirby revealed, and Mia could see how much she hated spoiling the surprise.
“Really, have you been there before?”
“Yes, the Kingsleys have had many retreats and events there for their family and staff,” Kirby answered.
“Tell me about it.” Curiosity was getting the best of Mia.
“It would be better if you see it for yourself. I really don’t want to spoil that moment for you, too. You ready to go?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
Kirby simpered at the tall, handsome man she waved forward. “Mia Ramirez, this is Neil, my husband.”
Mia offered her hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He gave her hand a small shake.
“He’ll be joining us.”
“Great. So will you two be spending the weekend at the resort, too?” Mia wasn’t sure how she felt about all these new developments but at this point all she wanted was to see Keylan.
“No, ma’am,” Neil quickly volunteered.
He grinned and Kirby blushed. “Neil just got back from a six-month deployment. He’s a Navy SEAL.”
“Oh...I see.” Mia hoped her face wasn’t as red as the nail polish she wore. She knew exactly why he’d answered so quickly and she completely understood. “Thank you for your service.”
Neil nodded. “After we get you settled, we’ll be staying at a lodge in the city. No worries, the resort has its own security in place.”
“I’m not worried.” At least she wasn’t until she walked out the door and saw the jet that was awaiting their arrival.
“You not afraid to fly, are you?” Kirby lifted her left eyebrow.
“Not in an adult plane.”
Kirby laughed. “This is an adult plane.” She grabbed Mia’s hand and pulled her forward. “This is a Gulfstream IV-SP, and it’s one of the safest and coolest planes out there.”
Mia climbed the stairs and entered an atmosphere of elegance and pure indulgence. “Oh, my goodness.” She couldn’t help but marvel at what looked like someone’s expensive and eloquently decorated living room. Beautiful wood-grain surfaces were offset by plush, cream leather sofas and reclining chairs, all disguised as an airplane.
“I know. There’s even a master suite in the back if you prefer to sleep through the trip.”
“No, thank you.” Mia smiled as she replayed Keylan’s voice promising to make her a part of the mile-high club.
“Take a seat. I’ll go inform the crew that we’re ready.” Kirby handed her things to her husband before turning to leave.
Mia sat in a chair across from Neil. “A Navy SEAL and your wife’s a security expert. Your house must be the safest one in your neighborhood,” she joked.
Neil smiled. “It would be if we had a home.”
Mia scowled. “What?”
“People like us with careers that require so much time, commitment and travel aren’t exactly the settling-down-and-staying-in-one-place types. The best part about our relationship is that we understand and accept that about each other. We can
hardly keep a plant alive. We own a nice condo downtown that we rarely see.”
“That’s too bad.” Mia felt a sadness that she didn’t want to examine.
“What’s too bad?” Kirby asked, taking a seat next to her husband.
“The fact we can’t keep a plant alive,” Neil proclaimed.
Kirby shrugged. “That’s why we have silk plants. Buckle up.”
Mia sat back as the jet raced down the runway. She couldn’t help but wonder if the unsolicited words of experience being sent her way were some type of warning.
* * *
Keylan handed his phone to Roger. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Mia cool?”
“Yeah, but I know she’s disappointed.” Keylan moved to stand in front of a green screen. “She was expecting us to travel together.”
“She might as well get used to it,” Roger reminded, keeping his eyes on his cell phone.
No, she shouldn’t. Keylan stood stone-faced as a photographer took all the pictures he needed. He was thankful that this was a shoot that required a serious look; otherwise he wouldn’t have made it through. All he could think about was the disappointment he’d heard in Mia’s voice, and the idea he caused that was making him crazy. He was so lost in his thoughts and regrets that he hadn’t heard the photographer say they were done.
“KJ, you all right?”
“I’m good. Are we done?”
“Yes, but the executives would like to take you out to dinner to celebrate wrapping this campaign and the start of the next one.”
“Can’t.” Keylan walked into the trailer and started removing the gray suit he’d just been photographed wearing.
“What do you mean, you can’t? These folks just offered you a new multimillion-dollar advertising deal.” Roger put his phone away.
“A deal that I haven’t signed yet,” he reminded Roger.
“Dude, what’s wrong with you?”
“There’s nothing wrong with me. I have a plane to catch.” Keylan quickly changed out of the suit and into a pair of jeans, a white button-down shirt and a leather jacket.
“A plane that you own. Come on, man, this is business.”
“That’s a dinner that can wait. I’ve already pushed Mia back for business once, which was a mistake, and it won’t happen again.” His tone was firm and final.
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