“Worried about tomorrow,” I say.
“What’s tomorrow?” Sam asks.
“It’s when I tell Mom and Dad the engagement is off.”
“No, no. Not during Sunday dinner!” Sam looks as though the world is going to end. And it is. Mine, anyway.
“Yep. I’ve decided that’s the best time for them to get the least upset with me. And then you all can run interference for me while I hide under the table and quiver.”
“Come on, Jenna. They won’t be that upset. Your parents won’t want you to marry someone that could never make you happy,” Sam says.
“Sam, you’re semi-right where Dad is concerned, but Mom—you have no idea what you’re talking about.” It’s comical to watch her face morph from being so self-assured to being shocked I actually said something like that to her. “It’s true. You know how much I adore you, but you don’t know what my mother is truly like. Dad is like any father—no one will ever be good enough for me, his little girl. And Mom—she wants me married, and she doesn’t care whom it’s to as long as he has money. And old money is even better. Kenneth was the total package, I’m afraid. Well, except for one small problem.”
By this time we’re sitting down, and Sam asks what the problem is.
“I caught him with someone.”
She is shocked at first, and then pissed. She wants to go to his place and kick his ass.
“It’s not like that. And truth be known, I’m not even angry,” I say.
“How can you not be angry? He’s seeing another woman, and after all this time!” Sam is working herself up, so I need to say something.
“Sam, that’s not what happened. You have to listen to me. I didn’t catch him with another woman.”
“Wait. What? I don’t understand. You just said you … Oh shit. Not Kenneth.” Her head slowly swings right then left and back again.
“’Fraid so. But I have to say I’m happy for him, only I hate that his family will never accept it. And Horace is really a hot guy.”
“Did you say Horace? It has to be the same guy from that party I threw for Ben.”
“Oh, it’s the same.”
Sam giggles. “He’s such a flirt.”
“Yeah, and did you know he has a fiancée?”
“But I thought—” Sam starts.
“Yes, and apparently, she knows everything, too,” I explain.
“Whoa. That’s something different,” Sam says.
“What do you mean?” Cate asks.
“What I mean is, she knows he’s gay, yet she’s cool with it and goes for a threesome on occasion. And he likes it. So I wonder if he’s bi,” I muse.
“Sounds like it,” Sam says. “Especially if he likes to have a woman involved. So Kenneth. Gay, huh?”
“Yeah, and I never suspected it. Or maybe I did, but didn’t want to face it. All I know is I realized I didn’t really want to marry him after all, but didn’t know how to get out of it. At least this gives me my out. But I still have to tell my parents.”
The waiter shows up, and we order a round of drinks.
After he leaves, Cate says, “So, Jenna, give Sam the down and dirty.”
Jeez. Do I really want to go into this again? But it’s my sister-in-law, and I know at some point, I have to disclose the truth. Poor Kenneth. Then the image of him and Horace pops into my mind and I giggle.
“Go on,” Cate urges.
“This has to stay between us. But you’re not going to believe this.” I give her the whole story. Halfway through, when I get to the part where they get stuck, she stops me with a, “Wait, explain that, please.” So I do, and she has to clamp a hand over her mouth because she’s snort-laughing so loud, it can be heard all over the place. Sam runs an event planning business and knows a ton of people. I’m sure she wants to maintain a certain image.
By the time I finish with my rendition of what took place at Kenneth’s, she’s pounding the table with her fist and grabbing napkins to wipe the tears streaming down her face. The woman can barely speak, much less breathe, she’s still laughing so hard. When I go to say something, her arm flies out, palm facing me, and she squeaks, “Stahhhhp. I can’t take it anymore.”
Cate looks on, her body shaking with the giggles as she watches Sam. Then she says, “You should show us the pictures.”
Sam jerks up in her seat and yells, “What! You have pictures?”
Everyone turns to stare. “Shut up, will you?” I whisper-yell. “And no, I will not share the pictures. I don’t even know why I took them. Probably because I couldn’t believe it myself at the time.”
“That they got stuck?” Sam asks.
“Well, that and the fact that Kenneth is gay. I mean, all this time I spent with him and I never knew. How weird is that?”
“Yeah, that is strange, but you’re not sad, are you?” Sam asks between her gasps for air.
“Not sad, but I am a little angry when I think about all the time I wasted with him. The sad thing is, I decided I really didn’t want to marry him after all. He’s a great guy. But when it came down to it, I knew he wasn’t the one for me. And now I know why.”
“No kidding,” Cate says. “It’s a good thing you caught them. Good guy or not, he would’ve let you marry him for the cover-up.”
“Yeah, and doesn’t that say something about his family,” I add.
“Jeez, that’s too bad they’re not accepting of it,” Sam says. She’s finally calmed down enough to speak normally.
“Right? I feel bad for him. And his dad is going to shit a brick when he finds out. And his mom. Ugh. When she finds out there’ll be no grandkids for her, I shudder to think of her reaction.”
Cate chimes in with, “Almost like your mom finding out the wedding is cancelled.”
“Thanks, bestie. I really needed that reminder. This is supposed to be my night out.”
“Sorry.”
Sam asks, “So, you’re going to spring it on them at dinner tomorrow then? Does Ben know you’re planning to do this?”
“Not yet, but I imagine he will when you get home tonight.”
She groans. “Yeah, and he’ll want to stay home. Julia will be a real pain. You know how Martin, his dad, gets. He’ll most likely be grumpy all week, and then I’ll have to deal with grumpy Ben.”
Cate grins. “I’m sure you’ve figured out how to put a smile on that guy’s face by now.”
Our drinks finally arrive—an extra dirty martini for me, a glass of wine for Sam, and a club soda for Cate since she’s pregnant and can’t drink. Sam leans over and has a word with the waiter. He nods and leaves.
“What was that all about?” I ask.
“I name dropped. I know everyone here, and it took entirely too long for these beverages to arrive. I wanted to make sure it didn’t happen again.” Sure enough, our waiter pays great attention to us all night long.
“So, what are you going to do now, newly single and free woman?” Sam asks. “You know, you ought to hang with my friends. A few of them are single, and they’re fun.”
“That’s right,” I say. “I remember them from the wedding.” Just then, I glance over and happen to catch sight of the certain person who occupies my mind most of the time. He’s standing at the bar ordering a drink. My heart leaps into my throat with all kinds of expectations and hopes, but then suddenly does a belly flop right on a concrete slab as I watch that same redhead walk up to him and put her arm around him possessively. He doesn’t shrug it off or anything, but accepts it and she leaves it there. This isn’t exactly what I wanted to see tonight.
Cate’s voice whacks me on the side of the head. “Hey, you. Why the long face?”
“Uh, it’s nothing.”
“My butt. You went from mildly concerned about what you were going to tell Martin and Julia to the look of someone with a crushed heart. And that’s not how you described your feelings about Kenneth breaking it off. What gives?”
My eyes are glued to the couple, as Brandon hands the redheaded wh
ore her drink and she makes goo-goo eyes at him. Ugh, I’m pretty sure I just threw up a little.
“Nothing,” I answer Cate.
“Yeah, and I have this bridge for sale in Brooklyn. You are the worst liar ever. Spill. Now.”
Still staring, I shake my head. Finally, Cate follows the direction of my gaze. “Who are they?” She wants to know.
I pull my damn eyes off them and say, “No clue.” And then I give her my best imitation of a dazzling grin.
“Yeah, right. He’s hot, I’ll give you that,” Cate says. “In a bad boy way. Holy shit. That’s your friend. The guy who Kenneth was jealous over that time. You had him on your phone. I remember him. He works at that import car repair place.”
“He’s hot all right,” Sam says. “What did you say his name is?”
“I didn’t.”
As we all ogle the man, he suddenly looks at our table, and the three of us appear as though we are spying on them. Now I feel more foolish than ever. Brandon lasers me with those pale blues, and I’m instantly frozen in my seat. Heat infuses my skin, raising my body temperature to God knows what. To my horror, he turns to the redhead, detaches himself, and strides toward our table.
In her own saucy way, Cate says, “For someone who doesn’t know who that is, he sure is intent on making his way here.”
He stops directly in front of me and says, “I’d like to have a word with you. In private, please.”
Nineteen
Brandon
There are so many reasons I shouldn’t have headed in Jenna’s direction. How will my heart ever be free from her chokehold on it if we keep running into each other?
Only I’m the fool. One look at her devastated face at seeing me with Lexa and I can’t help but go to her and explain myself as if she has a right to know what I’m doing.
“And who are you?” the woman on Jenna’s right asks.
“That would be Brandon.” It’s Cate who answers. I’ve seen enough pictures of her in Jenna’s home to recognize her on sight.
“Guys, I’ll be right back,” Jenna says, not even bothering to introduce me.
That should be the nail in the coffin, but I can’t help myself. Placing my hand on the small of her back, I angle her toward the hall in the back that leads to the restrooms. And add fire to my stupidity, I relish touching her, including this small amount.
When we’re alone, I say, “It’s not what you think.”
“It never is. And damn, if I shouldn’t be used to it. First Kenneth and Horace and now you. Not that I have a right to you, but it still hurts.”
The bombardment of words takes a minute to sink in. That name can’t be wildly used anymore. Then again, it doesn’t seem possible. The guy I knew as Horace hit on me. What is she saying?
“Kenneth and Horace?”
She nods. “That’s what I came to tell you. I’m not engaged anymore. But then I found you with that woman.”
I should be elated. But at the same time, I’m angry. What right does she have to accuse me of wrongdoing? She’s been with someone else for years while I’ve waited for her to give me her crumbs. But who am I fooling? She still consumes my every stray thought.
“It’s just coincidence. She and I aren’t involved. We’re talking business. Of which, I left abruptly. I should probably get back. But promise me, you won’t leave without talking to me first.”
Her eyes are wide with possibilities. And I want to kiss her, desperately. However, we have things to discuss. Plus, our first kiss shouldn’t be rushed. I’ve waited too damn long for that.
“Okay, but you come see me before you leave if that happens first,” she says.
Nodding, I tear myself from her gaze. It’s like a vortex I’m sucked into. She’s got me tethered to a leash, and I’m not sure she knows it. She’s been yanking my chain since we first met.
Back at the table, I apologize for leaving.
“No problem. Seems the brunette strikes again. A little advice—don’t be so obvious you’re wrapped around her finger. Women like that to a point. But just like men, we don’t want our prey so submissive.”
Not sure what to say, I nod and change subjects. “Getting back to what you were saying.”
“I was saying that we want to start a mobile business. People of wealth don’t always want to drive and leave their toys in shops where damage can occur. Think about one of your bays on wheels. The convenience alone could command an extreme price tag.”
The idea is intriguing and has a lot of promise, a mobile shop. I have the capital to consider going at it on my own.
“We didn’t sign a non-disclosure. What makes you think I couldn’t start this up by myself?”
She spears me with her big brown eyes. “I’m a good judge of character. And I pegged you for a guy in need of a good time. What I didn’t bank on was your hard-on for someone else. The other thing I pegged you for is integrity. You are a guy that lives by a code. Your honor means more to you than some place on their bank accounts.”
That she’s right about. It’s the reason I haven’t crossed the line with Jenna. It’s also the reason why for the last few months, for all intents and purposes, I’ve been a monk.
“Plus, I’m sure you would need the capital we have to invest.”
Since I haven’t done the research, I’m not sure she’s right about that.
“What do you propose?”
Her glossy smile is wicked, and I wish I could take back my words and their double meaning.
“Oh, my dear Brandon, I would suggest sealing the deal with hot and sweaty sex. I’ve gotten a hint of what’s in your pants, and I want to ride your stick shift bad.” She exhales heavily. “But that’s not going to happen.” She laughs and points at me. “The look on your face is priceless. You are too cute.”
I’m ready to be done with this meeting. The idea of starting a business with this woman is losing its appeal by the minute. Then there’s the fact that guys are coming up to Jenna’s table, and the ladies laugh and point to her. I’m guessing Jenna’s the only single one there. I know Cate’s married. I’m just not certain about the other female until now.
“Well,” Lexa says, gaining my attention again. “Why don’t I talk to Daddy and his lawyers and see what we can draw up?”
She pushes the papers I’d brought back toward me signed.
“And I’ll be in touch or you will be.” She winks.
After she leaves, I glance up to find two guys at Jenna’s table. One is Jenna’s brother, Ben. The other I think is Cate’s husband. They all look like they are about to leave, so I fold up the papers and pocket them before I head in that direction.
Ben beats me to the punch when I arrive. “Brandon. Nice to finally meet you.”
I’m surprised by his warm welcome. The first and only time we crossed paths, he looked like he wanted to murder me. I wonder now how things will play out this time.
“Nice to meet you, too.” I shake his hand.
He does the honors. “This is Samantha, my wife, and Cate, and her husband, Drew.”
I wave at them all.
“Sorry we have to go, but my wife is dead on her feet.” Drew turns to Jenna. “It’s been fun as always. You have to come to D.C. next month. We would come back, but I’m saving up time to take off when the baby arrives.”
Cate turns to me. “I’m sorry, Brandon. I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time. You should come with Jenna if she makes it to D.C.”
Giving a non-committal nod, I watch as hugs are traded along with well wishes. Then we are four.
Samantha smiles, and I can see why the guy snagged her. “Well, I was going to offer Jenna a ride home with us, but something tells me she’s in good hands.”
She grins at me, and I instantly like her.
“Yes, take care of my sister. She’s the only one I got, and I actually like her,” Ben adds. He tries and fails to look stern as Samantha playfully chides him.
More goodbyes, then we are two.
“So,” she breathes.
“So.”
“We should probably talk.”
There are so many things I want to do outside of talking, but she’s right.
“Maybe someplace quieter.”
“Do you want to go to your place?” she asks.
My place is closer. “Can’t. My brother is having a thing there. Quiet is the least of what we will find at my place.”
“We can go to mine.”
We walk because it’s a nice night. I want to hold her hand, but I don’t. Inside her place, she plants her gorgeous ass in a chair across from my place on the sofa. And damn, if my dick isn’t like a lead weight in my pants.
“So, what happened?” I ask.
We’ve always been friends first. So the ease at which she tells me the story isn’t surprising. She laughs, and I cringe at some of the parts. All in all, I mask my true emotions. I want to fist pump in the air and claim her as mine. But months of dealing with this woman have made me leery of jumping in feet first.
“And what will you do after you tell your parents?” I ask.
“What do you mean?”
“Tomorrow at Sunday dinner, when you tell your parents and leave out the bits about him with another man, what are you going to do?”
“How do you know I’m not going to tell them everything?”
“Because I know you. And you already said you feel sorry for him. You are going to leave him smelling like roses in their eyes. And when they pressure you to reconsider and he comes around bearing gifts, what are you going to do?”
She stands up, fire in her eyes. “You’re already judging how I’m going to handle this before I’ve even had a chance. That’s fucked up.”
I meet her fire with my fury.
“Really. How long have you known you didn’t love him?”
She sputters nothing but air.
When I stand, her fire burns out. “Brandon, wait.”
“Why, Jenna? I’ve waited months for you. And the only reason we’re here at this moment is because you caught him with someone else. It doesn’t even matter the gender. Because the truth is, if you hadn’t caught him, you’d still be planning your wedding.”
One Wrong Choice (A Cruel and Beautiful Book Book 3) Page 13