Page 109 of Tarek

The flowers in her hand shine in the sunlight, like they are made from cheap plastic. She deserves white roses, pure as her soul, wrapped in the eucalyptus leaves that she adores.

She deserves a better man, one that would bother to wear a tie and a jacket.

They pause for pictures on the courthouse stairs, ever the happy bride and groom. Why does she look happy? Why is she settling for less when she deserves so much more?

From the car I can see her stretching her hand out to her friends showing them the ring. He is shaking the hands of his friends, grinning like a fucking ass who won a prize that he didn’t earn.

Miranda deserves a man who will love her like she is the only thing keeping his heart beating. A man who will give her everything her heart desires. She deserves to be taken care of. Not working her butt off at the hospital. She deserves me. With that thought I shut the engine off step out my car and lean against it. I stuff my hands in my pockets; my eyes are only for her.

All the guests swirl around them celebrating this unholy nuptial. I have seen Jermaine talking to other women. I know for a fact that he is cheating. My PI is taking too long with the investigations. I want to prove that he is no good so I can show her the truth. So, she can leave him and finally be with me.

As she hugs a lady, her eyes shift to mine. Suddenly I straighten my shoulders, unfolding myself from the car, barely breathing. Our eyes haven’t met in years. For a moment, everything ceases to exist. I am frozen, rooted on the spot. The noise of the crowd fades. Then without a second thought my feet begin to move, carrying me closer to her. I need to touch her, to feel her skin under my hand.

But she gives a slight shake of her head, just like she did years ago at my wedding. With a sad smile, she turns away, her new husband spins her around and plants a kiss on her lips.

I clench my fist, my nails dig into my palms, I can feel the nausea rising in my throat. I rush to the other side of the car, bending over the leaf cover drain, and empty my gut.

Is this how she felt the day she saw me marry? Hollow, and broken? My heart feels like there are a million small fractures, all cracking at once.

Miranda deserves better. And if the only way she gets it is by me destroying this marriage, then so be it. She belongs with me, and I won’t stop until she is finally mine.

* * *

PENNY

Time is a fickle beast, and somehow, months have flown by. So much has happened. I’m still being hunted down by the company in the Caribbean. They want me to come down for a year and help out. I told them I’d think about it. What else? Oh, Rhet and my bestie broke up. Then Zeeta got kidnapped and guess who saved her? Rhet’s ex. Wild right?

Rhet thought he could live without Zeeta, but after some soul-searching, he realized they belong together. Now they are engaged. The wedding? Three days away.

And as if that wasn’t enough, turns out Tarek’s best friend is Jasper from the Grey. One of my all-time favorite rock stars.

The best news is Zeeta is pregnant. I am about to be an auntie. I can’t wait to see that bundle of joy.

Maybe I will have a bundle of joy too. I haven’t seen my period in two months, and I had a bout of nausea while sipping coffee this morning. A pregnancy test has been burning my bottom drawer in my bathroom for the last few days. I am so happy I can just jump for joy.

Happy, that’s what I am when I am with Tarek. But what do I call us? It’s not a relationship, it’s a situationship. I can’t recall spending three days without him. Normally he would come to my house. But tonight, we are going to his home. As much as I love my home, there is something irresistible about Tarek’s bed. It’s huge, warm and inviting. Then there is Walter, he is like the grandfather I never had. This job in the Caribbean is constantly on my mind. I still don’t know why I haven’t said no or why I haven’t talked to Tarek about it. It’s not like I need to talk to him about my business. It’s not like he is…um, my man.

A hard buzz pulls me from my thoughts. The name Jeremiah Douglas appears on my dashboard screen. Speaking of the devil, the owner of the company from Trinidad is calling.

I steady my voice as I answer, “Hello, this is Penelope Holt.”

“You’re so formal Ms. Holt,” Jeremiah Douglas deep smooth voice surrounds me in the car.

“How can I help you, Mr. Douglas,” I ask trying to keep it professional.

“I wanted to make sure you read the contract. The board finally decided to increase the offer to five million. That includes a new condo and a car.”

An offer like this, a year ago I would have jumped on. I wouldn’t have thought twice, my bags were going to be packed. Now my priorities have changed.

“Mr. Douglas, let me recommend one of my colleagues,” I say even though I know he is going to reject it.

He didn’t want to hear it. “Not interested. I want the best and you are the best.”

I love that he is stroking my ego. But I may have a child in tow and the child’s father…. doesn’t matter.

I stay silent as I bend the corner nearing the Glasshouse.

“Think about it,” Jeremiah urges. “I will give you until, hmmm Monday and if you don’t return my call, I will hire someone else.”

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