Chapter 9
9
Brian walked in the back door right into The Fresh Place Inn’s kitchen and smiled at Shirley stirring a pot of something that smelled a lot like her gumbo. “Hey, Ms. Shirley, how are you doing today?”
She waved at Brian. “Can’t complain. Won’t change anything anyway. You here to meet Tracey?”
He nodded and walked over to the stove. The savory smell increased, and his stomach rumbled when he got a glance of the gumbo in the pot. “I am. She’s got a wedding this weekend, and I’m bringing the shrubs over. Is she around?”
“She’s out front dealing with Jessica.”
Brian pulled his eyes away from the pot of food and back to Shirley’s. He lowered his voice so the two other people helping prepare the rest of the food wouldn’t hear. “Is she finally firing her?”
“Not quite, but today she’s getting written up. She messed up the reservation we had and double charged a tenant. They complained and even took it to the business bureau saying the inn tried to scam them.”
“Tracey can’t keep her around.”
“She’s already putting out an ad for a new manager. Hopefully, we’ll get someone soon and can let her go.”
Tracey walked into the kitchen then. Brian looked at her, blinked and straightened. Tracey looked amazing. Not that she didn’t before. But her hair was different. He liked the red color and the way the tiny locs curled around her face. She was dressed not in a Fresh Place Inn polo shirt and slacks but a fitted green dress that hugged her curvy hips rather than hid them, and the V-neck brought attention to her full breasts. A short-sleeved yellow cardigan with the inn logo embroidered on the breast covered her shoulders and arms. He looked down expecting heels, but she wore a pair of green-and-yellow sneakers.
“What’s wrong with you?” Tracey asked staring at him with a raised brow.
He shook his head. “Not a damn thing.” He moved away from the stove and walked over to her. “This a new outfit?”
She lifted her shoulder. “Maybe. You got a problem with it?”
He held up his hand. “Not at all. You look good.”
She blinked, glanced away, then her typical defiance came back and she met his gaze with a raised chin. “I know I do. You here to talk about the shrubs?”
“Yeah. You got a minute?”
She nodded. “I do. I’ve got the list in my office. Come on.”
He turned back. “See you later, Ms. Shirley.”
“Come back through before you go. I’ll put aside a bowl of gumbo for you.”
He grinned. “If I were a marrying man.”
Shirley laughed and winked. “My husband better not hear you say that.”
“Well, then he better keep treating you right,” he teased then followed Tracey out of the kitchen.
His eyes followed the lines of Tracey’s back as she walked. The view from the back was just as good as from the front. Her hips and ass were still as luscious as ever. His breathing quickened, and desire stirred in his groin. Blinking, he cleared his throat and looked away from Tracey’s behind before his thoughts took him down the wrong path. He and Tracey were cool, but his mom was right. She was hurt, and he wasn’t the guy she needed in her life right now. Tracey deserved to be cherished, treated well, and by someone who only had eyes for her. He wasn’t looking for commitments or to get into any relationships.
She’d transitioned one of the downstairs parlors into her office. A desk sat next to one of the windows that overlooked the back yard. A bookshelf lined one wall and a chaise lounge was beneath another window with a view of the side yard.
Tracey went to her desk and picked up a file folder. She walked back to him as she scanned the sheet. “I’ve got everything they want here.”
“Anything unusual?”
She shook her head and handed him the folder. “Nothing unusual. Just a few decorative shrubs around the altar and ferns along the aisles of chairs. Will you have enough?”
He scanned the list and did a quick internal inventory. “I think so. You setting up the night before?”
“I am. Can you deliver on Friday?”
“I’ll get my guys on it.”
She grinned, and for the first time in a long time the smile actually reached her eyes. Much different from when he’d seen her a few weeks ago at the wedding where Ms. Simpson had tried to tell her she wasn’t acting ladylike.
“Is New Tracey the reason you’re glowing like that?” he said, pointing to her face.
Her grin widened, and she lifted a shoulder. “Something like that. And I had a good night last night.”
Her eyes darted away, and she tucked her hair behind her ears. Brian’s brows drew together. A good night? Was she seeing someone? “You went out on a date?” The question came out sharper than he’d anticipated.
The smile left her face, and she gave him a pointed stare. “There you go minding my business again.”
She turned to walk away, but he reached out and took her elbow in his. Her skin was soft. He had an urge to run his fingers across her arm, but he let her go when she looked back. “I’m just asking as a friend. That’s all.”
“That’s not how you sounded with all that bass in your damn voice.”
He placed a hand on his chest. “My bad. I was just surprised. I didn’t think you’d be ready to date so fast.”
Her shoulders and eyes softened. “Nah, it wasn’t a guy. Can I only have a good night if a man is involved?”
“You can have a good time with whoever you want. As long as you’re happy.” He meant it and wouldn’t consider why relief flowed through his veins. “It’s good to see you smile again.”
Tracey’s shoulders relaxed, and the corners of her lips lifted. “Well, I haven’t had a lot of reasons to smile, but I’m getting there.”
“Good. If you need anything, just let me know.”
She considered him for a second then shook her head. “Hmm… I think I’m good. What I want, you’re not the person to ask.”
“What do you want?”
That secretive smile came back on her face. “Don’t worry. The way things go in this town, I’m sure you’ll hear about it soon enough.”
His cell phone rang before he could ask. He pulled it out and cursed. He’d gotten a text from that number earlier in the day. Renee was calling him again.
Tracey leaned forward to look at his phone. “Who’s calling? That your new lady?”
He sent the call to voice mail and shook his head. “More like my ex-wife.”
Tracey tipped her head to the side. “You don’t talk to her anymore?”
“We don’t have anything to talk about.”
“If she’s calling you up, then she thinks you do. Look, I get it. I don’t want anything to do with Bernard, but he wouldn’t call me unless it’s an emergency. Go ahead and answer her call.”
“I’m done with her.” His cell rang again.
“She’s not done with you.” Tracey snatched his phone, swiped the green button and handed it back before he could speak. She waved her fingers and whispered, “Use my office,” before running out.
Brian watched her quick escape and scowled. “Talk about minding other people’s business.”
“Hello?” Renee’s voice came from his phone. “Brian? You there?”
Brian let out a loud breath before putting the phone to his ear. “Yeah, I’m here.”
“Good. Why haven’t you called me back?” Her soft voice wasn’t angry or demanding, instead she sounded sad. Years ago he would have been pulled in by the pitiful act. She’d look at him with sad, dark eyes, pout her full lips and speak in a soft voice, and he’d be ready to give her the world. Not anymore. She’d broken his heart for the last time.
“Because we don’t have anything to talk about.” He kept his voice neutral. If she got any hint of emotion from him she’d latch on.
“That’s not true. I have something I need to tell you.”
He walked over and leaned against Tracey’s desk. “What is it?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“Again?” he said. “That’s your new husband’s problem. Not mine.”
“But…well… I told him about us and…what happened at Mia’s party,” she said in a small, apologetic voice.
Brian’s body stiffened. “What?”
“I remembered what you said about honesty and stuff when we broke up. So I felt it was only right to let him know.”
Brian rubbed his temples. “Renee, we’ve already been through this. We slept together one night before you and he eloped, but you didn’t have your son until a year later. There was no need to tell him about us.”
“I know, but it was a great night. I can’t get you out of my mind.” Her voice went breathless.
Brian clenched the phone and squeezed the bridge of his nose. A night he regretted. He’d gone to their friend Mia’s engagement party knowing he might see Renee. He’d prepared himself to see her but had no intention of giving her any time. Except, just like it had always been with them, she’d come over and smiled, and common sense took off. When he’d asked if she was still with the guy she’d dumped him for, she’d said she was there alone and that should be his answer. Foolish of him not to dig. They’d slept together, and then he’d overheard her on the phone the next morning. Her new man wasn’t there because he’d had to travel. Renee was planning to meet him the next day so they could elope in Vegas. Just like she’d done with him.
Brian hadn’t even been heartbroken. Instead, he’d felt stupid for falling right back into her arms. He’d walked out and hadn’t picked up another call from Renee since. Their friend let him know that Renee and the guy did get married the next day.
When he’d found out she was pregnant, he’d wondered if the kid was his, but the timeline didn’t add up. She’d given birth more than a year after their night together. He would have done what was needed if the child had been his, but he’d also been relieved to know he was not the father. If she was pregnant again, then this most definitely wasn’t his problem.
“That night between us is out of my mind and never happening again,” Brian said truthfully. Anytime he thought of their last night together the memory made his stomach twist. He referred to what happened as his final humiliation.
“Well, now he thinks this baby is your baby.”
Brian shot up from the desk. “Hold the hell up, Renee. That’s not my baby.”
“I know that, but he doesn’t. He thinks our son is yours and that we’re still sleeping with each other. He also thinks I’m pregnant with your kid.”
Brian pulled the phone away from his face to glare at it before putting it back to his ear. “What? Nah, Renee. Again, this is your problem. Not mine.”
“But I want to see you, Brian. I wish this was your baby. I miss you.”
A year ago he might have believed her. He was thankful that he’d finally come to his senses and realized Renee wasn’t any good for him.
“Stop playing games with me, okay? You got your man, y’all are married. Our divorce has long been finalized. Tell him that we’re through and he has nothing to worry about. In fact, I’ll send the DNA sample to prove I’m not the father. Don’t call me with this crap again.”
“But—”
“Bye, Renee.” He ended the call. Cursed and stomped his foot. His heart thundered like a herd of wild elephants. She always did this to him. Stirred up drama and made him anxious. He couldn’t believe he used to live off this mess. Brian navi gated to her contact information and blocked the latest number she’d called him from. He hoped and prayed that Renee and her foolish husband kept him out of their relationship.