“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean…where’s my hot fiancée?”
“Excuse me?”
“You know, the woman who walked into my showroom over six years ago that took my breath away, who I had to repent behind a couple of times when I saw her hips move.” Her face felt warm. “Babe, my mother has already met you, so now isn’t the time to look like someone else. Treat this like a potential client meeting. What would you wear?”
She thought for a second. “I’ll be right back.” She went back into her bedroom and came back a few minutes later. “How’s this?”
Sean turned to look at her. “WOW! That’s my hot fiancée.” He walked over, took her hand and she slowly turned around. Instead of the black trousers and white blouse, she was now wearing a camel and black leopard print mini skirt, fitted black cashmere turtleneck sweater, those killer thigh high boots she bought a few months ago, large go
ld hoop earrings and bathed in Coco.
“Better?” she asked.
“Much.”
She kissed him. “Thanks.” She looked at her watch. “Okay, you have to leave. It’s almost two and you don’t want your mother to catch you here.”
“Get your coat, and I’ll go downstairs with you.”
Kyla started back to her bedroom when the phone rang. “Oh no, she’s early.”
“That can’t be her. It’s not even two. She shouldn’t be here for at least another forty-five minutes.” Sean walked over to the window and looked downstairs. At the curb was a black sedan. “I think it’s her.”
Kyla picked up the phone. “Hello.”
“Miss James, this is Jerome. Mrs. Prescott is here. Shall I send her up?” In the twelve years Kyla had lived in the building, Jerome had never been this formal.
“Wait five minutes and send her up. Thanks.”
“Yes ma’am.” He hung up.
“Oh my God, what are we gonna do? She’s early, and I haven’t walked Winnie.”
Sean rushed over and grabbed her by the arm. “Calm down. You can do this. Take a deep breath.” She closed her eyes and did as Sean said. “I’ll take Winnie with me. We’ll go down the stairs that way we won’t run into Mama.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll call later to see how you’re doing.” She nodded. “If you need me just say the word and I’ll rush right back.”
“Okay. Now go.”
“Come on, Winnie.” Winnie barked and trotted over to Sean. “Your mommy is having lunch with your other granny, and you and I are going to visit Simon.” He locked her leash onto her collar. Kyla helped him with his coat and kissed him. “You’ll be fine.”
“Thanks Babe, bye Winnie.” She ushered Sean and Winnie out the door.
She went back into her bedroom and hung up the clothes she had on earlier and then went back into the kitchen. “I can do this. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. God, give me the right words to say and don’t let me lose my cool. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
She washed her hands and checked on the mac and cheese. It looked and smelled good. She lit a couple of candles, trying to mask Sean’s cologne. The knock on the door startled her. She took a deep breath, counted to ten, closed her eyes and remembered what Sean called her, “his hot fiancée”. She walked over and opened the front door.
“Hello, Belinda.” She took the liberty and made it known what she would be calling her.
“Hello Kyla.” She stepped to the side, waited for Kyla to close the door and followed her into the living room.
Belinda watched as Kyla led the way, and from the wiggle in her hips, she knew exactly what attracted Sean to this woman.
“Please, sit down.” Kyla extended her hand toward the sofa, but she chose the chair instead. “I’m sorry, I’m a little early. If you want me to come back, I can.”