“I see and my son? What has he taught you?”
She smiled and hummed. “Sean has made love to me in a way no one else has.” She watched Belinda’s face tighten up. “He showed me how to love myself. When he did that, I opened my heart and was able to love God. It was awesome. I finally understood what Sean meant, and it was a high like no other. For the first time in my life, I was in love and sex wasn’t involved. Everyone thinks Sean and I aren’t capable of being around each other without his taking a drink or my seducing him. I think it’s pretty sad that the people who say they love him, don’t trust him.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is. Why did you want to meet with me?” Belinda didn’t answer. “Let me tell you. You wanted to know if what you’d been told about me was true. You thought if you came here early, you’d catch me in bed with someone, or even better, in bed with Sean. Or my home would be a mess, or while I was preparing lunch, you’d what…look around to see if any of Sean’s things are here? Let me help you. Sean and I aren’t having sex. If you look in the guest room, you will find his bathrobe because he stops here in between meetings to freshen up. Or sometimes on Sundays after church, we come back here and he changes clothes which explains the suit, shirt, jeans and sweater hanging up in the closet along with sweaters, and a bed for Simon. When you go to his place, you’ll find similar things of mine and Winnie’s in the guest room.”
“I see.”
“I’m not proud of my past, but that’s where it is, the past. Sean has helped me see that I am a much better person than the one I was pretending to be.”
She patted the sides of her mouth. “Are you finished?”
“I’m in love with your son and despite what anyone says, we’re getting married and doing it our way.” She repeated the pledge she and Sean made to each other.
“Now, may I speak?” Kyla nodded. “Chris—”
“I knew it. Look, I don’t know what his problem is.”
“That makes two of us. He’s nothing like his mother. She and I have been friends since we were little girls, but her son is an idiot. Contrary to what my sons think, I have my own mind. Chris came to me because he thought I’d be more receptive to his comments than my husband considering…your rather obvious attributes. My sons come by their taste in women naturally.” She stood up so Kyla could see her figure.
“I see.”
Their bodies were rather similar…voluptuous with curves in pretty much the same places.
“So, he thought I would be more objective. My husband and I like you. We think you’re good for Sean. Not like that girl he was engaged to, she truly was an enabler.”
“Then why be such a—”
“Protective mother,” Belinda jumped in.
“Yes,” Kyla smiled.
“I wanted to see where your head and spirit were.” She took a sip from her glass. “I see what Sean sees in you. Zoë was right, I haven’t seen him this happy in quite a while. Is he still going to his meetings?”
“Yes, and I attend a support group for my problem. We also meet regularly with Mike and DeeDee Matthews. They’ve been good friends.”
She nodded. “Good. You two seem to be on track. About this business trip, I don’t think it’s a wise move.”
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“Why?”
“Mother’s intuition. Give it some thought. I know it’s work, but I think you two might be asking for trouble. You’ve come too far to mess up.” She took a sip from her coffee cup.
“I’ll give it some thought.”
“Good. Once you two get married and settled, I’ll send for Zoë, and we girls will go on a spa vacation and leave the men at home. What do you say?”
“Sign me up.” They both laughed.
“So tell me about that mac and cheese.”
“The base is my mother’s recipe and I added truffle oil and pancetta for a little extra flavor.”
“Really? You can cook, you’ve got great taste, you’re smart, talented, beautiful inside and out, have a quick wit, a wicked sense of humor and most importantly, you love God and my son. Seems my son got it right this time.”
“Thank you.” She stood up and started to clear the table.