Candace Shaw - The Sweetest Kiss

Even though she never wanted to remarry, the option of a male companion was fine as long as it was understood that their relationship would never lead to marriage or living together. She enjoyed her independence and control over her life and couldn’t fathom another man tearing her down with his words and ridicule. When she’d told Broderick she wanted to get to know him better on a friend level before proceeding further, she meant it. A man with his power and money could be a controlling jerk like her husband had been. She had to make sure he wasn’t before venturing into another relationship. She’d witnessed male chauvinistic signs with Keith while they were in college but they’d been subtle and didn’t become full-blown until a year into their marriage. She had been contemplating divorce when he’d had a heart attack while driving home from work and died on the way to the hospital.

Tiffani had felt awful about it for awhile. She’d never wished death on him because their son had been four at the time and worshiped the ground he walked on. If she’d gone through with the divorce, she would’ve made sure Keith saw his son whenever he wanted.

“He’s up next,” her father, John Chase, stated.

Tiffani clapped and grabbed her cell phone out of her purse to record her son’s part in the tournament. Even though KJ didn’t have a father, he had plenty of father figures. Her father, brother and her cousin Braxton Chase were all very present in her son’s life. They took him to get his hair cut, attended Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Falcon games, played sports at the park and enjoyed other boy activities that a father normally would do with his son. She was grateful. Even though his dad was dead, KJ never missed a beat and was a fun-loving, intelligent and well-rounded eight-year-old boy. Tiffani sometimes feared he would eventually begin acting like Keith as far as the male chauvinist side, but so far he hadn’t. Considering his three father figures weren’t, she hoped he would take after them.

“There’s my handsome grandson!”

“Let’s go, nephew!” Preston clapped loudly.

“That’s my baby!” Tiffani cheered and then pressed play on the video app on her cell phone.

An hour later, Tiffani ran out to the gym floor to meet KJ halfway as he sprinted toward her with his second-place trophy. She picked him up and twirled him around.

“I’m so proud of you! We’ll add this to the collection,” she said, putting him down. He may always be her baby, but he was no longer small and was too heavy to hold for too long.

“Thanks, Mommy. You think Daddy was watching?”

“Of course,” she answered sincerely. “He’s your guardian angel and will always watch over you.”

“And he watches over you, too,” he stated matter-of-factly.

“Yes, me, too.” I hope not after that steamy kiss today. “Let’s show Grandpa and Uncle Preston and then we’re off to a celebratory dinner at wherever you want to go!”

“Now that sounds like a plan,” KJ said, pulling her by the hand toward her father and brother as they walked out to the floor.

While KJ showed his grandfather some of his karate moves, Preston pulled Tiffani to the side, and she prayed he wasn’t back on the topic he had started before the tournament. Ever since she’d told her brother what really had gone on in her marriage, Preston had been furious that she hadn’t confided in him before Keith had died. However, she knew if she would’ve, he and the rest of the Chase men would’ve pummeled Keith. So, instead she acted as if everything was peachy and had only told Megan bits and pieces when she needed to confide in someone.

“I noticed some of the mothers checking you out,” she started before he could even open his mouth.

“Well, you know they can’t help but notice all this fineness,” he teased.

She reached up and ruffled his curly, silky hair. “Geez, you’re so modest. How’s Kay?”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t know. Not seeing her anymore. Talking to this other chick I met at Phipps Plaza last week.”

“You think it may get serious?” Tiffani wasn’t one of those sisters to nag her big brother about settling down, but he had always talked about having a wife and family one day. However, he wasn’t dating women he would consider marrying.

“Nah...she’s cool, though. And I haven’t forgotten our conversation, sis.” Preston’s expression and tone turned serious.

“What are you talking about?” she asked as if she had no clue.

“The cologne you’re wearing.”

“I’m not wearing cologne. It’s from a perfume sample I was given at the mall and it’s just strong. I’m definitely not going to buy it. You know I prefer light sweet fragrances, and this one is just entirely too much for my pheromones. It only smells good in the bottle.”

Tiffani hated lying to Preston, but she knew how overprotective he was when it came to her dating life. Plus, she wasn’t ready to discuss Broderick with him or anyone else for that matter.

Preston raised an eyebrow followed by a snicker at her long, drawn-out answer.

“Okay, you don’t have to talk about it. I just want you happy,” he said sincerely, kissing her forehead.

She interlocked her arm with his and stared up at her brother as they strolled behind KJ and their father. “Trust me, I am.”

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