Lisa Watson - Her Heart's Desire

“Isn’t it? Jeannie thought you’d like to join us for dinner,” Milán replied brightly.

“Yeah, and I wanted to see how Ivan was working out,” Norma Jean added.

Tiffany schooled her features. She didn’t need Norma Jean’s radar going off. “Oh, well, Colonel Mangum isn’t here, but should be soon. Dinner sounds great. I’ll go get my purse.” She sped off.

“Hello, Cole,” Norma Jean said when she spotted him. She walked over and hugged him. “Deciding to give the ladies a break this evening?”

“Now why would I do that, Ms. Jeannie?” Cole grinned. “Besides, it’s early yet.”

“Scoundrel,” she replied in mock disapproval. “Where’s that brother of yours? He’d better not be loafing around. I talked him up to Tiffany, so my reputation is on the line.”

“Don’t worry, it’s still intact,” Ivan called from the doorway.

Tiffany’s pulse quickened. He wore army fatigues, and looked more delectable than usual.

He went straight to Tiffany. “I’m sorry I’m late. I had an emergency crop up at work.”

It was tough concentrating on the words with his face inches away. His close proximity wreaked havoc on her senses.

“No problem,” she assured him. “The guys are moving right along.”

“Glad to hear it.” He turned to the other women. “How are you ladies?”

“Fine,” Norma Jean replied. “We’re going to dinner. Care to join us?”

“No, ma’am. We’ve got work to do.” He and Cole exchanged glances. His brother nodded. “We’ll be finished by the time you return.”

“Can I bring you something back?” Tiffany offered.

“We’re good, thanks,” Cole chimed in.

Norma Jean swung into action. “You heard the man. Let’s get a move on. I’m hungry, and the lines aren’t getting any shorter.”

* * *

The moment they left, Ivan turned to his brother.

“How are we really doing?”

Cole rolled his eyes. “Ivan, it’s not rocket science. I’ve got this.”

“Uh-huh.”

He flooded Cole with a barrage of questions. With a loud sigh, Cole brought him up to speed. Walking around, Ivan began spot-checking his brother’s work.

“Top-notch,” he confirmed after a full inspection.

“Thank you, Colonel Mangum,” Cole replied with a salute before giving his brother an “I told you so” look. Ivan was about to walk away when Cole said, “She’s fine, by the way.”

“Cole,” Ivan ground out.

“I’m just saying, she’s a cute little thing. Kind of short for you, isn’t she? But then again, you can make up the difference when you’re horizontal—”

A small box sailed past Cole’s head. He reached out and caught it. He flashed a huge grin at his brother. “You’ll have to do better than that.”

“The next time it’ll be my fist,” Ivan promised.

* * *

Outside, Tiffany realized she’d forgotten her cell phone in the store. She promised Norma Jean and Milán she’d be right back, then hurried into the boutique and over to the counter. As she grabbed her phone, she overheard Cole and Ivan talking in the storage room.

“She was the reason you were late?”

Tiffany stopped in her tracks. She definitely did not want to be caught eavesdropping, and yet she could not bring herself to move.

“No,” Ivan answered. “I was dealing with that mess Daniels created in Canada.”

“So all is well,” Cole said.

“Not for Daniels. He had two drinks while on duty. Company policy is no drinking while on the clock—no exceptions. He’s on probation.”

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit hard on him?”

“Hell, no. He’s lucky I didn’t fire him. In our line of work, there can be no distractions, Cole. Situations can turn into life-or-death scenarios in an instant, and my employees have to be prepared—for anything. I can’t risk them being impaired. Daniels was dead wrong, and there are consequences.”

“So where does Debra fit into the scenario?”

Unable to help herself, Tiffany inched closer.

“She contacted the office, and they patched her through.”

“Can’t you see what she’s up to? You’re her ace in the hole—you’ve always been.”

“I made a promise, and if Debra needs me, I’ll be there. End of story.”

That was her cue. Tiffany backed up the way she’d come, almost knocking over a display. Steadying it, Tiffany made a stealthy retreat. Her hand was on the doorknob when Ivan’s voice stopped her.

“Hey. I didn’t know you’d come back.”

Tiffany stopped and cursed her bad timing. She plastered a smile on her face and turned around. “Yeah, I forgot my cell phone.” She held it up. “I gotta run, though. Norma Jean’s going to have a cow if I take any longer.”

“Sure. I’ll be by in the morning to go over everything. How’s nine?”

“Great. See you then.” She made a beeline outside, closing the door behind her.

You’ve got half a block to make it look like nothing’s wrong.

“What could be wrong?” she said aloud. “I have no claims on him. We’re not dating. I thought he was cute, right? Nothing more. If he wants to pledge his undying love to Debra, he can go right ahead.”

With a superhuman effort, she got into the car and cheerfully said, “I got it.”

“Wonderful,” Norma Jean replied. “So where are we going to eat?”

“How about Rajun Cajun?” Tiffany said. “I could use a little something spicy.”

Norma Jean didn’t miss a beat. “Well, if you’d let me fix you up like I’ve been wanting to, you’d have all the spice you need.”

Milán laughed. “You knew she wasn’t gonna leave that one alone.”

Tiffany muttered something in agreement, and then turned her head to gaze out the window.

He’s taken. Crap.

* * *

An eclectic blend of New Orleans and New Delhi cuisines, the Rajun Cajun restaurant in Hyde Park was a favorite for soul food and traditional Indian dishes. After studying the menu, they placed their orders. While waiting, Tiffany recalled Ivan’s conversation with Cole. Hearing them discuss Ivan’s girlfriend had made her stomach clench. Granted, she didn’t know him that well, and had no claim on his affections, but it was still disheartening.

“So, Tiffany, I was thinking that this Saturday would be perfect for a date, don’t you agree?”

“Sure,” she said absentmindedly. “I’ll be there.”

“Great.”

When their orders were ready, Norma Jean invited them over to her house, but Tiffany wasn’t up for company.

“I’ll pass if you don’t mind. It’s been a long day, and I’m beat.”

Milán dropped her back at the store to pick up her car.

“Thanks, and sorry I’m bailing on you.”

“Honey, it happens,” Norma Jean responded. “We’ll touch base later about Saturday. I’m so excited.”

Tiffany waved goodbye, and was about to get into her car when she looked at her boutique. Ivan and his crew were gone. It was dark inside, except for the muted shades of pink emanating from a miniature poodle night-light at the back of the store. It was there less for security, and more because she thought it was cute and wanted something whimsical to remind her to smile. She could use that right about now.

Tiffany got into her car and headed home. While she was watching TV, Milán called.

“Hey, Lani, what’s up?”

“That’s what I’d like to know. Why’d you agree to go out on a blind date after telling me four times that you weren’t taking Jeannie up on her offer to fix you up?”

“Huh? I never said I’d go out with anyone.”

“Oh, you sure did,” her friend countered. “Tonight at Rajun Cajun. You said you’d go out with Gardiniér this Saturday.”