A Private Affair (23 page)

“Carissa?” Kenric asked.

She saw a look of uneasiness enter his gaze and saw her own past fear mirrored in his gaze. She never wanted him to doubt her love for him. She never wanted him to fear losing her again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him close, her heart hammering in her chest. “Mr. Riverton?”

“Yes?” he said with a note of caution.

“York Incorporated is ready to negotiate a possible merger.”

Kenric’s mouth softened into a smile. “That’s good to hear, Ms. York. Riverton International is prepared to make a very good offer.”

Carissa placed a feather light kiss on his lips then whispered, “I’m listening.”

***

Six months later

Carissa watched the red garter belt fly in the air. Making it part of the garter toss on her wedding day had been her final assignment for the Black Stockings Society. It soared into the eager crowd of bachelors, landing on Joshua’s head. He was trying to chat up one of the bridesmaid. He tore the item off his head to the sound of laughter and sent his brother a sharp look, before tossing it away to another lucky bachelor who grabbed it and waved it in the air as a trophy.

Third time definitely was the charm. She’d had a magical wedding day. Carissa danced with her new husband amazed by all that had happened. He’d relocated to be with her, starting his own consulting firm. Lina changed her ways and let Carissa see her nephew as often as she wanted and
never
called when she didn’t have to. Glenn kept his secret past from Lina and Kenric and Carissa agreed to do the same, as long as he volunteered once a week at a detox clinic and gave generously to a designated charity every year.

Carissa finished her dance with Kenric then mingled with the crowd. She looked over and saw Ashley pushing her mother’s wheelchair back over to one of the tables. She was glad she’d been able to come. She walked over to her and saw tears in her eyes. “I’m so glad you could make it,” Carissa said taking the older woman’s hand. She remembered how vibrant she had been when Ashley was growing up and remembered how much she enjoyed babysitting at their house.

“Beautiful,” was all she could manage.

“Thank you,” Carissa said grabbing a napkin and wiping the woman’s tears.

“Hap-py?”

Carissa looked over at Kenric as he laughed with Malcolm, who had been their ring bearer and looked smart dressed in a suit; her heart filled with joy. “Yes, I’m very happy,” she said turning back to her.

But this time Mrs. Torville didn’t reply. Instead, she held her gaze as if trying to silently communicate something to her, then she lowered her gaze.

Carissa looked down, wondering what she wanted. “Did you drop something?”

The older woman shook her head then lowered her gaze again.

Carissa again looked down and saw the woman’s lovely cream dress and expensive black lace stockings. Carissa glanced up at her, with a silent question. The older woman blinked, then slowly managed a smile.

The End

***

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Dara Girard is an award-winning, national bestselling author of more than twenty novels. Dara loves to travel, eat French pastries and hear from readers.

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daragirard.com
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A Private Affair

Copyright 2015 Sade Odubiyi

Published by ILORI PRESS BOOKS LLC

Cover and Layout Copyright ILORI PRESS BOOKS LLC

Cover Photo couple © tobkatrina/123rf

Cover Photo background ©Jon Bilous/123rf

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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