Champagne Life (33 page)

I had no idea. “Really? What did he say?” My father was a quiet man. I was sure he had many secrets. Not bad, life-changing ones, more like secrets that made me see him in a better light and realize why he did some of the things he did. There was so much I never knew about him but wished I had when he was alive. Him being proud of me was one.

“He never said anything to me,” Mom said. “It was more like the way he walked around the house, sad and depressed. He even took a few days away from his practice.”

“Daddy never took days off, even when he was sick.”

“I know. That's how I knew he was hurting. He never did admit it to me, but I knew.”

A single tear fell from my eye, but I quickly wiped it away with the back of my hand. “I miss him.”

“So do I.” Mom gave me a hug. “No more depressing stuff.”
She reached across the table and slid a plate of a half-eaten sweet potato pie in front of me. “Tell me about this new guy, Jeremy, right?”

I took the large slice she had cut for me. “Yes. He's nice, too.” I shoved a forkful of sweet potato goodness in my mouth. That's really all I wanted to say about him, considering an hour ago, he may have walked out of my life for good.

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened with DeShaun?” Mom asked, taking a bite. “I thought you two would be married forever.”

“You hated him. You should be happy he's gone.”

“I didn't hate him.” She took an extra long sip of her tea. “I simply thought you could've done better.”

“Same thing.”

“So what happened with him?”

“We made bad choices—that's all.”

“Well, Jeremy seems like a good guy who really cares about you.” She paused to shovel in another large bite of pie. “I like him almost as much as I like this pie.”

“But?”

“DeShaun loved you so much. That man would've died for you. He looked at you the way your father looked at me. There was so much love. I can't imagine what happened to break up the two of you.”

“He's not the only man that can love me like that. DeShaun has changed. He used to be so strong and confident and now…” I picked up the remaining pie crust and shoved it into my mouth. “It doesn't matter. That chapter is over. DeShaun doesn't feel that way about me anymore.”

“What about you?”

“Of course I don't feel that way anymore. It's over. Way too
many things were said and done that can't be taken back. He's moved on and I most definitely have moved on.” I avoided my mom's stare. She was in psychologist mode.

“I'll pray for you,” Mom said. “I'll pray for you both.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

I really appreciated her saying that. Something told me I was going to need something short of a miracle to get through this.

D
eShaun continued up the walk, fearing that if he left now, Berti would be suspicious. Although he didn't want Berti to know about his relationship with Jenn, he would find out eventually. DeShaun planned to continue corresponding with her while she was in Japan. He meant no disrespect, but it is what it is.

“Act natural,” Jenn whispered. “He's totally oblivious to all of my indiscretions, as I am to his.”

DeShaun turned to Jenn. “What do you mean
all of my indiscretions?
I thought you said you never cheated on your husband.”

“Not now. We'll talk later.” She forced a smile as she waved her hand high in the air. “Berti, dear, what are you doing home so early? I thought I was to meet you in Japan.”

Berti sized up Deshaun, starting from his expensive shoes right up to the designer shirt. “Don't you look dapper. I almost didn't recognize you.”

“Thank you.”

“And you,” Berti said, turning back to his wife. “I'm here because I thought you'd need my help, tying up all the loose ends.” He turned back to DeShaun. “But I see you were in good hands while I was away. Speaking of which, where were you all day?”

Jenn casually tossed her hair back. “We were out scouting locations for DeShaun's business.”

Berti shot a look at DeShaun. “Is that so? Good for you.”

“Well,” DeShaun began. “I guess I'd better head out.”

Berti grabbed his arm with what DeShaun thought was excessive force. “Oh, no, you don't. You can't leave without having a quick drink. Don't know when I'll see you again.”

“I really shouldn't.”

“I don't take kindly to rejection,” Berti said, still holding onto DeShaun's arm. “One drink and you may go on your merry way.”

DeShaun glanced over at Jenn.

“I'm sure she'd love you to stay as well,” Berti said. “Wouldn't you, dear?”

“Of course,” Jenn said as she squeezed past Berti still standing in the doorway. “I'll make us some drinks.”

“Just one,” DeShaun told him. He followed Berti into the house, quickly shuffling around thoughts of what belongings he may have left in their bedroom. “One drink and then I have to go.”

Berti led him through the foyer. “One and then you may go.” He led DeShaun to the study and nodded toward a plush chair in the corner. “Have a seat.”

DeShaun took a seat on the lounge chair. Jenn came from behind the bar and handed him a crystal glass containing Hennessy.

“Neat, correct?”

From the other end of the room, Berti chuckled. “Jenn, dear, how would you know what he likes to drink?” He turned to DeShaun. “Women always thinking they know everything.”

“This is fine,” DeShaun said.

Jenn tipped a bottle of Russo-Baltique and filled another crystal glass, halfway. “I'm a professional, at this.” She handed the glass to Berti. “It's my job to know what men like.”

DeShaun choked on his drink.

“Take it easy,” Berti said. “This stuff is expensive. Don't want
you wasting any of it, even if you are choking to death.” He laughed as he reached behind the bar and pulled out a rectangular, sandalwood-colored box. “Cohiba?”

“No. Thank you.”

Berti took another gulp. “Jenn, honey, maybe you should finish packing.”

“Finish? I haven't even started.”

“Really?” Berti asked. “I went up to the room and it looked like a cyclone hit it, clothes and empty wine bottles all over the place. You must've really missed me to drink all that wine by yourself.”

Just then Berti's phone rang. He picked it up, said a few “uh-huhs” to the person on the other end, and then excused himself and walked out of the room.

When he was gone, DeShaun quickly turned back to Jenn. “He knows.”

She casually shook her head. “Berti may be a smart guy when it comes to business, but in real life, he's an idiot. He could've found your boxers stuffed between my legs and still wouldn't be suspicious, poor guy.” She kissed DeShaun on the nose. He pulled away.

“Sorry about that,” Berti said, returning to the den. “It's like there's never a day off when you own your own business. But then again, you would know about that, wouldn't you, DeShaun?”

“I just started, but I'm glad to report it's going well.”

“That's good,” Berti said. “So what places have you seen?”

“Places?”

“Yes,” Berti said, taking another gulp. “You said you went scouting locations today.”

“We were looking in the Conshohocken area,” Jenn jumped in. “But we didn't really find anything worthwhile. Then we found a nice property in Center City but decided not to go ahead with that one either. Too much traffic and noise.”

“What about the Main Line?” Berti asked. “It's close to the city, but without the congestion.”

“Something to consider,” Jenn said.

“I'd better go.” DeShaun stood up. “Good luck with your move to Japan.”

“Yes, yes, thank you,” Berti said. “Take care of yourself.”

“You too, Mr. Herjavec.”

Berti gave a stern look.

“I mean, Berti,” DeShaun corrected.

Jenn stood up and gently took DeShaun's elbow. “I'll show you out.” When they reached the front door, she gave DeShaun a quick peck on the lips. “See? I told you. Completely oblivious.”

I
entered into the hotel room and immediately checked the corner by the sofa, where we had dropped off our bags before heading to the funeral. Jeremy's bags were gone.

Just then the bathroom door opened and he walked out. “I didn't hear you come in. Is everything okay?”

I let out a breath of relief. “I should be asking you that. I'm glad you're still here.”

“You expected otherwise?”

“Honestly, I didn't know what to expect.” I scanned the room once again. “And then when I didn't see your bags, I assumed you left.”

“I stuck them in closet to make more room. I would've put yours there too but I didn't want to touch your things without permission.”

I smiled. “My mother is right. You really are a great guy.”

“Tell you mother I said I know.” He walked up and kissed me on the nose.

“Jeremy, I am so sorry I put you in this position.”

He shook his head. “Hold on a sec. Let me say this quickly and then you can have the floor. I love you, Naomi. I want to be with you. I don't care whose baby you are carrying. I want to take care of both of you. I know you've had some issues with men in the past, but I'm not like that, Naomi. Let me prove it to you. I can make you happy. I can make us happy, including the baby. I'm going
back to school, but I'll get a part-time job. You can live with me and maybe sell your house for extra income. If you don't want to do that, that's fine, too. Everything will be okay, Naomi, you'll see.”

He paused and I thought he was finished. He wasn't.

“I love you so much and I hate to see you hurting like this,” he continued. “We can make this work. We can be a family, if you'll give me the chance.” He paused again. “What do you think?”

On the way over here in the cab, I thought about what I would say to him, if he was still here. It may have been easier for me if he had left. I wasn't sure how I felt about this entire situation. After what he just told me, it put me in an even more awkward position.

His eyes pleaded for an answer, the right answer, the one he desperately wanted to hear. I didn't know if I could give him that.

“I want to be with you, too,” I finally said.

He smiled and released a long deep breath. “You have given me the answer I prayed for. You have no idea how happy you have made me.” He wrapped his arms around me and gently kissed me. A tear ran down my cheek as he whispered into my ear, “We are going to have a baby together.”

“About that,” I said, wiping away my tears. “I'm not having a baby.”

He looked confused and scared at the same time. “But, I thought—”

“I'm having
two
babies, twins.”

His eyes bulged open, but there was a smile on his face. He was overjoyed. He knelt down and placed his ear to my belly. “We're having twins?” He looked up at me. “Can you believe it? We're having two babies. Does anyone else know?”

“Just you.”

He kissed my belly and then rose to his feet. Our bodies pressed together as he rubbed my shoulders and kissed my lips. He bent down and scooped me up, carrying me over to the king-sized bed
where he gently laid me down. We made love until the sun dipped completely below the horizon. Unlike the first and only time in the car, it wasn't awkward, but rather sweet and gentle. This time, our being together wasn't based on anger or seeking revenge. We were two people who genuinely cared for each other.

His body moved slow and methodically, making sure I was enjoying it as much as he was. But an important piece was missing. Even with all the tenderness and love I felt coming from him, I couldn't help thinking about DeShaun.

My cell woke me up. I glanced over at Jeremy, who was still tucked under the sheets, fast asleep.

“Hello?” I whispered, looking out the sliding glass patio doors. The full moon created dark shadows throughout the room.

“Naomi? It's DeShaun. How are you?”

My eyes bugged open. To say I was surprised to hear from him was an understatement. A part of me was cautiously glad to hear his voice. The last time we spoke, he was threatening me with divorce papers. Tonight, DeShaun's tone sounded less incensed.

“I'm okay. Is something wrong?”

“Everything's cool. I just wanted to see how you were doing. I tried calling the house first.”

“I'm not home.”

He laughed. “I figured that when I didn't get an answer. Where are you? No wait. It's none of my business. You don't need to answer to me anymore. I was just—”

“I'm in Atlanta.”

“Everything okay?” There was concern in his voice.