Page 8 of After Him, There Was You
“We both know there’s nothing sudden about my interest in you, Tarana.”
“How long have you been back?”
“A few weeks,” I answered, refusing to let her continue to detour the conversation. “How long have you not been wearing a wedding ring?”
“Let’s see,” she started, wearing a look of reflection on her flawless chocolate face. “I caught Jason in his office having sex with his secretary turned wife over two years ago. That was the day I stopped wearing my wedding ring.”
“I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”
“It’s all a part of life,” she attempted to reason, downplaying the situation, but I could still see the hurt in her eyes.
The hurt led me to believe she still cared about him, and while a part of me was hurt by the revelation, I had to realize how much history existed between the two of them. It would be abnormal for her not to be hurt by catching her ex-husband in an entanglement with one of his colleagues.
“I can’t lie to you. It’s been difficult, but I’m adjusting… We all are… My kids and I,” she clarified just as I prepared myself to ask whoweconsisted of.
“You’re a mother. Wow.”
“Yes, I am, and they are the best thing to come from the time I spent married to him.”
“How many do you have?”
“I have two children. A teenage boy and a preteen girl to be specific. Jaedan and Raegan.” From the smile on her face, I knew she genuinely enjoyed being a mother, and I wasn’t at all surprised because Tara had always been a naturally nursing, caring, and empathetic woman—all of which were good traits and the making of a great mother.
“What about you? I know you’ve had a few overseas rendezvous, and I’m sure you’ve blessed a lucky lady with your seed.”
“Believe it or not, I’m still living the life of a bachelor, no lady and no children.”
“Why?”
“Why?” I repeated as if I hadn’t heard her question correctly only because I wasn’t expecting her to ask.
Normally when I told women I didn’t have any ties, they simply nodded and continued with the conversation. Tara had always been different, so I shouldn’t have expected a typical conversation from her.
“I’ve always been so focused on my career, and regrettably, a woman and a family didn’t fit into life for me back then.”
“Back then? Are things different now?”
“I would like to think so,” I noted. “At this point in my life, I want someone to give my love and my legacy to. So yes, things are different now. Prayerfully, coming back to North Brooke Port proves to be the fresh start I’ve been looking for.”
“I hope you get everything your heart desires and then some, Zane.”
“What does your heart desire, Tarana?”
“Honestly?”
“Yes, honestly.”
“The only thing I’m looking for these days is myself,” she confessed, taking me completely by surprise, but in a good way. It was good to know that after a decade had passed, she still felt as if she could be transparent and vulnerable with me. “I never thought I would be single Tara at this point in my life, and I definitely didn’t think I’d be working through the struggles of co-parenting with my ex-husband. Up until two years ago, my entire adult life was rooted in being a wife and a mother, and these days I’m finding it hard to know what to do with myself when I’m not in mommy mode.”
“I have some time I can give to help you figure it out.”
“Are you flirting with me, Zane Simmons?”
“Yes, Tarana Raymond,” I agreed, acknowledging her maiden name, although I was sure she was still more than likely carrying his name because of time and their shared children. “I can’t say I know what you’re going through, because I don’t, but I can be here for you whenever, wherever, and however.”
Noticing how hard she swallowed after my comment let me know she picked up on exactly what my offer consisted of. Although I wanted her to be well aware of my interest in her, I didn’t want to scare her away by being too forceful.
“We should get together some time, outside of the club scene of course.”
