Page 37 of Hotwife
“Dot, please don’t be in love with another man.”
twelve
The next week passed similar to my last motorcycle ride with Des. Quiet, solemn, and with reluctant speed.
Desmond and I were at a stalemate. We were a bike waiting for a storm to pass that may never leave. Cedric absorbed himself in a week of surgeries and I played the excuse I was busy with my sister and party planning. His event was swiftly approaching, and I didn’t know if I was more nervous he wouldn’t get the promotion or that he would.
“Your dress is dry-cleaned and ready in your closet. Caterers will be here at two. We have menus and signature drinks ready to go…” My sister clutched a clipboard and muttered to herself while gnawing on the end of a pencil.
“You didn’t have to do all of this, Odie. But I really appreciate it.”
“It’s been really fun, actually. I needed the distraction.”
“Any word from Mom or Dad?” I asked, needing a distraction of my own. For once, I wasn’t the center of the family drama. My mother had texted me the day prior asking if my sister was here and safe. I assured her that all was well and left it at that.
“No, just vague scriptures posted on social media by Mom. Nothing from Dad.”
I snorted. “Good luck deciphering those. When I eloped with Cedric, Mom held a call to prayer at church for my salvation. So I’d say you’re doing better on the sinner scale than I did.”
Odette laughed, the sound of it curving my lips for the first time in days.
“You’re still thinking about that hottie you stayed out all night with last week aren’t you?” My sister missed nothing, and I hated her and loved her for that.
Slumping back, I grabbed a silk throw pillow from the couch and put it over my face. “Yes.”
“I thought you and Cedric were working things out?”
“We are.”
“Then why… oh.” She stopped. “Oh, shit. Dolly, are you having an affair now? I mean, you know our rule that we always cover for each other is forever, but dude, I don’t really want to help you have a full blown affair. Cedric is a nice guy.”
I groaned. “No, Odie, I’m not having an affair. At least I don’t think so. I’m not trying to.” My words jumbled in my throat. “I don’t know what I’m doing. But I can’t just walk away- from either of them.”
“Torn between two insanely hot men. Wow, what problems you have, Dolly. Really, we should hold a prayer meeting-”
My pillow launched itself at her face, and she cackled.
“Who the hell gave you a clipboard?”
* * *
For once, my kitchen didn’t appear too big. Half a dozen caterers fired up stoves, ovens, and plating stations like they’d lived in my home longer than I had. My nerves spiked, and I felt in-the-way in my own home. That feeling didn’t infect my sister and her wife, however. They were both sampling the reserve cocktails and chatting with the chef. Odette looked lovely in a sapphire blue pants suit. Caroline stared on adoringly between sips of her martini. Her black hair pulled back into a French twist, accentuating her short sequin dress. The old clock interrupted with a chime, alerting us the time had come. My husband’s boss and his wife Eva, Cora and her husband Dr. Sanderson would be gathered around my dining room table any moment now. My husband’s promotion hinging on impressing them, showing them his aptitude. His plan was to straight up to ask for the job after dinner when the men gathered around their whiskey in his office.
I plopped a bacon wrapped scallop into my mouth, careful not to smudge my deep burgundy lipstick and gloss. Everything was here and accounted for. Everything, that is, except my husband. “Odie, Caroline? Have you seen Cedric?”
“I think I saw him go out onto the back deck,” Caroline replied, shooting me a look of concern. “He seemed stressed… but we reassured him all is well. Don’t worry,” she smiled. “Actually, I really love to cook and the chef has agreed to let me watch and help with the food this evening. So I’ll be back here personally making sure everything is picture perfect.”
God, she was way too good for my sister. Just kidding. Sort of.
My husband mastered the calm-under-pressure look. Caroline must have read too much into his dislike of a suit and tie. After sampling one more scallop, I weaved past the staff and flowers, slipping out the back patio door. The wood shone from rain in the moonlight. My husband stood in on the corner of the platform, staring up at the sky in a cloud of grey.
Cedric hadn’t touched a cigarette in almost a year. I made him stop because, you know, lung cancer is a thing. Despite his youthful appearance, he wasn’t exactly twenty anymore. “I thought doctors didn’t smoke. One of those, practice what you preach things,” I eased up next to him.
He blew out a puff into the heavens and glanced down at me. One corner of his lip curved upward. “I thought church girls were good girls? Oh, wait, I don’t think that anymore,” he winked, wrapping an arm around my bare shoulders. I’d opted for a silk slip dress. The deep emerald green brought out my red hair and freckles, the fabric lightly skimming my round hips and full breasts. The hem grazed the floor, but with the light fabric and slit, I felt practically naked. Maybe not the look I should have gone with, but I knew Eva would dress to the nines, so I did the same.
“Do you feel like I took advantage of you?” He inhaled another long breath of nicotine. “That night by your house when you came down in just your nightgown. I was waiting around for a woman barely legal, outside her reverend father’s home. You were the most stunning creature I’d ever laid eyes on, and I wanted more. But maybe…” He sighed. “Maybe you were too young to make such a big decision.”
Shock left my lips in response. “What? No, Cedric. I wanted you. I loved you. I still do. Where is this coming from?”