“Bells, come on. Just this one time. I won’t ask again. Please.”
“No.” Belinda chuckled. They stood in the living room of her two-bedroom home, which was actually the guesthouse on her father’s land near the beach on Harbor Boulevard.
She grabbed Lance’s wondering hands. “My body is screaming right now, but we have to fight these feelings. Besides, you know you’d feel guilty afterwards. I’ve been reading The Wait and—”
Lance cut her off. “I don’t want to hear about some book, especially since I think they’re lying. It’s hard to resist temptation. That’s why we need to go to the justice of the peace. It’s been over a year since our engagement. Fifteen months to be exact. I want you as my wife now.” He pulled her close to him to emphasize his point.
Belinda extricated herself from Lance’s arms. “We’ve got to do this right. Once we’re married, we’ll have the rest of our lives to—you know. Plus, Judge Vincent Santiago would have your head if you robbed his only child of her dream wedding.”
Lance released a loud sigh. “You’re right. This waiting was a little more difficult than I anticipated.” He released several harsh breaths. “Okay, Lance. Think about something else. Eggs. Paint. Rain…”
Belinda chuckled and held him in a loose embrace. “Let’s get out of my house. We shouldn’t be alone. Let’s go by Carmela’s Closet and check on the deliveries.”
Belinda had started Carmela’s Closet to help young women find clothes for job interviews. She had named it after her mother, Carmela Santiago, who had died of cancer when Belinda was in her teens.
“I don’t want to,” Lance whispered. “I want to…” He stopped and uttered a quick prayer. “Weeping may endure for a night…”
Belinda smiled at his use of the Bible verse. “We can go to the park. Then, I’ve got to finish my paper.” She was pursuing a degree in interior design at Southern Technical College. That was a long way from the court stenographer she had been in a past life. But, she had found her calling.
“I make enough for five people. You realize you don’t have to work?”
“You realize I know that?” Belinda glared. “I’m serious about this and I need you to support me. My father has spoiled me with anything I could ever want, but I want my own.”
Lance squeezed her cheeks. “I applaud your little endeavor. I’m just saying… I’ve got you.”
Her eyes narrowed at his choice of words. “Interior design isn’t a little endeavor. It might not be as important as a pulmonologist, but it’s important to me.” She bunched her fists. She was more than a lovely face and a hot body.
Lance touched her cheek. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. I like the thought of taking care of you.”
“I’ve been taking care of myself all my life without you.” Her chest heaved. “You need to lay that arrogance at the cross, Doctor.”
“The last time I checked, you liked my arrogance,” Lance joked.
She rolled her eyes.
“Let’s not fight, honey. I don’t want wrinkles forming on that lovely face before it’s time.”
If he calls me lovely one more time…
Lance held out his hand. “At least this got my mind off, you know.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Belinda laughed. “I can’t stay mad at you.”
“I won’t let you. Now let’s get out of this house and go down to the park.”
With a nod, she agreed. She changed into a pair of white shorts and a blue tank. They headed out. At the park, they walked alongside the water and admired the view. After a couple of hours, they decided to return to Belinda’s home.
Lance pulled into Belinda’s driveway and parked his car behind hers. Turning to face her, he said, “I had a nice time hanging out with you. Sure you won’t let me come in?” He yawned, not bothering to cover his mouth.
“I’m sure. You had an eight-hour surgery earlier today. You need to get home and rest.”
Lance was chief of the Critical Care Unit at Fawcett Memorial. He was proud of that accomplishment considering he had just turned forty years old.
“I could stay here,” Lance suggested with yet another wide yawn. He massaged the back of her neck.
“No. Even though we’re engaged, you can’t spend the night.” Belinda moved his hand. She tilted her head to study him. His eyes had dark circles. He looked exhausted. She wouldn’t like to know Lance got in an accident because she refused to let him stay. He didn’t look as if he could make the thirty-minute ride home. “Come on in, but no funny stuff. Got that? Sleeping only.” She opened the door, already second-guessing her decision. She walked past her car when something got her attention. She squinted. What was that?
Lance stopped. He leaned in. “What’s this all over your car?”
Belinda moved closer and sniffed. Her shoulders slumped that it wasn’t bird poop. She scrunched her nose. It looked like…
“Mustard? Is this mustard on your car? How did this happen?”
Belinda dipped her fingers in the yellow pool. “Yup, it’s mustard.” She shook her head. “I don’t know. Who would do this?” Her voice rose. She scanned the deserted neighborhood. “Some idiot kids probably did this as a sick joke.”
“Go get a couple of wet towels. I’ll wipe it off.” He scanned the car. “The pranksters smeared your entire car.”
Belinda reached into her bag and dug for her car keys. She opened the driver side and motioned to Lance. “Get in. I’m going to the car wash. It’s too much for us to tackle right now.” Once they were on their way, Belinda tried to make light of the situation. “Well, these perps managed to accomplish something because I needed to wash my car.”
Lance nodded and closed his eyes. He fell into a light slumber.
Belinda allowed him to sleep. She drove the five miles to the twenty-four hour car wash, pulled up, and swiped her card to pay for the works. She pressed the desired buttons and pulled her car into the covered area. “Don’t worry, Baby. You’ll be all shiny and clean in no time.” Belinda patted her steering wheel as she talked to her beloved car.
Lance didn’t stir until she was back home and parked in her driveway. He straightened. His eyes widened. “You washed the car already?”
“Sure did.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“I was fine. I didn’t even chip a nail washing the car.” Her sarcasm hit its mark.
“I know you’re more than capable, but I wanted to help.”
“Well, I got it done.”
Lance stopped talking when he heard her snarky tone. Smart man. She wasn’t a Barbie doll. In fact, she was quite efficient. But ever since their engagement, Lance had been treating her like a china doll.
Belinda opened her car door and got out. The outside lights were now on.
“Your car looks nice and—”
“Nooooo!” Belinda screamed. She ran her hands over the vehicle. The buttercup yellow was ruined. “The mustard stripped the paint job.” There were blotchy patches where paint used to be. “Who would do this? What sicko did this to my car?” She screeched. “My father bought me this car!”
Lance gestured for her to lower her voice. “Calm down, Belinda.”
She stamped a foot. “Don’t tell me to calm down. Would you be saying this if it were your car? Some fool jacked up my car and I’ll yell if I want to. I don’t care who hears me.”
“Should I call the cops?” Lance pulled out his cell phone.
“What’s the use?” Belinda snorted. “The perpetrators are long gone.” She wrapped her arms about her waist. “I come and go all hours of the night. I’ve never felt so violated.” She looked around the dark area. The pranksters could be out there watching her.
Lance walked around the car and took her hand. “I know you’re shaken. Come to my house. Tomorrow, we’ll get this all sorted out.”
Belinda looked across the well-manicured lawn to the main house where her father lived. Glancing at her watch, she presented another alternative. “I could go to my dad’s house and wait for him there. He’s out on his first date in a million years. But, if I know him, he should be home soon.”
“No, you’re coming with me. I have to get some sleep and I won’t be able to, if you’re here. I’d be too busy worrying about you.”
Belinda complied. She went inside and packed an overnight bag. She called her father and left him a voicemail so he wouldn’t be concerned, informing him about the car and that she would be at Lance’s. Belinda shuddered. What if this wasn’t a prank? What if this was just the beginning?