Unexpected Pleasure Read online

  “You’re too smart.”

  Some even dared to suggest that she was too dark, though her father thought that was nonsense, calling her his sweet little blackberry.

  But it didn’t matter. Most people blamed her for her single status.

  Always too-too something, although no one would admit that she wasn’t as heavy as her cousin Lola who’d gotten married last spring. Or as smart as her friend Nadine who’d married three years ago.

  So she came up with a plan. She’d invent a boyfriend for the event and then break up a month after. As a professional house stager, she was very aware of the importance of presentation. She considered every detail. She’d contacted a local agency, Escort For You, that assured her they were legitimate, exclusive and discreet. Their motto was: Why go alone when you can just pick up the phone? She hadn’t called, preferring to make her arrangements online, but had been impressed with their history and extensive vetting.

  The fact that her hired date was British wouldn’t be a problem so no one would suspect anything, and made all the plans. Two days, all expenses paid. All he had to do was dote on her and make her look desirable.

  Three months before the wedding, she’d started her sham, hinting at the new man in her life. Since she had yet to meet someone, she kept as much as she could vague. She was glad she did. By the time the wedding day arrived everyone was eager to meet him and when he’d arrived she’d been eager to show him off. And he’d been worth showing off. Cultured, funny, attractive. Until he started to drink.

  Obviously he’d never tasted palm wine before and had a preference for it. She didn’t know how many glasses he’d had before he’d publicly dumped her and gone for one of her cousins. It didn’t matter which one, she had so many she could fill a small university with them. She just knew it was one of the younger, flashier ones with big hips and bright lipstick.

  She tapped the stem of her wine glass as she watched them dancing together for everyone to see.

  “Sista, no worries,” a family friend said in passing to comfort her. “He is no good.”

  Tanna plastered on a smile. “I’m not much of a dancer and he likes to have fun.”

  But the family friend saw through her lie and walked away. Moments later she sat with two other older women wearing elaborate pink lace outfits who sent glances in her direction as if they were nurses looking at a patient who was terminal.

  Tanna drummed her fingers on the table. It would have been better if she’d come alone. She’d wanted to avoid pity, instead she was getting it in spades.

  She was sick of pity. Sick of the ‘oh poor Tanna’ looks. “Oh poor Tanna having to see her younger sisters married before her.” “Oh poor Tanna dumped at their wedding by a man who we all knew was just too good to be true. He was just too pretty to be decent.” “No, it’s because he’s white, she doesn’t know how to read white men.” “Did she really think she could fool us?”

  A woman pulled out a chair beside her and sat down. It was her Aunt Violet, a woman Tanna and her sisters secretly called Aunt Violence because she had a wicked way of making a point. She was a stately woman of measured tones—she never yelled or whispered—but her words always had an impact. Like Tanna, she wore the red and gold aso-ebi, the outfit made from the same matching fabric and pattern to denote the unity and support of the bride’s family. While Tanna’s dress sported a crushed red velvet bodice that flowed to a mermaid style skirt, her aunt’s dress was completely gold with a splash of red lace and on her head a golden colored gele so big and wide it looked like it could block out the sun. She was of medium height, but sat as if she were much taller and half expected four men to come lift her chair and carry it to wherever she directed them.

  “You should have made sure he was black,” she said.

  Tanna watched Graham move in beautiful rhythm with her cousin. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “How much did he cost you?”

  Tanna shook her head. “Nope, I still don’t know what you mean.”

  “You told us he was brown skinned.”

  “I don’t remember being particular.”

  And she hadn’t been race specific, although she had requested the agency get her a black man. Unfortunately, her first choice had gotten sick and Graham had been his replacement. She should have cancelled.

  “I suppose it doesn’t matter what race he is,” Aunt Violet allowed, smoothing out a crease in the tablecloth. “Only what he is not. Your boyfriend. The man you’ve been seeing these last three months.”

  “I was seeing someone.”

  “Then why not just tell us he couldn’t make it, instead of this ridiculous sham of yours?”

  Tanna shrugged, her stoic mask back in place. She hoped if she looked like she didn’t care her aunt would leave her alone. “I don’t know.”

  “You’ve been staging homes too long, you’re confusing what really matters to what people think should matter.”

  Tanna folded her arms. She was used to the criticism of her career choice. She hadn’t continued the family tradition of going into law or the sciences. She felt a sharp pinch in her side. “Ow!” she turned and saw her aunt putting the butter knife back on the table. She rubbed her side. “What was that for?”

  “That expression on your face.”

  “What expression?”

  “You think feeling sorry for yourself will change anything? You think sending angry glances to that man will make him come to you? Are you practicing witchcraft?”

  “No.”

  “Then do something.”

  “What am I supposed to do?”

  “Anything, but sit here like a pile of pounded yam. Dance, talk, eat. Have a good time without him. Even when the wind slaps your face you must hold your head high.”

  “But I don’t…all right, all right,” she said quickly when her aunt reached for the butter knife again.

  “You are an Ariyo. And what does that mean?”

  “We always keep our back straight no matter the burden,” she said, repeating a familiar phrase. Yes, she’d been taught not to show her emotions, to weather any storm, to face failure with a smile. But sometimes she just wanted to fall apart and cry.

  “Good,” Aunt Violet said pleased, lifting Tanna’s chin. “Now why would such a pretty woman curse her sisters’ wedding with such a sour expression? Smile. No, not like that. Are you trying to be funny? Yes, like that. Much better. And keep that smile until the night is over. You can let it fall when the night is through.” She stood then pointed at Tanna. “And until then it better not go missing.”

  Tanna kept her smile in place and nodded.

  The moment her aunt turned she let her smile fall. She could pretend, but not that much. She’d prefer to look stoic rather than like a child high on sweets.

  Her aunt turned around and glared at her.

  Tanna put the smile back in place. She’d rather be humiliated than catch her aunt’s wrath. Her aunt was right; she didn’t want to ruin her sisters’ special day. She didn’t want everyone remembering that she’d been dumped by some British man who could move well on the dance floor.

  She’d get her refund later. Tomorrow she’d tell Escort For You what she thought of their services, but for now she had to endure the evening—with a smile.

  However, after an hour of smiling, Tanna felt as if her face would fall off. She feigned laughter and cheer until her energy wore thin. Her date had disappeared from the dance floor and she hadn’t seen him, but she hadn’t seen her cousin either and could only imagine where they were making their next dance moves. The castle had fifteen cottages where guests could stay. She didn’t want to imagine how they would use them.

  She needed to escape. She needed fresh air. Tanna excused herself from a group discussing the kind of lace they needed to buy for another upcoming wedding and headed for the back doorway, but her aunt caught her before she could make her getaway.

  Chapter 3

  “Where are you going?”

 
; Tanna paused then slowly turned, making sure her smile was firmly in place. “I’m going for a smoke.”

  “You don’t smoke.”

  “I’m thinking of starting.”

  Her aunt continued to stare at her, finding no amusement in her joke.

  Tanna briefly glanced around the crowded ballroom to see who she could use as an excuse to distract her. She spotted a man who was distinguished looking with a military stance and likely the age of her grandfather, she’d spoken to him before and nearly wept with boredom as he gave her a detailed account of the ten days he’d spent in Japan, twenty years ago. He wouldn’t work as a diversion.

  She switched her gaze to another man with pepper grey hair and a trim goatee who seemed like a possibility, but when she briefly met his gaze he actually licked his lips. She immediately broke eye contact. She was desperate, but not that desperate. “I won’t be gone long.”

  “I have someone I want you to meet. She has a son.”

  Four dangerous words. A hungry matchmaking mother at a wedding was a tenacious creature, she had to escape now. She inched towards the door. “Just a minute. My smile is slipping.”

  “Good, as long as it doesn’t fall you’re fine,” she said, clapping her hand around Tanna’s wrist with the intensity of handcuffs. “Now come on.”

  “Aunty please.”

  “He’s a doctor.”

  “Aren’t they all?” she mumbled.

  “What was that?”

  “I mean wouldn’t it be funny if you said he was a mechanic or photographer? That would be a change.”

  Her aunt blinked, making it clear she didn’t think it would be funny at all.

  Tanna shook her head and sighed. “Never mind.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Tanna’s struggled to pull her hand free. “I just have to use the toilet.”

  Her aunt sighed. “Fine. Don’t make me wait too long though.”

  “I won’t.”

  Her aunt stared at her for a long moment, then nodded and released her hold. “Very well.”

  Freedom at last. Tanna made a dash to the large wooden doors heading out of the ballroom, then promptly halted when her mother blocked her path. “Your aunt may have a man for you,” she said. Getting past her mother would be impossible. She was a tall, big boned woman with fine features and naturally long lashes she played up today with glitter.

  “Mum, please not now.”

  “The man you brought was rubbish, never mind him. This chance—”

  Tanna moved to the side. “I’ll be back.”

  Her mother did the same. “But where are you going?”

  “Slowly insane.”

  Her mother blinked.

  “Get it?” Tanna said with a grin. “You asked me where I was going and I said I’m going slowly insane. It’s a joke.”

  Her mother patted Tanna’s upper arm and stared at her as if she were a wayward child. “My darling, how many times have I told you that you’re not funny?”

  “Clearly not enough to stop me from trying.”

  “Come.”

  Tanna jumped back before her mother could grab her. Getting her aunt to release her would be a lot easier than her mother. “I just need a few minutes and I’ll be right back. I promise.”

  Her mother made a grab for her again. Tanna stepped back and folded her arms. “I have to use the toilet.”

  “At times like this you can hold your bladder. Opportunities are to be seized,” her mother said, making the motion of grabbing something with both hands. “And held on tight.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Otherwise someone else can get it.”

  “I know that too.”

  “The Davises have a single daughter younger than you and—”

  “If I make a tiny puddle in the middle of the room, I think my chances for a prospective husband will plummet anyway.”

  Her mother frowned. “You really have to go?”

  “Yes.”

  Mrs. Ariyo gestured to the door. “Go then, and remember—”

  “I’ll be right back.” Tanna kissed her mother on the cheek to soften her interruption then hurried away. She was a foot from the door when two identically beautiful women dressed in white jumped in front of her with worried eyes.

  “Don’t cry,” her sister Fola said.

  Her other sister Feyi added, “He doesn’t deserve you.”

  “I’m not going to cry,” Tanna said, feeling tears of frustration build up behind her eyes. Were the stars against her? Would she never escape this room?

  Fola touched her hand. “It probably would have been better...”

  “If you’d come alone,” Feyi finished. She always finished her sister’s sentences at times like this.

  “We hope you don’t think...”

  “You ever need to prove anything to us.”

  “We love you...”

  “No matter what.”

  “I know that,” Tanna said. “And you don’t have to worry about me. I am okay. Really. Truly. Absolutely. I just need to use the facilities.”

  Fola touched Tanna’s hand. “To cry in private.”

  “We understand,” Feyi said, patting her arm.

  She wouldn’t correct them. It wouldn’t matter anyway. She nodded then hurried to the door, breathing a sigh of relief when she finally reached it. She pumped her fist in triumph and headed outside, leaving the castle ballroom behind her. Tanna walked around the side of the castle then stopped when she saw a man standing alone, staring out at the landscape.

  Chapter 4

  He met her three favorite possibilities in a man. All beginning with B. He was big, bald and brown. He wore an expensive suit, his face had an angular jawline framed by dark eyebrows. He looked a little mean, but perhaps that was just his resting face. As a house stager she’d learned how to assess situations—show her any house and she could make it sellable—quickly, and make them look just the way she wanted them to. Was he another guest who’d come outside to get space? She didn’t want to go back anytime soon and he would make a good excuse.

  She walked over to him, wine and humiliation giving her a boldness she’d never had before. She didn’t care about being turned down. If it had been two days ago she wouldn’t have dared, even just an hour ago a man like him would have intimidated her, but she felt too low in spirit to care. Maybe he’d even be rude and she could get into an argument—a little verbal sparring could be fun.

  She walked over to him. “You look like you’ve had a bad day, how about I get you a drink?”

  He turned to her and she took a step back. She’d underestimated him. From a distance he’d looked mean, but up close. Up close he was another major B—beautiful. She’d never seen such perfect, stunning features on a man before and his dark eyes met hers with an intensity that caused her heart to race. No, she’d chosen the wrong target. He probably wasn’t even human. Heaven had lost one of its angels. Maybe he’d laugh at her. That would be okay, at least she’d make someone laugh today.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Sure.”

  She nodded with quick acceptance and a nervous laugh. “That’s what I thought you’d say. Sorry to bother you.” Tanna turned and headed back inside. She didn’t want to go back, but aimlessly roaming around would just be sad. She was a few yards away from the entrance when she felt a presence beside her. She stopped and turned and saw the man, his hands in his pockets his gaze on the ground. “Are you following me?”

  He glanced up surprised. “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  He furrowed his brows and tilted his head to the side as if she puzzled him. “Because you offered me a drink and I said sure.”

  She blinked. He’d said ‘sure’? How come she hadn’t heard that? What was going on? This beautiful man had actually said yes? Maybe he thought she was offering a lot more than a drink. She’d deal with that later. She’d just let him know that she kept a knife underneath her gele. That lie had worked once before with an over amor
ous man at another party. For now she’d reassess the situation. Clearly he wasn’t an angel—unless he was an angel who liked free drinks—and he wasn’t British, which was fine. He had a nice, deep voice and an accent that sounded from the Northeastern part of America. His stance showed he was a man in full control of himself, but she still sensed he was upset about something. Not her problem. He had said yes, don’t question too much. She imagined her mother grasping the air and saying, “Seize the opportunity.”

  And she would. She was going to treat this man to a drink and enjoy every moment. She looped her arm through his, his forearm was as big and tight as coiled steel. “Come on then,” she said, faking a tone of nonchalance as her mind raced. What was she doing and why was he letting her? “We’ll head back into the lion’s den.”

  “Lion’s den?”

  “The castle ballroom.”

  “You’re with the wedding party?”

  “Yes.” She paused. “You’re not?”

  “No.”

  She looked at his suit again, it looked too styled to be for ordinary business. “You just came from one?”

  “A wedding?”

  “No, I’m sorry, a party.”

  “Something like that. Will what I’m wearing be a problem?”

  “No,” she said with a wave of her hand, hoping he didn’t see it tremble. Even if there had been a problem, she’d find a way to make it disappear. “Fortunately, there are so many people no one will notice. Just follow my lead and you’ll be fine.”

  Minutes later, the two of them sat at the bar with red wine for her, beer for him. She’d conveniently situated them towards the back so that she could hide from her mother and aunt.

  “Why are you offering strangers a drink?” he asked.

  “If you’re nervous that you’ll be thrown out, don’t be. My parents are footing the bill for this little soiree. This is my twin sisters’ wedding. Both of them are getting married on the same day. For the rest of my life I’ll have to do double anniversary cards as well as birthdays. They’ll both probably schedule to get pregnant at the same time as well, which is fine. I love them. I’m happy for them. But tonight I’m trying my best not to be known as the sister whose date ended up with one of the bridesmaids.”