Читать книгу A Los Angeles Passion - Sherelle Green - Страница 13

Chapter 2

“Please tell me that is not my old college roomie, because I haven’t seen her in so long I almost forgot what she looks like,” said twenty-eight-year-old Kiara Woods as she stood from the outdoor table at a chic restaurant to give her friend a hug.

Miranda Jensen Ellicott shook her head before returning her embrace. “Girl, stop. It hasn’t been that long.”

Kiara gave her the side-eye. “Yes, it has. I haven’t seen you since you got married to Vaughn.”

“I know,” Miranda said with a smile. “The newlywed life is keeping me pretty busy these days.”

“With a husband like that, I’m sure it is.”

Miranda smiled even wider. “If it were up to Vaughn, he’d have me pregnant and barefoot before the month is over. Luckily for me, he understands the importance of my work right now.”

Kiara nodded in agreement. “And how are things going with Vaughn?”

Miranda’s eyes lit up. “Wonderfully. He’s actually a couple of blocks away, taking care of some business. We drove into LA together, so I just walked here.”

“Aren’t you guys cute,” Kiara teased. “Even riding together for meetings and whatnot so that you don’t have to be away from each other for long.”

Kiara laughed when Miranda didn’t try to deny it. “Seriously, it’s great to see you so happy. How are things at your luxury B and B?”

“Everything is wonderful,” Miranda said as the waiter approached. “Fall and winter are always busy for the B and B, so I expect to be at full capacity throughout the rest of the year. I can’t complain.” They placed their lunch order before they resumed their conversation.

“What about you?” Miranda asked. “How are things?”

Kiara grinned as she thought about the preschool and day-care center that she owned. “I’m honestly so proud of how much LA Little Ones Daycare and Preschool has grown. It’s amazing to see my vision turn into a reality.”

“Kiara, it’s not just a preschool and day-care center,” Miranda said. “It’s the Hollywood preschool and day-care center. It’s the place where LA’s rich and famous want to take their children. Hell, I’m already hoping that I can get bumped up your waiting list when Vaughn and I start popping babies. We’d drive to LA for a great center like yours.”

Kiara laughed. “You already know I’d bump you up the list.”

“I’m just saying. Back in college, you always talked about owning your own day care, but I don’t even think that you considered it would grow this much. And after the few rough patches you had a couple of years ago, you needed your business to be a success.”

The waiter returned with two glasses of water and a plate of sliced lemons. “Thanks, girl.” Kiara squeezed a lemon slice into her water before taking a sip. She thought about the words that Miranda left unspoken. Kiara had accomplished a lot before the age of thirty, but one circumstance that she’d never wanted to be a part of her journey was becoming a divorcée.

Everything had been going so well for her during the early years of her marriage. She’d thought that her unlucky days in love were finally over when she’d met Jerry. Little had she known that after two short years of marriage, she’d be getting a divorce and saying farewell to the one man who had promised to love her forever.

Diving into work had been the perfect distraction, and as the articles about her in the media put it, Kiara and her day care had become an overnight success in the childcare business. She hadn’t had time for love, and quite frankly, she hadn’t felt like anything was really missing from her life at that time.

But you feel like it is now. She briefly sighed as that little voice crept inside her thoughts, reminding her that she had once been a happy newlywed, too. She’d once worn the same smile that Miranda was wearing right now. She had once seen her future bright and clear with the man she loved before it was all taken away when he suddenly asked for a divorce.

“When was the last time you went out?” Miranda asked, breaking her thoughts.

Kiara took another sip of her water. “I go out.”

Miranda pinned her with a hard stare. “Let me repeat my question. When was the last time you went out?”

“I can’t remember,” Kiara said with a shrug. “Maybe last month?”

“Are you sure?”

“Hmm.” Kiara thought about it some more. “Maybe two months ago. Or three. I can’t really remember.”

Miranda shook her head. “Friend, the last time you told me about you going out was when a couple of your employees convinced you to check out that new jazz lounge. And that was way more than three months ago.”

Kiara rapidly blinked. “Oh my God, I think you’re right! That’s the last time I remember going out just for the sake of going out.”

“That’s sad,” Miranda said with a laugh. “The Kiara I knew back in college would never miss a party or pass up an opportunity to go out.”

Kiara downed the rest of her water, wishing it was something stiffer. “Girl, that was before being an adult happened.”

Miranda shook her head. “More like it was before life happened. Being an adult doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Trust me, I understand being all about the business, but you’ve got to have a little fun, too, or before you know it, your life would have passed you by and you’ll be wondering when was the last time you stopped to truly live in the moment.”

As their food arrived, Kiara contemplated her friend’s words, immediately realizing that Miranda was right. “I do need to learn to live a little more,” Kiara said after a few moments. “But I also plan on building a franchise, so my schedule is bound to get even crazier.”

“Building a franchise is a great idea,” Miranda said. “Just keep in mind that a busy schedule doesn’t mean you have to neglect your social life.”

“True,” Kiara said, nodding.

Miranda’s phone dinged, interrupting their conversation. She frowned as she read the text message.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” Miranda shot a quick reply. “I’m just worried that Vaughn is taking on too much. You know how we always teased a couple of our girlfriends back in college who used to say their main goal was to marry a Millionaire Mogul?”

“Of course,” Kiara said with a laugh. “And then you go ahead and marry a Prescott George member despite how much we teased them.”

Kiara knew all about the Prescott George organization, also called the Millionaire Moguls. She respected what they did for the community, but she never did understand why some women made it their main goal to land an elite member. Her ex-husband had even wanted to be a member, but Prescott George was exclusive with their membership, so he hadn’t stood a chance.

Miranda grinned. “I know. I still can’t believe it, either.” She took another bite of her fruit salad before speaking again. “Well, Vaughn has been really busy with his San Diego chapter, but now he’s also helping the LA chapter get back on their feet.”

“Why? What happened?”

Miranda sighed. “I really shouldn’t be saying anything, but they were suspended for six months when one of the LA board members tried to sabotage San Diego being chosen as chapter of the year. The person responsible orchestrated several break-ins, hacking of computers and files, and even the vandalism of some of the property. It got pretty bad, but finally, they figured out the man behind everything was Reginald Moore, a high-ranking board member.”

“Wow,” Kiara said, shaking her head. “I didn’t hear anything about this.”

“That’s not surprising. Prescott George didn’t want the bad press, so the board and the national organization declined to press charges and instead expelled Reginald Moore and placed the LA chapter on a six-month suspension. And apparently, he put up quite a fuss about everything.”

“Of course he did.” Kiara rolled her eyes. “There’s nothing more annoying than a person who does something wrong, yet feels entitled and above the law. I’m sure he got what he deserved, and if you ask me, it even sounds like he got off easy. So, how was Vaughn looped into helping the LA chapter?”

Miranda opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off.

“We’re a brotherhood,” a voice said behind Kiara. “I’d never turn down helping out another chapter.” She turned to see Vaughn Ellicott approaching their outdoor table.

“Well, if it isn’t Miranda’s new husband...in the flesh.” Kiara stood to hug Vaughn before he hugged his wife and sat in an empty seat.

“It’s good to see you again, Kiara,” Vaughn said with a handsome smile. “And I can answer your question more fully, since I’m sure my wife was dying to give you all the dirty details.” To this, Miranda gave Vaughn a Chuck E. Cheese grin.

“I’m just helping them by supporting some of their charity initiatives and community involvement. One man’s mistake doesn’t mean the entire chapter has to suffer.”

“That’s nice of you,” Kiara said.

Vaughn shrugged. “It’s what I do.” He looked toward his wife. “Are you ready to go shopping, baby?”

“I think so.” Miranda pulled cash out of her purse to pay for her portion of the meal.

Kiara lifted an eyebrow. “Vaughn, what in the world made you agree to go shopping with Miranda? She takes forever to make up her mind.”

Miranda rolled her eyes. “I don’t take as long as a certain brown-eyed friend of mine. Besides, I can’t believe I forgot to tell you... Vaughn is jet-setting us away for a while to Dubai for a long and much-needed vacation, so there are a few things we have to pick up first.”

Kiara smiled. “That’s wonderful, you guys. I’m sure you’ll have so much fun.” Goodness, I’d love for a man to take me away on a romantic vacation. Her eyes widened. Where did that thought come from? Kiara fidgeted in her chair. It was official. Being around Miranda and Vaughn was making her long for things she’d given up on over a year ago. She didn’t need to date. She didn’t love. All she needed was her business, and if there was anything she’d learned from her ex-husband and the man she fell for after her divorce, it was that love wasn’t forever. She had to remember that.

“I have an idea,” Vaughn said, breaking her thoughts. “You should come with Miranda and me tonight to the party we’re having to celebrate the LA chapter being back on their feet.”

Miranda clapped her hands together. “That’s a great idea, Vaughn!”

“I don’t know,” Kiara said, shaking her head. “Isn’t it an exclusive party? I’ll probably feel out of place.”

Miranda rolled her eyes. “Right, because you don’t own one of the most exclusive day cares in the city.”

“Your sarcasm isn’t needed,” Kiara said with a laugh.

“It will be fine,” Vaughn said. “There will be plenty of friends, family and supporters of the organization there. I consider you a friend and Miranda considers you family.”

Kiara glanced from Vaughn to Miranda, who both awaited her response. Oh, come on, girl. You know you need a night out. “Okay,” Kiara said. “I’ll come. If I’m being honest, I’ll admit that I’ve been dying to get dressed up.”

“So glad you’re coming.” Miranda winked at Kiara. “And you may even land a Millionaire Mogul of your own.”

“Ha! You wish.” Kiara planned on keeping the promise she made to herself to refrain from dating to focus on building her business and franchise. Besides, she was done with rich men. Been there. Done that. She doubted she’d even find a man who remotely kept her interest tonight.