If Only We Knew Read Free

two champagne flutes in his hands. Melvin, an attractive African American, standing at five feet ten inches, was Shannon’s date.
    “I was asking my sister why did you guys miss the ceremony? But she gave me some lame excuse.” She winked at Shannon. “Well, see you two love-birds later. I’m going to find my date and get my groove on,” she said, leaving the balcony.
    “Melvin, my sister is just being nosy.” She took the champagne from his hand and started drinking. “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome.” He put his arm around her waist. “When you’re done drinking, can I have a dance?” He kissed her cheek.
    “Yes, you may.” She set her glass down on the table and took his , setting it down too. She grasp ed his hand and walked into the hall toward the dance floor.
     
***
     
    Matt couldn’t stop staring as Shannon walked out to the dance floor. She reminded him of an African princess. Her milk-chocolate skin glowed. Her dress was long, sexy, and backless, hugging her body in all the right places, showing off her petite frame. Her relaxed hair was down to her shoulders in waves. Stop staring . He still couldn’t believe the way her body had responded to his that night.
    He turned feeling guilty when Karen tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the door. “Your mother is here.”
    Eileen Phillips was an elegant woman in her late fifties with salt-and-pepper gray hair. She paraded into the hall like she owned it, with her date by her side. She wore a purple knee-length dress. Her date was in his forties, with blond and gray hair, wearing a black suit. Matt disliked his mother’s accountant . There was just something off about him, but it was her life and he wouldn’t interfere .
    She stalked over to Matt and kissed his cheek. “My darling, congratulations.” Then she turned and hugged Karen.
    “You finally made it, and I see you brought a date.” He looked at her accountant. “Karen, this is Tom Hunter, my mother’s accountant.”
    Tom shook Karen’s hand, staring into her eyes. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Karen. Congratulations.”
    “Thank you,” she said when he released her hand.
    Matt watched Tom, noticing the odd way the man interacted with Karen. There was something about the way they were looking at each other. He cleared his throat. “She’s already taken.”
    Tom laughed. “Matt, calm down. I was admiring your beautiful wife. You’re very lucky.”
    “I know,” he said, kissing her.
     
***
     
    Matt walked out to the dance floor. “May I cut in to dance with my best woman?” he asked Melvin, smiling.
    “Sure, man. Congratulations.” Melvin shook Matt’s hand, kissed Shannon on the cheek, and walked away toward Sherry and her date.
    Matt wrapp ed his hands around her waist and thrilled to touch bare skin. “You look beautiful tonight,” he whispered in her ear.
    She pulled back, staring at him and smiling. “You don’t look too bad, yourself.”
    They danc ed , swaying from side to side. Even with her heels on, she only barely reached his chin.
    “I had to get away from my mother. Did you see who she brought as her date?” He spun her around so she could see. Matt and his mother didn’t have a relationship. She’d abandoned him and his brother Andrew when they were kids, after she’d divorced his father, and now she wanted a relationship, one he couldn’t or wouldn’t give her.
    “Who is he?” she asked, looking over at his mom, Karen, and the gentleman.
    “My mother’s younger-than-her accountant.” He spun her back around, trying to forget about his mother. “Why didn’t you come to the ceremony?” he asked her.
    “Sorry, Matt. I was running late and didn’t want to interrupt the ceremony, so I decided to wait here,” she answered, looking up at him.
    “You’re never late to anything.”
    “But Melvin is.”
    “So you and Melvin, are things getting serious? Do I hear wedding bells?” He smiled at her, spinning her around again.
    She