A Tangled Web (Dangerous Secrets) by Rose Francis Read Free Book Online

he’ll feel obligated to stay with me, and I don’t want his obligation—I want him to take me back, all on his own.”
    “Well that actually makes some kind of sense. But take you back? What makes you think he let you go?” Monique sighed. “Kimberly, don’t do anything stupid. Tell the man. He deserves to know. Hell if you don’t, I will.”
    “Monique don’t you dare! Okay fine. I’ll tell him. Just give me some time okay?”
    “Okay, Kim.”
    As the call disconnected, Kimberly thought: Monique’s wrong—I shouldn’t tell Kent, not now anyway.
    Then she saw Michael Kent Davenport coming towards her.

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Kent hoped it wasn’t too obvious he’d been blubbering like a baby. He had held himself together for a while but when he found himself falling apart, he called Monique, wanting someone to be able to be there for Kimberly, knowing he wouldn’t have been much help. Truth was, he’d been terrified that something had gone horribly wrong and he would lose her completely.
    He’d had his hands over his head, negotiating with whatever God was out there to make sure she was all right when he suddenly felt a hand touch his arm.
    He looked up and saw Vivian attempt a smile, probably meant in support. He appreciated her effort and for a moment remembered she was the mother—her child and grandchild had both possibly been in danger.
    Her smile eventually contorted from half pain to full-on pain and they both turned to hug each other.
    The hug knocked away the remainder of his resolve as he cried softly on her shoulder and he got the sense Vivian was crying too.
    Eventually Kent collected himself and pulled away, wiping his face.
    “Ms. Jordan, you have to excuse me for being such a punk,” he attempted to joke. “I never cry, you don’t understand. Never.”
    Vivian shook her head slowly.
    “Kent, I didn’t realize how much you loved my daughter. You know, you really are the best thing that’s happened to her in a long, long time. I’m so glad you’re in her life.”
    He exhaled, looking down.
    “Me too Ms. Jordan.”
    Then she had left.
    He watched her leave, thinking about how much he wished she and his mom were on better terms, but as he understood it from Kimberly, their friendship was ruined by his mom pursuing his dad way back in the day when he’d just gotten out of a relationship with Ms. Jordan. Despite their families being brought together again through their kids, and despite his parents divorcing and his dad and Ms. Jordan finally getting back together, the women remained cold to each other. Someday perhaps; after all, they were at least talking to each other now.
    Kent sat there by himself for a few more moments. He had to get his head together before seeing Kimberly—he didn’t want her to see him in such a state.
    ***
    “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner—I was in the men’s room,” he said to Kimberly, coming up to her and wrapping her in a huge bear hug, holding her tight.
    Kimberly realized just how much she’d missed those arms.
    To her delight, he continued holding her, and she savored the moment until Kent finally pulled back, holding her shoulders.
    “Are you all right?”
    His concerned eyes looked searchingly into her face.
    She noticed his eyes looked red and answered her own question about why he’d supposedly been in the men’s room for such a long time.
    She nodded her head.
    “Yeah, I’m okay—both me and the baby, we’re fine.”
    “Good.”
    He pulled back completely, putting his hands in his pocket, looking unsure what to say or do next.
    “So what did the doctor say?”
    Here’s your chance Kimberly! her thoughts screamed. But she replied:
    “Just that I need to take it easy or I could lose the baby.”
    “Oh.”
    “Yeah.”
    She looked down.
    “So when are you due?” Kent asked.
    Kimberly tried to stall, acting like she couldn’t remember.
    “Oh, um...when did she say...?”
    “What are you going to do, I meant. Sorry.”
    He