This Time by Ingrid Monique Read Free Book Online

after.”
    Kelee looked at him, touched by his kindness. Her stomach rumbled; she knew she couldn’t refuse. “Thank yu’. I’ll pay yu’ back when I meet up with my sister.”
    â€œNow I’m offended.” He frowned. Kelee felt bad. He had been nothing but helpful, but she still didn’t know him.
    â€œSorry, but I don’t know yu’. I just met yu’. Yu’ve been really nice, but . . .”
    â€œDo me a favor, jus’ enjoy the lunch. They have some of the best local dishes here.”
    Kelee relaxed and smiled at him. “Thanks.”
    â€œYu’ welcome.” He gave her that infectious smile again. She picked up her menu.
    Kelee had the fried fish strips and a salad with another glass of the delicious homemade lemonade. Over lunch she learned that Tyce was a businessman. He owned a pharmacy located downtown and a number of variety stores both uptown and downtown. He traveled a lot, especially to Miami to buy special items for his stores. He was born and raised in St. Pala, but he had attended college in Florida. He held a degree in business from Florida University. Kelee in turn told him of her decorating business in New York, which impressed him.
    â€œI’m havin’ a new house built,” he told her. “Maybe yu’ can decorate it for me?”
    Kelee smiled at him. “I’m not in St. Pala that long.”
    â€œI could fly yu’ in,” he said. Kelee looked at him, surprised. “It’s hard to find a decent decorator on the island and I’m not ’bout to leave it up to my sister. The woman has really bad taste. Yu’ should see what she did to my first house.”
    Kelee laughed, enjoying his company. He was very charming and amusing. Sean’s face suddenly flashed before her. She couldn’t wait to see him tonight. There was something so intoxicating about Sean. She wished she knew what it was that drew her to him. Only time with him would give her that answer.
    â€œYu’ OK?” Tyce asked and Kelee looked up at him.
    â€œI should go,” she said, pushing her plate away.
    â€œOK.” Tyce signaled for the waitress. The waitress came with the bill. He pulled out his wallet and paid her in cash.
    â€œThanks again,” Kelee told him.
    â€œMy pleasure.” He smiled. He was so nice, which she appreciated.
    â€œWait here,” he said outside the restaurant. “My car is across the street.”
    She watched him cross the street to the craft market parking lot. Kelee checked her watch; she hoped Lori would be out of her meeting by the time she got there. The sooner they got the theft reported to the cops the better.
    A few minutes later a black BMW X5 jeep pulled up. Nice, she thought as he assisted her into the brand new jeep—from the smell of it. The interior was spotless.
    â€œNice ride,” she said, relaxing into the plush seat, snapping her seat belt in place.
    â€œThanks.”
    He pulled out into traffic. Kelee told him where Lori was and he headed down the street.
    â€œI really appreciate yu’ help,” Kelee told Tyce as he came to a stop outside the building. She gazed at him, unbuckling her seat belt.
    â€œThank yu’ for havin’ lunch with me.” He smiled. “An’ be careful next time.”
    â€œThanks, I will.”
    â€œCan I have yu’ number? I might need yu’ for decorating reasons.” He looked at her in such an honest way Kelee couldn’t tell him no. Plus, he had been a perfect gentleman.
    â€œSure.” Kelee smiled at him. She gave Tyce Lori’s house number and her business number in New York before getting out of the jeep. She watched him drive off.
    Kelee approached the security guard who sat in a small booth at the entrance of the courtyard. The guard was dressed in a khaki uniform. Shades shielded his eyes from the glaring sun. She prayed he’d remember her from dropping Lori