Secret Liaisons (22 page)
Chapter Sixty-Two
Mona heard of the Studio at Montage Laguna Beach but this would be her first time going there for dinner. She didn't even mind the hour drive to get there. It would give her time to clear her head. If she could find an inexpensive hotel, she was considering spending the night along the beach.
Although she had no romantic desires for Falcon, she still wanted to look her best. She penned her hair in a bun and wore an emerald necklace and matching earrings. She slipped on a black fitted knee length dress. The see-through Cinderella style pumps rounded out her outfit.
Her cell phone beeped. It was Charlotte. “Sean and I wanted to do something special for you. We're sending a car to get you and drive you where ever you want to go.”
She responded to Charlotte's text. “Thanks. Perfect timing. I was about to head out now.”
Charlotte responded, “Look out your window. The car should be waiting on you.”
Mona went to her window and saw a long stretch black limousine in front of the neighbor's yard. She could see a few neighbors standing in their doorway gawking.
Mona didn't want to have an audience when leaving but if she was going to make it on time for her date, she needed to leave now.
She grabbed her purse, locked the door and headed down the stairs. Mona felt like a superstar as the neighbors stared.
“Ms. Johnson?” the limousine driver asked.
“Yes.”
He held the door open for her and she entered.
“Where to?” he asked before closing the door.
“Studio in Laguna Beach.”
“I know exactly where it is,” he responded, right before closing the door.
Mona looked out the window and saw her neighbors watch them drive away. She was glad Charlotte and Sean got the car for her. Instead of having to deal with traffic, it gave Mona time to think.
The two times she'd fallen in love ended in disaster. The irony of it all, both men's mothers didn't like her. Thoughts of Terrance filled her mind. She smiled at remembering the fun they shared. Her smile changed into a frown. She was still beating herself up about not telling Terrance what happened with Garrett. Maybe if she had, things would be different.
Despite what she'd done, she still couldn't believe Terrance decided to move on without telling her. When was he going to talk to her? When he and the new woman were on their honeymoon?
Mona tried to think back to where she'd gone wrong. Didn't Terrance know he was her everything and now without him she felt empty. She wanted to reach out to him. If Charlotte hadn't answered her phone yesterday, she probably would have talked to him.
She needed to know why. Was it because he thought she was seeing Garrett? Terrance had to know by now Garrett meant nothing to her.
The limousine driver opened the window. “We're about five minutes away.”
“Thanks.” Mona used a napkin from the bar and wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks. She removed the compact mirror from her clutch and reapplied some of her makeup.
She'd just put on another layer of lipstick when the limousine pulled in front of the five star resort hotel and restaurant located on the beachfront.
Mona reached inside her purse to tip the driver. He refused to take it. “My tip's already taken care of.” He handed Mona a card. “When you're ready to go, just give me a call. I'll be around here somewhere.”
Mona slipped the card into her clutch and went inside of the restaurant. Everything was trimmed in gold. The place was packed and if you didn't have a previous reservation, more than likely you wouldn't be getting a seat.
“I'm a guest of Falcon,” Mona told the maitre'd.
“Of course. You must be Raven. He told me to expect you.”
Mona followed the maitre'd through the restaurant. He opened the door. “Your host is already here. He will be in shortly. In the meantime, enjoy some h'orderves and the live music.”
Mona entered the room which looked like a replica of a dining room with a fire place. The table was set for two with fine china and in the center of the table was a glass of champagne sitting in a silver container of ice. The curtains were opened revealing a stunning Southern California ocean view. Mona stared out of the window.
“It's breathtaking isn't it? Just like you,” a voice said behind her.
Mona turned around and came face-to-face with the last person she'd expected to see. “Terrance, what are you doing here?”
“I thought you would have figured it out by now. I'm Falcon.”
“No, you can't be⦔ Mona's voice trailed off. The more she thought back to her online conversations with Falcon, the more she recognized some similarities.
“I am Falcon and I've been a fool. I hope you can forgive me,” Terrance walked over to her and got down on one knee. “Mona, please forgive me.”
“Terrance, I don't know. So many things have happened.” Her hand flew over her mouth. “Oh my goodness. I told Falcon about Garrett. I can't believe I was foolish enough to tell a stranger all of my business. I said things I should have been telling you instead. Can you forgive me?”
Terrance stood. He held Mona's hand. “Of course. Baby, all of this has been one big misunderstanding. I thought you chose Garrett.”
“You should have come to me. I would have told you everything you needed to know.” Mona's hand shook.
“Imagine seeing you hugged up with Garrett. Looking like a loving couple on their way to a hotel room to end their night on a high note.”
Mona chuckled. “Only a producer would paint a scene like that.”
Terrance held Mona's hand and kissed her open palm. “I've been a fool. The only way I knew to get you to come was to use Falcon.”
“What about the woman your mom was trying to introduce you to? If that was nothing, why didn't you come after me?” Mona looked at him without blinking.
“At that point, I felt like I'd already lost you. My stupid pride held me back.”
Sean Maxwell's voice could be hard. Mona turned and saw Sean standing in front of the band singing one of his love ballads. “Will you take my hand...make me a better man...and go with me?”
Terrance led Mona out on the terrace. “Look over there.” Terrance pointed.
Mona saw a huge banner in the sky with the words, “Mona, will you marry me?” written on it.
She looked at Terrance speechless.
Terrance kneeled. He removed a box from his pocket and held it near Mona. “Mona, I don't want to go another day without you knowing how much I love you. Will you do me the honor and the privilege of being my wife?”
Mona couldn't believe it. She loved Terrance but one thing held her back from saying yes.
Terrance could feel his heart falling. Mona hadn't responded. Sean continued to sing love ballads in the background.
Terrance stood. He saw tears fall from Mona's eyes. He wiped her face with his available hand.
“Your mother doesn't like me. I know how much you love your mother and I don't want to be the cause of a rift between you two. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.” Mona looked away.
“My mom's given me her blessing,” Terrance interrupted.
“She did what?” Mona sounded shocked.
“She knows I'm here proposing to you. She's not going to stand in our way. She knows you're the woman I want to be with.”
Mona took the ring box from Terrance and held it open. “Are you going to put this ring on my finger or not?”
“So is it a yes?” Terrance wanted to make sure. He didn't want there to be any more misunderstandings between them.
“Yes, Terrance. Yes, I will marry you.”
Terrance slipped the ring on Mona's finger. “I love you, Mona. Don't ever doubt it.”
Mona stared into Terrance's eyes. “I love you. Don't
you
ever forget it.”
Terrance wrapped his arm around Mona's waist and devoured her lips. They got lost in each other, not caring that they had an audience.
Cheers were heard from behind them.
They turned to see Sean and Charlotte in the doorway. Mona looked at Terrance and laughed.
Charlotte and Sean walked out on the terrace. Mona held out the ring so Charlotte could admire the six-character emerald cut diamond ring.
“You're my best friend and you know I don't like surprises.” Mona playfully hit Charlotte on the arm.
“I knew you would like this one.” Charlotte winked her eye.
Sean stood next to Charlotte. “We're going to leave you two alone.”
“Thanks Sean for making this a memorable night,” Mona said.
“You're my girl.” Sean hugged her.
Charlotte and Sean left. Mona looked into Terrance's loving eyes. “What a year this has been,” she noted.
Terrance wrapped his around her waist. “The year I discovered the meaning of true love.”
“Terrance, I plan on spending the rest of my life showing how much I love and adore you,” Mona stated.
“I will always love and adore you too, my sunshine.” Terrance kissed Mona's lips and eased his tongue inside of her mouth as the moon shined brightly over the ocean.
About the Author
Shelia M. Goss is a screenwriter and the
Essence
magazine and
Dallas Morning News
bestselling author of over eighteen novels, including
Secret Relations
,
The Bad Twin
,
Star Struck
,
V.I.P.
,
Her Invisible Husband
,
The Commitment Plan
,
The Joneses, etc
. Shelia has received many accolades for her books over the years, including being a 2012 and 2014 Emma Awards Finalist for two of her romance novels. The
Library Journal
named
The Joneses
as one of the best books of 2014. A speaker at literary conferences across the country, Shelia also works closely with librarians supporting literacy and increasing awareness via workshops for adults and teens.
You can learn more about Shelia at:
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/shelia.goss
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/sheliamgoss
Look for these titles by Shelia M. Goss
Now Available:
Secret Relations
Coming Soon:
Secrets Uncovered
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B
Cincinnati OH 45249
Secret Liaisons
Copyright © 2015 by Shelia M. Goss
ISBN: 978-1-61922-738-5
Edited by Latoya Smith
Cover by Angela Waters
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
electronic publication: March 2015
