The One That Got Away by C. Kelly Robinson Page A

Larry a resumé, please. He’s choosing finalists to interview within the next couple of weeks. I think he needs to consider you.”
    Serena’s nose wrinkled as she said, “From what I hear, you all couldn’t afford me.”
    â€œDon’t be so sure. Larry got me cheap, but that was mainly out of spite, since I passed on his first offer a few months back. If he’s convinced you’re the best candidate, he’ll make it worth your while. Let me give you the address to mail the resumé to—”
    â€œDon’t bother,” Serena said, exhaling forcefully, eager to make her escape. “I’m not interested. Enjoy Cincinnati, okay?”
    Taking a seat in his slick leather executive chair, Tony tapped his right foot anxiously. It wasn’t like he’d expected a different reaction, but damn . “Fine,” he said. “If you’re a spiritual person, Serena, all I can do is ask you to pray on it. I’d hate to see you pass up an opportunity that could land you in the executive suite of a powerful black-owned company, all to spite me.” He paused, considered retracting the last four words. “But, whatever.”
    On her end of the phone, Serena’s temples pulsed with rage, a rage she let fly free and far. “I’m going to tell you this one time,” she said. “Don’t ever call me at work again—as a matter of fact, you don’t need to ever call me anywhere . Did I call you the night of Kym’s wedding, Tony? Yes. Why? Because in a lot of ways, my life is jacked up. Happy?”
    Caught off guard, Tony simply held the phone.
    His silence did nothing to cool the embers of her anger. “You couldn’t even begin to live up to what the man in my life would have to handle. My daughters are at each other’s throats, Dawn may be as screwy in the head as I was when we were together, and regardless of what I think of him, you better believe Jamie wouldn’t give me up without a fight.”
    â€œWait a minute,” Tony said, on his feet now. “Back off for a second, will you? We all have problems, Serena. You think my life’s some cakewalk?” When she didn’t answer, he plunged ahead.“If what we had was real, none of the things you mentioned would stop me from standing by your side. You know that.”
    â€œOh, sure,” she replied. She’d promised herself not to go there, but she was off the rails now. “Just like you stood by me back in the day, huh?”
    Tony shut his eyes. “We should discuss this in person. Where can we—”
    â€œI’m not meeting you anywhere, don’t care to talk to you again once we hang up. Answer my question, Tony.”
    â€œI saw the both of you with my own eyes, Serena. Heard you, saw you, damn near smelled you.”
    Just referencing that afternoon made Tony shrink where he stood. Sixteen months into their roller coaster of a relationship, they’d been in a vague period. Together for three weeks, apart for two, together for one, apart for four. In the midst of all that, his stepmother, Stephanie, had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
    She had never been perfect, but since the age of four she’d been the only mother Tony ever knew. For nearly a month he lost touch with Serena, spending more time at the hospital with Stephanie than his own father had. Of course, it was no coincidence he saw less of Serena during that time. Stephanie had played a small role in that.
    â€œDon’t wind up like your father.” Looking weary and worn, his stepmom croaked the words out hours before her most critical surgery. “You’re such a fine young man,” she said, fingering his chin, “but you’re repeating Wayne’s mistakes when it comes to women, honey. In case I don’t make it through this, do something for me, will you? Leave the bimbos alone. Date one girl at a time; focus on girls with promise.