Eternally Yours - Brenda Jackson [89]
Syneda was operating on pure amazement as she took a much-needed deep breath. “You picked up on it just by seeing us dance together? But we’ve danced together a lot of other times.”
Marilyn Madaris’s eyes lifted. A smile touched her lips. “But never like that. It was somehow different the way he was holding you, the way you were holding him, the way the two of you kept looking at each other. It was like the two of you were the only two people at that party.”
She laughed. “I may be getting old but these eyes of mine don’t miss too much, especially when it concerns my children.” She smiled again. “However, I don’t understand why you and Clayton wanted to keep it a secret.”
A lump formed in Syneda’s throat and she moved her shoulders under Mrs. Madaris’s concentrated gaze. “I asked him to. I didn’t want the family to know that we had been seeing each other.”
“Why?”
Syneda took a deep breath. She silently admitted she was relieved to bring everything out in the open. “I was concerned about what you and the rest of the family would think of me getting involved with him.”
“We would think what we’ve always known—you’re a levelheaded young lady and a special person. Clayton’s falling in love with you makes you that much more special. For so long, his father and I were concerned that he would never find someone special to settle down with. I see that he has, and I’m glad it’s you.”
Syneda stared at the older woman. “We’re having problems.”
“Somehow I picked up on that, but I’m sure the two of you will work things out.”
“And you don’t mind that Clayton and I are having an affair?”
“An affair?” Marilyn Madaris’s face broke into a wide grin. “Since Clayton is his father’s son, I have every reason to believe something permanent is forthcoming. That’s another thing about Madaris men,” she continued, “once they find the woman they love, they need commitment. They believe when people just live together, it’s too easy to walk away and call it quits. Forever to them means just that. Forever.”
She eyed the young woman standing before her. “What I don’t understand is why Clayton is upset?”
Syneda blushed although the thought of confiding in Mrs.
Madaris didn’t bother her. She had long ago learned that the woman was very understanding. As they strolled back toward the house, Syneda told her everything, including the fact that Clayton was upset with her because she was staying with them instead of at his apartment.
Marilyn Madaris said very little as she listened to Syneda tell her about her mother’s death, and about the father who had rejected her and the resulting childhood insecurities that had followed her through adulthood, and how she had let it come between her and Clayton.
Talking about it with the older woman made Syneda realize what Clayton had said all along was true. You can’t let the past dictate the future. Before long the two women were back at the Madaris family home.
Before entering the door Syneda turned to the older woman. “Thanks, Mrs. Madaris, for listening.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I enjoyed our talk, and I know you’re just the woman for my son. I’ve known that since the first time I saw you and Clayton together and you were giving him hell about something the two of you had disagreed on.”
An approving smile touched her lips. “I think Clayton is a very lucky man.”
Syneda’s entire face spread into a smile with her comment. “I think so, too, but only because he has you for a mother.”
The two women embraced before entering the kitchen where they found Dex sitting at the table reading the paper.
“Where is everyone?” his mother asked. The house was unusually quiet.
“Caitlin is upstairs taking a nap, and Jordan talked her uncle Justin and her grampa into pizza. They thought it would be nice if they took everyone out for pizza instead of having it delivered here. I think they were trying to give you a break from all the noise.”
Marilyn Madaris laughed.