You're All I Need by Karen White-Owens Page A

while Nia settled the bill. A chill iced Tia’s skin. She wrapped her arms around her middle and turned away, heading out of the restaurant and through the Renaissance Center to her office. Nia raced along beside her. Deep in thought, Tia barely heard her twin’s insistent chatter.
    â€œDo you need me to be at your place when you talk to Darnell?” Nia asked as they strolled through the GM Wintergarden.
    Tia shook her head.
    Normally the glass, chrome, and greenery that lined this portion of the Renaissance Center provided a sense of beauty and peace for Tia. Today, nothing soothed the feelings of betrayal and embarrassment Darnell had sparked.
    She pressed her lips together and concentrated on moving up a series of escalators to the tower elevators. She smiled at the security person guarding the entrance to the executive wing of Gautier International Motors. Tia flashed her badge before turning to her twin. “Thanks for lunch. I’ll talk to you later.”
    â€œWhat? No. We’re not finished.” Nia turned to the guard and picked up the pen from the clipboard. “I’m coming upstairs with you.” With an exaggerated wave of her hand and a flirtatious wink at the guard, Nia signed her name across several lines. If the situation hadn’t been so grave, Tia would have laughed. Her twin was such a diva. Nia loved every moment of it.
    â€œDon’t you have a home to go to?” Tia asked wearily.
    â€œOf course. But right now I need to help my sister.” Nia strolled toward the tower elevator.
    â€œSuit yourself. Remember, I’m at work and I have things to do. I can’t entertain you for the rest of the afternoon.”
    â€œI don’t need you to amuse me.”
    Tired and wanting a little peace, Tia turned to her sister. “Then why are you coming back to my office?”
    Waving a hand in the air, Nia answered, “To talk with you. To make sure you settle things with Darnell.”
    A sudden and almost urgent thought made Tia halt in her steps. Her head began to throb with the stab of a coming migraine. Did Junior know? Was that why Junior disliked Darnell so much? Had her oldest brother seen Darnell in a compromising position? Was he aware of something that he wanted to protect her from? If Junior knew, had he confided in their parents? Tia shut her eyes against the humiliation of having her family so involved with the most intimate parts of her life.
    â€œDid you tell anybody about Darnell, Nia?”
    â€œNo. I came directly to you.”
    A sigh of relief escaped her lips. Thank goodness. The last thing she needed or wanted was a call from her mother, digging for details.
    On the elevator, Nia’s watchful gaze was constantly on Tia. Nia bit her bottom lip. Tia could tell that she wanted to say more, push a little further, but didn’t know how her twin would react.
    The pair made their way across the carpeted floor to Tia’s workstation. Once they arrived, Tia sank into her chair after dropping her purse into the bottom drawer of her desk.
    Nia rounded the desk, perched on the edge of the Formica surface, and folded her arms across her chest. “If you need me, call.”
    Shaking her head, Tia rubbed a weary hand across her throbbing forehead. “Thanks for the support. I’m okay.”
    â€œYou can’t let this situation go on any longer.”
    â€œI don’t plan to.”
    â€œSo you’re going to kick him to the curb?” Nia asked with a happy gleam in her eyes.
    â€œAfter I talk to him.”
    â€œFor what? So that he can lie and sweet-talk his way back into your good graces?”
    â€œOkay. I’ve had it. That’s enough.”
    â€œNo. It’s not. I won’t let you throw your life away on that lying sack of crap. He doesn’t deserve you.”
    Nia gently caressed her sister’s arm. “I know you are tired, hon, but we’ve got to work this situation