Bring The Rain

Chapter 24

Ara's POV

"You know what you need to do! You need to get back out there and find yourself a new man"! Tara handed me a glass of sweet tea that she'd made and continued giving me advice on how best to get over the day's events. We left Zahir and Alauna in the living room watching cartoons and eating cheese puffs so that we could have our conversation away from their young ears.
I was still upset with Javier for everything and extremely mad with that judge for his ruling. I deserved that protective order and Mike worked so hard to make it happen but the judge himself was probably some creepy perv who sided with bad men like my ex.
"Tara, I don't know if I'm ready for that right now. I mean, the moment I got away from Javier I definitely considered being with someone else but I think that was just my initial thoughts of revenge and enjoying my new freedom". I had to admit that I had thoughts of being with other men, especially Mike, but I was still unsure of myself. Not to mention that having an affair with a married man who was also my boss would be wildly inappropriate.
"After what Javier put me through I'm not sure if I can ever trust another man or openly give myself away to someone else".
"Oh honey don't ever say that! Don't give that man that much power over you! He has already taken your freedom for the last two years and he clearly still has a hold on you. You deserve the world! You deserve freedom and happiness! You also deserve some great sex".
"Tara"! I screeched, making her giggle loudly. "Will you behave! Sex is the last thing on my mind right now". Tara sat beside me at the kitchen table after making her own glass of tea. "I'm just saying, I see the way that Mike looks at you and you can deny it all you want to but I know the feelings' mutual. You want each other and you're both grown! There's no harm in having a little fun". She giggled again clearly enjoying making me feel uncomfortable. "Tara, he's my boss, and he has a wife! I can't sleep with Mike". She rolled her eyes and took a sip from her straw. "Ara, you deserve to live your life. You and I both know that Mike won't be with Heather for much longer. He's only legally with her now, there is nothing between them. But I can see that there's something going on between you two so tell it"!
I sighed heavily and stared into my glass, I wasn't sure where to begin, I didn't even know if I could put my feelings into words. "We've kissed". Tara gasped dramatically and grabbed her chest like an old school actress, I could only roll my eyes at her and she giggled again. "Ok tell me more"! She encouraged me to continue. "Well the first time was a few day ago. I think we both just got a little caught up in the moment but Zahir started screaming and we stopped. And then today after the court hearing I was upset and Mike was just trying to calm me down. I really don't think he meant anything by it either time".
Tara sat her glass down and stared at me "what makes you say that" she questioned. "Sometimes I feel like Mike has the same feelings for me and then I feel like he's pushing me away, like he doesn't want to be with me. I'm just not sure where our relationship stands".
Tara pulled me into a motherly embrace, something I didn't realize I needed until now. "Honey, let me tell you this, there is no doubt in my mind that Mike wants you; and I'm not saying that it is a physical want either. Mike sees how amazing you are and how much Zahir loves you and I think you've truly grown on him. Just like you're afraid to open up to him he's afraid of causing you any more hurt. He only wants what's best for you and right now he's just not sure if it's morally right for him to pursue a relationship with you".
"But Tara, how do you know that? How can I be sure I'm making the right decision if I tell him how I feel? Mike has helped me so much I don't want to ruin what we have right now".
Tara just held Ara in her arms knowing that the young girl was experiencing an assortment of emotions. She couldn't bring herself to admit to Ara that everything she said was true because of the pillow talk she and her husband shared. Mike would often confide in Anthony about his marital woes and now that this new beautiful young woman had waltzed into his life Mike couldn't help but pour his thoughts and emotions out to his friend. Anthony of course told his wife everything and Tara being the nosy person she was just couldn't sit by and let these two act like they weren't a perfect match.
"I can't promise that everything will work out exactly like a fairytale but I know when I'm right and I'm definitely right about this. There is something between the two of you and one of you has got to be the grown up here and admit it". Ara smiled and finally said "he's the old one shouldn't he be the grown up".
"Hey! You do know Mike isn't much older than I am"! Ara replied "Oh I know! Not my fault you're both kinda old". The two women fell into a fit of giggles and passed the rest of the time laughing and enjoying each other's company.