From This Moment (13 page)

It only took Ivy ten minutes to arrive at Violet’s house. She turned off the ignition, but didn’t move. She sat staring out of the driver’s side window for a few moments.

She reached over and lifted her purse from the floor. After pulling her key from the ignition, she got out of the car and walked up to the front door.

Ringing the bell, she waited for Violet to answer.

“That was quick,” Violet said, opening the door.

Violet and Ivy were both the same height. They looked more alike than their other two sisters, with their coffee-colored skin and statuesque frames. The only difference was in their hairstyles: Ivy wore hers pulled back in a chignon most of the time, and Violet sported a short haircut.

“We need to talk,” Ivy said as she walked past Violet and into the house.

“I’m making soup, so come on in the kitchen and we can talk there.”

Violet had just moved into her roomy two-bedroom brick house a year ago. The home had an open floor plan with cathedral ceilings with big windows for a larger appearance.

“Aren’t you going to take off your coat? Or is this so serious that you think I’m going to kick you out after I hear it?” Violet said, walking into the kitchen behind her.

“I’m good,” Ivy said as she pulled her purse from her shoulder and sat it on the floor beside her.

Ivy admired the way Violet had decorated the kitchen. The cranberry-colored walls went perfectly with the custom whitewashed oak wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and tiled center island and floor.

The large wooden cutting board had a giant knife and lots of celery, carrots and onions cut into little pieces laying on it.

Ivy sat on the stool at the island and picked up a carrot. Violet sat on the other side across from her.

“All right, Vee, spit it out. What’s going on with you that’s so serious that you had to rush over to talk?”

Ivy leaned forward and said, “I want to tell you something, but you have to promise me that you won’t tell another living soul.”

Violet split open a piece of celery and glanced up at her sister. “You know I won’t say anything, Vee. What do you think I’m going to do, stand out in the middle of the street and tell it to the neighborhood?” Violet chuckled.

Ivy frowned. “Violet, I’m not joking. This is very serious. We’re talking about my life here.”

Violet laid the knife down on the cutting board, reached across the island and squeezed her sister’s hand gently. “Okay, Vee. I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

“Not even Rose, and especially not big-mouth Lili.”

Violet nodded. “I won’t tell Lili, either.” She went back to chopping up the vegetables. “Man, Vee, you act like you’re going to tell me that you have hit the lottery or that you and Jonathan are getting married. You’ve only gone on a couple of dates,” she joked, chopping up an onion now.

“We’re already married,” Ivy blurted out.

Violet almost sliced her finger instead of the celery.

“You are lying to me,” she said in disbelief.

Ivy merely shook her head from side to side.

Dropping the utensil, Violet rushed around to the other side of the island and grabbed Ivy.

“Tell me you’re playing. You’re kidding, right? Vee, what is the matter with you?” She looked Ivy in the eye.

“Remember, you can’t tell anyone,” Ivy reminded her. She realized that her sister was still in shock by the way she stared at her with her mouth hung open.

Ivy turned away in embarrassment. “Don’t look at me like that. It was a mistake.”

“Mistake? Vee, you’re a rational thinker. You help people get married for a living. You know how this goes. You can’t marry someone by mistake, especially when you have to say I do, I will, or something of the sort.”

“You can if you’re drunk.”

Violet rolled her eyes. “You were
what
? What has gotten into you?” Her voice raised an octave.

“I’m going to get an annulment,” Ivy threw in.

Violet waved her hands. “Wait, wait. I know I’ve got to be missing something, or there is something you aren’t telling me. I think you need to start from the beginning.” She sat on the stool next to her sister.

Ivy heard the pot boiling on the stove. “Don’t you think you should see about your pot?”

Violet ran over to the stove, quickly turning the heat down under the huge stainless steel container. Taking the lid off, she reached for the cutting board, racking all the cut up vegetables into the pot before returning the lid.

She rushed back over to Ivy. “Okay, spill it, sister. I want to understand exactly what happened.” Violet shook her head before saying, “I can’t believe that you married Jonathan.”

“At first I couldn’t believe it, either, but now I could see why I would.”

As she watched the confusion wash over her sister’s face, she realized she needed to fully explain.

“Let me tell you.” Ivy told Violet the whole story, from her chance meeting Jonathan at the airport to her having a few too many drinks, to her waking up married.

Once she’d brought her up to speed, Violet, still in amazement, spoke to her.

“How long do you have before it’s too late to get an annulment?”

“One year.”

“But now you’re saying that you’re having second thoughts about the marriage. Is it because you’ve been sleeping with him?”

Ivy’s mouth flew open and she shook her head vigorously. She was torn between conflicting emotions.

“It’s not that at all. We’ve been spending a lot of time together and I like who I am when I’m with him. He’s so easy to be with, and I laugh. He is the sweetest guy.”

“I understand that. I think he’s sweet, too, but enough to marry him?”

Ivy’s eyes filled with tears. “I love him, Violet.”

Violet’s eyes widened. “You do? Well then, that’s another story. How does Jonathan feel about being married to you?”

“He said he didn’t think us getting married was a bad idea.”

Violet nodded. “Oh. You need to see where the relationship takes you. We all knew he was interested in you, so I think you should give it an honest chance.”

Ivy nodded. “I have until December.”

She gave her sister a warning stare. “Remember Violet, you can’t tell anyone.”

Violet crossed her heart and said, “I promise I won’t breathe a word.”

Ivy got up. “I needed to get that off my chest.”

“Why don’t you stay until the soup gets ready? I can show you some of the dress sketches I’ve been working on.”

“Sure.”

Violet reached over and hugged Ivy. “You’ll make the right decision. Don’t worry, things are going to work out.”

* * *

Several hours later, Ivy went home and prepared to take a hot bubble bath. She sat on the side of the tub, trailing her finger through the thick bubbles that formed from the champagne-and-strawberry-scented bubble bath she had poured under the running water.

She had taken off her clothes and had put on her silk robe over her pink lacy bra and panties. As she waited for the tub to fill, her mind drifted to Jonathan and the conversation she’d had with Violet.

Would she make the right decision about him? Will he let her down like Randall did? She didn’t know, but what she did know was that she loved him and it felt good.

Turning off the water she untied her robe, letting it slip to the floor before removing her panties and bra.

She stepped into the hot water and sank down until the bubbles reached her collarbone. Lying back against her clam-shaped terry-cloth bath pillow, she relaxed.

Jonathan waited until it was closer to ten o’clock before he went over to Hearts and Flowers. He admitted to himself that he couldn’t wait to meet Randall Holloway. He wanted to look the man who broke Ivy’s heart in the face. He wondered what kind of man would ask a woman whom he supposedly loved to get rid of their child . . . his seed. He had to be a cold-hearted man.

He recognized the silver SUV parked in the lot as he pulled into the empty space across from it. Lauren Kabins sat on the passenger side. The man driving the automobile had to be Randall.

Jonathan stared at Randall, watching him and Lauren in conversation. He waited until they got out of their vehicle before exiting his. As soon as she climbed out, Lauren recognized him.

“Jonathan,” she called out.

Jonathan turned around and walked toward her. Holding out his hand to her, he said, “Lauren, how have you been?” Jonathan focused on Lauren, but could see Randall walking up next to her.

“I’m great. I came over for the cake tasting today.” Lauren smiled and asked, “What are you doing over here?”

This time instead of Jonathan looking at Lauren, he turned and glared at Randall before answering, “I came to help out a friend.”

Lauren turned to her right. “Jonathan, I’d like you to meet my fiancé, Randall Holloway.”

Randall extended his hand to Jonathan. “Nice to meet you.”

Jonathan stared at his hand for a moment and then extended his. “Yeah, nice to meet you, too,” he said coolly.

Randall gave Jonathan a puzzled stare before taking Lauren by the arm and walking away.

* * *

Ivy sat at her desk waiting for Lauren and Randall to show up for their ten o’clock appointment. She reflected on the thoughtful gesture Jonathan made that morning, when he called to remind her that he would be there. Even though she didn’t worry about Randall causing a commotion, she appreciated Jonathan’s support.

The intercom buzzed. “Yes, Gwen.”

“Lauren Kabins and her fiancé are here.”

“I’ll be right down.”

Ivy walked swiftly out of her office and down the hall to the reception area.

Once she got closer, she saw Gwen taking their coats and Jonathan standing off to the side, his eyes on Randall. He had made it just as he promised. She went to him, and before she could say anything he kissed her. “Hey, baby.”

Ivy grabbed his hand and whispered, “Thank you.”

She started walking away, and he finally released her hand.

“Good morning, you two.” Ivy glanced at Randall and saw the unreadable look that marred his face. She decided to ignore it. She stopped in front of Lauren first. “Good morning. How are you?”

Lauren and Ivy hugged each other.

Stepping out of her embrace, Ivy asked, “Are you ready to eat some cake?”

“Violet called me this morning to tell me that my dress has been shipped. I guess I’ll have it in a couple of days.”

“Everything is coming right along. I don’t see anything that would stop us from getting you married on time.”

The two women walked down the hall together, leaving Randall behind them, Jonathan trailing after him.

Walking into the foyer of Lili’s office suite, there was a comfortable couch and a mahogany cocktail table laden with books and magazines about cakes. They walked through another doorway into the cake display room.

Lauren pointed at a towering confection of chocolate that was on display. “Wow, that is simply gorgeous,” she said to Randall, who didn’t express his opinion. He kept looking behind him and seeing Jonathan there.

“These are what we call dummy cakes. We decorate them and put them on display for brides to view,” Ivy said as they waited for Lili, who was on the telephone.

As she entered the room, Lili greeted everyone. “Good morning.”

Everybody responded to Lili’s greeting except Randall. Ivy watched him glance at his watch for the third time since they’d been in the room.

“Randall, do you have another appointment?”

Randall glared at her. “No, why?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. You keep looking at the time.”

Lili stepped up. “Well, we aren’t going to keep you. If you follow me this way, I have the cakes already set up for you to taste. We can finalize the cake order and you can be on your way.”

Everyone went into an area that had been set up with all the amenities of a commercial kitchen: an oven, prep tables, supply racks and a marble-top table that seated six.

Lili set the table with four small dessert plates, forks, and napkins. In the middle of the table sat two platters, each having four different slices of cake.

“Have a seat and we can get started,” she offered.

Lauren and Randall sat down next to Lili, Ivy sat on the other side and Jonathan hung in the shadows.

“Couples today are experimenting with different flavors and shapes so that they will have a unique cake to present to their guests at the wedding reception.” She looked at Lauren. “I think you’ve chosen a wonderful design. Today we are going to choose the flavor and fillings for those cakes. The flavor is an integral part as it gives the taste and color to the cake. We offer twenty-seven different flavors, but based on the information you gave to Ivy, I chose four.”

She pointed. “This is the white butter cake made with fresh sweet butter. You can combine this cake with the vanilla, grand marnier, fresh citrus, or white or dark chocolate flavors. I chose the white chocolate for today.”

Lauren picked up her fork and broke off a piece. “Hmm, this is good.” She broke off another piece and put it in front of Randall. He bent and opened his mouth to taste.

“Do you like it?” Lauren asked.

Randall hunched his shoulders. “It’s okay. You pick. I don’t have to taste any more.”

Ivy could see by the expression on Lauren’s face that Randall had hurt her feelings.

Ivy reached across the table and grabbed Lauren’s hand. “With so many choices, it can be a bit overwhelming, but concentrate on what you like,” she said, trying to comfort the young woman.

Lili tried as well. She picked up the platter again and said, “Try this one. It’s one of my favorites.”

Lauren cut a small piece of the rich-looking chocolate cake.

“Good?” Lili asked.

Lauren closed her eyes, savoring the flavor. “I love this one. What do you call it?”

“This is made with extra dark cocoa and a hint of spice. You can combine this with flavored Swiss meringue butter cream filled with vanilla, chocolate, and mocha. This one is espresso mocha.”

Ivy suspected something was going on with Randall. When he should have been paying attention to Lauren, he was watching Jonathan.

And from the time she’d come to greet them at the reception desk, Jonathan’s eyes had been on Randall.

Ivy wondered if something happened between them. But she was sure Randall and Jonathan didn’t know each other. Jonathan only knew what she’d told him about Randall.

Randall pulled out his cell phone. He got up from the table and bent down to give Lauren a kiss on the lips. “Babe, I need to take this phone call, and I have a couple of questions for Ivy.”

Ivy blinked. She had no idea what he was talking about. She watched him walk toward the door.

“Ivy, can I talk to you for a minute?”

When Ivy got up and walked over to him, Jonathan, who had been standing near the door, turned and followed her.

Randall stopped when they entered the hallway. He looked Jonathan in the eye. “I’d like to speak to Ms. Hart alone, if you don’t mind.”

Jonathan took a step forward, but Ivy pulled the tail of his suit jacket.

“If you have a question about cake costs, Randall, you should have asked Lili.”

“Let’s just go to the office and I can explain.”

Ivy walked to her office with Randall, leaving Jonathan in the hall.

* * *

As soon as they entered the office, Randall started raising his voice. “Who is this Jonathan guy?”

Ivy sat in the chair behind her desk. “I don’t understand the question.”

“Jonathan, the cat that kissed you and who has been sticking around all morning.”

“A friend.”

“How long have you known him?”

“Why, Randall?”

“How does he know Lauren, and why is he following us like he’s security?”

“Your wedding is taking place at his banquet hall. And I don’t think he’s following you, he’s here for me.”

“Yeah, right,” Randall snapped.

“If you had questions about Jonathan, then you should have asked him. We were all in the same room.” Leaning forward, Ivy asked, “Why the inquisition?”

Randall’s eyes narrowed. He leaned over her desk as close as he could without leaving his chair. “You told him about what happened between us, didn’t you?”

Randall jumped up from his seat. Fire danced in his eyes as he quickly ran around to the other side of the desk. Leaning closer to Ivy, he said through gritted teeth. “I knew that’s why that SOB looked at me funny.”

Ivy pushed her chair back, making him move out of the way. “What I tell my friends is none of your business.”

He slammed his fist against her desk. “It is if it’s going to ruin my marriage. You had no right. I know you told him, Ivy. Can you trust him? I don’t want him whispering lies to Lauren.”

“What do you mean, lies? I didn’t tell him any lies.”

Randall blew out an aggravated breath, and then pointed to Ivy. “You’re trying to get back at me. Payback is a mutha.” Randall eyed her intensely. “I’m not going to let you ruin my life.”

“Back up, bruh.” Jonathan rushed over, pulling Randall away from Ivy’s desk.

Randall pushed him back and was straightening out his suit when Lauren ran in.

“What are you doing, Randall?” she cried out.

Randall rushed over to her. “Nothing, baby, Ms. Hart and I were having a conversation.”

“If it was nothing, then why were you pushing Jonathan?”

Randall was silent.

“I hope you’re not going to act this way every time a man speaks to me or pays me a compliment. I don’t think I could handle a jealous husband.”

Randall glared at Jonathan. “I’m not jealous of this man.”

Ivy pulled Jonathan back when he stepped forward.

“It’s not worth it,” she whispered.

Lauren walked over and stood next to Ivy’s desk. “Ivy, can you tell me what’s going on?”

Ivy reached out and touched Lauren’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but you need to talk to Randall about that.”

Lauren turned to him. “Randall?”

Randall rushed over to her and said, “Baby, let me explain.”

Lauren moved to the side out of his way. “Explain,” she said calmly at first, then she screamed, “Explain.”

Ivy grabbed Jonathan’s hand and they started to walk from the room. “We’re going to give you two some time alone.”

Lauren held up her hand. “No, I don’t think so. I think you’re involved in this somehow. What really happened between you and Randall?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You know exactly what I mean,” Lauren shouted, glancing between Ivy and Randall.

Jonathan walked over to Lauren. “I understand that you’re upset, because you don’t know what’s going on. But, Lauren, I agree with Ivy. This is between you and Randall.” He gave Randall an unpleasant gaze. “If anyone should tell you anything, it should be him.”

Jonathan reached for Ivy’s hand and started walking away, but stopped in front of Randall. “Handle your business, man.” Then he said to Lauren, “We’ll let you two have your privacy.”

Bringing Ivy’s hand to his lips, he kissed it and they walked out of the office, leaving the couple alone.

* * *

Jonathan and Ivy walked upstairs to the conference room. Once inside, Jonathan removed a chair from under the table and sat down first and then pulled Ivy down onto his lap.

“Are you okay?” Jonathan asked her, rubbing her shoulders.

Ivy pressed her forehead against his. “I’m fine. Thank you for being here today.”

Jonathan kissed her softly on the lips. “If he’d gotten any closer, I would have popped him upside his head.”

Ivy played with the knot in his tie. “I’m glad it didn’t come to that. I just think Randall is scared for whatever reason.”

“What do you think is going to happen between those two?”

Ivy shook her head. “I don’t know, but I’m not going to worry about it. Let Randall slay his own giant.”