Ignite Me (A Burning Desire Novel) (22 page)

She brushed me off with a warm smile, it was something
unusual to get from her, “That is not the reason, but Landon will explain
shortly.”

“Explain what?” I bit out, “How he is enjoying his perfect
life with his perfect model? No thank you, I’ll pass.”

She laughed, bursting at the seams, “That is exactly what
I wanted to hear.”

“What? My misery?”

She nodded, suppressing a grin, “And your jealousy.”

“Fuck you Eve.” I snarled.

She didn’t crack a smile that time around, but got rid of
her glare and pulled me down to sit in front of her.

“Just hear me out, will you?” I could hear the plea and I
didn’t see a reason to turn
her
down,
so I inhaled and nodded.

“I’m not going to discuss the whole story with you, since
we’re not in Junior high and I’m not the kind of best friend you send to talk
to the boy you like, or the girl, for that matter.” She offered a little shrug,
“But you need to speak to him, he’ll explain.”

I straightened my back, “Explain what? How he hurt me? How
the second I walked out he was back with her?”

She gathered my hands in hers and squeezed them, “You hurt
him too Clea. He told me what you said when you found out about…” She fell
silent, “Well, his secret.” She finished.

“But I came back to apologize. I mean put yourself in my
shoes, that wasn’t something I expected, and to find out the way I did, it
destroyed me Eve.”

She looked at me with nothing less than complete
compassion, “I know, and I understand. But there’s a reason for all that, it’s
not my place to tell you about it, and it’s not even the issue at hand.”

I frowned, “Oh yeah? What’s the issue then?”

“The cause and the consequences.” She stated firmly,
“Which is why you need to talk to him.”

“I don’t understand.” I said, “What does he want to talk
about?”

“What happened, the reason it happened, and what to do
next.”

I huffed, frustration creeping all over me, “For god sake
Eve, stop talking in riddles and just tell me.”

She shook her head, “It’s not my place to do so Clea, I’m
here as a mediator, asking you to agree on meeting Landon tomorrow for lunch.”

“I can’t tomorrow.” I said decisively, “I’m driving my
mother to the airport, and then I promised to babysit while the others go do
their shopping for Christmas.”

“I’ll do it, with Simon.”

Unable to conceal my laugh, I burst into giggles at the
thought of Eve babysitting my two little devils.

“Hey!” She poked me and brought her hand up between us.

My mouth fell open as she flashed me with one big shiny
rock, “Oh my god, he proposed?”

She shook her head, “I did, and we eloped to Spain last
week.”

“Oh my god, you’re married?”

I couldn’t believe it, and gathered her in a hug,
“Congratulations Eve, I’m so happy for you.”

She pursed her lips, she was content, and her eyes
gleamed, “I probably should thank you, but I won’t.”

“What aren’t you going to thank me for?” I ask briskly.

“The talk you had with Simon, on your birthday.”

I frowned, “But it’s been three months, you’ve been
together for one.”

“Wrong.” She clarified, “We’ve been together for three
years.”

She inhaled, glancing at him. He was standing with Jude,
Ryan, and Jenna.

“I only confronted my feeling about him when he came to
see me at the hotel after we left the precinct on your birthday.”

She laughed tenderly, “And when jealousy stabbed me at the
lake house, I knew it’s always been him.”

Unable to hide my happiness, I grinned, “Well, then
there’s no need to thank me.”

“I wasn’t planning to.” She snarled.

“Plus, I did it for him. You were a bitch back then.” I
taunted her.

“Hey, I’d like to think that I’m still a bitch.”

I laughed, “You won’t hear me say otherwise.”

She studied me for a long time before she asked, “Will you
do it? Will you talk to him?”

“Why didn’t he come sooner?”

“He couldn’t”

“Why the hell not?” I countered, “Is it because they are
back together?”

I didn’t want her to answer me.

“Stop being such a twat and say yes.”

“No, I can’t. I can’t even get back inside and see him.”

“No worries there, he already left.” She announced and I
felt the instant stab in my chest.

Smirking at me, she stood in front of me and pulled me up,
“Well don’t look so damn disappointed, he wasn’t here to cause any discomfort,
he just wanted to congratulate your mother and Jenna’s father.”

I nodded y understanding and followed her inside.

She turned midway, “It’s settled then, tomorrow, lunch,
Simon, and I will babysit, and Calvin will drive you.”

“I didn’t agree on anything.”

“Yes you did.” Jude announced, making my mouth fall to the
floor.

Evelyn walked to join Simon and Alec at their table. I
didn’t see him come, nor did I see Landon leave.

I aimed my attention at Jude,

“What is going on? What did Simon tell you?”

Jude beamed at me; the change in his mood was apparent,
and surprising.

“I can’t tell you, it’s really not my place.”

Frustrated, I huffed and walked away. He gripped my arm
and put a halt to my roaring anger.

“You have to talk to him, trust me, it’s worth it.”

Seeing the expression of approval, I grew curious and
resigned myself to accept, “Okay, I’ll meet him, but it’s a serious breach of
our protocol, I’ll go ask Jenna, I saw Simon talking to her earlier.”

He laughed, “That was to announce that he got married to
Ice-Queen, and Simon didn’t say shit to me, Landon did.”

I swallowed, “He did?”

He nodded, “Which is why I’m asking me to trust me.” He pursed
his lips, “Better yet. Trust him.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, although his
reassuring wink made me feel settled. Jude wasn’t an easy person to cheat or
manipulate.
God knows
Ryan had been trying for the past four years.

“Now, Miss Dane Seiter Cervi, will you dance with your
Juju?” He bowed with a wide smile.

He looked incredibly handsome and distinguished in his
Tuxedo. All white-teethed, sparkling smart gaze, and freshly cut hair.

I smiled, “What’s with all those surnames?”

“That snarky bitch got to me, I’m dying with jealousy.” He
admitted shaking his head in disbelief, “I decided to give you my last name and
remedy to my misery.”

“Well then, let’s go dance Mr. Cervi Dane Seiter.”

Jude lifted me in a twirl and settled me on the dance
floor. The band were playing a familiar air, and it turned out to be an
exquisite version of
‘This Love’ by ‘Maroon 5’
.

We danced throughout the whole night, celebrating love,
family, and eternal friendships. I had an emotional conversation with Keith,
and then with Nana. When we realized that the newlyweds escaped the party at
their discretion, it turned into a small party, and we celebrated Simon and
Eve.

I found myself thinking about Landon and wishing he were
with us instead of wherever he was. I hoped that my deepest fears didn’t become
true and that he wasn’t with Audrey. At some point, I wanted to call him and
ask him to join us, but decided against it and just sent him a text announcing
that I agreed to meet him in a public place. I couldn’t be alone with him.

He replied immediately with ‘Thank you.’

I hugged the phone and wished it were the sender of the
text.

“Let’s get wasted!” I shouted, picking one of the twenty
shots of tequila on the bar.

I scowled at my suitcase and the mess I made around the
bedroom. Calvin was on his way to take me to Landon and I was nowhere close to
being ready. It had been two weeks; seventeen days, since the last time I saw
Landon.

Yesterday didn’t count… I didn’t see him… It was more of a
quick glance that made me choke with envy and desire.

Several loud knocks came through the door and I yelled at whomever
it was, “Get in or get lost.”

My head was pounding and hurting enough as it was, and I
was secretly thankful that my mother and Keith chose to skip the awkward family
reunion at the airport, especially since we were all insisting on driving them
to the airport.

They left each one of us a message saying that they
rescheduled for an early flight and they drove to the airport from their hotel.

I wished I could see my mother cruising through Mexico
though. It took all of us to convince her to go ahead and visit it.

“Good morning Cléclé.”

Looking down I saw Emilia and Audrey walking carefully,
each holding a cup of coffee. I strode to relieve them and they huffed.

“We didn’t spill.” They exclaimed in unison.

“Pick mine.” Audrey said, owning herself a poke on the
shoulder from her sister.

“You said we’ll let her choose. You cheated, I’ll tell
mom.” Emilia whined.

Gathering them in my arms, I kissed them, “I’ll drink both
of them.”
I needed it anyway.
I could also use a shot of liquor.

“Mine first.” Audrey exclaimed again.

I shook my head slowly and admonished, “Since you cheated,
I’ll drink Emilia’s first.”

She pouted a raised her little shoulders.

“Knock, Knock.” Ryan came inside and gasped at the shape
of the room.

I puffed at an unruly curl and brought my hands to my
waist with a pleading look.

He smiled, “Say no more.” He turned to the girls, “Hey
baby girls will you go and ask Jellybean to bring her suitcase. Say Uncle Ryan
says Code Green.”

They rushed out in frenzy, each trying to get there first.

“Drink your coffee.” He ordered and started arranging the
mess I’d made.

Feeling the anxiety creeping all over me, I sank on the
bed, “What if he’s back with her?”

Ryan tossed some of the clothes on the couch and moved to
hover over me, “For what it’s worth, I don’t think he is.” He rounded his heel
and walked back, “I don’t think Landon would be capable of hurting you…” He
stared at me and I glared back…
Really
.
 
“I mean not in a sadistic way,
anyway.

“I tried to get some answers out of Jude, but you know how
he is.” He added.

“Yeah, no luck there for me either.” I admitted.

“Code Green here I am.” Jenna pulled her suitcase behind
her and walked inside, “Did I miss a tornado? What the hell happened here?”

I offered a small shrug.

“I need your ripped blue jeans, Clea’s beige blouse and
Aldo boots, and your Burberry trench coat.”

Jenna started looking through her suitcase and removed a
pair of jeans and my blouse.

“Well, don’t you stare at me; get busy on hair and
makeup.” He ordered and walked to help Jenna.

I took a big sip of coffee and walked to the bathroom.

“Finally.” Evelyn was waiting at the end of the stairs.

“Good morning to you too.” I greeted stiffly.

“Hurry up; it’s rude to keep Calvin waiting.”

I snorted, loudly, “Says the woman who wakes him up at
three in the morning to get her ice-cream.”

She gasped, “That’s not true.” She snarled, “Ice cream and
pizza.” She corrected, “And it’s not a habit, it was that one time.”

“Okay, good luck with the girls, say Hi to Simon for me.”

I walked out of the house.

“Will do, out.”

I had hoped to spend Christmas in New York, but since we
had the wedding, and we were all here, we decided on staying and spending it
together in San Diego. I didn’t expect to have Landon here as well…

Will he spend Christmas with me?

I wanted to, but I couldn’t tell. I was getting anxious by
the second. We were meeting at ‘Christian’, it was one of the best French
restaurants in San Diego, and it wasn’t easy to get reservations, unless you’re
Landon Davis… of course.

Jenna, Brandon, Corinne, and I were going to set up the
tree around dinner. Since Brandon hadn’t planned to spend Christmas either, he
had his neighbor, who was dog sitting for him gather, all the gifts and ship
them to San Diego, and went shopping with Corinne and Jenna.

Ryan and Jude flew to San Francisco to meet with some
friends and visit Ryan’s brother. I missed Andy, ever since he moved away to California;
we didn’t get to speak at all. I was glad he was coming to spend Christmas with
us.

We pulled out in front of the restaurant and Calvin jumped
out of the car and turned to open my door. He didn’t hide how happy he was that
I agreed to meet with Landon.

“Thank you Calvin.” I smiled.

“You’re welcome Miss Clea… I mean Clea.”

I winked at him; I’d challenged him during the ride, he
either, stopped calling me Miss, or I would get out of the car to ride a cab
instead. It made me sound old… Worse, it made
him
look old.

I walked inside the majestic beach house.

Thirteen years ago, ‘Christian’ was just another house in
one of the best neighborhoods of San Diego, until one night, Chef Christian de
Rochelle decided to host a big dinner party. He set up forty tables, spread
between the interior of his own house, the terrace, and the mezzanine.

It was the start of his success. It opened three days a
week and you had to reserve at least two weeks in advance. Some went as far as
two months in advance, and it was worth it. Keith had brought me here with Jenna
when we spent Christmas with him. He had the best truffles in town, and he made
his own wine. That alone would have you addicted to the little haven.

“Miss Dane?” A middle-aged woman greeted me at the door.

I nodded. I hadn’t even announced myself.

“Please, follow me.”

She directed me to a weirdly empty terrace, except for a
man, sitting with his back to us. My heart lurched as I heard his voice.