Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux by Latrivia Nelson (the beach read txt) 📗

said moving closer to him. “But I didn’t mean it. And I really miss you.” She touched his chest suggestively. “Don’t you miss me?”

Nicola stood quiet looking into Layla’s baby blues. She really was a beautiful girl, but she also was a wacko. He thought about her earlier tantrum and his desire to stay celibate. “No, I don’t miss you,” he said moving back. “A lot has changed since the last time we were together. So…”. He motioned over at the door. “We should just let sleeping dogs lay.”

Layla could feel her ears starting to burn with contempt. “What the hell is that suppose to mean?”

Nicola took a deep breath. “It means get the hell out of my house and under no circumstances cause a scene, because I’m not in the mood for that shit. I didn’t call you, because I didn’t want to call you. So, don’t show up on my step like a psycho again, or I’ll press charges.” Without raising his voice an octave, he grabbed her firmly by the arm and escorted her to the front door. “Goodnight.” His voice was stern and unmistakably agitated.

“Goodnight,” Layla said sensing that she had better follow his direction.

He slammed the door in her face, locked it and watched from his living room as she pulled out of his driveway. Tomorrow, he would call the security hut and bar her from the community for good. Tonight, however, he planned to hurry up and get in the shower before his marathon came on TNT.

**

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” the justice of the peace said to Emerald and Trina standing face-to-face in white linen suits on a beautiful Friday evening.

Grabbing her in his arms, Emerald kissed his blushing new bride softly, savoring the smell of her perfume and anxiously awaiting their wedding night. “I love you,” he said holding her to him.

“I love you, too” Trina said with tears of joy in her eyes. Before she could say another word, she was bombarded by hugs and kisses from her family. Clapping emphatically, Ivy wiped the tears from her eyes pinched Grey. All of this seemed so surreal to her.

Grey also stood flabbergasted. All he could wonder was how in the hell his soon-to-be brother-in-law managed to get married two times before he could get married once. With a fake smile, he congratulated Trina realizing that she was nearly completely out his grasp.

“Is this one going to have to grow on you, too?” Emerald asked kissing Sadie.

“No, this one I’ve liked from the start.” Sadie grabbed Trina again and kissed her.

Watching them rush off in their limo, Ivy stood on the steps of the courthouse with her hands clasped and Grey’s arm wrapped around her. She couldn’t have been happier at that moment if it were she and Grey in the car. She let out a sigh of contentment.

Trina had always wanted an elaborate wedding in a crowded church on Spring Saturday afternoon, but under the circumstances, she had found the perfect man on the cusp of summer with no wish to be bothered with all of the unnecessary business. Needless to say that she quickly accepted his proposal and quickly altered her desires.

The wedding had come as a total shock to everyone in the family, save Madison. Emerald had proposed at a lunchtime picnic at Shelby Farms Park by the lake on Wednesday. Trina said yes before he could get the question out. And the family had been called together and told to meet for the ceremony on Thursday. Sadie had made the honeymoon arrangements only the night before. And Ivy had helped Trina find the perfect dress at The Muse, a boutique downtown that Friday morning.

“At least someone around here is going to be getting some tonight.” Grey nudged Ivy. “Are you ready to drop that load or what?”

“The doctor said that they should be no longer than a week now.” She hated that all Grey thought about was sex, but she also hated that when she offered to make love to him, he shied away like she was offering him the plague. “The doctor also said we should make love. It would help induce the labor.”

“No,” Grey said kissing her forehead. “It’s so awkward now.”

“Whatever,” Ivy said moody. What about her needs? She needed it even if the pregnancy didn’t.

“Well, keep your cell phone with you at all times. I don’t want you to go into labor without me knowing about it.” Looking at his watch he kissed her on the cheek. “I got to go. Are you still riding with your folks.”

“Yes.” Ivy rolled her eyes. “Why do you have to leave?” She always hated for him to leave her on special days. Even graduation night, she wished that he’d spent the night with her instead of leaving her alone with Emerald and Trina.

“A man doesn’t work, he doesn’t eat.”

“Fine.” Ivy tried to lighten her mood. She couldn’t argue with him about his obligations, especially now that he was actively trying to prepare to run for the House. “Will I see you tonight?”

“Late, but yes. I’ll be there to tuck you in.” Scurrying off, Grey waved goodbye to her and her family, glad to be leaving.

* *

Grey pulled into the airport parking lot and jumped out of his car hurriedly headed for the Northwest terminal only thirty minutes after he left Ivy. He was already seven minutes late and counting, and he knew that if he didn’t catch her, she would grab a cab and leave without him. If only the wedding had not taken so long, he wouldn’t have to scuttle. Spotting her walking through the security check point with her bags already in hand, he straightened his jacket and put his shades on his head.

“Kit!” He opened his arms to welcome her with a huge hug. “How are you?”

“Tired, baby.” Giving him her bags, she sifted through her purse for her cigarette case. “I need a smoke and a hot