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

His analogy made it clear why he was not married and probably not in a serious relationship.

“Well, whenever you get married give my condolences to your wife. Sounds like she’s in for a treat.” She looked down at his ring finger just to make sure that there were not traces of a wedding ring. He passed the test.

“Yeah well maybe by then I will have found a woman capable of handling me. Mrs. Agosto will have to be some lady.” His words drifted off for a moment, and he went into deep thought.

“Thinking about the one you let slip away,” Ivy said bringing him back to reality.

“No, thinking of all the Ms. Wrongs I’ve been with.” His honesty intrigued her almost as the all the Ms. Wrongs. It was weird meeting a real playboy.

“Anyway, let’s get off our sad stories. Tell me something that will make me smile. You see the way I behave when I get depressed and lonely.”

Nicola recalled their kiss with her reminder. “ I suggest that you stay in the house until you get over him then. Otherwise, you might find yourself in some pretty compromising situations being so depressed and lonely,” he said mockingly.

“Believe me, this is as comprised as I’ll be.” She laid her head back down on his chest and rubbed his side.

“Were we gone that long? Damn, ya’ll under each other like you’re in love,” Trina said walking back into the living room with Brooks. She had told Ivy to watch herself.

“Evidently so. Look at them all cuddled up together like some old married couple.” Brooks winked at Nicola. Damn that boy was good.

The sudden attention made the two uncomfortable, and Ivy sat back up in her original position, only this time a lot more relaxed. Nicola didn’t budge, but he did give Trina a dirty look.

Confused and in total disapproval of her friend’s actions Trina raised her eyebrows at Ivy. “Are you hot? Need something to drink,” Trina said pulling another Smirnoff Ice out of the cooler.

“No, I’m fine,” Ivy said ignoring her friend’s body language. “Considering I have to drive back to the dorm, I need to be sober.”

“You live in the dormitory?” Nicola said sitting up a little uncomfortable himself.

“Yes, Trina and I are roommates.” Ivy could sense something was wrong.

“How old are, if you don’t mind me asking?” Nicola said recalling his actions and now inwardly wondering if he had moved to quickly. That should have been the question to ask nearly an hour before. Ivy looked at least mid-twenties, but maybe her looks had deceived him. He prayed she was at least twenty-one.

“I’m twenty-one,” her smiled faded. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-nine.” Nicola turned his attention to his empty bottle trying not to show his relief of her legal status but disapproval of the age gap. He had dated a girl around her age a couple of months ago. She was slightly air headed and extremely hard to manage. She was always bouncing around his place when he was trying to sleep, calling him every hour on the hour when they were apart and nagging him for money to go with her sorority sisters shopping. It was a total nightmare. “I’ll be thirty in two months.” He smiled politely at her. Ivy didn’t seem that type though.

Sensing the new conflict about their age difference, Trina tried to make light of the situation despite her dislike for Nicola. “Eight years is not a lot in age difference these days.” She nodded at Ivy in approval. “I once dated a guy that was thirteen years older than me, but he acted like his was my age or younger. I guess that as long as you’re legal, nothing matters but how mature or immature you behave.”

“When did you date someone thirteen years older than you?” Brooks asked frowning. “Hell, I’ve been on an off with you for three years. You’re only twenty-three.”

“He came during one of our off periods,” Trina said defensively.

“Alright, you better explain yourself,” Brooks said taking his arm from around her.

“Don’t get no attitude now, Brooks,” Trina said pulling his arm back.

“Don’t tell me. Go tell your senior citizen friend.” Brooks laughed as he took another sip of his beer.

“You know what, forget you. Ivy are you ready to go?” Trina grabbed her purse off the ground. “It is getting late.”

“Yeah, when ever you’re ready.” Looking over at Nicola once more, Ivy stood up. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Nicola.” She extended her hand.

Accepting it, Nicola stood up and shook her hand and kissed her on her cheek. “Please call me Nicky. It was nice meeting you too, Ivy…What’s your last name?”

“Winters.”

“Okay, Ms. Ivy Winters. It was nice meeting you, too. I’m sure the next time we meet, you and your guy friend will have worked everything out, and you’ll be on your way to being Mrs. Somebody.”

“I doubt that very seriously.” Ivy laughed. “You said it, but I forgot. What is your last name again?”

“Agosto.” He said proudly. “It’s Italian.” Black women loved Italians. It was common knowledge on the force.

“The Italian lover!” Brooks stretched and tapped Trina on her behind. “Ladies, hold on to your panties!”

“Don’t pay any attention to him. He’s a hater.” Nicola blushed slightly.

“No, I believe him,” Ivy said softly. “Thanks for keeping me company though Italian lover.”

“You’re quite welcomed,” Nicola said wishing that they had more time to spend together. “Like I said, the pleasure was all mine.” He had to play the gentleman long enough to see her out of the door. Then he would go back into the party and wreak havoc on all the women who wished that they could have been having a private moment with he and Brooks.

“We’ll walk ya’ll out,” Brooks said motioning at Nicola.

“No. We can find our own way out,” Trina said kissing