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  Because of her experience with Randall, fear of rejection and disappointment had plagued her each and every time any other man tried to get close to her. She’d then have to find a way to get out of the relationship. She liked her life the way it was, and letting a man get to know her intimately meant taking a chance with her heart. Ivy hadn’t risked it in a very, very long time.

  The way Jonathan came into her life wasn’t ideal, but she felt good about her decision to let Jonathan in. Their special relationship had been like non-other she’d had in her life.

  Ivy picked up her phone and dialed Jonathan’s number.“Hey, babe.”

  “I’m inviting you over tonight.”

  “You are?”

  “I just want to celebrate us. Nothing fancy, but something that will make us appreciate each other.”

  “Hmmm,” he said. “This sounds like a seduction to me. I like the way you said ‘appreciate each other’. Ivy, what are you going to do to me?”

  “Just come over at about seven,” Ivy said, ignoring his last question.

  “I’ll be there.”

  “What kind of pizza do you like?” she asked.

  “Beef sausage and pepperoni,” Jonathan said, adding, “Why don’t I bring the pizza?”

  “Sure, but I like thin crust,” Ivy said.

  “I’ll see you tonight at about seven o’clock,” he said to Ivy.

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  As soon as she ended the call, Ivy replayed the sexy way Jonathan’s voice sounded. Desire washed through her, and she couldn’t wait to see him.

  * * *

  Music and candlelight filled the house when Jonathan arrived. Suspicion rose within him when Ivy came to the door and disappeared.

  He put the pizza on the kitchen countertop and went looking for her.

  “Where are you?” he asked, walking into the great room and down the hall.

  “I’m back here,” he heard her yell.

  Jonathan strolled down the long hall to her bedroom.

  “You disappeared . . .” His words fell off as soon as he walked into the room and saw her rubbing her naked body with a scented lotion.

  He eyed her perky round breasts and her naked thighs resting against the bed linen, and was tempted to forget the pizza. He went over and sat beside her.

  Ivy couldn’t help laughing; she knew what he was thinking the moment she looked into his eyes.

  “Let me finish this so we can eat.”

  Ignoring her, Jonathan pulled the bobby pins from her hair, which she’d pinned up to avoid getting it wet in the shower.

  “Jonathan,” she said softly.

  “I think we should finish this first,” he said, “and then we can eat.”

  He picked up the tube of vanilla scented lotion and squeezed a dollop into his hand. He rubbed his hands together and then massaged the creamy mixture into her shoulders.

  Ivy couldn’t help herself; she leaned back on her elbows and allowed herself to revel in his sensuous strokes. She almost forgot she was completely naked.

  Jonathan got up and kneeled in front of her, taking the lotion with him. Starting with her feet, he began to massage her. He then went to her legs and massaged them before parting her thighs and rubbing them with the lotion.

  After hearing her moans, Jonathan’s need to take off his blue jeans became urgent, but he decided to wait; this was her moment.

  With her legs spread, Jonathan gently caressed the curls concealing her essence. Looking up at her, he knew exactly what she needed.

  “Lie back,” he whispered, his voice ragged.

  Closing her eyes, Ivy did exactly what he asked. She knew what happened next was going to be good.

  Jonathan lifted Ivy’s round bottom and grasped her thighs, drawing her body toward him. He planted kisses on the inside of her thighs, slowly moving downward and getting closer and closer to her most sensitive spot.

  Caught by surprise, her eyes flew open and she began to squirm. She had not anticipated what he was about to do.

  Feeling her discomfort, Jonathan paused, saying, “Relax, baby, and let me love you.”

  And Ivy did just that; she let Jonathan love her. They made love to each other, and neither thought about the time or the pizza, now probably stone cold.

  Resting in Jonathan’s embrace, her hand on his chest, Ivy watched him, thinking he was asleep.

  “What is it?” he asked, opening his eyes slightly.

  “I thought you were asleep,” she replied, kissing him on the side of the mouth.

  “Look, woman, don’t start. I’ll flip you over and be inside you before you take your next breath.”

  Ivy smiled. She knew he meant every word. “I wanted to call Lauren a couple of times today, but I just couldn’t.”

  Jonathan turned to face her. “I thought about her today myself. I couldn’t help but wonder what he said to her. She seemed like a sweet girl.”

  “Yes, a woman in love. I keep telling myself that I shouldn’t be concerned, but I just can’t help it.”

  Jonathan kissed her nose. “In our line of work, it’s inevitable because we actually share in some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives.”

  Ivy hugged him. “That is true, but before I just made sure that the magic was there. I didn’t get all emotional about it.”

  “Or so you thought,” Jonathan said, interrupting her.

  “Maybe I feel so differently because it was somebody from my own past.”

  Jonathan lifted a stray curl off her face. “That’s probably part of it, but you are passionate about every wedding you put together. Look at how sad it made you feel when the first couple of your show broke off their engagement.”

  He pulled her close and caressed her naked bottom. “As I said, you are a passionate woman. I always knew that, but now I’ve experienced it.”

  Ivy kissed him and laid her head against his shoulder. After a while, she tried to roll to the other side of the bed.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, pulling her back.

  “Aren’t you hungry?”

  “For you, always.”

  Ivy punched him playfully. “I meant for food.” She finally managed to get up and out of the bed, going over to a chair to get her silk robe.

  “I’m going to warm up the pizza. You want some?”

  Jonathan rested his hand behind his head. “I guess I could eat something. I am going to need my strength for later.”

  Ivy smiled and shook her head. “You are a mess.”

  Jonathan beamed. “I’m glad you know it.”

  Ivy was about to cross the threshold when Jonathan said something unexpected.

  “No more sleeping in separate houses. I want to go to bed with you and see your face when I wake up in the morning.”

  Ivy didn’t know what to say, wondering why he was telling her that now. She was already confused about the whole situation and wasn’t ready to make a decision, so she just smiled and left the room.

  Chapter 21

  After Ivy completed the promo for the show, she went to Sally’s office to talk about some questions she’d had concerning the next segment they were scheduled to shoot over the next couple of days.

  Ivy thought some of the changes Sally made went against the wishes of the bride and groom. As she listened to the woman’s reasoning, Ivy found out that some reality shows had little to do with reality. She would make the best of it.

  As she left the studio, she dug down in her purse to find her car keys and saw the screen of her cell phone was illuminated; she’d missed several calls.

  Reviewing the call history, she discovered that they were all from her office. She walked swiftly to her car and called once she was inside.

  “Ivy,” Gwen said, answering the phone quickly without reciting their normal greeting.

  Ivy’s heartbeat accelerated after hearing the panic in the receptionist’s voice. “Did something happen?”

  “Yes, you need to call
Lauren Kabins right away.”

  What has this fool done to this girl now, Ivy thought to herself. She hoped Randall hadn’t told Lauren a ridiculous lie to save his own behind.

  The next thing that caught her attention was the way in which Gwen had been conducting herself. She didn’t like it when simple things were blown out of proportion. Lauren had told her she would call, so she didn’t see why the panic. “Gwen, is that the only reason you’ve called me five times this morning?” There was a pregnant pause before Ivy spoke up. “Girl, you sounded like a pipe had busted and the place was flooded or Lili blew up the kitchen or something. Don’t scare me like that again.”

  Both women were silent and then they both laughed. “Ivy, I’m sorry, Lauren sounded distraught and every time she’d call, I told her you were out of the office. We’d hang up, but she’d call right back. So I just called you every time she called us.”

  Ivy pushed her key in the ignition and turned it. “Well, I’m going to call her now. I’m on my way back to the office.”

  “Okay,” Gwen said.

  “Gwen.”

  “Yes?”

  “Calm down, girl. We’ve been doing this kind of work a long time now. I thought you would have been used to bridal pandemonium.”

  “You’re right, I’m sorry. I’ll see you when you get here.”

  Ivy completed the call and dialed Lauren’s phone number. Plugging her headset in, she pulled out of the parking lot and drove back to Hearts and Flowers as she waited for Lauren to answer. She didn’t answer, so Ivy left a voicemail message.

  It took Ivy forty-five minutes to get back to her office from Chicago. She suddenly felt optimistic when she pulled into her parking space and spotted Lauren’s car in the lot.

  Almost immediately Gwen spoke as soon as Ivy walked in the door. “Lauren came in as soon as we hung up.”

  “Where is she?” Ivy asked.

  Gwen pointed straight ahead in the direction of the waiting area.

  Ivy shook her head and kept a smile on her face. “Thanks, Gwen, I’ll handle it from here.” When she walked away from the desk, she thought Gwen’s ultra-hyper activity was weird because she was normally a charming and pleasant young lady.

  Ivy took several deep breaths as she walked the short distance to the waiting room. Once she came upon the threshold of the door, her heart dropped. Lauren was crying. Not a loud, wailing cry, but the tears were running down her cheeks as she sat in the armchair over in the corner.

  Compassion and disappointment came over Ivy when she saw her this way.

  “Lauren,” Ivy said softly.

  Lauren stood and inhaled deeply in an effort to control her emotions. Ivy went to her, wrapping her arms around her shoulders, and said, “Why don’t we talk in my office?”

  Lauren followed Ivy, continuing to dab her face with the handkerchief and didn’t say a word.

  Both women sat in the chairs in front of Ivy’s desk.

  “Lauren,” Ivy reached over and placed her hand on Lauren’s knee.

  Lauren looked up.

  “Did you come for your dress fitting?” Ivy wanted to sound optimistic. Ivy had her own opinion as to why, but she figured she shouldn’t jump to conclusions. There could have been several reasons that Lauren cried.

  Ivy stood to her feet, picked up Lauren’s hand and encouraged her to stand as well.

  Pulling the petite young woman into her arms, she hugged her for several minutes. Ivy felt the jerking in Lauren’s chest and the whimpers that escaped her mouth.

  There was a little guilt attached to Ivy’s feelings, and she hoped she didn’t contribute to Lauren’s pain.

  She led her over to the sitting area and they sat down next to each other on the sofa.

  “Why did you come to see me today?” Ivy asked, her voice soft, filled with concern.

  “I’m canceling my wedding,” Lauren finally said.

  Before Ivy responded, she thought about her words carefully. She didn’t want to say the wrong thing, nor did she want to pry. She would accept whatever Lauren told her. After all, it was her life and her decision. Allowing someone else to influence your decision about your life was unacceptable, and Ivy knew that feeling very well.

  “Have you discussed this with Randall?”

  “Yes, I told him that he could go overseas by himself. I didn’t want to live in Japan anyway. Since I’m an only child, I didn’t want to be that far away from my mother.”

  Both women sat quietly until Lauren broke the silence. “I think he’s keeping things from me. He kept dancing around the subject of your relationship with him.”

  Ivy swallowed hard. Because she didn’t know what Randall shared with Lauren, she’d have to be careful how she responded to the statement.

  “My relationship with him?”

  “Yes. I could hear him yelling as I got closer to your office, and I stopped outside the door. I wanted to hear what he had to say for myself, before I came in.”

  Ivy nodded and said, “I see.” There wasn’t more to be said.

  “I know you two had a relationship in the past, but that’s not the reason I’m canceling the wedding. It’s the way he handled the entire situation.”

  Ivy saw the tears appear in Lauren’s eyes as she explained.

  “The anger and rage that he showed yesterday scared me. I started to wonder if this was the same man I fell in love with almost a year ago. If Jonathan hadn’t come in when he did, what would have happened? Would he have hit you?”

  “Sweetie, I can’t answer that.”

  “I couldn’t answer it, either. But I gave him the benefit of the doubt.”

  “Before you brought him here a couple of weeks ago, I hadn’t seen or heard from Randall in over ten years.”

  “Ten years?”

  “Yes. Once we broke up I stayed away, and once I graduated I moved back here.”

  With tears spilling down her cheeks, Lauren continued, “It’s what happened after you and Jonathan left that drove the nail in his coffin, so to speak.”

  “What did he say?”

  “It’s what he didn’t say that bothered me, along with the combination of the anger and holding back. It just doesn’t suit me. See, my mother was in an abusive situation with my father and I didn’t want that for me.”

  “If you’re afraid he’s holding back, you need to tell him. Life is crazy, Lauren, because even after he explains, you’ll never really know if he’s telling the truth.”

  “I understand that, and I don’t want to wonder if he’s telling the truth or if he’s telling me a lie.”

  “Lauren, a marriage should be based on trust. If you can’t trust the person, then you shouldn’t get married.”

  Lauren stood. “I know, and that’s why I’m not getting married.”

  Ivy reached out to Lauren. “You know I didn’t say anything because I felt it was his responsibility to tell you.”

  “It was his place to tell me. If I hadn’t heard him say it myself, he would have never told me.”

  Ivy got up from the sofa and walked over to her desk. She pulled up Lauren’s file on her computer and also retrieved her notebook which had notes concerning things she had put together for the wedding next Friday.

  “Lauren, come over here and have a seat.” Ivy told her, as she scrolled through the file. “I’m trying to see if there is anything that we can get your money back on. Most wedding items are non-refundable.”

  Lauren reached over and placed her hand on the desk. “Ivy, I read the contract and the fine print. I already know I can’t get my money back, so I don’t care. It wasn’t mine anyway, it was Randall’s.”

  Ivy suppressed a laugh. She simply said, “Okay. I’m not sure what we can do with your dresses and supplies, but I’ll discuss things with Jonathan and my sisters and see what we can come up with.”

  “I’ll have to call everyone on the list to let them know the wedding has been cancelled,” Lauren said.

  “If you want to avoid a lot of q
uestions, we can do that for you here.”

  Lauren placed her hand over her chest. “Would you? I don’t mind paying for the service.”

  Ivy shook her head. “There is no need for that, this one is on the house.” Ivy pulled up the guest list. “You provided numbers already. We’re good.”

  Lauren stood up and went around to the other side of the desk. “I think I’m getting off cheap, because it would cost me a lot more if I married the wrong man.”

  Ivy stood as well when Lauren reached out to hug her. “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me.”

  “It was a pleasure working with you, Lauren. I hope everything that comes your way starting today is a blessing to your life.”

  “Thank you,” Lauren said, stepping back. She walked back over to the chair and picked up her purse. “I feel much better. I wish you much success in all your business ventures.” She headed for the door.

  Ivy watched Lauren walk out of the door. Despite the way Randall had treated her, Ivy didn’t want Lauren to be victimized by her experience with him.

  She hoped Lauren would meet someone that would make her happy.

  Ivy blew out a big breath, relieved that part was over. Now all she had to do was find a bride and groom for the orphaned wedding.

  Chapter 22

  “Baby, it’s not your fault,” Jonathan said to Ivy when she called him. He didn’t want her to take the burden of what happened between Randall and Lauren upon herself.

  “I know, but I feel so bad.”

  “There’s no reason to. If you ask me, the whole situation was stupid from the start. I don’t understand why he wasn’t honest with the woman from the beginning.”

  “I’m not being sympathetic toward Randall, I was just thinking about how excited she was about getting married.”

  “You didn’t feel that way after we got married, but aren’t you happy about it now?”

  After hearing no response, Jonathan knew he’d struck a nerve.

  “Ivy, tell me something.”

  “Yes,” she answered quietly.

  He could barely hear her. He knew she was nervous.