From This Moment (8 page)

There was something wrong and Jonathan knew it as soon as he walked into Ivy’s condo Friday night. The energy in the room had dwindled from his last meeting three nights ago. It was quiet and Ivy seemed sad, but not the sad that he saw in her face the day she summoned him over to her house. Even then there was plenty of fire, but tonight it was as if someone threw water on the burning flame.

As soon as she opened the door, she offered him a seat and disappeared down the hall without another word.

He wanted to go after her, to hold her, to caress her, to make her feel better, to take away the hurt he saw in her eyes.

“Is everything okay?” he yelled.

“Yes,” she shouted back.

Jonathan didn’t believe her. He’d been around her long enough now to know that her mood had changed from yesterday.

As Jonathan waited for Ivy, he looked around the living room and admired the décor. Directly off the entry, the room was both open and intimate, as well as being immaculate.

She’d chosen contemporary furnishing in deep brown colors. The warm camo-green walls and eggshell-colored trim created a great backdrop for the large pieces of artwork that hung on the wall.

Not wanting to wait any longer, he stood to his feet and walked toward the hallway, so he wouldn’t have to yell, but she appeared before he could get any closer.

“Wow, you look fantastic.” He couldn’t believe Ivy had let her hair down. He really liked the loose, wavy curls that framed her face. It made her look sexy. Right then, he could imagine running his fingers through it.

“You did all this for me?” he commented, hoping to get her to smile.

Ivy turned her eyes upward and swatted at his arm. She blushed, which made Jonathan’s heart smile. He didn’t want to see her upset.

Picking up her hand, he twirled her around so he could get a better look at her outfit. “Every man in the restaurant is going to be envious of me.”

“Jonathan, you are so crazy.”

“No, I’m serious,” he said pulling her to his chest. The top of her head met his chin. He bent down and kissed her hair.

Ivy looked up and met his intense gaze. They stayed that way for several moments.

“Needed a hug?” he asked her.

When she remained silent, Jonathan slowly pulled her closer to him; if she wanted to resist, he’d let her go. Moments later, he could hear her exhale.

When he released her, Jonathan stepped back and lifted her face with his hands so that he could see her eyes. “Whatever’s going on, it’s going to be okay.”

Ivy only nodded, turned and walked away.

Jonathan watched her as she went over to the coat closet. He still admired the way her black two-piece pants suit fit her body. The cut of the double-breasted jacket hugged her breasts and the notched lapel collar revealed the sensual neckline of her creamy, coffee-colored skin. The jacket had a bias cut peplum in back with three-quarter-inch bell sleeves. She wore black high-heeled boots.

Ivy opened the door and removed her gray wool swing coat. “Where are we going, anyway?”

Jonathan went to help her with her coat. “I thought we’d go to Andy’s Jazz Club in Chicago.”

Ivy smiled at him. She thought his gentle gestures were kind, and she never knew the power of a hug. Walking into his arms felt so good; his strong arms around her made her feel safe. As soon as her breasts touched his chest, she released all of the tension she’d held inside. Nothing had ever felt that good. She appreciated him for trying to make her feel better without prying.

Ivy was glad they weren’t going anyplace around town. She didn’t want to run into Randall. When she left East Lansing to come back to Taylor, he was still there. Growing up in Detroit, she wondered how Randall ended up in Taylor, but she was thankful that they hadn’t run into each other before yesterday. She didn’t want any part of him.

Taking her black leather coat from the hanger, she handed it to Jonathan. “I’ve never been there before. Do you go often?” She slipped into it while he held it for her.

“I’ve been a couple of times, but not lately. I go there when I want to show a beautiful woman a good time,” Jonathan said as he watched Ivy pick up her hand bag.

He followed her out of the door and out to his vehicle.

Jonathan opened the passenger side door and helped her up into his black Range Rover. Closing the door, he trotted around to the other side and climbed inside, started the truck and they were on their way.

* * *

Glancing at Ivy from time to time, Jonathan noticed she’d gotten quiet again. Suddenly, it came to him that maybe someone in her family had found out about their marriage.

“Ivy, can I ask you a question?” He glanced over at her, then looked back at the road.

“Sure, what is it?” Ivy turned her body in his direction.

“Did someone find out about us?”

“Oh, no,” she said, and then paused before saying, “Unless you told.”

Jonathan reached over and gently picked up her hand. “No, I didn’t. I promised you that I wouldn’t. I only asked because you seemed upset, so I thought one of your sisters found out.”

“No, it’s nothing like that,” she responded, then turned away looking out the passenger side window into the night sky.

They road silently, until Jonathan pressed the button on the console and the smooth sounds of Will Downing filled the air.

The words of the song seemed to soothe her, and he saw her lean back and relax. Seeing her this way made him want to fix things, to reassure her, but not with words. He took a chance and reached over, picking up her hand and firmly squeezing it for reassurance.

“What was that for?” Ivy looked over at him. She knew all too well that he was trying to be a friend.

”I know there is something bothering you. I understand if you don’t want to share it with me, but know that I’m here for you if you want to talk.”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, tears sprung up in her eyes. She didn’t dare blink because they would surely spill down her cheek, so she looked the other way until she composed herself.

Then turning back to him, she said, “That’s sweet, Jonathan, but I’m fine. Really.”

Jonathan took his eyes off the road momentarily to look at her. “Okay, good. I don’t want people to think I’m a bad date.” He chuckled, hoping she would laugh with him, but she didn’t.

“Babe, can you get three dollars out of the cup holder for the toll ahead?” he asked as he approached the Chicago Skyway. He really didn’t need her to get the money, for he always kept it in the cup holder so he could access it easily. He wanted to keep her interacting with him.

Ivy adjusted herself in her seat, reached down between them and retrieved three one-dollar bills. She handed them to him.

“Thanks.”

“Jonathan, tell me about Andy’s. What kind of food do they serve?”

“It’s not a real fancy place, but they have great appetizers, salad, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, steaks, ribs and chicken. The food’s pretty good, but I think the music is off the hook.”

“Is that why you chose this place for us?”

“Yes, I thought we’d have a little candlelight, food, conversation and music. Just a relaxing evening since neither one of us have to work tomorrow.”

Ivy sighed. “It feels good not to have to get up early in the morning. But the show’s producers are sending me information on a new couple for the taping on Monday.”

“What happened to the other couple you were studying?”

“I was told that they canceled their engagement, so they couldn’t be a part of the show. Remember, it is reality TV, so the couples had to be getting married for real.”

“Wow, that’s too bad.”

“It really is. When I met them, they looked like the sweetest couple. I thought they were happy. Now, I’ll be taping the first episode with new people.”

“Well, we’re going to relax and have a great time tonight. You can worry about the new couple on Monday.”

Jonathan eased off the expressway at the Stony Island exit ramp and followed it to Lake Shore Drive.

As she stared out the window, Ivy was fascinated by the beauty of Lake Michigan; even in the wintertime, it was beautiful.

They drove silently for several more minutes until Jonathan found a place to park down the street from the club.

Coming around on the passenger side, he opened the door and assisted her down out of the vehicle. Jonathan shut the door, hit the locks, and reached for her hand.

Ivy looked at his outstretched hand and, without hesitation, grabbed hold of it.

Jonathan clasped his fingers with hers, pulling her gloved hand to his lips and placing a light kiss there.

They stayed that way, walking to the building side by side. Jonathan smiled at her as he opened the door to the entrance of the club. Walking past him, Ivy returned his smile and waited for him to follow her.

For the first time that evening, Jonathan felt hope.

Jonathan asked the waiter to seat them so they could still see the stage, but have some privacy. He was pleased with the corner table toward the back.

Keeping the conversation light, Jonathan suggested a pasta dish for Ivy to try as they scanned the menu. Jonathan watched the other couples on the dance floor, swaying to the music.

Laying the menu aside, he rose from his seat and extended his hand to her. “Let’s dance.”

At first, Ivy stared at him. Dancing with Jonathan would mean being close to him. Her breast against his chest, the feel of his arms around her, the warmth and that feeling of wanting to get closer made her heartbeat accelerate.

“I won’t let anything happen to you, baby. I promise. Remember we came here to relax and have a good time.”

Ivy threw caution to the wind even though her mind screamed that she shouldn’t. She caught hold of his hand, rose to her feet and followed him to the dance floor.

Jonathan gently pulled her into his solid chest. Ivy’s body melted as he drew her closer.

Just as she thought, the intoxicating scent of his woodsy cologne drew her even closer to him. When his lips grazed her ear, she relaxed and laid her head against his chest, her left hand splayed across it, allowing herself to get lost in the rhythm of the music.

The band that was on stage was one she’d never heard before. They played contemporary jazz, but reminded her of the group Incognito. The soothing sound of the piano and saxophone mixed with the powerful tone of the vocalist magnified Jonathan’s touches.

Jonathan lifted his head and when she did the same, he stared into her eyes. His eyes were mesmerizing and she didn’t want to be anywhere else but right there in his arms.

Ivy rested against his chest, but squeezed him tighter when he whispered in her ear, “You are so beautiful.”

Soon the song ended and he gently caught her right hand and led her back to the table.

“I see you are enjoying the music. I really like this band,” Jonathan said as he pulled out Ivy’s chair.

“I love the woman’s voice. It was so soothing,” she said as she took her seat.

Jonathan went to the other side of the table, then looked at her. “You know what?”

“What?”

“You are too far away from me. I have to reach across the table to touch you. I need to be close to you, and this table is in the way.”

“Well come over here, then,” she said and patted the empty seat next to her.

She was captivated by Jonathan’s tenderness, manners and affection toward her. He really was a sweet guy.

Jonathan looked pleased by her response. Moving swiftly to the other side of the table, he pulled her into his arms. “Now, this is better.”

Looking down at her, he smiled and said, “Isn’t this better for you?”

Ivy giggled. She moved slightly out of the circle of his embrace and thought about him seriously. He was warm, funny, kind and professional, and she was glad she had a chance to see his sensitive and considerate side.

She had to be honest with herself. She had only been angry with Jonathan for a short time. He never pressured her and kept their secret. She still had several months before it would be too late for an annulment. Jonathan was nothing like Randall.

As soon as the thought of him popped into her mind, the anger and sadness returned. Then she thought there still was the issue of Randall. Her gut was telling her that he was going to remind her every chance he got not to tell his fiancée about their past together.

“What is it, baby?” Jonathan rubbed her shoulders slowly, noticing her distraction.

Ivy inhaled deeply in an attempt to pull her emotions together. She moved out of his embrace. “I’m sorry, Jonathan.”

Rubbing her hair to try to soothe her, he cradled her chin between his thumb and forefinger. When their eyes met, he said, “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

Scanning the room, he noticed that the other couples weren’t paying any attention to them.

Ivy laid her head on his shoulder. Jonathan wrapped his arms around her and held her until she had a chance to relieve herself of whatever was plaguing her.

A short blonde-haired young woman came over to the table. “Would you like something to drink?”

Jonathan looked over at Ivy, waiting for her response before he gave his order.

“I’ll have a glass of white wine,” she said confidently.

“I’ll have the same,” Jonathan added.

“Are you ready to order?” the waitress asked.

Jonathan shook his head. “Give us a few minutes, please.”

The waitress walked away and Jonathan used his right thumb to remove a tear that had slid down her face.

“What happened? I thought you were having a good time.”

“You are so sweet, Jonathan,” she said and touched her face with her palm. “I haven’t been out on a date in a long time. The music and the atmosphere are just right.”

“Well, what’s the matter, then?”

Ivy wiped her face. “Nothing’s wrong. I just thought about something.”

Jonathan didn’t believe her. He wanted Ivy to trust him, to tell him how she was feeling, so that he could help her. “I can’t sit here and see that you’re hurt and not do anything. You said earlier that whatever you were upset about had nothing to do with us, so I need to know if someone is trying to hurt you or has hurt you.”

He hoped she could hear the sincerity in his words. He cared about Ivy and never wanted any harm to come to her.

“Look, Ivy, your husband is supposed to be your best friend, confidant. You should feel comfortable enough to share anything with me . . . good or bad.”

Husband?
Legally, he was, but that was not at all what Ivy wanted. She wanted so badly to relieve herself of the thoughts and feelings she’d had since Randall showed up at her office yesterday. Why not Jonathan? He’s already carrying one secret, she thought to herself.

Ivy was too embarrassed to tell her sisters. They had no idea that she was ever pregnant, and she didn’t want them to know how careless and irresponsible she’d been.

Jonathan gently stroked her back. “Are you ready to tell me?” he asked.

“It’s about my new client,” she said, moving away from him slightly.

Jonathan’s face was a mask of confusion. “Ivy, I can’t believe that you’re allowing that young couple’s breakup to get under your skin to this extent.”

Ivy moved slightly away from him. “It’s not just any client. It’s a little more complicated than that.”

“Okay, tell me what’s so complicated about it.”

“The groom used to be my boyfriend,” she said cautiously, waiting for his reaction.

Jonathan threw his head back and laughed. “What? Are you upset that he’s marrying another woman?”

Her eyebrows furrowed. “No.”

He immediately regretted his question. “I’m sorry, Ivy, I didn’t mean to sound so insensitive.”

She stared silently, trying to figure out if he was trying to cheer her up or if he was making fun of her.

Jonathan lifted Ivy’s right hand. “Seriously, I’m sorry, baby, for asking that question. Go on and tell me the rest.”

“The guy is Lauren Kabins’ fiancé.”

Jonathan’s eyes widened. “Really? Didn’t you know that this fellow . . .” He snapped his fingers. “What’s his name?”

“Randall.”

“Yeah, Randall. Didn’t you know that he was Lauren’s fiancé when you met her?”

“We were moving so quickly with the wedding plans, that I only asked her his name yesterday,” Ivy said.

The waitress came back. “Are we ready to order, sir?”

“You know what? I don’t think we are going to order anything right now. If we decide, I’ll call for you.”

The waitress nodded and left them.

Jonathan turned back to Ivy. “Let me get this straight. You dated Randall, who is Lauren Kabins’ man.”

Ivy nodded.

“Is that why you were so upset? He showed up at your place marrying someone else?”

Ivy punched him in the arm. “No, no, no. He came back this morning accusing me of something that I didn’t do . . . I’d never do.”

Jonathan sprang to his feet.

“What are you doing?” Ivy wanted to know why he was getting up.

Grabbing his coat, he said, “I think we should go someplace a little more private to discuss this.” He retrieved his wallet and, removing several bills, tossed them on the table.

He picked up her coat and assisted her into it when she stood.

Wrapping his arm around her, he whispered in her ear, “Do you want to go back to your place or mine?”

Ivy frowned at him.

“We would only go there to talk. I just think you need to tell me in private.”

Buttoning her coat, she said, “We can go to your place.”