“For what?”
“The rings. Did you find out if Cleveland has the rings? And I want you to give this note to Louis. I really missed him last night and . . .” She held out a piece of paper to Freddie.
“Lillian, please. In a few hours you and Louis will be husband and wife, why do I need to pass him a note?”
Lillian grabbed Freddie’s hand and pressed the note inside. “Because I asked you to and as my maid of honor you have to do what I say.”
Just breathe, because the next words that come out of your mouth aren’t going to be nice. Freddie took the note, then took off her shoes, and slipped on a pair of satin slippers. “Fine, I’ll take him the damned note.”
“Temper, temper,” Michelle said from the doorway.
“You know that Lillian has to be calm so she will be a glowing bride for Louis.”
“Uh-huh,” Freddie said as she pushed past Michelle. The main reason she didn’t want to take Louis the note was because she didn’t want to see Cleveland again. When he touched her in the hallway earlier, she nearly lost it. Being that close to him short-circuited her system. He had a clean and masculine scent that drove her wild and seeing him dressed in that tux made her wonder how he looked underneath it all. And his hair. It was like an aphrodisiac, that’s why she had to touch it.
Slowly, she walked into the groom’s dressing room. “Are you all decent?” she asked through a small crack in the door.
“Yes,” Louis and Cleveland said in unison. Freddie walked in and crossed over to Louis. She didn’t look in Cleveland’s direction, but she could feel his gaze on her as she moved.
“Lillian wanted you to have this,” she said as she handed him the note.
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Roland said. “She’s passing notes like y’all in high school.”
Freddie shot him a contemptuous glance. “Anyway, I trust that you all are ready for the ceremony and there are no hangovers?”
Cleveland smiled and strode over to Freddie. “You’re not slick,” he said in a whisper only she could hear.
“Excuse me?” she replied in a hushed tone.
“You just wanted to see me again. I’m flattered, but there are other and better ways for you to get my attention.”
She sucked her teeth. “Pig.”
Cleveland reached out and stroked her bare arm, causing Freddie to shiver inadvertently. What was it about this man that made her want to get naked and do all sorts of erotic things that would make her blush? Maybe that’s why she was trying so hard not to like him.
“Don’t forget what you owe me,” Cleveland said softly; his voice had a sing-song quality as he spoke.
“I didn’t promise you anything.”
A weaker woman would’ve swooned and fallen into his arms. But not Freddie. She had to do something to deflate his swelling ego. So, she punched him in the shoulder. However, her dainty fist did little to hurt Cleveland, because his body was as hard as a rock. Still, he pretended to be hurt. “Hey,” he said. “That’s assault. Should I call the cops or take the law into my own hands?”
His friends laughed as they watched the pair. “How about this,” Freddie said. “Grow up.” She turned on her heels and stormed out of the room. Once she was away from Cleveland, Freddie’s breathing returned to normal and the sweat on her palms dried a bit. Still, her arm seemed to burn from where Cleveland’s hand had been. Why was she allowing him to affect her in this way? After the wedding and reception, she knew that she’d never see him again. Freddie smiled as she thought of having a wedding fling with him. No one would ever know and she’d never have to see him again. There’d be no promises, no commitments, and no strings.
Freddie didn’t want to think about the last man that elicited such freaky thoughts from her. She made the mistake of thinking that good sex with Marcus was love. But when she wanted to get serious with him, she found out that Marcus had been spreading his love all around the French Quarter. Still, that wasn’t the ultimate betrayal. Heartbroken, she’d made the mistake of turning to her mother, who in typical Loraine fashion, told her to get over it.
“When are you going to learn that men are born to be disappointments?” she’d said coldly.
After that moment, Freddie vowed that she would never allow another man to hurt her. Then she found out about her father. Shaking her head, she headed into Lillian’s dressing room. The moment she opened the door, Michelle pulled her inside. “Come on, I need you to help me with this veil. Where have you been and why am I doing your duties?”
Because you’re a control freak, Freddie thought bitterly as she grabbed the end of Lillian’s veil as Michelle placed the headdress on Lillian’s head. I can’t wait for this day to be over!
Cleveland glared at his friends. “Y’all are some juvenile assholes,” he snapped.
Louis continued laughing as Roland walked over to Cleveland. “Give it up. That tight chick ain’t giving you the time of day,” Roland said.
“I tried to warn him, but he didn’t listen. A woman that evil is not going to give you what you want.”
“Please, she’s fighting it,” Cleveland said. “I know she wants me.”
Roland smacked his lips. “And how do you know that?”
“I just know.” Cleveland furrowed his brows. “Besides, have you ever known me to not get the woman that I want?”
Louis stood up and crossed over to his friend. “If Freddie is what you want, then there is a first time for everything. She’s not going to give you anything.”
“Well, I’m not going to have to take it,” Cleveland said.
“She might not know it, but Freddie is going to give me what I want, willingly.”
Roland reached for his wallet. “How much do you bet you’re going to see those panties?”
Cleveland waved his hand. “You need to grow up and then maybe you’d find a woman who you don’t have to pay to sleep with you. Whatever happens between me and Freddie will be just that, between me and Freddie.”
“In other words, you’re too chicken to put your money where your . . .”
“Boys,” Louis said, “this is my wedding day and that’s my future wife’s best friend you two are trying to wager on. Cleveland, give it up, dude. Freddie ain’t going to give you anything, not a dance and definitely not the panties.”
Cleveland stood silently, he knew there was a spark between him and Freddie and by the time the night was over, he knew where Freddie would be—in his bed.
Before anyone could say anything else, the minister walked into the room. “Gentlemen, it’s time to begin the ceremony. If I can get you all to take your places at the altar,” he said in a calm voice.
Roland walked over to Louis and said in a loud whisper, “This is your last chance to bail out.”
Cleveland slapped Roland on the back of the head. “You can be so stupid. This man is getting married, because if anything happens to stop this wedding, Lillian is going to kill us.”
The men followed the minister to the altar. Cleveland smiled because this wedding fiasco was nearly over. Why did people need all of this to get married anyway? If he ever met the right woman and decided to get married, it would be nothing like this. No big crowd at a church, no huge bridal party, and no big production like Lillian had planned. All he would need would be the Justice of the Peace and the woman who would be lucky enough to be his wife. And that would be one lucky broad, because Cleveland had yet to meet a woman who inspired thoughts of matrimony.
The soft notes of a flute filled the air as the bridal party marched in. As Freddie slowly glided down the aisle, Cleveland’s breath caught in his chest. In the faint glow of the candlelight, she looked like an angel. He studied her frame as she walked. The erotic thoughts that he was having were sure to put him on the pathway to hell. His mouth went dry as she came closer to him. Maybe it was his imagination, but when she passed him, he smelled the faint scent of roses. Sure, it could’ve been her bouquet, but Cleveland could have sworn that the sweet smell
radiated from Freddie’s essence.
As the bride came down the aisle, Cleveland didn’t turn away from Freddie. She didn’t have the look of the other bridesmaids. There was no look of longing in her eyes, nor did she look as if she was interested in what was sure to be a long ceremony. Maybe she was different. The type of woman that Cleveland could see himself . . . Wait, wait, what am I thinking? After tonight, I’m never going to see this woman again, and besides, who knows what she has going on at home? She may be a different woman in New Orleans than she is in Georgia.
He forced himself to look away from Freddie, then leaned into Louis, who looked as if he was about to pass out at any moment. “Breathe man,” he whispered. “This is what you wanted.”
Louis nodded. “I love this woman with everything in me. Still, I hope this is the right thing.”
Cleveland smiled; he still didn’t give this union a year. The ceremony began and a small part of him wondered how Freddie would look in a wedding dress.
Freddie turned her head away from Cleveland and tried to focus on the ceremony. But she could feel his eyes roaming her body and it made her feel hot and bothered. I’m in a church for God’s sake, she thought as the image of a naked Cleveland danced in her head.
“The rings, please,” the minister said and looked pointedly at Freddie.
She smiled and pulled the wedding band from underneath her bouquet and handed it to Lillian. Though her friend was smiling, Freddie could tell that she was a little perturbed that her maid of honor was a little distracted. Lillian held the ring up, then kissed it.
“The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul, Louis may place a ring on the finger of his bride,” the minister said.
“I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you. I give you this ring as a symbol of forever, a symbol that you are the only woman that I want to spend my life with,” Louis said as he slid the ring onto Lillian’s finger, then kissed her hand.
“And Lillian, by the same token, you have a ring to give to Louis. You may place the ring on his finger,” the minister said.
Lillian smiled and tears fell from her eyes. To the crowd, it was a beautiful gesture, but Freddie knew that it was scripted. She’d seen Lillian practicing her tears earlier in the day. She rolled her eyes as Lillian began her vows.
Drama, Freddie thought. She glanced at Cleveland and he seemed to have the same thought judging by the look on his face.
“Louis, my love for you has grown like a seed planted in the earth. And it has blossomed into this beautiful flower. You are the man I want to spend the rest of my life with and the man whom I pledge my love to, willingly and without hesitation.” She paused and wiped a crocodile tear from the corner of her eye. Louis gripped her hand and smiled at Lillian.
Hook, line and sinker, Freddie thought as she watched the couple. Though she didn’t doubt Lillian’s love for Louis, she knew her friend was performing right now. Lifting her head, Freddie’s eyes collided with Cleveland’s again. He was smirking, as if he were watching a cheesy chick flick and was going to spoil the ending for everyone.
Lillian continued her speech, “A love like ours only comes once in a lifetime and I’m going to spend my life with you, loving you and being the wife that God has called me to be.”
The minister cleared his throat. Lillian flashed him a look of irritation. Today was her day and the minister and everybody else were going to have to deal with it and listen to her vows that she’d written and rewritten six times.
“I love you more than words can begin to describe,” Lillian continued. “Thank you for allowing me to be your wife.”
Freddie fought her laughter and only smiled. She had to hand it to Lillian. If this had been a Hollywood movie, she would’ve been up for Actress of the Year. Freddie knew that if she ever got married, she wouldn’t need all of this. No long speeches and no big production. Just her and the man of her dreams standing on a beach at sunset with a few witnesses and the preacher. Lifting her head, she caught Cleveland’s eye again. Had he been staring at her the entire time?
Cleveland hadn’t taken his eyes off Freddie since the ceremony began and as the minister pronounced Lillian and Louis husband and wife, Cleveland found himself excited about the prospect of walking Freddie down the aisle, touching her arm and feeling her body against his. The music began to play and Lillian locked arms with her husband. Next, Cleveland and Freddie linked arms and headed down the aisle.
“Some show,” he whispered in her ear.
“Tell me about it,” she replied and tightened her grip on his arm. “Lillian and her mother really outdid themselves with the theatrics.”
“And I thought I was the only one who felt that way. Lillian did get one thing right, though.”
Freddie raised her eyebrow. “What’s that?”
“This dress looks amazing on you.”
She smiled uncomfortably but once they exited the church she dropped her arm from his. “One question. Why were you staring at me during the ceremony?”
“Because you were a lot more interesting to watch than Louis and Lillian,” Cleveland said. “And you weren’t crying like every other woman in the bridal party. You kept your makeup in tact.”
“Whatever,” she said, fighting the urge to smile.
“Is it time for the reception?” Roland asked as he walked up behind Freddie and Cleveland. “Or do we have to take a thousand pictures first?”
“No, we have to toss the rose petals at Lillian and Louis before they get in the limo,” Freddie replied as she started walking down the steps to join the rest of the bridal party. The flower girl handed Freddie and Cleveland a small packet of rose petals. The little girl, with curly pigtails, smiled at them, then asked, “Are you married too?” Before either of them could reply, the little girl skipped away to the end of the line.
“I bet you want a few of those, huh?” Cleveland asked as he noticed Freddie smiling at the little girl.
“You really think you know me, don’t you?”
“I know women. Weddings make you all think about babies and marriage, right?”
“You don’t know as much as you think you do, so please shut up and toss the petals,” she said as Lillian and Louis appeared at the top of the church’s steps. A trumpet blared and everyone ripped open their packages. As Lillian and Louis descended the steps, they were showered with pink and white rose petals. Actually, mauve and white. It was Cleveland’s idea to use the roses that were left over from the archway. Freddie was surprised that he had the wherewithal to come up with the idea. It turned out to be beautiful and even Lillian would have to admit that despite her hysterics, the wedding came off without a hitch.
“Our duties are almost over,” Cleveland said as he and Freddie headed to the limo earmarked for the bridal party. She slid in first and Cleveland inched in beside her. His knee brushed against hers as the other bridesmaids and groomsmen got into the car. He felt her shiver and he knew that he had an effect on her. Cleveland smiled at Freddie then slid his hand on top of hers. Freddie looked pointedly at him, but made no effort to move her hand.
Amid the din of the chattering bridesmaids and groomsmen, Freddie and Cleveland exchanged heated glances at one another as if they were in the limo all alone.
Chapter 5
“All right, single ladies,” Lillian called out. The reception was in full swing and everyone had drank their share of expensive champagne and liquor. Even Michelle, who’d been uptight all day was loosened up and had tried to get the group to do the Electric Slide.
Freddie was going to keep her seat, because her feet were throbbing and her head was spinning. However, her intoxication wasn’t coming from the three glasses of champagne she had downed in succession. It was the heated looks that Cleveland had been giving her from his end of the dais. The way his
gray eyes roamed up and down her body made her feel as if he’d unzipped her dress, slowly removed her bra and kissed her breasts until her nipples hardened underneath his full lips.
It’s the champagne, she thought as she pushed her glass away.
“Hello? Where is my maid of honor?” Lillian called out. “Freddie, get down here, now.”
“She is working my last nerve,” Freddie mumbled as she headed for the dance floor. Her steps in those three-inch heels were a little more wobbly than they had been marching down the aisle. She tried to stay in the back row of all the single women who actually believed that catching a bouquet would mean that they’d be the next person to get married. Freddie rolled her eyes; no bunch of flowers would bring a man into any woman’s life and—
“Ready ladies?” Lillian said as she turned her back to the crowd. She tossed the bunch of roses over her shoulder and much to Freddie’s dismay, they landed right in her arms.
Cleveland laughed at the look on Freddie’s face when she caught the bouquet, but he also knew that if he was going to get a dance with her then he was going to have to be the one to catch Lillian’s garter when Louis tossed it. Typically, the groomsmen and the other single men ran to avoid catching it, but Cleveland had to make sure he caught it.
“Hey man,” he said to Louis. “I need that garter.”
“What?” he replied, his voice filled with surprise. “Why do you . . . ah, Freddie caught the bouquet and you’re determined to have that dance, huh?”
“And all this time that I’ve known you, I thought you rode the short bus to high school.”
“Keep playing with me and I’ll hand deliver the garter to Roland.”
Cleveland rolled his eyes. “Just do it,” he said.
Louis shook his head from side to side. “I’ll do it, but I’m telling you, Freddie is one nut you won’t crack.”
Cleveland winked at his friend. After tonight, you can call me the nutcracker.
More Than He Can Handle Page 4
