Without thinking, Ayanna scrambled furiously to maneuver chunks of burning drywall to get her mother free.
“Yannie, go! Get out of here!” her mom screamed.
She ignored the screams of her mother and continued pulling at her, desperately trying to release her from the grips of the lumber holding her down. A keening sound came from the depths of her being as she thought of Jonathan, and whether she’d ever see him again. Please God, let me get out of here. She didn’t want to think about the alternative. They’d never be able to love each other again. She’d never again see his beautiful baby blues look into hers. She’d never watch him eat Oreos again, or give him silk sheets for his bed she’d been meaning to get him.
She’d never wear the sari he picked out just for her.
Jon. I love you. I’m so sorry. She could feel herself becoming weakened by the choking smoke, crazed in trying to save her mom.
Strong arms came around her and forcibly pried her from her mother.
That’s my mother! she screamed in her head, coming momentarily out of her stupor and realizing it was a firefighter who grabbed her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw another firefighter reach her mom, but she was unable to watch the drama unfold as he carried Ayanna out of the burning restaurant.
Mom...I love you. I forgive you. I’m so sorry I was such a shitty daughter. The adrenaline crash finally hit her and although Ayanna tried to break away from the man who held her, she couldn’t.
She looked around frantically for her mother. “My mom. Please save my mom,” Ayanna whimpered behind the napkin.
The firefighter continued to run with her over to a section where a triage area was set up. When he put her down, he pulled off the napkin allowing her to gulp fresh air. She held onto his jacket. “My mom,” she started then was overcome with a coughing fit.
“Was that the woman you were trying to help?” the firefighter said loudly over the noise surrounding them. He pulled off his mask momentarily to talk.
Ayanna nodded.
“We got her, miss. Don’t worry. Just take deep breaths.”
An EMT was already putting an oxygen mask over her mouth and nose.
And with that, she allowed the relief to settle around her while taking huge inhalations of air and collapsing into exhaustion.
……
Chaos ensued around her, but Ayanna finally opened her eyes. She was so sleepy, but what she saw above her made her immediately alert. Jonathan’s baby blues were staring down at her, his gaze terrified but filled with love as tears streamed down his face. It was the most precious thing she’d ever seen.
His hand was stroking her face and she reached up to remove the oxygen mask so she could speak.
“Shh. Keep it there, baby. Just keep breathing.” He wiped at his eyes.
She put her hand to his face and touched his tears, her own eyes welling up.
He leaned down so his lips were close to her ear and cuddled the side of her cheek. He didn’t say anything, but she could feel the wetness from his eyes fall on her. That was the only form of communication they needed at the moment, and it was a celebration of the fact that they were both alive, their future ahead of them.
He finally spoke.
“Your mom and Janie are both okay. You’re all on oxygen. I spoke to one of the EMTs and they said that covering your mouths and noses with the wet napkins went a long way in protecting your lungs. They think you’ll just need some oxygen overnight. They’re taking you guys, along with some others to the ER shortly. I don’t have a status on your mom’s leg. I think maybe the shin or ankle is broken, but a broken leg is better than dead any day. I was frantic to find you, and I didn’t stay to get all of the details. I’m sorry baby, but I had to find you.”
Thank God they’re both okay. Ayanna nodded.
And just like that, she remembered Maria.
“Robert’s wife,” she murmured behind the mask.
He leaned up slightly and picked up her mask a bit. “Say it again. I couldn’t understand you.”
“Robert’s wife,” she repeated.
He replaced the mask then looked her in the eye. “I don’t think she made it out, Yan. The cops and firefighters are all aware of your phone call to me. They’ll be on the lookout for her. We can talk more about it later. For now, just breathe, okay?”
Ayanna nodded and grabbed at his face, holding him close to her.
In the following moments, she was whisked off to the hospital, with Jonathan demanding to go along in the ambulance.
She wondered where he parked his car. Strange the things that floated through one’s mind at times like these.
The next several hours were spent getting checked out, taking off her smoky clothes, getting washed up, and checking for burns. She dozed off at one point, but when she awoke, she looked up to see her father and brother in the room. Her dad looked distraught and came over to hug her tightly.
“I talked to your mother,” he whispered close to her. “She said you wouldn’t leave her.”
Ayanna’s eyes pricked with tears.
He pressed at his eyes while she saw Dev in the background crying softly.
“I’m so sorry, Yannie,” her father said in between quiet sobs. “I’m so sorry.”
Ayanna removed her mask for a moment. “Shh, Dad. I’m sorry, too. It’s time to start over.” She looked over at Dev. “For all of us.”
“Yes. Yes,” her dad was saying over and over. Dev came over to put his arm around their father and all three of them had a moment of familial closeness. Ayanna couldn’t remember the last time she had felt it.
She saw a movement off to the side, and noticed Jonathan moving away to give them all a moment of privacy. But she didn’t want him to leave, so she reached out to him instead. She wanted him there with her, and when he saw her hand held out to him, he came over to join them.
“Tell me how Mom is. And Janie. And did they find Maria?”
Her father spoke first.
“Your mom is resting. She has a broken ankle, but she’ll be back in her killer heels in no time,” he smiled and sniffed.
Ayanna was relieved. She couldn’t wait to see her.
“And Janie?”
Jon answered this time. “She’s going to be fine. She’s on humidified oxygen like you, but you’ll both be released later today.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s around three in the morning.”
Ayanna nodded then asked, “Maria?”
Jonathan took a deep breath. “They need to check dental records to confirm, but the detectives said that only one body was found inside and it was close to the entrance under debris. They believe it was her, but obviously they can’t say definitively yet. I’m sure we’ll find out all of the details in the coming days and weeks.”
Ayanna knew it was Maria. And even though she wasn’t in the habit of wishing people dead, an overwhelming sense of relief came over her. She knew the time would come for her to have to speak with the detectives, but until then, she nodded and began to close her eyes.
“Catherine?” she murmured.
“Everyone got out, Yan. Sleep, baby. We’ll talk more later,” she heard Jon say, and felt him secure the oxygen mask back on her face.
Ayanna nodded, squeezed at his hand, and fell asleep.
Chapter 26
Ayanna stood in front of the mirror and twirled. She looked over her shoulder and inspected her ass.
Yup. Looked good.
But what looked spectacular was the front.
In full splendor, Ayanna nodded in approval at the beauty of the sari and how it draped elegantly and exotically on her frame. Her hair fell in long silky waves, her eyes were darkened to a sexy sultry look, and from her ears dangled gold chandelier earrings. Her lips were glossed in a deep wine. The organza fabric that draped from her waist to over her shoulder gave a peek of her belly button and a hint of her tattoo, with her skin shimmering to perfection and set off by the purple color of the si
lk. But it was the decorative stitching, and the plum and lavender accents on the plunging neckline and cinched waist that made a statement.
And the statement said, Come and get me, JBG.
Glad that the last 48 hours were behind her, Ayanna reflected on the events of the day before. After she had spoken to the detectives at the hospital, she was finally allowed to see her mom. It was an emotional reunion; one filled with tears, apologies, forgiveness, and ultimately hope.
She had seen Ryann and Jeremy as well, who were still there waiting to see her early Thursday morning. Emily had stayed for a while, but had to leave before she had a chance to see Ayanna. They talked briefly on the phone, though. Janie, who she saw last, was surrounded by her family, as well as Luke and Tiffany. She and Janie had a moment to talk quietly and after they debriefed the experience, they had secretly agreed they would see each other at the art showing on Friday. To them it represented a celebration of life, and they were both determined to go.
Once Ayanna was discharged, Jonathan took her home. Apparently he was able to get Jeremy to drive the Jaguar to the hospital the night of the fire. In a frenzied panic, Jonathan had left the car haphazardly parked in the middle of the street when he got to the restaurant, and once he was on the way to the hospital with Ayanna, he called in the troops.
He had been quiet on the ride back to the apartment, and she knew he was still processing the events from the last 24 hours, so she simply reached over and held his hand during the ride. Once home, she showered for a full half hour to remove the rank odor of fire that still clung to her, and allowed Jon to pamper her. He fed her pizza from one of her favorite pizzerias then she fell asleep again until that morning.
Throughout the day on Friday, Ayanna had to do some major smooth talking with both Jonathan and Ryann to try to convince them that she was not only fine to attend the student art showing at the Institute that evening, but that she needed it. Once she had won the arguments, she began her transformation in the bedroom, kicking Jon out until she would be ready for him at 7pm.
So there she stood at a quarter to seven, all spruced up and ready to go. Even though she had lost her phone and wallet in the fire, she was determined to find and purchase something for the apartment that night. Ayanna would be on the lookout for something special. She wanted to find a piece of art that was beautiful, but that would also represent the life changing experiences she had encountered over the last several days and weeks.
She’d already asked Ryann to make a purchase for her before she’d swung by earlier that day, and Ayanna planned on giving that surprise to her beautiful man in a few moments. Ryann assured her that she could still buy a piece of art that evening and they would settle up at a later time once Ayanna got to the bank to get a new debit card.
She heard the knock on the door, then the sound of it opening and shutting.
“Babe?” he yelled.
She knew it would be Jonathan letting himself in with the key she had given him. Excited with anticipation, Ayanna grabbed her clutch and called out.
“JBG?”
“Hey,” he yelled back.
She took a deep breath to settle her nerves then walked out into the living room.
He stood with his back to her, dressed sharply in a navy blue pinstripe suit, his jacket tossed on the sofa. The pale pink button down stretched across his shoulders. He looked gorgeous.
He turned to see her and the look in his eyes stopped her in her tracks.
He blinked several times, and then put his hand over his heart resting it on his silvery pink silk tie. His breathing hitched as he looked at her from the bottom of her gold strappy heels to the top of her head.
She felt a moment of feminine giddiness. She knew she looked good and she wanted to give him the moment he needed to appreciate it all. With a twinkle in her eye, she smiled and turned slowly for him. When she was facing him again, she spoke quietly.
“Whattaya think, champ?”
His face had turned white and she could see his throat working, swallowing down emotion. As she watched him, the smile dropped from her face.
“Jon?” she whispered.
He didn’t need to respond verbally for her to know what he was thinking. His look said it all. They hadn’t yet talked about the fire, but she was hoping he was ready to now.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again.” he said quietly.
She felt like crying. “I know. I was thinking the same thing right before the firefighter dragged me out.”
He let go of a huge breath, obviously trying to get his emotions in check. “I knew I loved you,” he began. She waited, knowing this was important. He took a step forward then stopped, but continued speaking. “I just didn’t know how much I loved you until two days ago. When I thought I lost you.”
She nodded in understanding. She knew exactly what he was saying because she had felt the same thing. “I know, champ,” she said choking back a sob.
“You’re gonna mess up your makeup,” he said with a dry smile. “And it looks amazing, by the way. You,” he swallowed. “You look amazing. I mean,” he swallowed again. “I can’t really put it into words. All I know is I feel like the luckiest man in the world tonight. Honestly, Yan. You take my breath away,” he finished on a whisper.
She sniffed inelegantly and blinked furiously so her makeup wouldn’t run, then fanned her eyes to dry them.
He chuckled, then spoke again but stayed routed to where he was.
“There is one part of your makeup that’s gonna get messed up, though.”
She looked at him and his baby blues darkened with heat. Arousal hit her. She loved it when he got that look.
“Yeah? What part is that?”
He stalked slowly toward her and without speaking any further, he gently took her face in his hands, leaned down and kissed her.
Slowly he melded their lips, kissing her the way she had wanted him to for the past two days. Sandwiching her lower lip between his own and sucking it into his mouth.
She purred with satisfaction as he dipped his tongue in and tasted her. He continued worshipping her mouth for another moment, then stepped back.
“If I don’t stop right now, we may not make it to the showing,” he murmured.
“I’ll only let you stop if you promise to ravish me afterwards.” She leaned up and licked at his lip.
“How are you feeling?” he asked with concern.
“Like I want to be ravished by the man I love,” she said nipping at his chin.
“Then you can count on it, baby.” His eyes gleamed with promise.
“Before we head out, I want to give you something,” Ayanna began. “Sit on the sofa for a sec. I’ll be right back.”
He looked at her with a question in his eye then sat. She ran to the bedroom to get the gift Ryann had picked up for her earlier. She walked back into the living room and handed it to him.
“When on earth did you have time to get me something?”
“Hey, just like you have your ways...I learn from the best.” Ayanna smiled and nodded at the gift so he would open it.
He did. And pulled out a king size sheet set. In navy blue silk.
He started chuckling and then looked up at her with sweetness.
“Ah,” he said happily. “Perfect. I cannot wait to break these in with a beautiful sari draped sex goddess.”
“I absolutely couldn’t agree more. In fact, we can do that tonight.” She gave him a pointed look. “They’ve already been washed for us.” Thank God for BFFs, Ayanna thought.
“Ryann?”
Ayanna nodded and smiled.
“I love that woman.” He stood up and cupped her face. “I love you.”
“I love you, JBG.” She took a moment to snuggle into his hand. Then, “Now, let’s get outta here. The sooner we leave the sooner we come back.”
“You betcha.” He grabbed his jacket from the sofa and reached out to take her hand.
“Baby?”
“Yeah?�
�� he asked, cupping her face again.
“There’s one thing you need to do before we go.” Ayanna was smirking and looking at his lips.
“What’s that?”
“You may want to wash off the lipstick. I don’t think Cover Girl #310 Smitten is your color.”
.....
The Manhattan Institute for Art and Design, also known simply as the Institute, was decked out in all of its splendor and glory. Located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Institute was architecturally the Greek revival style and was built in the 1850’s. With a Brownstone facade, it had double columns flanking the elaborate entrance.
When Ayanna and Jonathan arrived, they were met by a valet and got out of the car. Jonathan looked up at the structure in front of him.
“Mark would love this.”
“I know, right? It’s beautiful. Is this the first time you’ve ever been here?”
“Yeah.”
“Me, too. Come on.”
They were swept up the front steps into the enormous lobby where the majority of the art was displayed. From oils to watercolors, sculptures to blown glass, abstract pieces along with object art, the lobby was a feast for the eyes.
They began walking around and bumped into Ryann, Jeremy and Luke first. Ayanna and Ryann hugged long and hard. Ryann was stunning in a fitted terracotta colored floor length number with spaghetti straps and metallic heels. With her auburn hair and hazel eyes, the dress was perfect and made her look like a sexy flame. The guys had an extra moment of male bonding while Ayanna and Ryann talked.
“You look gorgeous. Shit,” Ryann gushed. “Where did you get this sari? This isn’t Ammie’s, is it?” Ryann was touching the fabric in awe.
Ya gotta love best friends who stroked the ego, Ayanna thought to herself and smiled. She looked over at Jonathan then back at Ryann.
“Jon got it for me in Boston.”
“Jonathan!” Ryann squealed. He looked over, thinking something was wrong.
“What?”
“Where did you find this? It’s like it was made just for her! Exquisite!”
Redemption (Iris Series) Page 37
