“It’s about the foundation’s board. I would like for you to join. I’ve been thinking about it for some time and I want you as a board member.”
“What about the current members?”
“They’re all backstabbers. I’m starting fresh with all new members. So, would you like to join?”
“I would if you’re not asking because you feel you owe me.”
“I’m not.”
“Well then, I accept your offer.”
She kissed Nick on the lips. “Thank you.”
“The other half of our party just arrived.”
Ramona turned and saw Amber and Lee walking towards them with the hostess. Once they were at their table they all exchange pleasantries. “This place is nice,” said Amber. “Lee and I always wanted to come here but it’s out of our comfort zone.”
“That’s why it’s my treat,” said Nick.
“I would rather split the bill,” said Lee.
“Guys! This is my thank you for Amber being a great friend and celebrating her new job. Let’s not worry about who’s paying what and have a good time.”
Amber and Lee looked at each other and smiled. “If you insist, boss!” she laughed.
“So, Lee I know all about your wife but she hasn’t told me much about you. How did you guys meet?”
“Believe or not we met on a blind date,” he said.
“Seriously? That sounds like a good story,” said Ramona. Lee explained that he and Amber’s previous boss were friends and he set them up on a blind date. Amber added she wasn’t attracted to him at first but stayed in touch as friends. Months later he asked her out, and she agreed. One date turned into two and eventually, they fell in love.
“Aw, that's so sweet. I love that story.”
“He’s one of the good guys,” said Amber, as she squeezed Lee's hand.
“Did she tell you any of the stories from when we were wild and young?” asked Ramona.
“Yes. I know all the shenanigans you two pulled.” Ramona and Amber both laughed in unison.
“Lee, I spoke with my team and I have two properties we’re looking to buy. Soon we can move forward with our plans.”
Ramona glanced at Amber and then back at Nick. “What plans? Are you in commercial real estate also, Lee?”
“I told Lee that I buy commercial properties and he mentioned that he owns a property inspection company. We both agreed it would be mutually beneficial if I used his company,”said Nick.
“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” said Amber.
“Well, nothing is set in stone. I’ll inspect one property and if all goes well…”
“That calls for a round of champagne! We have one more thing to celebrate.” Before Ramona could order anything, the waiter placed their meals on the table. She moved the glass of water aside to make room on the table.
“Wait?!” exclaimed Amber. “What is that?” She was staring at Ramona’s left hand.
“Oh, you mean this bracelet. I bought it…”
“No! I mean that big ass rock on your finger!”
Ramona grinned. “Nick and I got engaged last night!!”
Amber pulled Ramona’s hand forward and eyed the sparkling ring closer. “This is what we should celebrate! Congratulations you two.”
“Thanks!”
“Would you guys like to go to Blue Room with Nick and I after dinner?”
“We can’t. But, have fun for us.”
The group celebrated their future endeavors with an expensive bottle of bubbly. After dinner, they parted ways, and Ramona and Nick continued the party next door.
◆◆◆
Partygoers had filled The Blue Room to capacity, which is the norm for a Saturday night. There were people everywhere on the dance floor, in the booths, and seated at tables. There was one available booth in the back, near the bar. Nick led Ramona by the hand through the sea of people. As she walked, she bopped her head to a Rihanna song. “Sit here,” he said. “I’ll order drinks.”
“I had enough at dinner.” Ramona shouted over the music. “I think I’ll chill on drinking for the rest of night.”
“Come on, we’re celebrating. We don’t have to drive home.”
Ramona bit down on her lip as she decided. “Okay. Just one. Get me whatever.” With that order, Nick was off to the bar. She checked her text messages while she waited. She received one from Ashley, asking when she would start in her new position. Ramona replied stating that the board will meet at the end of next week and afterward she would inform her with an official start date. The other messages were from her accountant and Dave. She looked over towards the bar and saw Nick speaking with the bartender. She couldn’t help but stare. How lucky was she to have a guy as devoted as him? His undeniable good looks were a plus, she’s even gotten used to the beard. As she continued to watch him, she saw a blur of a person in her peripheral vision. She turned and Xavier was sitting on the opposite side of the booth.
She narrowed her eyes and turned her nose up in disgust. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought I saw you walk in. I had to be sure.”
“Before you even think of causing a scene, you should know I’m not alone!”
“Relax, I only want to talk.”
“Why aren’t you in jail?”
“I know you understand the concept of bail.”
“I don’t have time to play games with you.” Ramona stood up and Xavier grabbed her arm. “Let go of me!” she yelled. It must have caught Nick’s attention because he came running over. Xavier released her arm. “Is there a problem?” Nick asked, staring Xavier square in the eye.
“No,” he said, holding his arms up in the air. In an attempt to show he was backing off.
“Are you okay?” Nick asked Ramona.
“Yeah, he said he’s out on bail and wanted to talk.”
“Okay,” said Nick. “You want to talk? Let’s talk.” Ramona sat and slid over in the booth. Nick sat next to her with Xavier facing him on the opposite side. “What’s on your mind?”
Xavier rubbed his fist and cut his eyes at Nick. “I only want to speak with Ramona.”
“Whatever you have to say to her, you can say with me here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Ramona smiled slightly to herself. She loved how he always stood up for her.
“I apologize for the cameras and spying on you.”
“Are you apologizing because you don’t want me to file charges?” she asked.
“You can’t,” he spat. “I made a deal with the police.”
“I don’t give a damn about your deal. You placed cameras all over my home and watched me day and night. That’s sick!”
“Look, I was wrong for spying on you.”
“There you go again. You cross the line and you apologize hoping I would accept it.”
“I mean it. I should have never invaded your privacy and treated you badly when we were together.”
Ramona rolled her eyes. “Xavier, you are a sick individual and need help. However, if it wasn’t for the cameras we wouldn’t have evidence against Kelsey.”
“I think we should call it even and you agree to stay out of her life,” said Nick.
“We’re getting married.” Ramona held up her left hand to show off her ring. “Kelsey’s in jail and you’re facing your own charges. I’m moving forward with my life, I suggest you do the same.”
Xavier nodded his head up and down. “I need you to know my feelings for you were real.”
Ramona looked over at Nick and she could see that vein making another appearance on his forehead. “I appreciate your apology. However, I think this should be your last time reaching out to me. If you do so again, I’ll get a restraining order.”
“I said what I had to say. Good luck with the marriage.” He got up and left. Ramona watched as he disappeared into the crowd.
“What are the odds?” asked Nick.
“I know. Let’s not allow that stop our celebration.”
The waitress brought over their drinks. The couple enjoyed the music and their beverages. Afterward, they danced until the club closed at three in the morning. They both were drunk and unable to drive. Nick had an Uber picked them up and take them to his house. That night was the most fun they had in ages. When they arrived at his home, they both agreed they wouldn’t allow anything or anyone tear them apart ever again. They sealed the promise with a drunken kiss and made love before passing out.
CHAPTER THIRTY
A throbbing pain in her head woke Ramona from a deep slumber. She slowly opened her eyes to a blinding light that crept through the blinds. She immediately lowered her eyelids to relieve herself of the torture and felt the other side of the bed for Nick. He had to feel just as terrible as she does. She swiped her hand back and forth on the cotton sheet and felt not a hand, arm or back. Through squinted eyes, she saw she was alone. Ramona sat up in the bed, threw her legs over the side and flounder her way to the bathroom. Usually, a splash of cold water on her face would do the trick, but in her current condition, it may not be enough. I look like shit! Her reflection proved she had a fun-filled night. She had dark circles under her eyes, her hair was standing up on top of her head, and evidently she’s forgotten how to put on a nightgown. It was on backwards! She was curious to see Nick’s condition.
When she arrived at the top of the stairs, Nick was walking up with a tray in his hand. “You’re up! I was on my way to bring you breakfast.” Ramona looked at him perplexed. How could he be bright-eyed and cheery when she was a total mess?
“How long have you been up?” she asked.
“Three hours, maybe,” he said walking by with the tray.
“My head is killing me and you’re downstairs cooking.”
“That’s because you’re a lightweight. Get back in the bed and eat. There’s also a bottle of aspirin for you to take.”
Ramona climbed back into the bed, propped two of the plush pillows behind her. Nick placed the brown wooden tray above her legs. There was a plate of scrambled eggs, sliced bananas and a glass of tomato juice. She scrunched her nose at the offering. “It looks very appetizing,” she sarcastically replied.
“According to the internet these foods help get rid of a hangover faster,” he said.
“I think I’ll take the aspirin and call it a day.”
“No. At least try a bite of everything.” Nick stabbed two pieces of eggs with a fork and lifted it towards her mouth. “Open.”
Ramona snatched the fork from his hand. “I can feed myself.” She placed the fork in her mouth.
“Trust me. You’ll feel better if you eat it all.”
“Fine, I’ll eat and go back to sleep.” She felt like a little kid under his watchful eye. He sat at the edge of the bed watching her every move. Once she finished he removed the tray and closed the door behind him. Ramona slept for the next two hours. When she woke she had energy and felt refreshed. She showered and changed into shorts and a tank top before heading downstairs.
She found Nick in the living room watching a movie. “Feel better?” he asked when she plopped down beside him.
“Yes. I had so much fun last night. I hadn’t partied like that in a long time.”
“Before our relationship was under a cloud of secrecy. Going forward, it will be different.”
“You think so?”
“Oh yeah, we’ll travel, go to parties, host our own, and do whatever else you want. The best part is you’ll be my wife.”
“Wife… I love the sound of that,” she smiled. “I can’t wait.” Ramona leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. The sound of the doorbell interrupted their romantic moment.
“Do you mind getting that? There’s five minutes left in the movie I don’t want to miss,” said Nick.
“The remote has a pause button, but I’ll get it,” she said, lifting her body off the couch. Ramona rounded the corner towards the front door. The bell rang two more times. “Okay, Okay. I’m coming!” She shouted at the closed door. A quick peek out of the window revealed the back of a woman’s head.
She opened the door and there stood the female from the day before along with her child. “Hi, may I help you?”
“Yes, we met yesterday at…”
“You’re the lady from the boutique. The one that makes the bracelets.”
“So, you remember me.”
Ramona narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips in a moment of confusion. “I do, but what are you doing at my fiancé’s home?”
“I need to speak with…”
“Sweetheart, who is it?” Nick asked, walking up from behind. Ramona opened the door wider for him to see. “Trinity?” he questioned.
“You know her?” asked Ramona, bewildered.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
Ramona stepped aside as Nick moved closer to the door. She watched them both intently as she tried to figure out what the hell was going on. “I needed to see you,” she said. Her eyes were soft and accompanied with the gentle smile. The look of someone intimately familiar with him.
Ramona moved closer to Nick. “You needed to see him?! Why? Who are you?”
Nick turned and pulled Ramona out of the doorway. “Please calm down. Give her a chance to explain why she’s here.”
“I don’t understand. Who is she to you?”
“I’ll explain once she leaves.” Nick walked over to the front door and allowed Trinity and her child in. At the store, Ramona couldn’t see the little girl's face because she hid behind her mother’s skirt. Today, she’s in full view. She has her mother’s naturally bronze colored skin, curly black hair, and piercing gray eyes. Those eyes! Ramona glanced at Nick and then back at the little girl. A gnawing feeling developed her stomach.
“Are you ready to tell me why you’re here?” asked Nick.
“I wanted to… uh,” she glanced over at Ramona, “Can we do this in private?”
“No. We’re doing it right here.”
“Okay. Well, I came so you could meet your daughter, Taylor.” Ramona placed her hand over her mouth, her body felt like someone had kicked the life out of it. She had to brace herself up against the wall as she fought back tears.
“My daughter?! What do you mean my daughter?”
“Just as I said, Nick. Taylor is yours. We can do a DNA test if you like.”
“How old is she?” asked Ramona, voice shaky.
Trinity held her daughter’s hand and smiled. “She’s three.”
“Three? Why are you just now telling him?!” Ramona shook her head in anger.
“I had my reasons for waiting, but that’s between me and Nick.”
Ramona widened her eyes and gritted her teeth. She was two seconds away from punching her in the face, but restrained herself because of the child. “You and Nick?! He’s my fiancé and whatever involves him, includes me. But, you already knew who I was when you conveniently bumped into me yesterday.”
Nick stood beside her and held her hand. “Don’t do this in front of her kid,” he whispered in her ear.
“I want no part of this.” Ramona ran upstairs to the bedroom and fell onto the bed sobbing. Just when she thought she would get her happily ever after, it had all gone to hell. After minutes of sobbing, she sat up to compose herself. She retrieved her clothes from the closet and threw them on the bed. Nick walked in when she had her last pair of pants in hand.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Leaving! Is SHE still here?”
“Trinity left.” Nick placed his hands on Ramona’s which caused her to flinch.
“Don’t touch me!”
Nick had a look of confusion on his face. “I understand why you’re upset, but I didn’t betray you.”
“When were you with her?”
“About four years ago.”
“So, she is your daughter?”
“No.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Listen, it wasn’t anything serious. We went out a few times and had
sex once.”
“It only takes one time, Nick!”
“You weren’t here! I told you I dated. I don’t get why you’re mad at me.”
“Because we’re getting married and beginning our life together as husband and wife.” She wiped the tears from her face. “It’s supposed to be you and I. Not us, your kid, and your baby mama!” Nick placed his arms around her. She tried to wriggle out of his embrace but that made him hold her tighter.
“I’m sorry,” he said, softly. “This is unexpected and way out of left field. I mean, why would she come now? Why would she wait until the girl was three?”
“I don’t know if I can do this.”
Nick pulled away and met Ramona’s eyes. “You can’t do what?”
Ramona escaped his grip and stared at her engagement ring. “Last time I had to share you with Lauren. I can’t do it again.”
She removed the ring from her left hand and placed it in Nick’s palm.
“Sweetheart, don’t do this.” Nick grabbed Ramona’s hand and tried to slip the ring back on. “We don’t know for sure she’s mine.”
“I saw the little girl’s eyes! She has your eyes, there’s no denying that.” Ramona continued to pack her clothes in her suitcase. Every time she would place a piece of clothing in it, Nick would remove it. “Nick, stop! This is happening. There is no way we can move forward with this hanging over our heads. You need to find out if Taylor is your daughter.”
“And if she is? Does that mean I can’t have you?”
“I don’t know,” she said, with her face soaked with tears. She ran into the bathroom. Nick stood in the doorway preventing her from closing the door.
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Then listen, instead. I stood by you although you pushed me away after your arrest. I was there for you through your ordeal with Xavier, with Lisa’s death, and everything afterward. When I told you I would never leave you I meant it. You can’t abandon me at the first sign of trouble or because the road is not how you imagined it to be. I will place this ring back on your finger. I gave it to you because I love you and nothing will change that. We will figure this out together. Okay?”
She didn’t stop him when he lifted her left hand and placed the ring back onto her trembling ring finger. “We love each other. Nothing and no one will change that. Promise.” He placed a kiss on her lips. She agreed with everything he said. She was behaving selfishly, and it was her turn to stand by him. Since the day they meet their relationship had been nothing but a series of twist and turns. However, a child with another woman was as if a gigantic boulder dropped in the middle of their road to happiness. In time she could come to accept Taylor, it’s not like Nick conceived her while they were together. But, Ramona saw the look in Trinity’s eyes and it’s all too familiar. It’s the same look she had when she wanted Nick for herself. If she’s right, she will once again fight another woman to be with him. With Nick as the prize, she didn’t intend to lose.
Shattered Hearts (Shattered Series Book 2) Page 21
