It Started in Paradise

by Nicki Night

  “What’s the important information you had to share with me?”

  Donovan took a breath, sipped wine and sat back. “I spoke to my mother.”

  Chloe shifted in her seat. “And.”

  “She told me what happened between her and your mother.”

  Chloe held her tongue. She wanted to hear their version.

  Donovan ran his finger around the rim of his glass. “I almost felt bad for bringing it up.”

  Chloe tilted her head. “Why?” Tilting her head, she gave him her complete attention.

  “She cried.”

  “She cried?” Chloe’s brows furrowed. Based on what Chloe had learned about the situation, that didn’t make sense. “Why would she cry?”

  “It hurt that Mrs. Chandler hadn’t believed her, but she knew it was that bastard Gary’s fault.”

  “Wait. What did she tell you?”

  Donovan took a breath. “Your mother’s ex tried to brutally force himself on my mother. She managed to get away before he’d done any real damage, but before she could tell anyone, he’d convinced your mom and all of their friends that my mother had come on to him, betraying your mom. Then he stalked her daily, threatening to do her harm if she said anything to anyone. The stalking really messed her up for a while. It took years for her to finally come out of her shell.”

  Chloe was practically in tears. With her hand on her heart, she asked, “Did she ever get to tell my mother what happened?”

  “No. They never became friends again after that. She told us the story last Friday evening.” Donovan sat back and took a breath as if telling the story lifted weight from his chest.

  “What about the guy? Did anything ever happen to him?” Chloe asked.

  “He went on to play pro basketball but had to stop because of an injury. He also worked as a sports commentator and a coach at a college in New Jersey for a while. Other than that, no one has seen him for years. My dad and I both wish we could find him.” For an instant, Donovan’s eyes turned menacing.

  “That’s horrible.” Chloe couldn’t believe what she heard. If Donovan’s story was true, El was mad at Joliet for no good reason. Not to mention this situation ruined a friendship that probably would have lasted for years. “That bastard probably did the same thing to other women, too.” Chloe’s brows were furrowed. She shook her head. “Why tell me this now?” Chloe asked after a few silent moments. She wanted to ask about the job opportunities that El thought Joliet sabotaged but she didn’t. Instead, she told Donovan what she’d learned from her aunt about the situation.

  Donovan pushed one of the plates aside and leaned across the table toward Chloe. “If we get them together, just to talk, maybe they could find their way past this so we could be together. I know how much your family means to you and I don’t want you to have to choose between them and me, but I’m not willing to let you go so easily.”

  Chloe let the tears fall. It wasn’t for Joliet although she felt for her. These tears were brought on by the effort Donovan put into trying to make things work between them. There was possibly a chance for them to be together. Maybe she should fight for Donovan as hard as he was fighting for her.

  Chapter 28

  Chloe couldn’t believe she’d agreed to this. Frantically, she ran around the first floor of her home, trying to get things in order for the dinner that she and Donovan planned with their mothers. Chloe hadn’t told El that Joliet would be there and had no idea how she was going to react.

  Looking at her watch, she drew in a sharp breath taking in the delectable scent of the lemon pound cake wafting through the house. Her grandmother Mary Kate had taught her how to make it and eventually she’d mastered the recipe so well that her grandma stopped making it altogether. Now it was Chloe’s assignment for all major occasions and family gatherings. It was also El’s favorite cake.

  “Check the cake,” she yelled to Jade and Jewel as she made her way from the dining room to the kitchen.

  “Okay!” Jade yelled back, mocking her. She could hear both sisters snickering.

  Chloe appeared in the entrance of the kitchen, halted and planted her hands on her hips, catching the girls mid-laugh. She stood there long enough to see them mocking her in high voices the way annoying little sisters would. She refused to laugh, trying her best to look angry. She stayed that way for a few moments until they finally noticed her. When they did, the three of them burst out laughing.

  “Sorry, sis, but you need to relax. I feel like I’m in the kitchen with Mommy with you barking orders like that. Check the cake! Turn the fire down! Stir the vegetables!” Jewel fell out laughing again.

  “I know, right?” Jade joined in.

  Sighing, Chloe dropped her shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she whined.

  Jade walked over and threw her arms around Chloe. “We’re just teasing. We understand. I would certainly be a wreck if it were me.”

  “No apologies needed, Sissy.” Jewel walked over with her cell phone in her hand and kissed Chloe on the cheek. She looked at the phone. “We don’t have much time. Let’s get this table set up.” Jewel started back toward the stove. “I sure wish I could stick around and see the look on Mom’s face when Joliet walks in the door.”

  “Me, too. I could really use your support.” Chloe grabbed a decorative bowl filled with mixed greens, pecans and fresh strawberries. Sliced avocadoes formed a circle in the center.

  Jewel pouted. “I know but this show has been sold out for months. I can’t forfeit my tickets now. I wish I had known before you made the plans, I would have told you to do it another day so I could watch.” Jewel followed Chloe into the formal dining room carrying a dish of the roasted vegetables on a tray made of fine china.

  “Yeah, sis. Me, too,” Jade said, making room on the table for the dishes her sisters carried.

  Jewel looked at Jade and twisted her lips. “You could be here. You just don’t want to.” She put her tray down, waved off Jade and sauntered back toward the kitchen.

  “You know I hate conflict,” Jade said, following behind Jewel.

  “I’ll be fine,” Chloe assured them. They continued back and forth until all of the food was out. With fine linens, a tall centerpiece with a spray of seasonal flowers and the formal setting, the table looked fit for the cover of Gourmet magazine.

  “I’m going to call you the second I get out of the theater. I want to hear every detail. I need to make sure good old El is still standing. Ha!” Jewel untied the apron from her waist.

  “You’re bad.” Jade snickered, removing her apron as well.

  Chloe’s phone dinged. The text from Donovan read, Are you okay?

  I’m doing okay for now, Chloe replied.

  Jewel grabbed her bag. “Call you later, sis.” She wrapped her arms around Chloe and squeezed tight. “You got this,” she encouraged, searching her purse for keys.

  “Yes! You got this,” Jade repeated. “Call me if you need me. I won’t be far.” Jade hugged her sister again.

  “Thanks for all your help, ladies.” Chloe walked them to the door. The three embraced again. This time in a group hug.

  Chloe pouted as they exited. Jade pouted, too. Jewel gave her an encouraging wink. Chloe nodded in response as an unspoken I can do this.

  Watching as both sisters made their way down the walk and into their cars, Chloe began second-guessing herself. She wanted to back out. It was all too uncertain. How would El respond? Would she just get up and leave? What if she hit Joliet—or her for that matter? As refined as El was, Chloe truly didn’t expect her to act violently but she knew El wouldn’t take kindly to being blindsided.

  Maybe they should have pushed this dinner off another week, but there was really no reason to prolong this any further. It was time for her to live openly. Donovan made her happier than any man she’d ever dated. She felt gi
rly and giddy in his presence. The short amount of time when they weren’t seeing each other regularly, she was miserable. Donovan proved himself to be more than a stand-up man. Chloe was glad he’d persisted. She could certainly see herself falling in love with him. Maybe she was already on her way there. The thought made Chloe smile.

  Chloe heard her phone chirp. She headed back to the dining room to retrieve it. When she saw the time, she realized it was too late to call it off. El should be en route. The thought made Chloe’s breath catch. Chloe hit the icon to see the message that had just come in and her bell rung. She froze.

  Breathing in and out slowly, Chloe cautiously walked to the door. Seeing her mother’s silhouette gave her pause. She forced herself the rest of the way to the door, speaking each action as she did it. “Open the door, Chloe.” Mustering up any cheer she could find, Chloe swung the door open. “Mom!”

  El’s brows creased. “Yes, dear, it’s me. You did invite me to dinner, right?”

  Chloe laughed, stepping aside and admiring her mother’s stylish, yellow silk shirt and pants of the same hue. “Come on in.”

  El shook her head at Chloe with a cautious grin and one raised brow. “I wonder about you sometimes.”

  “Nice purse,” Chloe said, taking her mother’s bag and setting it on the console in the entranceway.

  “I got it during our last shopping spree. That was such fun.”

  “It was, wasn’t it?” Chloe loved her mother’s sweetheart-lipped smile but couldn’t help but wonder how much longer that jovial look would last. “Come on in the kitchen. Would you like a glass of wine?”

  “Sure. It smells wonderful in here.” El halted and let out a slight gasp. “And you made my favorite—lemon pound cake.” El closed her eyes and sniffed the air. “Hmm. I can’t wait to get into it.”

  “Just for you.” Chloe took two glasses from the counter and poured a glass of wine for both of them.

  El sat on the bench in front of the island. “I was happy that you asked me to dinner.” El took the glass from Chloe. “It’s been so long since we spent time together. You know—just the two of us. I mean, we see each other every day at work but it’s all about work and the past few weeks have been absolutely crazy.” She sipped her wine. “Mm. Pretty good.” She raised her glass. “I’m almost glad we didn’t get that contract—well, maybe just a little—but now that the date has been changed to this coming Friday we would have been going nuts with it being so close to our reception.” El rolled her eyes upward. “Could you imagine?”

  “Nope. I don’t want to imagine. I’m already swamped with the reception,” Chloe said, leaning over the island counter with her glass in her hand. She was truly enjoying her mother’s company and almost felt bad about what was about to happen. But it was necessary.

  “By the way, did you ever find a dress? I’m going to use that one I got last week while we were out. I tried it on when I got home and it looked absolutely stunning and that’s me being modest. Ha!” El slapped the countertop and laughed.

  Chloe chuckled. “I’m sure I’ll find something this week.”

  El slid off the stool and strutted toward the dining room with her perfect posture. “I want to see what you have in here that smells so amazing.”

  A nervous flutter squiggled through Chloe’s stomach. She followed behind El.

  “This looks fantastic. I taught you well.” El walked around the table, taking in the setup. “This is a lot of food for two people.”

  “I’m expecting more people.”

  “Oh.” El sounded slightly disappointed. “Are your sisters coming?”

  “Actually—” The bell rang and Chloe couldn’t find her voice to finish her sentence. She cleared her throat. “I’ll get that.”

  Chloe sprinted to the door. Her hands trembled as she turned the knob. She paused to take a deep breath before pulling the door open. When she did, Joliet’s pretty red-lipped smile immediately put her at ease. She smiled back, feeling thankful. Joliet’s warm demeanor made her feel like things wouldn’t be so bad.

  “Thank you for coming, Mrs. Rivers.” Chloe purposely didn’t speak loudly. “Welcome.” She stepped aside to let her and Donovan in.

  Donovan kissed her cheek and she felt even more at ease when she saw Mrs. Rivers smile at his gesture.

  “Who is it, honey?” El flowed from the dining room with her wine glass held high in the air and an inviting smile, all ready to greet their guest. El’s eyes went to Joliet. She halted, frozen in place as if she’d hit a force field that wouldn’t allow her to go any farther. A scowl replaced her smile. She reared back as if she smelled something putrid. “What? What is she doing here?” El spat out the word “she” as if it tasted bad in her mouth.

  “Mom!” El shot daggers at Chloe with her eyes. Chloe felt them pierce her soul.

  “Hello, El.” Joliet’s tone was stiff. She frowned.

  El only blinked at Joliet. She didn’t respond. The vein in her neck protruded and throbbed.

  “Hello, Mrs. Chandler.” Donovan pushed through the tense silence.

  El walked toward the console, put her glass down and snatched her purse. “I don’t know what kind of game you all are playing here but I want no part of it.”

  “Ma! Please.”

  “El doesn’t need to go,” Joliet said. “I’ll leave.”

  “No!” Donovan’s shout startled everyone. Three pairs of wide eyes landed on him at the same time. “We came here to accomplish something and with all due respect, no one is leaving until we do just that.” Donovan stood by Chloe’s side, placing his hand on the small of her back.

  El glared at Donovan as if she were about to curse. She looked at Donovan’s hand on Chloe and confusion covered her expression.

  “Yes, Ma,” Chloe said in a small voice. “We all need to talk.”

  “Chloe. What’s this about?” El shifted her weight to one foot and folded her arms, exasperated. “And how long has this been going on?” She unfolded her arms and pointed back and forth between Chloe and Donovan.

  “Let’s all go into the dining room,” Chloe said. Donovan took her hand and squeezed it gently. At that moment, Chloe was convinced that she was doing the right thing.

  Joliet, Chloe and Donovan started toward the dining room. El didn’t move. Chloe turned back and saw her mother stay stubbornly in place.

  “Ma! Please. I need you to do this—for me.”

  El averted her eyes and huffed. After another beat, she marched past all of them. Chloe silently prayed for strength.

  El sat down hard. “Someone start talking,” El ordered.

  Joliet looked at Chloe as if she pitied her. “El, it’s obvious that our kids are in love,” she said, smiling at her son with admiration.

  Chloe was surprised that she didn’t flinch at Joliet’s choice of words. It seemed fitting. As extreme as this situation was, her words were appropriate. What else could draw this unlikely group together?

  “It’s obvious they’re looking for our blessing.”

  “And they’ll never get it,” El spat.

  “Mom!” Chloe chided.

  “Don’t ‘Mom’ me! How dare you do this to me?”

  “Just listen, please!”

  “We know that something happened between the two of you many years ago and we have reason to believe that it was all a huge misunderstanding.”

  “Humph!” El pursed her lips, stiffened her back and focused her attention on the wall.

  “I’ll start.” Joliet sighed and then regarded Chloe with sympathetic eyes. “El.” She turned to face El. “When my son came to me and told me he wanted to be with Chloe, I knew how hard this would be but he was adamant. I’m doing this for him—for them.” Joliet took considerable pauses between each sentence. “Then he asked about us and all of the anger and pain cam
e flooding back.” Joliet’s eyes glistened. She swallowed. “Then I realized I needed this as much as he did.”

  El turned slightly. Her posture softened when she realized Joliet was crying. Again, she looked confused.

  “I never came on to Gary that night at his apartment.” El faced her fully, narrowing her eyes. Joliet continued. “He forced himself on me. I had to...” Joliet swallowed. “I had to fight him. He ripped my clothes...” Joliet closed her eyes for a moment. “He pinned me against his couch and told me, ‘You know you want me,’” Joliet mimicked his menacing voice. “Spit flew from his mouth as he spoke. I remember his breath smelling like liquor. I kicked...and kicked.” Joliet panted, lost in her story as if she’d gone back in time. Tears rolled down Chloe’s cheeks. El’s face expressed bewilderment, her brows rose.

  “He was so strong but I kept fighting. My knee landed in his groin. He let go of me and rolled onto the floor holding himself, screaming, calling me names—threatening to kill me. I ran and kept running until I made it all the way back to our dorm. You weren’t there.” Joliet pulled her lips in, pausing. “I took a shower, balled up the ripped-up clothes and put them in a bag in the bottom of my hamper. I tried to wait for you to come back to the dorm but you never came. I curled up in my bed and cried myself to sleep.”

  El’s eyes were trained on Joliet. Her expression was stoic. Chloe tried but couldn’t get a read on her. She wondered what was going through her mother’s mind.

  “I didn’t go to my first class the next morning. You were still out. I assumed you stayed over at Gary’s. When I finally did come out...” Joliet wiped the tears from her cheek. “Gary was waiting outside. He taunted me all the way to class, saying that he told you everything was my fault and that you believed him. I called him a liar.” Joliet’s voice was slightly hoarse now. “He threatened to hurt me if I told anyone—said he’d make me disappear. After class, he threatened me all the way back to our dorm.” Joliet broke down, unable to speak anymore. Her shoulders rocked. Donovan ran to her side. His expression was dark. He held his mother.