Vexed

by Honey

  “So what? I still like her, and I’m gonna pay her to create your wedding dress.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  “I think you and Jill made that baby right there in Jamaica, man,” Dex said and chuckled. “Y’all were supposed to be over there taking care of little Oliver, but I think you were taking care of each other. You’re a nasty son of a bitch. Anyway, congratulations to you and Jill on the baby and the wedding. Ramona and I will be there. We’ll leave Abriah with Felicia. Hell, we might do like you did and make us a baby in Jamaica too.”

  “It’s the perfect place to make one. If Jill wasn’t already pregnant, she definitely would be this morning. We made up for the four months of separation last night, all night. She’s still sleeping. I’ll wake her up once room service brings our food.”

  “Jill is young, Zach. I hope she doesn’t give your old ass a heart attack.”

  “She almost did around three o’clock this morning. Whenever she does kill me, make sure she buries me in my brown Oscar de la Renta suit. Speaking of dying, I need to change my will and the beneficiaries on my life insurance policies. I’ve gotta add Jill to my health insurance too. Man, I gotta go and handle my business, and you need to take your ass back to work.”

  “I know, but I need to tell you something first.”

  “Talk to me.”

  “I saw Jay.”

  Zach sat silently and listened to Dex’s recap of his run-in with his crazy-ass sister. He couldn’t believe how far she was dragging her beef with him. If he thought it would do any good, he’d be willing to meet with Jay so they could hash out their differences. When Dex mentioned the foul shit Zach had supposedly done to Ayla, he screamed so loud, he woke Jill. She rushed into the sitting area of the villa to see what was going on. The food arrived right after that, and Zach ended the call, promising to touch base with Dex later that evening. He had a few more wedding preparation details to run past him. He didn’t want to, but Jill insisted that Zach tell her about his conversation with Dex over breakfast.

  “None of that shit about Ayla is true, Jill. I’ve worked hard for every penny I’ve got, and I made wise investments over the years with the money from my mother’s insurance policy. My grandparents left Jay and me a lot of money when they passed, and I invested my share of that as well. Aunt Jackie used to threaten me so much when I was young about getting a girl pregnant that I never once had unprotected sex. You may not believe me, but it’s true.”

  “Oh, I believe you, Zachary.”

  “It wasn’t until I discovered you in my linen closet in the middle of the night that I lost myself for the very first time. And I’ve been lost ever since, with no regrets. Ayla was never pregnant by me. Any baby she may have aborted wasn’t mine.”

  “I don’t wish to discuss this anymore. It’s meaningless. You must call Aunt Jackie now and tell her about the baby and the wedding.”

  * * *

  Later that day, Zach called Aunt Jackie and told her about the baby and the upcoming wedding. She sounded happy, but he detected a little apprehension in her voice. Obviously, the origin of Aunt Jackie’s unspoken concern was Jay. The news that Jill was expecting and would soon be returning to Atlanta as Zach’s wife was going to cause another round of fireworks. Aunt Jackie expressed her thoughts on the matter. When she was done, it was Zach’s turn.

  “I’ll tell Jay,” he insisted. “I wanna sit down face-to-face with my sister and lay everything out on the table. I owe her an apology, so that’ll come first. Like you told me that day at your house, I was wrong to lay a finger on Jill. Jay needs to hear me say that. Afterward, I hope she’ll be able to forgive me, so we can all move on. I’m tired of this foolishness. I love Jay, and I miss her.”

  “I’ll be praying for a miracle. Give Jill and her family my love. I can’t wait to see you, and I’m sure Nahima feels the same way.”

  Aunt Jackie hung up the phone and glanced around her den. On every wall and shelf there was a reminder of the sweet pair of siblings she’d raised as her own children. Pictures, certificates, and trophies they’d received for their academic achievements and the extracurricular accomplishments at church and in the community were everywhere. They confirmed that she had done a decent job parenting them. Warm tears stung her eyes when she saw Jay’s senior prom picture. Zach had come home from college to escort her because she didn’t want to go stag. And the school had discouraged all gay and lesbian students from attending as couples. Jay looked absolutely breathtaking. She was proud to be on her big brother’s arm. That was the last time she’d worn a dress, high heels, and makeup.

  “God, it’s in your hands. It’s too much for me. I need you to fix it, as only you can. Please Bring Zach and Jay back together in peace and in love. Amen.”

  * * *

  Ayla was not to be ignored by Zach or Jay. They’d both cut her off without even a courtesy call or a postcard. Pride would not allow her to be dismissed like that. Zach was on extended leave from the hospital, and no one seemed to know where he was. The break-room gossip association had been cold lately. The only thing they’d been talking about was Dr. Tidwell and how many nurses he had smashed in the doctors’ lounge. Two weeks ago, when she’d greeted Dex in the parking lot and tried to strike up a friendly conversation with him about Zach, he had called her a vicious liar. Then he had suggested that she make an appointment to see Dr. Capone. He was one of the psychiatrists at the hospital.

  If only Zach had been honest about his relationship with Jill from the start, Ayla wouldn’t have felt so rejected. She’d known from the first time they ever hooked up that marriage was not in the cards for them, but she hadn’t expected to get addicted to his dick. Mr. Wonderful was like a drug. The feel, the taste, and sight of it was etched in her memory. Even though many months had passed since their last tryst, thoughts of Zach caused her to squirm in her own juices on her black satin sheets. Whenever she thought about Jay’s rough style of pleasing her with her tongue and hands, her body reacted the same way. The King duo was sexually talented. As she lay there, Ayla slid her hand down her flat belly to the moist spot between her thighs, imagining a ménage à trois with Zach and Jay.

  They were taking turns licking Ms. Kitty in her daydream. Ayla increased the pressure and speed on her love bud and dipped two fingers in and out of her dampness. “Mmm, Zach,” she moaned, but it was Jay’s face she saw. Writhing and panting through the wave of self-inflicted satisfaction, Ayla vowed to have just one more night with Zach, no matter the cost. And she planned to wiggle her way back into Jay’s bed too, as soon as she figured out what she had done to piss Jay off.

  * * *

  “I never approved of your relationship with Jay, sweetheart. You were much too young and pretty to be with a woman so worldly and promiscuous. She was only a client with lots of money to me. Lift your arms away from your waist, dear.” Gwendolyn, the fashion designer and seamstress, stuck several straight pins carefully along the seams of white lace to ensure a snug fit on Jill’s slender body.

  “So does this mean you will not tell Jay that I am getting married?”

  “I most definitely will not. You are my client now. I do not discuss my clients’ affairs with others. That is my very strict policy. Besides, I have not had any contact with Jay for several months. When she lived on the island, I saw her only when she hired me to do work. We never had a personal relationship.”

  “I see. Thank you. I appreciate your confidentiality, Mrs. Hayes.”

  “You’re very welcome. Okay, that should do it.” Gwendolyn stood from the footstool and took Jill by her hand. She guided her over to the full-length mirror in a corner of the small storefront boutique. “What do you think, Madame Jillian?”

  Jill took her time to examine the bright crystal beads on the bodice of the simple white sheath. Hundreds of white faux pearls and sequined appliqués covered the lace from the neckline to the bottom of the ballroom-length skirt. She spun around to see the dip in the back of the bodice, which stopped right above
her butt. Gwendolyn’s suggestion to do away with sleeves was brilliant. “I think it is magnificent! Zachary will be pleased.”

  “Very well. Take it off. I will have it finished in five days. Will that do?”

  “Five days it is, Mrs. Hayes.”

  Jill hurried behind the curtain to change from her wedding gown back into her floral sundress. She was satisfied with Gwendolyn’s work and was relieved by her promise of confidentiality. In many ways, the designer reminded Jill of Aunt Jackie. They were about the same height and robust weight, and they shared a gentle spirit.

  “Thank you again,” Jill said, placing her wedding gown in Gwendolyn’s hands. “This means a lot to Zachary and me.”

  “It is my pleasure, darling. I will see you in five days.”

  The two women embraced to celebrate the creation of a masterpiece and their new professional relationship. Jill hurried to the van, where Roy sat waiting, with the air conditioner on full blast. He’d promised Zach that Jill would be in good hands with him at all times. He was determined to keep his word. Once Jill was seated in the van, Roy waited for a voluptuous woman wearing a colorful broad-brimmed hat to sashay past them. Then he pulled out into traffic and headed back east, toward Montego Bay.

  Chapter Thirty

  The bell above the door rang, alerting Gwendolyn that another customer had arrived. Charlotte walked in and removed her big hat. She fanned her face and wiped the moisture from her brow.

  “Welcome to Gwendolyn’s Originals. How may I help you?”

  Charlotte looked at the lovely wedding gown the shop owner had spread out on the sewing table. Only a tiny bride could fit into it. She’d recognized Jill as she left the shop. Charlotte was sure the gown belonged to her. “I’m browsing for now, ma’am. Thank you. What a lovely wedding dress. Who on earth could fit into something so small?”

  “You like it, eh?” Gwendolyn smiled with pride and ran her hand over the expensive piece. “It is an original for a very beautiful young lady. Her fiancé paid me top dollar to create it for their wedding. In fact, she just left here. This gown fits her perfectly.”

  “What is the bride’s name?”

  Gwendolyn furrowed her brows and planted her hands on her wide hips. “That is confidential information. All my clients have a right to privacy. State your business here, or leave at once!”

  Charlotte removed a slip of paper bearing Jay’s measurements and some instructions from her straw bag. Jay had called and said she’d gained weight since moving back to Atlanta. She needed six new custom-made shirts in various colors. Charlotte gave Gwendolyn the paper. “This is an order for my friend. She . . . he needs new shirts. I have the money,” she said, pulling several American bills from the bag.

  Gwendolyn read the measurements and the description of the shirts. “Tell your friend to come and try on the shirts three weeks from today.”

  “There is no need for a fitting. The measurements are accurate. I will come for the shirts in three weeks. Thank you.”

  Charlotte slid her cell phone from her straw bag as soon as she exited the shop. She dialed Jay’s office number at the Seven Seas and got her voice mail. “Jay, sweetie, I have seen your precious Jill. You will be surprised to know that she is engaged to be married. Her fiancé contracted Gwendolyn Hayes to design a very beautiful wedding gown. I saw it with my own two eyes! Could this man Jill is about to wed be your brother? Please call me back, baby. I’m missing ya. Muah!”

  * * *

  “Hello, Auntie. How are you?” Jay pecked her aunt on both her cheeks. “May I come in?”

  Aunt Jackie ran her fingers through her sister locks nervously and stepped aside to give her long-lost niece clear passage into the house. “I’m fine, Jay. This is a surprise. I’m expecting company.”

  A sly grin crept across Jay’s face. “Is a man on his way here to court you this evening?”

  “Oh no, baby, I’m not seeing anyone. I’m waiting on the Lord to send me another mate.”

  “Well, I won’t stay long. I stopped by to apologize. The last time I was here, I acted like a fool. I accused you of some things that I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, baby. All is forgiven. I know you’re having a difficult time accepting what’s going on between your brother and Jill. I want you and Zach to sit down and talk. You two love each other. I raised y’all to be close. Time is too short to be holding grudges. Will you talk to him please?”

  “I don’t know, Auntie. I’ve gotta think about it.” Jay hugged her aunt again. “I’m gonna get outta here. Enjoy your company.”

  “I love you, Jayla Simone.”

  “I love you too.”

  Jay hurried to her car, which she’d parked across the street from her aunt’s house. The blinking light on her cell phone alerted her that she had some messages. She had been out of the office all day. Early that morning, she’d gone to Zach’s house to get the rest of her things while he and Jill were at work. Then she’d spent hours at Nina’s house, where she’d gotten a lecture about making amends with Aunt Jackie and Zach. Her dear aunt had deserved an apology, but as far as Jay was concerned, her brother could go straight to hell. Ayla had called and left messages, begging Jay to return her call. She deleted them, not wanting to hear a damn thing her crazy ass had to say. The last message was from Charlotte, and it was not good news.

  “That evil bastard!” Jay hit the steering wheel with her fist. Her eyes wandered over to Aunt Jackie’s driveway, where she saw Venus walking, carrying a pink overnight bag. Nahima was skipping ahead of her. Jay started her engine and peeled away from the curb at top speed.

  * * *

  The Bessette family was very excited about Zach and Jill’s upcoming wedding. Initially, Orville had had some choice words for his future son-in-law for getting his daughter pregnant before he made her his wife. But after Zach had asked for his forgiveness and had promised to be a loving and faithful husband to Jill forever, all had been forgiven. Orville was just happy that Jill had fallen in love with a man, and a good one to boot.

  With just five days before the big day, Orville and Faye welcomed Jill back home. She’d decided to spend her last days as a single woman with her family. It was for the best, because Aunt Jackie and Nahima would arrive in Jamaica early tomorrow morning, and they were going to stay at the villa with Zach. Jill figured he wouldn’t be too lonely with them there to keep him company. And Dex and Ramona were scheduled to fly in two days after that.

  “Come and walk me to the door.” Zach took Jill by her hand. “I can’t believe you’re abandoning me. You could’ve at least waited until after my folks arrived.”

  “Are you a baby? Do you need me there to take care of you?” Jill teased.

  Suddenly Zach’s countenance became unreadable. Jill had never seen his eyes darken before. He pulled her to the edge of the porch, where the moonlight shined directly over them. His hands eased down to her belly, where his child was growing and developing. “As long as I can see you, I know nothing can happen to keep us apart. It’s when you’re out of my sight that I worry. Four months is a long time. We survived it, but I don’t ever wanna go through anything like that again.”

  “Zachary, I am safe here with my family in our home. Papa is here, and I have been cleared to leave the island with you.”

  “I know. Maybe I’m paranoid. I’ll call you when I reach the villa. Wait by the phone for my call.”

  * * *

  “Aunt Jackie, are you sure you’re gonna be okay?” Zach asked, concerned.

  “What did I say?” Aunt Jackie pushed her empty breakfast plate away and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

  “My papa is nice, Nana. You’ll see,” Nahima interjected.

  Zach gazed at Nahima. “Finish eating your oatmeal, pumpkin. Uncle Dex and Auntie Ramona are waiting for us in the lobby.”

  The discussion around the breakfast table had been all about Wallace. He was on a flight en route to the island to attend Zach and Jill’s wedding. Aunt Jack
ie had known before arriving that there was a strong possibility that he would make the trip. Zach had told her a few days after he and Jill set a date that he’d extended an invitation to Wallace and his family to come to Jamaica for the ceremony. Now that he was on his way, Aunt Jackie was experiencing a myriad of emotions, but she claimed she’d be fine.

  “Auntie, if you’re having second thoughts about being around Wallace, now is the time to speak, or forever hold your peace. He’s prepared to sit the wedding out and spend time with Jill, Nahima, and me in private. I can make sure your paths never cross.”

  “I have to face Wallace. It’s been twenty-eight years since Belva’s death. I need closure, and if that means I have to rub elbows with Wallace, then so be it. It’s not about me anyway. We’re all here to celebrate with you and Jill.”

  Zach helped Nahima from her chair and wiped her face and hands with a baby wipe. “Okay, we’re about to leave. We’ll swing by and pick you up on the way to Jill’s parents’ house for the party. Wallace will be with us. He’s probably nervous about seeing you too, but I think you’ll both be fine.”

  Chapter Thirty-one

  The moment Ayla entered Jay’s suite, she unbuttoned her mint-green swing dress and let it drop to the carpet. She walked over it, kicked her feet free of her white leather mules, and turned to Jay, buck naked. “I knew you’d call sooner or later. Ms. Kitty has been waiting.” She kissed Jay softly on the lips.

  Jay allowed Ayla to press her back against the wall. The aggression turned her on. She grabbed Ayla’s ass with both hands and started a slow grind against her crotch. Jay broke the kiss and began a trail downward with her tongue. She licked and nibbled Ayla’s neck, then dipped lower to her chest. Her lips latched on to one of Ayla’s erect nipples. Jay divided her attention between both full breasts. Ayla squirmed, moaned, and begged for more. And when Jay knew for sure the lying-ass doctor was under her sexual spell, with no defense, she shoved her away with force.