Ivy's Twisted Vine
By: Latrivia S. Nelson
Chapter 2
SOMEONE NEW

“For the last time, I am not engaged anymore,” Ivy screamed to Trina as she stepped out of the shower. “So I wish that
you would stop telling everyone that I’m getting married. The wedding is off.” She heard herself say the words, but she
could hardly believe them.

“Girl, y’all are going to get back together. It’s just a lover’s quarrel. Everyone has them,” Trina said, self-assured.

It had been three weeks since Ivy and Grey had spoken. Ivy had marked each day on her calendar like she was counting
down some dreadful sentencing. She had received no phone calls, emails, or letters. And she had not tried to contact him
in any way either. It was now painfully obvious that Grey’s outcry to be free had been genuine and that their engagement
had been broken, but there was something she was holding onto that just couldn’t be let go so easily. Hope!

However, Ivy dared not be too devastated around Trina, because it wouldn’t help things if Grey did come crawling back.
No doubt she would take him back. Besides, she hadn’t told her family it was off, and she hadn’t told the bridesmaids they
had wasted their deposits on dresses they would never wear. So as far as she was concerned she and Grey had just run
into a few minor problems.

For mental reassurance, Ivy had retired her ring to its original box in the back of her underwear drawer to guarantee that
if Grey didn’t return to her, she wouldn’t be forced to take it off in a fit of rage and launch it down the street. It seemed to
be a recurring thought lately when she was in rare form, but when she returned to her sanity she would always remember
that it was a perfect diamond worth over twenty thousand dollars. Obviously it was not the type of thing to just throw away.
When she was alone, she would pull out the ring and slip it on her finger. Still in awe of its brilliance and, more important,
its meaning, she still couldn’t believe that everything had ended so abruptly. It was all so terribly confusing, but she was
hopelessly determined to believe that it wasn’t her fault.

Opening the door to the bathroom, Ivy stepped out, wrapped in her towel drenched in water. “What are you doing
tonight? Oh, let me guess. You’re going to Brooks’ place,” she said condescendingly.

“Yes, I am. He is having some friends over tonight for drinks and a card game to end their seven-day stretch. He goes to
Sunday and Monday off-days after this.” She paused to catch a breath. “You know, you should come too. You don’t have
anything else to do.” Trina wanted Ivy to get out and stop sulking over Grey. She knew that time would bring them back
together. They just needed a breather.

“No thank you. You two argue too much for me. One minute you two are fighting, and the next thing you know, you two
are back together.” Ivy laughed. “I think I’ll stay here.”

“And do what… mope? Whatever. You are coming with me tonight. There will be some cute guys there tonight from other
units. Just remember that all the guys wearing the EMT-style cargo pants are with specialized units. They make more
money.” Trina winked.

“OK, I’m not a police bunny. I’m not looking to hook up with anyone.”

“I know. But this will be a good time for you to get your mind off of your fiancé.”

“He is not my…” Ivy hated hearing her say that, although she wished that it were still true.

“He is your fiancé. Both of you just need time to yourself to accept who you are to each other. Better for it to happen now
than after you two are married.” Trina pushed Ivy into the bedroom. “Now Brooks got off duty at ten, so get dressed.”

                                                                   *

Trucks, drop-tops, squad cars, and even a few Hummers lined the quiet subdivision cove, and a line of off-duty officers
stood outside the two-story brick home that had to belong to the one and only heart throb…K. C. Brooks.

For music blasting in the middle of the night and loud, half-naked women parading up and down the streets to their cars,
other neighbors would have quickly been reprimanded, but Brooks seemed not to adhere to such community rules. It was
normal for there to be large crowds of people hanging out at his home on any given day. And Brooks’ charm kept the
neighbors patient and understanding of his hectic lifestyle.

K. C. Brooks was one of the most well-known police officers in the region and one of the most sought-after single beaus
in Memphis. He had been on the cover of Premier magazine as one of Memphis’s top 20 sexiest men and was a highly
respected, decorated officer. All the attention that he had gotten over the years might have gone to his head if it wasn’t
for his father, who was a well-known reverend and an equally high-profile retired top cop. Plus there was his best friend
Nicola, who enjoyed the limelight with him.

This was one more reason that Trina was more than happy to be back with Brooks. He was all that her heart had ever
wanted. He was financially independent, educated, beautiful, and a very skilled lover.

The only negative thing about Brooks was his inability in the past to commit. But before they had reunited officially this
time, Trina had made him swear to a completely monogamous relationship, and hesitantly Brooks had agreed.

Ivy looked over at Trina as they pulled up to Brooks’ home and shook her head. “A few friends, huh?” Ivy checked her
makeup. “This looks more like a few hundred friends.”

“Well, he is popular,” Trina said, anxious to get into the house and see her man.

Stepping out of the car, excited and somewhat nervous, Ivy felt the cold air greet her. Shivering, she dashed to the front
door where a huddle of men stood drinking beers and laughing, visibly guarding the even-larger group gathered inside
the home.

“Hey Trina,” one of the men said, instantly identifying her as she made her way through the small crowd. “Who’s your
friend?”

“Ivy,” Trina said, pulling Ivy through the half-drunken mob. “Where’s Brooks?”

“Inside waiting for you.” There was a tense silence. “I’m Lee,” the tall young Asian man said, extending his hand to greet
Ivy and slowing down the two women while another officer slipped inside the house to let Brooks know that his main
squeeze had arrived.

“Hello,” Ivy said offering her hand. He was cute enough.

“Lee’s married,” Trina said, moving towards the door. “Say hello to Rena and the kids tonight when you get home, Lee.”

“I will, Trina,” Lee said, taking a swig of his Bud Light.

As they entered the oak and stained-glass double doorway of Brooks’ home, Ivy took off her coat and passed it to Trina
to hang up in the coatroom.

“I swear Lee is such a dog.” Trina smiled at Ivy. “But he’s cute, isn’t he?”

“I guess,” Ivy said, looking back outside at Lee one last time.

“Whatever. You know that he’s fine.”

Ivy followed Trina through the long corridor and another small crowd to the kitchen, where Brooks was talking on his cell
phone and stirring a large pot of spaghetti. He looked up and smiled, revealing his large dimples.

“Hey baby,” Brooks said, taking off his apron. “I’m surprised to see you so early.” The officer that had informed Brooks of
Trina’s arrival laughed slyly as he excused himself from the room.

“You know that I had to come see you,” Trina said, kissing him on his full rose-colored lips.

Ivy admired the two for a moment. Trina was always happiest with Brooks. He had stolen her heart when she was only a
sophomore in college and put her through hell for a long time, having already gone through the college experience and
moved on to larger more-complex circles.

In the past, Trina had caught Brooks in lies and with other women, but she was determined to stay with him. She felt that
since she was the only one that he had ever brought home to meet his mother, she would be the one he would eventually
marry.

Now after many apartments and roommates, Brooks was buying his first home at age twenty-eight. It boasted four
bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a pool, a dog name Rico, and a brand new all-black, leather interior Tahoe truck
that was parked in the garage.

For Brooks, it was just the beginning, but for Trina it was the end to a very long chase. She was extremely proud of
Brooks and all his accomplishments and was more than ready to control his entire life. Oddly enough, it seemed that
Brooks didn’t mind her ambitions to tame him.

Trina and Brooks embraced joyfully, acting as though they had been soul mates from birth. Ivy sighed to herself. She
knew that they would be arguing before the night was over. It was strange, though; arguing didn’t seem to affect their
willingness to forgive and forget. And that was something that she admired about them too.

“Ivy, what’s up girl?” Brooks said finally, after making Trina feel overly welcomed.

“Nothing much. I just thought I would come out and enjoy your party for a while.” Ivy smiled.

“Well, it’s good to have you. Mi casa es tu casa.” Brooks grabbed a beer from the refrigerator and passed it to a lady
officer who was hugging Trina. “I heard about what your fiancé did. That was messed up, but don’t worry. He’ll come
back. We all do.”

“Brooks!” Trina snapped. “Why did you have to bring that up? She’s trying to have a good time here, not be reminded of
the man.”

“Girl, mind your business. This conversation is between Ivy and me. Besides, bringing her here won’t make her forget
about him. Am I right?” Brooks turned to Ivy, but she had already walked back into the crowded den. “Where did she go?”

“I don’t know. You probably ran her off,” Trina said, shaking her head.

Ivy had to admit that Brooks had great taste. There was a beautiful bronze sculpture in the living room that resembled
Trina, and a black art piece above the fireplace of a man holding up a woman on his shoulders. It appeared to be an
original of the local African artist, Yrene. The entire downstairs had been tiled in mauve marble and accented with large
area rugs and oversized contemporary furniture.

“Care to dance?” a voice said behind her. Ivy turned around to see a tall dark young man still in his uniform bottoms and
a white undershirt holding a small tumbler of Jack and coke.

“Sure,” Ivy said, taking his hand as he led her back down into the den where the rest of the guests were dancing.

Throwing her purse on the table, Ivy began to move from left to right, following his body. He couldn’t stay on beat well, but
he was great to look at going back in his dance repertoire to the butterfly.

Oh God! Ivy thought to herself as he went down to the ground and came back up again, gaining more momentum as the
crowd cheered for him. She just moved to the beat, afraid to do any more considering he was cutting a rug all by himself.
Grabbing her by the waist, he gyrated uncontrollably, causing Ivy to laugh aloud. He looked ridiculous, but she was
having a ball! She danced nearly three straight songs with him before she retired to the kitchen to grab something to
drink where Brooks and several other officers were engaged in a heated spades game.

“Where have you been?” Trina asked, putting down her drink.

“Dancing,” Ivy said, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Brooks, where is your restroom?”

“There is one connected to the den, but you can go upstairs to the one in the hallway. I’m sure no one’s using it.”

“Thanks,” Ivy said, grabbing a bottle of water from his refrigerator.

“Hey Brooks. Who is that?” Nicola asked, watching Ivy as she walked out of the kitchen.

“Ivy. Trina’s best friend.” Brooks winked at Nicola suggestively.

“Ivy could definitely be my best friend,” Nicola said, playing a card.

“She’s engaged,” Trina said, sitting back down beside Brooks. “Sorry. You’ll have to find someone else to be your prey.”

“Yeah? Well if she’s married, then where’s the ring?” Nicola asked, taking a sip of his beer.

“They broke up,” Brooks said, looking at Trina. “She’s a free agent now. I’ll introduce you when she comes back down,
Nicola. Trina can’t run everybody.” He kissed her playfully on her cheek.

When Ivy walked out of the bathroom, Trina met her at the stairwell with a small plate of spaghetti and a strange look in
her eyes. Giving the plate to Ivy, she whispered in her friend’s ear.

“Brooks is about to introduce you to his partner, Nicola. Brace yourself for this one. He thinks that he’s smooth, but trust
me. He ain’t shit.”

“Why does he want to meet me?” Ivy asked, tasting the food. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until right then.

“He wants to add you to his collection, probably. Brooks told him you and Grey had broken up. Just smile, be cautious,
and brush him off afterwards. Do not take him seriously. Now come on before they get suspicious. They’re alone in the
living room.”

“Damn, they have it all planned out, don’t they?” Ivy said, chuckling.

“Girl, you just don’t know. Just remember what I said.”

“Yeah…yeah. He’s not worth shit. Well, let’s play the game,” Ivy said throwing her hair off her shoulder. She might as well
do something interesting; there was nothing else exciting in her life at the moment.

As the two entered the empty living room, Ivy was expecting to see a less than outstanding, cocky officer waiting for her to
arrive like some co-ed call girl, but instead they were greeted by only Brooks, who was counting the money he had won
only moments earlier in a shady game of spades.

“Where’s Nicola?” Trina asked as she sat beside Brooks on the couch.

“Oh, he had to run to the restroom, too,” he said motioning at the love seat for Ivy. “Have a seat, Ivy. He’ll be in here in a
minute.”

“How much did you make?” Trina eyed the wad of money as he put it away.

“Enough.” He looked at her for a brief moment. “What I want to know is who told you to put on that short dress?”

“You like it?” Trina smiled cunningly.

“Yes, I like it, but some things are meant for the bedroom.”

“So let’s take this to the bedroom.” Trina bit Brooks’ bottom lip.

“We’ll talk about this in a minute,” Brooks said, pinching her side.

“Thank you,” Ivy said, sighing. She really didn’t feel like seeing them carry on all night, and why did she have to get stuck
on the love seat with Shaft?

“Boy, I was wondering what was keeping you so long in that bathroom,” Brooks said, smiling at Nicola. Brooks knew that
Trina hated every minute of his matchmaking, especially with Nicola, whom Trina loathed most of all.

“This is Ivy, Trina’s friend. Ivy this is Nicola, my best friend and the head gangster of the Memphis NARC/TACT Special
Ops team.”

“Hi,” Nicola said, extending his large masculine hand to Ivy.

“Hello.” Ivy looked up, stunned. A shy smile crept across her lips as she took his hand and made immediate eye contact.
“Nice to meet you,” she said, trying not to stare too hard into his hazel brown eyes that hid flirtatiously under his long
curling eyelashes. Oh, how she loved men with big brown eyes!

“The pleasure’s all mine,” Nicola said, sitting down beside her on the love seat.

“Man, Brooks. If I had known we were going to be in the presence of such beautiful women, I would have definitely been
more presentable tonight.” He looked at Ivy again and smiled. “You ladies will have to excuse me for still being in work
clothes.”

“No need to blow smoke up our ass so early in the evening,” Trina said, attacking Nicola.

“Damn, baby,” Brooks said, trying to hold back his laughter. Trina did hate Nicola in a genuine, unmistakable way.

“You’re excused,” Ivy said to Nicola, laughing and trying to avoid his eyes again.

As Nicola grabbed a beer out of the cooler that sat across from him, Ivy had a chance to look at his muscular legs bulging
in his cargo-style black uniform pants and black SWAT lace-up boots.

Trina was right about their uniform, and he did wear it well. He had an amazing physique, huge sculpted arms, a chiseled
chest, and a wide back adorned with a black cotton t-shirt that read “Cobra.” She could see now why Trina had taken the
time to warn her. He could potentially be trouble.

Nicola had mastered the art of detection many years ago and could tell that Ivy was looking at him. But he allowed her to
sweep his body, quickly assessing all of his assets in hopes of her full approval. The shy grin that she tried hard to
control confirmed her attraction to him. He liked her already, and she had barely spoken. He opened his beer and smiled
again, baring the dimples in his cheeks and the deep one in his chin.

“Would you like a beer?” Nicola said, turning closer towards Ivy. Just how far would she let him get by the end of the
night?

“No, thank you,” Ivy said awkwardly. She wasn’t a big drinker. Was he?

“You just look hot in that turtleneck,” he said, observing her rather large and perky breasts. That statement had two
potential meanings.

“I’m fine.” Her eyebrow rose slightly.

Yes, you are, Nicola thought inwardly as he watched her closely. Nearly every woman in Brooks’ place tonight was in a
low-cut blouse and a high-cut skirt showing everything they had and wanted to share. But this one was in a turtleneck
and jeans. To him, that was a delightful tease in itself. No matter what she wore, though, there was no hiding her heart-
shaped ass or that adorably small waist. And her hair was so…

“Nicola, pass me a beer, man,” Brooks said, interrupting Nicola’s thoughts.

Just what is he anyway? Ivy thought to herself quietly. Nicola had awfully dark olive coloring to be a through and through
white boy, but he was far too fair to be black. Was he Mediterranean, Hispanic, what? He had beautiful black hair that had
small natural curls throughout it. His face was chiseled with a strong jaw line, a perfectly constructed nose, a dimple in his
chin, wide, full, rose-colored lips that were shaped like a heart, and a clean-shaven face bearing a hard-working tan. He
had beautiful coal-black eyebrows that were naturally arched, and his curling eyelashes hid hazel brown eyes that felt like
they burned through her.

“So, Ivy what do you do?” Nicola asked, placing his hand on her leg playfully.

“I’m a graduating senior at Bryton-Ritz University and the senior manager of African American collegiate marketing at
Yveson and Letehwich.” Her response sounded scripted for an interview, and she looked away, embarrassed, as she
heard Trina giggle. She knew that she would hear about that later.

“Sounds like you’re a very busy young woman.” Within minutes Nicola had already analyzed her enough to know she was
uptight and conservative. Republican?

“Yeah, you could say that,” Ivy said, taking another sip of her water. She was beginning to really tense up. Maybe she
needed something stronger to drink than water. If she didn’t calm down soon, she would begin to sweat under her arms. It
was a horrible nervous reaction that she could neither control nor conceal.

Realizing that Ivy was uncomfortable, Nicola turned to her. “Relax,” he said putting his hand on her balled up fist.

“I don’t know why I’m so nervous,” Ivy said, looking down at her fists. It was yet another nervous habit of hers when she
became uncomfortable. “I guess I just wasn’t expecting there to such an intimate setting tonight.” She looked at Trina.

“This isn’t intimate.” Nicola chuckled at her remark and looked at Brooks. Where had they found this girl?

“For someone that’s been in a relationship for five years with the same guy and not gone on absolutely one outside date
this is very intimate.” Ivy smiled, nearly breathless from her outpour.

Nicola laughed, silently shaking his head in amazement at Ivy. She was a real piece of work. Green as money and
probably as tight as grandma’s grip.

“Five years?” Nicola said as he looked down in his empty bottle. “Damn, Brooks, do we know anyone down at the precinct
that’s not married that’s been in a relationship five years?” He tried to slip out a sly burp.

“Hell no,” Brooks said, getting up out of his chair and grabbing Trina by the hand.

“My own parents weren’t married for five years.” It was clear exaggeration, but he would go along with his partner for face
sake.

“Where are we going?” Trina asked, grabbing Brooks’ hand and giving him a mischievous look.

“I need to show you something.” Brooks kissed Trina’s neck. “We’ll be back. You two can keep each other company.” He
pointed at Ivy and Nicola.

Ivy looked up, alarmed. She did not want to be left alone with this…Neanderthal, but alas her cares where in vain. Trina
did not even look Ivy’s way. Too involved in what Brooks was whispering in her ear, she walked out of the room with his
arms wrapped around her waist. “Ivy, grab a beer,” Brooks said, pointing at Nicola.

“So, it looks like they left us in each other’s care,” Nicola said, trying to break the ice with Ivy at Brooks’ cue. Finally able
to direct his full attention to her, he stared at her for a long moment before setting down his now-finished beer.

“How many of those have you had?” Ivy asked, trying to ignore the strong vibe of sexual attraction coming from him.

"A twenty-four pack maybe. Don’t worry. I’m alright.” Nicola grabbed her hand softly and caressed it. She didn’t even
know that he was looking at her nails. He hated to see women with chopped up, brittle nails. Most men had a physical pet
peeve that they harbored for women. Nails were his. A woman who couldn’t even keep her hands up didn’t usually hold
his attention for too long, but Ivy passed the test.

“Don’t try to put the moves on me just because your partner is in there about to get some, and you feel left out.” Ivy
pulled her hand away and hoped that her response would break Nicola’s concentration on whatever he was thinking
about.

“Did I ask you for some? No, I did not. Someone is a little too presumptuous.” He smiled impishly. Maybe she wasn’t as
green as she appeared.

“In the last five minutes, you have put your hand on my leg once, caressed my hands, and looked at my breast at least
ten times. I hardly think that presumptuous is the word I would use. No, I think the best word would be precautious.”

“Tell me about it.” Nicola took a long breath and looked around the room. She definitely was no bimbo, which was bad for
the mood he was trying to set. How in the hell was he going to get laid debating adjectives? He looked at her and smiled,
and casually she smiled back. He was almost unsure of how to come at her now that she had just given her sexual
harassment speech.

“So, you’re on the new NARC/TACT squad,” Ivy said, changing the subject. She had evidently scared him. He was
beginning to turn red.

“Yeah. I’m a Special Ops lieutenant. Why? Are you interesting in going out for the MPD? If so, let me know so that I can fill
all vacancies in my department right now.” He yawned and looked at his watch. The night was getting away from him. He
needed to make a move on this girl or get into some of the other action in the den.

Ivy laughed aloud for the first time since she had met him. Maybe she was being a little too uptight. “I’m sorry,” she said
trying to relax. “I wasn’t trying to be mean before. Can we start over?” Taking his hand, she put it back on her knee.

Nicola smiled. “That’s more like it,” he said playfully. Moving his hand away, he tried to regain his composure, and at the
same time mellow out on trying to push up on her. Besides, slow and steady could win the race.

“Back in the day, I graduated from Memphis State before it was University of Memphis. I majored in marketing.” He would
play on her turf a little and impress her with something that she didn’t know. “Then I went back and got my MBA a few
years later.”

“Really?” Ivy’s face lit up. “Why didn’t you pursue it?”

“Well, I was torn at first. I had debated going back into the family business. But I loved law enforcement more. So I
pursued that.” He could see that she was impressed. That was all that he needed. She is an intellectual type, attracted to
brain of a man. OK. Cool, he thought to himself. Now he knew her angle. It was smooth sailing the rest of the way.

“It’s best to go for your passion when trying to identify a career. You can do that kind of work for free.” She was
unknowingly eating out of the palm of his hand.

Nicola looked down at his watch. “Yeah, I agree…small talk is always hard for me.  So you’ll have to excuse me if I’m not
the best at it.”

“No, I understand. I’m not really used to it either.”

“Obviously. You’re nearly married.”

“No,” Ivy said, shaking her head. “I’m not.” Nicola had hit a nerve, and it hurt.
“But Trina said that you were engaged.” Nicola knew perfectly well that she and her fiancé had broken up, but he just
wanted to hear her confess it with her own lips before he moved any further.

“I was engaged. Things just didn’t turn out the way I planned. I don’t even have a boyfriend anymore.” Ivy looked down at
her fingers. Word traveled fast in Memphis.

Bingo, Nicola thought to himself as he tried to repress a small grin. “You two must have had a big fight to just break up
after five years.” He would encourage her as much as possible to talk about it. Open up. Feel the need to be consoled.
The usual drill.

“You could say that.” She slumped down in the seat for a moment. Her mood instantly changed.

Seeing her sudden melancholy, Nicola decided that he needed to make a move before it got too out of control. “Look, I’m
sorry. I didn’t mean to bring you down. We can change the subject, OK?” He sat at the end of his seat. “What’s your
favorite subject in school?”

“God, I’m not a child,” Ivy said, exasperated and appalled. “Don’t patronize me.”

“I’m not trying to patronize you.” He was. “I just want to get your mind off of this guy we’ve been talking about…nonstop
for the last few minutes.” The situation was becoming somewhat awkward again. He had to pull in the reigns on her.
Whoa horsey!

“Well, find another way to do it then,” Ivy said, quickly snapping.

“If you insist...” Nicola said, equally as quick.

Grabbing her by the small waist, Nicola pulled Ivy’s body to him and looked her in her eyes. “Why are you so feisty?” he
asked as they sat face-to-face. Speechless, Ivy shrugged her shoulders. Staring at her full lips, he caressed her body
with his fingertips and felt her instantly relax. It was then that he advanced before she had time to protest. He would taste
her if it was the last thing that he did.

Involuntarily, Ivy closed her eyes and parted her lips. As she felt him move closer to her, his lips pressed against hers
lightly, and she could feel their warm wet flesh mingling together. His cologne was like an intoxicating elixir that made her
drunk with desire, and his touch was so soft and sensual that she began to respond back with movements of her own.
Her breathing became heavy as his huge masculine hands moved up her back into her soft flowing locks of hair while he
pulled her down demandingly onto his lap. With each passing minute, their kiss became more and more passionate.

Finally realizing that she had straddled the stranger on Brooks’ couch amidst Gerald Levert singing Made to Love You
and the dancing candlelight, Ivy let out a small moan and tried to separate herself from him.

“Don’t stop,” Nicola whispered in between their long heated kisses and passionate embrace. He could feel her awakening
more and more by the minute. He wanted her right then. Damn, she smells good. And her lips are soft as rose petals. No.
Softer.

“Wait,” Ivy said, tasting his lips again. “Please,” she said as she pulled away, trying desperately to ignore the all-too-
familiar milk that moistened her hidden flower. This was crazy! But it was hard to control herself. Oh God. It feels so good
to be wanted again, she thought inwardly.

Climbing off of Nicola’s large, excited body, Ivy cleared her voice and straightened her clothes. Who in the hell was this
guy? She stared at him for a moment in total dismay. That had never happened before. Disoriented and teased by her
first erotic experience outside of her once coveted relationship, Ivy sat back on the couch and tried to regain her senses.
But she could smell his cologne all over her and she could taste his lips on her mouth.

Nicola licked his lips and stretched, trying to make his erection go down now that the mood had changed. Amazed by the
weakness his body experienced from what felt like all of her emotions pouring into him through her full warm mouth, he
stared off across the room in amazement. Ivy caught a glimpse of his confusion and was reassured of her own feelings.
Whatever had caused them to connect almost instantly, he had also felt.

Spellbound, Nicola pulled her close to him again. “Come here,” he said in a whisper.

Now sure that most barriers had been broken, Ivy felt relaxed enough to put her head on his chest. It was strange, but in
only a few moments she had made a connection with another individual so strong that she wished she could have lain
there forever. Too afraid to speak and ruin the moment, she waited for him to say something.

“Are you OK?” Nicola asked, rubbing through her soft, cotton hair. There was no need to say anything else that he didn’t
want to. She was his.

“No. I’m far from OK.” Ivy was lost for words, but she smiled, carefree.

“Good.” He kissed her forehead.

“You know, I actually enjoyed that.” She looked up at him and pulled at his dimpled chin like she had known him for years.

“So did I,” Nicola looked in her eyes again, trying to read the young black siren that had enchanted him so quickly.

“Honestly though, I am definitely not the type to just go kissing every guy that I’m attracted to. This was just one of
those…peculiar situations.” Ivy hoped that he believed her.

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.” He nudged her side. “I am sorry to hear that you’re having such a hard time
though. Sounds to me like the guy is a dumb ass, but at least you found out before he put the brass shackle around your
finger.”

“Brass shackle?” she repeated. Normally she would take offense at a white man even mentioning shackles in a joke
around her, but with him she felt comfortable and free of intimidation.

“I’m not into commitment. Can’t you tell? Weddings and marriage have always sounded too much like a life sentence
without the possibility of parole.” His analogy made it clear why he was not married and probably not in a serious
relationship.

“Well, whenever you get married give my condolences to your wife. Sounds like she’s in for a treat.” She looked down at
his ring finger just to make sure that there were no traces of a wedding ring. He passed the test.

“Yeah well, maybe by then I will have found a woman capable of handling me. Mrs. Agosto will have to be some lady.” His
words drifted off for a moment, and he went into deep thought.

“Thinking about the one you let slip away?” Ivy asked, bringing him back to reality.

“No, thinking of all the Ms. Wrongs I’ve been with.” His honesty intrigued her almost as all the Ms. Wrongs. It was weird
meeting a real playboy.

“Anyway, let’s get off our sad stories. Tell me something that will make me smile. You see the way I behave when I get
depressed and lonely.”

Nicola recalled their kiss with her reminder. “I suggest that you stay in the house until you get over him then. Otherwise,
you might find yourself in some pretty compromising situations being so depressed and lonely,” he said mockingly.

“Believe me, this is as compromised as I’ll be.” She laid her head back down on his chest and rubbed his side.

“Were we gone that long? Damn, ya’ll under each other like you’re in love,” Trina said, walking back into the living room
with Brooks. She had told Ivy to watch herself.

“Evidently so. Look at them all cuddled up together like some old married couple.” Brooks winked at Nicola. Damn that
boy was good.

The sudden attention made the two uncomfortable, and Ivy sat back up in her original position, only this time a lot more
relaxed. Nicola didn’t budge, but he did give Trina a dirty look.

Confused and in total disapproval of her friend’s actions, Trina raised her eyebrows at Ivy. “Are you hot? Need something
to drink?” Trina said, pulling another Smirnoff Ice out of the cooler.

“No, I’m fine,” Ivy said, ignoring her friend’s body language. “Considering I have to drive back to the dorm, I need to be
sober.”

“You live in the dormitory?” Nicola asked, sitting up, a little uncomfortable himself.

“Yes, Trina and I are roommates.” Ivy could sense something was wrong.

“How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?” Nicola said, recalling his actions and now inwardly wondering if he had
moved too quickly. That should have been the question to ask nearly an hour before. Ivy looked at least in her mid-
twenties, but maybe her looks had deceived him. He prayed she was at least twenty-one.

“I’m twenty-one.” Her smiled faded. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-nine.” Nicola turned his attention to his empty bottle, trying not to show his relief at her legal status but
disapproving of the age gap. He had dated a girl around her age a couple of months ago. She was slightly air headed
and extremely hard to manage. She was always bouncing around his place when he was trying to sleep, calling him every
hour on the hour when they were apart, and nagging him for money to go shopping with her sorority sisters. It was a total
nightmare. “I’ll be thirty in two months.” He smiled politely at her. Ivy didn’t seem that type though.

Sensing the new conflict about their age difference, Trina tried to make light of the situation despite her dislike for Nicola.
“Eight years is not a lot in age difference these days.” She nodded at Ivy in approval. “I once dated a guy who was
thirteen years older than me, but he acted like he was my age or younger. I guess that as long as you’re legal, nothing
matters but how mature or immature you behave.”

“When did you date someone thirteen years older than you?” Brooks asked frowning. “Hell, I’ve been on an off with you
for three years. You’re only twenty-three.”

“He came during one of our off periods,” Trina said defensively.

“Alright, you’d better explain yourself,” Brooks said, taking his arm from around her.

“Don’t get no attitude now, Brooks,” Trina said, pulling his arm back.

“Don’t tell me. Go tell your senior citizen friend.” Brooks laughed as he took another sip of his beer.

“You know what? Forget you. Ivy, are you ready to go?” Trina grabbed her purse off the ground. “It is getting late.”

“Yeah, whenever you’re ready.” Looking over at Nicola once more, Ivy stood up. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Nicola.”
She extended her hand.

Accepting it, Nicola stood up and shook her hand and kissed her on her cheek. “Please call me Nicky. It was nice meeting
you too, Ivy…What’s your last name?”

“Winters.”

“OK, Ms. Ivy Winters. It was nice meeting you, too. I’m sure the next time we meet, you and your guy friend will have
worked everything out, and you’ll be on your way to being Mrs. Somebody.”

“I doubt that very seriously.” Ivy laughed. “You said it, but I forgot. What is your last name again?”

“Agosto,” he said proudly. “It’s Italian.” Black women loved Italians. It was common knowledge on the force.

“The Italian lover!” Brooks stretched and tapped Trina on her behind. “Ladies, hold on to your panties!”

“Don’t pay any attention to him. He’s a hater.” Nicola blushed slightly.

“No, I believe him,” Ivy said softly. “Thanks for keeping me company though, Italian lover.”

“You’re quite welcome,” Nicola said, wishing that they had more time to spend together. “Like I said, the pleasure was all
mine.” He had to play the gentleman long enough to see her out of the door. Then he would go back into the party and
wreak havoc on all the women who wished that they could have been having a private moment with him and Brooks.

“We’ll walk ya’ll out,” Brooks said, motioning at Nicola.

“No. We can find our own way out,” Trina said, kissing Brooks on the cheek.

“You sure?” Brooks asked.

“Positive,” Trina said, smiling. She loved when he behaved like a gentleman.

“Alright then. Give me a call and let me know when you make it home. Don’t forget,” Brooks said, pulling another bottle of
beer out of his cooler. He was ready for them to leave as well. Trina was messing up his action by constantly hugging and
kissing him around the other prospects.

“I will.” Trina pulled Ivy by the arm.

“Bye,” Ivy said, looking one last time at Nicola before they walked out the door.

“Arrivederci,” Nicola said, watching Ivy walk hesitantly out of the door. He bit his lip at the thought of her warm mouth.

“What the hell was that?” Brooks asked, sitting down on the couch once the girls were out of sight.

“That was perfect timing, mi amico.” Nicola wiped his lips. He had a distinct feeling that he had just begun the biggest
chase of his life. It was a good thing that he had on his running shoes.

                                                        END OF CHAPTER TWO
NELSON
Memphis' Own
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