by Coco Jordan
I threw myself on her sofa and blathered away about Bennett, Ingrid, my family—everything.
“It’s Saturday night,” Cherish said in response to it all. “Let’s get you good and drunk and you’ll forget all about this for a while. That’s what I think you should do. And in the meantime, you can stay at my place. My roommate just moved out, so the place is yours until you get your stuff figured out.”
“I don’t have a job anymore,” I sighed. “I can’t pay you any rent.”
“It’s okay, Ev,” she said gently. “I know you’d do the same for me.”
“What would I do without you?” I said, standing up and throwing my arms around her shoulders. Cherish was the one person I could always count on when the chips were down.
We painted the town that night, she and I. And just as Cherish promised, all my problems began to fade away with each throat-burning shot. Before long, I’d completely forgotten that Bennett hadn’t texted me back. I’d forgotten that I had no way of texting him. I’d forgotten that the wonderful future he had lain out for me so beautifully the night before was now lying in a gutter somewhere, a dream that would never become a reality.
***
The smell of bacon and eggs wafting from Cherish’ kitchen woke me the next morning.
“How are you functioning right now?” I asked as I stumbled out of my room and down the hall. I could taste the night before, but I sure as hell couldn’t remember a damn thing about it.
“I’m totally fine,” she laughed as she turned the spattering bacon, trying hard not to get burnt by the hot grease. “You forget I do this every week. You, on the other hand…”
“Good point,” I conceded, taking a seat at the table. Cherish placed a plate in front of me. “Bennett still hasn’t texted me back. I don’t know what’s going on. Either his mom found it and took it away, or he believes his mom that I’m only after their money.”
“Or he doesn’t want her to ruin your career,” Cherish suggested. “Ever think he’s just trying to protect you?”
I smiled at the thought. It did seem like the most plausible answer. “I just hate not being able to talk to him. I want to know what he’s thinking right now—if he misses me as much as I miss him.”
“Duh,” Cherish said with an eye roll. “Does he have email, or anything?”
“I’m sure he does, but we never talked about it. I wouldn’t even know what it is,” I said with a frustrated sigh.
“Can you just drive by his house?”
“Ha. With my extremely loud, bright red car? That wouldn’t be obvious,” I laughed. “I’m sure the moment his mom sees me around, she’ll slap a restraining order on me. I’m lucky she hasn’t turned me in to the Board of Nursing for having inappropriate contact with a patient.”
My phone buzzed on the table.
“Oh, my God.” I grabbed it and hoped it was Bennett. It was from Spencer.
SO UR ENGAGED NOW?!
“How does Spencer know I’m engaged?” I asked Cherish.
She laughed. “Are you serious? You made sure that everyone at the bar last night knew that you were off the market. A couple guys tried to buy you drinks and you said your fiancé wouldn’t be happy about you accepting drinks from other men.”
“I said that?”
“Oh, yeah,” Cherish replied, grinning from ear to ear. “You also went up to Spencer’s friend, Robbie, and told him he could tell Spencer to kiss your ass and that you were marrying Bennett Richmond-Banks and that Spencer could never be half the man Bennett was.”
“Apparently, word travels fast in this town,” I said, shoving around the food on my plate. “Actually, I think it’s funny that Spencer found out so quickly. Serves him right.”
“Don’t even respond,” Cherish said as she sat down next to me. “He’s not worth it. You don’t owe him anything.”
“You’re right,” I said, placing my phone back down on the table.
A minute later, my phone buzzed once again. I rolled my eyes, expecting to read yet another text from Spencer. He always hated when I didn’t respond right away.
“It’s Bennett,” I said, my heart pounding hard in my ears as I read it aloud, “ ‘I miss you. I love you. How can I see you again?’ ”
My hands trembled as I texted him back.
I NEED TO SEE YOU SOON. CAN YOU SNEAK OUT OF THE HOUSE TONIGHT?
“See, I told you he still loves you,” Cherish said with a mouthful of eggs. “I’m always right.”
Bennett replied in an instant.
MEET ME TONIGHT IN THE ROSE GARDEN AT ELEVEN. MY PARENTS WILL BE ASLEEP BY THEN.
My heart fluttered as I replied, telling him I’d be there. I sunk back in the chair, reveling in the fact that all was going to be well once again. We were in this together, and that was how we would figure this out.
By eleven on the nose that night, I found myself tiptoeing through the English garden toward the Richmond-Banks prized rosebushes. Time stood still, and every rustle of the leaves or odd sound commanded my attention as I waited for Bennett.
“You showed up,” a woman’s voice said, sending chills down my spine. Stepping out from behind the shadow of a tall oak stood Ingrid, her pale blonde hair glowing in the moonlight. “I knew you would.”
“Ingrid,” I said, jumping and clutching my hand over my neck.
“I found Bennett’s little secret cell phone,” she sneered as she walked closer. “I’m going to cut to the chase here, Amara. If you agree never to speak to my son again, I won’t destroy your career and I’ll give you twenty-thousand dollars.”
“That’s absurd,” I snarled, brows furrowed.
“Fifty-thousand dollars,” she said, arms crossed and face determined.
“I don’t care about money,” I said, insulted. “As much as you might think otherwise, I love him.”
“Amara,” she said, ignoring my declaration of love. “I will give you seventy-five thousand if you agree never to talk to him again.” She placed her hands on her slender hips and looked me square in the eyes. “Final offer. You’d be stupid not to take it.”
I didn’t so much as give it a second thought. “No.”
“Well, then,” she said, sticking her narrow nose in the air. “I forbid you to see him. Stupid girl. Should’ve taken the money.”
She began to walk away as I called out, “He’s a twenty-four year old man. You can’t control him. You can’t tell him not to fall in love.”
She turned slowly to face me. “As long as he’s living under my roof, he’ll do as I say.”
“Then let him move out!” I screamed at her, barely recognizing the shrill desperation behind my voice.” My blood boiled hot as adrenaline coursed through me, peeling away any remnants of a filter. “Bennett!”
I screamed his name as loud as I could the second I saw a light switch on in his room.
“He can’t hear you through those thick windows,” Ingrid said with a menacing laugh.
“Why won’t you let him grow up and be a man?” I pleaded. “Let him live a normal life, for once. You’re his mother. Look what you’re doing to him. You’re taking away everything he deserves. Who knows how long he has?”
“Exactly,” she said coolly. “He doesn’t have very long, and you know that. Stay away from my family. If I see you again, I’ll report you to the Board of Nursing for improper relations with a patient. I’m not bluffing, Evelyn.”
She vanished into the shadows of the night, ending our conversation right then and there and stealing the last word. Hot tears clouded my eyes as I worked my way back to my car, running as fast as my legs would carry me.
“Psst!” a voice whispered the second I passed the service entry in the back of the house. “Amara!”
I caught a glimpse of light shining through a cracked door and a hand waving toward me.
“Bennett?” I whispered back, looking around to make sure Ingrid was long gone. I ran closer to the door and saw his tall figure standing there. “Oh, my God. I th
ought I’d never see you again.”
I threw my arms around him and kissed his face with a passionate, desperate hunger.
“Take me with you,” he whispered. “Right now. Take me with you.”
He hoisted a packed duffle bag onto his shoulder and looked out toward the lawn.
“Come on. Let’s get out of here,” he said stepping past me. “I’m ready. I’ve been waiting. I knew you’d come back.”
He took my hand as we snuck across the grass and walked down the sidewalk toward my car. I couldn’t start it fast enough. I had Bennett, and I wanted to get the hell out of there before Ingrid came running out with her threats again.
He grabbed my hand as we sped away, bringing it to his mouth and placing one sweet kiss on it. The moment we approached a stop sign, he reached over and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pressing his lips against mine.
“I was so worried,” I sighed between kisses.
“Me too.”
“Let’s never leave each other again.”
He cupped my cheek with his hand and looked into my eyes. Time slowed around us as we savored our sweet reunion, but the moment was soon interrupted by the honking of an impatient car behind us.
“Oops,” I laughed. The tension of the moment faded. “I’m staying with Cherish right now. You’re going to love her.”
***
“Oh, my God,” Cherish squealed the second we returned. “Is this Bennett? Amara told me you were handsome, but she didn’t tell me you were freaking gorgeous.”
She stood, staring as she blocked the doorway.
“This is him,” I said, proudly showing him off.
Cherish wrapped her arms around him. “I feel like I know you already. Amara’s already told me so many things.”
He smiled, saying very little and almost seeming nervous, though he clearly tried to hide it. I was sure he wasn’t used to meeting new people, and he was definitely out of his element here.
“I’m going to help him get settled,” I said, grabbing the crook of his arm and leading him back to my room.
Bennett took a seat on my bed and looked around. The room was small, and the full-sized bed took up most of it. The white walls contrasted against the plain, oak dresser, which served as the only other piece of furniture in the room.
“Not what you’re used to, I know,” I said.
“No, it’s fine,” Bennett insisted, scanning the room. “Just taking everything in.”
I took a seat next to him and he slipped his arm around me, pulling me close as we sat in silence.
“I never want to be apart from you again,” he said. “That was the worst twenty-four hours of my life.”
“I can’t believe your mother,” I said. “She tried to pay me seventy-five thousand dollars never to speak to you again.”
“I bet it just infuriated her that you couldn’t be bought off,” he said with a smirk as he shook his head. “She really believed you were just after our money.”
“Never,” I said, leaning over and kissing him. “You didn’t think that, did you?”
“Of course not,” he said, kissing me back. We fell back onto the bed and slid our bodies together like two well-fitting puzzle pieces. Every inch of us was connected, and he held me tight, refusing to let go.
“So, what now?” I asked. “Where do we go from here?”
“I have an idea,” he said with a mischievous grin. “But it has to be a surprise.”
I studied his face, knowing he was up to something but unable to bear questioning him just now. Exhaustion consumed me, and I hadn’t an ounce of energy left to pry. We climbed up to the top of the bed and crawled under the sheets, my head tucked neatly into his arm. I rested my eyes for just a moment, and when I awoke, it was daylight.
I peeled myself off of him and climbed out of bed as Bennett’s eyes fluttered open.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, his full lips twisting into a sexy smile. “Welcome to the first day of the rest of our lives together.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, tilting my head to the side. I climbed back into bed with him. Not touching him at all times was beginning to feel unnatural.
“I’m going to marry you today,” he said.
BENNETT
“Today? Are you serious, Bennett?” Amara’s voice was chock full of excitement as she jumped into my arms. I’d told her once that I didn’t want to waste any time, and I was quickly proving to her that Bennett Richmond-Banks was a man of his word.
“Yes, today,” I replied as I cupped her face in my hands and brushed the hair out of her eyes. “I can’t let you slip away again. If we’re married, no one can tear us apart.”
“I don’t have a dress,” she said with a pout.
“We’ll take care of everything today,” I said. “And you will have a ring.”
She smiled.
“We’ll head to the bank after breakfast,” I continued. “I don’t want to waste a single second.”
She dragged me out of bed and down the hall to the kitchen, where Cherish was making all kinds of racket and singing horribly to some music blasting from her phone.
“What’s up with you two?” she asked, eyeing us both as she turned off her music. “If you did anything freaky this morning, you sure were quiet …”
“You want to tell her, Bennett?” Amara asked me.
“I’m marrying Amara today,” I announced, my shoulders back and my chin raised.
“What?!” Cherish asked as she ran to Amara. She grabbed Amara’s hands and began to dance around excitedly. “Can I be your witness? You have to have a witness! Oh, I’m calling in today. I can’t miss this.”
Cherish was nearly as excited as we were as she pulled her black hair into her fingers and began rattling off something to Amara about hairstyles and flowers and dresses. I stared at Amara as she smiled wide, listening intently to Cherish’ ideas. I nonchalantly pulled her closer to me, pressing her body into mine. In just a few hours, she was going to be my wife. Everything else was gravy.
Cherish drove us to the National Savings Bank, which housed my trust fund. Having just turned twenty-four in January, it was all mine, which definitely explained my mother’s insane obsession to preserve it. They never expected me to live past eighteen or nineteen, or twenty-one, or twenty-four, for that matter. And they certainly never expected me to fall in love and run away with some girl. That money was ours now, and I was going to give Amara the most wonderful life I could with it.
I returned from the bank a while later and climbed back in the car.
“That took a long time,” Cherish said. “Everything okay?”
Amara shot her a look. “Cherish.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Everything’s fine. It was just my first time going to that bank. They needed to verify a few things. I had to promise them everything but my first born, and they still didn’t believe I was me.”
We headed toward the jewelry store on the square uptown, where I proceeded to pick out a modest, white gold band and Amara picked out an antique diamond eternity band.
“You sure you don’t want a solitaire?” I asked as she eyed the sparkling diamonds that surrounded her fingers as she modeled it for me. “You can have any ring you want in here.”
“I’m sure,” she said, smiling as she admired it. “I want this one.”
The ring fit her like a glove, and I wasted no time in slapping some cash on the table and running off to our next stop.
“I never thought I’d be planning a wedding in a matter of hours,” she said as we walked down the square to the dress shop.
“Is this okay?” I asked her softly. “I know it’s probably not the wedding of your dreams...”
“Bennett.” She stopped me. “It’s fine. I don’t care about the wedding. I care about marrying you.”
She reached up and grabbed a fistful of my shirt, and then planted a kiss on my lips right there on the sidewalk as cars drove by. This girl loved me. She really loved me.<
br />
“All right, you two,” Cherish said, ushering us from behind. “Dress shop.”
We walked up ahead and entered a small boutique.
“I want this one,” Amara said, holding up a tea-length, strapless ivory dress covered in lace. It had a vintage feel to it, just like her vintage wedding band.
“That’s the one,” Cherish said, nodding in agreement. “Try it on. I’d tell you to go wait outside, Bennett, but this little wedding you two are putting on bucks all kinds of traditions.”
Amara scampered into the dressing room and emerged a minute later with the help of a saleswoman. She did a cute little spin, beaming as Cherish gushed about how beautiful she looked.
“I love it,” I said as Amara turned to me for approval. “You’re beautiful.”
The dress fit her petite frame like a glove, like it was made just for her, and I walked off to the front counter to buy it for her.
We piled into Cherish’ car once again and headed to the courthouse. Once inside, we found the appropriate office and filled out the paperwork.
“If you’re all ready, you can go to courtroom twelve. Third floor,” the clerk said. Thank God for slow days at the courthouse. And it probably didn’t hurt that I slipped her a hundred dollar bill to make this happen. I wasn’t above doing whatever it took to marry Amara Robinson as soon as possible.
The girls scrambled into a nearby bathroom and emerged a short time later with Amara’s hair slicked back into a low bun and her lips painted a rich crimson. I reached out and grabbed her hand, leading her to the elevator.
“Amara Robinson and Bennett Richmond-Banks,” the judge said as he looked up from his papers. We’d just stepped into the courtroom. “Please step forward.”
The three of us approached his stand as he walked around and stood before us.
“This is your witness?” he said, turning to Cherish. “Cherish Watkins?”
“Yes, sir,” I said, squeezing Amara’s hand.
He proceeded to spout out some sort of legal jargon-infused ceremony verbiage. “Did the two of your prepare any vows?”
“No,” I said, “but I want to say something anyway.”