to the table, Cherise announced, “Okay, I’ve made a decision.”
“This is their existing facility,” Steven Chambers began as he pointed to a photograph on the board. “There’s about thirteen thousand square feet of space. They’re entering into a major facility expansion of about forty thousand square feet of building space on the new site. I’m going in this afternoon to present the new design to the church executive board to get their feedback.”
His supervisor nodded in approval. “The pastor of this church is a good friend of mine. It’s important that we know exactly what he wants to achieve in this project.”
“I started doing a schematic design after I spoke with Pastor Wilkins last week,” Steven said, “but before I finish it, I need more information.”
“Wilkins was very impressed with the new Holton Building, and he insisted on having you as the lead on this project.”
Steven straightened his tie and smiled. “Thanks, Randall. After my meeting this afternoon, I’m off for the next fourteen days. I’m really looking forward to this vacation.”
“Enjoy,” Randall said. “You’ve earned it.”
Steven left his supervisor’s office and took the stairs down to the parking garage situated in downtown Los Angeles. He entered the freeway and headed toward Inglewood to meet with Pastor Wilkins and his staff.
In a few days he would be aboard the Emerald Princess, cruising toward the Mediterranean. The last time he went on vacation was with his ex-girlfriend. It had been almost six months since that relationship ended. He had cared deeply for the woman but knew that they had no future, especially since she already had a husband in northern California. Steven had had no idea that he was involved with a married woman until her husband confronted him.
His cell phone rang, the custom ring tone letting him know that it was his favorite aunt—his other mom—who was calling.
Steven grinned as he clicked on the speakerphone. “Aunt Eula Mae, how’s life in Ghana?” She and her husband had been living there for the past ten years because of his work.
“It’s still beautiful here,” she responded. “But I’m ready to come back to the States. I miss y’all so much.”
“Mama and I were just talking about you yesterday,” he said. “We miss you too. I thought Uncle Jerome was planning to retire this year.”
She released a long sigh. “I thought so too, but I guess we both were wrong. Jerome wants to stay here for another year. That man is tapping on my last nerve with this job of his. I’ve told him that I’m leaving him.”
Steven laughed. “Aunt Eula Mae, you’re not going anywhere.”
“I’m ready to come back to the States. Hey, you haven’t gotten married on me yet, have you?”
He laughed. “You know I haven’t. I can’t get married until you meet her. I don’t know what it is about you and Mom, but you can definitely spot toxic women.” They had both warned him about all the ones he dated and, as it turned out, they’d been right on the money. Steven trusted his aunt and mom because they had been wonderful role models for him, and he respected their opinions.
Steven chatted with his aunt for most of the drive home.
“I’m here at the church, Aunt Eula Mae. I’ll give you a call back before I leave for Barcelona tonight. I’m flying there a few days early so that I can spend some time in Spain before the cruise.”
“Have fun, hon.”
He smiled. “I intend to do just that.”
Steven disconnected the call and shut off the car.
Humming softly, he got out of the car and headed inside the church. Once the presentation was over, Steven planned to stop home long enough to change into something comfortable and grab his luggage and passport, then drive to the airport. He was looking forward to this cruise.
“Well, look at you, Cherise,” Elle said when they were in Bloomingdale’s at the Beverly Center. “And you were worried about wearing a swimsuit. Girl, you look good.”
“Elle, are you sure?” Cherise peered into the mirror, staring critically at her curvy size fourteen torso, and even she had to admit the black one-piece swimsuit with ruching and well-placed ruffles flattered her full figure. “I guess it doesn’t look bad.”
She smiled over the fact that she looked younger than her twenty-five years. “No, not bad at all. So, are you ready to wow everyone on the cruise ship and the Mediterranean, cousin?”
Elle picked up a neon-green swimsuit and responded, “Not quite. I like this one, but it’s a little too bright for me.”
Cherise stole one last glimpse at the mirror. “Okay, I’m getting this one.”
When she walked out of the dressing room, Cherise and Elle strolled up to the counter and paid for the items Cherise had selected for the cruise. They left the boutique and walked down the street to a nearby restaurant for lunch.
“I don’t know why I waited until the last minute to shop for the cruise. When did I decide to go?”
“At Ransom and Coco’s reception,” Elle responded with a smile. “That was almost a month ago, but you have always been a procrastinator when it comes to stuff like this.”
“Now, two days before the cruise, I’m running around like I’m crazy,” Cherise said with a chuckle. “I’m really looking forward to this vacation. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that something good is going to happen.”
Early on the tenth of July, the large Ransom family boarded a plane to Barcelona, Spain. The clan was broken into smaller groups for the flight over. Laine and Ray and their families had left the night before. Garrett and his family wanted to spend some time in Barcelona, so they’d traveled to Spain a week earlier.
Ivy and Cherise and her brother were on the same flight, while Elle, Jillian and some of the others were on another one with a different airline. They would be arriving within an hour of each other.
Cherise could’ve kissed the ground when she walked off the plane. It had taken nineteen hours, which included two layovers, but they were finally in Barcelona.
“I’m so glad to get off that plane,” Ivy said, stretching. She glanced down at her daughters, who were yawning and stretching too. “My babies did so well during the flight. I’m so proud of them.”
“Me, too,” Cherise responded. “I like flying, but I’m discovering that I’m not crazy about long flights.”
“I’ma walk down here to see if Sherrie made it in yet,” her brother said.
“Julian, why didn’t she fly with us?” Cherise asked.
“She works for U.S. Air,” he responded. “I had already made my reservations before I met Sherrie.”
Ivy and Cherise sat down with Ivy’s daughters to grab a bite to eat while they waited for the plane carrying Elle, Jillian and the others to come in.
“We’re
