Derrick peeled out of his clothes, showered, and then slid between the bed’s satin sheets. After two hours, he was far from dreamland. All he could see was Meghan’s angry tears.
And Mya’s.
And Genie’s.
And Lana’s.
Exasperated, he flopped onto his back and stared at the ceiling. They had all loved him. They had all expected a wedding ring. But he wasn’t in love with any of them.
“Maybe it’s time to face the truth,” he said into the darkness. “Love just isn’t in the cards for me.”
Chapter 2
Isabella didn’t float home on a cloud and she doubted she would dream of any happily-ever-after with her newly minted fiancé. Instead, Isabella wondered about the mess she got herself into.
“What do you mean, he proposed? You were supposed to break up with him,” Keri thundered into the phone.
“I know. I know. But what was I supposed to do? He had invited our parents to dinner. Everyone was sitting there staring at me.”
“You were supposed to say no.”
Isabella sighed, and slumped onto the bed. She heard a loud rip, jumped up and ran to the mirror to see a long tear in the back of her dress. “Just great!”
“What happened?”
“Uhm. How soon do you need your green dress back?”
“Izzy, you said you’d be careful!”
“I know. I know.” She sighed. Why was she always such a klutz? “It’s just a small rip,” she lied. “I can fix it.” Balancing the phone between her shoulder and chin, Isabella struggled to reach the back zipper. When it jammed halfway down, she opted to pull the silk dress over her head, which caused her to lose her precious balance, drop the phone and crush her toes.
“Ow. Ow, ow.” She hopped around the room blind on her good foot. Once the throbbing eased, she shouted down to the floor, “Just a sec, Keri.” Isabella wiggled and pulled and after a few long seconds managed to work her way out of the dress. “I’m back.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing. I dropped the phone.” She sat on the edge of the bed and reached to take off her shoes when one heel came off in her hand. “Uhm, about your shoes…”
“Izzy!”
“I’m sorry. I just…I’m just sorry.”
“Forget the shoes. What are you going to do about Randall?”
Isabella checked behind her before easing back onto the bed.
“Isabella, are you there? Hello.”
“I’m still here,” she mumbled.
“So what are you going to do? I mean, you’re not going to go through with it, are you? You’re not in love with Randall.”
“I could learn to love him.”
“What?” Keri shrieked. “Please say you’re joking.”
Isabella sighed. Was she joking? Really, what was wrong with falling in love after marriage? Does true love really exist? Hell, she didn’t know anymore.
“Izzy?”
“I don’t know, Keri. Randall is a good catch and it’s not like there’s a line of men banging down my front door. There never has been.”
“Don’t say it like that. What about that guy you met at the library?”
“You mean, Arthur? That was years ago. We went out one time and all he talked about was reaching some ridiculous level in some video game. Besides he had too many no’s.”
“He had too many what?”
“No’s. No job, no car, no money and most importantly no personality. Consequently, he got married last year.”
“You’re joking.”
“I wish I was. I was hard up enough a few months ago and called him again.” Isabella grabbed a toss pillow, covered her head and proceeded to scream.
“Izzy? Izzy?” Keri shouted.
When her brief moment of anxiety and frustration passed, Isabella removed the pillow from her head and placed the phone back against her ear. “It’s all right. I’m back.”
“Okay. So Arthur is off the list. No big deal.”
“No big deal? What does it say about the world when he can get hitched and I, an intelligent woman with a damn good job…and somewhat decent looking can only get asked out once every three years?”
“Izzy, stop putting yourself down. You’re a pretty girl. Any man would be lucky to have you.”
How come she only heard those words from her parents and friends? Acidic tears burned the backs of Isabella’s eyes. The truth was the truth. She wasn’t beautiful and she should count herself lucky Randall Jarrett ever gave her the time of day. “Randall would make a good husband.”
“So you’re just going to settle?”
“I didn’t say I was settling.”
“That is exactly what you’re saying. You’re letting Randall and your parents run your life.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Oh, please. Your parents chose your college, law school, your condo, half of your friends and now they have thrown you into Randall’s arms.”
Isabella groaned at having the truth tossed back at her. The great thing about Keri was her wonderful way of telling it like it is. Sometimes she was a little too blunt, but love it or hate it, everyone always knew where they stood with Keri.
Sometimes Isabella wished she was more like her best friend. For one thing, Keri was gorgeous. Whenever she walked into a room, everyone noticed. Then there was Keri’s no-nonsense attitude. She had no time for fools, or “dawgs” looking for a quick score.
“Take control of your life, Izzy,” Keri said. “Do something. Stand up for yourself. This is your chance before they marry you off and pump you full of kids. Call Randall tonight and tell him you can’t marry him.”
“But—”
“No buts. Do it now. Tonight!”
Isabella fell silent while a knot looped and tightened in her chest. “Time to get a backbone,” she mumbled.
“That’s my girl,” Keri encouraged. “Call him and then call me back,” she instructed.
Isabella nodded and then rolled onto her back. “But what if he’s not there?”
