Three and a Half Weeks(176)

Sullen-faced, she nodded and raised her right hand, as if swearing an oath. “Promise.”



Now it was up to her to keep her word. She gracefully unfolds her long body from the chenille-upholstered chair she is curled up in, swinging her shoulder-length, chestnut hair behind her. “Ella! I’m so excited to meet you. I’m Ian’s sister, Zoe. Welcome to our home.”

At that moment, the doorbell chimes.

“Oh, Ian,” Faith interjects, “I hope you and Ella don’t mind but I’ve invited a few people to lunch.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, Jeff Benson—he and Dad have been working together on a new high-blood-pressure medication—and Jeff’s wife, Diana. I also asked Miriam James and her husband Antonio. Miriam curated my last exhibit at the Hackley Gallery. Zoe also invited a couple of her girlfriends, Sarah Nesmith and Kaylie Ayres. You probably remember them, Ian?”

Ian’s eyes narrow when he hears the guest list. If he had been told earlier, it would have been helpful but hearing it now for the first time, his knee-jerk reaction gives him away.

He hasn’t seen Kaylie in eons but they used to sneak away together whenever Zoe wasn’t around. Kaylie was Ian’s first and vice versa, and she wasn’t happy when he finally cut the cord, leaving her for Natasha Yenin.

But the real shocker is Diana Benson. He’d met her several years ago at one of those infernal fundraisers that he’d been impelled to attend while he built his reputation as a philanthropist, and he had no idea of the connection she had to his father, nor did he know she was married. He’d just pegged her as a hungry cougar… and he was only too happy to accommodate her. It was during the time Natasha was fucking him over and he’d yet to make the decision of swearing off relationships, confining himself to Dom/sub situations.

He had considered the affair to be one that was purely physical but she had not been of the same mindset. She began to make demands on him and he didn’t care for the tenor of the relationship. He tried to walk away numerous times but she kept pulling him back. Finally, he made a clean break of it… only to discover her one night, ensconced at his parents’ dinner table, with her husband—her husband whom he’d known since he was a child, being his father’s friend and colleague since the elder Mr. Blackmon earned his medical degree.

Now he’s in an unenviable position: introducing his wife-to-be to his first girlfriend and to his former mistress of a sort.

Kaylie is the first hurdle. Following on the tails of the butler who answers the door, the young blond woman comes strolling into the house as if she owns it. “Zoe!” she exclaims as Ian’s sister rushes over to greet her friend. “I’m so glad to see you. It’s been too long!”

Zoe smiles and embraces her high school friend. “Definitely too long.” The two women go back to sophomore year of high school. “How are you, Kaylie? I’m glad you’re back from Denver.”

“Oh, so am I. Denver is a total yawn.” Her bright green eyes scan the room, settling on Ian. She smiles broadly and gives a little wave. “Hey there, big bro. I’ve actually been reading the WSJ to check for updates on you. How are you, Ian?”

He smiles politely but is saved from further comment as the other guests arrive. When the introductions are completed, Ian decides that now is the time to make his announcement. While everyone is milling about, he asks for their attention and the room goes quiet. Grasping Ella’s hand, he looks at his parents. “Ella and I are planning to marry in June and we thought it was time to let everyone know. The date we selected is the twelfth so keep it open, please. Mom? We’d like to hold the wedding here on the estate, if that’s okay?”

Faith claps her hands together. “I would be thrilled to have the wedding here, Ian and Ella! Of course. June is not far away: we should start planning immediately.”

Nodding Ian smiles as his family and friends offer their congratulations.

It is fairly apparent to everyone in the room what Kaylie thinks about Ian’s news since her startled reaction is conspicuous: her eyes widen, her mouth drops open, and her face darkens to a vibrant shade of crimson, which on her fair skin is notable. Faith notices tension in the room and jumps in before things become even more awkward.

“Why don’t we all move to the patio and Susie will serve drinks? It’s such a lovely afternoon.”

“Great idea,” Trevor adds.

Kaylie is still gaping at Ella but now there’s emotion shading her green eyes though it’s not clear exactly what kind.

Once everyone is seated outside, Kaylie turns to Ella. “Ella, please tell me about yourself. What do you do?”