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Evangeline reached her arms across the bed as she slowly woke up. When she didn’t feel Christian’s muscular body, she opened her eyes and sat up.
“Cristian?” She called out to him then smiled when she spotted him sitting in the chaise. He was smiling as he continued to focus on the sketchpad. “What are you doing?”
“I’m drawing the most beautiful woman in the world.” He offered her a smile then continued working on his sketchpad.
“Cristian, please tell me you’re not drawing me while I’m sleep.” She started looking for his t-shirt when she found it she put it on. She slide out of bed frowning and walked over to him. He continued drawing as she stood behind him. She found he wasn’t naked, but he had on his boxers. “Cris…” Evangeline offered breathless. “It’s beautiful.”
“You really like it.” He glanced back at her smiling.
“I love it.” Evangeline returned his smile, kissed him on the lips quickly, and then looked back at the sketching. He made her look so peaceful.
Evangeline ran her hand through her hair and walked around to join Cristian on the chaise. After last night, peace was the last thing she had or felt. Why did John kiss her, and what was he trying to tell her? And, why did she care? She was with Cristian now, and she couldn’t…wouldn’t hurt him. John proved to her last night he hadn’t changed. He still couldn’t verbalize what he felt, but Cristian on the other hand has no problem with it.
“I’m so glad you couldn’t sleep without me last night.” She took the sketchpad out of his hand and eased her slender body on top of him. “I love you.”
“I love you too, tiger.” Cristian caressed her face and frowned. “Are you okay?”
The wrinkles in Evangeline’s forehead revealed her confusion. He didn’t wait for her to ask as he explained the reason for his question.
“You didn’t protest to me calling you tiger.” She smiled then looked up to the ceiling and back at him. “God, you’re beautiful.”
“And so are you.” Evangeline covered his lips with hers. She wouldn’t hurt him. Cristian stood by her when she needed someone even if she didn’t want someone. He was her hero. He chose her and put her first. Breaking the kiss, she stared into his brown eyes. “I need to tell you something Cristian.”
Cristian frown then shifted in the chaise causing her to sit up a little. “Okay. What?”
“John is a good friend of Darius my cousin’s fiancé.” She studied her lover’s reaction. “He’s going to be in the wedding party.”
Cristian nodded his head, glanced down, and centered his attention back on her.
“I wanted you to hear it from me.” She pursued knowing her boyfriend had a jealous side. “I don’t want you to be distracted by this or anything while you are training. I’m with you.”
“Thank you for telling me.” Cristian kissed her then pushed her off him gently. “I need to shower and get to Rourke’s. I will come back tonight.”
“Okay.” Evangeline moved so he could get up. She sat on the chaise for a second replaying his reaction in her head. When she looked back, her hand involuntarily reached out for his left wrist. “Hey, I love you…and only you.”
“I love you too, Tiger.” Cristian offered her a weak smile then walked over to the shower.
Evangeline ran her hand through her hair again then mouthed. “Damnit, John McBain.” She listened as the shower turned on.
She stood, walked over to her dresser, pulled open a drawer, and grabbed a pair of pajama bottom. Her eyes shifted to the mirror and she stared at her self for a second. Another object quickly got her attention. She wasn’t sure why her eyes centered in on the reflection of the bed. Then she closed her eyes and said a silent prayer. Even though Cristian Vega was in her bed last night, she yearned for John McBain. It took everything in her power to push him into the back of her head as she made love to Cris. Never had she found herself in this predicament. She was in love with another man, but in a relationship with a man she has grown to love. She turned around and stared at her bed.
“No.” Evangeline shook her head and blinked to prevent the tears burning her eyes from escaping. She effortlessly put on her pajama bottoms as she talked out loud. “Cristian is good to me. He loves me.” She headed towards her bedroom door and stopped at the threshold.
She looked at the bathroom door and her gut told her she didn’t want this to work. She wanted out. No. She denied, but she knew it was the truth. If she really wanted things to work with Cristian, she would join him in the shower instead of running.
She ran her hand through her hair as she inhaled and followed the delightful aroma of breakfast to the kitchen. When she walked into her kitchen, she found her cousin fully dressed, wearing an apron, and cooking.
“Good morning, Sunshine.” Yvonne greeted taking muffins out of the oven.
“Morning, and don’t call me that.” Evangeline’s eyes roamed her island top, and she was amazed at the variety of foods. She watched as her cousin place the muffin pan on top of the oven. “Where’s Darius?”
“You didn’t have a problem when Harlem called you that.” Yvonne took the apron off, straightened her shirt, and turned to Van. She smiled when her cousin rolled her eyes at the reference of her old boyfriend...actually fiancé. “Darius went to look for an engagement ring. I couldn’t remember what you like for breakfast, so I kinda made a variety of things. Cris joining us?”
Yvonne grabbed two plates and handed one to Van.
“I don’t know…Kinda?” Evangeline teased taking the plate and looking at her cousin’s ring finger. In the excitement of seeing her baby cousin, she didn’t notice the bare finger.
“Whatever! We have buttermilk pancakes, blueberry pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs with cheese, eggs without cheese, blueberry and banana muffins, biscuits, French toast, grits, cinnamon and spice oatmeal, freshly squeezed orange juice, frozen grape juice…Oh, I forgot fruit…We got bananas, oranges, and apples.”
“Yvonne, who were you cooking for? Cristian is training, so he can’t eat most of this stuff.” Evangeline put her left hand on her head amazed that her cousin made all this food. “I’m assuming, since Layla isn’t in here pigging out, she is still with Vincent. We have enough food to feed an army for months…and,” She frowned at her cousin. “You found the ingredients for all this stuff in this kitchen?”
“Please!” Yvonne finished fixing her plate and walked over to the kitchen table. “In a house with you and Lay without your mom or me.”
Evangeline smiled as she started fixing her plate.
“The only thing you had in your fridge that I could use was butter, and you had pepper and salt in your cabinets. The rest I had to go get.”
“I don’t have time to cook.” Evangeline joined her at the table. “Besides, Cristian usually goes to his mom’s diner for breakfast.”
“What about John?” Yvonne poured syrup on her pancakes.
“What about John?” Evangeline glanced over her shoulder feeling uncomfortable. She took the syrup from her cousin.
“What does he do for breakfast?” Yvonne glanced at the kitchen door.
Evangeline put the syrup down and glared at her cousin. “Yvonne, I’m only going to say this one more time. I’m with Cristian…not John.”
“Hey Cuz, I’m sorry.” Yvonne studied Van and stuffed a mouthful of pancakes in her mouth.
“Okay, my beautiful tiger.” Cristian spoke in Spanish as he walked into the kitchen. “Oh…”
Evangeline stood up when she heard her lover’s voice. “Cristian Vega, this is my cousin, Yvonne.”
“Hello.” Cristian extended his free hand. His other hand was resting at the small of his girlfriend’s back. “Congratulation on the marriage thing.”
“Thanks.” Yvonne allowed her eyes to rake over Cristian’s body. “Van tells me you’re training for a big fight. I hope you can still make it to the wedding.”
Cristian looked at Evangeline confused and she in turned looked at her cousin. Yvonne decided to explain her reason.
“Oh. Last night, Momma called and she and Aunt Lisa decided it would be better to have it at home instead of here. Will that be a problem?”
Evangeline glanced at Cristian, her cousin, and then focused on Cristian.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Cristian answered Yvonne, but he didn’t stop looking at Evangeline.
“Cristian, this is your first title fight.” Evangeline studied him and smiled. “I know you are putting me first, but I don’t want you to be distracted. I know this fight means a lot to you.”
“You mean more.” Cristian kissed her softly on the lips. “I’ll be there. I’ll tell Vincent today.”
“Okay.” Evangeline beamed loving how he always put her wants and needs first.
“I love you.” He cupped her face and kissed her. She welcomed him kissing her because she felt her cousin needed visual proof. She was with Cristian. “I have to go.”
“I’ll walk you to the door.” She offered but he quickly protested saying she needed to eat before her food got colder. “See you later.”
Yvonne watched as Cristian left, and Evangeline sat back down at the table. She continued to study her cousin as she started eating.
“What?” Evangeline glanced up catching her cousin studying her. When Yvonne didn’t say anything, she pushed her plate aside knowing her cousin had something to say. Evangeline now knew the one thing she hated about the Williamson family. Each member of the Williamson family had the inability to mind their own business.
“You’re not in love with him.” Yvonne challenged.
“Yvonne, please.” Evangeline crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I’m not about to discuss my relationship with you.”
“Good, because you will only tell me the lies you are telling yourself.” Yvonne didn’t stop when Evangeline gaped at her. “You and John aren’t finish. You both still have feelings for one another. I would even say you are still in love with one another.”
“You are dead wrong.” Evangeline stood, grabbed her plate, and walked over to the garbage. “I’m with Cristian.”
“Cristian isn’t the man you are in love with. Cristian…isn’t your soul mate.” Yvonne stood and followed her cousin’s actions.
“What? You have been engaged for five minutes? And now, you’re an expert on love and soul mates.” Evangeline let out a hated breath. She was tired of her Mother, Layla, and Yvonne getting into her personal relationship. She wasn’t a complete screw up in the department. Damn! She was a successful educated lawyer. Why was this so hard? And, why did she have to have her cousin here to tell her the truth. She looked back at her cousin and wasn’t surprised that her statement didn’t faze her. Yvonne was like her in that aspect. She didn’t wear her heart on her sleeves like Layla. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said…but I don’t need you analyzing my relationship either.”
“Girl, you have already done that, so tell me how long you gonna live a lie.” Yvonne questioned.
“What lie?” Evangeline asked innocently.
“The lie that you aren’t in love with Cristian.”
“Yvonne, you know nothing about my relationship, so can we please stick to china patterns and wedding songs.”
Yvonne studied her cousin for a minute then said. “Van, I thought I saw unfinished business with you and John while you were on the dance floor…a connection of sorts.”
Evangeline knew sooner or later she was going to have to answer for her actions last night on the dance floor. They were just dancing and her cousin was implying more. She and John are friends. She wondered how many times she would have to tell herself before she started believing it.
“Cuz, I love you. And, I know John couldn’t tell you that.”
Evangeline sighed and rolled her eyes. Layla and her mother needed to learn how to keep their big mouth shut.
“But, last night when I saw him looking at you and dancing with you, I saw a man that was deeply in love and probably afraid of the emotions he was feeling.” Yvonne sighed. “Darius told me John didn’t even look at Caitlin the way he looks at you.”
Evangeline looked at her surprised then busied herself with cleaning up. “I can’t believe John is Darius’s old friend. I need some coffee.” She finally spoke nonchalantly. Yvonne didn’t say anything as she watched her cousin avoid the conversation.
Evangeline walked over to the coffee maker by the refrigerator. When she saw the pot empty, she turned to her cousin in disgust. “You made all this food, and you couldn’t make a pot of coffee?”
“Cookie, caffeine isn’t good for the baby.” Yvonne decided to put the John topic on the back burner for the moment. “And, it’s a good thing I’m getting married soon or you will have pictures with a swollen stomach.”
“What baby?” Evangeline walked over to her family member irritated that once again Layla shared her private business with her.
“Girl, please.” Yvonne stopped cleaning and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Don’t give me that I’m tired of you and Layla talking about my business look. You know how we do. We dish all our drama then we jump on yours.”
Evangeline smiled realizing that her cousin was telling the truth and relieved they weren’t talking about John McBain anymore. She remembered how they would tell each other business as kids. She was included, but there were times when she got frustrated with those two and would tell on them. When Evangeline complained to their grandmother, she would always hear she didn’t have any business to tell.
“Now, sit your butt down and talk to me. You know, your sister always leave out details.” Yvonne prompted her elbow on the table and placed her chin in her hand. “So, tell me the dirt first hand. Is it John’s baby or Cristian’s?”
“Not funny…Neither. Nosy.” Evangeline smiled at her cousin’s twisted humor Evangeline shared her scare with her cousin figuring she would only have to tell one Williamson for the rest to know. She didn’t realized how much she missed fellowshipping with Yvonne. Yes, she had Layla and Nora for girl talk, but she always had a special connection with Yvonne. They were more than cousin, almost like sisters. They were two years apart. Yvonne’s personality was a mixture of Evangeline and Layla; even though, she let more of her Layla tendencies show. At times, Evangeline found it hard to deal with her cousin, but for the most part they got along wonderfully.
“Enough about me.” Evangeline sipped from her coffee that Yvonne said she could have since she wasn’t pregnant. She smiled over how protective her cousin was of her. She and Layla always tried to play her hero. “What about you? Why are you and Darius getting married after living together for five years? Why haven’t he gotten you an engagement ring, and why the rush?”
“Girl, one damn question at a time.” Yvonne joined the other woman in laughing. “ I love Darius. I truly do. He asked me two years ago, and you know I have been against marriage since Aunt Lisa and Uncle Carl divorce. Daddy and Mommy shouldn’t be together, but you know that praying woman of God won’t give up.”
Evangeline understood her cousin’s fears of marriage because she had some of her own. Besides from her parents, she has seen too many marriages end in divorce. “He gave me an ultimatum earlier this month and said he wanted to be married by the end of this month.”
“What?” Evangeline choked on her drink as she studied Yvonne.
“Yes. And, can you believe your Uncle Clay tried to tell me it was my fault.” Yvonne was getting worked up as though she was hearing it for the first time herself. “The man couldn’t stand Darius Tate until he made partner at Jackson, Toussaint, and now Tate law firm.”
“No, Uncle Clay always liked Darius. You know how protective he is when it comes to his Williamson girls. He only wants the best for us.” Evangeline shook her head as she got up and headed to the coffee pot for a refill.
“Is that why you haven’t taken Cristian home?” Yvonne stood and started clearing the table. “I know what happened at Aunt Rita’s funeral. And, John handled it better than Darius and from your emails Cristian would have. I know D would have cut a fool. That is one reason I didn’t go…and besides the fact Aunt Rita didn’t like me.”
“That is not true. I don’t know why you and Layla feel that way.” Evangeline shook her head wishing those two would see how much Aunt Rita loved them all. “How is your mom doing? I only got a chance to see Aunt Sue briefly when I visited. She didn’t come back to the house like Uncle Clay.”
“She’s good. She’s happy I’m finally getting married. Darius won her heart the first time she met him; even though, he’s not in the church.” Yvonne ran some water in the kitchen sink. “And, you wouldn’t believe that Holy filled woman started asking me over a year ago when I’m going to give her some grandbabies. You should have heard daddy.”
They shared a laugh.
“You know how Momma was always hammering the Lord’s teaching in us. Well, I guess her desire to have grandbabies over shadow her teaching.” Yvonne cut the water off and turned to her older cousin. “I can’t help it…Are you still in love with John?”
Evangeline stopped and cocked her head. “Why are we back on John?”
“Because as I said, I saw some unfinished business. I know I was pissed off at first, but I see how you look at him and he you.” Yvonne studied her older cousin. “And, you two were dancing like lovers and not friends…I’m sure he was turned on.”
“I have to go get ready for work.” Evangeline stated feeling uneasy remembering feeling John’s desire for her. It was natural. It wasn’t the first time a man became turned on dancing with her. She didn’t need to make a big deal when it was John. He knew her body very well. But, with any other man, she would have pushed them away since she was in a relationship with Cristian.
“Okay. One last question, Van.” Yvonne smiled.
“What Yvonne? What?” Evangeline snapped tried of talking about John.
“Calm down.” Yvonne’s smile widened as she held up her right hand. “I need a manicure. Can you recommend any place?”
“Foxy Roxy’s Hair Haven…If you get ready, I’ll drop you off.”
“You want me to get my nails done at a place called Foxy Roxy’s Hair Haven?” Yvonne turned her nose up.
“Loosen up.” Evangeline offered one of her signature smile. “Foxy Roxy’s is good. I get my nails done there.”
“Let me see.” Yvonne looked at her cousin’s nails. “You need a touch up yourself.”
“Whatever. Come on. I have a meeting so my nails will have to wait. I promise Roxy will take care of you.” Evangeline glanced at her cousin’s hair. “And maybe she can do something with your hair too.”