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Three Days Later ~ The Police station
Darius tapped on John’s office door and waited for a reply.
“It’s open.” John answered not looking up from his computer monitor. “What’s up?”
Darius watched as his friend pecked like a beginner on his computer keyboard. He smiled when he noticed John’s eyes looking at the keyboard instead of the screen. He stood in the middle of the office for a few minutes before John offered his full attention.
“Hey Darius,” John smiled as he leaned back in his chair. “Have a seat man.”
“John, we don’t have time.” Darius pointed towards the door with one hand and glanced at his watch. “We should have been at the bridal shop five minutes ago.”
“Explain to me again, why we are picking out the bride maids dresses?” John frowned at the thought. “I thought that was the job of the bride to be.”
“Traditionally, it is.” Darius grinned. “But, since I gave the ultimatum, I have some of the duties.”
“Well, I didn’t give any ultimatums.” John returned to his typing. “I don’t like them.”
“Come on man! You’re the best man.” His old time friend begged at first then remembered he had a piece of bait. “Okay. I’ll go watch Evangeline and Layla try on dresses and make a decision on my own.”
“Evangeline is going to be there?” John stopped pecking again. When he saw Darius grinning, he knew he had been baited. “You know you can be a jackass at times.”
“Looks who’s talking.” Darius laughed as John stood and headed towards the door.
Doris’s Bridal Shop
Evangeline glanced at her slim gold Cartier watch that was a gift from Todd for her birthday. Darius should have been here ten minutes ago. She was about to say something to Yvonne when her cell phone started ringing. She looked at her cousin and sister as she fished her phone out of her purse. Pulling it out, she flipped it open without looking at the caller ID.
“Evangeline Williamson…Hey, Cristian…How is training going?”
Layla and Yvonne rolled there eyes as Evangeline walked away from them talking and acting like a schoolgirl. Evangeline ignored them as she smiled into the phone.
“I’m here with Layla and Yvonne at Doris’s Bridal shop. We’re shopping for the maid of honor and bride maids dresses.” She giggled and blushed. “Cristian, you know we can’t do anything until after your fight…I don’t want you getting weak. I’m glad I’m all you need…We leave the day after tomorrow. The wedding will be a week from then…I’m counting on you to be there…If Vincent can’t make it, I won’t be disappointed…Layla will get over it…No, I don’t think John is coming early. Maybe, he’ll be there a day or two before.”
Evangeline heard the bell from the entry door and gazed towards it. She was shocked to see John with Darius.
“Yes, Cris…I’m still here.” Her eyes locked with John’s as he and Darius walked over to her cousin and Layla. “Darius just arrived, so I have to go try on dresses…Okay…Okay…Me too…Sorry, I love you.”
Evangeline closed her phone and sauntered over to join the group.
“Hello, Darius - John.” She looked John up and down and offered a questioning glaze. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, Vangie.” Yvonne supplied smiling. “I didn’t tell you. Darius is in charge of picking out the bride maids dresses.”
Evangeline glared at her cousin wondering what she was up to.
“And, since John is the best man, he’ll be helping.” Yvonne turned to Darius. “I’m going. You better pick the right dress.”
“Going?” Evangeline grabbed her arm gently as she wondered what was going on. “Where are you going?”
“Okay. Evangeline.” Yvonne turned to her and Layla who was standing behind her big sister. “Since Darius gave me the ultimatum, I figured he should help out. He will be in charge of picking out the dresses…and some other things.” She turned back to her soon to be husband and John. “Some things he may delegate to his best man. Arrivederci!”
Layla studied John as he looked at Evangeline. She rolled her eyes then gently pulled on her sister’s arm. “Let’s get this over with Van.”
Darius glanced between Evangeline and John as the ladies walked to the dressing room.
“Man, your first game plan better be to get back into little sis’s favor again.” Darius chuckled. “You must have messed up bad.”
“Darius, maybe this wasn’t a good idea.” John started to turn.
“Hey!” Darius grabbed his arm and turned serious. “The John McBain I knew and the one Caitlin loved didn’t run. So, why are you running man? What are you afraid of?”
“Darius…things change.” John glanced in the direction the Williamson sisters disappeared into. “Evangeline deserves so much more than what I can offer.”
“JD, I saw you with Caitlin and you offered her the world.” Darius tone and expression remained serious. “Now, I see the way you look at Evangeline…and from someone who saw you look at Caitlin…Man, I hate to say it, but it exceeds what you had with her.”
John gaped at his old friend and guilt flooded his face.
“John, Caitlin is gone.” Darius saddened. “We both lost something wonderful when she left this earth, but she would have wanted you to be happy.”
John glanced down at his feet and listened.
“I didn’t have to meet Evangeline to know she was something special.” He chuckled again. “Man, she was the first woman you hit the sheets with since you lost Caitlin. I knew you were a goner when you told me.”
John smiled sheepishly.
“I see you are still in love with her every time you look at her.” John looked up at his friend. “You are an excellent poker player, but you are trying to bottle up something that needs to be set free…It’s bigger than you. It’s love.”
“Okay. Gentlemen.” Evangeline announced strolling out of the dressing room wearing a flame color full length Matte Satin bridesmaids dress off the shoulders with a silver crystal pin above her heart. “We have dress number one and one.”
She glanced back at Layla who was following her wearing a flame full length Matte Satin as well, but hers had a chiffon bodice.
John was breathless as he welcomed the mesmerizing beauty of his ex.
Evangeline smiled at Darius as he whistled in appreciation. She turned around and modeled her gown, as Layla started singing isn’t she beautiful. Her expression changed when she glanced at John, and their eyes locked.
Evangeline’s mind went blank, and she felt the strong connection between them. His eyes the color of the sky seemed to reveal every thought in his mind right then. And, she gasped at the emotion she read in them.
“Are you okay?” Layla and Darius rushed to her side as she and John turned from one another.
“I’m fine. I’m fine.” She tried convincing them as she laboriously struggled to breathe. “I need…I need…to sit down.”
“Okay.” Layla glared over her shoulder at John for a second then ushered her sister to a near by chair. “I’ll go see if I can’t get you some water.”
“No, I’m fine, Layla.” Evangeline closed her eyes and silently prayed as she touched her mouth. She was losing her mind. John was not in love with her. He was in love with Natalie. He is with Natalie. She inhaled with her eyes still closed. And, I’m with Cristian. I’m with Cristian.
“Evangeline, are you okay?” Evangeline smiled then titled her head upwards as she thought she heard her boyfriend’s voice.
“Besides from the fact I’m hearing Cristian’s voice.” She lowered her head and opened her eyes. “Yes…Cristian?”
Cristian stood facing John as he looked past his girlfriend’s ex with concern written over his face. John looked on as his sometime rival and friend went to the side of the woman he loved.
“Hey Tiger,” Cristian cupped her face. “Are you okay?”
“Cris, if you call me Tiger one more time in public, you won’t have to worry about training for your title fight.” Evangeline teased as she placed her hands on his waist. “I’m gonna do you in myself.”
“Okay, my princess.” Cristian laughed and kissed her before she could retaliate.
“What are you doing here?” Evangeline pushed him away playfully as she wondered. She glanced over his shoulder and quickly felt guilty about feeling happy about Cristian’s surprised visit. She halfway listened as Cris told her he had a two-hour break before his sparing match. Her attention was on John and Darius as they stood over by the check out counter with the salesperson whispering and glancing over in her direction.
God, she thought. When did I become so paranoid and self-centered? John and Darius had other things to talk about than her and Cristian. They were probably discussing the bride maid dresses.
“What?” Evangeline snapped her head up and clipped at Layla.
“Cristian is talking to you.” Layla informed her big sister offering a scolding glance.
“I’m sorry, Babe. What were you saying?” Evangeline smiled weakly as she shared glances between her current and ex boyfriend.
“So, who’s the lucky lady to play the honor of the maid?” Cristian asked glancing over his shoulder.
“We both are?” Evangeline answered distracted. What could they be whispering about? When she felt Cristian’s body tense under her hold, she quickly focused on him. “I’m sorry Babe…I…I am just curious to which dress they like.”
“Well, since you are both maids…Excuse me. Since you are both the maid of honor,” Darius walked over followed by John. “We decided that you two should have two different style dresses.”
Both Evangeline and Layla gave Darius their attention as he continued.
“Flame is the color because your cousin sets me on flames every time I see her.” He continued as both girls giggled. He glanced at Cristian and offered him a smile. “And, I think I will go with style 2017 for the other two bride maids, 3001 for the junior maid, and 23001 for the flower girl.”
Darius offered both ladies a smile then extended his hand to Cristian. “I’m the lucky man, Darius Tate.”
“Cristian…Vega.” Cristian shook his hand and looked at John. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Darius turned to the ladies again. “Now, if you ladies will go change, our salesperson for today will make arrangement to ship the dresses to Mr. and Mrs. Williamson’s house. And, I would like to take everyone out to eat. I heard the Palace was a wonderful place.”
“Thanks man, but I can’t.” Cristian stepped closer to Evangeline. “I need to run a few errands, Babe.”
“Okay.” Evangeline smiled and kissed him softly. “I know you have a lot to do…” She turned to Darius. “I actually need to decline too. If I’m going to take two weeks off for the wedding, I need to rearrange my schedule.”
Evangeline glanced over Cristian’s shoulder at John then said another goodbye to Cristian. Layla watched her sister as she went to the dressing room to change.
Llanview Mall – Victoria’s Secret - Three hours later
Evangeline, Layla, and Yvonne were looking around the store.
“Okay. Can one of you explain to me why I’m here watching you shop for lingerie?” Evangeline questioned as Yvonne examined an ivory satin chemise set. “When I should be at my office working?”
“Vangie, chill!” Yvonne ordered. “In view of the fact that I didn’t give you guys…gals enough time to plan a bridal shower for me. Think of this as my bridal shower…So, you two can start shopping, I were a small.”
Evangeline couldn’t help but smile when her cousin glanced over her shoulder and looked at her backside.
“Make that a medium with my butt.” Yvonne winked as she continued to look through the chemise collection.
“I’m all game.” Layla started glancing through the racks too. “While I’m here, I can get something for me too.”
“See heifer, you are always thinking about yourself.” Yvonne teased as she watched Evangeline look around the store as though she missed placed something. “Come on Vangie.”
Evangeline looked up and sighed at her cousin then joined the girls in shopping.
Evangeline noticed a yellow lace babydoll piece. She took it off the rack and her mind instantly went to a conversation she had with Michael McBain.
Michael: I know you still have feelings for my brother. I know you're worried about him. This will be the wakeup call he needs.
Evangeline: John is in a very dark place right now, and you're talking about legally shutting him out of your life. That could make things worse.
Michael: Well, he took a pretty big hit when you broke up with him.
Evangeline: No, no, Natalie leaving him -- that's when things really changed.
Michael: Don't sell yourself short.
Evangeline: I'm not selling myself short, believe me. But John made his choice.
Michael: Ok, I don't want to speak for my brother, but he loves you, even if he can't say the words.
Evangeline: It doesn't matter anymore.
Michael: It does. He's been hurt, more than you know, and the wounds -- they go deep.
Evangeline: You don't think I know that, Michael? I lived with those wounds. I loved him in spite of those wounds. But it wasn't enough and it never will be, so John and I -- we're through. I still love him, but we're not getting back together and I'm just trying to figure out a way to be friends.
Michael: Well, good luck with that.
Evangeline: I didn't say that it's working. Yeah, I tried to talk him into going to therapy and, you know what, maybe if it came from you, he would listen.
Michael: Tried. He shut me down.
Evangeline: Look, if you really want me to change your will, I will take care of it. But you shouldn't do it to coerce John into changing his ways. The only person that can exorcise John's demons is John himself. Evangeline snapped out of her thought, glanced over her shoulder, and saw Layla and Yvonne looking at the clearance rack. She placed the babydoll back on the rack and strode over to the perfume display. She pretended to smell the samples as she thought about another conversation with a good friend of hers, Dr. Phil Jamison.
Phil: Evangeline, you're beautiful and smart and your heart is so amazingly kind. It's a shame to waste all that on someone who's in love with someone else.
Evangeline: I didn't mention any names.
Phil: You didn't have to. Maybe I'm not the guy. But someone's going to come along who's going to change your mind, get you to love again. Evangeline remembered Layla had witnessed the scene between them. Her little sister had interrupted and voiced her opinion.
Layla: How about you go and get her a drink? A martini, three olives?
Evangeline: Dirty would be great.
Layla: Make it dirty! Thanks. I could kill John Mc Bain.
Evangeline: It's not his fault, Layla, it's mine. I changed for him. He couldn't change for me.
Layla: He's always going to have his little secrets, isn't he?
“Are you thinking about how John took your breath away?” Yvonne walked up behind her and whispered in her ear.
“What?” Evangeline jumped and placed the sample bottle she was holding back on the display.
“Darius told me John was mesmerized by the sight of you in your dress.” Yvonne smiled as she studied her cousin. “You still have feelings for him…don’t you?”
“Feelings for whom?” Layla walked over and jumped into the conversation. Looking at Evangeline’s expression, her sister automatically knew whom Yvonne was asking about. “Yvonne, Vangie is in a healthy relationship with Cristian Vega. She doesn’t have time to think about secret holding, emotionally challenged, no courage John McBain.”
“Okay you two.” Evangeline held up her hands as she glanced around the store. “I’m going to make this simple for the both of you. We don’t need to talk about John McBain, because he’s in a relationship with Natalie Buchanan.”
“No, he’s not.” Yvonne smirked.
“What?” Evangeline and Layla said in unison.
“Natalie wouldn’t break up with John.” Evangeline glanced at Layla then focused on her cousin. “John is all she ever wanted…and she is all he ever wanted.”
“Well, he has a helluva way of showing it.” Yvonne ignored her baby cousin’s glare. “Apparently, John has been holding onto the love you had for him since you broke up with him…The man called out your name in his sleep, and he’s been hiding memories of your relationship under his bed.”
“Is that the same bed he has been sharing with Natalie?” Layla commented sarcastically wondering why Yvonne was trying to push John on Evangeline.
Evangeline recalled the items she saw on John’s bed and diary she read when she went by his apartment. Before she could help it, her mind went to the intense glaze he gave her at the bridal shop. “I…I have…I have to go.”
Yvonne and Layla watched as Evangeline rushed out of the store.
“What is your problem?” Layla turned to her cousin and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Evangeline has a good thing with Cristian. Why are you trying to confuse her?”
“She’s not in love with Cristian.” Yvonne challenged, but she was sure her cousin already knew. “But, you already knew that. Evangeline deserves love…and I think John loves her.”
“He loves her so much he can’t say the words…He loves her so much he has been flaunting the woman who broke them up in her face for the past year…He loves her so much…”
“Okay Lay, I get it. You’re not a big fan of John McBain, but believe me when I tell you; Natalie got what she gave ten folds. The man called out Evangeline’s name in his bed and the red headed bitch was there. Now, if that’s not a bitch, I don’t know what is.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that. How do you know all of this?” Layla questioned as her cousin smiled.
“This is going to take awhile.” Yvonne’s smiled even wider. “Let’s go to the Palace and get a few martinis and talk.”