You and I

Her cell phone rang.

Ivy looked down at it and said, “It’s the jerk calling right now.”

Cherise wanted to give Ivy some privacy, so she went to her bedroom and placed a quick call to her mother. “I just wanted to let you know that we made it to Spain.”

“Julian called me earlier, but we lost our connection,” she told Cherise.

“He’s been having trouble with his phone since we arrived.”

“Jazz really wanted to go, but she just didn’t have the money after getting her car repaired and buying that new house.”

Cherise was surprised by her mother’s words. “Mama, why didn’t she come to me? I could’ve worked something out with her.”

“You know your sister. She doesn’t like people in her business. Don’t you mention that I told you, Cherise, okay? Jazz would be mad.”

“I won’t say anything.” Cherise knew a thing or two about keeping secrets. She had been keeping one for years.

Chapter 2

After their stay in Barcelona, the family was transported to the cruise ship. Cherise and Ivy were in the Sapphire Suite on deck nine, which featured two bedrooms, a living area with sofa, dining room and entertainment center, and two bathrooms.

“That suite that Laine and Ray are sharing is nice,” Cherise said.

“Carrie told me that they had to have at least eight staying in there to book the suite. It can hold fourteen people. She and Ray have the three kids, and then Laine and Regis have their two, so that’s nine. Garrette’s kids are staying in there, too, so they almost have fourteen.”

Elle and her family were in the owner’s suite, while Jillian and Kaitlin and their families shared the Ruby family suite, which featured a loft. The other family members were in staterooms along the ninth and tenth floors.

“I don’t know why I agreed to come on this cruise this year,” Ivy complained as they waited for the elevator. “You should have talked me out of it. The last thing I want is to be around a bunch of lovers.”

“This is what you need, what we both need,” Cherise assured Ivy. The doors to the elevator opened and she was struck speechless by the sight of the handsome, dark-skinned brother inside. He smiled, then stepped out of the way to let them enter.

They took the elevator to deck nine.

Cherise noted that he got off on the same floor, following behind them.

When they arrived at the suite, Cherise waited until they were inside before asking, “Did you happen to get a good look at that fine hunk on the elevator with us? He got off on this floor.”

Ivy shrugged nonchalantly. “He looked like any other man.”

Cherise’s eyes opened wide in response to her cousin’s comment. “Ivy, have you gone blind? That man was gorgeous.”

“Well, he just didn’t look that hot to me, that’s all.”

“If you say so…” Cherise muttered, almost to herself.

Inside their suite, Ivy turned to Cherise and said, “It’s not that I hate men or anything like that. I’m just not in the mood for games or trying to figure out if I’m being played. I have two small daughters to worry about, and I have to protect them. They are my first priority.”

Cherise nodded in understanding. “I know Charles didn’t do right by you, but just don’t forget that there are still some nice men out there, Ivy.”

Ivy pulled a stack of clothes from the suitcase and placed them in a drawer. “I actually had a nice guy a long time ago, but I was foolish. I dumped him to be with Charles. I’ve learned that everything that glitters ain’t gold. That’s for sure.”

“You’re talking about Michael Stanley?” Cherise asked from the doorway. “Coco’s brother? I remember when you two were dating.”

Ivy nodded. “He’s a sweetheart. Back then, nice guys seemed so boring.”

Cherise went to her room and put away her clothing. When she finished, she walked into Ivy’s room, asking, “Have you looked at our itinerary yet?”

“We’re at sea all day tomorrow, and on Friday we’ll be in Malta,” Ivy responded. “On Saturday we go to Tunisia, and then on to Naples. I really want to see the ruins of Pompeii.”

“I promised Jazz I’d get lots of pictures for her,” Cherise said as she helped Ivy put away the children’s clothing. “I wish that she could’ve come with us.”

Ivy wanted to lie down with her daughters, so Cherise decided to check on her brother. She walked out of her suite and bumped into something muscular and solid.

“I’m so sorry,” she murmured, looking up. Cherise straightened and tried to act normal when she recognized that the fine piece of chocolate standing outside her suite was the man from the elevator.

“No problem.” He flashed a big smile that warmed her all over.

Their eyes met and held.

He’s fine…ooh this man is so fine…those big strong arms and his lips…

Cherise pushed away her lustful thoughts lest she actually verbalize what she was thinking. She cleared her throat awkwardly.

“My name is Steven Chambers,” he told her, holding out his hand. “It looks like we’re going to be neighbors for the next ten days.”

Grinning, she shook his hand. “I’m Cherise Ransom. It’s really nice to meet you, Steven.”

“I’m in the room right there,” he said, pointing.

God was really testing her by putting this man right across from her room. If Ivy and the children weren’t in the suite with her…

Cherise burst into a short laugh, then said, “I’m sorry. I think I’m a little giddy from jet lag.” She wasn’t about to tell him what she’d really been thinking about.

“It’s fine. I love to laugh myself.”

“Well, I guess I’ll be seeing you around,” Cherise said, then groaned inwardly. She hoped she didn’t sound like she was coming on to him.

“I hope so,” Steven responded. He gave her one last look of admiration before walking away.

This cruise was off to a great start, she decided with a grin.

He loved the sound of her laughter.

So far, so good, Steven thought to himself as he watched Cherise walk down the hallway away from the suites. He’d noticed her earlier on the elevator with another woman, and wondered if she was sailing with a friend or relative.

He had noticed that she wore no wedding ring on her left hand, but after what happened before, he wasn’t just going to assume she was single. However, Steven intended to find out the next chance he got. One thing for certain, he would be sure to run into Cherise on several occasions over the next ten days.

He had debated whether or not to take a cruise this year and was glad that he’d decided to do it. He had enjoyed his time in Barcelona, taking in the rich tapestry of the city where the past blended with the future. He found La Sagrada Família, the most ambitious work of Barcelona’s Antoni Gaudí, truly awe-inspiring. Steven had also visited Jean Nouvel’s luminous Torre Agbar, which was considered the most daring addition to Barcelona’s skyline since the first towers of La Sagrada Família went up.