“Does she know that you didn’t propose to Cassidy with this ring?” she asks, looking at me expectantly.
“It never came up,” I say ruefully. “Do you think that’s the first thing she’s going to think about when I ask her?”
“It probably won’t be the first thing that crosses her mind, but it’ll definitely be the second,” she states matter-of-factly, taking the ring from my fingers and placing it back in the box.
“Cassidy was just more of a girly-girl type. She insisted on picking out her own ring.” I shrug, not really understanding the ins and outs of the female brain. “When I approached her about wearing grandma’s ring, it’s not like she thought a quarter caret was too small…”
“But she dreamed of something bigger?” my mom replies knowingly, tilting her head.
“Exactly. But I never imagined how much it would cost. I only wanted Cassidy to be happy.” I furrow my brow, contemplating what I should do. “But this ring means a whole lot more to me. It always did. This is the one I see Ivy wearing, but I don’t want her to think I’m cheapening out on her.”
“Eric! She would never think that,” my mom admonishes. “I’ve gotten to know Ivy quite well over these past few months and I know she will cherish the sentimental value this ring holds.”
“You don’t think she’s going to compare it to the one I gave Cassidy? I mean, our engagement picture was everywhere. Ivy must have seen it.” I search my mom’s eyes, begging her to tell me the truth.
“Want my honest advice?” I silently nod my head, and she continues. “Take your time proposing to Ivy. Go somewhere quiet where the two of you can be alone. Start by telling her the story of how your grandfather proposed to your grandmother. Then, when you put the ring on her finger, it will mean so much more.”
“So you’re nixing my idea to get down on one knee in the middle of the airport?” I ask with a wry grin.
“Ivy is going to be so tired when she gets off the plane, Eric. What’s the rush?” she asks, getting to her feet. “No one likes to feel ambushed, especially when it comes to something as important as this. Wait a couple of days. Then take her somewhere special.”
“You do realize that if I can’t afford a diamond ring, then a trip to Paris is out of the question.” I nudge my mom with my elbow, following her out the door.
“I’m not talking about Paris, you knucklehead,” she scolds, swatting my arm as we approach the steps. “I was thinking a little closer to home, somewhere like the Hideaway Cliffs.”
I stop dead in my tracks. “Mom, you are brilliant!”
“I do have some good ideas from time to time. Don’t I, Frank?” she teases as we get to the bottom of the stairs and find my father snoring on the couch next to Shep.
I’m just about to laugh along with her when my phone rings. It’s an L.A. area code. I exhale for the first time today. Finally, I’ll get to hear Ivy’s voice.
“Ivy?” I say breathlessly into the receiver.
But it’s not Ivy. I turn slightly away from my parents to try and comprehend what I’m being told. My dad is fully awake now, and the two of them are looking at me with concern.
“And you’re with her now? She’s not alone?” I demand, my voice tight.
“Eric, honey. What is it? What’s wrong?” my mom whispers, tugging on my sleeve, but I hold up my hand for her to stop. I’m too agitated by what I’m hearing.
“I’ll grab the first flight out,” I insist, my eyes darting wildly around the living room. “When she wakes up, tell her I’m on my way, all right?”
My parents exchange a worried glance.
“Will, I need you to do this for me. You have to stay strong until I get there. You hear me?” I clutch the phone to my ear as my hand starts to shake. “Call me if anything changes.”
I jam my phone back into the holder on my belt, blinking back tears.
“Ivy was rushed to the hospital,” I manage to choke out as I drop to my knees, powerless to withstand this new wave of grief.
“And?” my dad urges as the two of them rush to my side.
“She’s in danger of losing the baby.”
Chapter Nine
Lauren
Now this is going to be fun—I can’t wait to watch them squirm.
I feel Ivy trembling beneath my hands. Good. I’m going to enjoy making her suffer. No one makes a fool out of me and gets away with it. No one.
“Lauren, what kind of messed-up game are you trying to play?” Will strikes the first volley. It’s laughable how easy it’s going to be to shoot him down.
“I don’t know, Will. The kind I win?” I smirk at him, and he pushes his chair back violently. “Now don’t go causing a scene. I came all this way to talk. So let’s talk.”
I’ve scared Warren and Dave into a shocked sort of silence, but they’re communicating with each other furiously with their eyes. They probably want to bolt from this meeting and pretend like it never even happened. I’m not surprised they want to extricate themselves from such a sticky situation. But it’s too late now. My claws are out and ready to be sharpened.
I take the seat they were saving for me at the head of the table, dramatically crossing my legs as I sit down. Will blushes hotly for a minute, no doubt remembering when I tied him to my bedpost with this particular pair of pantyhose. All of that delicious foreplay and he still couldn’t get it up. I wore them on purpose to unsettle him. If he thinks he can one-up me, he better think again. I could bury him in an instant.
Besides, I hired a professional to hack into every account he’s ever created. That’s what he gets for leaving his stuff around my place. He’s a pathetic hustler with barely a thousand dollars to his name—and he has the audacity to challenge me? He’s going to be sorry he transferred his loyalty to Ivy because I intend on ruining him.
“Gentlemen, as you can see, my family doesn’t take kindly to being double-crossed,” I begin by purposefully excluding Ivy from the conversation. She doesn’t deserve the courtesy of being mentioned. “My uncle got wind of your little side deal to keep this project alive, and he immediately had the New York branch of Price Enterprises look into it for him. Too bad you didn’t do your research to find out what the letters LPR stand for. I never thought two Academy Award-winning producers would be so lazy.”
“Now listen here—” Dave starts, a bead of sweat forming on his upper lip.
“No, I think it’s time that you listen,” I retort, disdain falling from my lips. “You think I’m here to stop this production from going forward, don’t you?”
“Well, aren’t you?” Ivy spits out, finally raising her eyes to address me.
“It speaks,” I mutter, belittling her. “Sorry, but little sluts like you don’t get to ask questions.”
Will attempts to rise from his chair again, no doubt to defend her honor. How sweet. “Lauren, you better—”
“Better what? Acknowledge the whore in my presence?” I chuckle to myself as Warren gasps loudly, covering his mouth with his hand. “I don’t think so.”
“So what are you planning on doing, if may I ask?” Dave responds, eyeing me apprehensively. He’s flustered but he’s more of businessman than his little ‘wife’ is.
“I’m buying you out, boys. You’re gonna walk away from this project and never look back. I’ll be the one making this film, not you.” My response floors them. Ivy even utters a strangled cry. This is child’s play. They’re not even putting up much of a fight. Why did I bother to fly all the way out here? I could’ve done this on Skype. What a bunch of pussies.