Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux by Latrivia Nelson (books to read for beginners .TXT) 📕

man at the wrong time in your life. If you know what’s best for you, you’ll cancel on him and call Grey.” Trina turned off the light and left Ivy in the dark to think about what she had said. Sometimes being a true friend meant choosing to not agree.

*

“So what did she say?” Brooks asked as Nicola closed his cell phone.

“She said yes,” a small proud grin came across Nicola’s face.

“I told you that she would. Ivy’s cool people.” Brooks took a ten-dollar bill out of his wallet. “Hey bartender, bring my man here a feel good drink. He finally landed himself a quality date.”

“Quality? You talk like I have dated barrel rats.” Nicola recalled his fine selection of the past.

“No, don’t get me wrong, you’ve dated some dime pieces in your day. It’s just that…well, you’ll see. Once you go black, I’ll be dammed if your ass ever will want to go back.”

“How do you know that I’ve never dated a black woman?” He had not.

“It’s in your walk, man. Latino women, yes. White women, of course. Asian women, maybe. Black women, hell no.” Brooks laughed. “Am I right, or am I right?’

“Cocky bastard,” Nicola said laughing. There was no need to confirm.

“That’s what I thought. Forget it. That’s what I know!” Brooks passed Nicola a drink. “Welcome to the other side.”

*

Sending the last of her emails, Ivy closed her laptop and nibbled on her celery stick. Trina sat across the dorm in her bed watching television and reading her homework assignment trying to ignore Ivy’s taunting stares. In a last resort, Ivy grabbed the remote and turned off the television.

“Really Trina, what do you know about him?” Ivy asked demandingly. “I have a date with this man in less than three hours.” She pulled her hair behind her ear and rolled her eyes. Why would Trina hold out on her?

“Why does it matter what I know about him? You’ve already kissed him and set up your first date. You should have been asking me that first. I told you that he was a no good ass dog. That should have been more than enough.” Trina was still angry with Ivy for moving so fast with Nicola after she had warned her of his intentions.

“Oh, don’t be like that, Trina. Yes, I may have moved too fast, but this is important. Just tell me something about him,” Ivy pouted. “Please,” she said making her puppy-dog face.

“Like what?” Trina put down her book and protested with heavy sighs.

“Like does he have a girlfriend for starters?”

“I don’t know. All I really know about him is that he’s Brooks’ partner. He’s from South Beach. He’s Italian and supposedly single. Oh and he’s a dog. He’s a dog. He’s a damn dog.”

“You mean to tell me that Brooks never talks about him.” Ivy said ignoring Trina’s last statement.

“Look, we just got back together. We don’t spend our time talking about Nicola.”

“I just don’t want to get out here tonight and find out he’s a crazed rapist or something.”

“So cancel.”

“That’s what you want me to do, right.”

“If you must know. Yes. And it’s not that I don’t approve of Nicola. I just don’t approve of the timing. Hey, you asked my opinion. So I’m gonna tell you,” Trina said folding her arms.

“Okay, I’m listening,” Ivy could see Trina visibly climbing on her soapbox.

“I’m sure that the man is not a lunatic or rapist; it’s just that right now you’re very vulnerable. You should be at home recovering from Grey not out with this lover boy. All he wants to do is take advantage of you.”

“I’ve been home recovering from Grey for a freaking month. I’m ready to have some fun.”

“Unless you call a one-night stand fun, I don’t think that you’re barking up the right

tree with Nicola Agosta,” Trina said at the end of her very long rope.

“If you know so little about him, then why do you know that’s all that he wants from me?” Ivy asked before she turned on the television back on and threw the remote at Trina.

“He’s one of the most well-known cops in Memphis. And word does get around. It’s not about what he wants from you; it’s about what he wants from every woman that he meets.” Trina said ending their conversation.

*

In less than forty-minutes, Ivy was fully dressed and putting the finishing touches on her hair. Staring at herself in her full mirror, she wondered what Nicola’s reaction would be to her floor length Calvin Klein cashmere body dress. It seemed to highlight every curve of her body leaving to the imagination what was underneath. The low cut front revealed her ample brown breasts, and her long auburn tendrils flowed down her back and softly caressed her shoulders. She pulled up her dress to examine the black leather stiletto knee boots once more to make sure that she would be able to walk and look comfortable.

“How do I look?’ Ivy said spraying her Ralph Lauren Romance cologne.

“Alright” Trina said trying to continue to show total disapproval.

“Just alright?” Ivy asked hoping for a more colorful opinion.

“Okay, you look good.” Trina finally cracked a smile.

“Not great?”

“Close.”

“I’ll take it.” Ivy smiled.

“Oh! There’s the door. That must be the asshole. Are you ready?” Trina passed Ivy a small bottle of mace.

“What’s this for?”

“Just in case he isn’t as gentile as he seems. Now, put it in your purse. We don’t want you walking out with a bottle of mace in your hand. I’ll go to the door. You just follow shortly after, and if Grey comes by I’ll just tell him that…well, I just won’t answer the door. Be careful. And do not sleep with him, Ivy.” Trina wrapped her arms around her friend and closed her eyes. She wished that Ivy only knew what she was getting into by seeing this man.

“I’ll be fine. And I’m no hoochie. I’m not going to sleep with him. Give me some credit.” Ivy pushed Trina out of the bedroom.