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

you aren’t going to win. She’s faster and stronger than you’ll ever be, and right now she’s just leading you two around on the same leash until she figures out which one of you she’s going to put to sleep. I just hate that I can’t save you, man. I’m telling you this isn’t going to turn out good for you.”

“Don’t think that you’re going to get a rise out of me, Brooks. You’re not. Ivy and I have an understanding. I’m not there for her; I’m there for them. Nicola looked Brooks in the eye. “Believe me I know what I’m doing.”

“So do I.” Brooks put down his weights and grabbed the towel. “You’re falling in love.”

**

Relaxing out on the balcony of his riverfront condo, Nicola sipped on a now nearly empty bottle of Jack Daniels and stared blankly out at the sun setting over Mud Island as it reflected off the Mississippi. When life was supposed to be most peaceful, it was always chaotic for him. He could have been just taking in the beauty of the scenery and enjoying his life as a bachelor. Instead, he was pondering madly over Brooks’ advice and dissecting his actions over the last six months with Ivy.

Sprung as Brooks had put it, was a bad choice of words, but right on the money. As absurd as it sounded, Nicola had fallen in love with a square. He laughed a little at the thought of it all and shifted uncomfortably in his hammock.

So what was he going to do about it? There were two obvious choices. He could pursue Ivy full force and possibly end up making a fool of himself, or he could stick to the business of being Nicola. The second choice was much less complex and required little or no new effort. But if he was actually able to pull off the first choice, the reward could be bliss and maybe he could find some comfort in his hectic life.

“Ugh!” he finally screamed allowed. This wasn’t him! He struggled with himself. Here he was sitting on his balcony trying to figure out where a six-month pregnant, engaged twenty-two year old college girl fit into his life. Getting up and leaving his beer on the ground, he shrugged off the entire notion. All of this had gotten too far out of control, and it was time that he stopped it.

**

Looking over the financial reports for his department, Grey squinted past the blurry vision and dozing nods to finish making his projections for the next quarter. No matter what, he would get his work done before he left the office. He sat back warily in his seat and closed his eyes for a moment. Already working well into the fourteenth hour of his sixth day, he had nearly forgotten what his home looked like.

“My job is never done,” he said absently as he regained his composure and focused back on the work before him.

“Mr. Henderson, I’m back with the food,” Carol said knocking on the door with Thai takeout.

“Okay,” he yawned. “Come on in. I need a break.” Setting down his paperwork, he moved over to the round meeting table and turned on the television. “Did you get a receipt?” he asked helping her set out the food on disposable plate.

“Of course,” Carol said passing him the receipt and his company credit card. “I was wondering if you had time to look over my proposal for the Bedley account?”

“Umm, yeah I did.” Grey stuttered. “Could you go out and look on top of the common frig and get that unopened bottle of Shiraz?” He stopped in mid-sentence refusing to elaborate on the account.

“Sure,” Carol said walking out of the office.

Grey sat back in the black office chair and closed his eyes for a moment while Larry King interviewed some newly acclaimed mystery author. Carol came back into the office with the bottle opened and set it beside him with a glass.

“There you go.” She laid down the corkscrew and turned around to head back to her desk.

“Wait.” Grey sat up in his seat. “Eat in here with me and bring another glass. We have some celebrating to do.”

“Celebrating?” Carol had a twinkle of hope in her eyes.

“Elaine and I liked your ideas, and we were thoroughly impressed with your background knowledge. We want you to take this project on and if you’re successful, we want you to consider an entry level management position.” Grey poured the Shiraz in his glass. “So, like I said, we have some celebrating to do.”

“Oh my goodness,” Carol was elated by the news. With her hands over her mouth, she turned around and went to get another glass.

About fifteen minutes into dinner, Carol found her way off the subject of Bedley account onto the subject of Grey’s private life. She had watched him around the office, intense in all of his affairs. He was extremely focused and well-received by all of his peers and subordinates. His social life boiled over in the break room with stories of wild parties, rich and famous friends and his ever-present family ties . He was a local celebrity in every since of the word, and yet he was right here with her discussing the business of the day. She had long admired his style and his poise, but she longed to know him better.

“So, how is your fiancée?” Carol finally asked.

“Fine,” Grey said a little taken back. Where had that come from? He set down his glass of wine and looked down at this unfinished meal.

“I notice that you don’t talk about her much.”

“I don’t like to mix work and personal business. It’s not a good combination.” Before the lie could leave his lips, he thought of his mentor, boss and ex-lover, Elaine.

“I understand.” Carol smiled cleverly. “It’s just that you don’t seem like the marrying type or the fatherly type. All the stories I hear around here baffle me.”

Grey was now very curious. He had always wondered