Chapter 2
Chapter Two
S carlett stood behind Mahogany as they faced the full-length mirror while she fastened the pearl necklace—an heirloom from their grandmother—around her sister’s neck. The day had finally arrived—Mahogany’s wedding day.
Older by two years, Scarlett admired the way her sister never gave up on what she wanted—a family of her own. Even after a broken engagement a year ago, Mahogany had been determined to find her person . Sure, there were moments of doubt, but she remained positive and encouraged, and now she was marrying the man of her dreams. Ben worshipped the ground her sister walked on, and Scarlett hoped every woman, including herself, could one day experience that type of love.
“All right, turn around and let me see you,” she said.
Mahogany spun, and Scarlett eyed her sister’s face critically. When they were growing up, they’d often been mistaken for twins. Their reddish-brown skin tone, dark eyes, and bow-shaped lips were almost identical. So, looking at her sister right now was a little like looking at herself.
She had done Mahogany’s makeup, keeping it fresh and natural with a pop of color from the highly pigmented, crimson-red lipstick. As a makeup and fashion blogger and social media influencer, Scarlett received tons of free products. While she loved trying them herself, she also enjoyed testing them out on others, especially her sister.
“This is one of those times when I’m glad you always liked playing with makeup and doing hair when we were kids. Now you’re a pro. There’s no way I could’ve pulled this off by myself,” Mahogany said, stealing another glance at the mirror. “I almost don’t recognize myself.”
Scarlett grinned. “You are the perfect canvas, and you’re absolutely gorgeous.”
Normally, Mahogany wore her hair in micro braids, but today her hair hung loosely around her shoulders in waves, only adding to her elegant appearance.
Her wedding dress was everything she’d dreamed it would be. The scoop neck, asymmetrical, strapless gown was the color of champagne and shimmered under the fluorescent lights. Satiny material draped across the bodice, giving the illusion of a wrap dress where pearls adorned the left side of the garment. The full skirt billowed out, revealing a jaw-dropping, deep split that showcased Mahogany’s shapely left leg whenever she took a step. Her tall, strappy sandals matched the outfit perfectly.
Their mother thought the outfit was too risqué for a church wedding, but Mahogany and Scarlett disagreed. The one-of-a-kind gown was a Jada Jenkins-Anderson original. When the fashion designer, who happened to be Ben’s cousin, offered to create the dress, Mahogany had leaped at the opportunity. The final result was breathtaking.
Jada had also made Scarlett’s outfit, which was a strapless, pale pink dress with a band of jewels around the midsection. The garment molded over her body like a second skin and also had a daring split like Mahogany’s.
“Words can’t express how stunning you are, Sis,” Scarlett gushed, and joy bubbled inside of her. “Jada should put you in her next fashion show.”
Mahogany released a snort, but quickly covered her mouth and chuckled. “You got me mixed up with you. I can barely walk down the street without tripping, and I’m praying I don’t face-plant when I stroll down the aisle. There’s no way I could model anything.”
Scarlett couldn’t help laughing. When they were growing up, there was a reason the kids called her sister Misstep Mahogany. She was the clumsiest person Scarlett knew, but her incoordination had played a major role in her snagging and keeping Ben’s attention. Now, here she was about to get married.
“Speaking of modeling,” Mahogany said, “I heard Jada asked you to be in another one of her fashion shows soon. Are you doing it?”
Scarlett had considered the generous offer, but she could barely keep up with her current responsibilities. No way could she add modeling back into the mix.
Before getting pregnant with Bella, Scarlett had modeled professionally and enjoyed it, but that had been over eight years ago. Now she was a single mom, and she couldn’t see herself modeling again. Participating in a fashion show periodically was fine, but Jada suggested she return to the industry full time. Or at least modeling Jada’s Fashions exclusively.
“I don’t know. My photography business has picked up, and I told you that I recently signed a contract with a jewelry designer. I’ll be busy working them into the rotation of the current content on my social media sites. I don’t know if I can add more to my days.”
Mahogany nodded. “I guess when you’re good at everything, you become in demand. It must be rough being you,” she cracked, her red lips twitching as she tried to fight a laugh.
“Oh, be quiet. You’re just as busy with your interior design business. I guess talent runs in the family.”
“Okay, enough about our talents.” Mahogany leaned in as if she was going to share a secret. “How was your date the other night with Antonio?”
“Seriously? You’re about to get married and you want to discuss my dating life? Shouldn’t you be asking me if everything is in place for the dinner and reception later? Or—”
“Stop stalling,” Mahogany ground out, her hands on her hips as she glared at Scarlett. “I already know everything is in place for today. What I want to know is why you’ve been hush-hush when it comes to Antonio. We used to share everything about our dates, but you’ve been holding out.”
Scarlett huffed out a breath and paced away from her sister. She didn’t like the route this conversation had taken. Her pulse amped up just hearing Antonio’s name. Which was ridiculous, and the intense sensation swirling inside of her made her want to talk about anything but him.
“I know you like him, and he’s crazy about you and Bella. So why have you been acting so weird? If I’ve noticed it, I’m sure he has too. What’s going on? I thought you were ready to start dating again.”
“I am… well, I thought I was, but…” Scarlett’s words trailed off as she tried to get her thoughts together to explain what she was feeling. Yes, she liked Antonio. Actually, she more than liked him, but doubts were creeping in.
“What aren’t you telling me?” Mahogany moved closer, forcing Scarlett to stop pacing. “Did something happen? Did he do something to you?”
“No! No, Antonio is a sweetheart. He is honestly the nicest man I’ve ever met.” And the hottest, kindest, and most attentive man, she wanted to add but kept that to herself. Instead, she said, “I’ve enjoyed our times together.”
“ But? ” Mahogany said impatiently.
“But he makes me remember!” Scarlett snapped, catching them both off guard.
She huffed out a shaky breath and took a step back. The room felt as if it was closing in around her. This was so not the time for this discussion, but sometimes her sister was relentless when she wanted answers. Answers that Scarlett wasn’t sure she could even make sense of herself.
“I don’t know,” Scarlett murmured, then swallowed hard as flashes from her past raced through her mind like an old black and white movie. A past she thought she had dealt with years ago, but apparently not. “When I’m with Antonio, he makes me think about my time with Ezra,” she said quietly of Bella’s father.
Saying his name made her heart hurt. She missed him dearly, but more than anything, the soul-jarring guilt that she’d felt the night he’d been killed was back with a vengeance.
“Aww, Sis.” Mahogany reached for her.
Scarlett went into her sister’s arms willingly and released a shuddering breath. Between her wonderful dates with Antonio and helping Mahogany plan the wedding, she couldn’t help but think of Ezra. Unfortunately, each time she did, a stab of pain pierced her chest.
She blinked rapidly, refusing to let any tears fall and destroy her makeup. But it was hard not to cry for the man who had given her the greatest gift of all—Bella. When all Scarlett had given him was heartache. She hadn’t been able to return the type of love he had given her… the type of love that he had craved.
The door burst open, and Scarlett startled.
“Okay, girls. It’s time.” Their mother hurried into the room, and Scarlett quickly pulled away from Mahogany while discreetly dabbing at the corners of her eyes with the heel of her palm.
“Oh, baby, you look so beautiful.”
Scarlett turned back to see her mother hugging Mahogany, but her sister, who was taller than their mom, stared at Scarlett. The pity she saw in her eyes made Scarlett look away. She didn’t want her pity. All she wanted was to get through the day and be rid of all the painful memories weighing on her like an oversized refrigerator.
Then again, it wasn’t only the memories that plagued her, it was the stupid guilt and regrets of not handling her relationship with Ezra differently. For almost eight years, her family thought she’d been crazy in love with Bella’s father. They assumed that was why she’d taken his death so hard. On the contrary. It was because she hadn’t loved him enough.
Admitting this to herself had her choked up, but she couldn’t cry. Not now. Definitely not minutes before her sister’s wedding. Even knowing that didn’t stop a runaway tear from racing down her cheek.
Scarlett lowered her head and dabbed at it, willing others not to fall. She needed to get herself together, but she kept thinking about the night that Ezra proposed to her. When he’d asked her to marry him, she hadn’t known she was pregnant. Not that it would’ve changed her answer. She had no choice. She had to turn down his proposal because, though she loved him, she hadn’t been in love with him. There was no way she could marry someone she wasn’t in love with.
She swallowed hard and rubbed her chest. It was as if she could still see the hurt and disappointment in Ezra’s eyes. She could feel his anguish when he begged her to make him understand why she wouldn’t marry him. By the time they’d finished talking, she had been worn out, and he had left the apartment, saying he needed some air.
Then he was gone… for good.
Scarlett had received a call in the middle of the night saying he’d been in a car accident. He’d been killed by a woman who’d been texting while driving.
“Ben Sr. is waiting for you,” their mother said to Mahogany.
Since their father died years ago, her sister had asked her future father-in-law to walk her down the aisle.
“Mom, can you let him know I’ll be ready in five minutes?” Mahogany’s words punched through Scarlett’s thoughts, and she quickly dabbed at her face, hoping their mother hadn’t noticed her tears.
“Sure, sweetie,” her mom said, but when Scarlett looked at her mother, she was looking at her.
Crap . Scarlett would never forgive herself if she was the cause of Mahogany being late for her own wedding. She braced herself, half expecting their mother to ask what was going on, but she didn’t. Amelia Rowsey was nothing if not observant.
But there was one thing in particular that Scarlett loved about her mother, and that was she knew how to read a room. She knew when to ask questions, press for answers, and when to wait to see if her girls would automatically share what was on their minds.
Instead of saying anything, her mom approached her, squeezed Scarlett’s arm, and gave her a reassuring smile. Then she kissed her cheek before walking out of the small room.
God, I love that woman .
Scarlett released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, then turned her attention to her sister. Mahogany gave her a small smile.
“I know there’s more going on than you’re letting on, but I’ll let you keep your secrets. Just remember, I’m always here for you. However, before we go, I need to say something. Antonio is one of the good ones. He won’t hurt you. He’ll treat you like a queen, but if you know you’re not interested in him, tell him.”
“I am interested in him, but—”
“But you’re afraid.”
Yeah, she was afraid, but not for the reasons Mahogany was probably thinking. If Scarlett was going to be with any man, it would be Antonio. But what if she really did have a problem? What if history had shown she was incapable of falling in love? Before Ezra, it had been Todd, her high school boyfriend. After graduating high school, he had assumed they’d get married and live happily ever after. But just like it had been with Ezra, she loved him, but she hadn’t been in love with him.
“Bella already loves Antonio,” she said, wishing her daughter hadn’t gotten to know him before Scarlett worked things out within herself. But Bella had met and spent time with Antonio and the Jenkins family before he had even asked Scarlett out.
Mahogany squeezed her hand. “Antonio loves her too. He hasn’t said it, but it’s written all over his face whenever they’re together. I assure you, no matter what happens between you and him, his feelings for Bella won’t ever change.”
Scarlett nodded. “Yeah, because he’s an incredible man.”
He was the first man to come along and evoke feelings within Scarlett that she hadn’t felt in a long time. If ever. What if she ended up hurting him the way she’d done Todd and Ezra? She wanted to fall in love and live happily ever after, but what if something was broken inside of her? What if she was incapable of those feelings?
It would hurt her more than Antonio if she let things progress only to find out that she couldn’t fall in love. Especially knowing he was looking to get married and have a family one day. He deserved happiness.
“Don’t overthink whatever is happening between you and Antonio,” Mahogany said. “Enjoy the ride. Everything will work out as it should.”
“Yeah, I hope you’re right.”