Shine On Page 6

  So many questions. But now all I had to do was ask the source—Ivy.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “Mom wants to know why you look constipated.” Kenji dropped into the chair next to me and swung his arm around my shoulder.

  I pushed off his arm and rolled my eyes. “She didn’t say that. She’s too busy mingling.” Mom was all smiles to those she greeted. Now she talked with the mayor who was also a UNLV alumnus and hall of famer. Mayor Criehan and Mom seemed on good terms. She laughed a lot and was comfortable enough with him touching her arm or her back.

  “Mom is getting her flirt on with the mayor,” I pointed out to Kenji who rapped a beat on the table along with the band on stage. Like Luka, he was in pretty high spirits. There were a lot of single ladies here, most of whom circled around both my brothers like they were celebrities. They were in their element. I faded into the background and observed, aware of everything around me when Ivy arrived.

  Kenji stopped his annoying tapping and slouched back in his chair. “Luka says Mayor Criehan stops in Farshen a lot for dinner and always asks about Mom. Maybe he has a crush on her?”

  Mom tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, and the silver charm bracelet she had stopped wearing after Dad died flashed. She’d decided to wear it in his memory tonight. The piece of jewelry went well with her diamond tennis necklace and stud earrings, also gifts from Dad.

  “Since Mom is wearing a tribute to Dad for tonight, Criehan is shit out of luck.” I didn’t want to think of Mom dating anyone or the natural outcome of dating, sex. I shuddered and rubbed my arms, suddenly cold.

  Kenji hooked his arm over the back of my chair and grunted. “Looks like someone else is shit out of luck when it comes to Mom. Holland has been giving her and Criehan the evil eye for a good five minutes.”

  Holland sat at the bar, staring at Mom and the mayor. He held a bottle of beer to his mouth but didn’t drink. His frown softened when Posey came up to him. He even laughed at something she said and gave her a one-armed hug. My stomach pitched as I remembered Dad’s smile and how he would hug me almost the same way.

  “Are you going to say hello to Posey?” Kenji asked.

  “We saw each other when we first arrived. We may hit up the casino after the dinner is over,” I said, glancing at the band when they ended their set and left. Where was Ivy?

  Luka strolled over with his jacket unbuttoned and his tie loose around his neck. He took the seat next to me and finished whatever he drank. His face had more color than usual, and a smirk tilted his lips.

  “What’s with the shit-eating grin?” I nudged him in the side.

  He hugged his chest and sprawled in his chair. “One of the bartenders is a chick I knew in college. She used to be in some of my culinary classes and was a big know-it-all back then.” A strange gleam came to his eyes, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a semi-smile. “I said I remembered her, and she played dumb, pretending she didn’t know me. But after some back and forth, she admitted she did.”

  “Oh, so she’s one of the few girls who didn’t swoon and fall to their knees because you said hello to them?” He had been popular with the ladies, especially those in his major. And it wasn’t just because of his looks, but because he loved to cook, using his classes to create original dishes, some of which were on the menu at Farshen.

  He kept his gaze on the bar area. “She was my biggest competitor at school. I lost the Silver Spoon award to her. It’s strange she’s bartending here.”

  “Maybe she’s an amazing mixologist like I am?” Kenji piped up.

  “Mixing vodka and juice doesn’t make you an award-winning mixologist.” I ruffled his hair then stared at my hand. “How much product did you use, anyway?”

  He tried to pat it back into place. Before we ended up embarrassing ourselves with immature play fighting, I stood, thirsty for something to drink, and to check out the woman who had annoyed Luka.

  “I’m getting something to drink,” I said to my brothers and patted them both on the backs.

  “Tell Posey I say hi,” Kenji called out in a loud enough voice to make me give him a dirty look.

  I left before Luka could chime in. Mom now chatted with a group of women, and Mayor Criehan stood at the edge of the stage holding a microphone. Holland also talked to some people at the bar, while Posey drank a Cosmo. When I approached, she smiled.

  “Love the dress.” I wished I had the body to wear a white backless halter dress. She also wore an intricate updo intertwined with silver ribbons. I wore mine down.

  Posey licked her lips. She ran her fingers down my arms, leaving pleasant tingles behind. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks. You look amazing, as always.” I stroked her hip and spotted Mom again, staring at the stage as the mayor started to speak. “My mom and I wore red to honor my dad. It was his favorite color.”

  “That’s sweet.” She curled her arm around my waist and nuzzled under my ear. “You’re hot in red and white.”

  I linked my fingers with hers, made anxious not by what she said but with waiting for Ivy to take the stage. “Want to take a walk with me before they hand out the awards?”

  Posey sent me a puzzled look. “But—”

  Applause erupted as the mayor said Ivy’s name. Once she appeared on stage, cheers. My stomach bottomed out as Ivy waved at the crowd. She had dressed for the occasion. She’d replaced dive-bar-jukebox chic with a very short silver lace dress with a plunging neckline, a sinful feast for the eyes.

  Her curtsy made the room go wilder, even though the average age here wasn’t her fan base.

  I found myself stepping forward and soaking up Ivy with my eyes. I was stupid to think I would remain unaffected by her when she commanded the stage and everyone’s attention like the pop goddess she embodied.

  She set the microphone in the stand and pulled her guitar around her torso. Plucking on the strings, she opened her mouth as if to speak, but then our eyes locked. As ridiculous as it may sound, the world stopped.

  My heart sped up when the tip of her tongue swept across her bottom lip. Whether it was by accident or on purpose, I couldn’t say. She then winked at me and her lips curled. My breath caught in my throat as her fingers tickled the strings on her guitar, an acoustic identical to the one she owned back in high school. I imagined her touching me like she touched her instrument. I shifted from left to right, my frustration mounting.

  Ivy lifted her gaze away from me and raised her hand to quiet the cheers. She paused her strumming and moved closer to the microphone in front of her. I swallowed hard as she blew in the mic, or it could have just been her breathing, but, to me, it sounded like excitement and arousal combined. She had once said playing on stage was like having an orgasm. She glowed, sweat glistening on her face. I didn’t think it was from the heat of the lights.

  “Thank you for allowing me to be your entertainment for this evening. When Vienna Moretti asked if I would perform tonight in honor of her late husband, Dante, I couldn’t say no.” She gifted me a tender smile. “Not only was he a successful businessman and generous to the community and UNLV, but he was also a loving and dedicated husband and father. Like the others being inducted into UNLV’s hall of fame tonight, Dante Moretti gave so much and didn’t ask for anything in return. How do I know? Dante was a father figure to me. After my father died, when I was twelve, I almost turned my back on music, but Dante told me to stick with it because he knew it was in my blood.” She blinked, her eyes shining with tears. My own grew damp also. “He paid for me to take guitar lessons and introduced me to people in the music industry who could help me. Because of him, I achieved my dream.”

  I never knew this about their relationship. Why didn’t Daddy or she ever tell me?

  Mom blew a kiss to Ivy, but Luka and Kenji appeared as shocked as I felt. Kenji glanced at me and mouthed, did you know? I shook my head.

  Ivy strummed the opening riff of “Something to Me” on her guitar, but she didn’t sing. After a few notes, she switched
to a tune I’d never heard before; a haunting melody reminding me of regret and loss.

  “I’ll play my most popular hit for you in a bit, but first I wanted to play my first single off my new album releasing in October.” Ivy said, and again caught my eye. “I wrote this song five years ago. It took me that long to get it just right. It hits the radio next week, and this is my first live performance of “Jewel.” I hope you like it.”

  My mouth went dry, and my heartbeat pounded in my ears, my body’s warning that her next words would tear me apart.

  “Her name is Jade, but I call her Jewel. A sparkling diamond among all the rest…”

  Goose bumps rose on my arms. Instead of engaging the room, she kept her attention on me. People stared in my direction.

  Posey touched my arm, making me jump. “‘Jewel’ is about you? Did you know?”

  She sounded more stunned than defensive, which added to my anguish. I wanted to fall to my knees and cry or cover my ears because Ivy’s singing gutted me. The song was her apology and an olive branch.

  Posey whispered my name.

  I didn’t know how to answer or react, other than to escape from the room before I embarrassed myself.

  ***

  I went to the Bellagio, one of my favorite casinos on the Strip. Dad had been a big fan of their daily musical aquatic show. It had been a while since I watched the fountains. They were gorgeous to see at night, even with the Strip lit up. Tourists and other visitors clogged the sidewalk, but I didn’t care. I welcomed the crowds because I was just one of the many, an anonymous person who found joy and perhaps some peace by watching water dance to music.

  My heart no longer raced, and my pulse had quieted. But, based on the text message Kenji just sent me, I would have to face reality. He sent me a friendly warning that Ivy was coming for me. He’d told her where he thought I would be.

  Traitor, I texted him back then faced away from the fountain and at the crosswalk Ivy would take to get to me. I could continue to run and hide, but she would eventually catch up with me. She took a big chance being out in public because she was so recognizable. Within minutes, she would be swarmed by fans. If she wanted to speak to me, then she would have to enter the fray.

  Cars came to a stop when the light turned red, and masses of people crossed the street to my side. In the midst of them all was Ivy, sans her guitar. Odd how no one seemed to notice her, even in the flashy dress that screamed celebrity singer. She walked liked she didn’t have a care in the world. I waited for her, numb, free of the anxiety I’d suffered since she re-entered my world.

  She stopped in front of me. “Found you.”

  “How many more songs did you sing after I left?” I faced the fountains.

  “Five more. I sang for thirty minutes. I ended with ‘Forgiveness.’”

  I snorted. “Too bad I wasn’t around to hear it.”

  “That was your choice.” She kept her attention on the dancing water. “You hated my new song?”

  “I didn’t hate it.” I faced her with my arms crossed over my chest. “Hearing you sing my name hurt too much. I don’t know how to deal with it…or you.”

  The stark need on her face made the numbness go away.

  “You’ll be hearing ‘Jewel’ everywhere soon, so get used to it. The same goes for me. I’m here to stay.”

  “I’ve accepted the fact you’re not leaving anytime soon. But I still have a choice whether I want you in my life. You can’t take that away from me.” I lowered my arms to my sides and straightened. I had to prove not only to Ivy but to myself I was strong and could resist her, or at the very least come up with my own set of rules.

  “All I’m asking is for a chance.” She started to hum the tune from “Jewel” then sang one of the verses loud enough for those around us to hear.

  “What are you doing?” I asked as she continued singing louder.

  “I decided right now it’s the world premiere of ‘Jewel.’” She gripped my arms and kissed me hard.

  With people around us hooting, Ivy tipped me back. I think I yelped her name before she lifted me back up. My head spun, and, as I tried to catch my footing, the crazy woman climbed on top of the concrete ledge encased the water and started singing “‘Jewel.”

  The crowd buzzed with conversation and mentions of Ivy’s name. Cameras flashed and people lifted phones, recording Ivy. She announced she was the real Ivy Falls, and the crowd went wild.

  “Prove it!” someone shouted behind me.

  Ivy did her trademark bow, and, as she straightened, she gave me a sneaky grin. “Ladies and gentlemen, you just heard me sing a few lyrics from my new song ‘Jewel’ that will hit the airwaves next week. But to prove I’m not an imposter, I’ll sing my biggest hit, ‘Forgiveness.’” She held out her hand at me. “I dedicate ‘Forgiveness’ to the woman I adore and love the most!” She wiggled her fingers at me. “Jade, come up here and sing with me.”

  “You’re crazy!” I shouted over the roar of people screaming for her to sing.

  “Crazy for you,” she said, and then, in near perfect pitch, broke into the beginning of “‘Forgiveness.”

  The crowd sang with her and cheered their approval. Even when police officers broke through the crush, Ivy didn’t stop singing. Instead of making her get down, the officers protected her.

  She performed her impromptu concert to the delight of hundreds in front of the Bellagio. Soon, millions more would witness it when video of her singing was uploaded to the Internet and discussed on various entertainment programs on television. My name would be shared in the mix.

  Ivy didn’t play fair. Checkmate to her.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  More than a handful of tabloids and entertainment magazines lined the table. The majority of them featured Ivy singing in front of the Bellagio on the cover. There were shots of me as well, walking away from her that night. The accompanying stories declared Ivy was in love with a Vegas stripper, meaning me, or told how Ivy reconnected with her lost love from childhood who may or may not be an escort. Talk about humiliating.

  “I can’t believe you made the cover of Star Weekly. I wish I had the luck you do!” Scarlett Eden, Kenji’s long time best friend, and Serendipity Casino’s most popular lounge singer plopped down next to me on the couch in her dressing room.

  Kenji straddled a chair and snickered. “Maybe you, Jade, and Ivy can pretend to have a threesome? You’ll definitely get a spot on a magazine cover then.”

  I grabbed the magazine she waved in front of my face and threw it at him. He caught it and opened it, his eyes widening in mock shock.

  Scarlett jumped up from the couch and hugged him from behind. She kissed his cheek, and he, in turn, kissed her lips.

  “I would turn lesbian for Ivy Falls. She’s freakin’ hot.” Scarlett rested her chin on top of Kenji’s head.

  Kenji dropped the magazine and tugged on her red curls. “Too bad Ivy only has eyes for my sister. You should see the flowers she’s sent Jade every day this week.”

  “Kenji, shut up,” I said, rolling my eyes at a giggling Scarlett.

  “Oh, do tell, doll.” She poked him in the shoulder with her violet-frosted nail.

  “The flowers don’t mean anything.” My face warmed as I thought back to the lilacs Ivy had sent me. They were my favorite flower, and also quite expensive. Baskets arrived every morning, accompanied by lines from some of Ivy’s most popular songs.

  “You love it. I wish some chick sent me flowers,” Kenji said and curled an arm around Scarlett’s waist.

  “I’ve never had a man send me flowers. Not even you.” Scarlett moved out if his embrace and viewed her reflection in the cheval mirror on the wall. She rolled back her shoulders and boosted her chest, which showed a nice amount of cleavage in her long red strapless sequin dress. Scarlett had the best curves of any female performer on the Vegas strip.

  “Annnd that’s my cue to leave. I’m gonna hit the head then grab something to drink before you start.” Kenji stood and
stretched his arms over his head while letting out a jaw-cracking yawn. I wasn’t the only Moretti sibling not getting enough sleep. My reason was anxiety over Ivy and trying to figure out her next move. As for Kenji, he worked more hours at Diamonds or at Farshen.

  Scarlett stopped primping and hugged him. He gave her one back and whispered something I couldn’t hear. She smiled and kissed his cheek. “I’m dedicating, ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers Anymore’ to you.”

  “Maybe I’ll have a bouquet waiting for you after your show.” He gave her another hug and me a high five as he left.

  Scarlett claimed the seat he’d vacated and crossed her legs in a prim and proper way. “What are the odds he’s going to buy me some flowers?”

  “He should have brought the hundreds at our place.” I rested my forearms on my knees. “Is there something more going on between you and Kenji? He’s been staying over at your place a lot.”

  Scarlett tossed her hair over one shoulder. “His insomnia is flaring up again. I’m just helping him get past it.” She flipped through the magazine. “Are you going to be upfront with me about Ivy Falls?”

  “She wants something I might not be willing to give. We have a lot of issues to work through, some of which may never be resolved.” Talking about me and Ivy would just make it worse because I would keep second-guessing myself.

  “Now that the press has gotten hold of you, it’s not going away. Maybe that’s her plan?” Scarlett sounded thrilled by the idea.

  I peered up at her. “What would you do if you were in my shoes? Accept her, not knowing if she could break your heart again?”

  “I’ve never been in the type of situation you’re in. I’ve never given my heart freely like you have with Ivy.” A pout replaced her smile. “But whatever you have with her is eating you up inside. What if you do take what she’s offering? Maybe this time will be better. You had some sort of falling out, right?”