Page 99 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ivy
The next morning, Tony hands me a mug of fresh coffee without a word. I grab it with gratitude and chug it down as quickly as I can. I fell face-first onto the bed as soon as I came home yesterday, a million options for flower arrangements and bouquet and catering and shoes swirling in my head. I don’t remember taking off my shoes, although I wasn’t wearing them anymore when I woke up.
Bobbi’s checking the sports news on TV. Just as I’m done with my breakfast, my phone rings. I brace myself, praying it’s not Yuna’s mom. I love her—and her fearsome, endless energy—but I need a break, a day off to decompress.
I perk up when I see it’s Elizabeth.
“Good morning, Ivy. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Hope you’re well,” I say, but I’m certain my boss isn’t calling me this early to ask how I am. “Do you need me to pick up something on the way to the office?”
“Not at all. I wanted to let you know you don’t need to come in this morning.”
“How come? I have a meeting with Ryder’s people.”
“I know, but they postponed. Apparently Ryder arranged a wedding venue for you, and he wants you and Tony to check it out.”
“Uh, what?” I blink. This is news to me. I shoot a glance at Tony, but he is too busy scowling at his phone. “I can do that in my free time.”
“Yes, but you should go during the day to really appreciate it. If you don’t like the place, you don’t have to take it.”
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“As long as you get all your tasks done, I’m not concerned about how many hours you spend at the office. See you after lunch.” She hangs up.
I place the phone on the counter and turn to Tony, wondering if Ryder told him. “Did you know we’re supposed to go see a wedding venue Ryder arranged?”
He sighs. “Yes.” He shows me his phone with a text. “I didn’t realize he’d just tell Elizabeth to give you the day off.”
“Half a day, but still. Why didn’t you say something yesterday?”
“When? You came home and passed out.”
“But Ryder?”
“He came by yesterday and said his uncle and aunt own a citrus grove we might be able to use. He said he’d ask, and I thought it’d take a couple of days before he heard back, but I guess not.”
If Ryder recommended it, it’s going to be spectacular, but I haven’t forgotten about the safety measures. It’s a big factor in our decision. Unlike us, Ryder is more worried about keeping out annoying paparazzi than a killer. “What about security?”
“Very secure. But Bobbi and TJ can take a look.”
That puts my mind at ease. They’d see so much more than I ever could. “Okay, well… We should check it out, then.”
I grab a second mug of coffee, and we go down and get into the waiting Cullinan. Bobbi follows in her Escalade. Along the way, Tony tells me more about the place. It sounds exclusive and suitable if one of his cousins held a wedding there. Regardless of what we end up deciding, I make a mental note to thank Ryder. “Have you ever been?”
“No. But I’ve seen pictures. It’s pretty. But don’t feel like you have to like it. He or his uncle won’t be insulted.”
I nod, although I wonder if that’s really the case. People get their feelings hurt over the smallest things. Like Sam. Or Marty. Okay, those two are petty, so maybe that’s expected, but even Byron isn’t immune. He hasn’t tried to contact me or ask me how I’m doing after the incident outside Julie’s apartment, which isn’t like him at all. “By the way, I was talking with Yuna’s mom, and I thought maybe I don’t want to auction the bridal pieces after all.”
“Really? You seemed pretty set on the idea.”
“I was, but then she told me you and I are creating a dynasty.” I smile a little at her choice of words. “You know, family. She thought we should have nice pieces we can give to our children, and she’s right. We can always donate money to charity, and turn Masako Hayashi’s work into heirlooms.”
“Is that what she said? Kids?” His expression remains the same, except for a small flicker in his eyes.
Maybe he finds it intrusive that Mrs. Min’s talking about children and dynasty. Given his family history, he isn’t used to someone nagging at him to produce an heir. “Well, why not? It’s a perfect reason to commission something so expensive and special.”
